On
12 September 2005 the DAC had given sufficient approval for the PCC to decide to
launch a £50,000 appeal for the scheme at the Carol Service on 18 December
2005.At his first Annual Meeting of Parishioners held on 14 April 2002, our new Rector, Revd Richard Morgan announced the need for a loo in Aldham Parish Church. Two architects and three years later, on 9 May 2005, a scheme was agreed that would make use of the tower to provide a disabled loo, a decent kitchen, three extra cupboards, a small room above, a glass screen in the arch, and improved circulation space at the back of the church. A faculty was applied for.
On
12 September 2005 the DAC had given sufficient approval for the PCC to decide to
launch a £50,000 appeal for the scheme at the Carol Service on 18 December
2005.
One of our members, a railway modelling enthusiast, took the plans, and from them constructed a complete 1/24 cut-away scale model showing, to most people's amusement, the loo and wash basin. It also showed the village what was being planned.
Anyone thinking along these lines should do what we did next: we bought 3 copies of "The Key to Successful Fund Raising" by Keith Derry. It would probably be better to buy this book as soon as ideas begin to form in the PCC's mind.
We were fortunate in that during the 3 years of planning, some church members started on their own fund-raising: two London Marathons helped the appeal to get off to a flying start.
Using Derry's book we worked on grant applications that produced £22,000, and meanwhile church members present and past, friends and villagers began writing out cheques. Geoffrey Johnson, very kindly donated the glass screen in memory of Patricia.
Within 3 months we had our £50,000, in cash, very firm promises or
grants, and we instructed the architect to ask the builder to start before the
annual price increase came into effect! There were a few minor delays - even
builders can have difficulty getting a plumber! But the project was completed in
time for a Service of Celebration, Thanksgiving and Commitment that was held on
10 September 2006. The challenge to the church is now to make good use of the
new facilities.
The disabled loo may have been the main reason for the development, but the spaces we have provided will enable the need of both the young and the elderly to be met The room above has enabled us to restart children's work. It is used during each Sunday Service (except Family Services) for Junior Church. It has a loudspeaker, so that if parent and child wish to use the space in a Family Service, the sermon will still get through! With a few tables, the extra space we now have at ground level can be used for a mid-week drop-in for the elderly or simply for improved circulation at after-service coffee.
In July 2007 the Essex Environmental Trust awarded the scheme a certificate of merit for being one of the six best projects it had supported in the previous year.
The architect was Terry Daniel of Shenstone & Partners, London and the work was undertaken by A.H.P. Builders of Sible Hedingham, Essex.