AN appeal to restore part of an historic church is powering towards its target.
Launched just over a year ago with a target of more than £150,000, delighted Great Budworth organisers say they have already hit the £125,000 mark.
Much of that has come from local residents who have given £70,000 in personal donations, while some £26,000 has come from charitable sources. A similar amount has come from fundr aisers.
Cash has already paid for the reordering of the west end of St Mary and All Saints Church, which is largely complete. The next significant work will be repairs to the south face of the church; there is stonework to be repaired, stained glass to be re-leaded and other items that need attention. Work will begin in the spring.
Finally the old school, which stands in the church grounds, will be renovated to enable it to be used for church and community purposes.
Viscount Michael Ashbrook, the president of the appeal, said: 'We are well on the way. Parish residents and other contributors have provided enormous support making donations and attending the wide variety of fundraising events.
'In addition a large amount has been raised from other generous donors. We hope that we will be awarded a significant grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we are seeking funding from other sources.
We need detailed costs and plans to make grant applications and these are in hand.'
The Rev Alec Brown added: 'The community has rallied round to support the appeal. The range of fundraising ideas has been wide. Last year we had a very successful auction of promises, an oldfashioned school dinner, village voices and other concerts, a flower festival and other events. We have a full plan for the remainder of 2007.'
They include a Beer, Band and Bangers concert in the churchyard with former Radio 1 DJ Mark Radcliffe and his band on Saturday, May 12, a concert by the Vale Royal String Orchestra on Sunday, June 24, a harvest festival in September and a service of thanksgiving in October.
