It has been evident for many years that the fabric of St Giles Church is in need of substantial investment to keep it watertight and structurally sound, and which the diocese is unable to provide. It has been proposed and generally agreed that the best way of raising funds for St Giles, and keeping them ring-fenced, is establishing a separate charity, the Friends of St Giles, which has been researched over the last year and more.
Many churches in the diocese have already gone down this route; Buckland for example has raised considerable sums for its roof, and Aldbourne Friends in addition to maintaining the fabric of St Michaels, have provided improved storage, lighting and heating in an even older church than St Giles.
Once established, this will likely be a long-term feature of the village as we need to fund-raise both for the immediate call on replacing the Nave roof, some £40,000, and for future repairs to porch and chancel roofs – and other issues which seem far in the future.
Setting up a modern charity (a CIO) is a relatively straightforward process, and needs in addition to the two or 3 main officers (Chair, treasurer and secretary) a group of enthusiastic volunteers who have skills in administration, fundraising and communication. Colin Hamling (Toban) has had past experience at chairing charities, including establishment of CIO’s, and has offered to chair, and to steer the proposal through at least set-up. If you feel that you can contribute, and have any of these skills, please put your name forward to Rev. Maureen Turner or to Pat Cook. The trustees will form a sub-committee of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and comply with all Charity Commission regulations.
Contacts are:
Rev Maureen Turner - revmaureen1@gmail.com – 01367 249875
Pat Cook – phemes43@gmail.com – 01367 241632
Colin Hamling- chtrainmaster22@gmail.com
Many churches in the diocese have already gone down this route; Buckland for example has raised considerable sums for its roof, and Aldbourne Friends in addition to maintaining the fabric of St Michaels, have provided improved storage, lighting and heating in an even older church than St Giles.
Once established, this will likely be a long-term feature of the village as we need to fund-raise both for the immediate call on replacing the Nave roof, some £40,000, and for future repairs to porch and chancel roofs – and other issues which seem far in the future.
Setting up a modern charity (a CIO) is a relatively straightforward process, and needs in addition to the two or 3 main officers (Chair, treasurer and secretary) a group of enthusiastic volunteers who have skills in administration, fundraising and communication. Colin Hamling (Toban) has had past experience at chairing charities, including establishment of CIO’s, and has offered to chair, and to steer the proposal through at least set-up. If you feel that you can contribute, and have any of these skills, please put your name forward to Rev. Maureen Turner or to Pat Cook. The trustees will form a sub-committee of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and comply with all Charity Commission regulations.
Contacts are:
Rev Maureen Turner - revmaureen1@gmail.com – 01367 249875
Pat Cook – phemes43@gmail.com – 01367 241632
Colin Hamling- chtrainmaster22@gmail.com
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