Sidmouth church cash bid bowls 'em over
OAK bowls made out of the pews of All Saints Church, Sidmouth are being sold to help fund the reordering project. Sidmouth resident Dick Sidwell, 81, a keen woodturner, offered to craft the bowls after hearing that the pews had been stripped from the chur
OAK bowls made out of the pews of All Saints Church, Sidmouth are being sold to help fund the reordering project.
Sidmouth resident Dick Sidwell, 81, a keen woodturner, offered to craft the bowls after hearing that the pews had been stripped from the church.
Eight of the bowls have already been sold and Dick, of Roseland, hopes to make 18 in total.
He said: "When I found out the lovely oak seating was taken out of the church I offered to make the bowls.
"I am making them out of two pew ends and a short seat and it has taken me couple of weeks on and off. All of the money made will help the church and the reordering."
The bowls are being offered for �10 each and John Dalton, project manager of All Saints Church reordering, says they have sold like hotcakes.
Most Read
- 1 Injured coast path walker airlifted to hospital
- 2 Ceremony launches installation of defibrillator at Ottery Cricket Club
- 3 Service veterans 'crowdfund' to buy Queen's Colours flag for Sidmouth
- 4 Property of the Week: Overthorpe, Cliff Road, Sidmouth
- 5 Can you answer these 10 GCSE questions designed for 16-year-olds?
- 6 Harlan's a winner after completing reading challenge
- 7 Plan unveiled to restore 'magical' hidden garden in Sidmouth
- 8 Comedy and horror at Sidbury Manor in film being released next month
- 9 Concern over Sainsburys parking restriction plans
- 10 Preparations underway for Salcombe Regis Fair while car parking remains a hot topic
Around �60,000 still needs to be raised to meet the �500,000 target for the ongoing work to the church.
John told the Herald: "It is one of the many ways we are trying to meet the shortfall- the first eight have all been sold at fundraising events we have had."
Out of the 55 pews that were put on sale for �75 each, there around 15 left.
John added: "A lot of people are interested in them for their homes if they have got room to put a pew. They are nine feet six inches but I'm offering to have them cut down to whatever size for an additional �50."
The reordering of the church is hoped to be completed by the middle of 2010 and so far the church has been completely stripped of its pews, pulpit and floor as well as the north and south galleries.
Once the work has been finished, John says it will "provide a far more welcoming and comfortable environment".
He added: "It will enable us to use the church not only for a variety of services but also for community activities such as concerts etc."
Anyone interested in purchasing a bowl or pew can ring John on (01404) 813431.
