HUNDREDS of campaigners turned out in the rain for a silent protest against plans which could result in the demolition of an historic church spire.

A total of 236 people turned up to Birch’s St Peter’s Church on Wednesday, October 11, as the Save our Spire (SOS) group continued to put pressure on the Chelmsford diocese to reverse a decision to knock down the church.

The diocese has said the building, which has been redundant for 34 years because of its structural fragility, is too costly to maintain.

But campaigners, including the co-chair of the SOS campaign, Loess Overbury-Tapper, disagree.

The 59-year-old helped organise a survey where 118 of 134 respondents said the church should be saved from demolition.

Gazette: Historic – the church was built in 1850Historic – the church was built in 1850 (Image: Save Our Spire)

In the latest development on Wednesday night, an organised silent protest was declared a success ahead of crunch talks between the SOS campaign group and Chelmsford diocese next Tuesday.

Mrs Overbury-Tapper said: “It was unbelievable – our fear was that people wouldn’t turn up.

“We had hoped for, at best, a couple of hundred people and in the end we got 236, so we were really pleased with that, given it was a rainy, gloomy, horrible evening.”

The campaigner, who has lived in Birch for 23 years, said she is still positive ahead of a meeting with the Chelmsford diocese.

“We still have a meeting on Tuesday, October 17, to explore the possibilities to resolve the situation going forward.

“The SOS committee does not want a demolition because you can see the spire for miles around.

"What we don’t know is why the diocese is so adamant to progress with the demolition – that’s what the all-important meeting is going to be about on Tuesday.

Gazette: Support – Loess Overbury-Tapper is looking to get more people on board with the campaignSupport – Loess Overbury-Tapper is looking to get more people on board with the campaign (Image: Loess Overbury-Tapper)

“That understanding will mean we can work on a win-win solution for the diocese and the committee.”

Mrs Overbury-Tapper said the spire, which is 110ft tall, was a major feature of the village and surrounding area.

“This is such a massive thing – destroying such a central landmark that can be seen for miles around.

“We got a lot of names of people at the protest who say they are now going to help us.”