Churchwardens' Chat

Our Verger, Ken Russell is ‘borrowing’ this page this month

Several church members have asked how we are progressing with the fund raising for refurbishment to the south door and external statues so this would seem to be a good opportunity to bring you up to date.

We were very fortunate to recently receive a generous donation of £3,000 from the Essex Heritage Trust and this brings the total donations so far to £8,600. Yes, it is a lot of money but it is still less than 50% of the total sum required of £17,964 to complete this essential work.

To date we have sent out some seventy letters and grant applications but only seven positive replies have been received. Not a lot but we have to recognise that there are many other organisations seeking similar help and funds are not limitless.

Apart from the Essex Heritage Trust grant, the other six we have received are: Mercers Company (£2,500), Alan Evans Trust (£1,000), Maldon District Council (£1,000), Jill Franklin Trust (£500), Friends of All Saints (£500) and Butler Trust (£100). We have also received £1000 from the pupils of the Plume School which was raised from a non uniform day and has been donated for the refurbishment of the Dr Thomas Plume statue.

If you feel you could help with a donation towards this worthy cause, however small, please contact the Churchwardens or me; if you are in a position to gift aid your donation then this would be even better.

Ken Russell, Verger.