THEY’VE certainly got all their chairs at home when it comes to raising cash at St Mary’s parish church in Honley.
Today the church is filled not with ornately carved pews but with 200 chairs which Honley Male Voice Choir hopes will be filled for its concert there tomorrow.
Time was when churches attracted large Sunday congregations who sat in wooden pews which though beautiful were not always comfortable.
These days, when churches are used by their communities for diverse events, chairs have proved more flexible and at Honley, the switchover has been accompanied by the installation of a raised platform – just the thing for a choir.
“Churches are gradually accepting that they have to put their premises to greater community use than holding services, such as using them to stage concerts,” said one of Honley’s church wardens, Clive Waind.
The choir’s new musical director Keith Roberts and accompanist Sue Ogden will also be making their first appearance at the church.
Proceeds from the concert, which begins at 7pm, will be split equally between the choir and the church and the £6 tickets are on sale at the Kariday newsagents in Honley or on the door.
