Parochial Church Council Notes

Meeting on September 2nd 2009

Parochial Church Council Meeting: Wednesday 2 September 2009

The Parish Office (Tel: 350591) now has an e-mail address: office@hatfieldchurch.co.uk

Matters Arising: Signs against dog fouling have been placed in the churchyard – half of them have already disappeared. (See page 4)
The very expensive Robotic Hoover, donated to the PCC to raise funds, will be put up for sale on eBay, with a reserve price attached.

Correspondence: Hatfield Church Building Trust have again made a generous grant to cover the cost of work done towards the maintenance of the church environs – we are very blessed to have such support, which is much appreciated. An application to English Heritage, for a grant towards the Higher Level work required, has been refused. It was agreed to carry out urgent work as identified in the Quinquennial Inspection, leaving the Higher Level work, and re-applying next year for a grant.

Mission and Worship: As Christmas Day falls this year on a Friday, and there is the usual busy programme of services over the Christmas period, it has been decided that 3 services on Sunday 27 December are not necessary. The 8am Communion Service will not, therefore, be held on that Sunday.
The cards circulated to every home in the parish, advertising all Church Activities over Christmas and the New Year will, hopefully, be distributed before the date of the first service.
(If any of our readers can help by posting all cards in their street, and help us in this mammoth task, please contact me so that I can arrange to supply you with the number of cards required)

Finance: The PCC has been unable to keep up monthly payments in full towards the amount paid for the Parish Share. Donations made under the Gift Aid Scheme enable the Treasurer to submit a claim which will swell the PCC Funds; magnificent sums were raised by the Garden Party and Strawberry Tea, requests have been made for payments from the Endowment Fund (to cover the costs of running the Parish Office) and the Buildings Trust – this additional income prompted the PCC to agree to send £3000 towards the deficit in the Parish Share payments.
Manor and Travis Schools have received grants of £500 towards the cost of RE Resources.
The Autumn Fayre in November will, it is hoped, be as successful as it has been in previous years, thanks to your very generous support.
(Please come along and support this event, the product of very hard work by the Organisers. Watch out for details!)
The PCC has been named the beneficiary in the will of Mrs Jean Spencer (nee Arrand), who is from the village but lived in Bessacarr at the time of her death. Mr and Mrs Watson have been dealing with her personal effects on behalf of the PCC.

Fabric: Ongoing projects include renovation of the Choir Stalls and treatment against woodworm, removal of the Bird Cherry trees (whose roots are causing extensive damage to the footpath), and the completion of improvements to the Sound System. The Vicar thanked Miss Joyce Barker for the many years she has worked with the Fabric Committee and wished her well in her Ministry training.

Barn Regeneration Group: The PCC has agreed to pay the amount of just over £9,500 to take the project to the Planning Stage. Following suggestions made about the allocation of space within the initial plans presented by the Group, it was agreed to “square off” the footprint of the building in order to extend the kitchen and office spaces. A sub-committee has been appointed to take responsibility for running the Barn (previously carried out on behalf of the now-dissolved Haydon Trust).

Other Matters: Arrangements are in hand for the “Big Clean-up Day” in the church, the Autumn Fayre, the theatre visit to Manchester to see the “White Christmas Show” and the Over-70s Christmas Lunch.
Reports were received after the Strawberry Tea, which raised its highest amount to date, the Garden Party and the Parish Picnic.
A letter has been received from Hatfield Town Council, which is looking to extend the provision of Christmas Trees in the area to include one in the Church grounds.

Organ Restoration: Mr Geoffrey Coffin, of Principal Pipe Organs, has been requested to begin work in January 2010, the condition set for the PCC to receive a grant offered by the Foundation for Sports and the Arts. Magnificent fundraising efforts, led by Vernon Hoyle, have almost reached the target set – falling short by £5,700. The PCC will request the Trustees of the Endowment Trust to consider making an interest-free loan to the Organ Fund in order that work can commence in January.

Next PCC Meeting will be on Wednesday 7 October Jill McGarvie, PCC Secretary