A group of dedicated fundraisers believe the outpouring of support from the community towards restoring a focal building in Baldock will stand them in good stead for the next phase of the project.

The determination of a band of volunteers who marched round all the houses in Baldock to collect money for the restoration of St Mary’s Church was matched by the good folk on the other side of the door, with more than £12,000 being donated in September.

But if the fundraisers are going to succeed in raising the princely sum of £335,000 – which will go towards re-roofing the south aisle, carrying out masonry work and improving the lighting in the interior of the church – they will need to find another £40,000 over the next 15 months.

Kicking off the next stage off fundraising will be the Christmas tree festival on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and December 6, where the historic church will be decked out with 50 decorated trees.

Also in the pipeline is a series of organ recitals in the New Year, events during the Baldock Festival and a 10km race at Hatfield House on Saturday, October 8, which has the blessing of the Marquis of Salisbury.

A spokesman for the Friends of St Mary’s Church committee said: “A very large number of you will have supported our door-to-door campaign in September towards this restoration work for which I sincerely thank you.

“We were absolutely delighted with the warm welcome we received on the doorsteps and the support we received during the 15 evenings of collecting.

“I think the amount of money raised speaks volumes for the importance the people of Baldock place upon having a stunningly beautiful church at the centre of the community.”