Showing 10 results

Report on progress of repairs to house and church. Church: decorated, electrical work, gas fire - at a cost of £80 instead of estimte of £168. House: new plumbing, steel sink, cleaned throughout, re-decoration, new gas fired central heating system, floor covering with Dunlop vynyl. Expected housekeeper not yet made up her mind.

Improvement grant for priest's house in Walsingham. Four trustees signatures required before District Council will release the £400 to Fr Hulme. An American who has been cutting the grass in the meadow. etc. is leaving, Mr Hall has a bad heart. Mr Pegg is willing to help as a groundsman and odd job man for a regular wage. Will take him on if the Bishop does not object. £189-10-6d for fence work on Wells Rd field. Requests absence and Fr Guardian at East Bergholt is considered as a supply.

37 High Street must be modernised. £939 cost; grant from District Council of £400; grant on own house of £400; plus whatever from pools. Has the tablets for the privileged altars at Wells, Walsingham, Burnham Market and the Slipper Chapel. Can the Bishop grant a faculty for one or all of these?
manuscript ps: "The wording for the altars is ALTARE PRIVILEGIATUM"

He has accepted a relic offered by the Universe which they are to be given by the Bishop of Assisi when they make their centenary pilgrimage. Apologises that the Bishop was not informed. £400 grant arrived. 37 High Street must be modernised this year.

Mr Hastings' report on state of tower confirms his verbal assessment from September. Chief defect of the tower is that it is made of three thicknesses of different materials all of which expand and contract at differing rates leading to the current problems. Fr Jolly suggests taking the tower down to be the best option. The architect, Mr Hastings, has been asked to compare the options of repair to that of removing the tower.

£800 for demolishing the tower and roofing over. Builders also consider saving the tower can be done for less. An estimate is awaited. Mr Hastings' view is that the best job needs to be done to avoid having to re-address the problem in 30 years time. Aldeburgh Major [W C Reade] (also head of the building firm) considers the tower should be saved - it is a local landmark. Would the bishop sanction an appeal to Aldeburgh people? Differing views on best approach in light of cost estimates for the options.

Hastings & Reade have consulted on costs - letters encloses [not present]. Curtains not better than folding doors. Quick response so can press Reade to start immediately after fete.
Bill not back from Scotland. - will let you know how he is on his return.

Confirms that the tender includes pulling the tower down and roofing it over. The architect will be interviewing Reade about extras. Bill intends the Leiston money to be borrowed. Anxious to complete the job before bad weather. Bill & Christine [?] in Scotland and writer will report on Bill taking up duties. Fr Lunley is very sick man - wherever he goes he will need someone liken Mrs Hebb (Bill's housekeeper) as his memory is quite unreliable. As for chapel here [Holy Family and St Michael's, Kesgrave ?] cannot use it its unfinished state but expects it to be in order by September 24 - parishioners best able to come on that date. You will approve of addition in appearance.

Aldeburgh Church: Have written to Fr Jolly about the options for the Tower. Note that the original architect for the tower was said by Fr Jolly not to be in business, but this is not the case. Hence there is a problem of professional etiquette and they are happy to write to Mr Reid if required to do so.
Witton Church: Noted comments on design; preliminary sketches for Board meeting on 30th [November 1954].

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.