Snippets from the PCC Meeting – 16th December 2025
The PCC meeting on 16th December was held in church and among the matters discussed were:
Wheelchair access
We are fortunate that, unlike many churches and other public buildings, there are no steps on the path from the High Street or at the entrance. This means that those in wheelchairs or with prams can get into the church. As most of it is on the level they can access most of the church.
There is, however, a step to get into the Lady Chapel and also one to get into the chancel. We are going to get a ramp, which will be moveable, to enable someone in a wheelchair to get into the Lady Chapel and participate more easily in those services and events which are held there.
Annual Church Meeting
The date of the annual meeting has been fixed for Sunday, 31st May, after the morning service. It is open to everyone and is an opportunity to find out what the PCC and others have been doing and what their plans are for the future. There is also the opportunity to ask questions.
It is also when churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives and PCC members are elected. Please think about whether you – or someone you know- could serve the church by taking on one of those roles. As the meeting is some months away there is time to find out what’s involved and consider it.
Mission Action Plan and North Aisle Project
As it is four months since the current Mission Action Plan was formally adopted, the PCC reviewed progress on the various aims and actions included in it. On most of them progress is being made – and in some cases very good progress – but there is one area where progress has stalled: the North Aisle project.
The aim was to submit the formal faculty application by last October but before that the Diocesan Advisory Committee had to provide formal advice (and effectively approval).
The plans had been considered by the DAC and they had made various suggestions and they were revised to take account of these.
The DAC had reservations regarding choice of heaters and encouraged the parish to seek advice from a DAC heating adviser. It took several months to make contact with the adviser and it is only recently that our architect has been able to work on a revised specification which takes account of that advice. This has created a delay of at least nine months in being able to submit a formal faculty application. Hopefully we will be able to do that in the summer.
PCC members
The members of the PCC are: Rev Merry Smith (Vicar), Philip Sims (vice chairman), Tony Ainsworth, lain Coleman, Milly Colin-Stokes, Geoffrey Dann, Barbara Dias, Henry lbberson, Steve Jones, Clive Pendrell, Alan Smith, Dorothy Steel, Graham Tritton and Tracey Williams.