Coffee Cake & Carols
Pictures by Gillian Day
On 11th December a celebration was held to mark the completion of the first phase of renovation of the Church Hall, and to thank the many contributors. The new roof and re-wiring has made the place a warmer, cosier venue for many community groups.
Some of the £42,900 was raised by the local community, including £500 from the family and friends of Walter and Margaret who made donations instead of gifts for their 60th wedding anniversary.
Walter & Margaret cut their thank you cake
The Veolia Environmental Trust awarded a grant of £29,109 through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding also came from Leicestershire County Council, the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, Hickinbotham Charitable Trust, Florence Turner Trust, Maud Elkington Charitable Trust, Allchurches Trust Ltd, J R Corah Foundation Fund, Edith Murphy Foundation and the Appleby Inn Hotel.
Professor Andrew Porteous of Veolia Trust (second from left) pictured with the team who masterminded the renovations, including church warden Pauline Bee on the right
The hall was built in 1845 and was originally a Church of England school. In 1962, the congregation bought it from Leicester Diocesan Board of Education and so the hall continues to be at the heart of the community. Over the years, it has been improved and modified, with the addition of toilets and updating of the kitchen.
Time had taken its toll on the building’s roof, letting in draughts and rain. Buckets were needed at hand to catch the leaks. The roof replacement was done by Lychgate Homes of Ashby de la Zouch. They stripped it back, repaired damaged supports, re-layed reclaimed tiles and added extra insulation. Local electrician John Passey completed phase 1 by re-wiring the building.
Revd Karen Thomas, vicar of St Michael's and All Angels, Appleby Magna, with church warden Pauline Bee who coordinated the project