We’ll raise the rafters

MORE than £60,000 has been raised to complete the restoration of an ancient church roof.

The St Peter and St Paul Church in Bassingbourn underwent four months of structural work which involved renewing the gutters, reinstating the roof, replacing plaster, and decorating the nave and side aisles.

Churchwarden John Simpson said: "It looks fantastic. It's bright and no longer looks tired. Everyone is amazed when they walk in."

A thanksgiving service was held at the Grade 1 listed building on Sunday to celebrate the completion of the project.

Among the congregation were 120 people involved with the restoration, including community fundraisers, Archdeacon John Beer, and architect Jerry Lander of Freeland Rees Roberts in Cambridge.

An on-going structural problem of water entering the building was the motivation behind the project, which had a total cost of £180,000.

Mr Simpson said: "Some of the roof beams were rotten. The problem could have been very serious if the building had been left any longer."

A Christmas concert, village gig, and a three-day Bible reading marathon, were among events organised to raise the money for the project.

Vicar, The Rev Donald McFadyen said: "The building feels transformed, and when it's on a scale of this size, the impact is enormous.

"Because the church is well looked-after, it has an impact on the community. If a building is left to deteriorate, then it pulls everything else down around it."

Mr Simpson said they would look at ways of making wider use of the church building.

He said: "We would like to develop it for music and the arts."

To cover the costs of the project, the church hopes to raise an additional £20,000.

Mr McFadyen said there may be a Bassingbourn fun run in April.

Anyone who can help raise extra funds or would like to take part in the fun run should email the church treasurer Sam Spreadbury at: sam@spreadbury.info