|
About
'The
Friends' |
WHO
ARE WE?
 We
are a group of over 100 local people, mainly non-churchgoers, who want
to see St Lawrence Church, Hatfield, maintained in a good state of
repair. The Friends fundraising is co-ordinated by a Committee of
about 10 members under the current Chairmanship of Mr Rob Bateson.
WHAT ARE WE
TRYING TO DO?
Work
together with the people of Hatfield and surrounding area, to raise
money and support for the Hatfield Church Building Trust (Registered
Charity No. 1066646). All the money raised is used, without exception,
to repair, improve and maintain (RIM) the Church building and
surrounding graveyards.
WHY?
|
To
maintained the historical and imposing focal centre of Hatfield.
To
have a pleasant place for our children and future generations to
worship on school festivals.
To
have a calm and fitting place for family occasions, i.e.,
marriage, baptism and funerals.
To
have a fitting place to worship when people wish to go to church
in Hatfield.
To
maintain good memories and for people to be proud of the place
where they were married, baptised or attended services.
|
HOW DO WE
FUNDRAISE?
The
Friends Committee encourages local people and businesses to become
'Friends' and to pay a yearly membership of at least £5 per year.
Facilities exist where membership can be paid by covenant, which
produces further income, circa 20%, from the Inland Revenue. Many
Friends pay more than £5 a year, some significantly more.
Other
fundraising involves events like:
|
Quiz
Nights
Treasure
Hunts
Coffee
Mornings
'Take
away' Competitions
Race
Nights
Concerts
|
The
Friends also work in close liaison with the 'parent' group, The
Hatfield Church Building Trust to access any money available from
organisations like English Heritage and have developed some expertise
in this area.
WHAT HAS
BEEN ACHIEVED?
To
date (October 99), the Friends, after less than two years of
operation, have raised in excess of £7500, with a significant sum
of money 'promised' over the next few years via membership covenants.
Most of the money raised has already been spent on RIM activities with
over £4000 being spent to protect very old stained glass windows
from the element and vandals.
WHAT ARE
WE PLANNING IN THE FUTURE?
|
Continue
the fundraising activities already in place.
Do
more work to increase our membership of Friends, via local mail
shots and more publicity.
Similarly,
try to organise more local business support.
Seek
reciprocated support from other organisations doing similar work,
to maximise our chances of greater community involvement and more
successful fundraising.
|
|
