“Friends of St Edmund’s Church”
The “Friends” do sterling work, fundraising for the upkeep of our historic Norman church building. If you would like to join “The Friends of St Edmund’s” please download the membership form and follow the instructions.
St Edmund’s Church Building Trust
Friends of St Edmunds
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING- The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of St Edmund’s 2019 took place on Wednesday 22nd May.
Grateful thanks to all who attended.
The AGM is a requirement under our Constitution – We review the year’s projects and activities , present accounts and elect Committee members as necessary. Although our income does not require checking of our accounts, in the interests of clarity we have them checked by an Independent Examiner.
PROJECTS- our most recent project – masonry repairs having been completed , at the meeting of the Management Committee on 31st July we confirmed our intention to fund an upgrade to the lighting and heating, subject to the agreement of the PCC. This will not only make the church more comfortable but will help to reduce bills.
NB-Membership of the Friends is open to anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to help with the preservation of our 930 year old parish church. New members are always welcome. Enrolment forms are displayed in St Edmund’s or please contact the Secretary on 883126
THE ANNUAL OPEN WEEKEND
Grateful thanks to all who helped to make last year’s event successful. Preparations for the Open Weekend 2019 are well under way.
MB AS USUAL HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED. CONTACT THe SECRETARY ON 01983 883126 IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY.
How it all started
THE ST EDMUND’S CHURCH BUILDING TRUST
A brief survey
Due to changes within the Church of England there was in the mid 1990s, a threat to close some churches. Wootton , having two buildings serving the same Parish was vulnerable.
St. Edmund’s Church building could not be expanded, so that the sister church of St. Mark’s would become the main worship centre, and St. Edmund’s would be made redundant and closed.
Because of this possibility, the Archdeacon of the time, the Revd. Tony Turner suggested that we set up the St Edmund’s Church Building Trust , a charitable Trust to help maintain the building and keep this valuable spiritual and historical heritage for the village.
In the event of the church being declared redundant under the Pastoral measures Act the Trust would have legal rights regarding the use of the building.
The Trust was launched at our first Annual Open Weekend, August Bank Holiday 1996. A Friends section was initiated whereby members of the public could join and produce support and funding for the Trust, with a Management Committee as controlling agents.
The Trust Deed was produced in July 1997 with the legal expertise of Tony Turner and Peter Smith. David Poore became the Founder Trustee with Parish Councillors, Mrs Maureen Stolworthy and Mrs Roma Hames as co Trustees.
During the years since then the Trust has been able to fund over £46, 000 worth of repairs and renovation. Most of the funds have been raised through the generosity of our members and sympathisers.
LOOKING BACK
The Trust is launched at the first annual Open Weekend 1996
- repair and rehanging of the bell.
- Construction of a new vestry staircase to the organ loft.
- re-plastering and painting of the vestry
- repair of two of the set of four lancet windows in the chancel. The leading had decayed and the glass was bowing , creating holes through which the wind blew, often down the necks of worshippers. The pair on the south wall were last repaired in the 1970 s following a spate of vandalism.
- Repair and reconstruction of two buttresses.
- repairs to exterior stonework.
- The North Churchyard Wall-Mr Tony Redfern kindly donated his labour to rebuild this wall
NB if you wish to help with fundraising or to learn more about the Trust please contact the Secretary.see above
