'Gifted' at St Andrew's, Dearnley

Gifted at St Andrew's

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Revellers at St Andrew's, Dearnley, Littleborough danced the night away in helping to raise £908 for the church's Wider Welcome scheme, which will provide extended and improved community facilities for the parish.

The Wigan-based band 'Gifted', which has helped to raise thousands of pounds in the past few years for churches, charities and all manner of worthy causes, provided magnificent music and backing for their excellent vocalist, Pat Fisher.

'Gifted' is a play on the words 'Gift Aid' because the motivation of the band, comprising Tony, Pat, Jamie, Keith and Mike, is solely to provide enjoyment for others, while enjoying themselves and raising funds for good causes at the same time.

"It was a fantastic night," said Sheila Moore, of the church's social committee, who did much of the organising of the event and also found the time and energy to prepare a chilli-con-carne supper for more than a hundred.

'Gifted' split their programme into two separate sections --- the first half with 'Songs from the Shows' and the second half with a wide variety of rock music that was designed to get people in the mood for dancing. It succeeded beyond wildest dreams !

Tony Bostock, who formed the band, said: "This was our second visit to St Andrew's, and we may be there for a third time next year, possibly presenting a Country and Western evening or something of that nature."

Two more St Andrew's fund-raisers in October are the Harvest Afternoon Tea -- soup and sandwiches -- on Saturday, October 13 (3pm) and a Questions and Answers session with BBC Radio Manchester's Allan Beswick on Friday, October 26 (8pm).

Allan, one of local radio's best-known presenters, with an interviewing style of his own, is normally firing the questions, but on this occasion he will be on the receiving end, so don't miss the opportunity to put him on the spot.

Tickets will not be going on sale, just turn up on the night and we will ask for a suggested donation of £5 per head to aid church funds and, in particular, our Wider Welcome appeal.