BUILDING TOGETHER

If you received a copy of the last Fulwood Methodist magazine in the New Year you will be aware of the plans we have for developing the church buildings so as to improve our service to the local community. Things have moved on fast since then. The original plans have been on display in most of the church rooms for the past few months to give you an opportunity to see them. Full details of the plans and any changes made have been available since the Annual Church Meeting on 9 April.

Because we are in a Conservation Area we have to go for Full Planning Permission in the first instance, which, if granted, will be binding as far as the details of the exterior are concerned but we will still have some flexibility regarding the interior. The architect has been instructed to go ahead with this application, and we expect a decision in June. A favourable result would enable us to launch our grand appeal at the end of June.

If you have been following the story so far you will be aware that the costs are expected to be in the region of f1.5 million plus VAT. We have been advised by the Methodist Property Division to form a Limited Company, which would then be a member of the Church Council, so that we can claim back the 17.5% VAT. Joan Hardman and the Fund-raising Group are already mapping out various activities and developing ideas for raising the necessary money and we would hope to start re-building in 2003-2004. If you are a member of one of the groups that use the premises at present, do not worry about being homeless. Len Fletcher and the Building Liaison Group will be finding places for worship and activities to continue while the work is underway.

Once the plans have been submitted, people living around the church, in Highgate Avenue, Garstang Road and Watling Street Road will be visited to ensure that they know what we are about and will be able to ask any questions and voice any concerns they may have. Your feedback is important to us. Local Councillors and everyone involved in the local area will also be kept informed.

Finally it is encouraging that the Methodist Property Division in Manchester stated that we were the best prepared of any church which had consulted them. If they asked ‘Have you done so-and-so?’ we had! Knowing that we have approached this in the right way gives us confidence that we are on track ‘to serve the present age’ and the future too.