Last year we said that we were planning to partition the off the rear of the Church and install a lavatory, a small kitchen and a children’s room. These would be behind a screen suitably crafted to complement our church.

Architects plans were produced and planning permission obtained from our ‘H.Q.’ at Bath & Wells. That permission stipulated disabled access and sewer pipes linked with the main sewer in Dray Road. Builders quotations were obtained.

We always knew that the project, involving all the demands associated with an historic, listed building, would not come out cheap. However the total costs came to a stunning £70,000! This set us back on our heels and we donned our thinking caps. How could we justify this project at such a price and how could we realistically raise the cash?

We have 70 members, not all of whom are active. You will know from earlier articles that the local members have to find the funds for the costs of running the Church, including general repairs and maintenance and virtually all the salary and expenses incurred by our Rector. A project appeal for additional funds was made to our loyal members. There were generous responses but we were left with a very large shortfall to be raised from elsewhere.

A ‘toe in the water’ approach to outside bodies suggested we would have difficulty in reaching £70,000. So - a fundamental re-think about the justification and finance The result is that the project has been ‘mothballed’ and the hope is that “something will turn up” one day.

In a future article we will explain how the church functions financially. Our accounts for the year to December last have been approved and are available to all villagers. If you would like to see a copy please phone Alan Jones (01935 863862)