Wedding dreams are being dashed at a historic Cambridgeshire church after its iconic bells were silenced—leaving couples looking elsewhere for their big day. The once-thriving wedding venue, St Wendreda’s Church in March, has seen a plunge in bookings after its 140ft spire was deemed unsafe, forcing its beloved bells into silence.
Vicar Rev Ruth Clay, 60, is heartbroken, admitting that the lack of pealing bells is making couples think twice before saying “I do.” “It’s really sad when I have to tell a couple that we can’t ring the bells,” she revealed. “Perhaps they think they should go somewhere else.” Now, she’s on a mission to raise £250,000 to fix the spire before it gets any worse—but with just £46,000 in the pot so far, the race is on!
With its stunning 500-year-old timber ceiling and deep-rooted traditions, St Wendreda’s has been a sought-after venue for generations. But without the romantic chime of bells, some engaged couples are having second thoughts. “Couples want all the bells and whistles when planning their big day,” Rev Clay admitted.
Local bell-ringer Andrew Goakes, 49, whose family has been ringing at the church for five generations, said the silence is unbearable. “I really miss ringing the bells,” he confessed. “I still ring at other churches, but it’ll be great to make music here again.”
The corroded metal tie bars in the spire are not just a wedding woe—they could be a serious hazard. Rev Clay fears another winter without repairs could spell disaster for the historic structure. “We can’t afford any more damage,” she warned.
