CREDITON Parish Church is launching a major appeal on Saturday in order to replace its lighting and electrics at an estimated cost of £120,000.

The lighting at Holy Cross is now 50 years old and, along with much of the other wiring, it urgently needs replacing.

Church spokesman Bill Jerman said: “An exciting opportunity now exists to vastly improve the lighting and electrical services at Holy Cross, with the incorporation of modern systems and technologies to reduce the carbon footprint and provide a flexible and quality scheme to benefit all worshippers, visitors and other users of the church.”

The rector, Rev Nigel Guthrie, said: “New lighting would be a great asset. It would make the appearance of the church better, the light levels better, be more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run.”

A scheme has been drawn up in consultation with specialist lighting contractors Anthony J. Smith (Gloucester) Ltd. The cost of the materials alone comes to over £35,000.

Rev Guthrie said: “It’s a large amount and a difficult time to be raising money but it’s a very specific project, it needs doing and it will benefit a lot of people.

“If we were starting from scratch we’d be feeling overwhelmed but we’ve got £40,000 already.”

This has come from a contribution by the Friends of Crediton Church and funds raised by the annual flower and Christmas tree festivals.

A small appeal committee is working on behalf of the church governors to raise the remaining two thirds of the money needed.

The Gazette is getting behind the lighting and rewiring appeal and reporter Caroline Abbott will organise an event to raise money for it too. She said: “It would be nice to do an event at the church itself. The suggestion of abseiling down the tower has been rejected for practical reasons, but if any readers have any ideas for a challenge for me they can email them to cabbott@middevongazette.co. uk.”

Rev Guthrie will officially launch the lighting and rewiring appeal at the church at 11am on Saturday, March 6.

Appeal committee members and a representative from Anthony J. Smith will be on hand to answer questions. There will be an information display and sample materials to see. Refreshments will be available from 10am to 11.30am.

People can help by making a donation, particularly under the Gift Aid scheme, and by supporting fundraising events that are held.

For more information email

admin@creditonparishchurch. org or call 01363 773226 or 772142 or 772865