WORK to bring a church’s lighting and wiring into the 21st century is set to start after generous supporters raised £80,000 in less than a year.
St Martin’s Church, on London Road, will close its nave from tomorrow (Thursday) until Saturday (February 14) to carry out the repairs.
Church leaders applied to a number of charities about six months ago and started its SMILE appeal, St Martin’s Interior Lighting and Electrics, in October last year when an annual inspection found their lighting was too dated.
The cost of replacing the 100-year-old wiring and lighting was estimated at £90,000, but church goers and supporters rallied round and managed to raise a third of the money in just four months.
They also organised concerts, a barn dance and a teddy’s tea party as well as a light exhibition which alone raised £9,000.
David Scott, a member of the church’s council, said: “It is going to make a huge difference to the church not only for their worship but also for the many activities that take part here. It will be great to have good flexible lighting.
“We are so grateful that the community and local people have been so supportive.”
The new lighting will be mostly energy efficient LED lamps and will allow them to create a number of different scenes for a variety of events.
All activities of the church will carry on as usual while the work is being carried out. Services and meetings will be held either in the parish centre opposite the church in Victoria Avenue or take place in the lower vestry under the nave.
