The last letter was written in haste; happy to have Fr Trafford, an experienced priest in Beccles; wished wedding at Hoveton to be valid as Canon Roberts serves the chapel, not Fr Whyatt.
John Todhunter: no mention of legal difficulties; he'd implied that the pope wished "fraternise" with CofE and that was why non-Catholics should marry Catholics. Happy to hear Gillingham Hall is secure for the future. Knows nothing about Trust money being connected with the Church and Cemetery.
Gorleston and Ministry Loan: Heard from Fr McBride about joint liability between parishes. If a loan is not required then the diocese could use this but have not yet decided on the matter.
Beccles loan and debt: the return provides for misunderstanding on the nature and amount of debt. If paid off then you are to be congratulated. There is still a need for clarity so the bishop can understand how the parish is situated financially.
Need to see Fr Webb at Yarmouth to talk about these proposals and the intent to build an RC school in Gorleston. Provides advice on approach to take before the meeting with Ministry of Education and offers to accompany Fr Innes to their offices o 13th January.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Long talk with Fr Trafford about affairs at Beccles school. Doubtful that the Ministry will allow work to proceed as the national economy cannot yet afford it and other priorities exist. Fr Trafford is already approaching the LEA about a teacher appointment.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Copy enclosed of a letter to the Ministry stating the approval given in May. Suggest Fr Brookes write and state that the Instruments of Management for the school (same up and down the country) has been agreed. The Bishop and the Abbot will appoint four managers after sealing the Instruments of Management.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Discourse on the nature of maintaining the school at its present size: the balance of non-Catholics to Catholics; the number of pupils; ratio of teachers to pupils; alteration of the school building.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)To note that the letter of May 20th indicated approval for the proposed Instrument of Management for Beccles and Bungay RC schools.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)The Ministry are likely to approved the adaptation of the presbytery at Beccles as a School. It must meet the requirements of the Development Plan for little more than £7,500 and less than £10,000. Seniors are still temporarily at St Benet's whilst waiting for the new school at Gorleston to be built, which has a good chance.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)With Sterret at the Ministry - they are likely to approved the adaptation of the presbytery at Beccles as a School. There are a few aspects which need addressing: Daylight in the Hall, Kitchen/Scullery space, paved playground. Need to update the sketch to show these adjustments.
The ESN [Educationally Sub-Normal - a contemporary term] pupil could be sent to Besford Court.
Ministry has invited a formal application to be made. But before doing that need to ensure the Bishop has approved, also the question of a future presbytery will need to be agreed between the Bishop and the Abbot
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Ministry have no problems with the proposal for the Presbytery to become a school. Need to see a solicitor about land tenure.
Provides information about schools for the Housekeeper's son.
Will speak to the Ministry about the plan for the Presbytery to become a school
Requests more information about the Housekeeper's son to be able to place him correctly.
Responses to Fr Innes:
- his right to withdraw children from RI at secondary school - none whatsoever - parents only able to do this - arrangements may be labour intensive and complicated
- ability to assist scholarship children to Catholic Grammar school - difficult due to Minister's line on fees; each case is judged on its merits.
- [Canon] law and permission from the Bishop for pupils to go to non-Catholic schools - Diocesan Synod no 139 applies.
"Rules of Management..." have been agreed with LEA and Ministry after negotiations of over two years. Paragraph 11advice given. Asks for advice.
Headmaster of Sir John Leman School has no legal right to make the request for a parental letter, but one cannot reasonably object. There is no form letter for this.
Encloses two letters and describes a situation relating to Beccles RC School for which he invites guidance.
Fr Brookes, before he left, had submitted a scheme to the Ministry of Education for the building of two classrooms (wooden, prefabricated) classrooms to relieve overcrowding. Suffolk Education committee ask why the children could not go to Beccles or Bungay County Modern instead.
Improvements at the school going well.
Ministry loan offer of £5,000 greater than need (£1,500). What to do - take it all, or just enough?
No reply from Headmaster at Leman school regarding provisions for RI for RC children. Architects Sterret & Blouet of Ashley Place SW1 instructed but only produced two sketches, still awaiting their brain child. Ministry will allow for one classroom but want two. Build it myself if necessary. Saw the Bishop in Southwold and in his customary manner he assumed I had not asked you for advice, I was too bored to enlighten him.
Innes, M Benet Rev OSBSketches and estimates by Sterret to be considered by the Abbot and [School] managers. Who drafts the letter to the Ministry?
Innes, M Benet Rev OSBSketches passed by the LEA to the Ministry. Asks for advice on dealing with the due process. The Abbot has approved the proposal.
Innes, M Benet Rev OSBGW [no indication of full name] writes to Fr Innes about the approach and tactics to be used when dealing with the Ministry to ensure this does not impact the proposed RC Secondary Modern at Gorleston.
manuscript annotation on page 1: "Copy for information; + a Happy New Year to you. G."
GW [no indication of full name] writes to Fr Webb [this copy has been sent to Fr Innes] about the approach and tactics to be used when dealing with the Ministry.
Correspondent