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

​​The following documents have been added to the website:

Annual Parish Meeting Minutes- May 15th 2023
Parish Council AGM Minutes- May 15th 2023
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There is a vacancy for a Parish Councillor - details can be found here.

FURTHER UPDATE:

The parish defibrillator has been temporarily replaced by a loan unit. The loan defibrillator is in the green cabinet outside the Reading room as before and is 'emergency ready’.  I will let you know when the original defibrillator is returned.

Ian Mason - Great Coxwell Defibrillator Group

UPDATE:

Defibrillator update: we were expecting a replacement defibrillator to arrive today (26th May), but Parcelforce have cancelled the delivery so it won’t come until Tuesday (30th May) next week. I’ll keep you posted on developments. 

IMPORTANT - DEFIBRILLATOR: 

Dear all, we have been having problems with the parish defibrillator, and it is now temporarily out of service. It has been recalled by the manufacturer for testing and repair. 

In case of emergency call the ambulance service on 999 and they will direct you to the nearest functioning device. 

I’ve asked the manufacturer if they can provide a loan machine until ours returns after repair. They are checking to see if they have one that they can provide for us temporarily. 

I will keep you notified of developments. I apologise for this interruption of service, but these circumstances beyond my control. 

Best wishes
Ian Mason

A few weeks ago a visitor left a wrap behind. It is fleecy and large, with a scalloped edge, Grey-green in colour. We cannot remember whose it might be.

Please ring on 241934 if you think it is yours.

Dear all, 

Gill Crossland has never been to Stonevale before, and hopefully this will be the first of several!  For more information or to have a taste of what you will experience, click on the link. And clearly, book seats quickly. 

Best wishes, 
Lynette

http://www.jillcrossland.org/

I would like to say a huge Thank You to those of you who baked, donated food, gave a donation of money to buy food - this meant that we only had to take under £20 out of the takings to put towards food purchases and other expenses for the Café.

What an amazing display of cakes was a comment frequently heard.so well done all you talented cake makers.

For all of you that helped in our Pop Up Café we couldn't do it without you.

The weather was kind and we took an amazing £2600. From this we have a few expenses to deduct such as the hire of the Reading Room and we pay half of the cost for the Artists exhibiting. This will still leave us with a very healthy profit of over £2000. 

All the money raised goes to the Community Fund. This in the past has enabled us to amongst others to buy new chairs for the Reading Room and a new carpet for the Church.

It has subsidised both the Queen's Jubilee and the Coronation for which the whole village was invited to a party in the Barn. A very nominal amount was charged ( to enable us to have an idea of numbers) with the rest coming out of the Community Fund.

This is your money, raised by the villagers so if you would like help to set up anything within the Village, please contact a member of the Committee- Annabelle, Pam, Pauline, Steve or Sylvia.

Many Thanks 
Pam

An item of jewellery was found during the second Art Weeks weekend at the Reading Room, if this is your please email with details and we will get back to you.

Regards,

Dear Village

It has been agreed it makes sense to start the Garage Sale at the same time as the Village Teas on June 11. Therefore the start time for both will be 1.00pm.

Apologies for any confusion!

If there are left over plants from Artweeks, please deliver to South View, Puddleduck Lane and we will sell on behalf of the Village Funds.

Thank you.

PS - Normal timings for Village Teas will resume next time - 2:30PM to 5:00PM

​​The following documents have been added to the website:

Annual Parish Meeting Agenda - May 15th 2023
Parish Council AGM Agenda - May 15th 2023
​

Thank you to everyone who supported us on our Isle of Wight Challenge at the weekend. All safely finished bar a few blisters and aching muscles. 
 
If you would still like to contribute the link is below
 
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/watters-isle-of-white
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