MEMBERS of the United Reformed Church in Tavistock are celebrating this week after securing the last push in a fundraising mission to repair the church roof. After nearly eight years of fundraising to repair the leaking roof, the church in Russell Street has managed to secure funding from the United Reformed Church (South West Synod) Incorporated and a grant from Biffa Award to help with the refurbishment. The work will include a completely new, watertight roof, insulation and a few solar panels to help the church become more energy efficient. Substantial upgrading has already taken place inside the church and hall over the past few years, but the new work will ensure the facilities will continue to be available for many years to come. John Morton, grant co-ordinator for the church, said the grant money was good news after many years of fundraising. He said: 'The roof has been leaking for a while. We have been saving and having fundraising events for years and now the grants have come in we have the money we need. 'We are really delighted we can go ahead. It means the building will be secure for the community for a long time to come. People hire the hall and the church unit — they are well-used facilities, so it is great we are able to secure it for the future.' When the church started fundraising eight years ago, it was only to renovate parts of the roof, but since then a survey revealed that the entire roof needed replacing. 'We initially didn't think we would have to replace the whole roof, but it has slowly been getting worse.' The work is scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks and, weather permitting, it is hoped to be finished before the end of the year. Mr Morton said the church hall will continue to be open and they have made arrangements with users, who have been most understanding, while the work is being undertaken. He expressed thanks to all of the organisations, individuals and local businesses who provided letters of support for the renovation project. Also to the staff at Biffa Award, managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, who were helpful during the grant application process.