A CHURCH S bid to raise the cash needed to build a new hall is approaching the �50,000 mark. Royston Parish Church launched its cHALLenge appeal last year, and has already raised nearly a tenth of the �500,000 needed for the ambitious project. Julia Ga

A CHURCH'S bid to raise the cash needed to build a new hall is approaching the �50,000 mark.

Royston Parish Church launched its cHALLenge appeal last year, and has already raised nearly a tenth of the �500,000 needed for the ambitious project.

Julia Garfitt, who is part of the cHALLenge committee, said: "There is a real need for this additional facility.

"Appropriate provision for Sunday School and cr�che are vital, and the church is required to have a toilet with disabled access.

"In addition to the need for a hall/meeting room the church currently has inadequate storage and office space.

"More than 30 community groups that either currently use the church or would potentially benefit from the availability of such a hall have been identified."

Plans have been drawn up for an extension which would include the hall, as well as kitchen, toilets, and office, and storage space.

Among the fundraising events to have taken place was a display of Morris dancing by the Standon Morris Men outside the church.

Parishioner Adrian Jones is a member of the group, and organised the dance, which raised �85.

About �900 was raised at a dinner at Palazzo restaurant, while Johnson Matthey has made a donation of �2,500.

Royston Town Band are staging a concert entitled Anything Goes! at the church on May 22. It begins at 7.30pm and tickets are �7 for adults and �2 for children.

Also on the horizon is a musical evening with Leigh Casling entitled From Swing to the King. This promises to be a popular event, and takes place at the church on Friday, June 11, at 8pm.

Tickets for this concert are �10, and there will be a licensed bar.