Newsletter
January 2006 Issue Number 1
On behalf of the Friends Committee I would like to say a big thank you for your support over the last 12 months. As we start a new year we can look back on a successful first 18 months, with a growing body of “Friends”. Let’s hope that 2006 sees a substantial increase in both membership and funds.
John Case, Secretary
I’m pleased to report that the Friend’s of St. Michaels was accepted as a Registered Charity on the Charities Commission Central Register of Charities, with effect from the 8 November 2005. The Charity number is 1111970. We are now able to claim back 28p for every £1 that you donate, under the Gift Aid Scheme. You must be a UK tax payer to enable us to do this and you will also need to sign the Gift Aid declaration form. If you have not done this and would like to do so, please phone our Treasurer, E. J. Case on 01276 61676 and he will send you the relevant forms.
A new charities website has recently been set up called GuideStar UK. This is supported by Government and leading charities and the website is set to become the single most important source of information about charities, allowing public access to over 167,000 main charities in England and Wales. You can view the Friend’s details at www.guidestar.org.uk
An attractive range of fridge magnets has been produced to raise money for the Friends. The images include exterior shots of the church, interior views of the nave and chancel and several attractive images of the stained glass windows. The magnets have been selling very well. The price is £3.00 and they are available at church services or from the Friend’s Secretary, John Case on 01276 23201
The committee would like to thank Ivan Collier, who took the original photographs, worked out the correct measurements, so that the images fitted the magnets and also donated the paper and print.
We are also offering a personalised fridge magnet service – We can turn a favourite picture of yours into your own unique fridge magnet – it could be a photo of your children or grandchildren, a fondly remembered holiday snap or a picture of your pet. For further details contact John Case or Ivan Collier. Personalised fridge magnets will cost £4.00.
Sausage & Mash Singalong
I think we can say that this was one of the highlights of the Friend’s year. What a wonderful evening we all had! Everyone sang along with great gusto. Our thanks must go to Rosemary Gyselman, who played the piano so beautifully and to Thérèse, Betty, Nan, Carol and Pam, who peeled and mashed all the potatoes and cooked the sausages. Thanks also to Carol, Tony and John for keeping everyone singing and to E. J Case for selling the raffle tickets…and last, but not least, a big thank you to all of you who supported this event, which raised £272.
Fish & Chip Quiz Night
38 friends came along to the Quiz Night, held in October, to pit their wits against John and Tony’s questions. Each team had a joker to play on any of the 10 rounds. The battle was closely fought and won by Rev Bruce’s team, followed closely by Carole Ford’s team. Half way through the evening the fish and chips were served and everybody fuelled their brains for the second part of the quiz.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success; especially Carol Moody who ordered all the food and Betty Morton and Pam Rhodes who sold all the raffle tickets. Thanks also to Tony Moody and E. J Case, Snr for acting as quizmasters. The event raised £212
Friends Christmas Tea at the Walkers
Thank you to Peter & Nan Walker, who hosted a Friends tea in December, which raised £135 for the Friends.
Thanks also to Nan for the great sandwiches, to Pauline who made some really tasty scones, to Thérèse who made some delicious mince pies, which disappeared very quickly and to Rose Harding and Pam Rhodes who kindly donated several raffle prizes.
Boiler Fund
The new boilers were installed in December 2004 and the Friends contributed £2640 towards the total cost. This was a great achievement and thanks must go to everyone who made donations to the fund.
We currently have an account balance of £5,350.79.
The Friends membership stands at 57 members.
If you have any ideas for future fundraising events or would like to take a more active role in the work of the Friends, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you once again for your help
Cheese and Wine Beetle Drive
Saturday 4th March 2006, 7.00pm in the Church Hall
Tickets are priced at £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children. Soft drinks will also be available.
This should be a fun evening, with nice wine, cheese, olives, pickles, raffle and prizes for the winning adult and children’s teams.
Tickets are available now from John Case, Betty Morton, Carol Moody, Pam Rhodes, Nan Walker or E. J. Case.
Quiz Night – the next quiz night will take place on Saturday 22nd April 2006.
Tickets will be available from the 1st March. A booking form will also be available in church. Fish and Chips or chicken will be served.
Summer Fete – 24 June 2006 at the Vicarage
Charities Fair – October 7 2006 – Church Hall
We are also looking at the possibility of holding a candlelit evening of Christmas words and music in December – more details to follow in the next newsletter, to be published in June.
The first Annual General Meeting of St Michael’s Friends will take place at 6.30pm on Saturday 4 March 2006, in the church hall. The meeting will be held just before the Cheese & Wine Beetle Drive.
Annual subscriptions to St. Michael’s Friends are now due. If you have completed a Bankers Order you do not need to do anything, the money will be taken automatically from your account. If you haven’t completed a form, one is enclosed with this newsletter. Alternatively, cheques can be sent to E. J Case, 44, Portesbery Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3TA.
Membership subscription for one year is £10 per person
Don’t forget to complete a Gift Aid form if you are a UK taxpayer.
With best wishes for 2006 from the St. Michael’s Friends Committee: -
· President: Rev. Bruce Nicole
· Carol Moody – Chairman
· Peter Walker – Vice-Chairman
· E. J Case, MBE – Hon Treasurer – 01276 61676
· John Case, – Hon Secretary – 01276 23201
· Betty Morton - Officer
· Pam Rhodes – Officer
· Nan Walker - Officer
St. Michael’s Church in 1919 from the Francis Frith Collection
1955 from the Francis Frith Collection
These images of St. Michael’s church can be purchased from the Francis Frith website at www.francisfrith.com
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