Category Archives: St Johns Notices

Fundraising and Building Work 2021-2024

The Immediate Past 2015 to 2019

After the last 5 year inspection in 2015 there were three areas requiring attention within two years.  These were: (i) the roof, (ii) the boiler chimney, (iii) various parts of the stonework, particularly round the Apse.  Early in 2016 the PCC applied to the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund for a grant and in June 2016 it was awarded a grant of £99,500.

In August 2016 The Friends (Friends of St Johns, Northington) launched an appeal to raise sufficient money to complete all the work requiring urgent attention.  Every household in the local community was given a copy of the updated and illustrated Visitors’ Guide to emphasise the importance of the building.  The generosity of the response reflects great credit on the local community.  In November 2016 the PCC applied to the Trustees of the Garfield Weston Foundation for a grant towards the cost of replacing the boiler chimney and repairing stonework, particularly in the area of the Apse.  Consequently, in February 2017 the PCC was informed that it had been awarded a grant of £10,000.

Our architect, Fiona Hudd, from Seymour & Bainbridge supervised the whole process from tendering through to re-opening the church.  St. John’s was completely re-roofed by TM Roofing, including the provision of a bespoke ridge tile.  Because a small number of Bats had been seen, when a survey was conducted, some special Bat entry tiles had to be incorporated in the new roof.   Thanks to the response to the appeal and the grant from Garfield Weston the PCC was able to arrange for Colin Avery (Stonemasons) to remove the brick boiler chimney and replace it with a stone chimney, built, as far as possible, to the original design.  Importantly re-roofing, the replacement of the boiler chimney and the repairs to the Apse stonework, was all done from the same scaffolding.   On completion of all this work the interior of the Church, including the space between the inner and outer roofs, was professionally cleaned by Richfords, Fire and Flood.

The Covid Projects

Replacing the Lighting and associated Rewiring

It became obvious in the last 5 years that the church was suffering from electrical artefacts that were aging and becoming increasingly decrepit and as a result were furthering the risk to the fabric of the church. The lighting consisted of a few high voltage aluminium lights placed near the high ceiling of the church.  When one bulb ceased to function it had a marked effect upon the visibility in the relevant part of the church.  The wiring used for the lighting was of a type that is no longer supported by the industry.  The insulation around the wire was breaking down, in addition the lights, being of metal construction, were getting very hot and, according to the advice from our electricians, a risk to the integrity of the church.  In other words a fire risk.  The lighting situation was becoming increasingly expensive as well as inefficient.  It was also suspected that the risk was increasing.  This was emphatically confirmed by the electrical inspection, as part of the 2020 Quinquennial, in which the system was graded as unsatisfactory.

 

It was decided by the PCC that a company was needed to review the situation and make proposals.  Accordingly CES was contracted.  It was quickly realised that a new scheme would not only deal with the inefficiency of lighting but also lessen the risk considerably as well as be ecologically friendly.  After considerable consultation between the PCC and CES a specification was produced that enhanced the whole church whilst ensuring good visibility throughout.  The proposed scheme would utilise LED technology and as such should need little or no replacement of bulbs, which would lessen the current high expenditure on church maintenance.  Consequently, the specification was put out to tender and CES provided the best response and subsequently were contracted.

 

CES completed the work in the period Oct/Nov 2020, whilst the church was closed.  All the old cable and lights were removed and an armoured cable was used to link and power all the new LED lights.   The system now has a default ‘visitor’ setting as well as 8 more options.  The outside lights were also replaced as well as extra lights provided in the darker corners of the lower levels and tower.

 

Heating Fuel Pipe

 

It was realised that the fuel pipe from the tank to the boiler room would prevent further graves being dug, therefore it was agreed to reposition the underground heating oil fuel line.  A faculty was agreed and the work carried out during 2020.

Current Project

 

Organ Refurbishment

 

The Organ is overdue a 25 year clean and overhaul, which will involve, amongst other things, taking out all the pipes.  In other words it is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to make changes.  Sadly in the 1990s, when the last such opportunity arose, the changes were not wholly successful so we must try to do better on this occasion.  It is worth noting that we have been blessed with a fine instrument so it is incumbent on us to make the best of this opportunity.

At the PCC meeting on 19th November 2018 the PCC approved the suggestion that a small group, (Michael Brodrick, Jane Bryant, Peter Lamb and Peter Campbell), should agree a specification for work on the organ, arrange for quotes and then apply for a Faculty and make grant applications, if necessary.

A specification was agreed and a Faculty awarded after many months of discussion and numerous visits by renowned organists. The tender was issued in December 2020 to 9 companies listed by the Institute of Organ Builders.  The contract was won by JW Walker who suggested that the organ work would best be described as a “restorative overhaul”.   The fundraising stage is currently underway with the Friends of St John’s having provided £30k as an initial donation.

This project will be very costly following closely on the heels of the expensive church lighting/rewiring project so another round of fund raising will be necessary.

 

The Future

Churchyard Wall

The wall around the current graveyard is grade 2 listed in its own right.  It is suffering from age related wear and tear such that it is near to collapse on the West side.  This is a project that will require much effort to raise specific funds to resolve.

New Name Board

The addition of a new name board will be necessary as the ‘Wardens’ portion of the current board (on the North Wall) is near to being full.   The PCC have passed a resolution to move the existing board to above the South door (the main church door), and replace it with a like board.

 

Diary 2022

January 2nd 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
25th 1900hrs PCC Meeting
 

February

6th 1100hrs Family Communion and Baptism (CW)
March 6th 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
21st 1830hrs Annual Parochial Church Meeting – St. John’s
 

April

3rd 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
14th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
15th 1000hrs Pilgrimage Walk through Benefice
16th 1430hrs Wedding Zehner/Gorwood
17th 1100hrs Easter Communion (CW)
May 1st 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
5th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
7th 1430hrs Wedding Seligman/Freer-Smith
16th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
28th 1430hrs Wedding Mason/De Quick
June 5th 1100hrs Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service
20th 1900hrs PCC Meeting
23rd 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
25th 1500hrs Wedding Geddes/Yoward
July 7th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
8th 1230hrs Wedding Franklin/Harris
10th 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
17th 1215hrs Brief Remembrance Ceremony at War Memorial
21st 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
23rd TBA Wedding Joy/Fearman
     
August 4th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
6th TBA Wedding Brown/Woodward
7th 1100hrs Benefice Family Communion (CW)
18th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
20th 1330hrs Wedding Winkley/Clarke
September 4th 1100hrs Family Communion (CW
8th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
10th 1400hrs Wedding Svedberg/Mackley
10th 1000hrs Ride and Stride (HIHCT) – Lych Gate Register Only
15th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
17th 1500hrs Wedding Schict/Marriot
22nd 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
24th 1400hrs Wedding Forest/Langmuir
October 2nd 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
3rd 1900hrs PCC Meeting
November 6th 1100hrs Family Communion (CW)
12th 0930hrs Church tidy Session
December 1st 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
3rd TBA Wedding Risebury/Sims
4th 1100hrs Advent Communion (CW)
8th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
10th TBA Wedding Freer-Smith/Young
11th 1800hrs Village Nine Lessons and Carols
15th 1830hrs Wedding Rehearsal
17th 1300hrs Wedding Bryden/Bernard
24th 2330hrs Midnight Mass

Notes:

Thanks to the volunteer key holders the church remains open most days of the year subject to Covid.

Candover Valley Choir (CVC) rehearses in the Church every Thursday evening at 1930hrs

Italics means restricted attendance

Entries in red are subject to confirmation.

Church Services on YouTube

Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield

Rector: Rev. David Chattell

The Rectory, Alresford Road, Preston Candover, RG25 2EE

01256 389474

e-mail: davidchattell172@btinternet.com

Associate Rector, Rev. Stephen Mourant

The Rectory, Church Lane, Ellisfield, Basingstoke, RG25 2QR

e-mail:- stevemourant@btinternet.com

01256 381217

March 20 2020

Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield

Update on arrangements for the immediate time during the Corona virus pandemic

Dear friends, these last few days have been we are sure hugely busy as we have struggled to grasp how things have changed since last week. But remember, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Our God has not changed; He is the beginning and the end, He is the source and giver of life itself, He is the power behind every breath we take, and His promises remain the same: He loves us, He invites us to follow Him, He breathes His Holy Presence into every life by His Spirit, He enjoins us to listen, to walk with Him, to pray, be still and to enjoy that He has given us life in all it’s fullness.

It has been so encouraging to see support being organised across at least 4 of our villages for the elderly and housebound, to ensure no-one is overlooked, and that has been people working together for the common good – well done all those who have initiated and organised them.

Many of you may not be in the habit of prayer and worship together at home: attached are some frameworks you can use at home – one for families with children – published by the Church of England today – let’s try something different. On Sunday we are all called to pray for our nation at this time – I am praying for an awakening by God’s Holy Spirit to wake up those who are asleep in their spirits towards God in particular, as well as His mighty protection upon all who serve in the NHS and medical services that they do not succumb to this illness at any serious level, and that the speed at which it can be brought under control is high. We also pray for those in our communities for whom this virus could be fatal, that they come to their end in God’s time, not hurried but at peace with Him.

 

We are also wanting to provide daily Bible passages to read, and the Benefice Prayer and Bible Reading diary is ideal: the current one is available from the website now and Stephen will update it in the next few days taking the situation into account.

Stephen has recorded a short service online for Sunday  morning – he has set up a You Tube account and the message has been uploaded to Youtube and the link made available via the website. http://www.farleighcandoverandwield.org.uk/services/ 

 David has placed an Evening Prayer service on the  here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=275sTSxRJM0

This tool which has been low in most people’s minds now comes into its own. We will inform you of the link later – and we would be delighted for help from anyone with the expertise.

There are also many other Christian organisations and churches who provide daily spiritual nourishment online: see below. 

We are both available for private counsel, prayer, by phone, email or using SKYPE or one of the other video conferencing platforms with which so many people are familiar in the workplace.

Funerals will continue to take place, weddings also but on a much reduced scale – please pray for Stephen as one of the diocesan surrogates for Common Licences, which will have to be sworn in place of banns which have had to be suspended till services restart. He has several to process already – with paperwork involved and fees.

Arrangements for APCMs are all going to be different with them being delayed till the autumn unless already held.

May we both encourage you all to explore the different ways of communicating with your own neighbours and villages, tell us what you would like us to do to help; most villages have established some form of care for the vulnerable so no-one is left alone without support. 

But we remind you all: this situation is not unknown to the Living Lord: let’s work with Him in discovering what He wants to teach us about our own hearts, attitudes and gifts, how we can use them to bless others at a distance as well as close at hand.

Day of National Prayer this Sunday 22 March 2020

The archbishops have called us to pray, so:-

JOIN US BY LIGHTING A CANDLE AND PLACING IT IN YOUR WINDOW WHERE OTHERS CAN SEE IT AT 7.00 P.M.

PRAYERS FOR US TO PRAY:-

We pray for deliverance from fear- there’s a lot of fear around.

For looking out for our neighbours in need and to offer help.

To keep in perspective that suffering comes to us all so let’s recognise this situation is difficult but it is not impossible.

To pray for the disease to be stopped: 

To ask for the Holy Spirit to refresh and heal us in order that we may be able to minister with confidence to those in need.

To prepare the dying for their death and help those who fear death to find hope in Jesus Christ.

With our prayers and supporting love

David and Stephen 

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(courtesy Dave Walker, cartoonist)

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