A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the roof angels up close at an internationally renowned church is being offered to members of the public.
The chance to climb to the roof of Cawston parish church and marvel at the angels, medieval carvings and original paintwork has come about thanks to a major repair project.
Team vicar, the Revd Andrew Whitehead, said: 'We're so excited to be able to offer this unique opportunity to members of the public.
'The church is not only a beautiful building, but it is also a well-used and loved hub of the community.
'This project will help protect both its beauty and ability to be used by the community for many more years to come.
'As part of the project we are excited to also be able to offer hard-hat days, which will give people an amazing chance to get close to the angels; to take pictures and to wonder at the methods and motivations of our medieval ancestors.'
The 'hard-hat' days are on Saturday, March 9, Friday, March 15, Saturday, March 16, and Saturday, March 23, either at 10.30am or 1pm. They will include talks about the repair work and the creation of a new multi-purpose space in the chancel.
The sessions are free, but spaces are limited so people are urged to book in advance through the church website.
Project architect Gethin Harvey, of Nicolas Warns Architects, said: 'Improvements to the rainwater disposal system will draw rainwater away from the building. In combination with the re-leading of the clerestory windows, this will help make the building weathertight and reduce the damp internal environment.
'This is essential to prevent decay of the precious historical fabric, especially the exquisite timber work. The angels, and also the carving of the Virgin Mary, all with original paintwork, are very rare survivals. Their general inaccessibility is something which is likely to have saved them from damage during the Reformation.'
St Agnes' Church is one of the most magnificent examples of medieval architecture in the country, complete with its internationally significant rood screen and angel-adorned hammerbeam roof.
to book visit www.st-agnes.org.uk
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