BUILDING on an exciting new church in Harwood could begin next year.

Harwood Methodist Church has plans for a new church which will serve the whole community.

The building will be a focal point for the community and will be similar to The Triangle in Doffcocker.

In order to make their vision a reality the church is trying to raise £50,000.

The plans have been eight years in the making and Jane Sweetlove, trustee of the church, said it is an exciting time.

She said: “We have overcome various difficulties with selling land and other things but now that is right we are ready to move on.

“It is all very exciting. We are all excited that things are going well at the moment and the next stage is to carry on raising funds to fund the building work. We are hoping that we will be able to start building work next year.

“We think that Harwood needs a new heart, it has not got a local community hub and a lot of groups have always used our halls so now we want something to be proud of and that brings it up to the 21st century.

“Hopefully it will attract even more people to come in to the church.”

The plan is to have a building which would have a new worship area in the centre with rooms around the outside that could be used by the community.

The first fundraising event is being held on Saturday September 24 at Longsight Church Hall.

There will be performances from many of the groups who use the church halls from 10am until 4pm.

The groups will be joined by St Catherine’s Choir and Peppa Pig will also be making an appearance.

Mrs Sweetlove added: “Everyone at the church is hoping that the people of Bolton will take the opportunity to celebrate the many talents of the young and not so young who enjoy the many activities at the Harwood Methodist Church halls.”

There will be a café serving refreshments and a chance to see the architect’s designs for the new building and have a virtual reality tour.

The Harwood Painting Circle and the Local History Society will also have exhibitions at the event.