Writing to Jocelyn Stevens. Provides the history of the Meryemana project for St Nicholas and the engagement with English Heritage. Critical of EH involvement resulting in the Foundation withdrawing from the project and starting again. Asks why EH allowed the Foundation members to spend 20,000 and three and half years of their life before "delivering the coup de grace" when it had full information from the start?

News of the available redundant church, St Nicholas; Meryemana Foundation's proposal for its use; well suited; flexible adaptation: restored chapel, lecture hall, library, reading room, toilets, refreshment area, graveyard re-purposing. Valuable to Ipswich. Supported by both Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops, three MPs, anticipated support form Russian Orthodox.

Introduction to the background and objectives of the Meryemana Foundation. Inviting Miss Smith to join the Appeal Committee

Apologises for the delay in replying - due to Mr Mellamphy's continuing illness. Sets out the background to the hope for an Ecumenical Centre in St Nicholas Church. "Naively unaware of the obstacle race before us..." the project proceeded, funds raised, a launch event. Removal of pews a precursor for the project; with #52,000 raised it was a shock to receive your letter and realise the differences in vision for the use of St Nicholas. Invitation to meet and discuss.

The Press release tells a sad tale of a project thwarted by officialdom. English Heritage requirements to protect the pews in St Nicholas would involve inappropriate use of donated funds. No virtue in being bitter and will "go back to the drawing board". Donors can request their money back, else it will be used to further the promotion of Christian Unity.

Need to get assurance that the damp problems will be sorted out; reluctant to sign a lease otherwise. Robert Mellamphy asks for you to obtain a copy of the Council's report on the drainage at St Nicholas.

Unlikely that English heritage will change its attitude; no point in continuing; withdraw application for lease; close Appeal.
Problems exist as the Charity had registered with its objectives centred on St Nicholas as an ecumenical Centre. IHCT has always been honest and supportive towards Meryemana's scheme but it is ending.

Quotes Hatcher's letter about flooding via vestry door; this has to be cured before a new floor is constructed; similarly rainwater entering through south Vestry door is reaching the Chancel. This is a problem outside the church, notwithstanding that medieval churches are prone to such difficulties, and has to be addressed before Meryemana Foundation expends donated funds. If IHCT gives assurances that the damp problem will be addressed, then can progress the lease and phase 1. In the meantime, hope to hold a "Blessing of Pets" and afterwards show people around the church.

Cover letter for - programme of work; meeting notes; planned events. 3 year lease requested, pending the re-launch of the Meryemana Appeal next year

Robert Mellamphy in touch with Mr Hatcher for a programme of work. Cash is available for the vestry work, but need to fund raise to do more. Cannot launch an Appeal until seen to be using it. Bibleway are no longer in contact.

Dr Heley imagines that IHCT's proposed rent of 2,500 was based on subletting to Bibleway Church being 2,000 per year. Following Meryemana Council meeting, she suggests:

1. Bibleway cannot start until Meryemana has completed its work programme
2. Bibleway's rent will include a heating element
3. Cannot embark on improvements with a 2 year lease and no security of tenure
4. define the phrase "real progress"
5. cannot meet rent until work complete and events programmed
6. what does "we will control any alterations" mean?

To John Field (Ipswich Borough Council). Invitation to become a Vice-President to the Appeal

Bishop Dennis & Bishop Clark have agreed to be patrons. John Gimmer MP is interested as is Michael Irvine MP, Mr Amedee Turner MEP and his wife anxious to be associated with the project. Cardinal Hume has too many causes to support to take on another; however, perhaps Archbishop Runcie might become a patron.

Provides some historical background to St Nicholas Church in Ipswich, and more recently of Meryemana. Lady Miram Hubbard has already agreed to be a Vice-President. Dr Heley would be happy for the opportuity to discuss the project.

Provides some historical background to St Nicholas Church in Ipswich, and more recently of Meryemana. Dr Heley would be happy for her and her team to have the opportuity to discuss the project.

M J Ganzoni (Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Suffolk - 1988) as a Trustee of the Meryemana Foundation will be at the lauch and is asked to say a few words about the project.

Mr Sparks (fund-raiser) and everyone to be be putting hard work gathering contacts - asking that they consider who might be on the list of potential donors and supporters - individuals and organisations.

Summarises the project and Appeal to create an Ecumenical Centre at St Nicholas. John Gummer MP's intervention overcame a logjam but problems "including illness within our ranks, apathy or antipathy amongst most clergy, difficulties in getting through to the laity and - most important - drainage problems..." meant the Foundation could not sign a lease until the drainage matter was dealt with. Council work will not ensure a dry floor.
Hence "Enough is enough" and ICHT has been informed of the Foundation withdrawing its interest in St Nicholas.

Ipswich Historic Churches Trust have agreed to let the Foundation have St Nicholas Church. Appeal has a professional fund raiser and two Bishops have agreed to be patrons, as has Mr Michael Irvine MP, others to follow. Will start collecting funds when registered as a charity.

Apprehension over the St Nicholas project - cannot personally subsidise the project and doubt that others can or would. Whilst Meryemana should continue in its work, doubt that St Nicholas is the right place.
The letter is an invitation to attend a Meryemana Council meeting to elicit a final decision on what happens next.