Royal Marines join vicar for Taunton church abseil (From This is The West Country)

Royal Marines join vicar for Taunton church abseil

5:00pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Hannah Green

APPLAUSE and cheers resounded outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Taunton today (September 21) as its vicar, curate and several Royal Marines abseiled down its 168ft tower.
 

Crowds had gathered to support the event, which saw the plucky souls take the plunge to raise funds for the church’s £300,000 Bells of St Mary’s appeal to re-hang the bells on a new carillon.
 

The team of eight from Norton Manor Camp-based 40 Commando joined in to show the unit’s appreciation of the support they have received from the people of Taunton and Somerset.
 

Rev Rod Corke, 54, his curate Rev Paul Tullett and several other brave volunteers who are supporting the appeal completed the daring stunt after training from the Royal Marines.
 

Afterwards Mr Corke said: “It was a wonderful experience. I felt confident with the training, but when you take that first step out it is terrifying. I could hear the cheering and I was saying prayers, which both helped.
 

“I am so grateful to the Marines – they made me feel very secure when I was quite scared. They are the real heroes here and I wish them well on their upcoming tour. What I did was nothing compared to what they will be doing in Afghanistan.
 

“All in all it was a fantastic event, although once in a whole lifetime is enough for me!”