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Catholic Church in London Road, King's Lynn - flow tested the drains - letter describes the drains arrangement at the church; page 2 provides a schematic of the drains

The report commences from 19 June when Fr Birch first reported leaks (in the washroom). Report provides several paragraphs of evidence, considers the preliminary deductions, and makes recommendations (essentially to gather more evidence and engage with Lusher & Sons over how to take this forward).

Notes addressing the defects listed on previous report:
Inside Slipper Chapel (4)
Exterior of the Slipper Chapel (5)
Interior of Sacristy, Corridor and Holy Ghost Chapel (7)
Exterior of Sacristy, etc. (1)

Inspection of the properties and spoken to tenants. His recommendations follow:
1 Friday Market - deathwatch beetle needs addressing; rent is £6/week sent to Mgr Hulme monthly; tenant accepts rent is low and agreed to a Rent officer setting a fair rent
2 Friday Market - rent of £60/calendar month paid to Mgr Hulme - suggest review rent every two years
3 Friday Market - ground floor tenant family only occasionally there; poor condition; Upper flat - tenant works at the Shrine but unable to speak to him as he was away in London
4 Friday Market - 79 year old tenant lived there since a girl; pays £5/week. She agrees the rent is ridiculously low for a 5 bedroom house; wants to stay for rest of her life; suggest obtaining a fair rent

Allclear Drain Services have inspected the foul and surface water drainage and undertaken water flow tests.
WES, a soils investigation company, have carried out window sampling at three locations.
Recommendations: without remedial work on the church foundations there will continue to be slow movement. Ultimately the front of the church may need to be reattached to the remainder.

Short report on the condition of the Church and the presbytery.
A number of issues identified for the church - water seepage; stonework needs attention; gas heating causes condensation and feels less warm (winter weekdays Mass offered in sacristy).
The presbytery is in good condition - rewired and redecorated (kitchen and 1 bedroom still to be redecorated)

Introduction - Fr Gerry Rimmer's annual walk from Manchester to Walsingham (devotional and fund raising). 15 November, end of season dinner for volunteers; word processing software purchase, also accounting software; yellow lines in the village an improvement
Walsingham Association - Mass at Westminster (attended with Mark Hackeson), Archbishop Barbarito celebrated
Buildings - winter maintenance; bedrooms being created; common rooms established; building on-going but with delays
Finance - wages review; pension scheme; computer systems for word processing and accounting
Clergy help at the Shrine - Fr Ventham been at shrine since 1984 is going to USA

Introduction
Winter about completing building works and planning for the next season (theme Evangelization); 1990 centenary of Cardinal Newman's death; Pope wants next decade to 2000 to characterise evangelisation - Walsingham has a part to play.
Buildings
Maintenance; conversion to accommodation; decoration; Fr Gerry Rimmer of Manchester (his walks and sponsorship helped fund a lot of the work)
Staffing
Priests offering confessional services; Society of Mary contacted Bishop re meeting the needs of the Shrine in coming years.
Coming Events
Pilgrimages; music (organ); Sunday Express' March feature on Walsingham; Apostolic Pro Nuncio

Main report (6 pages)
Pattern of Pilgrimage - assessment of pattern and type of pilgrimages - see appendix for numbers
Events and Visitors - variety of clerical and non-clerical visitors; Major of Norwich (David Bradford) and Sheriff of Norwich (Rev Jack Burton)
Ecumenical Scene - pattern of visits by pilgrims of both churches to each Shrine now a regular feature; other details.
Farewells and Welcomes - review of staff joining and leaving; Fr Ventham left for Chicago in August.
Future Planning - 26 major day pilgrimages; visited USAF Chaplain, Fr Lattus with Mr Warwick to discuss a 50th Anniversary pilgrimage for 2nd World War.
Buildings and Maintenance - discussion of range of work required to maintain the buildings and the services to pilgrims.
Walsingham Association - outline of the state of WA - new federations; association's retreat being organised
Finance - wage increase of 6% but Wage Council laid down 10%, hence higher costs; remaining debt to the Diocese is £10,000
Conclusion - glorious weather; pilgrim numbers stable
Appendix I - Estimates of Income & Expenditure - 1989/90 (2 pages)
Appendix II - Pilgrimage Report - 1989 Season (2 pages)

Shrine Development
The Appeal
The Slipper Chapel and Services Area
Maintenance
Other plans at the Slipper Chapel
The Sayers House and Caretakers
The Dedication of the New Chapel
The Season 1981
Future projects: Railway track; Accommodation for Sick Pilgrims
Village Properties
Liturgy n the New Chapel
Ecumenical Relationships
Other Foundations: Sue Ryder House; The Focolare House; The Walsingham Carmel; The Sons of Divine Providence
Constitution
Panel of Interviewers
Conclusions

Pilgrimages and Events 1983 – 8 diocesan pilgrimages; Union of Catholic Mothers 70th anniversary pilgrimage; Walsingham Association Golden Jubilee; Metropolitan Anthony leading an Orthodox Pilgrimage to Anglican Shrine
Repairs – requesting estimates; lighting problems rectified; crack in ceiling; carpets fraying – supplier refusing to attend; several designated gifts yet to be bought
Finances - See Mr Warwick's report; not good but hope to improve over the season
Sundry items – Notices, Stations of the Cross, Papal Bicycle (Walsingham Association raffle's first prize), Stools
Sick in Walsingham – Mgr Hulme sold Southwell House to Sons of Divine Providence; it will be a Home for handicapped people.
Lynford Monstrance – on permanent loan from Lynford parish; possibly made by the same person who made the Wells' parish chalice.
Properties – all sold except Youth Hostel cottage – damp, have to reduce price
1984 Shrine Jubilee
Publicity – English Tourist Board to produce a fold-out referring to Walsingham; £4,000 budget for publicity for Golden Jubilee

Introduction - meetings with staff
Buildings - insulation, burst pipes; Aelred House sale; Office accommodation now complete; extensions to hostel; re-siting of Tabernacle
Pilgrimages - organisers pilgrimage 7-9 March; new pilgrim's manual; drive to increase pilgrim numbers; Christian Resources Exhibition in London; Conference of European Shrine Directors i Switzerland; Pope JP II and re-evangelisation; Visits to other shrines (of note is accommodation is not provided by the shrine.

First report in post. Overview of situation, long time to address damaged relationships, re-sizing of executive committee helped, so too did reorganisation (Mr Warwick & Br Hawkes his deputies). Impressed by the staff and their willingness and generosity and sensitivity towards the pilgrims.
Economic Matters
Building Programme
Pilgrimages (Statistics at appendix II)
Repository provision
Walsingham Association - 7000 members and expanding - new constitution being drafted
Ecumenical Relations - Fr Colven, joint ventures successful
Conclusion - as Shrine develops so to does the village. Local people and businesses keen to work with us to develop a 10 to 15 year plan
Policy on commemorative plaques, etc.
Estimates for Income and Expenditure 1985/86
Building maintenance
Residential statistics 1985

A memorandum on future needs in relationship to Walsingham Properties.

1. Existing Properties: a. Elmham House Complex; b. Aelred House; c. Youth Hostel Complex; d. Dow House; Summary
2. Future requirements: a. Provision for sick and handicapped; b. Improvements to Friday Market Church of the Annunciation; c. External works to Friday Market Church; d. Elmham House garden and its properties; e. Essential maintenance; Aelred House (the main house, Annexes); Youth Hostel complex
   Conclusion
   Plan of Walsingham indicating properties belonging to Shrine/Parish

[report for Shrine Council meeting on 20 March 1985]
3 days to first pilgrimage of 1985; new team members identified
Aelred House repairs to roof nearly complete; windows to be replaced
Large Overdraft exists

For each of 10 separate cracks in the church building - several data points in table with a supporting graphical representation.

Visit to Aldeburgh/Leiston by Financial administrator. Fr Hammond & Treasurer John Lanning were present.
Survey indicates the presbytery needs up to £30,000 spending on it. It suggests the existing presbytery be sold (£95,000) and anew one built between presbytery and church. Fr Dick Wilson has been consulted and suggested that new windows are installed, wiring surveyed, leave sites as is for now. Fr Hammond wishes to remain in current presbytery bit will do the Bishop's bidding.

Items seen or reported by or to Fr Birch and Michael Wingate on 4 July 1984:
Inside Slipper Chapel (4)
Exterior of the Slipper Chapel (5)
Interior of Sacristy, Corridor and Holy Ghost Chapel (7)
Exterior of Sacristy, etc. (1)

Structural state of tower [summary]:

1. considerable cracks in lower tower, settlement a probable cause, other cracks in church building due to same;
2. Cracks in upper tower, affecting roof area locally, indicating settlement and tower tipping;
3. Flintwork cracking, coming away, loss of adhesion allows water into structure behind, possibly leading to further damage;
4. waterspout too short, leading to added dampness and aggravate settlement under way
5. Parapet in a bad way, stones loose, iron band may be making matters worse.
   No imminent danger of collapse but the tower is "on the move" and deterioration will continue. Not recommend making good - lists significant work required - possible cost £1000. Best option to bring the tower down and continue the roof over the top of it.
   Copy of the report sent to the Bishop.

Records of soil composition and depth from 2 boreholes by WES around the church