The shops which had crowded around the base of the church had been removed, but, once they had gone, it was discovered that they were the only things holding the tower up.
“This old tower is the crowning glory of Richmond’s Market Place,” said the D&S. “It stands there as a symbol of the Dark Ages when the church was almost everything that mattered and it may be regarded as an outward manifestation of a spirit that departed centuries ago.
“The tower stands revealed in what may be described as a shabby mediaeval dress. The outward appearance at the moment is rather pathetic. It is supported by ponderous shores and the unfortunate truth is that without these shores it would collapse.”
To prove this, the paper printed a picture of the timber shores holding the tower up.
Just erecting them had cost £350, and the mayor feared the total cost would run into four figures.
“It is with fervent hope that he is broadcasting his appeal through the columns of the Darlington and Stockton Times which finds its way to the uttermost ends of the earth,” said the paper.
“Sons of Richmond are to be found in every land and every climate and those among them whose eyes light up on this appeal by the mayor of their old borough will assuredly answer the call.”
