Plans are well underway for a weekend of celebration at Alderley Edge Methodist Church to mark the completion of restoration works.
The celebrations will begin with a Service of Re-dedication at 3pm on Saturday, 23rd June, led by the Rev. Ben Clowes. Which will be attended by the Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor George Walton and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Veronica Walton.
Jean Walker said "The service will be an opportunity to give thanks for the completion of the Spire and East Gable, which have been beautifully restored over the last 18 months at a cost of just under half a million pounds."
The service will include the unveiling of a specially commissioned work of art to commemorate the restoration.
The following day, Sunday 24th June, the church will be holding a 'Jubilee Tea Party'. The party will begin at 3pm with a piano recital by Simon Conning, who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music in London.
Simon's links to Alderley go back to the 1976 Music Festival, when he won no fewer than three cups in one day! Following a career as a performer and teacher, he moved into musical theatre and became Musical Director of "Aspects of Love" and numerous other stage musical productions.
Simon will be performing Bach's Italian Concerto, items by Clementi and Gottschalk, and one of three transcriptions of Strauss waltzes by Leopold Godowsky – on this occasion, "Wine, Women and Song"!
His performance will be followed by an afternoon tea at 4 pm.
Tickets are available from the Church Office. Minimum donation is £8.50 with all proceeds going towards the 'Time for the Future' Spire Appeal.
Jean Walker explained "We have received £320,000 in grant aid and we have raised a magnificent £73,000 by our own fundraising efforts. But we still have a further £30,000 to raise!"
For tickets email [email protected] or call 01625 586713.
