February 2012 - Fr David Wastie’s letter

We have now reached a point where the quinquennial inspection for the last ten years has highlighted severe defects which need to be corrected. Among these are the need for the electrics, heating, and sound systems to be renewed and brought up to current standards and the floor needs to be replaced. The inspection reports also point out that redecoration is long overdue, and that the seating is sub standard.

You will of course, be aware, that we serve a parish of some 8000 residents, and also two large secondary schools and infant and junior schools. Bournemouth school already use our church for assemblies on two days a week during term time, and on other occasions for lessons. Three of the schools have their carol services in the church attracting many hundred of parents and friends. As a result of these links we have been asked if they might use our building more widely for other events.

Our hall is very heavily booked for a variety of uses, and we have a responsibility for the safety and comfort of all. The kitchen and toilet facilities are not up to current standards and the electrical installations need to be renewed. All this presents us with a massive programme which will include the restoration of the church and hall and the building of a link between the buildings. We have begun discussions with an architect, and are exploring ways in which we might achieve a complex which will serve our congregation and the community for many years to come. We will need to raise a considerable sum of money and will also be applying for grants to help us.

Last March John Macauley wrote in Ideas from Church Building and Heritage Review that "times have changed and communities have changed. Churches have to change too. Now is the time to revitalise our church buildings. This is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring our golden legacy of location and heritage to meet the opportunities presented by a new era"

The Restoration Committee would like to bring you 'up to date' with our progress so far. We may not have a lot to show but have learnt a lot and are much nearer having possible plans for people to examine. An application to apply for a Faculty to replace the floor has been submitted to Winchester Diocese. However, the committee now believe it would be better to submit a complete plan because the Faculty lasts for at least five years and can be completed in stages with the floor just being one stage. One idea is to move the font nearer to the Sanctuary making it more central to our liturgy and this would affect the floor so an overall plan is essential. We have researched different types of heating as well as different floor surfaces and have a lighting specialist visiting next week.

As you know we are in the process of applying for a Faculty to replace the wooden chairs with wooden upholstered ones similar to those in the Lady Chapel. The temporary seating which is now in place will become available as additional seating for the Church and the Hall. Once we receive the Faculty we shall promote 'adopt a chair' and hope that many of you will join the scheme as did our first congregation for the wooden chairs. Our Restoration Fund got off to a good start with nearly £6000 raised in the first few months. We had a quiet time over Christmas but hope you have taken an Events Leaflet and seen that we have a lot more planned. We hope that many of you will help in any way you can as help and support are always needed.

If you have any suggestions for any changes you would like to see in the Church or for any future events we are open to all ideas and should be pleased to hear them.