1980: Confirmation that the Appeal Committee has been established for the Shrine Council on 24 July 1980
1982: Completed work? Bishop thanks Appeal Committee for raising £465,000.
Confirming that the fee due for the year ending 31 December 1978 is £3227-30. Since the withdrawal of Brentwood from the arrangement, these losses are spread over the remaining dioceses. Westminster now has to bear £33,656-17.
manuscript annotation: "Original sent to Peter Wilson for payment 30.8.79"
Miss Insley, deceased, left £900 for foundation masses for John Hickman (not deceased) and herself. Please confirm acceptance of the gift on behalf of the Diocese.
Berry & Walton (1983-2018)Copy of contract enclosed [not present]. Monies come from Shrine income. Questions to be passed to Fr Wilson.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Following their conversation today, Mgr McBride will be getting in touch. Three points:
- The Executive's decision regarding the Blessed Sacrament is "ad experimentum" for this season. They will re-think if needed.
- Walsingham Statue Honour Guard - see Mgr Stark's letter - decision remains with the Executive.
- Will discuss audit with Fr Wilson
For clarity: the Bishop is not a member of the Executive; he thought he'd made that clear from the beginning. Mgr McBride as Vicar General acts in the Bishop's name and that of Fr Peter Wilson. All efforts are to raise funds and channel them into the basic building and basic equipment for the Chapel of Reconciliation. There is no money to finance any other project e.g. the railway track and the organ - we are in a "poverty trap" to some extent.
This should not undermine morale - lesser items come later, if we can't pay for them and consequently lose them, so be it. It is not too late to send an appeal reminder to parish priests.
Just back from Rome. Thanks for the cheque. Have spoken to Mac [Canon McBride], you need to speak to Fr Peter Wilson to sort out the accounts.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Fr Wilson and the bishop are not clear about the aim of the plan when it does not show the dining room and study being made into one. Ask the architect to produce a plan showing this. Despite the house being over 100 years old need to remember how much has already been spent and where the money comes from. This is absorbing so much of Huntingdon "savings". Will the church need major work?
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Sympathetic with Fr Hammond. Suggests involving Fr Peter Wilson.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Will need to discuss this with Fr Wilson but hopes that Fr Hammond will be able to see it through.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop has asked Peter Wilson to deal with the matter of reimbursing £1,000 to Miss Magoris. Suggests that the Parish might contribute more to the St John's fund. Thanks for the picture - "it was a good occasion."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Multi-topic letter: Struck through are: Ransom monies; Wilson (Geoffrey); Schools Commission meeting
Oxmoor section: Decision to be made on Oxmoor - to make it semi-autonomous; Liam Crowley ready financially to go at it but it would be "near-to-bone"; need a way through "the tortuous paths of parish priest brinkmanship". Intend, when time is right, to join Whittlesey and Ramsey, and, St Michael's and the Good Shepherd (but present incumbent not on wavelength).
Not keen on paying for the church, or even renting it. The original proposition was affordable if taken steadily. If the Church Commissioner's remain steadfast then we may think of an extension to St Henry's.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Good news. Proper legal transfer is necessary. Will ask Peter Wilson to set up the negotiations.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Please to hear he is recovering from surgery. The proposition concerning All Saints has been passed to Peter Wilson for his legal and financial judgement. Will need to call the congregation together and lead them to a decision. We must be free to re-order the church for the modern liturgy - you say that Bishop Blackburne is investigating this matter.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Fr Wilson reports that you have the resources to undertake repairs and re-ordering. However, we cannot accept requirements for restoration, hence, need for reassurances. In the meantime three options: discontinue negotiations; use Burnham Sutton during the Summer; extension of St Henry Walpole's. Lease implicatons are central - need to clarify any grey area.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Page 1: Letter - inclined to let All Saints drop
Page 2: transcript of letter from Fr Richmond of 12 June 1978
Bishop say Fr Gerry Langley must have a housekeeper - but the house is very cold with no central heating. Bishop has said that Fr Langley is appointed to Blakeney until he can no longer manage. Real issue is Diocesan attitude to the house; without central heating it will be hard of Fr Langley and in due course make it difficult to attract another priest. Possibly £2,000 investment required - parish might fund this if they thought there is an intention to keep a resident priest at Blakeney? Asks Fr Wilson to think about it and get back soon.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Will of Miss Insley for Peter Wilson to consider. Not sure how advantageous it might be for Parish or Diocese. £5190 in cash was passed to the Bishop by an executor for the purpose of putting the house [Manor Road?] to right. Chris Toller to talk to the Trustees.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Two matters:
If Warwick's request is in order, I imagine you will forward it.
What of Luker? Some decision will be needed.
Manuscript notation: "Ring Kelleher" [Witham Weld & Co.]