A SPRING Festival in aid of much needed funds for the upkeep of England's largest Parish Church gets under way on May 12 in Great Yarmouth. This is the most ambitious project undertaken by the St Nicholas Church Preservation Trust with the object of raising cash and providing events for the local community and visitors to the town to attend and participate in.

A SPRING Festival in aid of much needed funds for the upkeep of England's largest Parish Church gets under way on May 12 in Great Yarmouth. This is the most ambitious project undertaken by the St Nicholas Church Preservation Trust with the object of raising cash and providing events for the local community and visitors to the town to attend and participate in.

The festival runs from Wednesday to Monday, May 17 and includes a variety of attractions to suit a broad cross section of the general public.

Built in the period 1100 to 1121, the church is in need of repairs to the fabric of the building with particular need to the tower pinnacles and the restoration of the organ which is listed as being of great historical importance. �900,000 needs to be raised to sort the problems.

Trust chairman, Dr Paul Davies said: “We are applying for grants which may be available but we still need to raise money because we are certain to have a shortfall so we are reliant on the generosity of the people of Great Yarmouth.”

The Festival starts on Wednesday with a demonstration of Flower Arranging and a Gardening Question Time hosted by local expert Bill Boardman. This has been arranged in conjunction with Yarmouth College and the Priory Centre. Gloria Goodley has involved the local college students in the event at St Nicholas' at the north end of the Market Place. There will be a buffet and bar and the event opens at 6pm and starts at 6.30pm with a finish at 9.30pm Tickets are �10 (including the buffet) and �5 for college and Priory students.

General Sir Richard Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC will give a talk “A Look Back, A Look Forward. Reflections on 40 years a Soldier” at The Masonic Royal Assembly Rooms in Albert Square (opposite the Wellington Pier) on Friday, May 14.

Sir Richard has been the subject of debate at the highest levels and is noted for his honest and forthright views which have been reported in the National Press. Tickets are �10 and the talk starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are limited so please buy early to avoid disappointment. A bar service is available.

Saturday, May 15 sees the church hosting an exhibition of prints and maps of Great Yarmouth together with recent registers, a display of the church's silverware and attractions throughout the day. The church opens at 10am and for those energetic enough the tower is open to the public until 2pm. Local stonemason Colin Smith will be demonstrating his ancient craft from noon until 4pm. Organist John Stephens will give an organ recital between 12.30pm and 1.30pm and there will be a guided tour of the church and its history between 2pm and 3pm.

Entrance for this event is free but donations are welcomed.

A Full Choral Evensong using the 1662 Prayer Book will be held on Sunday, May 16 at 6.30pm with a glass of wine afterwards. This again is free admission.

The festival comes to a conclusion with the popular Take 3 Cooks cooking demonstration at the Imperial Hotel on Monday, May 17. It runs from 10.30am to 2.30pm includes lunch at The Imperial on North Drive, which is sponsoring the event. Tickets are �25 and there is a limit of 80.

Tickets are available from Brahms Fashions in Market Row, the Priory Centre or by contacting Dr Davies on 01493 843647.

Any business, organisation or individual who would like to sponsor or make a contribution to the preservation of the church can contact Dr Paul Davies at paulpearce@yarmouth8143.freeserve.co.uk or visit the website www.sncpt.co.uk. Donations can also be made on line through the secure section of the website.