Boughton NewsOur priest in charge at the time was Rev. Robin Blackall, and he had served on the body allocating these funds, seeing at first-hand how this idea could help sustain churches. Boughton PCC picked up the idea, and formed a wider subcommittee in 2001, the Boughton Church and Community Development Committee, to pursue it. PCC treasurer Alan Wilkinson was appointed chairman. A village survey was undertaken, to ascertain what inhabitants liked about Boughton, and what improvements were wanted. Architect Jeremy Stacey drew up plans for meetings, kitchen and toilet facilities in a round building leading off the church to the south: these were costed at £377000, and discussed with the Lottery Commission. This ambitious scheme started to run into difficulties: English Heritage became involved, ruling out any extension to the south side. Building on the north side could be cheaper but it would be near to graves, requiring expensive archaeological digs. Then the Community Fund declined to support the application for the bulk of the funds at £300000 as too expensive in the prevailing economic climate.
In 2005 Jeremy Stacey produced plans for a scaled down building to the north, with just toilets and a kitchen, putting the cost at £235000. Months went by trying to combine approval from the Diocesan Advisory Committee and English Heritage, to make possible a Big Lottery application. Then Jeremy Stacey resigned from the project due to pressure of work (having charged little for his services to date), necessitating appointment of fresh architect Mrs Francesca Weal, in 2006. The BL application eventually went in July 2007, passed their stage one, but was turned down at Stage two in November.
So in 2008, the committee agreed to restrict the scheme to within the church itself, and which you see today: a re-modelled vestry area to permit both a secure vestment press area, a toilet and flower arranging facilities behind the original screen revamped to permit disabled access, a box pew in the nave itself containing kitchen facilities, whilst the original pews have been removed, to be replaced by stackable chairs (many sponsored by villagers and local firms) suitable for both social activities and divine worship.
By late 2009, the Faculty i.e. approval, had been obtained from the Bishop of Ely’s registry: this is the equivalent of planning permission, for churches. In went the grant requests for the project, estimated at £56300, with the following results: Awards for All (refused), National Churches Trust £5000, Archbishops’ Council £5000, KLWNBC £7500, Love Norfolk £5000 and finally WREN £30000. Meanwhile our long serving secretary Pamela Jennings had sadly died, but left us a magnificent bequest of £5000. With the funding looking good, the project went to tender, with the best figure coming from Fisher Bullen of Fakenham at an affordable £50740. VAT does not apply to this type of work. The work brought forth some unexpected extra expense, such as floor repairs, wall replastering: then there are the usual overheads such as architects fees (13% of contract), CDM-C, disability survey, building regulations, etc. Happily village fundraising over the years has kept things pretty well on an even keel.
Now we need to make full use of this investment. Come along to a coffee morning Saturday February 4th, when the chairman and treasurer will be on hand to answer any queries, also to welcome any suggestions or offers of help to become involved.
On Christmas Eve, the now annual Boughton Illuminations were placed around the pond and as usual looked spectacular. Many thanks to all of those who donated their time to assist us in setting up and lighting…..which was performed in record time!
Boxing Day saw our traditional village walk, 16 hardy souls and 4 dogs joined us to work-off the Christmas excesses.
Many thanks to all those who helped us in any way over the Christmas period, it is much appreciated and here’s wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
The crib service was a revelation. I had no idea so many people could be packed into Boughton church. I was standing at the back behind people who were much taller than me and I could hear the door constantly opening to let still more people in. It was good that so many people wanted to come to our church and hear the Christmas message in an amusing and interactive way – and to see the donkey, who was gorgeous. Thanks to Pippa and the Ryes for arranging the service as usual.
We had about twenty-five people in church on Christmas Day itself and there was a warm and friendly atmosphere. People commented later on how much they had enjoyed the service.
Many thanks to all in the congregation and village who contributed to the Christmas fellowship in the village. I appreciate the help that is given by so many. Many thanks to Maryse and Tony Golds for clearing the Christmas decorations from the church and Angela Faherty for keeping the outside tubs looking so lovely.
The route is planned, the pub checked out for beer and food, but we do need to know who is coming fairly soon, so that I can start to sort out numbers with the pub. If you would like more information, please contact me on 01366 500461, or email mark@pogmore.myzen.co.uk. For those of you who have never been before, we have always had a very enjoyable day and new people would be most welcome. Booking is essential.
Happy New Year
Good Luck Ollie
If you would like to join us, whether you are a beginner or ‘professional’, then please do get in touch and we can get a membership form to you.
I arrived on New Year’s Eve and with a couple of short naps got through to midnight. This was seen in on the deck with our drinks, 13 hours before UK time. I think we surprised a few people with the ‘Happy New Year’ text. We had barbequed steak and lots of fresh vegetables and salad. Fruit trees are common in gardens – lemons, oranges, grapefruit, plums, kiwis.
Steve and I spent the first week house-sitting for my cousin. This happens a lot in the city – Steve had spent the previous week house-sitting for a friend from work. It was strange to see Christmas decorations and brilliant sun outside. Very few of the cards had snow on them!! The real Christmas tree was different and did not smell of pine which I could not get used to.
On the two bank holiday days we visited Roturua, about 3 hours’ drive south, with my aunt and uncle who live here and a cousin and uncle visiting from UK. It is a geothermic area with steam issuing out of the ground including gardens. We stayed in a motel, which are very common here. They are like camping but with a cabin and a bed and a few kitchen utensils. The grounds had two thermal pools where the water temperature gets up to 420 and the maximum time is 20 minutes. We had forgotten our ‘togs’ (swimming gear) and were told to always pack them in the car.
At present all the schools are on their long summer holidays so I am enjoying the time off and looking for jobs. I am confident that something will turn up and anyway Steve has a job!! We are focussed on finding a house to rent ready for when the furniture arrives.
Shopping is interesting. No fancy supermarkets, more like Aldi. They do sell meat and fruit but you are better going to the big fruit farms which sell a whole range of fresh produce. The Mad Butcher is a chain where you can buy meat in bulk and get good deals; I am just waiting till I get a freezer. However lamb is not that cheap, but steak is plentiful especially in BBQ season. Liquor is sold in separate shops and you have to be 18 to go in, that’s if you leave in an area which isn’t dry! Two more new phrases as I finish – strawberries are sold in
‘chips’, about half a punnet size and patio doors are called ‘ranch sliders’.
More from the other side soon.
Now that the reordering of the church is almost complete, we need to raise money for the restoration and repair of the East Window. I’m in the process of arranging another interesting occasion for later in the year, when I hope a speaker from the Norfolk Archives will come along and talk about the history of Boughton. Watch this space!!
Does anyone have some vintage photos or cards we could use? These could then be sold as a fundraiser. Contact Paul Coulten with information
Please contact Kevin Fisher on 01366 502224 to order your copy.
All proceeds to Boughton Parish and All Saints’ Church
Read about the subjects of importance some 100+ years ago and find out about those who have worked over the years to shape Boughton into the village we have today. Priced at only £10. All proceeds going towards the village
To order your copy please contact Kevin or Debbie Fisher on 01366 502224