Progress report – 15h July 2022
Open morning – Saturday 16th July 10 am – 12 noon
We have just reached a turning point in the work. All the removal done and installation about to start. The waste containers have gone and the pallets will start to arrive. The next jobs are to lay the water supply pipe across the floor to the servery from near the vestry door, to put in the foundations for the steel frame for the mezzanine and then to start laying the underfloor heating pipes.
It should be a good time to come and have a look on Saturday. Please come in through The Cornerstone any time between 10 and 12. We will go across to the church in small groups – entry through the west door, just like the dumper truck has been doing! There is no work going on but it is a construction site so we need to get as near the PPE requirements as sensible. High viz jackets and hard hats will be provided but of course if you have your own please bring them. Certainly wear stout shoes. The weather may be hot and shorts are fine but not sandals. The ground is reasonably even and you will be able to walk round most of the church and see the progress for yourself.
Things to see – the clear floor and areas around the pillars that will not be disturbed, stack of well wrapped items in the south porch, the hole in the chancel above the vault that was found a few weeks ago, the clear chancel arch with no organ speakers and equally clear north wall with no heating system.
Please also join us for coffee and tea in the Cornerstone before or after your visit and stop to look at the pictures and video.
Fund raising for the main appeal and the separate appeals for the chairs and the organ continues – see www.spaceforall.org.uk/supporting-the-project to find out how to help. We will also have information about the chair and organ appeals.
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 only recent memorials that are only accessible by special arrangement are those by the vestry door. Please contact the Parish office if you would like to visit one on a special day.
