Halesworth, St Mary

Yes it really, really, really is happening!

On the week beginning 14th January 2019 OR 21st January 2019, the work begins in St Mary’s Church, Halesworth to remove the pews, upgrade the electricity, and make good the floor.

The Church will be closed from 14th January or 21st January for three weeks. All services will be held in St Mary’s Church Hall, and Foodbank, Church Mice and the Wednesday Café will all be there too. The office will be open, but the church will be closed to visitors during that phase.

Lots of people will be happy to hear we are beginning the changes, but many are rightly expressing their concern that it will be done in a piecemeal fashion, and it will make things worse rather than better. The honest answer is that for a short time it may be a bit ropey. There may not be enough chairs and the carpets may not be laid as soon as the floor is sorted temporarily. So for a little while we may be like mediaeval churches, with a few chairs for those whose years or physical challenges need them to sit down, and lots of standing space!

However be assured that there is a clear plan for the next 9 phases of work. We will begin fundraising for the next phase – upgrading the boiler, installing new heating in the Lady Chapel and Chancel and booster heating in the nave in January. A full report to the Halesworth PCC on the regeneration plan is available on the Friends of St Mary’s noticeboard. We have also begun to explore the opportunities there are to bid for the new Heritage Lottery funding, making contact with the special advisers at Diocesan Office and talking to lots of people. Once this phase is done we will have little or no money in the coffers, so fundraising will begin again, as will bidding for grants

We OFFICIALLY launch our Sponsor a Chair Appeal on 6th January 2019 at the Team Service with the Bishop, when a sample chair will (we hope!) be available to view. The chairs are wooden, stackable chairs, with upholstered seats and backs, an under-seat space for books and the ones at the ends of rows will have arms to assist in getting up or sitting down.

From 6th January 2019 each chair sponsored is £100 (inclusive of a plaque if the sponsor wants one). At the time of writing (9th December) we already have 16 chairs sponsored…at that rate we should have 50 by the end of January and 300 by the end of April. That would be SO BRILLIANT! If you want to sponsor a chair (or several) contact Jane on 01986 781760 or jane@janeheld.co.uk

We have also been approached by four different people seeking to obtain the redundant pews. If you would like a pew (or several) please also contact Jane on 01986 781760 or jane@janeheld.co.uk

We are accepting donations for the pews and it would be great if we can re-use as many as possible. Any that are not re-homed will be re-used by craftsmen using the pine (and some will be donated to the Men’s Shed).

I am always happy to answer queries, respond to worries, listen to concerns or hear about offers of help. Please bear with us during this first stage…and let me have any views!

Halesworth, St Mary

News and notices

Ash Wednesday

REGENERATION WORK STARTED AT ST MARY'S

Sponsor a chair