1:50pm Sunday 6th June 2010
By Tyrone Marshall
VILLAGERS are trying to raise over £100,000 for urgent repairs to the roof of a 180-year-old church.
Parishioners at St John the Evangelist in Worsthorne have been told that the roof will not last another winter, and must be repaired this summer.
The roof is leaking in some areas and it is also suffering from dry rot.
If it not repaired soon then the church could be forced to close, according to the Rev Keith Henshall, the vicar at the church.
He said: “We’ve had all the experts in and been told that the roof will not survive another winter.
“If we don’t do something very soon then the building is going to be at risk.
“We’ve got work due to start in August, it can’t wait any longer than that.
"It’s estimated to be a 12-week job and that takes us through to November which will be touch and go.”
The church has between £50,000 and £60,000 in reserve which will pay for the work to start, but it must raise the rest to finish the work.
We’ve been quoted £105,000 for the work. It is an awful lot of money for a small parish to raise,” Mr Henshall said.
“The work has to be done, though. This is the best case scenario, there are parts of the roof we can’t get to at the moment so it could end up being a bigger job.
"If they identify more that needs to be done once the work starts then the cost will escalate.”
A fundraising committee has been put in place and a number of events, including some sponsored walks and garden parties, will take place.
The church hopes to raise all the money to pay for the work, otherwise it could be forced to rely on loans.
The Rev. Henshall said: “We have sent out letters to every household in the parish and we’ve had a very good response.”
To find out more about fundraising contact the-Rev Henshall on 01282 428478 or church treasurer Nick Aves on 01282 454174.
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