Held on 05/12/2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the church.
4. Minutes of previous meeting
9 a. 'Help Make Poverty History'.
Stanley
opened the meeting with a prayer and Thea took the chair.
Present Gillian
Crease Wendy
Cartwright Richard Dingley Sylvia
Dingley Chris
Green Tricia
Heckbert Colette
Jeff |
GC WC RD SD CG TH
CJ |
Present- contd. Thea
Oliver Stanley
Price Victor
Skinner Lorne
Talbot Apologies/Absent John
Cartwright |
TO SP VS LT JC |
Our
potential buyer presented his findings on the history of the font, backed up by
photographs and a contemporary Year Book. He has concluded that this is almost
certainly the work of Henry Burgess, not originally intended for Draycott but
probably gifted to it when Winscombe church had no need of it.
We asked him a number of
questions, and there was a lively discussion.
We
thanked him for giving us so much of his time and for presenting his findings
in such an interesting manner.
Minutes
of 25/10/2005 meeting were agreed as accurate with minor corrections.
(not covered in Agenda)
from minutes previous to 25/10/05
6 f (moving boiler controls). Has been done.
from minutes of 25/10/05
6 a. (Chancel decoration quotes) Mr. Chedburn has
put us in touch with one contractor who may be able to do the painting. RD has
contacted another one and will meet him in the church on the 6th. It
is a big job and quite specialised- there are 32 panels and they need
preparation, before painting with a suitable distemper-type paint. We must
choose the person who is most competent for the job and not necessarily the
cheapest.
Motion: we should choose the best
person for the job (in the churchwardens’ and architect’s judgement). Proposed: TO. Seconded: WC. All agreed.
ACTION: RD to progress the matter.
6 b. (Kiev accordion concert). Done- it is in Igor’s
diary.
6 c. (Magazine distribution lists). It was too much
work to write on every bundle each time, but a list is now available at the
back of the church.
RD:
a distributor is needed for The Street in the next 2 months. TO volunteered to
do this delivery.
6 d. (Toilet seat). Lorne will sort this out.
6 e. (Church linen). Not done yet. NB. we don’t use
what Heather has already made for us. We were not clear about what this was or
where to find it all.
ACTION: CG to ask Heather to look it
out.
6 f. (Kettle). Not yet done. ACTION: WC volunteered to buy one.
6 g. (Waste bin notice). Done.
6 h. (Charities group). Still need to do this. ACTION: TO will announce in church.
7 f. (Action on font). We need some time to reflect
on what our prospective purchaser has told us.
ACTION: on agenda for next PCC.
7 j. (Diocesan synod report for newsletter). Not
done.
7 k. (Moving gravestones). Not done- mornings too
wet. May need to wait until spring.
For information (given by RD here):
Stanley's term of office is due to end next year, on Maundy Thursday. The churchwardens have asked Stanley to stay on as incumbent for a further term, and he has agreed. The archdeacon also supports his reappointment and would like to be here in person, although this would not be possible on or near the start date.
Can we arrange for the LMG to meet here so that the licensing can be done? Mothering Sunday was proposed, and agreed by the meeting.
The PCC expressed their pleasure at Stanley's continuation as our vicar.
ACTION: RD to write to secretary of LMG with invitation.
Other business
Historic Churches Preservation
Trust require an annual collection. Do the PCC agree?
Proposed: SP. Seconded: CG. All agreed.
Joan Smith has said that she cannot continue to clean the church, a duty that she has undertaken for many years.
ACTION: CG to write her a letter of thanks from the PCC.
NB
. remaining time was short, so we concluded business as quickly as possible-
several items were deferred.
No-one has volunteered yet. Tricia, Vic both agreed to do extra duties as required. Thea thanked them.
There is not going to be a Cheddar Valley course next year. RD has circulated everyone with an invitation to the Passover supper, that was to be the end session of any course we carried out. What should we do?
The meeting agreed we should go ahead with a course of our own choosing, and invite other churches to participate.
ACTION: the Bible study group to come up with some ideas to put before the PCC.
CG announced the intention of the Bible Study Group to continue next year, probably with a study of St. Paul (corrected later- we had actually agreed to the Acts of the Apostles). The PCC gave this their approval.
Deferred.
Christmas services are all planned.
The Tree
Festival has all been organised by Tricia Corrick & Linda Whittle.
ACTION: CG to write letter thanking
them.
The numbers of people have not increased, but there may be different people. Next one: New Year's Day. There is due to be a baptism that day. It is also an international day for human rights. Stanley will organise something.
It was suggested that there could be 3 more months of non-Eucharistic services, and we would then review the idea. NB. we should not rule out alternative Eucharistic services, such as our successful Iona one.
Steve Wall
was approached over other jobs to be carried out whilst we have the scaffolding
in place. One is the wire whip for the bell-rope.
ACTION: Steve Wall will inspect,
order and replace this whilst the scaffolding is there.
The internal scaffolding will not come down in time for Christmas.
Communion: during Advent, possibly for longer- will take place in the Nave.
(Deferred).
(see separate summary)
This week we received £24,000 from English Heritage. We paid bills from West Country Tiling and Chedburn.
Does the
diocese still receive monies from the German War Graves Commission for
maintenance of two iron crosses in St. Peter's graveyard? They have not been
touched for years.
ACTION: CG to write letter of enquiry
to DBF.
The meeting thanked Wendy for her hard work.
Victor has applied for a lottery license for our annual draw next year.
(RD reported). A group has been started at Axbridge to create some local initiatives in support of the 'Make Poverty History' campaign. The inaugural meeting took place on December 3rd and was attended by our MP (who opened it) and our MEP (who closed it). The Mayor of Axbridge is on the steering committee. From our parishes, Nikki Devitt and Richard Dingley were there.
There were a number of presentations including an excellent one from Christian Aid.
There will be a planning meeting in January/February to identify projects for local support. RD suggested that a contact location in the 3rd world could be the Nepalese village where Lois works, as she is in effect our own local representative and link.
ACTION: This is a group we should support. Make sure that we are represented in future meetings and activities.
(reminder from RD: there is a prayer meeting at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the behest of the LMG).
SP asked if we could open the church again, now we have moved the boiler controls. Helen Higgs would be willing to lock and unlock the church again as before.
It was decided that we would do it in the new year after the scaffolding is down- it is currently too dangerous.
(to discuss at next meeting).
SP announced that he has started a prayer meeting, to take place in church at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings, open to all. His weekday rota will be a half day on Tuesday, and all Wednesday.
Next PCC meeting: Tuesday 17th January at 7:30 in the church.
Talk from prospective purchaser of font- 27th February suggested.
The meeting was closed by SP with a prayer.