Mrs. Rosalie Moncaster Golden Burn Cottage PL28 8LS

30 April 2013 Dear Maritime Colleague,

The picture of Parish Church was drawn in 1885 before a major fund-raising effort to repair most of the roof and many other parts. Today we are pleased to report that St Eval church is in much better order through the generosity and hard work of dedicated people down the ages. For our part, we aim to leave the church better than we found it. To achieve this aim we are renewing our on-going stewardship campaign.

The heart of the parish church is its people. In 1885 it was a small congregation from a mainly farming community although in those days the village still stood around the church. Today the church can appear somewhat isolated: it stands alone where once there was a thriving community and then an important wartime RAF airfield.

We know St Eval Church has a very special place in the hearts of a very wide and far flung maritime community so we are including many in our efforts to increase support who may not have visited St Eval recently.

The next few pages outline what we have sent to other supporters and explain how you might increase your own help or persuade others to contribute. Financial support is vital. We always appreciate one-off donations but we have regular outgoings so it is particularly helpful to have regular income from standing orders, especially with the benefit of Gift Aid.

The church has withstood the test of time, and has provided a reassuring ‘rock’ in the passing years. For generations St Eval church has been here for parishioners and visitors alike; we pray to God that it will be here for generations to come, and with your help we will make sure it is.

St Eval Church

St Eval Church 1885

Your Heritage St Eval Church History St Eval Church extends a warm welcome to all The earliest record of some form of church at St th who either attend one of our services or who Eval dates back to the 13 century. It is simply visit. The church is open in daylight possible to trace incumbents from about 1260. hours every day of the year. Our visitors tell us

that St Eval is peaceful, inspirational and In 1312 Vicar Porquin was required to lengthen spiritual: an oasis in a stressful world. the church by 6 feet and to construct adequate windows. This was completed 10 years later for All of us would lose something vital if we could the sum of £10. The building of the south aisle not use the church as our forefathers did: for was probably completed circa 1350-1550. weddings, christenings and funerals; for those

with loved ones commemorated or buried in our Further work provided a new south wall which, beautiful church yard; and to celebrate Easter, when roofed over, nearly doubled the size of the Christmas, and Harvest Festival; for regular church. Inside, screens were erected right services; and as a haven of peace. across the church, separating the nave from the chancel. A fuller account of St Eval Church and its RAF

connections can be found in the booklets on sale Much of the detail of this early work was th in the church. destroyed in the religious upheavals of the 16 and 17th Centuries. RAF St Eval It is possible that the earliest tower was Norman. It is suggested that a taller tower was built in the In 1938-39 most of the buildings in the small 15th century. By the 17th century, ravages of hamlet of Churchtown were demolished to make weather and perhaps poor workmanship led to way for an airfield of Coastal Command. This its virtual collapse and the bells were useless. In became RAF St Eval, with up to 2000 personnel the 18th century the ’new’ tower was built at a and over 20 different squadrons who kept a cost of £400. Of this, £90 was raised by local constant vigil against German U-boats far out in farmers and the balance by Bristol Merchants. the Atlantic.

By 1880 the slate roof was in a very poor The church was within the perimeter of the condition. Work on this and the bells was airfield and was surrounded by runways and completed in1889 after what must have been a dispersal areas. The airfield was regularly tremendous fund-raising effort. In 1952/3 the bombed but there was no serious damage to the whole bell frame, originally of wood, was rebuilt church. in steel and all six bells were re-hung. The parish church became the station church, Most of the small hamlet of Churchtown was commemorated with the church being the demolished in the late 1930s to make way for centrepiece of the RAF St Eval station badge. the wartime airfield. Today, unlike most other village churches, St Eval stands in splendid isolation. There is no village green, no pub, and no community within walking distance. There are several small hamlets and farms within the parish boundary and what were married quarters for RAF , many of which have been sold into private ownership.

There was talk of dismantling the church tower during the war as it was considered to be a hazard to aircraft but the pilots themselves felt it to be more valuable as a landmark. In 2009, after considerable fund-raising, the four RAF St Eval closed in 1959 but the RAF pinnacles, which were in danger of collapsing, connections with the church continue to this day. were successfully restored. In 1989, after much fund-raising, the RAF St Eval memorial window in the Lady Chapel was The small dedicated congregation of St Eval dedicated. At a special service in 1995 the Church strives to serve this varied and church was officially ‘adopted’ as the ‘Church for widespread community as it has done for nearly RAF Coastal Command’. 800 years. St Eval is still there for all of us, regardless of belief, faith or creed. How can you help? Would you be a friend to St Eval?

You may not be a churchgoer but the St Eval parish church is part of your community and heritage.

As a charity, part of the money we raise helps to pay our minister and part is needed for the upkeep of the Grade 1 listed church building. Just as this special church has been preserved for us, so we aim to preserve it for future generations. For as little as £10 annually (or whatever other Haven’t given in the past? Perhaps you could sum you choose) you could become a friend to afford a donation now? Or possibly a regular St Eval parish church. contribution? If this idea appeals please complete a standing No matter how little, everything helps. For tax order form. If you can also complete the Gift Aid payers, Gift Aid increases the value of your section this will increase the value of your offering (currently by 25%) at no cost as the donation at no extra cost to you as we can church recovers tax already paid. So, every reclaim tax paid. donation can punch well above its weight. We are grateful for every donation we receive, The Planned Giving scheme, using a standing no matter how little. Lots of modest monthly order or regular payment envelopes, can help standing orders would make a big difference: you to contribute regularly, even if you are not in regular income to help meet regular expenses. church every week. It also helps us to plan ahead to meet on-going costs. Please send any cheques and completed standing order forms to our Treasurer: You may not be a churchgoer, but we hope you will feel an affinity to your parish church, possibly Mr David Green through a family member who was married, Newlands baptised or buried there; or maybe stationed at Fiddlers Green the RAF airfield during the period 1939-1959. St East, TR8 5NJ And perhaps you would consider a Legacy in your Will? A codicil to your present Will is all If you wish to set up a standing order yourself that is needed. please use the detail from the attached form or email David at [email protected] and he will provide our bank details.

St. Eval Church

STANDING ORDER MANDATE

To (Name of Your Bank):………………………………………………………………..…….

Postal Address:………………………………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… Postcode:…………………………………

Your Bank's Sort Code: ..... - ..... - .....

Please pay: Barclays Bank PLC, Fore Street, , Cornwall TR9 6RG Sort Code: 20-74-20 For the credit of: Parochial Church Council of St. Eval Account Number: 30695467

The sum of: (in words) ______Pounds

Date of the first payment:..…………………………………………………………. and thereafter the same sum (please tick one box) Monthly

or Quarterly

or Annually until further notice and debit my account accordingly.

Name of account-holder: …………………………………………………….……………

Account Number: ……………………………………………………………………….…..

Signed: ______Date:______

Your Name (please print): ……………………………………………………………..…..

Your Address: ……………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Please send this form to our Treasurer: David Green at Newlands, Fiddlers Green, St Newlyn East, Newquay TR8 5NJ We will send the form to your bank.

St. Eval Church

In response to the St. Eval renewed stewardship campaign I would like to donate £………………… as a one-off / weekly / monthly / quarterly / annual payment*.

I would like tax to be reclaimed on my donation under the Gift Aid Scheme. I am a UK tax payer and pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that can be reclaimed on my donation. Please tick the appropriate box.

YES to Gift Aid NO to Gift Aid

I would like to pay by Cheque* / Standing Order and enclose the first payment Cheque / Standing Order for payment by the Bank as indicated. (*please make any cheque payable to ‘St Eval PCC’.)

Signed:……………………………………………………Date:……………

Your Name (please print)………………………………………………………………………………………………..….

Your Address……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Your Post Code:………………………………………………..……

Your Telephone Number:*……………………….…………...

Your Email address:*……………………………………………. * Not essential but useful if we need to contact you

Please send this response form, your payment and/or Standing Order form to our Treasurer: David Green at Newlands, Fiddlers Green, St Newlyn East, Newquay TR8 5NJ

We will send any Standing Order form on to your bank.

Thank you for your generous support for the Ministry and work of St. Eval Church.

Any Queries? Please call any of the following if you have any queries:

David Green, Treasurer: 01872 540220 Rosie Moncaster, Churchwarden: 01841 521072 Joanna Scoffham, Churchwarden: 01841 540514 Sue Martin, PCC Secretary: 01841 520319

Giving by Legacy: If you would like to include a gift to St. Eval Church in your Will it is very straight-forward. Speak to our Treasurer or ask your Solicitor for advice on adding a Codicil to your existing Will or to prepare a new Will for you.