Following our Parish meeting on 8th October 2007, where parishioners were invited to identify immediate priorities for the coming year, we established the following working parties to invite interested parishioners together to see if we could come up with a plan as to how we would start meeting these needs.

Activities for the Elderly

The SVP exists. Weekly Bingo exists. A Christmas Party exists. However there are no other parish social or spiritual activities aimed at elderly parishioners. We will start to address this by appointing some organisers and identifying volunteers.

Progress so far: We have established a weekly walking group which is attracting between 10-12 people each week. The group walk for an hour, then have a light lunch and then walk back. It is proving very popular and social!

Consecrate the Church

The Church was opened and blessed by has never been consecrated, possibly because the custom was to wait until the building was paid for and the Parish was "debt-free" which we believe it is now. The floor is not solid, and there is no concrete plinth that would support a solid altar. It is believed that there is asbestos in the floor tiles, and therefore replacing them which is needed was always put on the back burner. We will start to progress this by assessing the work that needs to be done; finding out from the Archbishop what need to have completed in order to have the Church consecrated; obtain estimates for the floor; and assess the financial implications.

Progress so far: During Lent we started a Church decorating project in the sacristies and ancillary rooms at the rear of the Church. This is ongoing. We have also made an appeal for photographs and any information which would help us communicate to the parish the history of the buildings and their need to be completed, that is consecrated!

Disabled Access and Toilet

The Parish has been talking about a Disabled Toilet for over three years now. It is a statutory requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act. There are also other
disabled access issues which should be addressed. Initial plans have been drawn up for a disabled toilet in the Hall, and building regs permission sought and obtained. As yet there is no professional (architect or surveyor) involved. Approx. £8,000 has been earmarked for this from the Siena Group, but more funds may be required. We are forming a
working party to make this happen. The steps are: Get a disability access report done on the parish facilities; review the plans and engage a suitable professional to oversee them; and finally raise the required funds.

Progress so far:

Engaging Young People

A youth club (9-13) existed in the past but has folded. There were difficulties in the past in finding enough parental supervision. Christmas Parties, Discos and fun nights have been organised which were quite successful. We will start to address this by researching types of youth groups in other parishes; finding out what resources we have in our own parish; researching youth membership of the Church to discover the ages and numbers of young people present; organise a family fun night; a trip. We will make contact with a diocesan Youth Leader to address the working party and parents, and possibly then form a permanent youth committee.

Progress so far: We organised a highly successful family party for the beginning of Lent, and have two further events planned for Father's Day and Halloween. We have obtained materials from the Young Christian Workers group on their programme YCW Impact for 13-17 year olds, and are now in the process of recruiting adult accompaniers.

Parish Communications

Our Parish is not very visible in the local community. Parish information booklet is out of date. Modern methods of communicating are not well used. Parishioners often do not know who is responsible for each parish activity. We will start to address this by performing a survey of all activities within the parish and working on publishing a new parish information booklet.

Progress so far: An Organagram of all parish activities and groups has been compiled and is displayed in the Church Porch. The parish website has been updated and we are beginning to gather and communicate more information on each group within the parish. A survey of group members and leader has been started but is not complete. The newsletter is now emailed to 120 parishioners each week.

Planning Maintenance

A small but dedicated group has been responsible for Maintenance. The gardening is mostly done by two people. We need to plan the layout of the gardens and grounds to minimise the maintenance required. General maintenance has not been as regular as it needs to be. We will start to address this by advertising for people for a gardening team, getting a survey done of the Church property; deciding on priority items; and communicating the financial implications to the Parish.

Progress so far: A meeting of those involved has indicated that there is a lot of smaller items that need to be addressed. We are currently obtaining quotes for re-painting and possibly replacing the outside woodwork and the Church windows.