Wardens' Appeal

Back in May 2024, yes it really was that long ago, we provided information on the required quinquennial works and to launch our Wardens’ appeal.

Much has changed since then, so it is only appropriate we provide an update. At the time we were in vacancy, we had a building that needed certain significant repairs and an outline appeal total of £85,000. As we said at the time, this was a daunting sum of money to try and raise.

The good news is that the project is now fully completed and came in just under budget, we did not require any of the contingency costs we had included. The total sums raised was £72,765.81, through a mixture of grant applications, sale of investments, donations, fundraising events, bank interest and Gift Aid. We are very grateful to the Benefact Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Ian Askew Charitable Trust, the Diocese (Minor Repairs & Improvements Fund) and Aldwick Parish Council for their grants. It is especially rewarding to note that almost £15,000 was raised by personal donations, from church members, friends and bellringers, with virtually £6,000 also being raised by social events - a wonderful effort.

We will update the works notice board in the church soon, with before and after photographs. Please look out for what we think will be an interesting display. As we said back at the beginning, we were faced with a significant moment in the history of St Richard’s and Aldwick Parish - one that we did not want to fail. It is our belief, that we not only succeeded, but learnt a lot and had fun too! It gives us confidence to face any new challenges that will surely come our way, given the size and age of the building.

We sincerely thank and appreciate everyone who contributed, whether you helped financially, organised events, supported those events, or did all three. We truly could not have done it with out you. We would also like to pass on our special thanks to Jonathan Tamblyn, who as our Quinquennial works officer did such a fantastic job in managing the project.

So, as we look forward, life at St Richard’s looks so much different than in May 2024 - the work is done, we are now joined by our Priest in Charge Revd Julian and his family, we have just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and look forward with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, towards Easter and the path ahead.

May God Bless you all

Angela and Mike

Churchwardens.