A YEAR after a flood damaged Heywood’s most iconic building, the battle is still on to save it.

St Luke’s Church was out of action for most of the winter without any heating, after the water tank in the cellar overflowed last spring.

Since the damage, the church has been forced to limit activity, with most Christmas and Easter events held at other churches.

Tens of thousands of pounds are needed to fund a new boiler and heating system and, although the church has reopened since the onset of warmer weather, its future remains uncertain.

The Advertiser launched a campaign last July to help fund the system and while many generous residents and groups have come forward with donations, there is still a long way to go.

Churchwarden, Margaret Shackleton, said: “We seem to have come to a bit of a standstill at the moment. We reopened on April 11 after Easter and now the weather is getting warmer the sun is starting to heat the stone up, so that is making a bit of a difference.

“Ultimately, we need a lot more money to get things sorted out.”

Problems for the church were exacerbated with ceiling and floor damage and the church is also continuing its long-fought campaign to fund new kitchen and toilet facilities.

Anyone who can help with the appeal should phone Margaret on 01706 368359 and groups which would like to use the church for their meetings or events are also encouraged to get in touch.

Our photograph shows representatives of Heywood Heroes, sponsored by Heywood Rotary Club and the Advertiser, donating £200 to the cause.

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