BATHURST’S All Saints’ Cathedral Bell Tower project is moving along full steam ahead with a new fundraising campaign being launched to assist in its construction.
Dean Andrew Sempell said great progress was being made with the project, which is on schedule for its November 1 opening.
“We are certainly down to the bricks and mortar stage of construction,” he said.
“Looking at the slab and steel reinforcing rods sticking out of it, we can get a good indication of the size and shape of the tower,” he said.
In the next eight weeks, Dean Sempell said the community can expect to see the brick walls of the bell tower rising.
As construction of the tower steams ahead, fundraising chairman, Maurice McNeil, has announced a new phase in the fundraising campaign, and is inviting individuals, business and organisations to ‘buy a brick or lay a paver’ to help with the construction of the bell tower.
Mr McNeil said around 1000 pavers will be laid in the two courtyards between the tower and the Cathedral as part of the final landscaping.
Community members and organisations are invited to buy a paver on which the name of the donor may be engraved, or as a memorial for a loved one.
Pavers, named or otherwise, can be purchased for $150 each.
Mr McNeil said there will also be around 50,000 bricks laid in the walls of the tower, which will also be available for purchase ($25) to assist in the cost of construction.
As the completion date of the tower approaches, Dean Sempell said the training of bellringers was rapidly gaining pace.
“Those already training and ringing at Lithgow and Orange are looking forward to transferring to their home tower in Bathurst in November,” he said.
Anyone interested in joining the bell ringing team can contact Chris Bacon on 6332 2830.