A PARISH church in Finchley is holding a history day today as part of an ongoing appeal to restore the organ.

The free event at St Mary-at-Finchley runs from 2.30pm until 5pm and will include a guided tour of the historic churchyard and bell tower.

There will be historic documents and heritage items on display, including the chance to ring the parish church bell.

People will also get the chance to be interviewed by experts about their memories of the church grounds. Highlights of the interviews will be available to listen to through a listening post, which has been installed to educate the public on the church’s history.

Alison Fisher, director of the adult choir, said: “This is a story of people working together to make things happen. Our history day will be an enhanced visitor experience with people there to tell visitors about the things they are seeing.”

St Mary’s Oral History Project has helped to raise £121,000 towards the organ appeal, closing in on its £135,000 target.