PEOPLE are being offered the chance to help towards the upkeep and eventual improvement of Altarnun Church Hall by the way of a coffee morning and lunch throughout the summer months.

Each Thursday from 10am-3pm from mid-May until mid-September, volunteers take it in turns to provide home-cooked food, tea and biscuits and much more to try and raise funds.

One of the organisers, Gwen Naylor, explains the need for more money.

She said: “Really we do it to raise funds for the church and church hall as we desperately need to renovate them.

“It’s something we’ve always done to raise funds and it’s a listed building but we need a new roof, floor, kitchen and also damp proofing.

“We’ve got a little committee who try to raise these funds but we need to raise around £115,000 and we’re trying to get charity status. The church and church hall is ao important to the village and we offer this service to anyone who wants to come into the village so we keep it cheap so people can afford it.”

With prices kept at a minimum, Gwen was keen to emphasise what is on offer.

She said: “From 10-3 we offer teas and coffees and lunches and puddings which are all homemade. We also have loads of jam and chutnies as well as a bric-a-brac stall, clothes rail and you can also buy five books for £1.”

The generosity of volunteers is important and Gwen admits it wouldn’t be possible without them.

She said: “My daughter-in-law Helen makes a rota and we have a band of loyal volunteers and they take a turn to come and do it. We couldn’t do it without them!”

To find out more about the weekly coffee morning and lunch, contact 01566 880086.