Redecoration & Restoration Report

am glad to report that all the bills for the Redecoration work, including the retention for the work in the Porch by Howell and Bellion, have now been paid. So far we have raised £89,773.09 towards these costs, so we have just £6,616.03 to raise to meet all the costs of this work. I believe we can raise this remaining sum in 2013, and clear this debt. Having a beautifully restored and redecorated church is a great help, since people can see this is not a dream or a promise. It is something that by God’s grace, and with the generous help of many, we have been able to do together. This is a long term dream, made possible by the prayers, hard work and generosity of many in this church, in this community, and far beyond it.

I am also glad to report that with the support of Kay Pilsbury Thomas Architects, the photographer Michael Cameron, and Paul and Stephanie Deudney, we have submitted an application to the Chelmsford Diocesan Advisory Committee for their Design Awards Scheme for 2013. This application is for the redecoration work completed in 2012. Michael Cameron has also given us permission to use his photographs, and one of these appears on the cover of this magazine. I am glad to commend the work of Kay Pilsbury Thomas Architects. They can be contacted at info@kpt.co.uk or by telephone 01799 599208. The service they have given to St John’s has been outstanding. I am glad also to commend the photographer Michael Cameron. He can be contacted at info@michaelcameronphotography.co.uk or by telephone 01799 527797.

I am also glad to report that with the help of Paul and Stephanie Deudney and Maureen Dennis we have been able to produce four “Will-giving” Leaflets. These simple three page leaflets show how people can, through their will, make gifts to the Fabric Fund (for the Church Building) or the Organ Fund, or the Bells Fund, or for the “general purposes” of St John’s Church. By these gifts we can strengthen the heritage of this church and the mission of this church in this community for years to come.

We are making good progress in reducing the debt on the unexpected extra cost of the Bell-Chamber repairs. These repairs cost £65,000. By God’s grace, and with the help of many, we have now raised £52,076.91. So we have just £12,923.09 to raise to meet all these extra costs.

We have also planned a wide range of opportunities in 2013 for people to have free access to St John’s Church to see the redecorated and restored building. We are grateful to all those who have helped to restore this site and hope that many people will be able to enjoy it in 2013. We are grateful to volunteers at St John’s for staffing these open events.

I would like to thank all those who have worked at St John’s and in this community to make the redecoration and restoration work possible. Without their work, none of this would have been possible.

Raymond Draper