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Church Re-ordering : 4. 2006 Review

A re-ordering team was formed under the 2006/07 PCC, made up of both PCC and non-PCC members. Much has been done by the team to look at the plans which were drawn up in 1999 and to look to our current and future needs. In consultation with the church architect, some amendments to the plans were made to address previous issues and to produce a visionary plan of how the inside of our church building can be made to better suit our needs both now and into the future. These proposed plans were presented to the PCC on Monday 13th November and were approved to go forward to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for scrutiny and, from there, to be consulted upon by the congregation.

About the amended plans

It remains our belief that our church building should be able to say something about who we are as a church. We continue to work on the principles of accessibility for all, environmental responsibility, and flexibility.

For those who have been following the process so far you will notice a number of changes to the plans originally presented to the PCC and the Annual Church Meeting. This is thanks to consultation with the Diocesan Advisory Committee and suggestions from church members. We now believe we have addressed most of the practical, liturgical and ideological issues raised with us. However, we remain open to questions and issues which anyone has to raise.

A booklet has been prepared and is available at the back of church and from the Parish Office giving full details of the plans, and including the required Statement of Significance (explaining what about the church building is significant) and the Statement of Need (explaining our need for changes to be made).

The Re-ordering Team

And Funding it?

For those who are wondering how much the reordering will cost and how it will be paid for, the cost (at 2009 prices) is presently estimated at £490,000 . The PCC has agreed to provide £450,000 from its Enhancement Fund, with the rest being raised from parishioners. Although reordering has been talked about for several years now, no efforts have yet been made to raise the funds. £40-£50,000 in a year or two is quite a tall order, though a lot less than St Matthias Church, Burley, raised for their reordering. So get ready for auction sales, concerts, sponsored parachute jumps, and other fund-raising events! All ideas (and contributions!) welcome.

Have Your Say: Contributions for the Magazine on any aspect of reordering (for or against) will also be welcome.

Page 1 ... Page 2... Page 3 ...Page 4...Latest News Interactive Plan (Revised for new proposals)

We do urge you to look at the full plan details in the booklet, but here is a list of all the changes that are now planned (working from the front of the church)

• Retaining choir pews with front choir pews movable to allow flexibility while retaining look and feel of chancel area in keeping with High Altar. (During nave services choir to be seated to side of nave platform.)

•  Creation of a raised stone platform at the front of the nave (1 step height) with a movable altar and ambo (reading stand).

•  Removal of the pulpit (retaining the figure of St Chad ).

•  Glassing in of the Chapel of Our Lady and Saint Oswald to provide a more intimate worship space and meeting space.

•  Levelling of the nave floor to make the whole area one level, with the installation of underfloor heating and additional supplementary heating to replace current radiators.

•  Replacement of current pews by movable seating (chairs or modular pews), with special furniture being relocated elsewhere in the building so it is not lost.

•  Creation of an entrance lobby in glass to provide a larger, draught-proof, welcoming space.

•  Full ramped access to the main entrance to the building.

•  Installation of 3 new toilets and a kitchen in what is currently the baptistery area (in addition to the disabled toilet already approved).

•  Moving of the stone font forward into the back of the nave.

•  Glassing in of the crèche area (one full bay).

•  Installation of a new flexible, economic and practical lighting scheme and media desk.

•  Installation of two fixed, swing-away projection screens behind chancel pillars.

•  No phasing of work – to be achieved in one (lower cost, avoids possibility of getting halfway and losing momentum).

Abbie Palmer, Convenor of the Reordering Team