Rector Climbs West Tarring Church Steeple to Fundraise for Repairs

A church rector has climbed a 13th-century steeple in West Tarring to raise funds for its restoration.

Father Steven Emerson, the rector of St Andrew’s Church in West Tarring, near Worthing, completed the 46-metre (150ft) climb in his dog collar and brogues.

The fundraiser is aimed at covering the £30,000 cost of re-shingling two sides of the Grade II listed building’s steeple in cedarwood.

Father Emerson, an experienced rock and mountain climber, described the climb as “exhilarating” and “much less scary than I expected it to be,” despite feeling nervous as the ladder changed direction near the top. Around 50 people cheered him on during his climb.