AN APPEAL has been launched to finish the job of restoring St John’s Chapel in St Laurence Church in Ludlow.

More than half of the £12,000 required has been quickly pledged and a public appeal for the last £5,000 has now been launched.

The chapel is commonly known as the Palmers’ Chapel from its original association with the mediaeval Palmers’ Guild.

Restoration work will focus on a fine section of Tudor linenfold wall-panelling as well as the High Victorian panelling and reredos.

The Georgian altar railing will also be repaired. Work will be undertaken by John Nethercott & Co of Presteigne. Damage includes breakages, splits, and rot from lack of ventilation.

Ludlow Palmers is the public identity of the Conservation Trust for St Laurence Church.

The trust is an independent body investing in the historic fabric of the building. It has contributed £400,000 to help make the church sound, dry and warm as well as conserving some of its greatest treasures.

There are162 modern Palmers presently subscribing.

The original guild had an entrance fee of half a mark, 6/8d in old money, worth £220 in 2016, but contributions now vary from a little to a lot – all are valued and recognised.

Seven Palmer are leading the way in this current appeal including one donation of £1,500 which comes with an offer to double that sum to match donations from anyone signing up as a Palmer for the first time.

Donors to the appeal will be enrolled and recognised as Ludlow Palmers and have access to Palmer social and educational activities such as 'Deplorable Fire', a programme of music from the time of the Great Fire of London and readings from the diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, scheduled for Friday, December 16 in St Laurence Church.