A HISTORIC Black Isle Church will be opening to the public this weekend with a school concert and special church service.
The completion of nearly three years of conservation work at East Church, Cromarty, is being celebrated over the May bank holiday.
Today (Friday) the public is invited to add their local festivities to that of the Royal Wedding, by coming along to a Cromarty Primary School Concert at 1.45pm.
Community and education worker for the project Caroline Vawdrey said, It seems very appropriate that the primary school should be part of re-opening the church.
Theyve been along many times during the conservation work on the church learning about what weve been discovering and the skills of the craftsmen who have been working on the building.
Church of Scotland minister, Reverend Willis Jones is helping the primary school with the concert and will also be conducting the re-opening service on Sunday, May 1 at 11.45am, when he will be assisted by speakers from the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust and former professional singer, Stephanie Kulesza.
Mr Jones said, What is so exciting about this restoration is that it makes a contemporary contribution to a lively and vital community.
Director of the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, Victoria Collison-Owen said, This has been a rewarding conservation project from start to finish.
The Cromarty community has backed us all the way and was crucial in helping us to secure the £1.2 million we needed to carry out the conservation work. Were very happy to be opening the church with these community-linked events and are looking forward to using the church for many more in the future.
From May 1 onwards the church will be opened daily by a willing band of volunteers.
If youd like to find out more, or indeed to offer your services, contact Caroline Vawdrey on info@eastchurchcromarty.co.uk
