1050 years of the Church in Hadlow was celebrated in style. Fr Jim delivered an excellent sermon and welcomed may other priests that have links with the parish with a very full congregation celebrating Mass. This was followed by a wonderful BBQ and spread of food, and further friends were welcomed. After the service the exhibitions were set up. An incredible history of the church in knitted mice was on display, thanks to those that organised and created this, a great team effort. . The History Society added to this with a several boards of interest including details of the hop pickers disaster. And our special thanks to Michael Payne for a wonderful display of silver chalices and other items of 20th century design. Truly outstanding , well done all. 16 more joined the Friends Group. The feast kept going for much of the afternoon, and we welcomed local councillors and the Deputy Mayor. Thanks again to all for the efforts in making this such a special day.Richard PCC Secretary
The PCC and Friends Group want to grow our involvement with the whole community, extend our care for the building and deliver on ambitions to protect the planet and our heritage.Our projectTo enable the church to be used for a wider variety of activities at a lower cost – committing to a truly sustainable future in a format fit for the 21st Century. Phase 1 - in 2026.· Move to electric heating with supplies from renewable energy resources. · Removal of trip hazard hot water pipes. · Paint Nave walls with volunteers to 10ft approx. above floor level, east south and west walls.· Increasing biodiversity in the Church Yard.Approximate cost £50k Phase 2 - in 2027 · Levelling of the floor (to further reduce trip hazards and allow more alternative layouts) · Photovoltaic panels to generate electricity on site. (Using scaffold required for installation to redecorate south wall with Volunteers)Future phases are to be further planned, aiming for completion by 2030. · Completion of decorations, repairs and maintenance, including decorating the remaining exterior· Ground floor kitchenette· New seating Project thoughts for further consideration: · Dumb waiter to serve upper floor kitchen· Lift to better use upper room (issues with escape remain)Support Gained already:We have in principle support from our local councillors, TMBC and KCC. We have pledged commitments to part fund when we have raised sufficient funds for the next major steps to be delivered within a year.Ways you can help – Volunteer to help in community activities and projects in and around the building.Ideas include activities already happening and newly planned – · Tiny Tots and Coffee Pots· After School club· Saturday morning club· Film nights, music nights, quiz nights and other entertainments· Repair shop, garden plant swop shop, · Competitions for kids (building on the tradition of scarecrow trail and Mouse Hunt running this year)· Carnivals and festivals· Newsletter preparation and distribution· Bell ringing – learn and continue the tradition· Choir – join and enjoy singing every week · Organist – volunteer to fit in a rota, or apply for permanent paid position · Assist with the annual survey of the churchyard biodiversity · Assist with planning and planting to increase biodiversity in the churchyardGiving You can do any of these:Donating - The web link is: https://givealittle.co/c/m2PuwBqcsAzFounWzRO23Pledging—We are currently seeking pledges in support of the project so we can show funders we can part match fund from the community and or donations which we need to complete essential maintenance and repairs that are expected to be required in the five year period. Would you pledge to fund parts of the project? Please contact Richard Hopkinson 07717870706 if this is the case.Helping with fundraising :· the preparation of bids· with fundraising eventsDirect assistance with: painting, church maintenanceor other skills you can offer : electrical skills, flooring skills,roof tiling skills scaffolding etc. Joining the Friends steering group. (The funds donated or pledged will go into an account that is dedicated to project related spending and ring fenced for this.)For the whole project we need to raise approx. £350,000Sample costs:Replacement tiles (approx. 1,000 required) : £2.50 a tile Light fittings; £200 eachCombined Heating/ lighting Chandeliers: £5,000 each (six required) Local area heaters (for example under pew heaters for the Chancel or lady chapel or Vestries) £500 each (probably 12 required)Internal painting materials (estimated at £800 for materials only to Chancel, lady chapel and vestries assuming voluntary labour up to approx. 10ft from floor level.)New upholstered seating : Budget £100 per chair ( Quality dependent on requirements of diocese) External painting of metal work, render areas and other painted areas excluding the railings: £3,000Solar panels (65 maximum) £800 each Richard Hopkinson PCC Secretary St Mary's Hadlow
