Annual General Meeting

The Friends of St Mary's Church, Cricklade

Held on Tuesday 14^th November 2006 at Brook House, Cricklade

APOLOGIES: David and Ray Tetlow, Anne Wykeham-Martin, Edmund Lee, Margaret Stephenson.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: This was delivered by Eddie Condon after welcoming Fr. Philip Beisly as recently appointed Parish Priest. Copies of the report were distributed to attendees.

TREASURER’S REPORT: This was delivered by Kevin Allen and copies were distributed to attendees. Bernadette Yarnold enquired as to whether interest on funds had been claimed from the Clifton Diocesan office, since this has been the case in previous years.  Kevin informed those present that he had not been aware of this, but would make the necessary enquiries  to claim any interest we are

entitled to. Kevin also mentioned that he was not happy with the rate of interest we are obtaining on our funds, and would ask advice from the Clifton Diocese office with regard to better investing funds to obtain a more beneficial rate of interest.

Eddie thanked Kevin for his report.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  Eddie asked all Committee members present if they were prepared to serve a further term of office and all consented.  Gerry Dudley informed those present that the missing members had intimated that they would be prepared to continue serving on the Committee.

FUTURE PLANS: 

Guttering and Barge boards.

Eddie informed the meeting that arrangements to unblock the guttering and paint the barge boards on the exterior of the church are in hand.  He has made enquiries of a local firm, and is awaiting their reply. 

Storage

When the existing confessional is moved, there will be a shortage of storage for items such as cleaning materials and flower arranging equipment.  Eddie informed the meeting that it was suggested that the Sacristy, at the back of the church be used more effectively by planning a fitted area to accommodate the above mentioned items and other things such as vestments etc. Bernadette Yarnold mentioned that at previous Committee meetings, it was proposed that fitted cupboards be installed around the walls of the North Chapel.  Eddie suggested that it would be a better use of space if the Sacristy is used. He suggested that more economic methods of shelving be obtained, with the possibility of using the spare wooden panels which are stored, currently in Seymour Aitken’s outbuildings, be used to make suitable doors which would bring the structure together to fit in with the rest of the building. This matter to be discussed at the first Committee meeting of 2007.

Bernadette Yarnold mentioned the fact that the Quinquenniel Report will be due in 2008, and if the guttering and barge boards are painted/unblocked, it would assist with the success of the report.

ACTIVITIES:                          

Fundraising events

Medieval Fayre (during Cricklade Festival) 

This proved to be a very unexpected success from The Friends’ point of view. The church was open to visitors and a small cake stall, bric-a-brac stall, and refreshments were served.  From a small event, it proved very successful, and it was felt that if more planning is given to the next one, it could be even more so.  Peter Baister to enquire about the date etc., 

Picture raffle.

We have been fortunate in obtaining yet another water colour of St Mary’s which we were intending to raffle in the Spring.  However, Tricia Snape suggested that since we had raffled two pictures already, a break might be in order to avoid  incurring a “not again” reaction.  Trish suggested that we hold the picture back until the Spring of 2008 when the proceeds from the raffle could go towards the Millennium Son et Lumiere.  This was agreed.

Millennium event:

Bernadette reported that Prior Park had agreed to be involved in this event. They will provide children for various tableaux, singing, musical contributions and narrators.  Staff will help with production etc.

The agreed date for the production is 9th and 10^th October 2008.

Fr Philip was asked if he would write to the Bishop of Clifton to confirm this date for his diary.

Funds to cover estimated costs for lighting, (under £1000), and other items such as fabric for costumes etc., will need to be raised, and Bernadette reported that Prior Park would be prepared to put on a concert at St Mary’s, during June 2008. It was suggested that through the newsletters, financial and practical help could be requested from members.

Helen Lee has agreed to design posters and Claire Flanagan has consented to design the programme. The Friends will be informed of arrangements as and when they are agreed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

The meeting closed at 8.25 p.m.  The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 9^th January 2007 at 7.30, venue to be decided nearer the date.

Firstly may I welcome Fr. Philip Beisly, the new Parish Priest of St. Thomas of Canterbury with St. Mary’s Cricklade and  wish him success in his first Parish.

This is my first Chairman’s report and it does not seem like twelve months since I was elected.  It has been a good year with many of the projects that were in planning for some time coming to fruition.

The Churchyard Cross

We are getting closer to the acceptance of our method of repair, but the route to acceptance has been long and circuitous.  We have to thank Tony Thompson of the Falconer Partnership for his unstinting efforts in trying to achieve approval.  This has meant writing directly to The Rt. Hon. David Lammy, the Minister for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, M.P’s Michael Mills and David Drew and of course English Heritage, South Western Region.  We now have a meeting planned with Sarah Ball of English Heritage, Jake Etherton of J. Etherton Building Conservation and our Architects on 6 December at 10.30. a.m. at St. Mary’s, to hopefully agree a method of repair.   Let us hope in 2007 the work will be carried out.

Disabled Access to the North Chapel

The faculty has now been fully approved and Tim Jeffrey, a craftsman from Prinknash Abbey has visited the church with our Architect – The Falconer Partnership and is preparing a price for our consideration for him to carry out the work. 

Lightning Conductor

The lightning protection scheme was installed by Wiltshire Steeplejacks on 20 September 2006.  The cost of the total scheme is being paid for by a grant from The Red Lion Charity Fund (this is the “pub” across the road from the church) for which we thank them most sincerely. 

The Boundary Wall

Part of the boundary wall had collapsed and was in need of repair.  Following a request to Cricklade Council to carry out the work at their cost, this has been done to a very high standard.  If you have not seen the repair it is well worth a visit.  You will also see the improvement of the gardens – work carried out by volunteers throughout the year.  A new water butt has been installed this will help our “gardeners”.  Further work is planned to continue the improvements.

Fund Raising Activities

Although not strictly fund raising we had a stand for the second year at the Cricklade Show promoting the work of “The Friends”.  The day was successful in our promotion but the wind was strong and if it had not been for reinforcements to our gazebo we could have lost it completely. (Next year we will probably be asking for a loan of a more substantial gazebo !)

At the Cricklade Medieval weekend the church was opened, we sold refreshments and raffled another picture of the church, making £221.00.  At our Coffee Morning in September held at Brook House, thanks once again to Louise and Seymour Aitken, a fantastic sum of £501.00 was raised.  Our thanks go not only to Gerry Dudley and her team but the generous donation of gifts that helped towards the total figure raised.  We have held back yet another print of the church which we will raffle at a Spring Church Open Day.

Millennium Production

Bernadette Yarnold and her team are working diligently towards this “Son et Lumiere” in 2008. 

It has been a busy but successful year.  My thanks go to all the Committee members for their help throughout the year, especially Gerry Dudley our Secretary who has certainly made my task a lot easier than it would have been but we could not have done the work without the support of all “The Friends”.

Thank you.

Eddie Condon