The Duke of Gloucester is set to visit Sussex next week to see a church’s refurbished bell tower.
Prince Richard will visit St John the Evangelist church in the Sussex village of Piddinghoe, near Newhaven, to see the renovated tower and hear the church’s six bells ring.
The duke will also view an exhibition of photos of the bells and an oral history project, which has brought together students from Seahaven Academy in Newhaven, as well as local villagers, to share their stories.
He will be presented with a book with highlights of the gathered memories of the community at the end of his visit next Monday.
Children from Harbour Primary School will share the ancient skills of handbell ringing, which they have been taught as part of the project.
The refurbishment was made possible through support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Chalk Cliff Trust, BN9 Creative Newhaven, and a number of supporters of a fund to restore the church bells.
Brigid Simmonds OBE, funding coordinator, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Duke of Gloucester will be visiting our church at the culmination of this wonderful project.
“To hear the bells ring out across the valley, meet all those who have made this possible and hear from the children and students who have taken part in the oral history project and learned to ring hand bells, is an honour for us all.
“We are as ever grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Chalk Cliff Trust and funds from BN9 Creative Newhaven for their support.”
Prince Richard, 31st in line to the throne, is the second son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice and is the youngest of the nine grandchildren of King George IV and Queen Mary.
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