The
meeting opened with a short prayer by Fr Richard, followed by a welcome
address by Bernadette Yarnold together with a vote of thanks to Louise
and Seymour Aitken for allowing the meeting to take place in their
dining room.
1.
The Chairman’s Report: The Chairman gave her annual report which concluded
with words of appreciation for Fr. Richard who was responsible for the
creation of The Friends of St Mary’s Church.
A copy of the report is attached.
2.
The Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer presented the
Financial Report. There
were no questions. A copy
of the report is attached.
3.
Election of Officers:
Chairman:
Bernadette
confirmed that she would be prepared to serve as Chairman for a further
year, but stated that she would be standing down next year due to
personal circumstances. She further remarked that after four years
service, it would be appropriate to give someone else an opportunity.
Proposed:
Fr Richard
Seconded: Peter
Baister
Vice
Chairman:
In
view of Fr Richard’s departure. The Chairman proposed to leave the
office vacant in anticipation that our new Parish Priest may wish to
fill the appointment.
All
present agreed.
Treasurer:
Tony
Doyle agreed to stand as Treasurer for a further year.
Proposed
Bernadette Yarnold
Seconded: Gerry Dudley
Secretary:
Gerry
Dudley agreed to stand as Secretary for a further year.
Proposed
Bernadette Yarnold
Seconded: Peter Baister
Retiring
Committee Members:
Pat
Prendergast stated that he would be standing down after 5 years
service on the Committee. Bernadette proposed a vote of thanks for the service Pat and
his family had given to The Friends since its inception. This was carried by all present.
Robin
Williams also wished to stand down after two year’s service to The
Friends. Bernadette
conveyed the thanks of all The Friends for the help Robin had given
during his time of office. Robin
promised that he would help in any way possible for future events.
Other
Committee Members:
The
following agreed to continue to stand as Committee members:
Seymour
Aitken
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded: G Dudley
Peter
Baister
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded:
P Prendergast
Philippa
Hunter
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded:
T Doyle
Edmund
Lee
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded:
G Dudley
New
Members to the Committee:
The
following agreed to serve as Committee Members to replace those
who
were standing down:
Helen
Clift
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded:
G Dudley
David
Tetlow
Proposed: B Yarnold Seconded:
P Baister
In
the Newsletter, Edmund Lee had already indicated that he would be
standing down as Editor of the bi-annual Newsletter.
Pressure of work made it difficult to continue with this task.
He would, however, continue with ENTRUST matters. Edmund
confirmed that this continues to be the case.
Bernadette
asked if anyone present would be prepared to take on the task, nobody
volunteered. She stated
that she may ask Claire Flanagan if she would agree to meet this
undertaking for us.
4.
Grants
Edmund
delivered his report on the progress of application for ENTRUST grants
(a copy is attached).
As
a result of Edmund’s report, Fr Richard stated that the largest, long
term expenditure envisaged is the re-leading of the church tower, which
would cost in the region of £20,000.
This is not urgent. but felt that Edmund was asked to submit this
project to ENTRUST in lieu of that already submitted, the cost of which
is being mostly met by The Friends..
Seymour
Aitken informed the meeting that TARMAC would be developing a site
across the A419, and he felt that they would certainly be involved in
the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, with potential for funding over the next
three or four years. Edmund
agreed to observe this situation and pursue the matter in due course.
Other
fund raising schemes mentioned were English Heritage, via The Lottery.
Bernadette
reiterated the proposal to approach The Wayland Trust for funding to
restore the Churchyard Cross. She
also stated that the Phoenix Trust may be interested in funding the
lightning conductor which is included in the quinquennial report.
Bernadette
reminded the meeting that we had purchased a reference book, which
contained many organisations with funds to offer historic buildings, and
suggested that we pursue some of these channels.
A
long-term project would be to look at the gravestones in the church
yard. Some were in a bad
state of repair, and for safety reasons might be laid flat.
Fr Richard is to speak to the Architect at their next meeting in
relation to this matter.
5.
Fundraising
Bernadette
presented a list of items funded by The Friends since its inception.
A copy is attached. She
went on to ask if those present had any ideas for fundraising events
during the coming year.
Gerry
Dudley informed the meeting that after discussion
with management at Rackhams in Cirencester, it might be possible
to arrange a Fashion Show sometime in the Spring.
The company would provide the clothes and make-up, and The
Friends would have to provide the venue and the models. This was well
received. A likely venue
would be the Town Hall. A
Cheese & Wine event might accompany the show.
Pam
Woodley suggested a Quiz Night. Peter
Baister and David Tetlow appeared to have the expertise and offered to
liaise on this project. Again, the proposal found favour and is suitable
for staging in the Town Hall
Bernadette
suggested that we could also organise the usual Coffee Mornings/lunches,
which have proved very lucrative in the past.
6.
Church Watch
Bernadette
opened the discussion with “An open church is a deterrent to crime”.
Our
application to ENTRUST had a proviso that the church should be open to the public at
least two days a week. Helen
Lee has been opening the church for a limited time during the week, but
we have not fully complied with this stipulation.
In
September, we organised a meeting between local church representatives
and police with Nick Tolson
who is the national organiser for Church Watch,
and Ian Giles a representative from Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Nick did a presentation on various aspects of church safety. He felt
that if the church was left open more often, with notices saying that
all valuable items had been removed for safe-keeping and that collection
boxes etc., were emptied on a daily basis, damage, if any, would be
minimal.
Those
present were asked to suggest items on display at the moment, which
might prove valuable to thieves. The following were mentioned:
Where
possible items are to be marked with the Alpha dot
security marking system. Philippa
Hunter has alrelady photographed all valuable items throughout the
parish, for which Fr Richard proposed a vote of thanks.
Certain
items are already locked away. The
Sacristy is now locked when the church is empty.
It was suggested that larger moveable items of furniture might be
chained or bolted , but that would have to be carried out discreetly, so
as not to detract from the overall beauty of the item.
Other
suggestions were Security lighting, intruder alarms, locking of gates
and notices to warn off any potential intruders.
Church Watch advocated also, that the local Community should be
informed that the church would be open for prayer, and that we should
persevere, even if items go missing.
These
matters, although relevant, are policy decisions, and therefore academic
at the present time. Our
new Parish Priest must determine the way forward.
7.
Any Other Business
a)
Bernadette informed the meeting that in September, she had
planted crocus bulbs in the grass outside the south wall of the
church, as agreed at a previous meeting.
We will have to wait until
the Spring to see the result. Philippa Hunter also
planted lots of miniature cyclamen in various situations
outside the church. They
are evident at the moment, and it was
agreed that this would enhance the beauty of the church.
b)
Fr Richard suggested that David Apperley should be awarded a Life
Membership of The Friends
St Mary’s Church, for all his hard work over the years.
He also suggested that a Thank You card should be sent from The
Friends, thanking him for all his help.
c)
Edmund Lee reported that Dr J Robinson, who had contacted
The Friends in relation to a descendant of his who had been a
clergyman at St Mary’s, has concluded his research and
published his findings in a book.
Anyone wishing to obtain the
title of the publication, should contact Edmund.
d)
The Heritage Open Days are set for 10th-13th
September 2004. Edmund
mentioned that a Workshop will be held in the Spring to help with
organising Open Days. Edmund
will follow up this information. It is anticipated that the Historic
Churches Cycle Ride will take place on 11th September to
coincide with this event.
e)
Peter Baister stated that this year’s Cycle Ride in Wiltshire
should produce further revenue for The Friends.
Bernadette encouraged
those present to emulate Philippa and Peter and
take to their bikes next year for the Historic Churches Cycle
Ride.
The
meeting closed after a short prayer by Fr Richard.
The
next committee meeting will be on January 13th 2004 at 7.30
p.m. at Gerry Dudley’s house, 4 Pleydells, Cricklade.