August 2003 Dear Friends, You will no doubt have heard by now that the family and I are to leave St Peter’s this autumn. I have been offered the position of incumbent of St Oswald’s, Netherton in the Liverpool Diocese and have felt it right to accept. We will no doubt have time to reflect on the past 6 years in the next few weeks, but I do wish to record my thanks and love to everyone for their support throughout this time. Not only have the church buildings been improved, but also spiritually the place has developed too. As I said making the announcement on Sunday, I will preach in a few weeks time on how the call to move on and my acceptance of Netherton happened. Particularly, how set bible passages so often seemed to speak directly to me. I have preached often on the need to listen to God and be ready to act and this is what I firmly believe I am being called to at present. Netherton itself is quite a contrast to Onchan. It is on the north edge of Liverpool by the junctions of the M57 and M58. Developed as a new town for Bootle in the 1950’s it is predominantly council housing, but in recent years a lot of new private housing has been built which is making the character of the place change. The church itself is a former primary school, very much a community church. Within the walls there is a worship centre, hall, meeting rooms, offices and a workshop for the disabled. The population of the parish is 18,000 (the largest in the Liverpool Diocese) and Sunday attendance is normally about 70. There will also be a full time Curate, Reader, retired priest and parish secretary there, together with a church school next door. This news has come as a shock to many people, but we pray that everyone will understand and recognise God’s hand in it all. Please support Les and the warden’s who will have to take on extra responsibilities through the coming months. It is also time to re affirm what you believe God is asking St Peter’s to be in Onchan and to seek a vicar who will help develop that vision. Our final Sunday is 19th October and the induction in Netherton is on Saturday 15th November at 2pm. In closing may I once again say how much we have enjoyed our time both in Onchan and on the Island. We thank God for the privilege of being called to serve here for the past 10 or so years. Yours in Christ, Nick Wells A NEW KITCHEN FOR THE PARISH HALL. WHY? It doesn't seem long since the hall got a new kitchen. Yes you're right it doesn't seem that long does it. So why a new kitchen then? Well over the years hygiene regulations/standards change and we have to comply besides which, more use of the kitchen is made now. O.K. but the whole kitchen? Yes I'm afraid so. The walls need tiling throughout, the ceiling needs replacing, non-slip flooring is needed, the sinks aren't deep enough now, a separate wash hand basin needs to be provided, a fixed self-filling hot water boiler is needed, extractor hoods must be fitted, new work tops and units, a new fridge and before any of that the kitchen needs rewiring and new lighting. So will the £10,000 I've heard is needed be enough? Probably not. We are working closely with Environmental Health who have been very helpful. A lot of halls throughout the Island are having to carry out improvements. We have been given until the end of the year to complete the works. Costings are being finalized but yes it will probably cost more. £15,000 might be nearer the mark. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE LOWER HALL OF THE PARISH HALL? I know a lot of work has had to be done to the main hall but if we have tackled the major cause of the rot – the chimneys – why can't the lower hall be opened now? Well you're right a lot of work has been done in the main hall. The principal problem is that the hall has been under attack from dry rot. The first sign that there was a problem was when a badminton player noticed a fungus or mushroom on one of the many timbers of the outstanding vaulted ceiling of the main hall. It was hoped that only a small area would be affected but an inspection by rot specialists, conservation officers, architects and structural engineers revealed extensive dry rot damage not just to some of the roof timbers but also to the principal rafter, and that wasn't the only problem! Further examination, when plasterboard was removed revealed that the dry rot had spread to the wall timbers, window lintels and that the hall’s distinctive tall chimneys were allowing water to get in, affecting the timbers and causing the rot. And if that wasn’t enough wet rot was also discovered. The lower school room was also found to be under extensive attack from rot. The chimneys and the old fire places in the lower hall were again the problem. Immediate action was needed to save the protected building, it having been registered some years ago by Local Government, but before major works could get underway permission had to be sought to take down the chimneys and rebuild them (we were not allowed to do away with them or reduce them in size nor was just re-rendering them good enough as had been proposed at first) with a damp proof course at roof level. This when steps to ensure the hall met the latest fire safety regulations had to be taken. None of the works carried out so far – to tackle the cause of the rot, treat the rot and to take steps to prevent any further spread – would have been possible without the untiring efforts of the Hall Management Committee, those who have already given money or helped with fund raisers or given of their time, and most of all the Parochial Church Council. The works have also included installing heat and smoke detectors, a new fire alarm system and emergency lighting, extensive rewiring (wiring exposed during the major building works was an accident waiting to happen!) and new lighting to comply with the latest health and safety regulations besides having the interior of the hall repainted. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Recent works to repair the kitchen roof were not as extensive as first feared although the buttress wall over the kitchen door did need rebuilding and much damage has been caused by the water getting in. But back to the lower hall. Rot is again the problem. Yes the chimneys were the problem. Over the years water has been getting in, and through the old fire places has been spreading out behind the timber panelling and under the floor. Slowly but surely and unnoticed over the years the rot has been eating away. The old gas fire didn't help with condensation either. But now it's crunch time. The walls need to be treated, re-plastered and the timber panelling replaced. The central heating system needs to be extended to cover the downstairs not just the main hall. The lower hall will need redecorating. It also needs to be rewired. Other improvements have been suggested but the main problem is the floor. It will need to be replaced! Other options, have been looked at, advice has been sought from amongst others English National Heritage and local conservationists but yes the floor will need to be replaced. But perhaps the works in the lower hall could be tackled in two phases with the hall reopening in between. This would at least let the Sunday School back in the hall. The second phase could be fitted in around holidays. It might not look pretty in the meantime but at least it would be in use. But whether the problems with the lower hall are tackled all at once (probably the cheaper option) or in two phases nothing can be done without money. The appeal for funds that has been launched must succeed if any works are to be carried out. The cost? These are being finalized but £20,000 may be needed for the lower hall alone. At the heart of the Community – a Heritage to value! ONCHAN PARISH Hall Appeal! "for the promotion of the moral, social and intellectual welfare and recreation of the inhabitants of and visitors to the Parish of Onchan and their friends" – the Parish Hall was born! Don't let it die! Designed by world renowned architect Mackay Hugh Baille Scott and opened in 1898 but it isn't a museum – HELP to keep it alive! DONATIONS PLEASE – PAYABLE TO: ONCHAN PARISH HALL FUND C/O PARISH OFFICE CHURCH ROAD ONCHAN ISLE OF MAN IM3 1BF Thank you. Please give generously. ONCHAN PARISH HALL IS A MANX REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 895 MOTHERS UNION Thanks to Mildred for a wonderful afternoon at 'Woodlands' on 1st July, a great time was enjoyed by all. We had a wonderful afternoon coach trip on the 8th July. The number of members attending exceeded that for a small coach so we had a large coach which enabled the evening members and also some ladies from the parish to join us – underlining our church mission statement of a 'Welcome to all'. We visited four northern churches (Christ Church – Dhoon, Kirk Andreas, Sandygate Methodist Chapel, and Trinity United Reformed Church – Ramsey) who were participating in the Flower Festival. At Trinity United Reformed Church we enjoyed afternoon tea which consisted of a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes followed by strawberries and cream with a welcomed cup of tea. Onchan Mothers' Union were well represented (13 members) at the Songs of Praise in Bride Church with both afternoon and evening members attended. The July meeting of the Evening Mothers' Union was held on the 17th July when Sylvia gave a very interesting talk about fostering children and her experiences. There will be no meeting in August. MUMS AND TOTS For our last session on the 18th, we went by coach to Mooragh Park in Ramsey. After a wet start to the day our prayers were answered, as by the time we reached Ramsey the sky was a beautiful blue and the sun shone for us. We all had a great time and the children especially enjoyed playing in the park and paddling in the pool. A picnic lunch, ice creams, fun and laughter, what more could we want? We look forward to the 5th September when we all meet up again. LADIES FELLOWSHIP We have been busy this month – having a stall at the Noble Day celebrations on the 5th, which was very successful. On the 19th Margaret and Howard Corlett generously gave over their beautiful garden for our annual Garden Party – the sun shone and the stalls were laden with cakes, bric-a-brac and a wonderful display of raffle prizes. Unfortunately a heavy shower forced us indoors for 10 minutes, but everyone came outside when the sun shone again. Many thanks to Margaret and Howard for an enjoyable afternoon which also raised a lot of money - (final figure not yet known). As usual, monies raised by us will be donated to worthy causes during the year. PEOPLE FROM THE PAST This months article is more or less a follow on from the July Monthly Review. It is again taken from A.W.Moore’s book of Manx Worthies dated 1901. ROBERT QUAYLE KERMODE. The Hon. (b.1812, d. 1870) the only son of William Kermode and Anne Quayle Moore, was born in the Isle of Man, being educated in Castletown, but, when quite a boy, he went to Tasmania, where, except for two short visits to the “old country,” he spent the rest of his life. Of the many public services which he rendered his adopted country perhaps the greatest was his share in bringing about the cessation of the transportation of convicts to it. In acknowledgment of this, he was made a member of the Governor’s Legislative Council. Under his careful management the fine estate of “Mona Vale” was much enlarged, and he erected a mansion on it which was considered the finest private residence in Australasia. Distinguished men from all parts of the world visited him. Among them we may mention the Prince de Joinville and the Duke of Edinburgh. R.Q.KERMODE also, in common with his brother-in-law, GEORGE MOORE (a Manxman and the brother of the late Thomas Moore of Billown), owned one of the largest properties in New Zealand, and was, at that time, said to be the wealthiest Manxman. His life was one of great activity, and he was regarded with affection and respect by all classes. This is well shown by the following extract from a Tasmanian newspaper at the time of his death : “All who know Tasmania know the name of Robert Quayle Kermode, and have been accustomed to associate with it the ideas of spotless honour, affectionate kindness, warmth of heart, and unsparing benevolence . . . It will be remembered by prince and peasant, by the rich and poor; for by the lowest beggar as well as by the prince of the blood royal, he was known as a Christian gentleman.” FROM THE REGISTERS Weddings Funerals Offertory The offertory for June totalled £5,145.40 and was made up of £3,933.79 pledged giving and £1,211.61 of loose plate giving. Thank you. |
