Tower Appeal

 

In June of last year an Appeal was launched for funds
to carry out major repairs to the tower of St Helen’s.
The Fund now stands at over £81,000. 
 
 
The first two months of the new year have seen a real boost in the fund-raising.   The red mercury on the thermometer at the front of St Helen’s continues to rise.  
 
Since the launch in late June last year the amount raised stands at over £81,000 towards the target of £100,000.
 
 A huge thank-you goes to all those who have been part of the Appeal.
 
The Launch was on 28 June and the invitation went out to every home and business in the parish and to people further afield who have a connection with St Helen’s. 
 
It wasn’t long before the donations began dropping through the letter box of the Appeal Secretary. Not surprisingly most  of the donations came in the first three months. The postman still calls, but less frequently now. However, the Appeals Secretary is still pleasantly surprised that donations of all kinds are still arriving.   
 
For details of how to make a direct donation please see below
 
Since June there have been all kinds of fund-raising events: the Brownies ‘line of pennies’ down the High Street, the Guides ‘Tower of Pennies’, Bridge afternoon, Bingo, sponsored walks, book fairs, prize draws, a very successful Barn Dance and Quiz Night.    There has been something for everyone, with more to come.  
What has been so encouraging is the way the local community has wanted to support these events and it’s clear how much affection there is for the Parish Church. It has been great fun to work together for this important project. 
 
For details of the next events please go to “News”
 
THE TOWER
What all this activity is about is, of course, to raise funds to repair the tower. The latest of a series of five-yearly inspections has highlighted the need to carry out repairs, which include repointing – a labour-intensive job – lead work to the parapet gutters, roof work and internal repairs. The scaffolding needed to do this is a major component of the cost.
The “Spec.” We continue in dialogue with the architect and other professional advisers to make sure the specification is right and best value for money.
The Contract   We are not yet in a position to sign a contract to start work, as we need to be sure of more funds – we cannot default on a contract because of a lack of funds. The sooner the money comes in the sooner we can begin the work.
 
GRANT FUNDING 
The team behind the fund-raising continues to pursue possible sources of funding.   We were advised recently that the Historic Cheshire Churches Preservation Trust have suspended grants for a period while the system by which it operates is reviewed. This was obviously disappointing news.   We are now exploring the possibilities of grant aid through English Heritage. 
 
OTHER CALLS ON OUR RESERVES Last autumn saw the installation of a new boiler for St Helen’s Church, at a cost of over £17,000.
The next project is the upgrading of the heating system in the Done Room, so with the two major expenses our reserves will be depleted.
The timing is unfortunate, but at least we know we have a cost-efficient heating system to last a good number of years for our Parish Church and will soon have a better system for the Done Room, used by community groups in Tarporley.
 
If you have an idea for an event of any kind (one recent event was a simple lunch for 10 invited guests which raised over £100; Guides raised £80 from their Tower Of Pennies) then please contact the Tower Team on 732491
 
 The fund-raising events have been great for working together, to keep us focussed and to raise money, but the amount from fundraising events accounts for about 20% of the total raised. The bulk of the amount raised has come from donations – of all kinds, from all kinds of people who want to support this project. You too can be part of this generous response. .  
 
You can make a donation in a gift-aid envelopes, making sure to mark it “Tower”, or better still see overleaf for how to make a donation. You can complete the details, add your cheque and send it to the The Appeals Secretary, 2 North Brook Road, Utkinton, CW6 0LS or drop it in the box at St Helen’s or at the Rectory.
Thank you for your support
 
(“The St. Helen’s Tower Appeal” is run by The St. Helen’s & Daughter Churches Charitable Trust Reg. Charity No. 1095024 which has the specific objective of funding fabric costs relating to the Churches in the Parish).
 
 
Thank you
 
Keith Hine
 
Rector