LUCKY Jo Slade had that thrilling 'on top of the world' feeling when she dared to climb the 200 feet to the weather cock on the spire on Bromsgrove's St John's parish church, the town's loftiest building.HIGH PRESSURE: Jo (right)gets a bird's eye view of Bromsgrove, and above two views across the town - top is looking up Kidderminster Road towards the motorway, with Sanders Park on the left, andthe other photo show the junction of Market Street, St John's Street and Market Place.

Jo, from Birmingham Road, co-ordinated the highly successful church Landmark Appeal which raised cash to fund repairs to the ancient crumbling fabric and restore the organ.

But Jo has another reason to be in high spirits. She is organising an open day on April 1 when visitors who have pre-booked can follow in her footsteps up the web of scaffolding encasing the church to get a once- in-a-lifetime view from the top.

However, since our recent story in which Jo invited inquiries from intrepid folk she has been inundated with requests and to date has just under 100 wanting to make the climb.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response," she said. "I believe it shows the high regard people have for the church. We will do our best to accommodate people, but we may have to consider holding a second open day."

The day begins at 10 30am when visitors will have the chance to see the weather cock at close quarters inside the church and watch demonstrations by stonemasons and leadworkers.

Architect Richard Lamb will talk on the restoration's progress at 11.30am and Trevor Tipple, who is restoring the organ, will follow with an update on the work.

Words by Pete Lammas

Photos by Nick Toogood