EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING AT REACH VILLAGE CENTRE, WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY, 2000

The bells at Swaffham Bulbeck were not ready in time so they were not installed or rung for the New Millennium. All related social functions were also cancelled. The bells would be ready to be installed in the Spring. Bishop John would be coming to Swaffham Bulbeck on Sunday 4^th June to commemorate their installation in a service at 4.00 p.m., followed by tea at 5.00 p.m.

Education: There had been no requests from any family to prepare children for taking communion before confirmation. The Vicar would produce a leaflet for people’s information to encourage them to take this step for their children. No confirmation candidates had come forward for this year from Swaffham Prior or Reach but there were three candidates from Swaffham Bulbeck. The Confirmation in June would probably be held in Bulbeck Church.

Emmaus Christian Education: The Vicar proposed to go on a workshop course to teach him how to run an Emmaus Group. Lambeth Palace trip: A deposit had been paid for 50 places for the trip on Saturday 6^th May, and a coach would be organised. Entry should be between 1.15 and 1.30. People were encouraged to sign up quickly now.

At their meeting on 25^th November, Charitable Giving was discussed. The Vicar and Treasurer would consult the list and allocate monies to the designated charities. The distribution of the Millennium Gospel and bookmark was also organised. The Vicar thanked all who had helped in this.

a) Reach: Social events had been arranged as follows:

Moveable Feast 15^th April; Reach Fair Stall 1^st May; Family Barbecue @ Spring Hall Farm 1^st July; Refreshments at Songs of Praise 2^nd July; Harvest Supper 29^th September; Gift Day and St Etheldreda’s Fair 14^th October.

Recipes were being collected for a Church Recipe Book to be published in the Spring. Contributions would be welcome (closing date March 7^th).

b) Swaffham Prior

Past Events: The Quiz Night on 20^th November had raised £162. Advent By Candlelight had raised £500 to be shared between Salvation Army and the Church.

The next meeting would be on February 9^th.

Future events:

9^th March Coffee Morning at the Manor (Rosalind Wood’s);

18^th March Spring Quiz Night; 24^th June Fete and Grand Draw.

It had been decided not to combine Swaffham Prior Feast and the Church Fete. The Fete would probably be different in character this year.

a) Swaffham Prior

St Cyriac’s: The Churches’ Conservation Trust were anxious to get on with t he winding mechanism and chiming of the clock, which the PCC may have to help in financing. There have been some problems finding Grant Aid for this. The rope up the staircase of St Cyriac’s tower will be installed in February. The PCC agreed with a suggestion from John Norris that the contractors hired by the CCT for cleaning the gutters in St Cyriac’s should also be asked to clean those of St Mary’s at the same time.

Churchyard lighting: John Norris had also suggested that lamp brackets should be attached to the wall of St Cyriac’s to light the path coming from the back gate through the churchyard. The PCC agreed to consider this.

Vestry Chimney and tower gutters: DAC approval had been given for both of these schemes, and also to the vestry re-ordering and toilet arrangements.

Tree-management: E.C.D.C were proving difficult about tree-management, and refusing permission to trim the lime tree obscuring the clock face. They were also reluctant to re-build the flint wall at the back of the churchyard, which was in a dangerous condition.

Kneelers: Hilary Mengham might be asked to prepare an explanatory leaflet about the kneelers with which she had been so involved at Swaffham Prior while she was here.

b) Reach

Doreen Robinson had called a meeting on Saturday 8^th January to ask for volunteer help with the vestry re-ordering and moving of the font in Reach church. Ranald Scott had agreed to help. Another meeting would be called in February. It would be preferable to try and get local craftsmen to tender for the work to the architect. A Faculty had been applied for and an appeal would soon be launched for the money to finance all of this. (likely to be in the region of £10000).

Jenny Moseley