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Parish Centre
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The Latest News on
The Parish Centre Project

Building a Place where Church and Community Meet

Click here to see the photo diary of the work on the hall.

The Parish Centre is nearly a reality! THANK YOU for all your support.

The Latest News - October 2009

  • The building is waterproof and secure. On the roof, the 'corrugated iron panels' and solar panels are fitted and the ventilator from the old church hall replaced.
  • Internally, all rooms are laid out; underfloor heating pipes are in; first fix electrics, audiovisual points & phone connection in. Doors / kitchen on order.
  • We still have a shortfall in funding of £26,258. Further sources of grant aid are being sought. The 'Sponsor a Plank' appeal is being launched in October.
  • Details are confirmed for the electrics, colours, toilet details and floorings (Carpet, bamboo and linoleum); orders being placed.
  • A total of over £13,000 has been raised through local fund-raising events. The 'Ten Pound Talents' raised £6000! This represents about 70% of the furnishing cost.
  • 53 tiles were created by members of the community to be placed in the kitchen covering all sorts of themes from peace, the created world, Guide celebrations, hopes for the future and family events.
  • Work has started on planning and promoting the future use. Urgent help is needed for the Management Group. Contact the office/ Bob Henley.

    • What's Next - October 2009

  • The next phases of construction include the guttering, electrical second fix including the underfloor heating and plant room, internal doors, plumbing. Internal walls - complete first fix, insulation, plastering.
  • Completion of specifications for all internal fixtures and fittings, including soft furnishings and window coverings/ black out and carpets.
  • Events - Bridge drive and raffle on 31st October at Lavington house. Clothes party 12 November. Organ and song recital - date to come.
  • We want to plan a 'last choir standing' event in the New Year, and need 1 or 2 more organisers. No singing ability needed!
  • We need a Management Group to draw up and oversee upkeep and bookings of the Centre. See any of the HSG or Bob Henley if this interests you. Finance, entrepreneurs, design & business flair needed.
  • Can you help? Contact the church on 01258 456260/office@bfpc.org.uk


    • The New Hall

    BFPC has permission for the demolition of the old Church Hall and the building of a new Parish Centre on the site. This web page aims to keep people up to date with what is happening and how the plans are progressing.

    Planners gave the project the go ahead in May 2007 and BFPC set up a Hall Steering Group to oversee the plans to demolish and build the Centre. This requires a lot of work including looking at other halls and centres, meeting with groups that will use the new Centre, identify possible sources of funding and work with the architect to ensure that the Centre meets the requirements and needs of the Community.

    		 Building a Place Where Church and Community Meet

    The Hall Steering Group ...

    Gail del-Pinto Roger Brown Judith Crompton Dave Griffiths Kevin Humphreys David Rake
    The members of the Steering group are Gail Del-Pinto (Chair), Roger Brown, Judith Crompton, Dave Griffiths, Kevin Humphries, David Rake, Heather Stringer. To get more information: email us at or leave a message at the Parish office, and one of the steering group will get back to you.[Tel: 01258 456260]

    Archive Material

  • Read the Press Release announcing the successful application here...
  • What the "Statement of Need" is for the Hall...
  • About the design brief which the architect was working to ...
  • Download the information sheet with the details of the Vision on by clicking here.
  • The reasons why we need to build a new hall rather than renovate the old one...
  • More about the state of the hall by going on a virtual tour of the existing hall...

    Memories of the Old Hall....

    My name is Judy Jellis - it was Judy Downes before I married and moved to Poole. I was a member of the choir, an altar server, bellringer, pcc member and also belonged to the youth club then known as the Fellowship of the Upper Room or in short the F.U.R. I spent many very happy hours in the old parish room and well remember when we used to have a dance the floor used to shake so much we often wondered if it would collapse. It's very sad to see the old place being demolished but good to see at last something good is going to rise in its place. When looked at without the rose tinted glasses the roof leaked it was always freezing cold at winter meetings and before poor old Jack Mullet, who used to actually live there, died - there was no kitchen or anything else. Keep up the good work and hopefully the new building will soon be full of the many happy times that the old one had. Judy Jellis

    ....Go to the main archive page >>>>>
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