Vestry scheme will take three months from instructions to proceed.
Borough's letter not specific but they have declared an intent to address the drainage problem. Suggest instruct to go ahead and inform IHCT and Borough that you have done so on the basis of their letters. Need to meet you and Mr Mellamphy to finalise the brief so can start on the drawings
Letter
73 Archive Record results for Letter
Referring to the English Heritage letter to James Hall (IHCT). It is clear that additional work and drawings need ot be done - particularly on pew storage and toilets. ".. appalled at the time this has taken..." Suggest joint meeting with Dr Heley and Mr Mellamphy.
Includes his response to IHCT.
Appreciate need for costings but until proposals are "crystallised" then they can only be very approximate.
Builders (£9,500) + Fees (£2,000) + VAT (£2012.50) = £13,512.50 excludes furniture, carpets, removal of safe.
Letter of 29 March clearly confirms flooding through East Vestry door, which must be cured prior to work starting on the floor. Copy it to James Hall (IHCT) so he can take it up with the Borough.
Basil and David HatcherMeeting with Church Advisory Board for Redundant Churches, The Borough, IHCT and Meryemana Foundation - did not get the necessary assurances regarding pew removal. Borough Planning Officers - need a change of use if the vestry is to become a caretaker's flat - lists alterations which will attract need for Listed Building consent. Work (more than expected) done so far requires payment and a review of brief
Basil and David HatcherRequesting information on how the pews when removed are to be catalogued and stored
Basil and David HatcherIHCT have progressed work on the church until the grants ran out. Consequently some internal redecorating has not been done; although rewiring is complete. Need Meryemana input to progress application for Planning Consent
Basil and David HatcherDiscussed plans with Mr Mellamphy - only one disabled toilet required - plans acceptable. Stairway to bell-ringers floor impractical - will be excluded. Drawing enclosed for Vestry/Caretaker accommodation. Application to the Borough for Listed Building application for the Vestry, Toilets, Pew removal; and change of use for vestry to living accommodation. Mr Mellamphy is going away for a few weeks.
Basil and David HatcherDiscussing with Mr Mellamphy, recommendation that plans for Vestry etc. are discussed with English Heritage and Ipswich Chief Planning Officer before going to far. Includes a schedule of hourly rates.
As a member of ICHT he informs that both phases of external repairs are to start in early Spring 1991 and will include re-roofing the vestry
Sufficient work to enable the Vestry to be used for meetings. Need to agree the lease with IHCT before incurring too much cost. Ready to discuss with the planners but the proposals need the blessing of the IHCT and English Heritage. Look to the future and phase 2 or 3 if possible
Basil and David HatcherUse of redundant church, St Nicholas, by client, Meryemana Foundation. Planning application for change of use; Listed Building application (plans included); explanation of eight relevant factors
Basil and David HatcherBishop advises that deeds for presbytery (Normanhurst plots 34 & 35?) are with Withams. As is the separate deed for church plot. Good idea to have a church hall, but, all costs, etc. must go through Finance Board, which meets on 26 February. Bishop is at the Convent in Ipswich and could deal with the matter himself if it is urgent. Does Fr Jolly know anything about Mrs Spencer of Thoringham, Saxmundham? May have lunch there and might meet Fr Jolly there too.
Bishop's OfficeDraft governing instrument - considered and suggest a number of amendments. An agreement required to reimburse the Charity for funds spent should it not have access to St Nicholas.
Charity CommissionAccept budget increase to £1800. The "Vestry and Chapel" plans was your idea in discussion with Mr Mellamphy. Need to get started as people will only give when they see things happening. IHCT lease dependent on planning application within 3 months
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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?
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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.
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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.
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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.
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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.
Heley, Margaret Mary (Maire) Dr (1930-2020)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.