The issue:The ‘heart’ has stopped beating and we villagers don’t know when it’s time to stop working and have a cuppa! Much of it is still in good condition but mainly lack of lubrication has led to it stopping. It needs dismantling, repairing, cleaning, lubricating, and putting back together.The History: the clock was a gift from Sir Charles Kemys-Tynte of Halswell House. It dates from 1734 and is by John Hunt, clockmaker of Bridgwater.Any clock of this age and provenance should score highly in any significance scale. Few church clocks survive from before this date. The clock was the first to include ‘Bridgwater Crossings’ (a type of wheel spoke) and a first to use cast brass wheels. The good news: The PCC has obtained the appropriate permissions for the repair work to go ahead. Work was scheduled to start in November 2022, with completion expected in February 2023. The overall cost was due to be £3450 and we have received grants from Churchcare/Pilgrim Trust for £1500, plus £1000 from the Leche Trust. Thank you to all those who attended a Cream Teas Fundraiser on a very hot afternoon in August 2024, and to all who gave donations towards the clock fund. £275 was raised and the chance to sit and chat in lovely surroundings was much enjoyed.(Thanks have already been expressed to all those who ‘laboured’ to make it possible.)To update you on the situation with the clock: the chosen horologist expected to complete the repairs by March 2023 and then by March 2024, by which time he already had the mechanism. Sadly, ill health intervened and he was unable to fulfil the contract and Cumbria Clocks (who work on Big Ben) have agreed to step in as per their original quotation which was £2,120 more expensive! The PCC had obtained grants to cover the original quotation, but now still have a shortfall of £1,855 to find by November when the clock should be back in situ. If you would like to contribute towards the cost the bank details are:Goathurst PCC; Account number 87313367; sort code: 60-03-27, please use the reference CLK with your surname.Many thanks, Goathurst PCC
As with all churches and places of worship in the UK, St. Edward's has been firmly locked - much to the distress of congregation and villagers alike. This has also proved awkward with our need to repair the chapel roof after the lead theft (see other news) and potentially with the repair of our bells (again, see other news story). The good news is that we are now able to open daily for private prayer every day from 9.30am to 4pm. These arrangements will be subject to change - particularly when work on the bells is being done and later when work on the monuments start. So watch this space! There are rules of course and access to much of the church will be restricted but you are very welcome to come in, pray and reflect.In common with so many charities we have also been hit financially. Whilst regular donors have kept up their giving - mainly through direct bank deposits - we have been hard hit since all our regular fund-raising events have had to be cancelled. Our anticipated loss this year is several thousand pounds which we can ill afford. As with many churches, the summer and early autumn events top up regular giving. But the loss is far greater than the revenue. These events bring together the village in a very positive way. So, whilst we pray for the Lord's provision financially we also pray that the closeness of the village community will not be lost as undoubted changes in our pattern of living take effect. For those who would like to support the work the simplest way of giving is to give instruction to your bank via a one-off or even a standing order. You can find a download of a form to do this below. Alternatively we are investigating on-line donation agencies. Be aware that some of these may take an administration fee from your donation. So far we are registered with Stewardship https://www.stewardship.org.uk - clicking on this link will enable you to set up a Stewardship account from which donations can be given to any charity with them including St Edward's Church.So far the virus has not hit the village to any extent medically but there is not doubt that many of our village will feel its effect for some time.
