Summer 2023 Update
Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to attract a very remarkable number of speakers to our annual general meetings both in terms of quality and range. From actors to architects, bishops to bankers; all have given us an insight into their own lives and what these beautiful churches mean to them. This year’s AGM was no exception and we were all enchanted by Dame Joanna Lumley’s address. Not only did she find time to fit us into her busy schedule but when we discovered that our original chosen date had been taken by the Palace for the Coronation, she re-arranged her diary to accommodate us. As it happened, we were blessed with considerably better weather than on Coronation Day and the sun shone on a hugely enjoyable afternoon at All Saints, Lydd. I am delighted to be able to tell you that following the meeting, Dame Joanna graciously accepted our invitation to become a Vice-President of the Trust and we look forward to many years association with her. Once again, my thanks go to all those who give so much of their time to ensure the day’s success; in particular to Elizabeth Marshall for organising the lunch and also to Joan and David Campbell who made the long trek from Hampshire to run our Christmas card stand for the umpteenth year.
In our Annual Report, I referred to the healthy state of the Trust’s finances; we now have the ability to make grants in any one year of £100,000 or more and with the ever increasing cost of building works – both materials and labour – I believe we need a substantial war chest to cope with both the expected and unexpected. As I have said in the past, the churches are now in pretty good condition but there is always more that could and should be done.
So far this year, our grants have been relatively modest with sums mainly in the range of £2,000 to £5,000 for general repairs to Ivychurch, East Guldeford, Burmarsh and Dymchurch. The exceptions have been £10,000 each, or a little over to Snargate for roof repairs and to Snave for general maintenance, including insurance. Further applications are in the pipeline and as ever, we stand ready to support the churches we care for.
Whilst the Fifth Continent Project has largely come to an end, I am delighted that Didier Rochard, our principal contact with the Project, has been able to find time to join us on a consultancy basis with the specific objective of improving our website and making it rather more user-friendly. He has been working on expanding the news content with more information on the grants we make as well as improving the links between pages. He has also been busy redesigning some of our literature and membership leaflets.
Those of us involved with the Trust today are acutely aware and recognise that the future of the Trust lies not with us but with future generations who will be the trustees of tomorrow. Nevertheless it is our responsibility to ensure that interest in the Marsh and its churches is maintained and we are keen to engage in a whatever way we can with schools and other community organisations. The Marsh Mosaics Project which was completed last year was a good example of engagement and a great success too and we would welcome other initiatives that will encourage greater involvement. The churches must remain lively and vibrant and not become museum exhibits!
Our annual Thanksgiving Service at St Augustine Snave will be at 3pm on Sunday 10 September and all Members and friends are most welcome. Once again, former Chairman, Nick Hudd, will provide his redoubtable group of singers, to whom we are hugely grateful. Finally, and also at Snave, The Latin Mass Society will be returning for their traditional service on Saturday 23 September.
Some of you will be aware that Heather Maple has taken over as Membership Secretary and enclosed with my Newsletter is a brief introduction from her and asking if those of you who are comfortable being contacted by email could let Heather have your contact details. Please do take a moment to contact her if you are.
Finally, and I know it is difficult to think of Christmas cards in the height of summer but our usual order form for cards is included with this Newsletter. We have three new cards this year – a snow scene from a watercolour by our ever young and effervescent President, John Doyle, and from two photographs by David Campbell: an internal shot of the Angels in St Mary’s East Guldeford and a lovely photograph of the daffodils at St Eanswith, Brenzett a reminder that whilst there is a winter to get through first, spring will not be far behind.
Peter Anwyl-Harris.
Chairman
