Our continuing thanks to all who are supporting this project! The story so far: Our target is to raise £175,000 by spring 2025 We have received grants totalling £105,000. Our thanks go to St Botolph’s Trust, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust, The William Delafield Trust and Benefact Trust. We have committed Church Funds of £20,000 Individuals have made generous donations and promises (pledges) totalling £16,000 Our fundraising events have raised £6,000. We still need £28,000……. If you would like to donate or make a pledge, please contact our Treasurer, Phil Armitage. (phil@armitage.uk.com ) You can also help by supporting us at the Village Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 30 November!
TOWER RESTORATION PROJECTCAN YOU HELP? We are reaching out to you with our appeal to help fund repairs needed for our cherished church tower at St Botolph’s.St Botolph’s needs your support. The tower stone is weathered and there is loose mortar, with fragments of stone falling off. This poses a risk to people entering and leaving the church. We receive no funding from the Church of England, so we must raise £175,000 ourselves to make these critical repairs.Fortunately, our Trust—established through the generous legacies of parishioners—will cover 50% of the costs. We've also set aside £20,000 from church funds and, so far, secured £16,500 in grants, ( £10,000 Beds & Herts Histirc Churches trust and £6,500 The William Delafield Trust. )However, we still need £50,000 to reach our goal.We're applying for additional grants and hosting fundraising events, starting with the Harvest Festival of Talent on Saturday, 12 October 2024. But we can't do it alone—we need your help.Why is restoring the church tower so important?St Botolph’s has stood for 800 years, a cornerstone of our village's history and life. The current church building is a Grade II* listed building, recognized alongside other historic landmarks like Aspley House and Guise House. It's more than a building; it's a place of cherished memories, hosting services, weddings, christenings, concerts, and community events. It offers solace, peace, and a space for personal reflection.As a small Christian community, maintaining this historic site is increasingly challenging. We rely on legacies, donations, and grants to keep our doors open.We need your help. Please support us in preserving this vital part of our heritage. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal.Thank you for your generosity!
Thank you!Despite a very wet day the first St Botolph's Fete since lockdown gained huge support from the village, making it a resounding success!Many thanks to all who helped, those who donated time, money and goods plus of course the many people who attended! Special thanks to Brenda Eagles and her Team for managing the whole event.Saturday 18 June 2022._____________Sharing the Peace returns!We are delighted to say we are now returning to our traditional St Botolph style of sharing the peace (suspended during COVID). At the appropriate point in the service, the minister will invite us to link hands across the church for, "The Peace of The Lord be always with you". So no more need for embarrassed waving or elbow bumping!May 2022_______________
