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April 25, 2004
Alternative Potd?
The Cross of St George flies from the Abbey Tower for St George’s Day.
The Abbey boasts the highest Norman Tower in England – one hundred and thirty five feet from foundation to parapet. It was originally a “lantern” tower topped by a wooden steeple and open internally to the galleried “lantern” just below the clock. Subsequently the wooden steeple blew down and two more storeys were added before, in the 14th Century, the present stone rib vaulting was inserted internally throughout the nave, transepts and choir, cutting off the lantern.
The tower was last restored in 1939 and now needs a further restoration which will cost around £1 million to complete. This will see the damaged stone replaced with new stone cut from the same quarry the original came from and other remedial works which will keep it standing and safe for another 900 years at least.
Anyone who wants to be a part of this scheme should contact the Abbey Appeals office at office@tewkesburyabbey.org.uk
More information can be found on the Abbey website.
Posted by The Gray Monk at April 25, 2004 01:13 AM