Communication was the priority at our first event organised specifically for the Friends of St Gabriel’s, a Spring Coffee Morning with cake stall and raffle. It took place on Saturday 6th April and offered a chance for me to meet those Friends able to come, and to put faces to names of those who have received written communications monthly from St Gabriel’s in the form of magazines and cards posted through their letterboxes. Until then, I had not met some of our Friends face to face, and they had not enjoyed the opportunity to meet each other. It was a chance to talk informally about what everyone hoped to gain from being a Friend and what they were able to offer to St Gabriel’s, as well as to thank them for their support. The response was overwhelmingly positive with Friends appreciating the regular news from St Gabriel’s and the invitations to events which may be of interest. A happy atmosphere prevailed as everyone enjoyed refreshments, biscuits and cake while chatting. Many thanks to all those who baked, donated raffle prizes, helped set up or clear away – or all of the above! The sale of cakes, Friends pens and raffle tickets raised £239. As no expenses were taken, all of this will enable the Friends of St Gabriel’s to support more Church development and maintenance. We were also pleased to welcome a new member, bringing our total to 63 Friends. Advance notice In the light of such a successful event, please note in your diaries that we intend holding Saturday Friends’ Coffee Mornings each season, the next ones being on 14th September and, in 2025, 18th January. It would be lovely to see you there, enjoying the morning and possibly offering to help too. All are welcome! Along with the April magazine and an invitation to the Coffee Morning, Friends received an Easter card and, for local members, a small chocolate treat, as a personal thank you from me for their on-going membership. Friends were invited to Mothering Sunday and Easter services and events, Lent Lunches and the first quiz organized by our new social committee. Friends of St Gabriel’s are warmly invited to all events at St Gabriel’s – they are publicised in our magazines, on our Noticeboards and on our website. It would be lovely to see more Friends, especially at our social events.Many thanks to all of you for your on-going interest and support.Anne Pickering.
St Gabriel’s – Recent ProjectsSome very noticeable work has taken place at St Gabriel’s in recent months:The toilets have been refurbished thank to Alison and Michelle and their team of fund raisers, generous donors and grant providers.The storm damaged tower roof has been renewed thanks to our insurers, Ecclesiastical.The church has been rewired and inefficient 300 watt light fittings replaced with LED light fittings. Again we had generous donations and grants and have used the remainder of the Rudge Legacy.In the middle of all this we discovered that water was coming into the North West porch (aka the flower cupboard). What at first seemed to be a straightforward repair grew into major works costing £22,000. Fortunately Northumbria Historic Churches Trust provided us with another grant. They had supported the toilets and the lighting.But we were still struggling with cash flow. A list of grant providers caught our eye and this included the National Churches Trust.We are pleased to say that they have accepted our application set aside a grant of £4,000 pounds for us subject to us providing a Building Maintenance Plan as well as publically acknowledging their offer.They too rely on voluntary support and donations. You will find more information at https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/friendsRobin LongMay 2024
Spring 2022Easter greetings and small chocolate treats were given to the Friends as a personal thank you from me in recognition of their interest and support. On Saturday 30th April, Friends within and beyond our church congregation were invited to a Parish Ceilidh, a social event held in church and a chance to have some fun together. Dorothy, one of our Friends, most kindly offered to host a coffee morning with cake stall and raffle in May. We all enjoyed this social event which raised over £400, which was shared equally between the Flush Fund for the improvement and development of the toilets, and the relighting /rewiring project. While we must have the church rewired for safety, we are taking the opportunity to move to more practical and environmentally friendly lighting. When the new lighting is in place, it will be more versatile and enable us to use a wide variety of lighting effects for different occasions and to enhance our beautiful, historic church building.Following the success last November of the Come and Sing Faure Requiem directed by Tim Burke, Director of Music, another Come and Sing took place in St Gabriel’s on Saturday 28th May, when Tim rehearsed then led a performance with an even larger choir and also an orchestra.Friends of St Gabriel’s were delighted to support this event by providing refreshments for the performers during the morning and the afternoon rehearsal breaks as well as at lunchtime. These were greatly appreciated by the participants. We also offered general help and ensured everyone coming to sing and/or to enjoy the performance felt welcomed. The day was a wonderful musical and financial success, profits going towards Newcastle Youth Choir.Friends of St Gabriel’s donated a flowering cherry tree to be planted in the Parish Centre garden as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy. With an accompanying plaque, this tree which was planted by Junior Church commemorates the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a unique national event celebrated over a four-day bank holiday weekend in June.
