Relating to the March Presbytery and rental properties: Letters from Fr W Clare (7), Fr L Allen(7), Canon Tonks(1), GF Stokes(1), AP Peacock(1), Ollard(2); Postcard from Fr Clare; Bills/invoices (15) from Insurance Co., Utilities & Councils; Agreements for construction and rent; Rent Account (1910 & 1911); Inventory (1941 - Fr Mortimer J Hanagan); Inventory (1948 - Rev W J Gaffney); Fr Gerard Collins to Bishop (Parker) - his critical survey of Chatteris house (11-7-1953).

Handwritten note on (old) envelope "Negotiations off. Double deal declined "

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.

Had letter from Mgr Freeland refusing Levett's offer of £1200. Offer now £1400. If Bishop accepts, it would mean building Presbytery next to present church immediately. The debt would decrease to £175.
Bishop annotated reply: "Identical letter sent to Mgr Freeland, Answered both to him; vide note on this letter"

Thanks him for wires received. Levett willing to pay £1450 for property. Hopes he will not change his mind. Ollard will see him this morning as Fr Clare sent details re price last night. He is feeling much better at present. Margate contact address is "Berkely House, Dalby Square, Margate".

Enclosed plan of Collingwood property. Describes possible uses of rooms etc if bought by Diocese. Gives costs & amount of new mortgage in detail. Statement that he is trying to obtain House, Hall, Club and Church site all in one go.

Mr F. Janion of Catholic Educational Cinema Co would buy whole Collingwood estate including house, picture palace, theatre & 5 shops. For £2000 Diocese would have house & land & part of shop property which would be endowment for Mission. He will examine property on Thursday.

Canon is directed by the Ad B of F to inform them that they do not wish you to place any moneys you may receive for the sale of the property at March in the administration of Father Clare.

Asking him to act as agent for diocese in sale of two houses in March which are property of diocese. Diocese prepared to sell if he can secure £1600. If sold, would Fr Clare be able to stay in his house, and if so, for how long?

Bishop says lowest overall price he can accept is £1500. Plans enclosed; Bishop asks them to review if the proposed new building will be more serviceable than present arrangements.
Fr Clare will have to take lodgings in March if necessary.

They have spoken to Auctioneers & Valuers re sale of houses. £1600 likely to be made if sold by auction; advise reserve of £1400. Gives value of both houses and plot of land. Asks if they may proceed. See back of p2 for reply [March 38b]

Letter to Bishop supporting Mr Lockwood to rent be a tenant. 7s 1d is too much rent - Mr Ollard says this is so) suggests 6s 6d. The celebrated Mrs Pompery has returned, called, and will come back. Fr Freeland seems to e gaining strength as he writes in a very cheerful tone.

Rental agreement between Mr C R Morris and the landlords: Bishop Keating, Rev Charles Eeles (St Mary, King's Lynn), Rev George Joseph Page (St Peter, Wisbech), Rev Ernest Edmund Garnett (Hunstanton) & Rev Herbert William Gray (Fakenham). £5 / week with 3 months notice.

Forwards Fr Clare's letter [re plan, etc.]. He would decline offer. Repeats that present houses & land are great asset for diocese. Considers Fr Clare's chopping and changing not helpful.
Bishop annotation: "consider offer good, all for £1410. Dry rot in house, no bathroom, W. C arrangements rotten. New presbytery near Church would be great advantage."

Describes Miss Collingwood's £2000 freehold property. Advise offering £1750. Offer of £1200 received for houses & land at St John's Rd. Estimate sum of £600 would remain if Church & garage sold at auction, & present mortgage paid off. They would advance this sum at £5 per % per annum. Outbuildings could be let to cover mortgage interest.

Re property at March. £1400 is far in excess of real value. It will be difficult to get above £1150 for the 2 houses & land. Asks if he will consider offer around figure named when he will do his best to effect an early sale.

Says Levett has made offer of £1200 & asks for quick reply from Finance Board. If property sold either build presbytery next to existing church or buy property up for sale & build new church. Discusses advantages & disadvantages. Enthuses about latter option. (Fr Page & Mr Ollard supportive of this too.)

Advises that Collingwood's house should not be bought, gives reasons (including in very poor repair). He is strongly in favour of plot on which 2 houses are, in one of which Fr Clare lives. Regards both as very valuable, believes it would be very unwise to part with them. Asks Bishop to wire as Leggett (buyer) needs response.

Doctor thinks he is as well as can be; Bishop to sell houses in March (for more than when bought in 1909); will not get £1500. Mrs Pritchard Rayner left part of £1000 for Ely endowment - but how much? Income Tax Returns an issue

"Re letter what is your Lordship's wish concerning Levett's new offer £1400. Am leaving for Margate today, Clare"
Bishop's reply "Would accept £1450"