1. family and parenting
2. children

St Mary’s Alveley APCM 2015
Reports – Please read these and join us on Sunday 19 April, 11.45am
CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT 2015
In April 2014 we welcomed Jenny Sirrell as Deputy Warden and thank her and Dale Chidwick for their commitment
and hard work in carrying out their duties. We would find it difficult to proceed without them. We also wish to
record our thanks to Peter Fleming who continues to support the Wednesday services and for the help with
counting, recording and banking financial receipts.
This year we have welcomed Wendy Rylance as Curate and note that already she has thrown herself into not only
the spiritual life of the Church but also a number of day to day lay activities. We also wish to record our
indebtedness to the whole worship team of Ruth Sims, Barrie Jenkins, Sue Chidwick, Alison Armstrong and Penny
Jenkins. We thank Ruth & Andrew Sims for the continued use of the Stables and the use of their excellent garden.
The Church is fortunate to have a relatively large leadership group and it is pleasing to see so many worshipping the
Lord by making use of their individual skills and talents. This year we are pleased to see the Old Chapel become an
essential feature of village life and we are most indebted to Alison Saad, Sally Page and their team of willing
volunteers. It is also pleasing to report that our outreach programme continues to flourish and this includes New
Life Nepal, Open the Book, Breakfast in the Old Chapel, Children’s Groups and the Alpha Course. Those that help to
keep the church clean and tidy, especially Jodi Barker, are never forgotten and we record our grateful thanks to
those who help in this regard. We also wish to record our thanks to Jane Yarrington and all others who provide
beautiful flowers and decorations to help enliven the church and its surroundings.
The recent news that Nick & Ali will be leaving us in July 2015 to minister to St Pauls, Tupsley and St Andrew,
Hampton Bishop will mean that your Wardens and others will be engaged in the work of an Interregnum and we ask
for your prayers and understanding as we undertake the necessary tasks. We are most grateful to Nick and Ali for
their excellent ministry and guidance over the last 18 years and wish them every blessings and success in their next
parishes.
In the past year your Wardens have held 6 minuted Wardens’ meetings, and attended 2 Howard Thompson Bequest
meetings. Our Treasurer, Andrea Hirons attends these meetings and provides us with up to date and relevant
financial information. This has proved to be an invaluable aid to helping guide the Wardens in their need to
prioritise tasks and recommendations to the PCC. There are, in addition, many informal meetings held throughout
the year as the need has arisen.
We are also overseeing the refurbishment of the south lytchgate however this is the financial responsibility of the
Parish Council. Most issues raised in the 2014 Quinquennial Review have or are being addressed and the Church Log
Book (Terrier) and inventory is up to date as is the Accident Book. Works carried out during this last year include
replacement of electric fuse boxes, annual alarm and fire extinguisher maintenance, four visits from a vermin control
officer, and the purchases of a new burse and chalice veil and grass mower for churchyard maintenance.
An attempt was made to steal the oil from the church oil tank but fortunately the thieves were disturbed and
although they had filled 15 large containers from our tank they were not able to take them away! We have since
fitted a security camera to monitor the tank. Later our roof alarm system alerted us several times, preventing lead
theft, and an attempt to neutralise the alarm system was foiled by Roy Page’s vigilance while routinely clearing roofs
of debris. In July a man was convicted of lead theft from our roof during December 2013, and we are receiving
occasional compensation payments.
On your behalf we would like to thank Nick, Ruth, Barrie, Sue, Alison and Penny for their leadership and guidance in
our Christian teaching and journey.
It has been a pleasure to serve as Churchwardens of St Marys over the last year and if elected we would find it a
privilege to continue in this capacity. The Archdeacon’s Visitation will take place at 7.00pm on Monday 18th May
2015 at St Michael’s Church, Madeley and you wardens would appreciate your support.
Brian Kenney & Michael York
Churchwardens
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March 2015.
Deanery Synod Report 2014
Because the first meeting of 2015 is later than in previous years, this report only includes
three synod meetings. Future reports should, therefore, coincide with calendar years.
Meetings

May 2014, Morville – The main presentation was by John Prockter from Bridgnorth Youth and Schools Project
who told us of his work with young people in the schools and at The Bridge. John’s main aim was to give them a
real experience of Christ but urged the churches to share in the vision of the Project.

September 2014, Tuck Hill – Retired Chief Constable, Robin Oake gave us an interesting and often amusing
account of his career. He had held fast to his Christian faith, and led many others to Christ. He then gave, a very
moving account of the death of his son, Steve, also a police officer, who had been killed during a raid on a
terrorist house. In the interviews he gave subsequently, Robin had surprised many with his insistence on
forgiveness.

December 2013, Worfield – Brother Nicholas, SSF, of Glasshampton monastery, brought us our Advent
Reflection, on the theme of “Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house will
come … what I say to you I say to all. Watch.” It was a very thoughtful and thought-provoking address which also
explored techniques for aiding our watchfulness and attentiveness in prayer, particularly by the use of silence
and scrutiny of our thoughts.
Changes in Synod In February 2014, we said goodbye to Lay Co-Chair David Henderson, thanking him for his faithful
service; we wish him well in his new home and job. In May, we welcomed new Lay Co-Chair, Professor Andrew Sim.
The search continues to find a suitable replacement for John Raybould when he steps down as Deanery Treasurer. If
you feel able to fulfil this role – or know of someone who we could co-opt to do so – please contact a committee
member. There were also elections of the synod membership for the next three years, so we welcomed some new
members – and welcomed back some longstanding members.
Pastoral Developments. 2014 saw Colin Resch’s departure from Stottesdon to take up a new post at Mountsorrel in
Leicestershire. We also lost Jenny Rowland from Brown Clee who has begun a well-earned retirement. We wish
them well. Sadly, we also lost Fliss Iliffe from Severn Valley who resigned on health grounds. Please continue to pray
for her and Richard. The interregnum at Highley is continuing, so curate Wendy Rylance will now continue her
training at Alveley; please support Val Smith and the Highley team as they keep things going till the new
appointment. We have now welcomed Terry Mason to take over at Brown Clee, and Mark Daborn is currently
looking after the Stottesdon benefice.
Deanery Learning Programme – Synod has continued to place great emphasis on discipleship, and we now produce
a booklet three times a year giving details of courses and events across the Deanery. We are grateful to Garry Ward
for compiling this information. Please pass any information you have for inclusion to Garry.
Lent Project. There was no 2014 project but we are supporting WorkAid in 2015, a charity which we supported with
great success, a few years ago. Items particularly requested are sewing and knitting machines, haberdashery
including all clean materials, and light cotton clothing.
Finances. These are increasingly worrying. Many parishes continue to face difficulties in funding, and in paying their
parish share, and over the year we have shown a large deficit. We have, however, continued to pay the share in full
for the deanery and so continue to claim the rebate. To do so, we have had to draw heavily on deanery funds so this
practice is not sustainable in the long term, as funds are already considerably reduced. There are some difficult
decisions ahead and unless the situation improves, we may have to face going into arrears as a deanery.
And in addition We continued to support the measures for the installation of women bishops and were finally
rewarded when General Synod finally passed the measure in November 2014, and we already have our first woman
Bishop in Stockport. We also welcomed our own new Bishop in Hereford, and look forward to meeting Bishop
Richard when he comes to speak to Synod in December 2015.
Marjorie Brooks. Secretary, Bridgnorth Deanery Synod. 24/02/2015
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PCC REPORT 2015
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
The full PCC met 6 times during the year, with an average attendance of 70%. There was also an open meeting to
arrange fund raising and social events for 2015.
*20 minutes breakfast,
The pattern of services is as follows:
20 minutes praise and worship,
1st Sunday in the month –
10.00am Holy Communion
20 minutes choice of groups –
2nd Sunday in the month –
8.00am Holy Communion
listening to a talk; taking part in
10.00am shorter all-age service
a discussion; a quiet time of
3rd Sunday in the month –
10.00am Holy Communion
meditation; a creative activity.
4th Sunday in the month –
8.00am Holy Communion
Prayer ministry is offered at all
10.00am 20/20/20*
these services.
5th Sunday in the month – 10.00am United service at St. Andrew’s
Wednesdays –
10.30am Holy Communion
Mondays and Fridays – 9.00am Prayer Meeting
Refreshments are offered after morning services, and it is a good time of fellowship and friendship.
During the year small groups have continued to meet in various homes and in the Old Chapel and during Lent the
groups have been using Bible 60 for an overview study of the Bible – 30 readings from the OT and 30 readings from
the NT. ‘Breakfast in the Old Chapel’ has met 2 or 3 times a year.
Sunday School takes place on 1st and 3rd Sundays. First 10 minutes in the 10.00am service, then to the Stables by
kind permission of Andrew & Ruth Sims. Children join the main services for the all-age service and 20/20/20.
‘Sunshine Corner’ parent and toddler group continues to meet on Mondays in church, and on Monday evenings the
Youth Club meets at the Old Chapel. A Christmas and Easter activity morning for children and parents have been run
this year. Ash Wednesday Service was held at Quatt and was well supported by Alveley
The Old Chapel business is building up, although more volunteers are needed for the day to day running. This is a
community project to benefit the whole village. Various social activities take place in the Old Chapel eg. Music Club
once a month, Alveley Patients’ Group meetings. The garden is doing well, thanks to volunteers who tend it. The
Historical Society has made a memorial garden in one corner to celebrate the centenary of the First World War 1914
– 2014. Special thanks go to Alison Saad, the manager of the Old Chapel, and to Sally page, the assistant manager.
Everyone has worked hard during the year to plan and organise fundraising and social events. Due to the generous
giving and hard work there was a small surplus of funds at the end of the year, for which we are extremely grateful
and thank god for His mercy and grace. Some of the events this year have been 5 concerts and 2 organ recitals
(Grateful thanks to Andrew Crabtree for arranging these); Talents (£5 given to each person for them to increase
between Easter and Harvest); Harvest Supper; Pancake morning. These events have drawn people together for an
enjoyable time and raised money at the same time.
The churches in the Deanery spent an excellent weekend away at Willersley Castle Christian Guild hotel in
Derbyshire where we had good accommodation, beautiful surroundings, lovely food and very good teaching, praise
and worship.
At St. Mary’s we now have a Curate, Wendy Rylance, as her mentor is now our Rector, Nick Armstrong. Many of us
went to Wendy’s priesting at Hereford Cathedral. We are grateful for the work she is doing in the Benefice.
The Parish Share for 2014 was £41,768. The church is very grateful to everyone who has given time, talents and
money throughout the year to support St. Mary’s.
We as a church and PCC are very thankful to Nick and Ali for their excellent and loving leadership, and for all the
support they get from Ruth, Wendy, Sue and Barrie, The Church Wardens and all the PCC. We were shocked and
saddened to hear that Nick and Ali are moving on to another church, but nevertheless we need to look forward and
pray that God will lead them and us on in the future.
Jean Marshall March 2015
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Youth and Children Report 2014/15
Matthew 21:16 Do you hear what these children are saying? they asked him. Yes, replied Jesus, have you never
read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?
Sunday Club
Numbers have varied from 2 to 8. I am delighted that Victoria Thompson has continued as my main
assistant. We have used the same readings as the church service to base the Bible story and
activities on. I have not advertised Sunday Club, but have run it for the children who come to the
services. I would like to thank all those who have helped me with the various Sunday groups over the
years. I do hope that some form of Sunday Club may continue under new leadership, please pray for
the right person to take this on.
Joel 1:3:Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next
generation.
Family Activity Mornings
This year we changed from our Activity Days for children at Christmas and Easter to Family Activity
Mornings. This was partly to enable Toddler parents to come, but also to show an easier model for
others to work with when we are no longer here. It has been really good to have some Dads attending
with their children as well as Mums and Grannies. Some have missed the teams and competition
between them and some of the teenage helpers have missed being able to help the younger ones,
although this has happened informally anyway. Everyone who came was very positive. The church full
of children engaged in finding out more about God’s story through activities, encouraging adults to
take part too is a wonderful place to be!
I am so thankful to everyone who has helped at these events over the last 15 years.
Luke 18:16: But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder
them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Sunshine Corner
This is the parent and toddler group that meets every Monday morning in the church and is more
popular than ever. Anyone who pops in comments on the lovely atmosphere, and the parents
/grandparents /carers who come seem to really appreciate it.
The parents and grandparents provide the cakes, and the volunteer helpers are amazing. As a church
you will need to decide whether to keep this going, I will meet the helpers who are still willing to help,
but someone or a subcommittee would need to be appointed for setting up, activities, safeguarding,
risk assessment and overall responsibility for each session.
Psalm 71:5: For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
Old Chapel Youth Group
After losing Mark as a helper in the summer we struggled with some areas of motivation, noise and
discipline during the autumn term. John Prockter came to advise and help us to see things
differently. The young people want to come so that has to be positive! Joe, when given our support is
able to get their attention and lead them with increasing skill and confidence. John is coming monthly
to continue to help and support. It has been really good to be linked to the Bridgnorth Youth and
Schools’ Project. There needs to be much thought as to how to proceed next year as Joe is hoping to
get a residential job at an activity centre in Devon and I will not be available. Lynn and Sally are
fantastic helpers but do not want to take it on by themselves. John Prockter wants to help us keep a
group going in the village if at all possible.
Alison Armstrong
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Open the Book
Penny Jenkins
Throughout the last 12 months the Open the Book Team from St Mary's Church Alveley have continued to present a
weekly Bible story in dramatised form to the children and staff at Alveley Primary School. Children and staff often
take part in the drama and the team are greatly encouraged by the welcome they receive each week. The group of
year 6 leavers were once again entertained in the summer term to a social evening with party food and this year a
Beetle Drive, great fun. We are now in our 7th year and the team is as strong as ever with several members who
have served for the whole 6 years and 2 terms since we began.
We would, of course, always welcome new members of the team (we are especially short of men). So if you could
spare an hour or so on a Wednesday morning and wouldn't mind being at school by 8.30am do make yourself known
to Penny or any of the team members. We are sure that serving God through Open the Book is what we are called
to do and we hope that seeds planted in the young minds of our village children may mature into faith and
understanding in later life. Please continue to pray for our team and also teams in other parts of the deanery who
serve the Lord in this special way.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable adults
Report for the PCC St. Mary’s Church, Alveley April 2015
There have been no untoward incidents in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults during the past
year.
It is now a requirement for all clergy to have an up-to date DBS check and it is advisable for all church wardens too,
as well as those who work with children or vulnerable adults. These should be repeated every 5 years, and you are
responsible for keeping the paperwork up to date.
Training in safeguarding issues is available throughout the diocese. I have the dates for 2015and would strongly
encourage any wardens or church members* who have not yet done so to sign up for a training session.
*This only applies to those who work with children or vulnerable adults within the context of the church.
Ruth Sims.
Bellringers Annual Report
Alveley APCM 2015
Roy Page
This year the Alveley ringers have rung for several weddings, the occasional funeral and almost every Sunday service.
We have helped at Arley with weddings and the occasional service, and at Quatt we are teaching a new band of
ringers, as well as still helping Morville.
Our weekly practice night (Thursday) is very well attended. We regularly get 15-17 ringers, with help coming from
Bewdley, Coalbrookdale, Morville, Kingswinford and even Clive.
Our aim this year is to get one or two new ringers to replace those going to University.
A short peal (840 changes) was rung in December to celebrate Millie Page’s return to health. It was rung by an alllocal band.
Parish Magazine Report 2015
Ian Maddock
7.04.2015
We hope that the magazine acts as a channel of communication within our parishes and although a significant part
of the content is not church based we are grateful to all our contributors, because this helps to ensure a broad
spectrum of readership, is a service to the community and keeps people informed about both Christian matters and
local events. Copies are sent to a number of former residents who like to keep in touch with village events – and to
the local press who invariably reproduce much of the magazine in the Bridgnorth Journal – occasionally without
mistakes.
Receipts from magazine sales do not cover printing costs but thanks to David’s good work on advertising we
continue to make a profit and funds remain in a healthy position. Print costs have risen again this year and it the
cover price was increased to 50p – the first rise in many years and only the second since I took on the editor’s role
from Jim Cutts.
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My thanks to regular contributors, Nick, Alison, Andrew Crabtree, Ann Lee (Quatt), Susie Comaish (Severn Valley
Country Park), Alison Saad (Old Chapel) and Ben Male. A disappointment this year has been the scarcity of news
from Alveley School.
The different cover picture each month continues to be positively received. Photographs are always welcome –
though need to be in portrait layout.
Most months the magazine is free of errors and this is thanks to the proof readers – Olly, Jean, Glenys, Nick and
Alison, John Southcombe, Michael York and Barrie and Penny. It’s not the easiest of tasks, often with a fairly short
deadline. My thanks to the proof readers.
Circulation remains at about 560 each month and thanks are due to Glenys for her sterling work in sorting magazines
each month and delivering them to the distributors - and, of course, to the distributors themselves.
Our printers do an excellent job – including the annual colour insert reporting on New Life House – and deliver to the
village.
Finally, I shall be happy to receive suggestions re items and the magazine format. We need to ensure that it serves
both the church and the village communities of Alveley and Quatt.
Breakfast-in-the-Old-Chapel
Report for APCM
Andrew Sims
Our last four breakfasts have been held in the Old Chapel rather than the Barn; it has proved to be a better location.
We have now had 21 breakfasts since 2006 and at the most recent, in March, John Brealey spoke to us on ‘Believing
in God through the ups and downs of an ordinary life’. This continued to follow our aim for the breakfast, which is
“To present men with the message of Jesus Christ”. We (actually Dale Chidwick) cooked 30 eggs on this occasion, 24
guests and the rest ‘the team’. The majority of our guests are not regular church attenders and we are now
beginning to see the welcome situation where previous guests ask to bring their friends. Nick Armstrong will be
much missed in the running of the breakfasts and we would welcome any to volunteer to help us in the group who
keep the breakfasts going.
Alveley Old Chapel
Report for St Mary’s Alveley APCM – 19 April 2015
Alison Saad
This year, the Old Chapel has built on the solid foundations laid last year by extending its opening hours, creating
new, paid, employment, broadening its range of activities and developing its role as a focal point of village life and a
place of welcome, meeting and sharing.
Opening and Closing
In September, the Old Chapel extended its opening hours to cover the lunchtime period and began serving
sandwiches. In November, we added home-made soup to the menu. The lunchtime offering has been well received
and the 50% increase in our opening hours has resulted in approximately a doubling of our takings.
These changes have meant an increased demand on volunteer numbers and levels of commitment. I should like to
thank all our faithful volunteers, cooks and bakers who work so hard to make the Old Chapel project happen.
The Old Chapel coffee shop is now open three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10:30am
to 4:30pm. The Old Chapel shut for two weeks over Christmas.
Food Hygiene Rating
On 16 July 2014, Alveley Old Chapel was inspected by Shropshire Council's Public Protection and Enforcement
Services and awarded a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 (Very Good) out of 5.
On 19 November 2014, I attended a course entitled “EU Food Information for Consumer Regulations” run by
Shropshire Council's Public Protection and Enforcement Services. This course concerned the new legislation on food
labelling and allergens which came into force in December 2014. As a registered food business, the Old Chapel is
required by law to comply with this new legislation and procedures have been implemented in order to do just that.
I have yet to organise full training of all volunteers.
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User Groups
A number of groups and associations continue to meet regularly in the Old Chapel, mostly in the evenings. The
Youth Group and the Alveley Singers meet weekly. Alveley Music Club and the Historical Society meet monthly. The
Alveley Patients' Group, Arden Allotments Association, St Mary's PCC and Alveley and Romsley Parish Council meet
occasionally. St Mary's men's breakfast group, formerly Breakfast in the Barn, meets occasionally on a Saturday
morning.
Twice monthly on Tuesday mornings, during coffee shop opening hours, the Chapel Crafters meet to share creative
ideas, techniques and tips over coffee and cake. Weekly on Tuesday mornings, members of the Strollers and Striders
walking group finish their walk at the Old Chapel. CoCo, (the Compassionate Communities group run by the Doctors'
Surgery) meets occasionally for a volunteers' coffee morning during coffee shop opening hours.
A new group, known as “Sunday Afternoon at the Old Chapel” started to meet monthly in June 2014 but., sadly, held
their last meeting in February 2015 due to a fall in numbers attending.
Together, these user groups represent approximately 200 people.
Special Occasions
This year the Old Chapel has hosted a number of events and special occasions:
Safari Supper: Saturday 21 June 2014. Kirsty Ritzenthaler and Alison Saad hosted a main course for 22 people as
part of St Mary's Safari Supper fund-raising event.
Alveley Singers Concert: Wednesday, 16 July 2014. The Alveley Singers, led by Penny Jenkins, performed a selection
of songs from musical shows and films featuring plenty of opportunities for audience participation and
refreshments.
Alveley Primary School Leavers' Party: Monday 14 July 2014.The Open the Book team, led by Penny Jenkins, held a
party for from Alveley Primary School's year 6 pupils who were moving on to secondary school in September.
Halesowen Over 50s Club: 28 August 2014. 35 members of the Halesowen Over 50s Club came, by appointment, to
visit St Mary's church and enjoy afternoon tea at the Old Chapel.
Old Chapel Volunteers' Social: Saturday 20 September 2014. Some 35 of the 50-plus registered Old Chapel
volunteers (past, present, future, regular or occasional) met for an evening of delicious food (bring-and-share-buffet)
and fun.
Fun with Antiques: Saturday 15 November 2014. Jenny Sirrell and her team organised a evening of food and fun
with antiques as a fund-raising activity for St Mary's.
Craft Fair: Tuesday, 18 November 2014. The Chapel Crafters, led by Jenny Sirrell and Angie Lander, organised their
second Craft Exhibition and Sale of Work in the Old Chapel.
Afternoon Tea with the Alveley Singers: Wednesday, 17 December 2014. The Alveley Singers joined us for musical
afternoon of carols and Christmas cheer.
Christmas Dinner: On Christmas Day 2014, the Armstrong family organised a traditional family Christmas dinner in
the Old Chapel with lots of seasonal fun and games for anyone who would otherwise have been on their own at
Christmas or who cared to join them.
Eater Sunrise Service: On Easter Day, Sunday 5 April 2015, St Mary's church held their first Easter Sunrise service in
the Old Chapel garden, followed by breakfast in the warmth of the Old Chapel.
Private Hire
The Old Chapel is available for hire for private functions. This year, we have hosted 1 wedding reception, 2 baptism
parties, 1 funeral reception, 1 wedding anniversary party, 1 fund-raising tea party and 3 birthday/family parties.
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Training Courses
Organised in conjunction with Telford College of Art and Technology (TCAT) as part of their Adult Education in the
Community Programme, the Old Chapel has hosted the following courses this year: Digital Photography, IT for
Beginners (x2) and Buying and Selling on e-bay. Sadly, there are currently no courses running at the Old Chapel, and
none planned, due to an apparent decline in demand for courses among the village population and administrative
difficulties at TCAT. Losing the TCAT training courses will have a noticeable impact on our lettings income in 2015.
Other courses held at the Old Chapel this year were: Alpha and The Marriage Course, both organised by St Mary's;
two 3-part workshops on The Holy Spirit and Hearing God, also organised by St Mary's; and two one-day craft
courses on crewel embroidery and felt craft organised by the Chapel Crafters.
More than 80 people have participated in these courses this year.
Volunteers
Our team of volunteers numbers a dozen or so really regular helpers with a further dozen occasional helpers.
Volunteers join us and leave us according to changing personal circumstances and availability. We are always glad to
see them, even if only for very short periods, and they are, they tell us, happy to be with us. A number of our regular
volunteers have taken on extra responsibility this year and have become “Session Supervisors”, each supervising a
regular weekly half-day session, managing their own teams of helpers and following all the opening/closing
procedures without requiring the presence of the Manager of Deputy Manager.
We continue to work with a team of half a dozen regular bakers, and we now have about the same number on the
soup rota making fresh soup every day. A standard payment is made for each batch of soup supplied to us. Many of
our cakes are donated to us, although perhaps a third are now bought at cost price from our kind bakers.
Our volunteers are a wonderful bunch – cheerful, industrious and with a real sense of service. At the risk of stating
the obvious, the Old Chapel simply could not function without them, and I think it is fitting to thank them all for their
hard work and for giving so generously of their time and effort to serve the village and make the Old Chapel project
successful.
Staffing the Old Chapel, however, remains our greatest problem; we still need more volunteers prepared to make a
regular commitment to the Old Chapel if we are to thrive.
Grants
In May 2014, the Howard Thompson Bequest generously awarded a grant of £1,000 towards buying and fitting a
new front door for the Old Chapel, adding to the grant of £500 awarded earlier by Alveley and Romsley Parish
Council. We are very grateful to both these benefactors. The new door was fitted in June 2014 and not only makes
the Old Chapel weather-proof, provides a proper emergency exit and lets more light in, but also, and most
importantly, allows people to see into the main room from the street and encourages them to come in.
Finances
A summary of the Old Chapel's accounts for 2014 is available on a separate sheet. The Chapel's full accounts have
been submitted for approval to Andrea Hirons, Treasurer of St Mary's, who will, in turn, submit them for audit to an
independent accounting body.
The Old Chapel made an net operating surplus of £2,966 in 2014.
Our main source of income is provided by the coffee shop (£10,773 in 2014) with additional sources from donations
(£1,417), lettings (£2,722), and the sale of second-hand books (£376). The average weekly takings of the coffee shop
in 2014 was £215 (compared to £148 in 2013); the average weekly cost of running the Chapel, including the coffee
shop's day-to-day expenses, was £62 (compared to £31 in 2013).
Our main expenses apart from the cost of running the coffee shop include paying our bills (telephone, broadband,
waste disposal etc.), licences (music), cleaning costs and loan repayment. Our operating profits have allowed us to
continue to buy all the equipment needed to run the Old Chapel.
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This year, we expect to spend much less on equipment, as most of what we need has now been purchased, and
much more on wages, as more cleaning hours are needed as business increases and, more significantly, we now
have a new paid Deputy Manager (see separate paragraph.)
Governance
“Ops Team”
The Old Chapel “Ops Team” continues to meet every 2 weeks but, since the Old Chapel started staying open for
lunch, has moved from Wednesday lunchtimes to Fridays. The Ops Team provides me with moral and practical
support in my role as manager, allows for discussion of any issues and helps me make decisions concerning the daily
running of the Old Chapel. . The team has grown since last year; its members are Alison Saad, Sally Page, Alison
Armstrong, Maggie McLeod, Hazel Leach, Pauline Bird, Angela Langer and Sue Hart. All meetings are open to anyone
who shares an interest in the Old Chapel and who would like to attend.
Constitution
The plan to establish the Old Chapel as an Association, with membership rules and officers elected to a governing
Committee at an Annual General Meeting, was deemed unworkable by the Manager and St Mary's PCC and was
abandoned in favour of maintaining the original structure of a PCC Committee with the Manager appointed by and
reporting to the PCC. A document entitled “Rules Governing the Management of Alveley Old Chapel” has been
drawn up and is available to anyone who would like to read it..
Deputy Manager
In January 2015, and in order to relieve some of the Manager's workload, it was decided to create the new, paid,
role of Deputy Manager. The role was offered to and accepted by Sally Page who has been closely involved with all
aspects of the Old Chapel since it first opened and who was considered perfectly suited to the job. The Deputy
Manager is self-employed and works from 8 to 15 hours a week, according to Old Chapel requirements. In addition
to her paid hours of employment, Sally continues to bake for the Old Chapel and to work as a volunteer one session
per week. I continue in my role of Manager, but volunteer in the coffee shop just one day a week instead of three. I
continues to do all the admin.
Prayer Meeting
Since the Old Chapel has been open at lunchtime, the fortnightly Wednesday lunchtime prayer meeting has joined
with the morning prayer meeting held in St Mary's church every Friday at 9am.
Garden
Since the gardening party organised by Alison Armstrong in March 2014 last year, the garden has blossomed and
bloomed. The lawn has grown until you can hardly see the joins between the turfed area at the top and the
different patches seeded at different times. Our thanks to Ian Warrington for mowing the lawn for us throughout
the growing season. The flower beds have been dug and cared for lovingly by Henry and Margaret Childs and we are
so grateful to them for caring for our garden as if it were their own and making it look so attractive. And our thanks
too go to Bill Watkins who made a lovely job of the fencing at the bottom of the garden.
The Historical Society have made a wonderful job of building their memorial garden in the top corner of the Old
Chapel grounds, with a path leading from the patio to the garden. It's a lovely place to sit quietly and enjoy the view.
A leaflet explaining all about the garden is available inside the Old Chapel.
Our thanks also go to Ann Graham who made us the most practical gift of a strong and sturdy picnic bench in
memory of her late husband, Ian. And to Mandy White and Pauline Bird for looking after our much admired tubs
and window boxes.
The garden has also seen the addition of a new storage shed, the cost of which was shared equally between the Old
Chapel and the Youth Group which meets on the premises every Monday evening during term time. Our thanks,
again, to Henry Childs for assembling and setting the shed up for us. In order to access the shed without getting our
feet wet and muddy, the patio was very skilfully extended by John Richards in January.
The overgrown hazel hedge along our boundary wall which had grown up into the overhead electricity cables was
cut back by Western Power Distribution in July, entirely at their cost.
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Community Bus
In response to a suggestion made by members of the public and to meet a perceived need, a community bus project,
funded by Alevely and Romsley Parish Council and operated by the Old Chapel, was trialled in September and
October 2014. A coach was hired to provide a highly subsidised return trip from Alveley to Bridgnorth town centre
on alternate Friday nights for any residents of Alveley and the surrounding area. Sadly, the project was abandoned
after 4 trips due to lack of passengers.
New Equipment
The Old Chapel has made a number of purchases of furnishings and equipment this year, including new café tables
and chairs, coffee tables, crockery and cutlery, kitchen equipment and a music system.
Other
The Old Chapel now has a subscription to a daily newspaper, available to all customers.
The Old Chapel supports the Bridgnorth Food Bank and has a collection box in the entrance hall for donations of
non-perishable groceries and household products.
In Conclusion
It's more than two years now since I took on my role as Manager of the Old Chapel. It's been a very busy two years
with a few ups and downs but, when I see what a wonderful place the Old Chapel is today, I can only say that all the
hard work has been worthwhile!
We still have unpredictable numbers of customers and the odd gap in volunteering, but trends are positive and new
people join us all the time. We earn enough money to pay our bills and buy what we need, and the building is used 5
days or more a week for different activities. There is a noisy buzz of chatter when we're busy and a quiet hum of
conversation when we're not. There is general jollity in the kitchen; lots of laughter; shared confidences and the odd
tear. The Old Chapel has established itself as a place to meet up with old friends and to make new ones. It's a place
where we hope everyone feels welcome.
One of the best things about the Old Chapel is that, although the building is owned by St Mary's, the project really
belongs to the village and the community as a whole. And although I've taken the lead these past two years, making
the Old Chapel what it is today really has been a team effort. Without all the wonderful support from volunteers
and visitors alike, the project would never have worked.
My initial commitment to the Old Chapel was for a period of two years, to volunteer whatever time and effort I
could to make it work. Although those two years are already at an end, I'm not about to abandon a project I've
worked so hard on and all the friends I've made doing it. I am, however, ready to step back a little and make room
for others from the village to step up and play a greater part in proceedings. Which is exactly what's happening.
With our new session supervisors and Sally Page as Deputy Manager, I've already begun to reduce my hours and
hand over some of the responsibility of running the Old Chapel. I am extremely grateful to them all and I'm sure
that, with their help and by God's grace, the excellent work of the Old Chapel will go on from strength to strength.
I thank God for blessing the Old Chapel and its work in countless ways, and for you who support and pray for us.
May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and may we be thankful.
Alison Saad
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New Life Nepal (NLN) Report for APCM 2015 – including New Life House (NLH) and New Life Clinic (NLC)
So we celebrate our 17th year of Alveley PCC officially linked and supporting first New Life House, then broadening to
New Life Nepal. The last 8 years we’ve been partnered by Barley Hill Church, Thame.
Annus Horribilis
The last 12 months have brought painful challenges to our sisters and brothers in Nepal, and our privilege and call
has also taken the form of walking with them through these, just as we do with one another here.
First, Bill Pryce (co-founder and ‘grandpa’ to the family) died on 7 May after continued wonderful lead, support and
frequent contact with Nepal through his time with cancer. Then Pratiraksha had her third UK visa application
refused – this time Gyanu being granted one, but of little use without Pratiraksha’s language and lead. Next, in
October came the worst blow, with the sudden and shocking death of Gyanu’s oldest daughter, Pratigya, in her early
thirties. Finally, Gyanu’s health has been troubled through worsening arthritis in her legs, compounded with chronic
kidney disease and grief-induced insomnia.
Through all this, they have assured us of the great help found through our prayers and contact, besides constantly
praying for us, especially in their 5am and 7pm family devotions.
The last few months have brought some welcome comfort in all this. First was the news of a baby due to Pratiksha
(the middle daughter) and Alan (in Nepal army for 3 more years). Then in the aftermath of Pratigya’s death, they
decided to move from Butwal (12 hours by road) to nearby. Finally, thanks to generous help of church members,
Alison and Nick were able to spend two weeks in Nepal in February – during which Alan and Pratigya arrived back
from hospital with two-week-old Gideon. It was Alison’s first trip to Nepal, having heard so much over the years
from Nick’s 8 and Tim’s 4 previous trips. One result for us as a couple is that it has become a personal commitment
rather than mainly a part of our ministry here: as it turns out a timely transition with our moving on in July.
Bigger Picture – Longer Story
Now 15 years after NLH opened, we’re starting to see the bigger picture of children’s lives, both in their longer story
and in their wider influence. Over the years, some have returned to distant relatives as circumstances of families
have improved – often remaining in contact and visiting NLH. Others there now will probably return to find work
with relatives once completing schooling, if their academic ability doesn’t merit further education beyond SLC
(School Leaving Certificate – their equivalent to GCSE). But it turns out that some of the brightest children are those
without known relatives – including Prawash (19), and Suraj (23), now working as Pharmacist & Lab Assistant
respectively in NLC. Prawash is also a gifted worship leader and musician, and Suraj runs much of the daily work in
NLH, including being a good cook and having an extraordinary care for the children of all ages. Other children
emerging with good academic ability and no family are Prashansha and Dilip. Please pray for them.
During our visit in February, Alison was greatly appreciated as a woman and mother to come alongside Gyanu in her
grief, taking a role for which Nick was clearly ill-equipped, despite all his previous visits. Alison was also able to build
friendships almost free from the inevitable element of neo-colonial inspector/provider role which tends to colour
our visits, since we have a responsibility also to those who give and pray for the work there. One lovely result was a
sense of security and openness, as we talked, cried and played together, and hopes and fears for the future aired. It
is clear that Pratiraksha has borne an unsustainable burden, not simply in the workload of her roles and
responsibilities (which we knew), but also in a need for prayerful fellowship in the Christian vision and direction of
NLH and especially NLC. The prayer and fellowship she shares with Prawash and Suraj in NLC needs a believing
Health Assistant (HA) to walk in step, taking some of her load; and eventually also a believing Doctor to be
committed full-time to the vision in medical, spiritual and social terms. Please pray for these, along with a believing
husband for Pratiraksha.
There are many possibilities for combinations of vocational training, roles in NLH and NLC, and added work or
training opportunity to the poor around them – including knitting, sewing, motorcycle maintenance, English
language classes, community health liaison, marketing links with KTS etc. But Nepal is not a place where detailed
plans tend to work: what we do need is a constant eye on the ball, persistent prayer, and funds in place to grasp
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opportunities as they arise. Towards this, our Education Fund (launched through the Kinver Rotary Club and Ian
Maddock’s liaison) will need to be rebuilt over the next 2-3 years.
Another aspect of the need for visits is maintenance of their buildings. Despite our encouragements, the family do
not easily feel confident to spend money beyond everyday costs, so there is a long list of maintenance needs we
have agreed for NLH and NLC – I feel like an Archdeacon overseeing a quinquennial inspection! The work has
already started, and during the visit we managed to replace broken water tank and refrigerator to great joy – with
money they already have. As their East boundary wall is beginning to need urgent repair, they will be rebuilding it 3
metres (10ft) further out, on land they bought a few years back. This will give welcome extra space for movement
and play around NLH.
UK Support – A Registered Charity at last.
The year has seen big changes on the Support Committee, including of course loss of Bill Pryce, but also Jean
Marshall’s handing on the Secretary role which she’s held faithfully since the start. We’re very grateful that she
continues to help in many practical ways, including sending the much valued birthday cards to NLH children each
year. Louisa Wassell (née Knowles) has taken up the mantle as secretary – having joined the Committee after her
Gap visit in 2009. Last Autumn, Bill’s daughter Barbara Pryce also joined, and is already bringing skills of her own,
especially in helping coordinate and inspire UK events, fundraising, publicity etc.
The other big change has been finally being granted registration as a UK Registered Charity (No 1158988), on 27
October 2014. This has no effect upon Alveley PCC’s or BHC Thame’s commitment or relationship with NLN, but it
does open new avenues of support, including some organisations which have been unable (through their rules) to
give through church accounts. John Raybould as NLN Support Trust Treasurer is leading us through the process of
transfer of all our accounting, and in parallel Pratiraksha and Gyanu have set up a new joint account in Dhangadhi to
allow smoother handling and reporting of finances. Meanwhile, as ever, the key role for PCC and church members is
in prayerful support, being interested in current news and needs, giving what you can and encouraging others to be
involved as they can.
So finally, this new status brings opportunity for a re-launch of the Trust and celebration of the last 16 years, both
here in Alveley on Sunday 17 May from 2.15pm and in Thame on Sunday 28 June. More information will be in a
colour spread in the May Parish Magazine. And if you have ideas for events or possible supporters, please let us
know, and please keep praying for Nepal and NLN. Further detail is covered in our Newsletters (July & December
2014, available on Links & Downloads tab at newlifenepal.org), and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/NewLifeNepalSupportTrust .
Nick Armstrong
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