A VILLAGE rector is delighted to reveal the Tarporley community has managed to raise £100,000 to fix the church tower.
But work on the tower at St Helen’s will have to wait as a heating system failure has wiped out reserves which were meant to spent on the project.
In July 2009 rector Keith Hine was told that the church tower needed essential repairs – this included re-pointing and repairs to lead work on gutters and roofing.
Mr Hine immediately launched a campaign to raise the required funds. He set up a tower thermometer to record how much the community had raised and encouraged the community to get involved and do their best.
In just 18 months the church had reached its target.
“This is a wonderful achievement,” said Mr Hine.
“Through donations and lots of amazing fundraising events – from barn dances and bingo to quizzes – we have reached the target. My thanks go to so many people who have got behind this. The affection people feel for their parish church has really been reflected in the support for this project.”
Unfortunately and unexpectedly, however, work will not be able to start on the essential repairs.
The church planned to cover the cost of fixing the tower not only through funds raised by the community but also with available grants and church reserves.
Mr Hine added: “We have had a setback with the unexpected need to spend reserves on a boiler and a new heating system, reserves we were hoping to use on the tower project.”
Now Mr Hine said the £30,000 reserves have been wiped out by the cost of the heating system. He has now had to apply to English Heritage for grant aid.
“We know that we are through the first stage of the process. We now await further news.”
He added: “To hear that our bid has been successful would be a great Christmas present.”
