Fundraisers hope people will reach into their pockets to restore Baldock church
A campaign has been launched to raise funds to restore the roof and make interior improvements to St Mary's Church. Credit: Friends of St Mary's - Credit: Archant
Fundraisers are hoping people will reach into their pockets to help restore a church which is the ‘focal point’ of Baldock.
A campaign has been launched to raise the £80,000 necessary to restore the south aisle roof and masonry, and make improvements to the interior of St Mary’s Church to allow for larger concerts.
The whole cost of the project is £380,000, but the church secured £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in November.
Rev Andrew Holford, who serves as rector of St Mary’s, feels the restoration work is imperative to the church’s future.
The 52-year-old said: “The people who attended a meeting on Sunday night received the idea very warmly.
“The work is crucial because if it doesn’t happen soon, there will be a major health and safety risk due to the public footpath running alongside the church.
“The roof is leaking already so that must be repaired.
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“The church is the focal point of the town, which has been around for 700 years – we want it to be around for the next 700 years as well.”
The church will have a stall at the Baldock Street Fair on Saturday, where visitors will have the chance to buy a stone for the south aisle wall for £10, while a jazz concert featuring Knights Templar School alumni will be held at St Mary’s on June 13.
The major fundraising effort will take place in September, when the group will embark on a door to door collection around the town, the last of which raised £55,000 towards repairing the church’s tower and spire.
For more information contact fosm-baldock@hotmail.co.uk.
