Shear fear as vicar gets a fund-raising close shave

Vicar David Griffiths has decided to do things by halves in support of the £300,000 mission to develop the St James' Church community hall. He is pictured on Saturday, September 22nd, making a cutting remark in response to the sharp end of mobile hairdresser Leanne Newsome's outsized scissors. To promote the church's fund-raising Project 200+, David is wearing his hair and beard half cut on one side until he starts getting comical comments. Making up a holy trimity with David after volunteering for a hair-raising new look are 14-year-old Simon Anderson and well-known local dog- walker Adam Harper. Simon's hair, uncut for six years, was almost down to his elbows. His and newly-bald Adam's hair is being donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children and young adults who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment and other illnesses.

St James' Church has set itself the task of raising around £300,000 to modernise the community hall. An architect's impression is shown above. Project 200+ signifies that the hall opened in 1820 and is being upgraded to fit it for the next 200 years. The hall is used weekly by around 500 adults and children from local community groups. A short film showcasing the project is being made and will include interviews with people young and old who have used the hall over the years. Work is due to take place during school summer holidays next year.