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Archive Record
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-47 · Item · 8 October 1992
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Writing to Jocelyn Stevens. Provides the history of the Meryemana project for St Nicholas and the engagement with English Heritage. Critical of EH involvement resulting in the Foundation withdrawing from the project and starting again. Asks why EH allowed the Foundation members to spend 20,000 and three and half years of their life before "delivering the coup de grace" when it had full information from the start?

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-2 · Item · 6 May 1988
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

News of the available redundant church, St Nicholas; Meryemana Foundation's proposal for its use; well suited; flexible adaptation: restored chapel, lecture hall, library, reading room, toilets, refreshment area, graveyard re-purposing. Valuable to Ipswich. Supported by both Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops, three MPs, anticipated support form Russian Orthodox.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-39 · Item · 6 April 1992
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Apologises for the delay in replying - due to Mr Mellamphy's continuing illness. Sets out the background to the hope for an Ecumenical Centre in St Nicholas Church. "Naively unaware of the obstacle race before us..." the project proceeded, funds raised, a launch event. Removal of pews a precursor for the project; with #52,000 raised it was a shock to receive your letter and realise the differences in vision for the use of St Nicholas. Invitation to meet and discuss.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-46 · Item · 25 September 1992
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

The Press release tells a sad tale of a project thwarted by officialdom. English Heritage requirements to protect the pews in St Nicholas would involve inappropriate use of donated funds. No virtue in being bitter and will "go back to the drawing board". Donors can request their money back, else it will be used to further the promotion of Christian Unity.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-43 · Item · 8 September 1992
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Unlikely that English heritage will change its attitude; no point in continuing; withdraw application for lease; close Appeal.
Problems exist as the Charity had registered with its objectives centred on St Nicholas as an ecumenical Centre. IHCT has always been honest and supportive towards Meryemana's scheme but it is ending.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-71 · Item · 13 April 1994
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Quotes Hatcher's letter about flooding via vestry door; this has to be cured before a new floor is constructed; similarly rainwater entering through south Vestry door is reaching the Chancel. This is a problem outside the church, notwithstanding that medieval churches are prone to such difficulties, and has to be addressed before Meryemana Foundation expends donated funds. If IHCT gives assurances that the damp problem will be addressed, then can progress the lease and phase 1. In the meantime, hope to hold a "Blessing of Pets" and afterwards show people around the church.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-65 · Item · 18 February 1994
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Robert Mellamphy in touch with Mr Hatcher for a programme of work. Cash is available for the vestry work, but need to fund raise to do more. Cannot launch an Appeal until seen to be using it. Bibleway are no longer in contact.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-63 · Item · 12 January 1994
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Dr Heley imagines that IHCT's proposed rent of 2,500 was based on subletting to Bibleway Church being 2,000 per year. Following Meryemana Council meeting, she suggests:

  1. Bibleway cannot start until Meryemana has completed its work programme
  2. Bibleway's rent will include a heating element
  3. Cannot embark on improvements with a 2 year lease and no security of tenure
  4. define the phrase "real progress"
  5. cannot meet rent until work complete and events programmed
  6. what does "we will control any alterations" mean?
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-76 · Item · c 13 October 1994
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Summarises the project and Appeal to create an Ecumenical Centre at St Nicholas. John Gummer MP's intervention overcame a logjam but problems "including illness within our ranks, apathy or antipathy amongst most clergy, difficulties in getting through to the laity and - most important - drainage problems..." meant the Foundation could not sign a lease until the drainage matter was dealt with. Council work will not ensure a dry floor.
Hence "Enough is enough" and ICHT has been informed of the Foundation withdrawing its interest in St Nicholas.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-01-7 · Item · 7 February 1989
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Ipswich Historic Churches Trust have agreed to let the Foundation have St Nicholas Church. Appeal has a professional fund raiser and two Bishops have agreed to be patrons, as has Mr Michael Irvine MP, others to follow. Will start collecting funds when registered as a charity.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-75 · Item · c 13 October 1994
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Apprehension over the St Nicholas project - cannot personally subsidise the project and doubt that others can or would. Whilst Meryemana should continue in its work, doubt that St Nicholas is the right place.
The letter is an invitation to attend a Meryemana Council meeting to elicit a final decision on what happens next.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-01-1 · Item · 16 November 1988
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Letter signed by Dr Heley (President) and Mr Thomas Cooke (Chairman) to Mr Turner MEP. Provides history of the redundant Church of St Nicholas and the intention for it to become an Ecumenical Centre. Identifies multiple uses for the wider community; states that the project will cost up to £150,000; asks for his help to access a cultural grant from EEC funds.

Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)
GB ARCHON 2913 GLG-03-02-42 · Item · 18 August 1992
Part of Guild of Our Lady of Grace / Meryemana

Present: Nicholas Ridley, James Hall, Peter Underwood, Mark Inman, Maire Heley
"...deteriorating relationship between the Trust and English Heritage." Short description of the Trusts' relationship with redundant churches and trying to manage them. Meryemana's original approach to the Borough Council about the church had been in May 1988 prior to them handing over the church to the Trust - hence no idea of other bodies interest or opinions. Points made:

  • value of pews not known (Henry Ringham orgin)
  • redundant churches become historic buildings - so focus switches from use to preservation
  • no swap with St Mary-at-the-Quay
  • English heritage senior management changes
  • Ipswich Borough Council management changes in Planning
  • Bibleway Church interest - complicating matters
  • drains no addressed - flooding of vestry and main aisle reported by architect David Hatcher
    Summary of situation from Meryemana point of view
    Decision by 8 September 1992
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)