ONE of the unique treasures of Herefordshire's history is getting a revamp, writes CATHERINE SHOVLIN.

But the essential work will be a tribute to the 19th century church and the villagers that helped create it.

Picturesque St Mary Magdalene at Stretton Sugwas is to be restored to the beauty of its heyday using a state-of-the-art technique on the rotting timber of the tower.

The community now has the mammoth task of adding £40,000 to its funds for the project but is hopeful that people in Herefordshire will be keen to help preserve the Norman landmark.

Alarm bells started ringing when parishioners were alerted to the urgent attention the ancient timber required.

Church architect Peter Cripwell had identified repair work needed to the nave roof.

It was only when scaffolding went up that the extent of the problem was recognised.

The wood carrying the weight of the tower was crumbling and the black-and-white feature had started to move.

Stretton Sugwas and the Rev. Jimmy Morrison have been working furiously to raise money to save the extraordinary picture-postcard sight. Lush greenery of the churchyard and field surrounds the tower that rises above the high east gable.

Birmingham-based company Terminix has given hope to the 'rescue-workers'. It will use a technique to save the timber, while rebuilding and strengthening it with epoxy resin and new wood bonded to the old by metal pins.

It is hoped that English Heritage will provide a grant to contribute to the work.

The original village church stood next to the present New Priory Hotel and its floor plans can still be seen there.

When it began to crumble, it was rebuilt in 1878 where it could be seen from the main road using the best of the old materials. The replacement was hailed as even better than the Norman original.

The greatest of Magdalene's treasures is the Samson Tympanum, above the doorway leading into the tower. The semi-circular carving by medieval sculptor Chief Master under the patronage of Sir Ralph de Baskerville attracts people from all over the world.

To help the fund-raising effort, there will be a coffee morning in Stretton Sugwas Village Hall on Saturday, May 13, at 10am.