Happy's Circus is coming to Leckhampstead this weekend to raise money for the restoration of St James Church

A circus is coming to a West Berkshire village this weekend so the village community can raise funds for the restoration and rejuvenation of its local church.

Happy’s Circus is coming to Leckhampstead on Saturday, May 7 for a family-friendly day of fun and laughter, around 60 years since a travelling circus last came to the village.

Organised by the Leckhampstead Parochial Church Council (PCC), the fundraising event is part of the PCC’s ten-year restoration plan of St James Church.

Leckhampstead resident, church warden and PCC member Michelle Martin said: “We’ve had really fantastic support from our village. It has very much been a village project.”

Although the PCC looks forward to using the funds the circus event will raise to improve the church facilities, it is more excited to see the village come together as a community following the last couple of years.

The circus event was initially planned to take place two-and-a-half years ago, but was delayed on three separate occasions due to the pandemic.

The circus is part of the PCC’s final stage of its church restoration plan. Having already completed significant structural repairs and improvements, such as restoring the front porch and boundary wall and replacing the church roof, the PCC is now raising funds so it can transform the church into a more user-friendly community space.

Leckhampstead PCC is aiming to, “make the church much more part of the community,” with its upcoming plans.

St James will have toilet facilities put in, a new heating system will be installed, and the PCC also aims to make the internal fixtures more user friendly.

For example, the council hopes to acquire mobile pews in the church so they can be easily moved and the church can be utilised as a community space.

To find out more about the church, visit https://stjamespcc.com/

To find out more about the circus, visit https://bit.ly/3vE9Wp1

Tickets for the circus will cost £10 and can be bought online or on the day. The circus will take place on the Leckhampstead Playing Fields with the event kicking off at midday and finishing at 5pm this Saturday.