Friends of Northwood Church

Posted by Admin on 25 August 2013, 10:57 pm

Dear Neighbours,
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I am writing to introduce myself as the new Chairman of Friends of Northwood Church. My name is Paul Hutchings and I have been a resident at Chawton Farm Barns for the past 4 years, and I have been Chairman for the past year since the departure of the former Chairman and Founder Jay Shipley who has moved on to pastures new. A new Committee was elected at the last general meeting and we are looking forward to re-launching activities to help maintain and support the church.
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We are hoping to start a newsletter to help keep everyone in touch with up and coming activities/events and of course information about the church’s history. There will also be articles on this website highlighting the lives of people like Simon Slingsby whose name appears on one of the tablets within the church. The intention is to create a series of articles on the people behind Northwood Church whose names appear on memorials (tablets, windows etc) or within the graveyard itself.
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Following a meeting with the committee on 9th July 2013, we are inviting previous members to renew their membership and anyone with an interest in preserving this lovely Church in our parish to support us through membership/donations.
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Now we have the Committee up and fully functional again, the church is still in need of constant maintenance – previous projects of repairs to the beautiful windows and the heating system were an example. We currently have an ongoing problem with the ceiling, which we would like to address with the help from donations and/or new and renewed Members’ subscriptions etc. so your participation would be very much appreciated in whatever form you think suitable. This church will only continue in its current form with the help of “friends” like you.
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As you are probably well aware this 12th Century church is very beautiful, set in a peaceful location and with lots of interesting architecture and of course a very long history. We would like to keep it this way for everyone’s use and enjoyment. It is regularly used for services, christenings, weddings and funerals and of course coffee mornings along with the odd fete or two, perhaps even yourselves or friends have had occasion to use the Church and I’m sure you were impressed with its beauty and character, so keeping it in tip top condition is of benefit to all who visit.
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Finally, if you wish to contribute to the upkeep of St John the Baptist Church, can you please take your Standing Order form to your bank so they can process it, and send donation cheques to: Secretary of the Friends, 10 Wyatts Lane, Cowes, PO31 8QB. Please make cheques payable to Friends of Northwood Church.
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Yours Sincerely
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Paul Hutchings,
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Chairman, Friends of Northwood Church