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Cropthorne Church

Earlier in the year we reported that Cropthorne’s heating had terminally failed. We also reported work to repair the boundary wall onto the highway had been identified in the 5-yearly building inspection, so too repairs to the chancel roof. A structural condition report was commissioned and received on the boundary wall to assess the extent of the damage. Progress to prioritise work and undertake costings has been delayed by the need to appoint a new Church Architect for the Five Alive churches, which we are pleased to say has now been done. We can expect the architect to visit by the end of this year, (a visit which includes a high-level inspection of the roof), and then it will be for the PCC to prioritise work. Our responsibility for the boundary wall and safety, being as it is along a public pavement and highway, is of highest concern.

Thanks in large part to successive and successful Walkabouts, St Michael’s fabric fund has £99,000.

Meeting people’s requests for weddings, baptisms, and funerals during the winter months, we shall offer the choice of Fladbury and Charlton as alternatives or, a service at St Michael’s without heating. Burials and interment of ashes can still take place at Cropthorne wherever the service.

There will be a service at St Michael’s for Remembrance (without heating). Sunday services will resume when warmer weather returns in the spring, though with Christmas Crib Services at Charlton and Fladbury on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass at Charlton, Christmas morning at Fladbury, and all the regular services there and elsewhere, worship and our welcome to worship, continues!

Sarah and Parish Wardens

23/10/2025