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ST MICHAEL'S COMPLETES PARISH HALL APPEAL

Church Appeal Reaching Successful Conclusion

A congregation of almost 200 worshippers helped St Michael & All Angels Church mark the completion of its £500,000 Parish Hall Appeal on Sunday - appropriately the Feast of St Michael & All Angels.

They watched as Oliver West - the church organist and one of the architects who designed the new Hall - painted the last "spindle" on the Stairway to Heaven board marking the appeal's progress.

The ladder was supported by Father Kevin Morris, the vicar of St Michaels, Father Graeme Morgan, the assistant priest, and
Canon Alun Evans, the Rector of Swansea, the visiting preacher who unveiled a "thank you" banner created by the Children's Church.

Everyone then celebrated with champagne in the Hall, where a small exhibition of photographs and newspaper cuttings showed the progress of the appeal and the building works over the past four years.

Earlier, children from St Michael's had re-enacted the annual "skirmish" between St Michael and the Dragon. Almost a dozen children climbed into the dragon costume, to be confronted by others dressed as angels or St Michael.

The £500,000 Appeal target was reached in September - two years sooner than planned - following a highly successful Michaelmas Ball at Chiswick Town Hall. It raised almost £15,000 from the sale of tickets and fundraising entertainments, including a Balloon Race and an auction conducted by Adrian Biddell of Sotheby's. Members of the rock band Regeneration generously gave their services free of charge.

"The Ball was a huge success and a wonderful way to take us to our £500,000 target" said Father Kevin. "And we're delighted so many of those who'd helped us raise the money were there to help us celebrate on St Michael's Day".

The final Appeal total includes the promise of covenants pledged by many people over coming years, and also income already generated by the Hall, which has been much higher than expected. The Hall - conveniently situated close to Turnham Green tube station - has been heavily booked since. It re-opened in January last year after the completion of re-building work. The redevelopment, which added an extra floor, has provided a light and airy first-floor hall - the Michael Room - and two interconnecting halls on the ground floor. It's regularly used by schools and other groups for concerts, wedding and birthday parties, charitable events, pilates, Scottish country dancing and other activities. Bookings are handled by St Michael's Parish Office on 020 8994 1380.

September 30, 2002

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