From the Chairman

Extracts from the Committee Report to the Parish AGM

The Conservation Fundraising appeal with a target of $645,000 was launched in February 2010.  By the Annual Balance date of March 2010 donations totalling $39,999 had been received and Vestry had resolved that the bequest of $25,000 from the Estate of Len Webb would also be allocated to the Conservation project.

Shortly after the 2010 Annual Meeting, the Fundraising Committee received advice that our application to the Heritage and Environment Committee of the Lottery Grants Board had resulted in a grant of $400,000 being approved.

Obviously the Lotteries grant gave the appeal real impetus, but there has also been magnificent support from parishioners,  and from other Charitable Trusts.  In dealing with Trustees of the various trusts it was apparent that the level of wider community use of the Church would have a significant bearing on how the applications were assessed.  The cultural activity that has been fostered by Vicar Graeme has been extremely important in achieving excellent support from the Trusts.

I have noted the Lotteries Commission and Eastern and Central Community Trust grants but major contributions were also received from the Bernard Chambers Charitable Trust and the Gwen Malden Charitable Trust.  Recently support was received from the HBS Bank.

So many people have made special contributions to the progress of the appeal and the work in progress.   (The Chairman thanked various individuals.)

As advised in the update mail outs, the appeal target was increased to $790,000, partly due to cost increases for roofing and concrete injection, and partly because the level of support being received encouraged Vestry and the Committee to add some items to the programme.  These include:

• Improved lighting in the Transept area
• Upgraded sound system
• Improved ventilation
• Improvement to the Lychgate pathway
• Painting of Vestry area and choir room etc
• Improvements to the entry to the Lady Chapel 
  [The new glass screens over the doors have now been installed to the delight of parishioners]

Bill Dent

Chairman, Conservation Fundraising Committee

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Appeal Progress Report - 31 August 2011

Windows see the light after 95 years. 

While working on the subfloor, three windows were retrieved from storage under the church floor. 

Old windows from the East wall of the wooden church (Mountfort design) were recovered from underneath the Chancel during work on the subfloor area.  Two of the windows can now be seen flanking the high altar as a reminder of the current project and the tremendous work of past parishioners in building and extending our church.

Photo:  Peter Julian (Piling contractor), Graham Linwood (Architect), Rev'd Graeme Pilgrim, Craig Morgan (Building Contractor) carefully removing one the leadlight windows.