Members of St Michael's Church in Macclesfield are currently engaged in a zany but engaging project, to knit a scarf long enough to go all the way around the outside of the church!

This one long scarf will be created by sewing loosely together over 100 individual hand-knitted scarves to reach the required length of well over 150m. It is a slightly bonkers way of raising money and awareness – the scarf itself of course will not keep the church warm - but will raise awareness for repairs sought at the site.

The idea is one of the church's eco-initiatives and is primarily a fundraising project (with a JustGiving page).

All money raised will go towards helping the church to meet its net-zero target by 2030. A new, energy-efficient boiler is a priority and – longer term – solar panels on the large south-facing church roof (Sparrow Park side of the church) are the goal.

SCARVES FOR ST. MIKE'S: And the response has been anything but wooly, with a BBC actor and even knitters in Europe taking part.

Macclesfield Nub News first reported on this required future-proofing of the church this time last April.

"We hope that the town will take this slightly whacky initiative onboard and help us," said Lynne.

"At the moment I have about 120 individual scarves. We are having the grand 'wrapping up' ceremony in September.

"Before that, we will loosely sew all the scarves together to create one enormous scarf which we will then wrap round the church (I'll need about 25 people to hold it at intervals to keep it from hanging too low!)

There's 118 days left until the end of the project. How many scarves do you think will be made by then?

"I intend to display all the individual scarves on 'lines' strung from the pillars in church for an extended period of time so people can see them all and buy any they'd like." 

People from all around are assisting either by donating on the JustGiving site or by sending in their hand-knitted scarves. As an example of how far-reaching his project is, the coordinator of the project, Lynne Spedding, has a sister in Germany who is not only knitting scarves herself but has a circle of German friends also contributing their hand-knitted scarves, as they are so taken with the project!

The JustGiving page has fundraised £595 as of publication, and you can donate via this link. You may also known Lynne as also a lay reader at the Market Place church.

The idea arose from a chance remark Lynne heard on the Radio 4 serial, The Archers, a couple of years ago when a character mentioned something similar.

Susie Riddell has given her thumbs up - or should we say knitting needles up - to the project. (Image - Susie Ridell)

And, in fact, the story has come full circle, as one of the actors from The Archers (Susie Riddell who plays Tracy Horrobin) has contributed her own homemade scarf and sent a message of support!

St Michael's Church is a Macclesfield community hub – in addition to the obvious church services, the building is used for concerts, exhibitions, a daily café (including our "surplus food café" - "Angel at my Table), and external courses such as a recent Palestinian-themed event.

The Grade-II*-listed place of worship also supports the Treacle Market, other local events organised by community groups and the Town Council.

Many Maxonians will have attended a wedding, funeral or christening in the building, or have come along one of the regular lunchtime concerts, or other events, and the ancient Savage Chapel is much appreciated by members of the community for quiet reflection and prayer.

St. Michael's also has an affordable café, which is a vital pillar of support for the community. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"This is a genuine eco-project," added Lynne.

"Most scarves have been knitted or crocheted using leftover yarn donated by knitters and crocheters among the congregation. The scarves range from the beautiful to the eccentric – something for everyone!

"After our grand wrapping up the church ceremony (scheduled for September 29, St Michael's Day, a Treacle Sunday) we will separate the scarves again and sell them to raise more money. You too could own your wonderful eco-scarf created for such a worthy cause!

"Thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far.

"People can drop any hand-knitted scarves off at church. Please ask them to put their name on a label pinned to the scarf, and tell them that St MIchael's is open every day between 10.00 and 12 (on Thursdays- Saturdays it's open until 3.00pm.

"Any unsold scarves will either be donated to charity or will be sewn together to make blankets. We don't want any waste!"

It helps that Macclesfield's independent haberdashery store, Crafty Corner, is just a three-minute walk from the church.

Once again, you can donate via this link.