The church, which stands up an alley in the north west corner of the market place, was built between 1350 and 1530 and the lofty Perpendicular tower with its decorated battlements and crowned with sixteen pinnacles can be seen for many miles around and it is this high and prominent position that caused it to take the brunt of the storm.

The two pinnacles, each weighing around a ton, broke up as they fell eighty feet, the stonework scattering over a wide area with pieces lodging in the roof. In the nave, the masonry shattered on the flagstone floor while outside in the churchyard, several trees were blown down, gravestones toppled and a 30 foot section of wall flattened.

The vicar, the Rev Charlie Robertson, was in the vicarage next door when the storm reached its height soon after midnight. "I did not hear anything of the damage because the wind and rain had created a maelstrom", he said. The damage was horrendous and we now have a huge hole in the roof of the south aisle while the north aisle roof is also damaged."

Churchwarden Alan Cooper  said that a sudden, vicious burst of wind appeared to have been responsible for the damage because the church had been taking the full force of the storm without any ill effect.

The church has been closed for the time being and builders are now making it safe until repair work can be carried out. Groups which normally use the church for meetings and other activities have been found alternative accommodation.

It is anticipated that insurance will cover most of the repair costs, estimated at well over £100,000, but the church is urgently seeking donations which are badly needed to boost church funds.

WRITTEN JANUARY 2007