The Restoration of St Firmin's Church Autumn 2005
In 2004 it was found that the wooden platforms on which the victorian pews stood were badly infested with woodworm and were unsafe.The heating for the church also needed updating. A restoration Committee was set up in October 2004 to raise the £97,228.37 needed to carry out the planned work.
Janet, our Vicar, worked very hard at applying for grants, these grants along with the fundraising events - Open Gardens, Flower Festival, Dinner Parties, Coffee Mornings ,a 60's night, Sunflower Competition, Community Garage sale, Auction,Farm Weekend, Pancake Tossing, Quiz Evening, Plant Stall, Slideshow and Supper , Photography and Art Competition and Exhibition and a Concert -by September of 2005 had raised £117,775.29 - an enormous amount in a relatively short time! The extra was now needed as we had the South Porch roof to repair and seating to be purchased for the Church.
Work commenced in September 2005 on the restoration and the South Porch roof, during the excavation of the floor bones were found and there was a short service of reburial. The work was completed by December 2005, just in time for us to hold our Christmas services in a lovely warm church - one drawback we had no seating ! The pews when removed were found to be in a worse condition than had been expected so new seating had to be considered.
Following a lot of consultation it was decided to purchase 100 light wooden oak chair with rush seating which we felt to be in keeping with our church - they look really good making the Church bright, welcoming and very adaptable for different events. The villagers was invited, if they so wished, to donate a chair and a plaque would be placed on the chair in their name, or in memory of a person or an event - the response was fantastic with all 100 chairs donated , we are now ordering a further twelve which will be available for donation.
A Group Service was held on the 18th December 2005 when Bishop John came to rededicate St Firmin's Church.