Progress report – 24th November 2022
Trench digging has now started and the preparations are in the pictures:
The orange fencing around the tree protection areas is not just to stop any machine digging happening there but to keep machines away completely as their weight will damage the roots and higher parts of their structure will damage the branches.
The expanse of plywood provides a site on which the spoil can be stored during digging so that it can be more easily cleared from the grass afterwards.
Our archaeologists, Thames Valley Architectural Services are on hand with a watching brief to advise on the work.
Work has just started on constructing the floor for the mezzanine and stone laying will start in the next two weeks. We hope to hold an open day on Saturday 10th December so people can see for themselves how far the work has got. Watch this newsletter and the website for announcements.
Please come and meet us at the Winter Carnival on Sunday 27th November. Our stall is just outside the Gig House in the plaza off Denmark Street. There will be a Christmas themed game for children, (with sweets!) and flower arrangements and pictures for sale. Most important of all we will be there to tell people about the project and what we will be doing when we are open. Please come and visit us.
We are delighted to have received a grant from The Town Council of £3,000 to help us finish the work. They have been excellent supporters from the start of the project.
Thank you to all of our individual donors who are continuing to give to the appeal. During September and October we raised £12,173. With the Town Council grant and other donations we have now raised over £30,000 * towards our target of £120,000.
*Please note correction: an earlier version of this item gave a higher figure for the sum raised.
Please continue to pray about what you might give yourself and that all may give generously. The web site has all the details. Think how you can be creative and get sponsored or donate to buy a chair in memory of someone or donate to our organ or main appeals.
Although the building itself is closed, worship continues in The Cornerstone on Sundays (8, 9.30 and 11.15am) and on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am and Thursday at 9 am) and the bell ringers will have access to the tower again. 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 and by the vestry door can be accessed by arrangement with the Parish office.
