Fr Page had told him Bishop would want to know if Church had a damp course. Fr Clare says it has. He would think builder would not bother to put one in a Granary.
Bishop annotation: "Thanks. But have you never considered future use of Barn - Church as a club room? Feb 23/26".

Encloses suggested plan (sketch) for new church. Anxious to start to find money now. Suggests making use of existing walls & to add on 30ft which would include sanctuary, sacristy & vestry for servers. Architect's rough estimate is £2,300. If Bishop approves he will get more detailed specifications and plans.

Bishop writes: included copy of letter to Mr Osborne (Director of Education, Isle of Ely Council) ; received plans of a church which would be suitable for March - St Mary's Littleborough (nr Rochdale); Lost a pair of grey old kid gloves in presbytery or at Parson's.

Fr Gaffney makes clear the layout/situation with his church. He will sing Mass of Our Lady as o Missal for 26 April (as sung annually on the Patronal Feast). Old church locked - not allowing non-catholics to see it stripped. If this is not acceptable the Bishop must find someone else to take over before 19th.

1979 - Fr Smith informs Bishop that the Anglican Vicar offered Catholics first refusal on mission hall in Chatteris. £3000 in kitty; perhaps could sell presbytery. Bishop suggests keeping the two issues apart and think through whether this is needed pastorally. 1981 - Bishop not for a new church in Chatteris; summary (unsigned but probably by Fr Peter Wilson) sets out position regarding loan & anonymous donation - there is friction as some in Chatteris congregation believe they were promised a Church and they were saving for it. Frank Molyneux (parishioner who does the parish accounts) supports Fr Smith's view that Chatteris retention of collection funds (as allowed by Fr Donald Hillier) did not benefit the parish as a whole. Fr Smith understands that this situation arose back in Fr Gaffney's time. Two letters from parishioners (Green & Rudd) set out the Chatteris perspective on the expectation for their own Church. Fr Smith hopes to take a shorthand writer to take notes at a meeting with parishioners in April. He will make his & the Bishop's position clear. It was a difficult meeting. Bishop asks Fr Smith to "Cool it": concentrate on Sisters' arrival and Presbytery nearing completion. Fr Peter Wilson will be brought in to aid Fr Smith. FR Smith is disappointed in the Chatteris people who cling to the desire for their own Church - but not enough to form a sustainable congregation. But at least he now knows who the agitators are. 1988 - suggestion of sharing Church with the Anglicans - this would replace the community hall they currently use in Chatteris. The vicar, Fr Myhill, will discuss it with his council and understands the Bishop makes the final call. Bishop good with the idea; there are a few considerations, but Fr Smith can explore the opportunity. The PCC meeting minutes support the idea but "no poaching by either side" and "no incense at any time"! Bishop says go ahead for a 3 to 5 year trial.

Housekeeper, N Smith, writing for Fr Page who is unable to use his hand to write & since his seizure is forbidden to travel. Statement & bills are correct. Fr Clare left nothing to pay with & there is nothing in hand from there. Fr Page pleased to have help from Fr Thomas.

Enclosed plan & Frost's sketch of 1st portion of new church for March. Describes proposal in detail & reason for various aspects. New sacristy also needed. He would like to dedicate the Church to Our Lady of Walsingham as theirs was the first in the diocese to install a statue of Our Lady according to original model. If Bishop approves plan, he will send specifications. He encloses cheque for cathedraticum from Deanery clergy

Missing Ramsey Register worries him - dates back to Fr Duffy & start of mission at March. Vestments stored in damp room in Ramsey; Ramsey Ciborium in March, Altar & other linen shared between Ramsey and March. Bp Keating fell through Ramsey floor (work done quickly after that). Congregation extremely nice people - repaired ceiling and wall boarding. Fr Duffy affected by his years in Ramsey and would not serve it after going to Huntingdon so the congregation left or joined CofE.

Mgr Provost Freeland requested Fire Insurance for "Chapel at Lakenham"; cover being from 1-12-1933 to 25-12-1934. £3.0.9 is due. The agent, R T Cook, advises the cheque for the premium is to be £2-11-9 having deducted his fee of 15% i.e. 9/- .

Superintendent Registrar (J C Woodhouse) writing to Rev H S Squirrell, that Christ the King, Lakenham is now registered as a "Place of Meeting for Worship" and enclosing Certificate.

Fr Chapman advising the Bishop that due to on-going works at his Church he will be saying Mass at Wymondham Abbey for first 3 Sundays of December. The Vicar there has already obtained his own permissions. Since Fr Chapman already uses Anglican churches at Attleborough and Hethersett, he assumed that this would not cause a problem to the Bishop.

Fr Brown agrees that Watton should be the priority if ever in the position to buy/build a church. However, the puts forward an argument to have a presence in Attleborough with a resident minster. So, no funds for Attleborough Drop-in Centre? meanwhile hope the RAF remain and support Watton.

Three large market towns and only one church. Watton seems to have priority, so long as the RAF do not pull out. Attleborough though, does it need a permanent church? The community there is small and we should be open to co-operation with other Christian churches if it is offered. He doubts that they are in the position to invest real money in the suggested venture. Instinct then is for Watton. Right? Please guide.

Fr Jennings informing the Bishop that RAF Watton is to close and consequently there will not be a chapel for the community there. In considering Mass provision it may require a general review of Masses at Wymondham. Who is responsible for the Ministry of Formation of Priests since the position has been vacant for 3 years?

Provision of Church & presbytery in Wymondham a very great work and quite necessary. But need thorough consideration. The Vicar-General has experience in purchasing sites; need to consider current and future needs. Is Norwich growing towards Wymondham or vice versa?

Fr Phillips is informing the Bishop of two properties he would like to buy. There are plots of land available outside the town but these two are in the centre and offer the best possible site for Church and Presbytery. Whilst he is not certain that he could obtain either he asks for permission to try. He offers options and has identified another house which could serve as a presbytery opposite to the site he is interested in. He has spoke at length with the Vicar-General today.
Pages 3 & 4 are a location plan and property particulars respectively.
[Property A, on Middleton St., is half of Caius House, a well built gentleman's residence converted to a dwelling and two shops. Property B, at junction of Church St. and Market St., is a pre-reformation Guild Chapel in good state but no roof. ]

Alternative property for purchase - a yard at back of Mrs Goodings currently occupied by Southgates of Fakenham as a motor depot. Now closed and probably up for sale. Suggesting making an offer both for Southgates' yard and for Mrs Goodings' garden. Then there would be room for Church and Presbytery.

House adjoining his Church is vacant next week and has made an offer on it Can manage with his present funds but not to buy furniture and so asks if the Canon would ask the Bishop to grant £50 for Mission furniture, or, give permission to appeal via Catholic newspapers for furniture.

Fr Phillips had bid £500 for one and three quarters of an acre of meadow close to the Church - apparently without gaining Diocesan permission - now bid has transferred to Fr Ketterer. The Post Office's bid has been accepted for £300 for three quarters of an acre. The remainder would be suitable for a church and presbytery. Canon Squirrell knows of this and suggested writing to the Bishop to explain the position. This is a useful bit of land; can he bid around £350 for it? Since the Bishop is in Norwich that week he can come and see it.

Writes to Monsignor (assumed to be Canon Tonks): Receipt for Bishop's generous gift to the Mission enclosed. Post Office has acquired the piece of meadow, rendering the site too narrow for Church & Presbytery. Describes the nature of planned expansion in Wymondham. Has identified a site 10 minutes walk from current address. Has obtained pews & chairs for the two churches in Wymondham and Dereham. Increased seating accommodation, more dignified and silent when congregation sit or stand.