Town Talk
A CHURCH in Snodland is trying to raise almost £60,000 for new heating and is approaching grant-making trusts and local businesses for help. Jonathan Overell, of Birling Road,
one of the fundraisers, explained: “We have inadequate heating in Christ Church and we have been ad- vised that the hot air blower we have used in the past will cause damage to the fabric of the church. “The fixed pews currently in place restrict disabled access and accom- modation and their presence would increase the difficulty and cost of heating work. We are hoping to re- move the pews, replace them with
Local news for Snodland and Halling Hot air blower is damaging fabric of church
Fixed pews add to cost of heating work
stackable chairs and install a new boiler and central heating system.” Replacing the pews with chairs will increase the flexibility of space so that it can be used more easily by a wider range of church and commu- nity organisations than is currently possible. “Adjacent to Christ Church is our church hall, itself in need of major re- furbishment,” Jonathan continued. “We hope to undertake that work
within the next three years and while it is in progress we would like to be able to offer Christ Church as an al- ternative venue for the many groups which use the hall, such as Rain-
Floral farewell to valued school governors
TWO Foundation Governors at the Church of England Primary School, Snodland, have re- tired and were thanked and presented with certificates and flowers by the chairman, Tim Groves, and colleagues. Ida Bellchambers, of Recreation Avenue,
Retiring governors Ida Bellcham- bers and Helen Comber.
had been involved with the school for almost 50 years – as a parent, PTA chairman, meals supervisor, secretary, clerk to the governors and governor. Now aged 83 she thought the time was right to retire. “There is a lot more bureaucracy now and more is expected of a governor”, she said. Helen Comber was a governor for 12 years, representing All Saints Church and Christ Church. She works as an assistant to the clerk of Snodland Town Council, Shirley Hunter, and cannot now give the time needed to the governor’s role.
Beating the Bounds ONLY a dozen people turned up to “Beat the Bounds” – the ancient ritual which used to be performed by officials assisted by parishioners armed with sticks, beating the boundaries so local people were aware of them. The modern version, the Snodland boundary
walk, was organised by the town council and led by Dave Keeley, a member of the town and Ton- bridge and Malling borough councils.
bows, Brownies, Mums and Toddlers, a keep-fit class and youth club.” “We have mooted taking the pews
out and one or two people objected but the vast majority think it is a good thing.” About £25,000 has been raised so
far towards the target of £56,850. Be- cause it is not a listed building a number of grants are not available but some grants are in the pipeline and the aim is to be ready in time for winter.
Jonathan asked that if anybody
could help financially would they con- tact the Rector, the Rev Hugh Broad- bent on 01634 240232.
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