REVEREND Heather Buckley has thanked parishioners for their support for work to remove a huge beech tree in the churchyard.

Rev Buckley is the vicar at St Luke’s Church in Goostrey, which is celebrating the success of its appeal to raise more than £8,000 to fund the work.

The cost of removing the tree, including traffic management costs, was £8,239, a major blow to the church’s finances for 2018.

Now, after reaching the target, Rev Buckley hopes more funds can be raised to continue the work in the churchyard.

“The generosity of people has been fantastic, and we thank everyone who has helped to lift this very heavy financial burden off our finances,” she said.

“There is, however, still a lot of work to be done in the churchyard, including removing a juniper tree whose roots are becoming hazardous to people walking on the path.

“This will cost a lot of money to remove and replant as well as a general tidy-up so the churchyard will look even more beautiful than it is at present.

“I would like to see a fund set up as soon as possible to carry out the improvements.”

Among a number of large individual donations the church received towards the cost of the work was an anonymous donation of £1,000.

St Luke’s Christmas fair will be held on Saturday, November 24, and the church would welcome donations for the raffle, tombola, gift and toiletries, cake and produce stalls.

The fair is the church’s major fundraising event of the year, and the church is very grateful for anything people may give.