CHURCH WARDENS REPORT 2008
We have again arrived at this time of the year where we reflect and report on all the activities and work that has been done through out the year.
There are so many people that assist us in our positions as church wardens and so many people to thank, so to avoid missing anyone out we would like to thank you all for you help, support and more importantly your prayers.
However there are some people that we do need to mention and thank personally. We thank the sides people who do complete their duties admirably each week and are so important at welcoming people into church on a weekly basis, this year saw a change in the way the rotas where organised, our baptism services have become increasingly busy so we felt that to have a team at these services was necessary, this appears to have worked well.
We could not do a report without mentioning and thanking the “fettling Team” these people do an amazing amount of work that most of which goes unnoticed by the congregation they spend hours through out the week tackle various jobs. Many people have commented on how lovely the grounds are now looking.
It is however with regret that two of the team will no longer be” fettling” Ed Fisher who has worked and co-ordinated the team has decided to hang up his keys we thank him for all his much appreciated work that he has put in over the many years,(and hope we can still call on him for his expertise from time to time!!)On a very sad note Graham Shacklton passed away earlier on this year we give thanks to him for all the work he gave over the years.
This now means that the team are much depleted so we ask that if anyone feels they can give some time to help “Fettle” the church please have a word with one of us.
Thanks also go to the clergy and all the officers for their continued support.
Two people that we must not forget are Karen & Joy they do enormous work behind the scenes supporting us and on occasions have to put up with us being at church more than we are at home.
There are so many activities that need undertaken to keep the fabric of this ancient church up to the standards that we are now legally required to do, but we also need to keep the buildings user friendly. It would not lead to interesting reading if we were to list all of the jobs we and the fettling team, and others undertake throughout the year. However we will list some of the major tasks.
Last year we reported the problems with the possible structural movement of the boundary wall, we have continued to monitor this on a regular basis and can report that the situation has not significantly changed from last year, we are mindful that this will require on going monitoring.
Their seems to be a constant problem with the drain outside the refectory mainly caused by users of the refectory pouring fats and other non soluble liquids down the drain, on going education continues for users of this facility.
The fire alarm required overhauling following numerous false alarms.
Many of the church light bulbs are now starting to need replacement in particular the spot lights (These are not cheap bulbs), but l think you will agree enhance the beauty of our church.
The clock has now been repaired and electrified and work continues on its restoration, we thank David Thistlethawite, for his continued care and attention to the tower and all that rings out from it.
In April we noticed that plaster had started to fall off around some of the windows in the central, on closer inspection some of the plaster was so loose it needed urgent removal for health & safety reason. We where able to do this however we felt that we needed to get expert opinion in to advise how to proceed. Brain Clare our Architect, was able to offer the standing committee advice and we have now had a builder in to complete the removal of the remaining plaster, he has also re-pointed the brick work, many positive comments have been received about how lovely the window now look, at this stage it is not our intention to re-plaster.
Most of you will have noticed that the carpet in the refectory was in a desperate need of replacement,(our previous warden use to spend hours cleaning this, only to find that a week later it was as bad as ever)We through discussions with various users of the refectory and an agreement with the PCC decided to look at a different floor covering, we have now replaced it with “KARNDEAN “which is a very hard wearing and designed to withstand even the heaviest of commercial traffic and is easily maintained and again we have received extremely positive feedback regarding this floor covering.
The usual clearing of leaves from the church roof has taken place as has happened over the past decades, however this did not prevent a massive leak into church on the North side of church when we had a down pour earlier in the year. (Those in church will remember this one!)
At some point in the not to distant future we shall need to look at repair and decoration of the church walls and ceilings (this we incur major expenditure) As you will see from this report lots of issues are now starting to crop up.
It is over a decade now since the re-ordering of our ancient building and hence things are starting to look tired and in need of either overhaul or replacement. Please remember this when you renew your giving not just in financial terms, but in your time and skills that you could offer, however most importantly please remember our ancient building and what it means to you and our community in your prayers. We are expecting quite significant expenditure over the next few years and although we perhaps don’t yet want to think about this but our next interregnum (as our dear rector keeps reminding us) is not to far away we will need to ensure that our building is as attractive as possible so that we can attract the right person to fulfil this important role within not only our church family, but for the wider benefit of Chorley, as Rector of Chorley.
On occasions (mainly following a death of a loved one) we receive requests that people would like to donate a sum of money to church but would like to see something that it has either bought or gone towards, and although we know that we do need numerous items and repairs to and for the church it is sometimes difficult suggest things. A small group were charged by the PCC to develop a “wish list” of things required. This list is not finite but needs to be continually updated and added to. It is available through the wardens, clergy, and parish office and on the notice board; it can also be viewed on the notice board. Please have a look at it and should you wish to add to it or indeed purchase something off it please let one of the officers know.
Once again thank you to all that help with the successful upkeep and running of our parish church.
Every blessing
Graham Pemberton Alex Barrack
CHURCH WARDENS