A ROCKING reverend is planning a Madness-style rooftop concert to save his crumbling historic church – before it is too late.
Reverend Andrew Rumsey, 45, plans to do a gig from the top of the tower at Oxted's St Mary's Church in Church Lane as part of an urgent £100,000 appeal to save the 1,000-year-old building and keep it standing.
Rev Rumsey, who is also rector of St Peter's Church in Tandridge, is going up in the world as part of a town-wide appeal to raise the vital funds.
He has been lead singer and guitarist for South London rock band The Effras for more than a decade, and came up with the eye-catching idea to promote the restoration of the a Grade I listed parish church.
The concert will be reminiscent of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration, when Madness performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace last June.
Rev Rumsey said: "Urgent works needed include repairing the Grade I listed wall around the churchyard, after a 10ft section of it collapsed last year.
"And some of the Norman tower's decaying and crumbling stonework needs repairing to prevent far costlier work in a few years' time.
More than 6,000 appeal packs were distributed door-to-door throughout the town last week.
And by Tuesday, 66 had already been returned – although the total sum donated has yet to be added up.
Rev Rumsey added: "We need the public's help because it is an asset for the whole town.
"And, like most parish churches, it receives no external funding beyond the collection plate."
He said more extensive renovation may still be needed in a few years' time, but this current appeal addresses the immediate needs of the historic building.
Oxted district councillor Martin Fisher, who is treasurer of the St Mary's Oxted Heritage Trust, said: "This church has a lot of significance locally and it would be a shame to see it fall into greater disrepair.
"We need people to donate because the church is almost wholly funded by donations and without that the church would not be standing today."
Since 1998 the trust has raised around £400,000 for repairs and upkeep of the building, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book.
One money-spinning event looming is the May Fayre on May 18 at St Mary's Junior School. Proceeds are split between the church and the school. Last year's event gave the church a £2,200 boost.
Cheques, made payable to St Mary's Oxted Heritage Trust, can be sent to 53 Church Lane, Oxted RH8 9NB.