Determined choir and congregation of St Helen’s Church in Tarporley raise £1,150

Dec 17 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

THE high notes were turned into bank notes after members of St Helen’s Church in Tarporley completed a day of singing.

Choristers and members of the congregation gathered to sing almost non-stop to raise much-needed funds to repair the church tower.

Participants, some suffering from sore throats, were delighted to learn they had raised more than £1,150 towards the appeal.

“This is a great way to end the year,” said the Rector, the Rev Keith Hine. “We launched the appeal just six months ago and have raised over £67,000, thanks to the support in the church and the local community.”

Singers were kept going thanks to an army of volunteers providing tea, coffee, cough sweets and water.

St Helen’s organist Chas Harden, who organised the ‘hymnathon’, was joined at the event by three other organists who played in rotation.

Further fundraising events are planned for the future in aid of the St Helen’s Church tower appeal, including a quiz night, barn dance and Tarporley’s Got Talent. St Helen’s Church, located in the centre of Tarporley, has stood in the village since the 13th century and is accessed from High Street.