St James Church £25,000 Roof Appeal Launched

The tragic news that selfish, rotten (much stronger language has been used but would not be appropriate for this website)thieves have stolen the lead from our well loved church has left many of the village people devastated. We all find it hard to believe that people could cause so much damage for what is likely to be only a few hundred pounds of ill gotten gains. These people obviously have no morals and seem happy enough to leave us to pick up the pieces.

The theft occurred on 3/4th October and it appears that the neighbouring church in Wylye suffered a similar fate during the same night. The theft was noticed when a leak was spotted which prompted Stephen Bush, one of the Church Wardens, to call out the builders who have now placed plastic sheeting on the roof to prevent further damage.

We now have to replace the roof. Approval is being sought to replace the lead with 'terne' coated stainless steel which has minimal second hand value and is extremely difficult to remove. It dulls down within about 9 months at which point is resembles lead.

The roof was insured but due to the prevalence of roof thefts the insurance company has placed a limit of £5000 on all payouts for church roofing material thefts. At this time we do not know the replacement cost. but the church architect believes it will be in the region of £30,000.  We aim to end up with a roof that will not be raided and which will last over 100 years.

The first fundraising evening was held on Friday 15th October 2010 which was kindly hosted by The Church Treasurer at Asserton House. There was a very good enthusiastic turn out and many good fund raising ideas were put forward including creating a tea towel depicting all the houses in the village,  a etra large bazaar to be held in the church and also the possibility of having a major fund raising concert to be held at Asserton House.

So far several generous donations have been made raising in excess of £3000.00. Should you wish to make a donation please send a cheque made payable to 'Berwick St James PCC (Roof Fund)' to The Church Treasurer, Asserton House, Duck Street, Berwick St James, SP3 4TZ. If you have any queries about making a donation or about the project, please ring Stephen Bush on 01722 790445.

Please watch this space for more information and fund raising news.

 Listed below are some of the fund raising activities that are planned.

Update on New Church Roof.   An application has been made to the diocese to change the roof from lead to terne coated stainless steel, a material which, hopefully, will not be stolen and will last for 100+ years.  A letter has also been written to the Planning Department of Wiltshire Council.  We hope to have definitive answers in mid November, as well as quotes for the new roof.  A further update will be given with the December magazine.

Fund Raising.   This is to let you know what is going on to raise the money for the new church roof.  But the good news is the fund already stands at over £10,500 thanks to the generosity of many people, which is hugely appreciated.

• Christmas Cards of the church in winter, painted by Jane Rowe, will be available from 1 November. Pack of 10 cards £3.50.  Please contact Stephen Bush on 790445 if you would like to order some cards, quantity no problem. An example will be put on the village notice boards.

• Furniture Restoration.  Peter Smith is undertaking furniture restoration, the proceeds of which he is donating to the roof fund. Please contact Peter on 790915.

• Tea Towels.  A village tea towel is being produced at the moment and should be available on 1 December – it will make an excellent Christmas present.  The towel, designed by Jane Rowe, will depict every house in the village – price £3.50. Please contact Ailsa Bush 790445 after 1 December.

• Unwanted but serviceable clothes, shoes (tied together), boots (tied together), handbags, toys, pots and pans.  Should you have any of the above please put them in the relevant wheelie bin in the driveway of The Briars (Lyanne Street) by 21 November. Clothes must be left in a black bin liner, and any other items in large quantities can be left in bin liners beside the relevant wheelie bin. (preferably not when raining!)

• 50 Club.   Ian Fisher has kindly agreed to organise a 50 club.  It costs £10 a month and will run for one year from 1 January 2011.  Each month half of the money will be paid out in prizes from a draw.   First prize £100.  There is a much better chance of winning than the lottery! If you are interested please contact Ian Fisher on 790214.

• Dickens at Christmas.   Please see the magazine on page 11 about the play Dickens at Christmas.  The proceeds are very generously being shared between Winterbourne Stoke Church and our Roof Appeal.  The last play, with the same actors, about Florence Nightingale was excellent – the wine and eats were delicious!  Your support would be greatly appreciated.  Tickets from Stephen Bush 790445.

• Christmas Bazaar.  A larger Christmas Bazaar is planned for Saturday 4th December at 2pm, the proceeds of which will be divided between the Reading Room and the Roof Appeal. See magazine page 4 for details.

• Visit the Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain.    The Great Bustard Group have very kindly agreed to give a guided tour of the project on Salisbury Plain and divide the usual visit fee of £10 equally between themselves and the Berwick St James Roof Appeal.  We need about 10 people for the visit.   Anyone interested in a guided tour which lasts about 90 minutes please contact Stephen Bush on 790445 – date to be decided.

• Christmas Party.    A village Christmas party is being held on Thursday 9th December at 7pm in the Guide Centre for the roof fund.  The cost will be £5 per head (under 16 yr olds £3) for a delicious supper (bring your own drink and glass) followed hopefully by a horse race (place your bets!) and also a raffle. Tickets will be on sale shortly.

• Songs of Praise – 16 January 2011.  More details next month.

• House Sketches.    Anyone wishing to have a sketch of their house drawn or water colour sketch for £50 please contact Jane Rowe.     

• Auction of Promises.    There is planned to be an auction of promises at some time.  Could you please let Jane Rowe know of any promises that you would like to offer.

• Tins.   Nicky Street would be pleased to have some used soft drink tins for use as cash tins.

Roof Appeal Committee Meeting.   There will be a Roof Appeal Committee Meeting on Sunday 28th November at 11am in the Church (it will be warm!). Anyone wishing to attend is most welcome to do so. The aim of the meeting will be to inform you of progress on the new roof, an update on funds raised so far, an update on planned fund raising and suggestions for further fund raising.