THE future of a Croft church is under threat after engineers closed it down when serious faults were discovered in its heating system.

It is estimated that £170,000 will be needed to install new electrical and heating fittings at Christ Church, Lady Lane, as well as carrying out essential repairs to the roof and other parts of the structure.

The weekly services are being held in the cramped church hall until the problems are resolved, but this disrupts the children's Sunday School sessions.

Priest in Charge Alan Litton and the team of church wardens have launched an appeal to raise the money, of which at least £50,000 is needed immediately. Letters have been delivered to hundreds of households around the village and a 'Pledge-Gift Day' is being held to encourage parishioners to contribute to the appeal.

The Rev Alan Litton said: "In this part of the world there are few real villages like Croft.

"Here people belong to one another. We have our village school, our Memorial Hall, our pubs and organisations, but we also have our parish church. In this church people have been baptised, married and buried, and have attended worship which has been offered week by week."

A dedicated team of volunteers already organises regular fundraising events for the church and there is currently £16,000 in the coffers, but much more is needed.

Church warden Sheila Carr said: "We are appealing to anyone who may have connections with Croft to help.

"Many people come back here for marriages and baptisms."

The Pledge-Gift Day takes place from noon to 5pm on Sunday, October 31. Members of the public are invited to visit the church on that day to pledge donations or people can contact the Rev Litton on 766300 or Sheila Carr on 762185. The pledges will only be taken up if there is enough to complete the repairs.

The next event in the fundraising calendar is an Evening of Sights and Sounds. This takes place at 7.15pm on Saturday, November 13, in the church hall and will feature poetry and song. Tickets cost £2.50 and are on sale now by calling 762185. A number of Christmas events are also being planned.

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