Thanks for kind wishes on his election to Abbot of Downside. Visited Beccles some weeks ago and much impressed by this beautiful church. Some day it will be a strong centre of religious life in the district.

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.

Covering letter for a more detailed memo and photocopies of Halsbury Laws 4th Edition 1080 of Vol 14.

Forwarding the sketch plans and drawings for Aldeburgh Church design. Describes the church, Gothic with Round Tower (typical of Suffolk, with flints and plan roofing tiles). Chesham Bois church has similar floor area. Rough costing £1500 to £1600 a further £500 to complete Tower and porch. Fawcett Road is cramped and not suitable, but Fr Delaney has indicated The Terrace site, which is much better and allows room for future requirements.

Advising that Certificate #2 is due for payment - £400 to the contractor and £32 fee for Architects. Fr Davidson has made arrangements for Canon Tonks to meet payment.

Page 1: apologises for not sending enclosed receipt - away on holiday
Page 2: Typed receipt on headed paper for £28 in connection with proposal for new church in Aldeburgh

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

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.

Meeting 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

Requesting information on how the pews when removed are to be catalogued and stored

IHCT 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

Discussed 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.

Discussing 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

Use 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

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.

Comments very helpful. Next time must avoid delays; make firm decisions to avoid costs rising all the time. Might be a good situation for a church sharing scheme - however have not mentioned this to Fr Richmond nor Rev Isaacson - doubt that they'd want to start over again.

Share the sadness that these negotiations have fallen through, but can understand why. Can Bishop Clark comment on whether he'd have taken a different view if things had been different? The transfer of St Mary's in Thetford is going ahead satisfactorily on the basis of a lease.
manuscript ps: hoped Bishop Clark had a happy time at Ely Cathedral for the ecumenical service.