RESIDENTS in a village near York have launched a £20,000 fundraising drive to refurbish their village church and community centre.

Villagers in Newton Upon Derwent want to transform the school room in the 100-year-old Methodist church into a modern facility that can be used by the whole community.

“We want to install a modern kitchen and a disabled toilet specially adapted so that no one is excluded from the building,” said spokeswoman Margaret Horsley.

“We will then start using the entire building, not only for Methodist services but for fund- raising events like coffee mornings and craft sales.

“At present it is cold and un-welcoming. We want to encourage mums and tots, teenagers and retirees to use the space.

“We want local historians to hold discussion evenings, we want residents to hold first aid courses and learn how to use the village defibrillator. We want to leave a building that will be used by future generations.”

She said a village fund raising committee had been formed and, with the support of church members in the Pocklington Circuit, they were hoping work could begin soon.

She said a Christmas fair last month raised £650 and the next big fundraising event would be a bake-off contest in the village pub, The Half Moon Inn on Monday February 12.

Cake entries should be dropped off at the pub between 6.30 and 7pm, with the winning cakes to be announced by 8.30pm.

People should phone 07711 963240 or email gpattison2@gmail.com for tickets or more information about the contest.

Margaret said people could also make donations by going to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/margaret-horsley.