Christchurch Methodist Church, Springfield Road, Bexhill, East Sussex TN40 2BX
Christchurch Church & Community Centre
"Centenary House"
The new Church and Community Centre
Work Continues...September 2007
Readers will have seen the excellent progress being made on the house that is adjacent to our church. The main contractors are doing a very good job and we hope that they will have finished by mid September. We will then be able to have the carpets, curtains/blinds etc fitted and the Centre furnished.
We also need to give attention to the front and rear gardens and we will be arranging working parties. We would value as much help as possible. Dates will be fixed shortly but if you can help right away do let us know.
We have decided to have a Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday October 27th at 3pm when we will proverbially "cut the ribbon". This will be a very special occasion and we will be inviting many who have worked on the venture and/or given to our appeals. The Mayor of Bexhill will also be with us with other special guests.
On the following Thursday, November 1st (All Saints Day!) we will be having an informal open day from 10am – 8pm when we hope that many of those interested in the Centre will come eg neighbours, local clubs and charities, other churches and groups so that we can show the facilities to a large audience. We will need some help with stewarding, refreshments etc so if you could help please do let us know.
We have been so grateful to all who have given to help with the project. We were delighted that the Veolia Environmental Trust (Landfill Site) have agreed a grant of £18,000 to cover the cost of the upvc windows and doors, and the heating and plumbing costs; also that we have been given a grant of £5,000 from the Rother District Council Community Project Grant Scheme.
Our own appeal has now reached just under £23,000 and our target is £25,000. We are particularly grateful to the members of the Junior Church for all the innovative fund raising ideas and so far this has raised over £400.
It has been suggested that some friends may like to donate the cost of a chair or two that we are in course of purchasing. Each chair will cost around £40 and we probably want sixty or so, and also some tables as well. If you are interested in giving in this way, or to cover any other costs, do please mention this to our Minister (Gift Aid would apply where appropriate).
There have been a few offers of particular items for the house and if you want to help in this way perhaps you could write a short note so that the Management Group can decide on what is actually required.
It is really exciting to see all the progress being made and so many different people are involved. It is coming together so well. We are grateful to the Bexhill Observer for all their coverage and we are hoping that there will be a special feature to link with the Opening Ceremony.
The vision is gradually becoming a reality and we hope that through the use of this Centre we may be able to further outreach into the community and the circuit, and that God’s Kingdom may be brought closer. Thank you to you all for your support and encouragement thus far. If you would like to know more details do call 01424 216456. In due course, we intend to produce a leaflet that will contain the sort of information that would be helpful to all concerned.
Please do keep this project in your prayers and we will all follow the progress with interest.
Barry Turnwell (for the Group overseeing the Project)
Work Continues...August 2007
The refurbishment and modernisation work at the Centre is progressing very well and the contractors, JH Payne & Sons of Hailsham, hope to be finished by the middle of September. We will then have the furnishings and fittings to provide, and also to set out the gardens.
We are delighted that we are obtaining a grant of £18,000 from Veolia Environmental Trust for the new windows and plumbing and heating, and also Rother District Council have agreed a £5,000 grant from the Community Project Grant Scheme. These are both a tremendous help to the project and we are most grateful.
We have also been most appreciative of the articles that have been included in the Bexhill Observer. This has helped with publicising the Centre and our plans for the future. The articles have created much interest.
We are in the course of planning for the future of the Centre and there will be an official opening ceremony on Saturday October 27th at 3pm. There will be invited guests and we anticipate a good crowd and a wonderful occasion of celebration. On the following Thursday, 1st November, there will be an informal Open Day when we will welcome anyone who would like to view the Centre. We will be open from 10am to 8pm and hope to provide a cup of tea as well!
Work Continues...July 2007
You may have seen the intense activity at the House and we are delighted with the progress being made. We have received a very encouraging response from Veolia Environmental Trust and, subject to some further details, they have agreed to give us a grant to cover some of the costs.
Our pursuit of the target of £25,000 continues to progress, as we are so pleased that the Ladies Supper Club have given £2,000 from the proceeds of the recent Festival of Flowers to the appeal. What a wonderful Festival it was and thanks to all the members for the excellent donation.
Members of the Junior Church have been working hard on many ways to raise funds - this is most encouraging and we will of course report back on all their efforts in due course.
Please do keep this project in your prayers and we will all follow the progress with interest.
Rev. Roger Leslie and Barry Turnwell
Work Continues ...June 2007
The work is progressing well and the modernisation is looking good. We are grateful to the builders who are working to transform the house under the guidance of our good friend David Foster FRIVS, the Building Surveyor.
We are so encouraged that the members of the Junior Church are fundraising with some novel ideas - including having your shoes cleaned on June 3rd! Read more on our News Page.
At the time of writing we have reached £18,700 towards our target of £25K and we are so encouraged that gifts are still being made. The Festival of Flowers will also provide a considerable donation to the fund and it would be wonderful if we could reach the target before the work is completed. Our Minister will be pleased to hear from you if you are able to help.
Work Continues...May 2007
As we mentioned, the refurbishment will commence on 1st May and should be completed by August 31st, when we will need to deal with the furnishings and fittings...and prepare for the big opening ceremony. We are also expecting to have an informal open day when all interested people can come and see the facilities that are on offer.
During works, the house will be surrounded by a hoarding for health and safety and there will be no access for people other than the work force. There should however be many signs of activity! Please continue to pray for this venture and all who work on the building.
At the time of writing, we have raised around £17,800 towards our target of £25,000, and we have been encouraged with grant income. We are most grateful to all who have given so generously and we hope to continue to make good progress towards our target. We are pleased that some of the proceeds from the Flower Festival will be give to the appeal and hope that the Festival will be well supported.
Thanks to all those who helped on the final clearance day - we managed to fill the lorry again so a total of three loads were cleared - where did it all come from?
This is very exciting - just watch the house to follow progress or check back soon for more news. Please continue to hold the plans and outreach in your prayers and we will all watch the progress with great interest.
Work Continues...April 2007
We are delighted that further progress has been made and the building contractors for the refurbishment have been appointed. They are J H Payne & Sons Ltd. of Hailsham. The contract is for around £87,000 and work will start on the 1st May with a finishing date of 31st August.
The house will be surrounded by a hoarding and there will be no access for people other than the work force. The fire exit from the main hall of Christchurch will of course remain in use.
If you have not seen inside the house we will be delighted to give you a tour - but before the end of April. When handed back, we will then have to deal with the furnishings, fittings, equipment etc. before we have the grand opening. Health and Safetyare paramount and this is in hand. We will also try to keep our neighbours informed.
At the timne of writing, we have raised around £16,500 towards our target of £25,000, and we have been encouraged with grant income. The Laing Trust has very kindly donated £3,000 to the venture and we are most grateful to the Trustees for this excellent support. One further "clearance part" wil be required during April and we will fix a date soon - the more helpers the better.
This is very exciting and we are encouraged that the work will start very soon. Please continue to hold the plans and outreach in your prayers and we will all watch the progress with great interest.
Work Continues...March 2007
We are awaiting the final building quote and then the newly formed circuit committee will meet (for the first time) to plan and consider who will do the work and then move the project forward. It has taken a little longer that we had hoped but it is important that we get it right, and soon more action will be seen!
Thank you for your continued giving to the appeal - we do have a way to go to reach our target of £25,000 and if you have not given, and would like to, our Minister will be delighted to hear from you. We are most grateful that the monies raised at last year's summer Coffee Evenings have been given to the House fund and these totalled £476. At the time of writing the sum raised so far (including gift aid tax relief) is £14,234.
Additionally, we are trying to obtain grants from several different sources and some of these are under consideration and we hope to hear soon. However, we are delighted that the Garfield Weston Charitable Trust (based in London and linked with Associated British Foods) has sent a cheque for £5,000 to help with the costs of the refurbishment of the house. We are really thrilled with this wonderful gift and are most grateful to the trustees.
We will keep you posted as this exciting project proceeds.
Work Continues...February 2007
It does take time to make progress at the House but things are moving (even if this does not seem to be the case at times!). Our Surveyor has sent out the specification of the professional work required and these estimates are due to him by the end of January. The results will then be considered and, after any adjustments, a builder will be instructed to start the work. Then there will be plenty to see!!
We are grateful to all those who have helped with the clearance of the house and garden and we just require one more session and this will be arranged shortly.
We are also busy contacting various charitable trusts and other possible donors and several of those have come back to seek additional information. Whilst this is time consuming it is also quite exciting, and we do hope for some success as this will greatly help us.
After the main work is completed there will be the requirements for carpets, furnishings, equipment etc so that the House will be ready for use. Naturally we will also be planning a grand opening ceremony!
Our Minister launched our £25,000 appeal a few weeks ago and at the time of writing the gifts have totalled £14723 (this includes the Gift Aid tax that we are able to reclaim on designated gifts). This total includes a most generous gift of £2,000 from the Ladies Supper Club. All gifts have been acknowledged by our Minister and we are most grateful to all who have helped so far.
We are also further encouraged that, assuming we reach our target, we have been told that centrally two further grants of £2,500 each would be given to the funds. What an incentive to reach our target! If you have not given, and feel able to help, please send your donations direct to the minister - there are leaflets in the vestibule if you wish to use them.
Finally, we do wish to keep the front garden in particular looking neat and tidy and if you can spare time to do a little gardening please let us know. Some have not seen inside of the house - we will be delighted to show you around and you only have to ask. More update next month.
Rev Roger Leslie and Barry Turnwell
We are grateful to all those who have responded to our Appeal and the fund remains open.
On the right hand side of this web page you will find links to a donation form that you can download, print off and complete. Please return all donations to our Minister and make cheque payable to Christchurch Methodist Church. If you are able to help us we will be extremely grateful. Every donation will be acknowledged.
We are moving forward with this exciting project and we hope that we may be able to have the Church and Community Centre open around April or May 2007 - work permitting!
Help our Community Centre Project
If you are interested or wish to know more, or you would like to help, do please call the Property Steward on 01424 216456.
We have launched an Appeal to raise funds for this project.
If you would like to donate to the Appeal please
download a donation form (Word format) or
download a donation form (.pdf format) If using PDF files you will need Acrobat Reader.
Thank you for your help.
