The “Friends” are a registered charity formed in 1981 to raise and administer funds for church restoration.  The charity is administered by a small committee of trustees and supported by approximately 100 members.  Since its formation the charity has raised £130,000 through membership fees, donations and fundraising. This has been spent on the church roof, heating, organ restoration, tower repairs, windows, overhaul of the tower clock and other work identified in the Quinquennial Reports.

 

Update (November 2008)

Twenty six years have elapsed since the formation of The Friends to administer funds raised by the parish for the much needed renewal and restoration work to the church. Major fund raising is under way again spear headed by the 10:10 Campaign and we have once more become involved in accepting donations and monies raised towards the forthcoming expenses.

Until recently there have not been any major drains on our resources and our modest annual subscription of £3 has remained the same. We consider It is the appropriate time to increase this to £5 and for tax payers to make It gift aided where possible. Life membership has been increased to £100. The revised membership forms list our main out- goings and include a voluntary gift aid tear-off slip. It is hoped that all existing and prospective tax paying members will complete one of these slips and return it to me with their subscription. Gift aid will make a significant increase to our funds as each pound increases to £1.28 at no extra cost to the subscriber. If you have recently paid your subscription still take a form, complete it and return to me via the Church Croft office as the tax can be claimed retrospectively.

We have notelets on sale in The Croft and these contain interior sketches of our church by the late Win. Iles plus one designed by Philip Richings and used as The Friends original logo.

Our membership of 100 is always fluctuating and it would be such a marvelous opportunity to increase this during the forthcoming refurbishment period. If you are not already a member I strongly urge you to think about becoming one - all you will need to do is renew annually and maybe support our occasional fundraising events.

If you have any queries about any of this please see me at Wednesday Communion or contact me via the Church Office using our online contact form

Helen Perry

Friends of St. Bartholomew's