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Introduction – Director to perform a more spiritual role / Manager to run the Shrine; multiple reports to consider: Stan Tucker on administration, Jim Bolton on properties, Don Healey on catering and retail
Properties – properties sold (£76,500); fund debt of £50,000
Shrine – arrangements for manager; repairs for roof of Slipper Chapel
Administration and Staffing – commercial activities run by Manager (Mr B Warwick); Director (of Spiritual Life) to deepen pastoral role, and related activities; Br J Hawkes to step down; Sister Eileen as Director's secretary; redundancies
Finances – Financial year to end on 30 November; Lloyds Bank account
Shrine and Spiritual activities – religious duty presence; exposition; Divine Office; Tabernacle; Young people
1982 Events – Papal visit impact (fewer pilgrims and Bishops visiting); Papal Bicycle bought; National Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham; National Pilgrimage (lead by Bishop Couve de Murville); Ukrainian Church split meant both Orthodox Bishops did not come; Statue of Our Lady at Wembley (lap of honour)
Future – programme of dates; Projects

1977: Fr Smith needs to undertake Vatican II reforms in March; thanks for appointment - will get Bishop biting dog! 1978: Fr Smith says Parishioners not got habit of giving & resent providing for Cathedral costs. Introducing Planned Giving (manuscript note: Lord, preserve my parish from legacies!") (bishop concurs); Parishioner professional fund raiser & says 1978 £1000 for Diocese no problem - relating to Cathedral Fund; Fr Smith tells John Smith he has not yet stayed 1 night at the presbytery - commuting between March & Peterborough. Presbytery work good - consecration of Church in October? 1979: £220 from Sir Pierce Lacy Trust (grandfather of Rev Peter Wilson); 1980: thanks for visitation; plans for house vetted by parishioner civil engineer who will supervise work gratis; bishop OK with plans but worried about costings - need to speak with Peter W, sensitive about using Chatteris money; 1981: Cheque from Sir Lacy Trust, "the box"remely busy, religious practice appears on the increase. 1982: Fenland District Council unhappy about staircase in new Presbytery - served notice to fix or pull down. 1983: Fr Gus Berrell receives £536 from Sir Lacy Trust; Bob Manley very ill - spending last days in Sheringham; Bishop off to Peru and will tell John Drury all the news. 1983: set up Parish Advisory Committee; heating needs replacing. Ransom Gift of £220 - Bishop asks Fr Berrell to write a thank-you note to Mgr. Stark. Go for Gas! £560 Lacy Trust provided. 1984: Extensive Nun sick list - Sr Elizabeth has much back trouble and is in hospital. House suffering from shrinkage & cracks - concerned. 1986: "Princely sum" allocated to March (thanked Mgr. Stark). Water seepage made electric wiring dangerous. PAC writes to Bishop re proposed move of Nuns - parish upset and told Mgr. McBride so. Mgr. McBride suggested sell off presbytery & retain house - parishioners not happy. Note from Fr Berrell to Bishop re issues round house & Presbytery - parishioners upset about delay in getting back into presbytery. 1987: Ranson gift acknowledged. 5 bursts/leaks 7 ceiling collapsed plus a theft of £12 value. Agreement that Fr Berrell moves back into presbytery.

Form letter inviting the recipient to the first meeting of the Planning Committee to be held at the Convent of the Little Sisters on 22 January 1986 at 7pm. Provides a list of names for the Executive Committee and the Planning committee.

Discussion about the suitability and availability of John Hawkes as a Bursar for the Shrine. Accommodation at Elmham House, Aelred House and Dow house - changes and Claude [Fisher] interest. Fr Birch's efforts to funnel donations (amounting to £29,826 this year) into the Building Fund will leave him needing £15,000 for the new pilgrim season.
manuscript p.s: "By the way we could repay the £15,000 immediately if Dow House is sold"

Requesting clarification of points from last Executive meeting:

1. Extension of overdraft at Lloyds - monies to be infused into this account from the sale on Wednesday
2. Conversion of Aelred House, building of garages, tarmacadam works - decision on first and financing of other two
3. Estimate for running Bureau between November March is £30,000 - how to be financed?
4. £50,000 debt to Diocese not frozen - Canon Kieran bequest to help look after that?
   Constant reassurances to Lloyds Bank in Fakenham - would appreciate a float in current account at least

Asks for clarification on the points:

1. extension of overdraft with Lloyds Bank - monies from sale put into that account?
2. How to finance the work on Aelred House and building of garages is the answer to 1 is "no"?
3. need £30,000 for Shrine during November to March - again if "no" to 1, how is it to be financed?
4. Can Canon Kieran bequest look after the debt of £50,000 to the Diocese?
   Need to sort things out to stay in a good relationship with Lloyds Bank (especially the new manager).

Agency in Fakenham looking after the accounts. Burst pipe claim is fine - whose account does the money go into? Been told that the Bishop had told Fr Wilson to "take over" - is this true?

With Fr McBride, he has decided to auction properties. Charles Hawkins are handling the sale and need a few boundary and rights of way details - can Fr Wilson contact the Diocesan Solicitors and obtain the information? p.s. "I warmly applaud the Bishop's decision to risk going to court... ".

Discussion on costs associated with Slipper Chapel development. Debts mounting and may need to request a loan. Need to be sure of who is making a donation so that they are not asked repeatedly.

Encloses the valuation for Falcon House - copies to Bishop Clark & Fr Henry Graystone. Asking Fr Wilson to commence sale process to the Marist Fathers (England). Sale funds to go to Shrine development fund.

Heading "Development Appeal Fund"
Official launch of the Appeal at a Press Conference to be held at the Archbishop's House, Westminster on 6 November 1980 at noon.
Expected to be present; Cardinal Hume, Duke of Norfolk, Bishop Clark. Appeal Committee is invited.

Requested map enclosed. Hope to move into Falcon House at the end of the month

Covering letter for 3 pages of expenses. Payment to Pilgrim Bureau.

Mr Gurney has written that all will be done on his side to ensure the exchange of buildings. Asks Fr Wilson to get the ball rolling for a changeover date of 1 July 1980

Writing to Mr E Vessey, County Valuer, regrading the possible purchase of land comprising a disused railway track as a relief walk-way for Pilgrims to Walsingham. Mr Adrian Kellett (Secretary of NCC) copied in.

Schedule of Defects is accurate as are the Architect's Notes on the defects.
However, the water penetration report is unacceptable. There is no blockage in the guttering - none of the retention money will be released until satisfactorily corrected. The revision to the design was to eliminate leaks and this has been unsuccessful. Direct the contractor to make good.
(Copied to all members of the Shrine Council executive Committee)

Ad Clerum had underlined need to obtain permission for spending money. Mgr MacBride was vague about the guidelines. Fr Chapman identifies that a lot of maintenance is required: repainting church, presbytery and cottage; rewiring the cottage; addressing damp in the cottage; Hall needs work to meet Fire Service standards; an elm tree needs removing.
Personal note: keeping fairly well, but, off colour at times and things, at times, get on top of him. Not had a proper holiday - so perhaps it is his own fault.

Church is going to fall down unless remedial steps taken. Report & recommendations from Messrs Pynford who inspected the site at Mr John Cullen's request are being sent to the Bishop. Canon McBride is to be at the Finance Board in September - decision on money?
Manuscript annotation: ""a/d personally? reassurance that FB would discuss the matter - & PW could arrange an interview on site on Friday Sep 18th with Cullen."

Cheque to pay off arrears on Shrine account - will need to re-arrange the investments.
Confusion over where and when Masses are to be said - request confirmation and a list of Masses

A Union of Catholic Mothers member is claiming on insurance after a fall at the Slipper Chapel - please forward the necessary forms