Dr Howard (left) and his wife Pauline (centre) are pictured with churchwarden Michael Moore, conducting the draw for the tower trip outside St Mary’s.
Steeple Ashton’s open gardens festival raised £6,000 towards renovation work of St Mary’s Church in the village. Sunday’s event attracted around 800 people, with the visitors touring 17 gardens.
The money will go to a £40,000 project to repair the front of the church, which is expected to begin in the autumn.
Dr Peter Howard, chairman of the preservation trust, said: “I do think it’s important that people contribute to their community and this was certainly a major community effort.”
The event included a prize draw, with the winners having a tour of the church’s 93ft tower and a glass of champagne.
Other highlights included, plant stalls and a children’s competition with a selection on refreshments also on sale.
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