Work has begun to install kitchen, WCs, new choir vestry and storage at the West End of St Mary’s Church – all set behind a beautiful, slightly curved oak screen. This is a key part of the “Building our Future” (BOF) project to enable our magnificent church building to be used by more people, more of the time.
Stonemasons have been on site in April, to move five memorials impacted by the works, and a specialist tile restorer has been repairing and restoring the Victorian tiled floor at that end of the building. The main building contractors, Savvy (who are also currently doing the works at Aynhoe Park and on the old Midland Bank site in Chipping Norton) are currently planning and undertaking preparatory work and are expected on site in May.
The works are anticipated to be completed by October. There will inevitably be some disruption on site during weekday daytime hours (not evenings or weekends) and we’ll do our best to navigate that. The West End of the church will be screened off and inaccessible day-to-day, though the South Door will remain usable, as will the remaining 80% of so of the building.
Getting to this point has involved a terrific fundraising effort (this is a £500k+ project stage). We are still fundraising for the final £75k or so; donations can be made by contacting the BOF Fundraising Fead, Richard Jones (richard.n.jones@btintemet.com).
A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to bring the project to this point. Thank you also to our donors and grant-givers, to congregation and community who have given so generously. We couldn’t have got here without you!
Please contact either of the BOF Project Co-Feads, Ian Myson (ian_myson@hotmail.com) or Jon Carlton (jonmgcarlton@aol.com), with any queries.