St Mary's Amport - Church Development

Faculty Granted. Readers will remember that the PCC has resolved to make St Mary's more usable to the people of Amport and the school, and to take forward the recommendations of the 2004 Quinquennial Inspection for repairs and restoration. The faculty to rebuild the porch and reorder the nave was approved by the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Winchester on 4 August 2005, to be completed within 24 months or such further period as the Court may allow. The planning application to TVBC for the porch rebuild only will now be submitted, not being needed for the interior. 

Action Plan. At the meeting of 2 August, the PCC resolved unanimously to reorder the nave in January 2006 by removing the pews placed there in the 1860s, when the major restoration and extension took place, and replacing them with chairs or moveable oak pews. A display of the seating options available will be placed at the back of the church, and the decision taken at the next PCC meeting in October. The floor will be lowered to make it flush throughout, and carpeted. Planning consent from TVBC is not needed. Whilst several thousand pounds worth of urgent repairs already have been carried out, the rebuilding of the porch and other repairs will take place over the next few years as funds become available. 

Fundraising. Planning for fundraising has started, and the Lord Lieutenant, the Bishop of Basingstoke and Sir George Young have agreed to be patrons. A fundraising advisory group was set up earlier in the year, and already there is enthusiasm, with parishioners putting forward ideas for raising money beyond the annual needs. The Standing Committee soon will submit a business plan and fundraising strategy to the PCC, and the title may be named "The Lily Appeal" - this flower being a symbol of St Mary, and appearing on the Churchyard Gate, and the themes will be for "Community and Heritage". Plans will include improvements for lighting and sound, for use at future productions and events, and we hope that the school and the village will find St Mary's more useful. 

Garden of Rest. Mrs Val Aisher, a garden designer and resident, with Mrs Jane Morrison in support, submitted sketches to the PCC, whose members resolved that the work would be done this winter and planting in the spring. A letter with copies of the sketches has been sent to the relatives for their comments, and a working party will carry out the preparatory work, once permission has been given by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.