From the Pen of Rev Steve
Recent copies of the minister's letters from Rev Steve.
These are reproduced from the monthly Newsletter.
November 2024: A New Community Garden
As most of you will be aware for some months we have been considering making alterations to the outside area next to the hall. The paving stones had become a potential trip hazard, and were not enhancing the general look of the area. The finance and property group had gained a price for re-laying the paving but the quote was around £10,000. As a committee we struggled with justifying that outlay, and the church council agreed. However Ken Rothwell who was at the time our treasurer suggested an exploration into the use of the space for a community garden instead. Again with the church council's blessing we enlisted the skills of a local garden designer in Denise Lyon. Denise was the designer and project manager of the community garden at Budleigh Salterton Methodist church, and if anyone has visited that new facility you will know what a success it has been.
Sidmouth church council commissioned a small working party to oversee the design stage of our garden. Whilst three designs were provided the preferred option was unanimously agreed by the group. The design includes an avenue of planting either side of a central walkway and incorporates the existing garden into the scheme. The planting is predominantly made up of green and white colours with some medium sized olive trees, raised planters throughout and seating interspersed in the area. In addition there will be a water feature, lighting and a mosaic on the ground that will incorporate a dove of peace design. It is anticipated that the local high school art students will be approached to submit designs for this part of the project.
The proposed budget for the scheme was between 20,000 - 25,000. However because of the addition of lighting, a water feature, and the tight access to the site that figure was unrealistic. Therefore when the builder priced the scheme, with additions for contingencies it came in at £36,000. Despite the increased cost the church council on 10th October approved the scheme. The project has been entered onto the Methodist Consents website in order that it can hopefully gain the approval of the circuit, district and Connexion. It is intended that the scheme will be paid for by taking £22,000 from the churches reserves, we will approach the circuit for a grant in the region of £7,000, and we will seek further local funding and other grants from the remainder. This is not a small amount of money but the church council believed that this fits with our mission of connecting with the community more. It will be labelled as a community peace garden and the whole town will be encouraged to use the area. Peace can be elusive and to provide a space of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle can be championed here.
We have been raising funds for this project for some months now, especially at the Calm and Candles events facilitated by John McGregor, but we would appreciate your help in lifting this figure further. It is anticipated that a gift day will appear in the not-too-distant future, where we can perhaps buy a tree, a water feature or a planter. Further details of this will follow soon, but if you wish to make a donation prior to that date, then please mark it down as a “Community Peace Garden” donation.
We will make sure that designer drawings are made available on the notice board. This is an exciting scheme, and hopefully we can all look forward to seeing the waste area to the side of the church hall become an asset for the church and wider community. If you wish to ask any specific question then please speak to myself, or the other members of the sub-committee, Christine Hemingway, John Christmas and Graham Booker
Every Blessing
Steve
Sidmouth church council commissioned a small working party to oversee the design stage of our garden. Whilst three designs were provided the preferred option was unanimously agreed by the group. The design includes an avenue of planting either side of a central walkway and incorporates the existing garden into the scheme. The planting is predominantly made up of green and white colours with some medium sized olive trees, raised planters throughout and seating interspersed in the area. In addition there will be a water feature, lighting and a mosaic on the ground that will incorporate a dove of peace design. It is anticipated that the local high school art students will be approached to submit designs for this part of the project.
The proposed budget for the scheme was between 20,000 - 25,000. However because of the addition of lighting, a water feature, and the tight access to the site that figure was unrealistic. Therefore when the builder priced the scheme, with additions for contingencies it came in at £36,000. Despite the increased cost the church council on 10th October approved the scheme. The project has been entered onto the Methodist Consents website in order that it can hopefully gain the approval of the circuit, district and Connexion. It is intended that the scheme will be paid for by taking £22,000 from the churches reserves, we will approach the circuit for a grant in the region of £7,000, and we will seek further local funding and other grants from the remainder. This is not a small amount of money but the church council believed that this fits with our mission of connecting with the community more. It will be labelled as a community peace garden and the whole town will be encouraged to use the area. Peace can be elusive and to provide a space of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle can be championed here.
We have been raising funds for this project for some months now, especially at the Calm and Candles events facilitated by John McGregor, but we would appreciate your help in lifting this figure further. It is anticipated that a gift day will appear in the not-too-distant future, where we can perhaps buy a tree, a water feature or a planter. Further details of this will follow soon, but if you wish to make a donation prior to that date, then please mark it down as a “Community Peace Garden” donation.
We will make sure that designer drawings are made available on the notice board. This is an exciting scheme, and hopefully we can all look forward to seeing the waste area to the side of the church hall become an asset for the church and wider community. If you wish to ask any specific question then please speak to myself, or the other members of the sub-committee, Christine Hemingway, John Christmas and Graham Booker
Every Blessing
Steve
From the Pen of Rev Steve
For some months we have been considering making alterations to the outside area next to the hall ...