Community spirit saves church

Published on 29th March 2007 in News

A community group in Hensall has had its efforts to provide a village facility recognised with a Duke of York Initiative Award.

After five years of fundraising, grant and loan applications, Hensall Methodist Church has been transformed into a village hall used by everyone from playgroups to martial arts clubs, with a modern kitchen and store room and smaller chapel area.

Had it not been converted, the group say, it would have been closed and lost forever.

"We started worked in the centenary year of the church," said volunteer Joan Harvey.

"Something had to be done. We didn't want it to close."

The majority of the money came through grants and a loan but there has also been some serious fundraising.

"You name it, we've done it!" said Joan.

"We've had fashion shows, coffee mornings - even Dicky Bird came to entertain us with his tales from around the world."

As well as the obvious benefits to the community - which are immediately obvious from the children's artwork on the display - there has also been a social benefit to the group.

"It's kept us together," Joan said. "It's been a good effort."

Recently, the group's efforts were given formal approval, in the form of a Duke of York Community Initiative Award.

They will receive the award at a ceremony later in the year and will be able to print the Community Initiative logo on their letters for the next three years.

On March 31, the group will host a coffee morning in the chapel between 10am and midday, with proceeds going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. "People have been so kind and given to our cause that we like to give a little something back," said Joan.

Later the same day, at 7.30pm, the Alton singers will entertain guests, this time in aid of church funds.