Church faces £50k challenge (From Gazette & Herald)

Church faces £50k challenge

A MAJOR fundraising campaign to restore an iconic Ryedale church is being launched this Easter.

The impressive tower of St Michael's Church - in the heart of Malton Market Place - is crumbling.

One car has already been hit by falling debris, but now an ambitious £310,000 project is set to restore the tower and refurbish the building making it fit for meetings and concerts as well as regular services.

An English Heritage grant of £63,000 has been secured for the tower repairs, but church wardens have until November to find their £50,000 share of the cost.

"Our architect is now involved in a programme of investigation and development work, and, subject to final approval, we will get the go ahead to start work on the tower early in 2007," said church warden Michael Elvy.

"We have had a number of legacies in the past two years, and we have investments in the Fabric and Chancel Funds, but if we are to avoid depleting our reserves to the stage where future works will be in danger, we will need to raise around £50,000 for the tower repairs."

Work is also expected to start on installing a new toilet by August.

Fundraising will begin in earnest with a table top sale outside the church on Saturday from 9am to 12 noon.

Cakes, pastries, Easter treats, ready-made meals and bric-a-brac will all be on offer, and coffee will be served while the church is being decorated and prepared for Easter Sunday.

There will also be a lunchtime concert in church on Tuesday, April 18, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm with concert pianist Vincent Billington.

On Friday, April 28, Soprano Ione Cumming will perform The Life and Music of Maria Callas.

"Ione has a sensational voice which really sounds fantastic in church so we are hoping people will come and enjoy this concert," said social and fundraising secretary Romey Willis. "We have a mammoth task ahead so any support we get would be very much appreciated."

Tickets cost £7.50 and include wine and nibbles. They are available from Romey Willis on (01653) 694289 or Malton Tourist Information Centre.

Updated: 15:15 Wednesday, April 12, 2006