All Saints Church

SUMMER is just around the corner but things are already hotting up for parishioners in Daresbury with a gleaming new boiler.

After months of freezing temperatures, All Saints Church is warm again after raising £13,000 to replace the ailing heating system.

Rev David Felix said: "It's been a great community effort. It is not just a sleepy little church nestling in the countryside but a spiritual hub that costs money to run."

Over the past six months, parishioners have been busy keeping the cold at bay with an array of fundraisers including coffee mornings, lunches, and curry nights.

The most recent event, a barn dance on May 13, was attended by 300 people and made £3,380.

Daresbury's

church is best known for its connection with Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, who was born at the vicarage when his father was vicar in 1892.

Unlike most churches, All Saints is inundated with visitors from all over the world wanting to see the birthplace of the famous novelist.

Jocelyn Squires, parish assistant, said: "It was essential to get it in as some days had been so cold, but everyone carried on raising money until the final figure was reached and now the church is lovely and warm for us and visitors."

But the fundraising does not stop there.

Attentions have now turned to the oil tank, which will cost an additional £3,000 to be replaced.