Update on restoration plans at historic church in area

1. Go ahead for restoration plans at Lechlade Church 

 St Lawrence Church in Lechlade has now received permission to proceed with its plans to restore and re-order the church building.

The pressure is now on to find the remaining funds required to meet the £1.2m bill so that work can start in the Spring of 2025.

Over 75% of the funding is already in place after years of saving; generous donations and grants from Trust Funds including £48,500 from The Benefact Trust and £25,000 from The Beatrice Laing Trust.

The final push to fill the gap includes applications to Trusts who have been awaiting the granting of the permission, and a monthly community event programme.

The latest event raised £9,000 from an Auction of Promises held on September 28 and led expertly by Roy Bowyer of Moore Allen estate agents.

St Lawrence is also hoping to be chosen as one of a few churches to be cited by The Church of England in its Zero Net Carbon Demonstration Project which is intended to stimulate action to enable the organisation as a whole to become net zero by 2030. St Lawrence would go all-electric in its heating and, with the aid of solar panels, become net zero when the project is completed.

Whilst the beautiful 15th century exterior will not change, the interior will be re-fashioned to meet the needs of future generations including an all-round Cotswold stone aesthetic to enhance its celebrated beauty.

St Lawrence’s church is a well-loved place of worship, celebration and remembrance: this project intends to extend its reach and appeal whilst preserving its wonderful heritage.

2. What's happening with Lechlade Library? 

Lechlade Library was closed at the beginning of October after a normal morning shift for library volunteers.

By lunchtime, storage crates had been delivered and several volunteers spent many hours packing up all the books to remove them from the library.

Following the closure and storage preparations, even more activities have since taken place – removing bookcases and other furniture; dismantling and removing the reception desk; re-siting and re-wiring the internet server; removing radiators and lifting all pipes and electrical sockets to below 1.2 meters and removing floor coverings.

The Lechlade Library volunteers were helped by a team of five US Airforce personnel from RAF Fairford, who were particularly helpful with the heavy lifting.

All this work was needed in readiness for the extensive damp work that started at the beginning of last week and is expected to last six weeks.

As well as damp treatment, there will be new heating; improved electrics; secondary glazing; new bookcases, reception area, furniture and flooring plus total decorating.

Lechlade Library directors and staff would like to thank the US Airforce, the Trustees of Lechlade Memorial Hall and all who have supported the refurbishment of Lechlade Community Library.

3. Free introductory body class 

A FREE introductory MELT bodywork class on Tuesday October 22 from 10.45am-11.45am in Fairford Community Centre. MELT is for anyone who wants to slow down the aging process and live pain-free!

It is a self-care treatment using a specialised Soft Roller that eliminates chronic pain, improves performance and decreases accumulated stress caused by everyday living. MELT rollers are provided, but spaces are limited, so please register at: 07528 703675, carole@evolvebodytherapy.co.uk.

4. Craft and chat evening 

Join Karen from Lechlade Craft Barn to make a Curvy Double Bracelet at the Working 4 Wellbeing’s Craft and Chat evening on Thursday October 24 from 7pm-9pm in Fairford Community Centre. Cost £10. Limited spaces available. To book, contact Mary Ann: 07555 738138.

5. Enjoy a Harvest Supper 

Enjoy a Harvest Supper on Thursday October 24 at 7pm in Fairford Community Centre. Supper will be Cottage Pie and Apple Crumble (with vegetarian option available). Entertainment from Barry and Jean Kilgariff. Tickets £5 with a donation basket alongside. Phone the Parish Office for details: 01285 712611.

5. Big Build Safari Concert supporting primary school 

The Big Build Safari Concert supporting Hatherop CofE Primary School Big Build is taking place on Saturday October 19 from 6pm-9pm in three venues – Quenington House, St Swithin’s and Quenington Village Hall.

Starting at Quenington House, Mawley Road at 6pm, guests will be welcomed with a free drink, nibbles and a concert schedule. Guests will then be divided into three groups for: Quenington House, St Swithin’s Church or Quenington Village Hall – for the concerts featuring: a vocal duet with Kate Hicks Beach and Tani Phillips accompanied by Tim Morris; a flute and piano performance with Clemency Rubenstein and Rachel Emerson; and a solo piano recital with Jonathan Phillips. Tickets cost £20 from www.hatheropbigbuild.com or Annabelle: 07855 178382. All proceeds to Hatherop Big Build – a community-led campaign to raise £1.5m for building development work at Hatherop Primary School.

6. Next meeting of Lechlade History Society 

The next meeting of Lechlade History Society will be on Monday October 21.

Tim Healey will talk about ‘A Victorian Christmas’. Meetings are in Lechlade Memorial Hall and start at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome at £4 per meeting. Refreshments available.

7. Patch and Merch 

The first Patch and Merch Meet to buy and sell mainly military aviation-related merchandise including Squadron patches, coins, t-shirts, lanyards and more is taking place on Saturday October 19 at 2pm at The Crow’s Nest, Douglas Bader House, Fairford GL7 4RB.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) sales team will be opening their stock cupboard from previous years and even stock for RIAT 2025. Invites have also gone out to the local bases at RAF Fairford, Brize Norton, Odiham, Welford and the USAF Squadrons at Mildenhall and Lakenheath. Cost: £3 on the door but, if you are a Threshold Touchdown Club member or a Friend of RIAT (FRIAT), there is no entrance fee to pay. You will, however, need to show your Touchdown app members card or your 2024 FRIAT pass. For details, visit: https://www.threshold.aerofairs/fairford or contact aviationfairs@threshold.aero.