Major renovation of Nobber Church begins this week

Nobber Parish Pastoral Council is organising a number of fundraising events to help cover the cost of the renovation in the St John the Baptist Church in the village, which will begin this Friday, 6th January. Two scrap collections will be held - on Friday 25th February and Saturday 10th March at Tommy Curtis's landfill site, Leafin, Nobber, between 9.30am and 4pm, on both dates. Any recyclable items can be brought to the site on the two collection dates. Ian Primrose, chairman of Nobber Parish Pastoral Council, said: "We have set a target of €100,000 for 2012 and, as a result, there are several types of fundraising events planned. Initially we are holding an appeal for old mobile phones. We would appeal to everyone who may have old phones in their possession to drop them into the collection boxes provided." He added that renovation works on the church will commence this coming Friday and the last Mass there took place last Sunday, 1st January. For the duration of the renovation works, daily morning Mass will be held in the parochial house and Saturday and Sunday morning Masses will be held in Nobber Community Hall. Blakesdeen Ltd, Balsaw, Wilkinstown, will be the main contractor for the renovation works. The only parts of the project that will not be carried out by Blakesdeen are the mechanical and electrical works which have been awarded to sub-contractors, respectively won by DooHeat Plumbing & Heating and Kieran Callaghan Electrical. Nobber Parish Pastoral Council has been working on the project of refurbishment for the best part of two years. Last February, the committee held a public meeting in the church, where three options regarding renovation of the church were outlined. The pastoral council decided to recommend the option of renovation of the church building. Mr Primrose said: "We believe that this option is the best solution for Nobber, as it will provide us all with the facilities we require at a cost that is both affordable and sustainable given the current economic conditions. It is neither the cheapest option nor the most expensive, however, it is one that will provide the best return on our investment as this issue should not need to be revisited for a long time to come." Parishioners later voted by a majority of 93 per cent in favour of the proposal to refurbish the church. The plans for refurbishment include a new slate roof, glazing to the roof, new windows, painting of the church, new floor coverings, plumbing and electrical work, a new front entrance porch, a new car park area with access roads and kerbing and drainage. Renovations required in the church include a new roof, which is currently leaking in parts, new and improved lighting in the church and outside, a new sound system with loop hearing system, a new doorway with an enlarged porch, the provision of extra windows, more storage space and renovations to the sanctuary. The pastoral council also plan to include a new and improved heating system in the church. St John the Baptist Church was built in 1978 and there have been problems with the roof leaking in different areas of the building over time.