CALNE AND BLACKLAND PCC
Minutes of PCC Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd July 2015 at 7.30pm
Present: Deirdre Aldhous, Richard Aldhous, Morcia Booton, John Dawson, Isabella Gage, Maggie Garratt,
Lucy Hemmings, Revd Bob Kenway, Julian Miller, Revd. Alison Morley, Jane Ridgwell, Jack Robinson,
Kevin Wells
Apologies: Stan Anniss, Jonathan Billings, Penny Spencer, Graham Spencer
Prior to the start of the meeting, Bob advised the PCC that Revd Alison Morley had been offered a post as Vicar in
a group of parishes in the Wylye Valley, so would not be staying in the Marden Vale Benefice for the next year or
so as hoped.
Minutes of meeting held on 26th May agreed and signed
Matters Arising: Maggie pointed out that a self-closing lock on the Gents’ toilet in Church House has still not
been fitted. Richard will address this problem in his report
Review of Confirmation: On June 4th, five St Mary’s candidates were among those confirmed and a very enjoyable
evening ensued. Both the Derry Hill and St Mary’s confirmation groups are continuing to meet on a weekly basis.
Renewing Hope Groups: Group 1 has not yet met.
Group 2 (buildings) have had a wide-ranging discussion on buildings throughout the parish. They will be meeting
again next Tuesday. Any changes must be co-ordinated and there is a lot of fact finding to be worked through.
Group 3 have had 3 meetings and have put forward a proposal (passed at the last PCC meeting) for a prayer
meeting solely for the church and all its activities. The time arranged is Tuesday at 6pm in St Mary’s for a half
hour, initially for three months from September; your support would be welcomed. The group are also preparing a
report on all the group activities which are already taking place in the parish.
Group 4 have had one meeting and have made a start, sharing ideas.
Lay Worship Leaders: This has had to be postponed until all parties are ready to progress. It will possibly take
place in the autumn. It was pointed out that an ecumenical course being held at St James in Devizes entitled
‘Mission Shaped Ministry’ (costing £300) and running for several weeks, might be an overlap. More information
was requested.
LPAs The LPA course will take place later in the year. The scheme ‘Open the Book’ involving reading Bible
stories in schools is part of their remit.
St Peter’s and the PBS: St Peter’s wish to become a corporate member of the Prayer Book Society at a cost of £50
per annum. This would enable the church to advertise services on their website which could raise awareness of St
P’s and the use of the BCP, as many of their services are based on this. A meeting is being held next Tuesday to
discuss this.
The PCC agrees the St Peter’s Church will become a corporate member of the Prayer Book Society.
Proposed by Deirdre
Seconded by Jane
One abstention
Rest of PCC in favour
There was a request that all the services within the parish should be better advertised; Felicity agreed to create a
poster when she had been supplied with the information.
Treasurer’s and Financial Working Group’s Report: Our planned giving within the parish is about half what
might be expected, averaging at £4.50 per week when the diocese recommends £9 per head needs to be raised. Our
giving has increased slightly and there have been more weddings, so greater income from fees. Outward giving
towards the Blue Bus: this is going towards replacing the old vehicle, so all contributions will be gratefully
received.
It is felt that people might need to be educated in the reality of church funding – the church does not receive
Government support and churches have to finance their own considerable upkeep.
Buildings Groups: St Peter’s It would appear that the electricity meter is not working accurately.
Holy Trinity The lightning conductor has been inspected and passed by the insurers. Funding is being sought for the
installation of a toilet for the disabled now that the faculty is in place and three quotes have been obtained. There
has been an offer of the work being undertaken for nothing (free!) A letter will be sent to all funeral directors
reminding them of what is allowed on graves in the churchyard; a letter will also be sent to all those who have put
inappropriate items on the graves of their loved ones.
St Mary’s It is not possible to put a simple closer on the door to the Gents’ loo in Church House but a solution is
still being sought.
The lighting in St Mary’s includes some high-level floodlights which should not be maintained without the correct
working-at- height safety equipment. Many of the other lights have a mismatch of bulbs. The aim is to restore and
enhance the lighting in church by first completing a study to establish what is required.
The PCC accepts that lighting in St Mary’s Church needs to be improved and would like to apply for a
faculty.
Proposed by Maggie
Seconded by Alison
All PCC in favour
It was stated that this project would have to be self funding.
Problems with the heating and sound system are being sorted out.
The Royal British Legion wish to renovate the War Memorial. Approval for renovation requires a faculty, to be
obtained by the church but the cost will be covered by the RBL. They propose that any broken stones will be
replaced, the existing stonework given a light clean and the names re-enamelled.
Repair to the vestry surround has been completed.
Deanery: Deanery Synod will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday October 22nd at Hilmarton.
Calne Partnership of Churches: The group met last Wednesday. A letter had been sent to the Council asking why
the Winter Festival should not be called the Christmas Festival. At a council meeting at which Sam represented the
group, the Town Council agreed in principle to this suggestion, which now has to be ratified by another committee.
As part of the Festival, the Council have hired three camels and wished to know what the churches would like to do
with them! The October meeting will decide on a plan of action.
The CP are involved with the skatepark, which is now open from 2-6pm daily.
FOSM: There is now a FOSM website, a printed brochure and they are on facebook. On August 1st there will be a
coffee morning and stalls from 10-12. On Friday 21st August there will be a free concert in Marden House featuring
Laurence Davies and Sian McInally.
Calne Heritage Week will take place from 7th -13th September, including an exhibition in St Mary’s on Sept 12th and
a painting competition.
Alongside the Christmas Festival, there will be a Tree Festival in church from November 25th.
£270 was raised from the parachuting teddies. There will be a return visit from Lingmara in November at Marden
House.
FOHT: The Strawberry Cream Tea on June 13th raised £196.20
FOSP: are hosting an evening with the Gaulois Brothers on Thursday September 24th
AOB: St Dunstan will become part of the Academy Trust of the Diocese of Salisbury and will be renamed the
Marden Vale Academy.
The Royal Naval Association in Calne is being dissolved and they wish to lay up the standard in St Mary’s; there
will be a special service when this is done..
At the recent Antiques Road Show held at Bowood House, the C R Ashbee picture formerly hung in Church House
was valued at £25,000.It is now in locked storage until a permanent safe site has been decided upon and the
insurance agreed.
NADFAS have almost finished their registering of artefacts in St Mary’s and will be collating all the information
into a book which will be handed over during a special service.
Dates:
Looking ahead ... the dates for the Harvest celebrations have been arranged as follows
St Mary’s
Holy Trinity
St Peter’s
St Peter’s
20th September
27th September
20th September
4th October
morning service
morning service
evening service (6pm)
Animal Blessing Service
Date of next meeting: Thursday September 17th 2015