Vandals damaged 37 panes of glass in fourteen of the windows at St Michael's Church in Hoole, England.  Though none of the stained glass windows commemorating the Transit of Venus were broken, the parish acted to protect the historic windows with poly-carbonate sheets.  A fundraising effort raised in excess of the £10,000, including support from the astronomy community. 

Anyone wishing to make a monetary contribution toward this expense please send a cheque made payable to the Friends of St. Michael's Church C/o Mr. Clive Elphick, Carr House, Carr House Lane, Bretherton, PR26 9AR.

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Here's an excerpt from the March 2010 Church Webzine at http://www.hoolevillage.com/home/st_michaels/webzine/201003.doc:

Windows Protection Appeal

The Parochial Church Council and The Friends of St. Michael’s are pleased to tell you that the target amount of £10,000 for the Windows Appeal has now been exceeded. Donations however continue to arrive and at the time of going to press the total stands in the region of £12,000. A final amount will be given in the April magazine.

You may be forgiven for not noticing that the poly-carbonate protection has now been installed because it is so unobtrusive and does not detract from aesthetic considerations. Your generous donations have enabled the account to be settled with the Pendle Glass Company.

Members of the parish and beyond were shocked and disturbed when the church windows suffered extensive damage following a vandal attack. The extent to which parishioners and many others living both inside and outside the parish rallied to the cause was an amazing and positive demonstration of the power of good in the community.

Individuals donated according to their circumstances. Sorrowing mourners at funerals donated in memoriam. Joyful parents at christenings contributed. All church organisations had a critical look at their funds and corporately found a substantial amount of money that they handed to the appeal.

We intend to hold a Celebratory Parish Dinner at the San Marco Restaurant on Wed. 14th. April 2010 - price £12.50. Everybody is welcome if a ticket is purchased.   A two-course meal will be provided with entertainment by Mr. David Ashley, an extremely talented Frank Sinatra tribute singer, supported by his daughter Miss Laura Ashley. We are not intending this to be a fundraiser, just to mark closure of the appeal; however there will be a raffle.  You can book individually, or why not book a table (10) for Family and/or Friends? Further details on the church notice board and elsewhere or ring 614385(Eric), Clive (601495) or contact the Churchwardens.

The Parochial Church Council and The Friend’s of St. Michael are very grateful and thank all contributors to the appeal for your immediate response and overwhelming generosity. The Quinquenniel Report from the Diocese requires us to undertake further structural work both inside and outside the church. Security has to be enhanced and the footpaths in the churchyard upgraded. We can undertake this work with confidence knowing that our Development Funds have not been depleted by a serious expensive and entirely unforeseen incident of wanton destruction.  Your response has not only protected the windows but contributed to  securing the future of St. Michael’s Church.

Chairman of The Friends of St. Michael’s