FRIENDS’ NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2007


We have just had our Annual General Meeting, on February 22nd, at which the Diocesan Approved Architect, Richard Crooks, who looks after All Saints Church talked to a gathering of over 50 people for half an hour on the subject of making improvements to old Churches.

Richard showed a series of slides of churches in East Sussex where improvements and renovations had been made. These were in two groups; firstly churches where an extension had been built to provide a meeting room, toilet and kitchen facilities and secondly, churches where these improvements had been made internally.

The Friends are hoping to raise money to improve the facilities in the church and hope that the parishioners and local community will give clear guidance as to their preferred scheme.

AGM ISSUES

Richard’s talk was followed by a brief AGM.

The chairman, Roger Kenward summarised the main events of the year. He congratulated all the Friends and their supporters on reaching the target of £55.000 for the re shingling of the spire, which is now complete.

Roger thanked those who had been instrumental in heading up the various fund raising activities, in particular the very successful visit of the Americans which raised nearly £9000.

All the trustees were thanked for their hard work, in particular, Johnny Gibbs, who retired as treasurer in July and Jeremy Nelson.

These gentlemen have been replaced by John Stent, our new Treasurer, and Nigel Colne.


In his Treasurer’s report John highlighted the way in which the target figure of £55,000 had been reached by the Friends during 2006.

Fund raising activities contributed 30% of the £33,000 raised last year, Donations 41%, Tax refunds 11%, Grants 13%, and Bank Interest 3%.


Following this meeting the Friends joined other members of the village and congregation to say goodbye to Roddy and Tor Petley. They have been an enormous support to us during the last 18 months and it is difficult to imagine the village without them.

Farewell to the Petleys

Churchwarden Roddy Petley and his wife Tor receive tokens of the parish's appreciation from members of the church and village community.

The Petley family have been at Heathfield house for over 60 years and Roddy has been Churchwarden for the past 14 years. Their commitment to the church and community will be greatly missed. May God bless them in their new home.