Update as of 26th August 2019:
As some of you may have noticed work has now started on the repairs to the church roof. Scaffolding has gone up and the start of the actual repairs is imminent so please stay safe when in the churchyard by following the signs that have been placed near the entrances and any directions given by the workmen on site.
During this period service locations have been changed as follows:
The Sunday 0945 service will take place at the usual time but in The Village Hall.
Other Sunday services will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Freckleton which is our sister church.
The Wednesday morning 0930 service will take place at the usual time but in The Vicarage on Church Road (opposite the entrance by Church Gardens).
Please keep checking the Church Noticeboard for any further updates.
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Update as of 28th July 2019:
Further funding has been received and work is set to start on the roof at some time after the 18th August 2019. Many thanks for all who have supported our fundraising efforts so far.
During the period of the repairs Church Services and other events will be relocated so please check this website, the Church News Sheet or the Church Notice Board for details.
There will also be a 1/2 Boon Day on Saturday 10th August to help prepare the Church for the repair work so all are welcome from 1pm on that day to support that work.
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St. Paul’s roof is leaking and is in desperate need of renovation. We have been raising funds to pay for this roof project for over five years.
We have held a number of community events that have been very enjoyable and have helped to raise money including, the InUnison, Oktoberfest and Gemma Doyle concerts. The Christmas market has also been a popular event. We have also received generous gifts, donations and legacies that have enabled us to make progress towards our target.
However, we are unable to start work on the roof until we have all the funds in place. Unfortunately, although we have made steady progress, we are still have a long way to go to reach our target.
In recent weeks we have approached a number of different organisations to seek their support. I am pleased to report that three organisations have awarded us varying amounts of money for the project.
1) We have approached house building companies in the village, and have received a donation of £250 from Miller Homes who are currently developing the Blackfield Green site on Church Road.
2) We have received a grant from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund. This award was for £1,000. This is a charity set up with the consent of Her Majesty The Queen to benefit causes primarily within the County Palatine.
3) We have also received a grant of £2,200 from Allchurches Trust which is one of the UK's largest grant-making charities and gave £15.6 million to churches, charities and communities in 2017. Its funds come from its ownership of the ‘Ecclesiastical Insurance Group’.
These grants are in addition to an earlier grant from a local charity, the ‘George and Maisie Blackburn Fund’ (George’s Garage) who awarded us £5,000 last year.
As a result the total for the grants that St. Paul’s roof fund has received, to date, stands at £8,450.
A big Thank You to everyone who has supported us through either direct donations or by supporting our fundraising activies. There's plenty more to do and we will keep you updated on progress.
Ian Fraser, Church Warden
