SOMERSET West Lottery players have contributed a £1000 to the fundraising drive to provide modern facilities in St Petrock’s Church in Timberscombe.

The application was made by the PCC to help secure the final amount needed to provide an accessible toilet and a small servery in the village church. Fundraising has been underway since June 2017 to find £46,000 and provide an amenity which will benefit the local community and all visitors, as the church is open daily from 9am to 5pm and often in the evenings for events.

It has been a huge task for volunteers and a variety of local fundraising events have taken place.

Churchwarden John Gratton said: “In difficult economic times, it is a real challenge to find the money to maintain a lovely Grade 1 Listed church with all the usual ongoing and maintenance costs.

“As well as the complete upgrade in re-wiring of the church and a new boiler recently installed, both of which are the result of local fundraising, the NLHF [National Lottery Heritage Fund] has also given its support towards the re-roofing and repair costs of a section of our roof.

“As the trustees of this asset in Timberscombe it has been an additional challenge to work to provide what we all know to be a real and genuine improvement in the provision of comfort amenity.

“So many in our community have worked hard and with enthusiasm to invest in our church so it will be relevant and important for our village needs. We thank everyone who has helped in this massive effort and particularly the Somerset West Lottery players whose support is invaluable and we all thank them wholeheartedly!”

The highly successful Timberscombe Cooks! recipe book will be available again as a reprint at the St Petrock’s Christmas Coffee Morning on December 7 at 10am. This particular venture is the result of support from the NLHF.

Pictured are the two grandsons of St Petrock’s organist Sue Donovan.