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.
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.
Acknowledging Wilson's letter of earlier in the year and that the "Ad Hoc Standing Committee is beginning to discuss the priorities". The harsh East Anglian winter has left no option but to build some solid structure to be built into the present site and buildings.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)- Vicar General compliments slip: "E&OE bashed out quickly. Forgot to ask what about Stan Tucker. Mac"
[E&OE - Errors and Omissions Excepted - document may contain mistakes or may not include some details] - Notes for a no-nonsense meeting with Fr Birch. Many issues to address largely to do with Fr Birch doing his own thing despite directions from the bishop, the Vicar General and the Executive Committee. Several examples given of wayward behaviour - "my position becoming intolerable as a result". Decisions and actions taken which were not within Fr Birch's remit. Peter Wilson: "did you think we were fools... ?"
Reservation of Blessed Sacrament in Slipper Chapel - decision required from Shrine Council
Sacrament of the Sick
Masses Timetable
New Organs - requests for use by eminent organist and to make a commercial recording
Sub-committee report - (formed by Bishop Clark to consider financial matters) - number of decisions and policies need to be made by Shrine Council & Executive Committee
Publicity - a number of decisions made by the director for which he apologies, not having realise that he should have consulted with Shrine Council
Papal mass - Listed the 20 seats decided by the Exec Committee; Fr Colven has his own invitation; insure the statue and gold crown for £10,000
Conclusion - despite the gloomy financial situation; the shrine was built through faith and hope; Walsingham embraces all walks of life, and increasingly, denominations
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.
McBride, Edward Rev (1919-2011)Asks for clarification on the points:
- extension of overdraft with Lloyds Bank - monies from sale put into that account?
- How to finance the work on Aelred House and building of garages is the answer to 1 is "no"?
- need £30,000 for Shrine during November to March - again if "no" to 1, how is it to be financed?
- 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).
Agreed plan for the development of the Slipper Chapel:
- 8 September, high altar (donated by UCM) to be taken down and stored
- Open Air Altar erected
- 10 September demolition starts
- 22 September - piling contractor arrives
- 31 July 1981 - anticipated completion date
Planning permission granted
Appeal Committee established:
Appeal Director: Fr Clive Birch SM
Chairman: Michael Ward
Vice Chairman: Stan Tucker
Treasurer: Fr Peter Wilson
Financial Adviser; Major Hugh Fraser
Committee members: Lady Mariegold Jamieson, Rev John Hawkes, Mary Hisley
Patrons: Cardinal Hume and Duke of Norfolk
Finance: Programme cost calculated at £365,000
Birch, Clive Rev SM LGSMCouncil Members names, addresses and telephone numbers. Those with an "*" are Executive Committee Members
Appeal Committee members listed.
Membership list with contact details
Phillips, Murial MrsJohn Hawkes, the Bursar is at the point of resigning - it is impossible for him to apply financial controls when the staff go over his head to Clive [Fr Birch, Shrine Administrator]. Last straw was an invoice for £4,000 for the repository which already holds £20,000 of stock. Given that the Executive had spelt out no more expense one can understand John's feelings. Several issues identified; definite restraint needs to be applied to the shrine set-up.
McBride, Edward Rev (1919-2011)Matters arising:
Auditors - Canon McBride to apologise to Auditors; Dedication date; Tapestry - cancelled; Liturgy - strong reaction against change - refer back to Shrine Council; Holy Family Statue - in abeyance - Jane Elphric not to label her model as commissioned for Walsingham
Bureau Finance and Staffing - sub committee formed (Bishop, Fr P Wilson, Canon McBride, Fr Birch to deal with finances) - Diocese not prepared to underwrite more overdraft - no new orders to be placed - moratorium in place.
Chapel of Reconciliation - Finance, Building
Shrine Buildings - Slipper Chapel; Other; Ancillary needs - Tea shop
Properties in Village - Fire Officer; Saleable properties (Charles Hawkins report); provision for sick and handicapped
Papal Visit
Staff representation on Shrine Council
Minutes of last meeting examined by Shrine Council
(6) Sale of Properties
(a) Youth Hostel Cottage - sale fallen through - discussion on return of deposit; Other properties - all practically concluded except for Station Road plots; Deeds - historic interest only to be kept in Walsingham Archives
(b) Slipper Chapel Roof - £30,000 estimate for repairs; discussion on funding sources
(c) Lighting
(d) Administration and Staffing - redundancy payments
(8) Finance Statement - deficit of £7,000 after VAT & Tax; Walsingham Association's £9,000 to be counted in
(9) Shrine Council Composition - attendance of staff representative and Manager
(10) Jubilee 1984
Venue of Council meetings
Appeal Committee report - designated gifts, Benefactor's book, final account, Administration of Accounts, Appeal Committee, new covenants
Change in Administration
Spiritual and liturgical Considerations - Papal Thanksgiving Pilgrimage, Courses, Commemoration of English Martyrs, Pilgrimage Organisation
Charlotte Boyd (first benefactor of Slipper Chapel) - remains to stay at Kensal Rise cemetery; memorial stone in wall of Slipper Chapel
Matters arising
(6) (a) Youth Hostel Cottage - soon to be sold, Plots in station road sold, Deeds - currently held in Poringland but those of interest will be sent to Walsingham
(b) Lighting - faulty bulbs to be replaced by halogen bulbs
(c) Season will start with first Pilgrimage
Correspondence - Sister Eileen will be the minute secretary; bishop, in his Ad Clerum has designated Walsingham as a place for a Jubilee Indulgence
Director's report - verbal and further developed in agenda items
Manager's report - Mt Warwick delivered this
Report of Architect - repair at Slipper Chapel complex: no estimates yet, work to go to tender, chapel to remain open during work, start in April, decoration, double glazing
Appeal Committee report - development fund committee, No 2 account, papal bicycle, Appeals and Jubilee years, Jubilee Committee (McBride, Stark, Birch and Dan Morgan to be joined by Mr Warwick and John Hawkes and meet next on 22 February in Ipswich.)
Sister Rowland, Provincial of the Marist Sisters welcomed to first meeting
Amenities area roof
Holy Ghost Chapel door
Director's report - souvenir medals, festival of flowers
Estimate of Income and Expenditure 1984/85
Manager's report
Extensions to Elmham House
Service Occupancy agreement
Future meetings dates
Pilgrim Club
Holy Ghost Chapel door
Pilgrim Club
Executive Committee - current committee to be disbanded and new committee formed after this meeting. Members - Director, Kellett, Ward, Wilson, McBride. Warwick and Hawkes to submit reports as required. All past members remain on Shrine Council.
Director's report
Manager's report
Walsingham Association
Development Committee
Accounts
Gift - seating
Chairman's report:
- Chapel of Reconciliation – legacy is invested in Singapore and will eventually be re-invested to fund maintenance
- Shrine Administration – bankruptcy? (but for goodwill of bank); moratorium not effective (shop still placing orders); financial management required (hence a financial sub-committee; Stan Tucker as part-time Administration Officer); auditors consider an 18 month programme to manage debt and finances; Staff structure; Bro. Hawkes to be Deputy Director.
Director's report:
Agreed sale of property not a regular practice but would help in erosion of current debt.
Liturgical:- Permission given to retain Blessed sacrament in the Slipper Chapel – revisit decision in a year
- Sacrament of the Sick – approved by Cardinal and Bishop
- Masses timetable – working satisfactorily
- New Organs – commercial recording – referred to Administration Officer
- Sister Marina – her last meeting.
Sub-committee report: - old school; Youth Hostel; Sue Ryder; Newsletter article
- agreed, when time comes, feasibility study to be lead by Catholic Medical Practitioner
Railway Track – negotiation with Mr Gurney continue
Publicity: - Permanent Adornments
- Notices
- Brochure – 2,000 copies
- Advertisements
- Papal Mass
Executive Committee – given the number of issues, important to hold soon - next on 11th May
Walsingham Association – 47 branches/groups; another shrine council representative?
AOB: - Builder's liquidisation issues
- National Feast Day of Our Lady of Walsingham – formal petition for 22 May
- Papal flag – can be flown
- Stations of the Cross – Sheffield WA donated £400 for this purpose
Amenities area - list of 9 areas for the Architect to prepare drawings for the next meeting
re-lease of picnic area and car park
Tabernacle re-siting (Mr Michael Wingate, Architect)
Contract of employment for Mr Warwick and Bro Hawkes
Grant-making trusts and charitable bodies - approaches to be made
Architect's report - Financial, Savings, Designated Gifts, Time of Contract, National Pilgrimage, Meadow Boundary, Sanctuary, Sacristies, Stations of the Cross and Consecration Cross, Drainage problems
Access for sick and handicapped
Plan for properties in the village - Friday Market Church, Essential maintenance, Aelred House
Finances of the Appeal
National Pilgrimage
Behind the Statue
Anglian Shrine
Public signs
Mr Robin Sayer