A BOOK recalling times past in Sherburn was launched at the weekend, sparking off an appeal to raise up to £14,000 for a complete re-wiring of the village church.

St Hilda's Church - whose interior is adorned with oak carvings of lions, birds of prey and many other intricate decorations - needs a completely new electrical installation and a small fundraising committee has planned a programme of events.

The first of these took place at the village hall on Saturday afternoon when the village's history book 'Sherburn in Victorian Times' was launched informally.

Anne Collier, a villager who has written the book, said there was an excellent attendance, and that from the sale of refreshments and a tombola, £216 was handed over to church treasurer Barbara Grice.

Profits from the sale of the book have already reached over £1,000, which will be divided equally between St Hilda's re-wiring fund and Sherburn Surgery for extra equipment.

Additionally, Anne has had two generous donations from two gentlemen who wish to remain anonymous, of £500 and £120 towards the cost of her book, and Wilfred Ward OBE and his wife, Phyllis, have promised to donate £1 for every book sold.

Other fundraising events agreed by the committee include a series of domino drives, the first of which will take place on Friday, February 28, at 7.15pm, in the village hall.

There will also be a gift day in May, a tombola at Morrisons in June, a Sunday lunch in July, a car boot sale at Sherburn playing field on August bank holiday Monday and a harvest supper in September or October.

There have been several other kind offers of help from villagers. Jane Hunter will organise ten bingo sessions throughout the year, Adele Mattinson has compiled a quiz and Christine Garside, landlady of the East Riding Hotel, has offered to hold several pub quizzes. John Skelton will keep villagers informed of the fund's progress by placing a £££s indicator beside the church noticeboard.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, February 19, 2003