PERSHORE Cemetery Cha-pel has re-opened after months of restorative work.

The Archdeacon of Worc-ester, the Venerable Roger Morris, officially opened the repaired chapel in the cemetery off Defford Road in Pershore last Wednesday.

The work on the chapel began in April and has included stabilising the building, major redecoration, a new roof and repair work to the windows and drains.

Speaking at a recent meeting, town Councillor Chris Parsons MBE, who is the chairman of the cemetery committee, said the completion of the cemetery was thanks to the hard work of the committee, councillors and volunteers.

“I think this council will have a chapel to be proud of,” he said. “All I have heard is good comments. We have tried desperately to keep as much of the original building as possible.

“We are bringing the programme in on budget and I am really pleased with that considering all the extra work that cropped up.

“That is really down to the hard work of the committee.

“Volunteers have been up there with paint brushes every week. “It is that hard work of the committee that’s made this project come in on budget.”

Pershore Mayor Coun Cha-rles Tucker added his thanks to the committee and Coun Parsons.

“The whole council owe you (Coun Parsons) a huge thank you for the work you have done. “The quality of the work is down to your persistence.”

As a result of the project being completed, Pershore residents can now hold funerals in the chapel once again.