As you are no doubt aware, building work has been going on in the presbytery since early November. We will do the work in two stages. The necessary work includes installing central heating and two new bathrooms. In such an old house we would obviously have to do a lot of redecoration afterwards, so we took the decision to do some more renovations at the same time. They include replacing dangerously worn carpet, roof insulation, and creating a division between the public and private areas of the presbytery. This meant that the disruption could be minimised and the presbytery would be ready for Canon Michael to move here, as he planned, in the middle of January. So far the work is on schedule apart from the carpeting, which cannot all be supplied on time.

However, when work began it was soon apparent that other things required attention. All the gas and water pipes needed to be replaced, as did the inadequate drainage at the rear of the presbytery. We now estimate that the first stage will cost £80.000. The Diocesan surveyor and accountant have agreed that the works are both necessary and good value for money and have given their approval. They have also agreed to bridge the gap between what money we have on hand and the total cost with a loan - at almost no interest.

Thanks to your generosity we already had £48,000 on hand – some of which has been spent – which means that we will borrow £32, 000 from the Diocese. We are confident that we will be able to pay this back well within the time they allow us. All the money that has been gifted for the Crypt extension, and any more that we receive, will be reserved for that purpose and not spent on the presbytery.

Vincent Harrington