VOLUNTEERS have finally come forward after a desperate plea to save a village church in Somerset. St Congar's Church

VOLUNTEERS have finally come forward after a desperate plea to save a village church in Somerset.St Congar's Church in Badgworth is in need of urgent repairs to its roof and could close if members do not find £40,000 to carry out the work.Reverend Ken Brown appealed for members of the congregation and villagers to come forward to start up a group to raise funds for the 600-year-old building. But his plea fell on deaf ears.However, after an appeal in the Weston & Somerset Mercury, five people have come forward and money has begun to trickle.Rev Brown said: "We're very pleased. We now have enough people to set up a steering committee which will be in charge of organising fund-raising events."The idea is that the 'friends' will plan and organise events which will attract money from outside the village, thus relieving a small village of the burden of providing a large amount of money for upkeep by itself."The matter is now urgent and unless major repairs can be set in hand on the church roof, St Congar's Church may face closure on grounds of safety."Donations have already been sent in to help pay for repairs and Rev Brown said the church's future is now looking brighter.A fund-raising event has already been set up by the friends group. Mean Time, an ensemble from Greenwich, will be holding a concert in aid of the cause on July 27.The group, which plays music from the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods, as well as contemporary music, will be performing at St Congar's Church at 7.30pmTickets, priced £6, are available from Louise on 01934 732971 or Brian on 732473.The church is also holding a fete on June 9 from 2-4pm at Badgworth Schoolroom. Stalls full of bargains as well as cream teas, silly sports, a bar and a barbecue will be on offer. All the cash raised will go towards the appeal.