Michael Cazenove presented the Receipts and Payments account. He said that the deficit was not decreasing. The Gift Day, however, was still to come. The Fete had only raised £323, and more income needed to be generated. There had been enough money to pay the Parish Share, nevertheless.

Norah Smith reported that the Current account stood at £2537-86 and the Business account at £2763-85. £500 had still to be paid to the Historic Churches’ Trust. Overall payments had amounted to £3293-99. £1500 had been transferred from the Business Account.

Gift Aid

John Norris explained that all people who donated money should sign a declaration and put the money in a numbered envelope. The current FWO envelopes could be used for weekly giving, and the parish would print some new envelopes for use for Gift Days and special occasions like weddings. Existing covenants can be left to run their term, but should be converted to Gift Aid when this term is finished. Provided the declarations had been signed and the money put in numbered envelopes, the parish could claim back Income Tax on a quarterly basis, either directly from the Inland Revenue or through the diocese.

Offers of help were needed for distributing the envelopes for Gift Day in August.

Swaffham Prior

Francis Reeks explained that the reason for the shortfall in money raised at the Fete was that there had been no Draw this year. There would be no Draw at the Harvest Supper either, for practical reasons. It was felt that the Church Fete should not continue another year because it competes with Swaffham Feast. Perhaps there should be a Christmas Fair instead.

Francis Reeks had now stepped down as convenor for the Social Working Group, because of business commitments. Kate Child had agreed to step in pro.tem. for which much thanks. Francis was warmly thanked for all his good work over the years.

Future events:

Musical evening @ Ros Woods’ (with Jancis Harvey) Sunday September 3^rd

Harvest Supper Saturday 7^th October 7.00 p.m.

Winter Quiz Saturday 18^th November 7.30 p.m.

Advent by Candlelight Sunday 3^rd December 4.00 p.m.

Plans for this were still moving on at the instigation of Ian de Massini and Elisabeth Everitt.

Reach Social Working Group

The Barbecue had raised £150.

Harvest Supper Friday 29^th September 7.00 p.m.

St Etheldreda’s Fair and Gift Day October 14^th.

Fabric Working Group

The revised Appeal leaflet will go to every household in the village once we have firmer quotations. Henry Freeland would begin with moving the font but was still waiting for price quotes. Water had also to be got to the Church from the road. Doreen Robinson would convene a meeting of the Fabric Working Group in late August, where it was hoped that volunteer labour could be again be sought. The leaflet and Gift Day envelopes would be distributed to all houses in Reach in September. Help was needed to deliver these.

(b) Swaffham Prior

The Restoration Appeal has so far raised £8340. Since it did not look as though the cost of installing a toilet at St Mary’s (£40,000 was needed) was likely to be forthcoming, the Vicar was exploring the possibility of extending the Vicar’s study and installing a toilet with an outside entrance at the Vicarage. This could be paid for by the Diocese’s Housing Committee, and as a gesture of intent, we would offer the £5000 already earmarked from our own funds.

It was proposed by John Norris and seconded by Michael Cazenove that the Vicar should proceed with this inquiry. This was carried nem.con

The vestry chimney was now being lined, having been repaired. John Norris proposed, seconded by Michael Cazenove that, for reasons of greater security, a new safe should be built into the wall of the vestry, for which a Faculty should be sought. This was approved by the PCC nem.con

There had been complaints from people in the upper village that a chiming bell on the clock would create too much noise. It had been proposed that the clock chime should be rung on one of the bells. The Churches’ Conservation Trust would not give approval, however, unless the whole village were in favour, but, as yet, the village are unable to agree about the matter. The clock is now working on an automatic winding mechanism, so perhaps the matter of the chime could wait a little.

The PCC approved a proposal to trim the laburnums and the lilac near St Cyriacs.

The rear church wall had fallen down into Barbara Ives’ garden. E.C.D.C. were seeing to its repair.

The PCC considered this matter having read the Winchester Report. Some members gave their views which would be reported to the Deanery Synod on 28^th September.

Date of next meeting: Monday 25^th September at Swaffham Prior Village Hall, 7.30 p.m.