Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Church
Watlington
Report of Activities of The Parochial Church Council of Ss Peter &
Paul Parish Church, Watlington. 2014/15
As been a year of mixed fortune and emotion for the Watlington Group of
Parishes.
As service held on Sunday 10th August, 2014 saw a packed church to celebrate
31 years of dedicated ministry by Father James Nolan and wished him and
Helen a well earned retirement.
The church then went into a period of Interregnum without a resident Priest.
However, a Sunday service was maintained to the highest standard during the
following months. Canon Stuart Morris took up office as Associate Rector on
the 26th November 2014. Stuart and his wife Trudy moved into a new Rectory
at 6 Rectory Lane, the former Rectory on Downham Road being considered no
longer fit for purpose.
It was during this period of Interregnum, the night of 24th September, that a
considerable area of lead was stolen from the church roof over the North Aisle.
The Parochial Church Council is seeking permission to replace the lead over the
North Aisle with coated stainless steel ,of similar appearance to lead, hopefully
to avoid further theft, but this has been estimated by the Diocese Architect at
some £60,000. A grant has been applied for from the Government funded
Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund. Without grant aid permanent
repair will not be possible to be undertaken.
The cost to house a Priest and have him full time has risen to £57,000 a year, of
which the five churches in the group have to raise £28,000, £17,000 of that by
Watlington Church, before any other expenses.
We worked hard to with fund raising events to raise this £17,000, this included
Quiz nights, Summer fete, Flower festival and individual efforts.
We also raised money to send to the Charities, including The Church of England
Children’s Society, Norfolk Vocational School in Uganda, Christian Aid,
FairTrade and Romania Christmas Boxes.
The Parochial Church Council considered, Deanery re-organisation, General
Synod and Deanery Synod matters, Legislation with regard to women Bishops,
Church Insurance, New Electoral role, Interregnum matters and repairs to
church roof.
The Candlelit Christmas Service was a great success with over 250 people
attending, also a large increase came to the Christmas Midnight Mass, and
after requests a Christmas Eve Crib Service for the children will be held this
year. Also a regular All Age service now on the 1st Sunday of every month and
after Easter the introduction of a healing service, also after Easter the setting
up of a church website. Stuart continues to work with the Watlington,
Runcton Holme and Wormegay Schools.
We would like to express our deep gratitude for their Financial Support
towards the upkeep of the church grounds.
We would be most grateful if the Parish Council could once again consider
Financial help with the upkeep of the church grounds, particularly at this time
when the demands on the Watlington Church Funds are extreme.
We continue to develop a Family atmosphere and everyone is important in the
village and new people are most welcome.
All Best Wishes
Richard Miller Churchwarden
John Murfitt
Churchwarden
Canon Stuart Morris Associate Rector
March 2015.