Church News Archive

On Wednesday 31st July 1991, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the oak shingle-clad, timber-framed spire caught fire - possibly due to an electrical fault.  An accumulation of jackdaw nesting material, which bellringers had been attempting to remove, added fuel to the fire.  The Fire Brigade was called at 2:00 pm, and crews from four appliances using an hydraulic platform fought the blaze throughout the day until 11:00 p.m., when the fire was officially declared extinguished.

There was extensive damage to the spire and to the more vulnerable elements of the bell chamber - although the bells remained intact, and the timber bell frame suffered only superficial scorching. However, the ringing chamber and the church nave sustained associated smoke and water damage.

At the direction of Biggins Sargent Partnership (Senior Architect Gilbert Parry) the work of repair and restoration/rebuilding of a new spire was undertaken by Linford Bridgeman Ltd. of Lichfield.  Repair of the bell chamber, re-tuning and re-hanging of the bells was undertaken by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough. During the subsequent 22 months, the church congregation and friends of Pulford Church raised over £30,000 to add to insurance compensation together with a considerable donation from the Duke of Westminster.

On Sunday 2nd May 1993 a Service of Dedication of the new church spire was led by The Venerable Geoffrey Turner, Archdeacon of Chester. Later in the month - on 30th May (Whit Sunday) - a Service of Rededication of the church bells was led by the then Rector, The Reverend Hugh Linn.