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Chris Furlong from BDL in Clithereo has been busy as ever giving something back in his local community.  

The Autumn Fair for St John the Evangelist church in Hopwood, in Heywood is Chris’s latest achievement. St Johns, as it is known locally, is 106 years old and as well as being used as a church, has a Parish Room which is used for a whole host of local activities such as guides, brownies and cubs and is a real cornerstone and an invaluable asset to the local community.

The Parish Room is in desperate need of some building work as some of the slates on the roof have either fell off or have been stolen and when there is heavy rain the plaster on some of the walls is becoming damp and loose. The church has been quoted £3,828 to get everything in the Parish Room watertight so they can keep it open for everyone to use.

On Saturday 12^th November Chris held an Autumn Fair. It had all kinds of stalls such as bric-a-brac, white elephant, chocolate tombola, a raffle, a bottle tombola, jewellery stall and a cake stall. Well over a hundred people attended the Fair and Chris was run off his feet handing out cakes, teas, coffees and juices.

The event raised a magnificent £1,453.35 which will be matched with an extra £1,000 from Bibby Line Group.

This donation will mean St Johns will be well on it's way to restoring their community Parish Room back to it's safe and secure best.

“When I wasn't selling cakes and refreshments I was shaking hands with parishioners who were not slow in coming forward in thanking us for helping them out. As usual the event was covered in the local press and some wonderful publiciity will be had for the church” – Chris Furlong.