VILLAGERS have made themselves heard by raising almost �10,000 for their church. The 2009 Essendon Village Garden Open Day raised a staggering �9,500 for St Mary s Church in Church Street. Some of the money will go towards updating the church s antiquated

VILLAGERS have made themselves heard by raising almost �10,000 for their church.

The 2009 Essendon Village Garden Open Day raised a staggering �9,500 for St Mary's Church in Church Street.

Some of the money will go towards updating the church's antiquated sound system, which had been causing problems for parishioners who are hard of hearing.

The rest will go towards the building's day-to-day care and maintenance, and to improve the heating system.

A total of 19 villagers opened up their gardens to the public, as well as metal workers at The Forge on Essendon Hill and the Flint Stable Studio in West End.

It was the 14th open day of its kind in Essendon since villagers first held the biennial event in 1983.

Church warden Anne Mitcheson said: "It's the best open day we've ever had and it was such a happy village day."

Joan Thomson, secretary of the Parochial Church Council, said: "It was a great day because it involved so many of the villagers and more gardens than ever before.

"In a small village like this, these kind of events are very important.

"We didn't expect to raise as much as we did.

"Times being what they were, we'd prepared for lower takings, but I think the weather certainly helped.