St Thomas of Canterbury Church , Frisby : toilet & servery project May 2022 Frisby DCC is very relieved and happy to announce completion of this project at the end of April 2022. It took 5 months to complete although projected to be only 3.5. We estimate that the project took about 4 years in the planning. Being a grade 1 listed building , as we are, faculties had to be obtained to begin with from the Diocese and Chancellor in London with the architects plans being scrutinized by at least 20 societies concerned with the preservation of ancient buildings. With the help of the Diocese the comments they made were either quashed or taken into account. Then came the batman. We knew that he would evidence of bats roosting just outside the vestry and the concern was whether, by making a new entrance into the vestry, we would disrupt them. Luckily the project was carried out at a time of year of maximum hibernation. If not, then it was either not possible to do the work or to buy an extremely expensive licence. Naturally during the external working in the graveyard as the drains were laid and internally when the vestry wall was knocked through to make a new doorway an archaeologist had to be present . The charges for this were “eye watering” and we still await their main invoice. Being connected to water (and hot water) for the first time in 800 years still gives us an unexpected pleasure each time the tap is turned on . Being able to offer toilet facilities is even better ! The removal of the pews (heavily wood wormed) has given us much more space at the back of the church in order to be able to offer food and drinks without the crowding in the gangway between pews which caused difficulties at times. Without our main local benefactor ( who wishes to remain anonymous), a Capital grant from the Diocese and also from Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust this project would not have been possible. It is great to have the church back to ourselves now and to have it open once more. However there were times when we wondered why we were going through all of this and even at the end just how long the snagging would take to do…………in fact there are still 1 or 2 outstanding items. Do please come over and have a look at the finished product : the Churchwardens would be delighted to show you around.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Upper Wreake is looking for people to fill 2 posts : see below. The Parochial Church Council is the 'governing body' of the 6 villages that make up the Parish of the Upper Wreak (Brooksby, Frisby, Hoby, Kirby, Ragdale, Rotherby). All Churchwardens are members of the PCC, along with representatives from individual congregations. Together with the Priest & Curate, the PCC's mission is to “tell the story of God's love” : through the way we build community around Jesus; accompany others through Life Events (baptisms, weddings, funerals); reach out to residents through conversation, care & events; maintain the historic buildings; manage our financial resources. To enable such a ministry, we need to partner with others who bring gifts that we lack, such as the following two roles :- PCC TREASURER The treasurer does not have to be a member of any of the District Church Councils nor a regular worshipping member in the Upper Wreake church family. As such it is possible to co-opt them to be a member of the PCC. The main duties of the Treasurer are as follows : · Annual Accounts which includes calling in of the District Church Council (DCC) accounts for each of 6 Upper Wreake parish villages. · Working with the Independent Examiner for the PCC to collate those figures in to a single report ready for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) · To lodge the Accounts for the Parish when approved by the APCM with the Dioceses & Charity Commission and also to update the records of the Charity held by the Commission. · Work with the South West Framland (SWF) Group Administrator to oversee funds held by SWF which are for the benefit of the Upper Wreake. · The treasurer addresses other issues that may arise from time to time and which are directed to the PCC as a registered Charity. The treasurer of the PCC when elected becomes a member of the Standing Committee of the PCC. They work closely with the Parish Priest, the Vice Chair of the PCC and the Secretary of the PCC. PCC SECRETARY The main duties of the PCC Secretary are as follows : · Supporting the Priest/Rector in their role and making him/her aware of what members would like to be on the Agenda for PCC meetings · Being a member of the Standing Committee which sets the Agenda · Liaising with clergy regarding any correspondence received such as from the Diocese which may be relevant to a PCC meeting · Making sure that Reports are received in good time before meetings · Liaising with clergy in determining the final Agenda · Emailing the Agenda and all supporting documentation to members of the PCC at least 1 week prior to the meeting and longer if possible · Making a note of Apologies for meetings · Taking the minutes of meetings · Emailing minutes of the PCC meeting to members Both posts would be subject to a 'Safer Recruiting' process. Please apply to Simon Blake : email simon_blake@tiscali.co.uk phone 01664 434580 or Rev’d David Harknett david.harknett@btinternet.com ,phone 01664 434517.
