The Compton Dando Church Estate Trust Part 2: Assets and Finances Last month’s Benefice magazine two objectives of the Trust: for example, contained an article introducing the to support the primary school used by Dear Parishioners, Compton Dando Church Estate Trust. This parish children a grant of £250 was made month’s article is primarily about the to Marksbury School in 2008 and grants Trust’s assets and fmances. The Trust totalling £500 have been made in the past As many of you know, the Reverend Clive Murrie tendered his owns 29 acres of agricultural land in couple of years to help relieve cases of resignation to the Bishop at the beginning of January and his last Compton Dando, from which it received personal hardship. services were on Easter Day. Now we once again have a vacancy rental income. It also has capital which is Any remaining income is invested before a new rector is appointed. Hopefully this will not be for too invested in the Charities Investment Fund. separately from the endowment long. In the meantime our churches will continue as usual under the The land and most of the capital investments. This could be described as investments are endowment assets and the church’s “rainy day” fund. From this services of Sue Stevens, Noreen Busby and visiting clergy together as such cannot be used for any purpose fund the Trust can help with the more with the PCCs and Churchwardens. other than creating income. By this means substantial building repair costs which the Trust receives an income which in occur from time to time. It happens that As a benefice we find ourselves in the unusual position of a second recent years has amounted, after the church has been in good condition for vacancy in two years. This is not what we hoped for or expected and expenses, to some £6000 a year - the last 20 years but there are now although like all investments it is likely to suggestions of damp in the roof and dry it brings its own challenges and opportunities. We therefore ask for be rather lower this year. How is the rot in the floor, not to mention a very old your prayers and support as we move forward, working to strengthen income spent? First, the Trust usually and creaky boiler and heating system. the relationship between the church and all areas of our community. makes an annual grant to the Parochial This “rainy day” fund can also be used Church Council of £2000-4000, which the for supporting new projects which The Venerable Andy Piggott, the Archdeacon of Bath, and the PCC needs to help pay for smaller repairs enhance or improve the church buildings and routine maintenance of the church. in some important manner. The most Reverend Jan Knott, our Rural Dean, as is their usual custom when There may additionally be requests for recent payment was £15,000 towards the there is a vacancy, will be meeting with the joint PCCs to discuss the help towards a specific one-off repair: for new toilets and store building in 2006. process for the appointment of a new priest, and to answer questions. example in 2007 £750 was paid towards Recent practice has been to match the This meeting will take place on Wednesday 13th May in Publow Church new bell ropes. money raised by the PCC for an agreed at 7.00 p.m. They have suggested that this should be an ‘open meeting’ Grants are also made in line with the other project. to which everyone from our churches who is interested is invited. groups. There will not be another monthly Please feel free to come along if you would like to do so. meeting until August 17th when there will be a speaker from Bristol Airport. The Chew Valley U3A has a monthly meeting aim is to provide balance as the speakers The season of Easter promises new life for all and we look forward on the third Monday of the month at Ubley at the April meeting were from Stop Bristol with hope to a new chapter in our benefice. Village Hall. Meetings start at 10:30 with Airport Expansion and from the Council refreshments beforehand. The meeting in for the Protection of Rural England. May will be the Annual General Meeting Although there are no monthly meetings to be held on the 18th. Immediately after during June and July many of the interest the AGM there will be an opportunity to groups continue to meet during the “Meet The Groups”. Each interest group summer. Contact the Secretary, Christine The Churchwardens of Publow, Chelwood and Compton Dando will have a “stall” at which information can Evans on 01934 832841 or visit our be found and questions asked. Chew website, chewvalleyu3a.org.uk for more Valley U3A runs over 20 different interest information. From the Parish Register of All Saints’ Funeral Service 15th April Barbara Jean COLES (followed by cremation at Haycombe) Coffee Morning & Sale A Thank You to everyone who supported St Mary’s Church Saturday 16th May the PreSchool Easter Fayre, we hope you Compton Dando all enjoyed the Egg Hunt with the 10.00am to 12noon children..and the lovely cakes made by Donna Smart of Whitchurch, staff and Recital for a Summer’s Day committee members.. With everyone’s effort and support we by New venue raised £350 towards Pre School funds. Renaissance Choir Lodge Farm, Chelwood Thank You again we couldn’t do it without your support. including By kind invitation of Mrs E Jones & family sacred & popular works Christian Aid Week Sunday, 31st May Plants : Cakes, Jams & Pickles People have commented that because 3.00 pm the Christian Aid envelopes are stapled Books & Gifts : Raffle :Bacon Butties to the Parish Magazines they feel that Admission free : Refresh- they are obliged to fill them. Christian Aid ments and their partners would be grateful for a 50p Entry includes Coffee & Biscuits donation however small, but there is NO pressure to give. Pensford Toddler Group would like to Traditionally the envelopes have always say a big (very belated) Thank You to the Proceeds to St Leonard’s Church been circulated with the magazines and ladies of the Church for providing us Pensford you live at the top of the High St, Geoff attaching them is a convenient way of parents with a very much appreciated Beedell (490371) for the Orchard and the doing it, so they don’t flutter out into the break from the ‘’norm’’, and providing a Neighbourhood “new” houses, David Evans (490521) for lanes and hedgerows. beautiful lunch for us and the toddlers. Watch the bottom of the High St. You will receive If you do contribute your magazine This was extremely appreciated by all. The Pensford Neighbourhood a useful pack about home security and distributor may collect in your area, or the Thank You Watch scheme, centred on will be informed about local incidents envelopes can be left at our Churches. the High Street and Old Road, is now up which the police pass on to us. As a and running. We have over 50 houses in member you may also get a reduced Magazine Distributors the scheme and more are joining all the premium for your house insurance – Last year I made a list of the distributors time. depending on your insurer! who are willing to collect Christian Aid As you are no doubt aware the We would like to extend the scheme to envelopes and hope that you will be kind Neighbourhood Watch signs are now other parts of the village, but to do so, enough to do them again this year. If your Wednesday 6th May displayed at various points along the High we need someone in each new area to St and Old Road. The police say that volunteer to act as a Contact for that area. circumstances have changed, please Stanton Drew Stone Circle crime can be reduced by 30% in a The main responsibility is to pass on would you let me know as soon as you with Colin Budge Neighbourhood Watch area. information to your neighbours who are can so that I have time to find a It’s not too late to join. And it is free! Just members. If you are interested please replacement collector? Thank you all so Meet at the circle entrance contact Alan Ford (490440) if you live in contact Chris James (490392) who can much for your time and effort. the Old Road, Russ Lawton (490203) if give you more details. Jackie Young 01761 490614. 7.00pm - £1.50 Extracts of a meeting of Publow with Pensford Parish Council Chelwood Lucky Draw th Gardeners’ held on Tuesday 14 April 2009 March 09 Community Action: Have established a parked on the pavements outside the car sales Community Village Officer based in Chew was reported to the PCSO’s. They are £15 - E. Jones £10 - P. Harding Question Time Magna to cover the B&NES district. monitoring the site on a regular basis. £ 3 - S. Clarke £ 2 - C. Buckland If you like gardening and Community Liaison Officer: 10k Road Race Parsonage Lane: The pot holes to be nd plants, come along to our very organiser have been given 12 litter picks, bags resolved by 22 April. th & gloves for clearing after race. Birchwood Lane: Pot Holes. This had been CHRISTIAN AID own ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ on 12 Car Park: No feedback from B&NES has passed to the contractor. WEEK May in Compton Dando hall. We are been received. Church Street: The surface is to be uneven lucky to have a plant expert from Bath Development in Keynsham: A pre-planning and action will be taken.