We know that our local community has a number of residents who are lonely or living alone, missing some friendly company and the chance to just have a coffee and chat. So each Thursday at 2pm, our 'Friendship Group' will meet at St. Giles. There's no obligation to stay for long, or feel you have to come to a Sunday service... but if you'd like to meet other local folk who are probably retired, maybe live alone or don't have much to occupy their days, then come along. <br>
Following storm damage 5 years ago, the PCC began investigating how best to restore the lovely Lychgate at St. Giles. Unfortunately the structure needs extensive repair (the result of many years 'wear & tear' as well as the storm), which will entail removing the roof, reinstating support beams and then replacing the timbers and slates. The stonework also requires masonry repairs, and the actual gates need a total overhaul.Having obtained the necessary permissions, work finally started in March 2025 with removal of the actual gates. These have been taken away for complete restoration and are now ready to come back. However, as is often the case with very old structures, the work involved in repairing the old timbers, trusses and roof of the lychgate has proven to be more extensive that first thought. Not only do some of the trusses need new sections splicing in, but stainless steel ties are required to keep the whole structure stable and safe. And alot of the slates are no longer viable either.So our budget has increased a bit and we're still fundraising- our shortfall at the moment is about £3000 so if you can help in any way (even just by using Easyfundraising so that your online purchases from retailers generate a small donation by the retailer), that would be marvellous. Of course, a larger gift of £50 - £500 would also be very welcome! We are hoping that works will be finished by mid June and we can have a party to celebrate a lovely new entrance to our churchyard and the end of a very long project.Please contact Pat Grimwood-Taylor pat@grimwood-taylor.com if you would like to help.
Following storm damage 4 years ago, the PCC began investigating how best to restore the lovely Lychgate at St. Giles. Unfortunately the structure needs extensive repair (the result of many years 'wear & tear' as well as the storm), which will entail removing the roof, reinstating support beams and then replacing the timbers and slates. The stonework also requires masonry repairs, and the actual gates need a total overhaul.The work is going to cost about £30,000 and whilst we've raised a lot (about £23,000), we're still fundraising. We also hope to hear shortly about 2 grant applications. Our next fundraising event is our Christmas Fair on Sat 30 November... do come along if you can to the village hall in Little Torrington for Christmas refreshments and gift stalls. Any donation will be very gratefully received. Please contact Pat Grimwood-Taylor pat@grimwood-taylor.com if you would like to help.
