AFTER many years of planning, St Mary's Church has embarked upon a project to build a new church hall. The new hall will be attached to the church whereas their current one is across the churchyard.

Sir Roy Strong, who commended the project at the meeting, opened the launch event, which was well attended. The Rev'd Sarah Jones outlined the need for the new hall and the Venerable Paul Wheatley, who is a previous Rector of St Mary's, explained the details of the plans.

St Mary's Church, often described as the jewel in the Ross crown. The plans for the new hall is part of an ongoing process that has already seen the tower and spire restored. This next phase will continue to build on the building's seven centuries of service.

The new hall is envisaged as a community resource – for music, theatre or the arts – and will be available as a facility for many local groups outside of church use. It will include two new meeting rooms and kitchen and toilet facilities for all users. Importantly it will provide full disabled access to both the hall and the church.

The Friends of St Mary's was set up to raise money for the upkeep and development of the church buildings and chattels. In this way, people are able to donate money for the building project, rather than for the church work of St Mary's.

The Rev'd Sarah Jones told Gazette: "We need to raise a million pounds. Through a legacy, and eventually by selling our existing hall, we will have about half that amount. We now need to raise £500,000 to create this facility.

This will be a tough challenge. We will be applying for grants but we really do need donations from individuals and organisations if we are going to be able to make this happen". THE Friends of St Mary's is a secular organisation, independent from the church and its council. All money raised by the Friends comes from regular giving and from fundraising events that are, organised from time to time. Any donations towards the new St Mary's Community can be sent to Mr. G Francis, Secretary of The Friends of St Mary's, 5, Brookmead, Ross HR9 7XS.