AN HISTORIC clock chimed back into life at a church summer fair, marking the end of a 10-month refurbishment project.

St George’s Church in Barbourne decided to re-face the clock, which has stood since 1904, after it stopped working in the spring of 2015.

It was last re-faced in 1955, and in total about 200 individuals contributed to the fundraising effort to carry out the work.

The clock was officially re-opened at noon on Saturday, and an array of activities, including a carousel, stalls and a tombola, were laid on to celebrate.

Visitors found plenty to tempt their tastebuds, with strawberries and cream, Pimms and a spread of sandwiches on offer, while a Barbourne’s Got Talent event proved a big hit.

The chairman of the Friends of St George’s Church Michael Silvey, said: “I am very, very happy with the new clock. We have had so much support we really are amazed by it. To raise that amount of money in 10 months is great and it has been a real community effort.

“We have been surprised by just how much the clock means to people.”

The Rev Jo Musson, the vicar of the church and of Claines Church, said: “It is amazing to have the clock working again.

“Many of the contributions have come from people who moved away years ago.

“The church is very special to a lot of people who no longer live here, they might have had a wedding or been christened here.”

The church will hold a special service in the near future led by the Bishop of Worcester, Rt Rev Dr John Inge, to celebrate the fundraising efforts made by those who contributed to restoring the clock.

The fundraising campaign was launched to raise £15,000 which has been reached through an even split of grants from businesses and the generosity of the local community.

This included a Just a Minute fundraiser, where people sponsored a particular time on the clock that was special to them.

This was led by Bishop John, a patron of the Friends of St George’s Church, who sponsored the minute that his wife Denise died.

The Just a Minute scheme was one of six finalists in the Ecclesiastical and Church Times Fundraising Ideas of the Year contest, securing a further £2,000.