Mr John Coney (approved by the Abbot) as a replacement trustee for Dr Helsham, deceased.
Separate account kept for the Church Fabric Endowment Fund - details enclosed [not present]
Dispensation requested for Hickey who is expecting embarkation leave and wishes to be married before returning to his unit. The girl, a non-catholic, is well disposed and attending instructions.
1941 Baptismal and Marriage entries copy to be sent soon.
Will easily say the 20 masses received via Fr Burditt. Accounts enclosed [not present] plus £000 saved up from being in charge of Huntingdon. Fr Weston, not heard form him, but he may not now wish to live at St Neots. To go to the retreat at St Edmund's.
Tomlinson, Arthur Rev (-2001)Thanks for appointment to Gorleston - hard to leave Southwold. Financial position regarding the debt at Halesworth. No outstanding debt on the church; need to repay the £1580 loan received from parishioners. Canon Hunting and he have made arrangements for money to be paid [regarding general interest] amounting to £300 per year without troubling Fr Rudd. £60-£70 in the bank with an average collection of £9 between now and Christmas.
McBride, Edward Rev (1919-2011)Note that the Bishop does not consider such help as a permanent feature of Walsingham finances. The place must run on its income. The Bishop will not authorise improvements on the house as such requests will be approved, or not, by the Finance Board.
Moorcraft, Gerald William Rev (1936-2011)Review undertaken at the Bishop's request of the suitability for purchase of 3 houses in Halesworth.
Manuscript annotation: "20 Nov You may tell Agent you will buy [?] subject to J&C planning."
Presbytery nearly finished and expects to be in residence by next Monday. Cost was £2750 with Hasting's fee is 10%. £600 in Leiston a/c; with sale of old church he can meet the balance from the Aldeburgh a/c. Sale of the plot of land in Leiston for £560. Argent has matter in hand and deposit paid. New rite going well in the parish.
Cdr P Kerr-Smiley, of Rendham near Saxmundham has given a font. Simple traditional design and looks well at rear of side chapel. Mrs Rawlings has also given a new sanctuary carpet
Fr Reeman has seen the tenant in Top House, Mr Argent, about the price of £6000. He is interested but also has an interest in another house in Aldeburgh at an auction. Mr Argent wants to discuss this with the Bishop when he visits Aldeburgh.
Fr Reeman is willing to act as Extraordinary Confessor t the Lowestoft sisters.
Bishop not allowed to concern himself with diocesan affairs for some weeks. Can Fr Brewer deal with the letter [not present] from the Downside Abbot re Beccles school scheme? Else send back to be added to the ever-growing pile.
manuscript annotation: "Abbot's letter & copy of my reply sent back to Fr Reffitt 3 Feb 1956 ATB."
New font is expensive at £750, which the Bishop considers a large outlay for such a small church. However, most of the money is available and the rest will come once people see the work underway/completed.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)A neighbour is interested in purchasing a strip of land alongside the church to avoid having to drive across the Common and cutting it up. Fr Rudd told him he'd have to ask the Bishop
Rudd, Francis J Rev (-1973)Neighbour (a parishioner) is selling a house, building a bungalow in the garden. The buyer wants a garage at the rear as access to common is not permitted. Offer is to sell the land where our current garage is to the parishioner; he will build us a new garage. Map of site attached.
Manuscript annotation: "I write to Witham. Write Rudd, also Bill [Canon Hunting] for proposed new road now dropped, OK. What sort of garage & fence, Pay Job fees."
Halesworth debt is about $400 - to be repaid this year.
Final cost of church at Halesworth £6189.4.3
Architect's fees £382.0.6
Seating 154
A sudden need for £2000 requires a decision from the Bishop; but, cannot afford a significant delay which will be incurred if the Holy See has to be consulted for their decision. Also mentions the disappointment likely to be experienced by the congregation.
If the Bishop can assign another Parish Priest with the means to pay the sum, then he can have Fr Sammons' resignation.
Type on reverse: "Dear Father Brewer, If His Lordship is still with you would you please show him this as his letter is awaiting him in Northampton. This copy is meant for your file, As ever, L.E.S. [Fr Sammons]"
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Phase 1 of transfer of old (1894) school to Gaywood site. School occupied in Sept. 1957 and officially opened in April 1958; includes Ministry grant, Norfolk Education Committee liability, Managers' liability. Remainder of school yet to be built but no idea of likely costs.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Copy of a note sent to the Bishop. The overcrowding at the school is stated as being the result of the Bishop's and Fr Brewer's policy. Asking for guidance as the Mother General is in Lynn shortly and he would like a line to take.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Providing copies of correspondence between himself and Mother General. The sisters' school had "half strangled mine" when it started. I will miss the Bishop's first visit to Massingham.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Further to the HMI report... "As I see it someone must take the blame for this. On the face of it it should be the Managers... But ... laying the whole matter at the door of the Headmistress, who, admittedly quotes authorities for her actions but is unable to produce the authority she quotes. I have therefore asked His Lordship for her dismissal."
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Notes that Canon Brewer is in hospital and that the Bishop has asked Fr Sammons to contact Fr Jenkinson instead. He needs to arrange for a loan for the next step in the school building programme. The bishop has advised that the best approach to get a loan from the ministry [he quotes from the Bishop's letter at length regarding the management and use of loans]. The Bishop had agreed to the appointment of Mr Waite as the architect.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Encloses a letter from Mr Jewson MP - written in response to the Parents Association, not very satisfactory, but no more than expected since Catholics are few in number. Petrol ration at 2 gallons a month is half of requested amount. Fr Wilfred Jolley, a T.B. case, is here and can do a little visiting and help in the church. He has faculties for Richmond, Yorks, would the Bishop grant faculties? School requires additional accommodation for a hall and two rooms for domestic science and manual work - 200 sq feet in total. 170 on roll but only 50 are Catholics.
Stratton, John Rev SJ MC (1878-1949)Requesting permission to hold Mass in a large and very suitable room at Dr Kelly's in Ormsby. 30 Catholics in the vicinity who cannot now come to Yarmouth on Sundays.
Manuscript annotation: "Yes. B[ishop] gives permission, provided not a bedroom & decent - God bless to enterprise."