THE battle has already begun to save a beautiful but decaying church on the heritage at risk register. 

St Mary's Church in Ripple, near Upton, is the largest medieval (c.1190) parish church in Worcestershire and is Grade 1 listed.

However, it is on the Historic England at risk register and church custodians need to raise at least £500,000 for conservation and refurbishment and to put St Mary`s on the heritage map.

Historic England has described the challenges - stone slate roofs and the tiled aisle roofs have slipped and are missing tiles while there are areas of severe stone erosion and structural cracking at the east end.

READ MORE: Malvern stained glass on heritage at risk register 

READ MORE: Work to restore medieval stained glass in Malvern to former glory 

The church has been assessed as in a 'poor condition' and a state of 'slow decay' but church leaders are attempting to raise funds with a 380th anniversary talk about a Civil War battle fought nearby.

Before the talk itself, visitors can walk the Ripple field with Battlefields Trust at 5pm on Friday, April 14, starting at Ripple Parish Hall. This is expected to take approximately 90 minutes and is free of charge.

The Battle of Ripple talk is led by Tony Spicer 7pm at Ripple Parish Hall on Friday, April 14.

The Battle of Ripple Field was fought on April 13, 1643 in the First English Civil War. In the battle, a Royalist cavalry force led by Prince Maurice routed Parliamentarian cavalry and infantry forces led by Sir William Waller.

Mr Spicer, who is delivering the talk, studied history at Bristol University and the London School of Economics.

Reviving his interest in history later in life, he became an active member of the Battlefields Trust and has led a number of their walks.

His written works include articles on battlefields and related topics, translations of mediaeval sources and a short book about the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Tickets for the talk are £12 and include refreshments starting at 7pm with the talk to follow at 7.45pm.

As well as the building itself, there are many heritage features in the Church including 16 misericords (15th century) which are 'unique in England': medieval stained glass fragments; Victorian tiles by Chamberlain; a King James "She" Bible: Victorian painted glass windows by Kempe: a Green Man face; six bells cast by Roundhall foundry in 1808 and 100 handcrafted kneelers made by local residents.

St Mary's is also the "home" church of The Sealed Knot Society, the oldest and largest re-enactment society in the UK, founded by Ripple resident, Brigadier Peter Young.

To book tickets please contact Roger Gillard (churchwarden) on anneroggillard@hotmail.co.uk or 01684 301006