Progress report – 1st September 2022
The vault in the chancel has now been capped – the slab was still wet when the picture was taken.
The bright red brick wall that can just be seen on the left of the picture and looks completely out of place is the base for a new wide sanctuary step. This additional step is needed because the chancel floor level has been lowered to be the same as the nave. Both step and riser will be faced in Ancaster limestone – the same material as the floor – and, needless to say, it will cover all the bricks.
Other work in the last week has included the completion of the new foundations for the steel frame of the mezzanine. Once this is complete and the lower structure in place, the insulation of the floor can be completed and the underfloor heating pipes laid. Everyone will know when that starts to happens – because the last of the insulation will disappear from outside The Cornerstone.
We have rented a stall in the Market Place on Saturday 17th September. Fun activities and some things to buy. We still need at least a further £30,000 for the main appeal and similar amounts for chairs and the organ. Please go to the spaceforall donate page on the church website for information about how to give.
Although the building itself is closed, worship continues in The Cornerstone on Sundays (8am, 9.30 and 11.15) and on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am and Thursday at 9 am) and the bell ringers have access to the tower.
There is still access to almost all the churchyard either through the lychgate in London Road or the double gate in Norreys Avenue. The memorials by The Cornerstone can be accessed from the Cornerstone south hall so long as that is not in use. The memorials by the vestry door can only be accessed by special arrangement, but this is not impossible: several people have done so already. Please contact the Parish office if you would like to visit one on a special day.
