Lunch fundraiser to boost Swaffham church renovation

One last fundraiser will be held at Swaffham's Methodist Church this Bank Holiday weekend before its congregation has to move out.

Worshippers have spent several years raising funds for much-needed repairs and improvements to the building, which celebrated its bicentenary in 2013.

Now, after work to replace the roof was completed last year, the church community is preparing for the next phase of the project, when internal refurbishments will be undertaken.

But, before they do, they are inviting supporters to share a fundraising Ploughman's lunch on bank holiday Monday, May 28, between 11.30am and 1.15pm.

Church treasurer Muriel Bean said: "We now have a date for the main part of the project to commence, when we, as a congregation, have to move out of the building for the main refurbishment of the internal space of the church sanctuary.

"We thought we should not be able to hold any more events due to the imminent start. However, we find we can make one last effort before we have to 'pack our bags' to raise a little more towards the cost."

The work is due to start in mid-June and be completed by mid-October. Services are expected to be held in the church until the end of June.

Previous fundraising activities have included a challenge to perform all 748 hymns from the church's Singing the Faith hymnbook.