Church Tower Repairs
Many of you will be aware that we are working hard to raise the funds necessary to repair the church tower. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us with our fundraising events - our band of willing volunteers is much appreciated.
The update on progress so far is as follows: the current cost stands at £70,684 + VAT of which we have so far raised just over £34,000. We have held numerous fundraising events and have benefitted from both business and personal donations. Our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was turned down but we may try another application, this time requesting a smaller amount.
However, thanks to the help of Laura Emmins from Historic England (through the Taylor Review) we have been made aware of a number of charitable trusts which can be approached for help with our type of funding needs. Among these are several major charities which require 50% of the cost to have been raised before they will consider an application, so we need to make an all-out effort to reach this magic halfway mark when circumstances allow.
The 2020 pandemic has severely limited our ability to raise funds. The flower festival, open gardens, coffee mornings, all have been cancelled. In addition, there are restrictions on when the work can be done because of the presence of bats but, funds permitting, we hope that the tower will be repaired during the next twelve months.
If you feel you would be able to make a donation towards our fund, you can make a cheque payable to “Campsea Ashe Rector and Churchwardens” and mail it to our Treasurer, Harold Thompson at The Old Rectory, Station Rd, Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge, IP13 0PU.
Jane Slade and Glenys Fear