VILLAGERS in Marden are stepping up their efforts to safeguard the future of their historic church.

The Raise The Roof Appeal for the riverside church has already reached £110,000 thanks to a grant from English Heritage, but a further £75,000 still has to be raised to complete extensive repairs.

Priest-in-charge Rev Heather Short, church architect Peter Taylor and appeal patron and journalist Brian Viner will tomorrow (Friday) give a presentation about the fund-raising campaign in St Mary’s.

Roy Gillham will also be there from 7.30pm and will play the church’s new organ, installed two weeks ago after the previous instrument was damaged in the 2007 floods.

St Mary’s Marden has a long and rich history. A church has stood alongside the River Lugg since the eighth century, but the present building dates to the thirteenth century.

The appeal team say the very survival of the church is now in doubt as the roof, rainwater gutters and downpipes need urgent and extensive repairs.

The church community has started to raise money for the re-roofing but time is running out and they need help. Hereford Cathedral is committed to the repair of the chancel roof and English Heritage, recognising the uniqueness and importance of Marden Church, has pledged funding for the major part of the nave re-roofing.

To donate to the appeal, call David Evans on 01568 797644.