Renewal of the buildings
2008-9
2008-9
2. Proposed Elevation of restored Hall
3. February 2nd 2009
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The project to revitalise the church and hall continues. One of the biggest obstacles has been that the work is going to cost somewhat more than first thought. This means that our target is now to raise £146,000 rather than the original £97,000. The good news is that we have already exceeded our original total and currently have accounted over £105,000 in fundraising. Efforts will continue to try and secure the remaining funds.
However, we have decided that rather than letting the project drag out even longer, to take a ‘step of faith’ and to commission the work to start, hoping that new funds will become available. Work is due to start in mid-February and is scheduled for completion by the end of April. There may be a few ‘finishing off’ tasks that flow over into May. The renovation of the church hall will form the first part of the project, followed by the replacement of the church roof.
We hope that by the time the work is completed we will have two buildings that will enhance the local area, and provide more attractive facilities for local people. Alongside the fresh look to the buildings we hope that there will also be a renewed interest in using the premises, and new energies released in a congregation which seeks to serve the local community. We already have some ideas and we are seeking feedback from local residents.
For some years, the
congregation have aspired to improve the premises on the site with the
aim of providing better facilities for church and community use. The
hall has stood since the period just following the first world war, and
has become an unattractive sight to say the least. We have also to look
after the church, which in recent years has been granted the status of
a Grade 2 Listed Building. After a hundred years of service, the roof
has now reached the end of its life and needs replacing.
After a long period of fundraising and consideration of how to proceed with the work, it now looks as if our aims might finally be achieved. The basic plan is to reclad the hall and reroof the church. We hope that the finished product will help to enhance the character of the neighbourhood and provide improved facilities for those who use them.
After a long period of fundraising and consideration of how to proceed with the work, it now looks as if our aims might finally be achieved. The basic plan is to reclad the hall and reroof the church. We hope that the finished product will help to enhance the character of the neighbourhood and provide improved facilities for those who use them.
The cost of the work is
approximately £100,000. We have accounted for approximately
£86,000 of that amount through our own local efforts,
contributions from the Methodist Church, and local trusts, and we are
looking to put funding in place for the final amount from outside grant
making bodies and other trusts. We are currently awaiting to hear the
outcome of some funding applications.
An architect, Mr. Tim Worsfold, has been appointed as adviser to the project. He has drawn up plans and we have now awaiting the final permissions to go ahead with the work. The programme as it stands, depending on permissions and finance, is to begin work in the second half of October and to complete the project by the end of February. The intention is to tackle the project in two phases, the hall first, then the church itself.
An architect, Mr. Tim Worsfold, has been appointed as adviser to the project. He has drawn up plans and we have now awaiting the final permissions to go ahead with the work. The programme as it stands, depending on permissions and finance, is to begin work in the second half of October and to complete the project by the end of February. The intention is to tackle the project in two phases, the hall first, then the church itself.