Church restoration begins

And it is thanks to the hard work of volunteers who formed the St Nicholas Restoration Fund, who raised the money needed for the work and organised the many processes needed to enable it to happen.

The restoration, which will be carried out by Croft Building & Conservation and include improvements to the previous building, is due to start on April 10.

Church vicar, the Rev Martin Green, said: “I can’t begin to tell you what a relief this is – it has been such a struggle to get over the various hurdles that have been put in our way. I am sure that once work begins and the church begins to take shape, there will be a growing excitement and anticipation around the village.”

The church was destroyed and reduced to a ruin following an arson attack on Palm Sunday in March 2008. Ever since, it has been covered in a white shroud, while services have been taking place at the village’s community centre in Lewis Road.

This year’s Easter celebrations will again take place at the centre on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Day. For details, call 613466.