WE ARE now aiming to move the appeal up a gear by appealing to people to organise fund-raising events to bring in the larger sums we will need to hit our target.

A former pupil of St John’s School and church choirboy, Les Bond, has got the ball rolling by organising a concert by the Fireside Fusiliers, a folk group of which he is a member.

Efforts are being made to find a venue and a date.

Local historian and book-seller Bob Dobson has donated two of his books, Accrington’s Changing Face, and Huncoat Uncoated to sell in aid of the appeal. These are available from church members.

  • Parishioner Elsie Johnson produced some beautiful hand-made Christmas cards which sold really well on Sunday.
  • A farewell presentation was made on Sunday to Robert Kenyon as he and his wife Barbara will soon be leaving the area to live in France. Robert has served the church for many years as a reader and chorister. He received a cheque from churchwarden Frank Whitehead. The couple taught at St Christopher’s High School for many years.
  • More than 20 people turned up on Saturday morning to cut back shrubs and plants outside the church and give the grounds a good tidy-up. Another is planned in a couple of weeks and the church is appealing to anyone who can let it have a skip free of charge.