It’s good to look back and reflect on what we have achieved in the last 12 months in Salt and Hopton. The church is a focal point of the village and the heart of where key events of our lives are recorded.
We celebrated the baptism of Donald, Grace and Olivia, and two weddings between Stella and Alex and James and Amy.
Both were happy occasions, but we also said our goodbyes to members of the community we loved; Pat Scott, John and Beryl Rock and Frank Stubbs.
We tend to take the church for granted, but when we need it and need its support our faith brings us together.
Overall attendance has been maintained and at key dates through the year, such as Easter and Christmas the community came to celebrate the events with the regular church goers. Do remember, you are always
welcome to attend our Sunday service or have quiet time during the week when the church is open.
Our major events have all been supported by the communities of Salt and Hopton. The Rock Choir, our Murder Mystery evening, cake sales and our summer fete all contributed to funding the running of the church.
All these efforts enabled us to commence the renovation work on the roof and the chancel area. The hiccup of finding brown long eared bats in residence, the roof slates crumbling whilst being removed and the investigation of the leaning bellcote to ensure stability, all resulted in the two bells being taken down and not rehung. They are now in storage at Taylor Bells Foundry. Hopefully, they will be reinstated in the future.
We came in on budget partly because of the generosity of our congregation, our community and the local businesses who responded so positively to our roof appeal.
We thank you for your support. We couldn’t have done it without YOU. Part of the £50,000 we needed came from grants and we thank Salt Parish Council, The Benefactor Trust, Stafford Historic Churches, Edward Cadbury Trust, William Lasslett Trust, Congregational and General, and Garfield Weston for their contributions. The work on the church has resulted in the chancel area being made watertight and it will prevent the interior from deteriorating further.
We have more to do this year.
We rounded off the year with the Carol Service and our beautiful Christmas tree and nativity scenes both inside and outside the church, installed by the Scott family. It was attended by people from both Salt and Hopton, who enjoyed the carols and readings and generously donated £160.00 to Stafford Baby Bank. This gift was greatly appreciated.
We look forward to the year ahead and hope that our faith, with the support from the community, will enable our church to prosper and serve you all in the months ahead.
Thanks must go to Janet Stubbs, our Church Warden, who has worked tirelessly over the last few years to enable the major repair work on Salt Church to take place, by applying for grants, completing Faculties and organising events.