Parochial Church Council Notes

Meeting on January 12th 2010

Parochial Church Council Meeting: December 2009 & January 2010

Charitable Giving: Members voted as recipients of the annual donations to charities:-
M25, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St John’s Hospice, Hospice at Home, Marie Curie Nurses, Hatfield Scouts, Hatfield Girl Guides, Alzheimer’s Disease Society, Mencap Homes Foundation, Doncaster Schools’ Workers’ Trust and The Bible Society.
Members also voted to send a donation of £100 for the victims of the floods in Cockermouth.

A new Union Flag has been purchased and dedicated and will replace the somewhat battered flag that has flown above the Church recently.

Letters of Thanks to parishioners have been received from Hatfield Town Council Mayor, Mrs Patsy Panks, for their support of her Fund for Soldiers’ Boxes, and from the British Legion for the collection towards the Poppy Appeal of £405.80. A Letter of Thanks was sent to Hatfield Town Council for the donation of £100 towards replacement bulbs for the Christmas Lights.

Mission and Worship: Following advice from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, normal service has been resumed in the giving of Communion in Church.
The Christingle Service was very well received and had been a delightful experience.

Finance: Collections in Church are up on the same stage last year but the amount given by Banker’s Orders are down by more.
The Parochial Fees for 2010 were agreed.
Payments have been made to the Diocese towards the anticipated shortfall for the year. The amount for next year’s payment to the Diocese (Parish Share) will be £55,000.
In spite of an economic recession, over £2300 was raised at the Autumn Fayre, an amazing feat. Vera Liddle, who has been its organiser for many years, however, has had enough of the pressures exerted on her in this task, particularly being let down by volunteers at the last moment, and has resigned her position. (Our thanks are extended to Vera and her team, which has virtually remained the same people for some time. It is a very time-consuming but worthwhile task and the Church has benefited greatly from the large amounts of money raised at such events. Is there one (or more?) of our readers who will offer to take her place and carry on the good work?)
The Organ Fund is very close to achieving the amount required to restore the organ, but it is proving very difficult to attain the actual starting date for the work to begin. (Efforts will continue!). The magnificent sum of £600 was raised at the Guitar Concert held in church.

Children’ Ministry: A group of children will be taken to enjoy the Rainbow Day held at Dearne Valley Leisure Centre in January. Thorne Rural Lions have donated the use of their minibus to transport them with the leaders from Junior Church.

Fabric: The work to repair the surface of the path and remove the Bird Cherry Trees causing the damage to it will begin when the warmer weather arrives.

Barn Regeneration Group: Plans for the New Barn were exhibited to members. It was agreed that Planning Permission will now be sought. After the Coffee Morning in aid of the Barn Regeneration Fund, these plans will be displayed at the back of Church.

Social Committee: Members heard of another very successful Over-70s Christmas Lunch. Although the numbers of diners and helpers were slightly down on last year, a good time was enjoyed by those who were there. (see page 16)
In spite of the adverse weather conditions, the trip to Manchester to “White Christmas” was another successful event organised on behalf of the Social Committee by Angela Lister. (see page 12)
A Barn Dance will be held at the Victoria Hall on February 27th.

Next PCC Meeting will be on Wednesday 3 February
Jill McGarvie, PCC Secretary

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