FAMILY ties with Chorley Old Road Methodists go back along way for Jill Standish and her family, but she never dreamed she would be running the place.

For Jill has just started as manager of the Big Top Play Centre converted from the shell of the old church.

The church, which dates back hundreds of years, was in such poor condition the small congregation couldn't afford the repairs despite their fund-raising efforts.

They decided to sell-up and move to the church hall next door. The building was bought by Accrington-based Big Top Play Centres.

And when Jill saw the job for a manager the chance of working at the church where she has so many ties was too good to miss.

Her grandfather was church warden, both her and her parents married there and all three of her children were Christened there.

"I saw the advert and it spoke to me," she said. "I have so many connections with the place I find it funny I'm now working there. It holds a lot of memories for me and it is wonderful to see the old place looking so good."

The Big Top Play Centre is a children's dream come true. It caters for all ages of children who can turn up and play whenever they like.

The old gallery is a party area, the vestry where Jill signed the wedding register is her office, and the pulpit has even been transformed into a television lounge so even the dads can relax and watch football while their children play.

For more information contact Jill at the Big Top on 465100.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.