A NEW church clock was the cherub on the cake for Holy Rood Catholic Church after months of hard work saw refurbishment work near completion.

The clock, which was donated to the church in Groundwell Road by Old Town’s Deacon Jewellers, has taken pride of place after replacing its old and broken predecessor.

For more than 18 months the church has been campaigning to raise money to carry out essential repair work at the church, including replacing a leaking roof and installing a new heating system.

The church needs about £500,000 to carry out the repairs and has so far raised about £170,000.

Canon John Cunningham, the parish priest, said: “People were getting wet and cold because the roof was leaking, and when you are sitting there during mass it is not a nice experience.

“They were also getting cold because there was no heating, and especially in the winter time it gets extremely cold.”

The installation of the new clock marks the end of the major refurbishment, which included redecorating the walls and installing modern light fittings.

Canon Cunningham said: “We thanked Deacons in person of course and have written to them too to say thank you for their generous donation.

“We have had a refurbishment programme over the past few years and major repairs on the roof, and although all the work has not yet been competed the major work has. The donation of the clock was just part of that programme of refurbishment.”

Canon Cunningham said: “I have been absolutely delighted with the response from everyone.

“People have been generous, not just from within the Catholic community but from Swindon as a whole.

“As everyone knows, the country is going through a tough economic period, so for everyone to be so generous is great.

“I am so grateful to all the parishioners and members of the community who have supported the fund, especially since the financial situation in the country during the past few years has not been good.”

Holy Rood is one of the largest churches in the town and has a parish of more than 3,500.