Writing to Myles Osborne (Diocesan Financial Administrator): Clarifying the position with regard to the Estates Funds and the ability to retain Church, Presbytery and House. Necessary to meet tax liabilities consequently the House (40 Manor Road) will have to be sold but need the Bishop's urgent consent to proceed.

Excellent start: rent-free house and gardens; sites for Aldeburgh & Leiston chapels secured. Need to check on conveyance restrictions and re-convey the buildings to Diocesan Trustees (suggested names: Bishop, Fr Delaney, Fr Hugh Parker, Fr Austin O'Sullivan), take your solicitor's advice. Model Trust Deed available. Leiston chapel seems cheap - but need to consider extension in the future, hence make the walls higher to avoid tunnel appearance. For maintenance, use Mission receipts, but in the intervening months Bishop would provide funds through the Poor Mission Fund (Canon Ashmole will send an application form).

Application for Poor Mission Fund, make it payable from 1st Jan. but not it is retrospective so first instalment will be April 1st. Restrictions on plots: Trust deeds to be kept in Diocesan safe. Cannot start building until you have half the money, Bishop will give a substantial donation. Hire Town Hall or similar to obtain a breathing space? Talk to your friend about his intentions for the house - do not risk reversion by being too precipitate - could make use of the chapel as a school or parochial hall.

Glad that the convent question is settled. Got the statistics, but not the Retreat Form. Will join the procession but can you not get a more brilliant speaker than himself? Congregation in Rome very particular about chapel room.

Cyril is in a good place for him at Woburn Sands and will stay there for a good time. Good idea for his sister to move in with him and to get him out of "lodgings"

No information as to what house they are looking at. Bishop asks Fr Birch to enter into cautious correspondence with Fr Bidone (Sons of Divine Providence) to avoid misconceptions or misunderstandings.

Understands that Fr Grace has acquired a house in Huntingdon through the assistance of the Sick and Retired Clergy Fund. He says he needs to know "at least to ensure that the parish is 'covered' and filled as soon as possible".

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?

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.

Letter to Bishop Parker describing state of Chatteris property which he visited "on my way home". Generally poor condition with much damp in the walls. Mr Dodds , Clerk of the Council and Secretary of the Friends Meeting Society (who are selling the chapel - valued at £250) showed him around and admitted no repairs done for 17 years. Builder in contention to buy would probably out bid the church. Canon Malone & Canon Hunting agree that they should not proceed further. So has stopped a bid and put Withams on standby. Fr Collins could not contact Fr Gaffney by telephone.

Ordination applicants need to be in full communion for a while before Rome considers them. Outstanding matter needs to be addressed prior to the other becoming a candidate. Need to consider the reader's future role carefully. Chris Toller will be in touch with Paul Hirons about the bungalow soon.

Outlines rent, conditions, charges for hirer for Canon Tonks with respect to Crockerhill.

Bishop confirming that the property (also known as "The Cockerill" [sic] [aka "The Cockerhill" - see other correspondence] was not for sale whilst Mrs Simpson was alive, but, he did not imply that it would be for sale when she was dead. However, he will be consulting with his Chapter in March.

It would please the Bishop to see Mrs Simpson installed in the house for her greater comfort and good health. Grateful that she wishes to benefit the mission at Aldeburgh. Bishop not yet fit to do business and hopes to be out of bed by the end of the week.

An amended letter drafted by Canon Tonks to Chas Hornor; Inviting him to consider variations on value according to different interpretations of costs/rental income.
notes written on back: "Not prepared to do anything during War; Let know if can keep matter open; report; Bp like to see property himself; leave open few months"

Shortage of priests / ageing priests does not obviate a compromise to bring priests back into the area. Miss Insley's house could be bought (£28,000) and used for Mass if not for a Rest/Holiday Home for priests who could also supply in the area. Desirable area close to Sandringham. Dersingham could grow into a young town in 10 to 30 years; vision is called for; an opportunity for a Mass centre. Hunstanton is 8 miles away and difficult for some to get to on a Sunday for Mass.

Not signed nor addressed but most likely to Mr Venner of Manchester given the subject matter.
The offer by Mrs Newton of "Red House" in Wymondham is refused as being unsuitable for a chapel on an number of grounds and because the potential for a remunerative rent is remote.

1977: Fr Smith needs to undertake Vatican II reforms in March; thanks for appointment - will get Bishop biting dog! 1978: Fr Smith says Parishioners not got habit of giving & resent providing for Cathedral costs. Introducing Planned Giving (manuscript note: Lord, preserve my parish from legacies!") (bishop concurs); Parishioner professional fund raiser & says 1978 £1000 for Diocese no problem - relating to Cathedral Fund; Fr Smith tells John Smith he has not yet stayed 1 night at the presbytery - commuting between March & Peterborough. Presbytery work good - consecration of Church in October? 1979: £220 from Sir Pierce Lacy Trust (grandfather of Rev Peter Wilson); 1980: thanks for visitation; plans for house vetted by parishioner civil engineer who will supervise work gratis; bishop OK with plans but worried about costings - need to speak with Peter W, sensitive about using Chatteris money; 1981: Cheque from Sir Lacy Trust, "the box"remely busy, religious practice appears on the increase. 1982: Fenland District Council unhappy about staircase in new Presbytery - served notice to fix or pull down. 1983: Fr Gus Berrell receives £536 from Sir Lacy Trust; Bob Manley very ill - spending last days in Sheringham; Bishop off to Peru and will tell John Drury all the news. 1983: set up Parish Advisory Committee; heating needs replacing. Ransom Gift of £220 - Bishop asks Fr Berrell to write a thank-you note to Mgr. Stark. Go for Gas! £560 Lacy Trust provided. 1984: Extensive Nun sick list - Sr Elizabeth has much back trouble and is in hospital. House suffering from shrinkage & cracks - concerned. 1986: "Princely sum" allocated to March (thanked Mgr. Stark). Water seepage made electric wiring dangerous. PAC writes to Bishop re proposed move of Nuns - parish upset and told Mgr. McBride so. Mgr. McBride suggested sell off presbytery & retain house - parishioners not happy. Note from Fr Berrell to Bishop re issues round house & Presbytery - parishioners upset about delay in getting back into presbytery. 1987: Ranson gift acknowledged. 5 bursts/leaks 7 ceiling collapsed plus a theft of £12 value. Agreement that Fr Berrell moves back into presbytery.

Pro-Nuncio's visit went well. Asked if he might close the Marian Year and formally bless the amenities area at the Shrine, he said he was happy to do this provided the Bishop was content with it. A Quidenham sister is looking for a period of exclaustration, Sr Rachel approves and so does he after speaking to the sister. Sr Jane's inheritance from her mother is now made over to Quidenham and is considering founding an inner0city monastic fraternity - prepared to wait for dispensation from Quidenham and Rome's approval. Being kept busy by an unrelenting pilgrim season but will put pen to paper about the praying community in Walsingham. The Knights of Malta let him use one of their houses for visiting seminarians to stay.

Rumour has it that the house they are buying is Southwell, Mgr Tony Hulme's house.