Church celebrates £55,000 makeover

DEDICATED fund-raisers are celebrating the completion of a three-year £55,000 renovation scheme at Gravelhole Methodist Church.

The Royton church now has a new kitchen, new toilets, improved facilities for the preparation and cleaning of art equipment for the pre-school group Red Robin, and lift access to the downstairs rooms.

The lift means the pre-school will be able to accommodate children with mobility difficulties, and church events held in the downstairs rooms will be accessible to all. Changes have not only taken place inside the building —the garden at the side of the church now houses a soft play area with a protective canopy

Fund-raising co-ordinator and church steward Josie Smith said: “The major work carried out has, at times, made it a little difficult for groups who use the building, but everyone has borne this with great fortitude, knowing that the end result would be worth it.”

The Rev Lindsay Neal, a minister at the church, said the work had been expensive, and that she and fellow-worshippers were keen to thank everyone who had supported fund-raising events.

The church secured National Lottery and Surestart grants to help towards the cost.