Swaffham Prior

Churchyard: the Millennium Yew would be planted after the Civic Service at 11.00 a.m. on January 2^nd.

Vestry chimney: this was blocked and cracked and needed the top removing and repairing. A Faculty was needed for this.

Rainwater pipes on tower: these needed to be re-routed to stop the rain running down the wall. This also needed a Faculty.

Glass entrance door had been scraping on the floor. John Norris had ground down the floor to ease this.

Washtell Organ: the organ did not need replacing, but the speakers were to be taken off the rood screen and re-positioned at the back of the church, possibly to be replaced with new speakers eventually.

The nave and chancel carpet was now in place.

St Cyriac’s Clock: The Churches’ Conservation Trust were still debating how much the PCC may have to contribute towards the cost of installing a winding mechanism. John Norris had approached the Parish Council to see whether they would be prepared to help pay for this as the clock is a Village Amenity.

A rope is to be fixed to the stairs going up to the belfry and top of tower. This will be funded from the money collected in memory of Sylvia Butcher.

The Rural Churches in Community Trust had promised a grant of £25,000 towards the community projects (hand-rail, toilet, kitchen, hearing loop). A Village Appeal would be launched at the end of January to raise up to £30,000. A grant had also been applied for from WREN and Cambs Historic Churches Trust, likely to be in the region of £5000. Frank Riggs was also going to contact various Disabled Charities for advice and help. The handrails had already been paid for.

Reach

The Millennium Yew would be planted before the Civic Service at 3.30 p.m. on January 2^nd. Reach churchyard and garden had been cleared, and a planting programme was being started by Doreen Robinson.

The Quinquennial Report had suggested that urgent work was needed on the gutters. Andrew Graham had had a look and cleared some gutters, but much painting and possible lining work needs to be done. Much of the masonry needs attention because of erosion of the clunch. The gates have been painted and the doors will be painted in the Spring. A new Church sign has been made at no cost to the parish.

Vicar’s Items

Worship Working Group Issues: