The beech tree suffering from Meripilus Gaganteus in Thornton churchyard has now been felled much to everyone’s relief.
The storms of late November caused some anxiety, but all is safely sorted now.
Beddow Tree Specialists, a very caring and conscientious company, did an excellent job, taking great care to avoid any damage to the remaining headstones and surrounding trees by lowering each branch using a pulley system.
We were really worried about how the cost of all the work involved would be met but the generosity of local people has been lovely and very encouraging. Thank you everyone.
At the time of writing, we have £1,850 towards the costs.
In May I applied to the Jack Patston Charitable Trust for help with the cost of the Death Watch Beetle treatment. I really didn’t think they would be able to help, but last week we received a cheque for £2,500 (half the cost). And Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have recently given us a grant of £6,238 to help with the cost of the roof repair after the thieves stole the lead in 2019 and the recent stonework repairs to the church to stop the ingress of water. This represents half the cost. I can’t tell you how relieved we all are. Thank you.
During the month of November alone we have accumulated bills amounting to over £14,000, what with the tree works, stonework repairs, maintenance and monitoring costs for the roof alarm, and the maintenance of the heating system.
The Christmas Craft Fayre was an amazing day. We had so many people supporting this event that we ran out of raffle tickets, tombola prizes and Martins quiz sheets.
The only things we did not run out of were happiness and enthusiasm. This after the day not starting off so well as Father Christmas had to walk to the Community Centre. Gemini, the steam engine bringing him, very sadly was poorly at the last minute. The good news is that Colin her owner quickly diagnosed the problem, and she is back in full working order. By the time Father Christmas arrived he already had an excited queue of children waiting to visit him in his grotto.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported this amazing day. Stall holders, your stalls looked great, full of beautiful items many of which were handcrafted. Thank you. And thank you to everyone that pitched in to help with so many of the jobs. You are all wonderful.
We raised an amazing £1,590. Every penny of this goes towards the cost of maintaining and improving our beautiful, ancient church.
We are hoping that we have very few demands on money over the next couple of years as we are really hoping that the plans for a vertical lift into church and the creation of a comfortable multi-use area will come to fruition soon. We know this will be costly but have every faith that the funds will become available through grants, fund raising and generosity.
I am hoping for no more bees, leaks, beetles, poorly trees, thieves or any other problems!
We wish you all a joy filled and peaceful Christmas and 2022. Stay well and safe.
By Shirley Garlick (churchwarden) and all at St Peter’s church
Published in the Herald – December 2021
Thornton 