WONSTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 31st January 2011 at Beech Cottage, Wonston.
Present: Revd. Sue Foster (Chairman), Col Peter Barrett (Churchwarden), Capt Andrew Betton (Churchwarden)
Mrs Bettina Betton (Treasurer), Dr. Angela Lewis (Secretary), Mr Wally Taylor, Dr Sarah Hobhouse, Mr Nicholas Wood.
Apologies: Mr Peter Clarke, Mrs Sandy Fitzgerald, Mr Steve Mullins, Mr George Gray.
The meeting was opened with a prayer.
1. Minutes of Meeting 8th November 2010.
The minutes were accepted as a true record by those present and signed by the Rector.
2. Matters Arising
CaptBetton has been in touch with Blackwell and Moody, stonemasons, who plan to carry out the gravestone repairs on Feb 2nd.
Car Parking; James Gray kindly allowed the use of Church Meadow for the Remembrance Service. Capt Betton has contacted the new agent from Strutt and Parker, Salisbury- the Church Commissioners will not agree to sell or let the land to Holy Trinity, but aim to maintain the ground as agricultural land. They are happy For Mr Gray to continue with the current arrangement, but no rent must be paid. Ways around this were discussed, and Capt Betton agreed to discuss the matter with James Gray.
Capt Betton has erected new dog fouling notices at Giddy Bridge and the lych gate.
Col Barrett has forwarded Gary Seymour’s specification to the Diocese for their agreement, but no reply received to date. The repair is becoming more urgent as the render at the top of the East Gable is now falling away. He will chase the matter up this week. Once the Diocese’s agreement is received, Mr Seymour will put the work out to contractors for tender. The meeting felt that it would be wise to continue to use Mr Seymour for the architectural work despite the recent frustrating delays.The meeting formally agreed to accept the specification for the work submitted by Gary Seymour and agreed that tenders should be sought from suitable contractors.
3. Rector’s Report.
Revd Foster thanked those involved in the Remembrance Day service and also the Sutton Manor carol service, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the residents. Matron is encouraging the residents to attend the services.
She reported good attendances at the various Christmas services, with 55 at Midnight Communion and more than 70 on Christmas morning. She was grateful to Revd Kousseff for kindly taking the latter. Christmas services in general were discussed and it was agreed to continue with the same schemes next year, remembering that Sutton Manor residents need to be away by 12 noon in time for lunch.
The Rector found her schedule a little too heavy this Christmas, sadly not helped by her duties at 2 funerals in Christmas week and also one wedding. It was difficult to know how this could be helped or planned for in future. There had been one funeral each week since Christmas.
Mothering Sunday will be a family service without Holy Communion on the first Sunday in April. Capt Betton volunteered to produce daffodils for the mothers present.
A palm procession is planned for Palm Sunday, with a pony, from the triangle in Wonston.
The normal Good Friday service will be held at 12 noon in the Square in Sutton Scotney. Capt Betton will make a booking at the Victoria Hall in case of inclement weather, and Dr lewis will circulate a letter to local residents requesting the Square to be clear of cars where possible.
Revd Strathie has kindly offered to take the Holy Trinity Easter Sunday service at 11 am. There will be a dawn Eucharist at 6am at St James’ Hunton.
As Rogation Sunday falls on 29th May, which is a Benefice service in East Stratton, our plans for the day will need to be discussed at the forthcoming churchwardens’ meeting.
The Rector announced that the Hampshire women’s section of the RBL (of which she is chaplain) are holding their 90th anniversary service at 3pm on May 22nd at Holy Trinity.
She will be officiating at a family wedding in Australia on Bible Sunday (oct 23rd), and will arrange for cover for the service.
Amanda Grant will continue to work with her until early March.
Revd Foster has had a meeting with the Bishop recently, and will remain at Holy trinity for the foreseeable future.
4. Plans for Bell Tower.
Reports from Mr Cornick had previously been circulated. Capt Betton proposed that work should proceed without delay as the funds are available.
Col Barrett emphasized that work carried out in the ringing chamber could impinge on the organ and must be done properly. A door needs to be incorporated to allow access to the organ. Capt Betton suggested that Mr Taylor and Col Barrett should form a subcommittee to work with Mr Cornick, and proposed that they are given authority to proceed with the work detailed in Mr Cornick’s reports with an initial sum of £2,500 to be made available from the Bell Fund. The meeting were in agreement.
5. Wonston Website.
Col Barrett reported that the site was still being used steadily. The meeting thanked him for his continued work on the site. He asked for ideas on how best to present forthcoming events.
6. Deanery Report.
Dr Lewis had been unable to attend the last meeting.
Deanery Synod representative are due for re-election in May 2011. Both she and Mrs Fitzgerald are happy to step down due to other commitments; however those present at the meeting were keen for the current arrangement to continue. No decision was made.
7. Treasurer’s Report.
Finances are looking relatively healthy with a surplus of £43 in the General fund at the year end. There has been a good income from various functions and the parish share has been paid. Restricted funds are similarly healthy.
There was some discussion about the amount required for next year’s parish share which is as yet uncertain. Revd Foster will confirm with Hugh Podger.
8. The Churchwardens’ Report.
The Safari supper had been another success, raising in excess of £1000 and enjoyed by all. Mrs Betton volunteered to organise another in the autumn. Mrs Wood is keen to host another book swap event.
Capt Betton explained that Holy Trinity had last been formally assessed for insurance purposes in 1998, since when it has been insured for £2.737m with £100 excess and £1919 annual premium.
Payment is due in April and the value insured has increased to £3.535m. Various options were discussed
a) Insuring for 75% of the value
b) Increasing premium to £2,413
c) Increasing excess to £250 with premium of £2267,or £500 with premium of £2097.
Option c was decided on and agreed by the meeting, with an excess of £500, based on a past history of infrequent claims.
A full risk management report had been prepared with requirements and priorities:
a) Portable electrical appliance testing required within 3 months
Dehumidifier in vestry
Sound system
Vacuum cleaner
Fires in bellringing chamber
b) Lightning conductor maintenance within 3 months
This being a two and a half yearly procedure
c) Full electrical inspection within 6 months by certificated contractors with a report supplied to the insurers.
Capt Betton offered to arrange contractors – it was agreed that there is no need to obtain quotes for the work.
The insurers also recommended a register of church keyholders. This was discussed and will be difficult to obtain,
Legal responsibilities around fire precautions were discussed and it was felt that sensible precautions are all that is necessary, with little further action needed. Capt Betton will obtain a fire risk assessment form.
He also offered to investigate the boiler house for the presence of asbestos.
Fundraising ideas were discussed briefly with the possibility of producing further mugs or placemats with artwork representing local scenes. Mrs Betton is going to consider this further.
9. Gratton Trust plans for Royal Wedding.
Robert Marcus is tentatively planning a street party on the Gratton playing field on behalf of the Gratton Trust. He had kindly asked whether the PCC would like to be involved, or whether it would interfere with anything they were planning.
The meeting felt that it will be happy for the Gratton Trust to take that lead and that the PCC has no particular plans but will support and encourage on an individual basis.
10. A.O.B.
Col Barrett plans to resign as churchwarden this year. The PCC offered their thanks for his work particularly living so far outside the Parish. He kindly offered to continue to maintain the website.
Capt Betton will be away at sea for long periods this year but is happy to continue as churchwarden.
Several suggestions for possible new PCC members were discussed.
There had been some dissatisfaction with the heating at recent funerals, but after some discussion it was felt that the warmth was probably adequate and that no changes should be made.
Mrs Fitzgerald had asked that a new organiser for Christian Aid collections be found as after many years she no longer felt able to continue due to many other commitments. Dr Hobhouse volunteered to try to take over as best she could, but would have to limit the house to house collections. Collecting week is 15th -21st May.
Dr Lewis had had the Holy Trinity altar prayer book binding mended and suggested flowers for the friend who had undertaken the repair.
Mr Taylor has produced drawings for the altar frontal box, which Ernie Knight is looking into and also kindly repairing the notice board at the entrance to the car park.
Dr Lewis promised to write a letter of thanks to Mark and Celia Ferguson who have donated a Christmas tree to Holy Trinity for the past 2 years.
Dr Hobhouse has further investigated the feasibility of portaloos in the churchyard. The maintenance charge would be £25/week and they would have to be within 21 feet of lorry access. It was thought that the level of use would possibly not merit such cost, but she agreed to look further into options.
11. Date of Next Meeting.
Thursday 3rd March at 8pm at Beech Cottage, Wonston.
APCM on Sunday 10th April at Holy Trinity Church.
The meeting closed with the Grace.