Friends of St Helen's Church

 

The Friends of St Helen’s Church was established by a small group of Parishioners & Residents from the Parish of Clifford Chambers on 15th March 2017.

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The reason this group came together was the realisation that, in recent years, St Helen’s has been struggling financially. Firstly, the recent repairs to the tower depleted our limited funds by 150,000, with a further 15,000 spent on repairs to the vestry roof and interior redecorations.

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By the 30th April 2017, this get-together had adopted a formal constitution and agreed the name of this embryonic organisation would be The Friends of St Helen's Church. To date, we have donated nearly 30,000.00 to the restoration/maintenance of the Church & War Memorial.

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The Objectives of The Friends of St Helens Church:

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The Friends of St Helen's Church (Clifford Chambers) is established to advance the restoration, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of St Helen's Church (Clifford Chambers) in the Parish of Stratford on Avon, in the Diocese of Coventry. To also include the monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained-glass ornaments, and chattels in the church and churchyard, including the War Memorial belonging to the Church. All its activities, income and expenditure relate to this aim.

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St Helen's Church is the oldest building in Clifford Chambers. It is open every day for local people and visitors, both for worship and to view a beautiful building. Parts of the building date back to Saxon Times, although there have been historic and other alterations over the years. St. Helen's Church is a Grade II* (Historic England List Entry Number: 1382560). As with any historic building of great age, restoration, repair and improvement are needed regularly if the building is to remain open.

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The Friends of St Helen's Church are committed to maintaining and preserving the church for today's people and future generations to enjoy worshipping in and visiting a beautiful historic building.

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Trustees of the Friends of St Helen's:

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President: Rev'd Patrick Taylor

Chairperson: Julie Renfrew

Vice Chairperson: Angela Wylam

Secretary: Andrew Martin

Treasurer: Winston North

Trustee: Jo Johnson

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Supporters of The Friends of St Helen’s Church

 

Founder Patron: Sir Peter Rigby

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Patrons:

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Chris Ironmonger

Paul Southern

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Corporate Sponsors:

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Stratford Garden Centre

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Corporate Supporters:

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Gold Register:

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Clive Feltham          John & Sally Gray      Andrew Martin

Mrs G D Hawks       John & Helen Hogg   

Derek Lawrance       Sue Marshall

Roger Morris             Angela Wylam

 

Silver Register:

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 Melanie Hateley

 Len & Jessie Potter       

 

Bronze Register:

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Shirley & Trevor Acreman    Lisa Collins  Sarah & Paul Collins                                      Mrs M G Nunn       Betty Reynolds

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Join The Friends of St Helen’s Church

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The age and size of our magnificent Grade 2* listed church building mean that a significant amount of money is required for its upkeep. Continual repair work is needed to maintain the Church as a special part of the community with its historic importance.

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If you would like to help ensure that St Helen’s is preserved for future generations, please consider joining the Friends of Shakespeare's Church as a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Supporter.

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• Gold membership (100 per year) includes free entry to the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon, (Shakespeare’s Church) for you and 3 companions, and invitations to any Friends Events, including priority booking.

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• Silver membership (50 per year) includes free entry to the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon, (Shakespeare’s Church) for you and 1 companion, and invitations to any Friends Events, including priority booking.

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• Bronze membership (25 per year) includes free entry to the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon, (Shakespeare’s Church) for you, and invitations to any Friends Events, to include priority booking.

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• For more information, please get in touch with us by email at friends@st-helenschurch.co.uk or contact our Treasurer, Winston North: 07376 086727

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Many thanks for your support.

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We need your help

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Despite the generosity of members of the community in raising much-needed funds, the fabric of the church is still in a sorry state of disrepair. 

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The Victorian guttering needs replacing urgently; rainwater is leaking into the chancel, and should this go unaddressed, the exterior walls will begin to crumble.

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Another area of grave concern is the porch rafters, which, being rotten, are causing the collapse of the roof.

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There are other areas of concern; both the path and the boundary walls are in a bad condition and need immediate attention.

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All of the above have serious Health and Safety implications.

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Looking to the future, we would like to improve our disabled access and install a toilet for Parishioners and visitors alike.