Church to pause services over heating costs

A church will not hold any services for three months in an attempt to reduce energy bills at a time when it faces expensive maintenance costs.

St Mary's in Astbury, Cheshire, where tenor Russell Watson has performed annual Christmas concerts since 2022, is facing more than £1m worth of "essential" repairs.

In a statement the church said rising energy costs had added to its difficulties, and the "difficult decision" to pause services had been made "in order to make sensible savings".

The 14th Century structure requires work to its roof and masonry as well as to the internal fabric of the building, the church said.

"Sadly, like many historic buildings, time is now catching up with it," the statement said.

It added that some of the required internal repairs would take place over the three months while services were paused.

Christmas fundraising, supported by income from Russell Watson's concerts, would be used to replace the church's lighting, sound system and security cameras.

The church appealed for further donations to help meet the costs of the necessary work.

"This church belongs to the whole community, whether you attend regularly, pop in occasionally, or simply enjoy seeing it there every day.

"Every donation, every fundraiser, every shared idea makes a difference – no contribution is too small."

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