Appeal for new church extension

Saturday April 9 saw the launch of a major fundraising appeal for a new extension at historic St Margaret's Church in West Hoathly.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Apr 2016, 15:13 BST
The appeal thermometer. Back row left to right: Ven Lionel Whatley, vicar of St. Margarets; Derek Shurvell, working party member; Erica Ansell, churchwarden; Trevor Swainson, working party chairmanThe appeal thermometer. Back row left to right: Ven Lionel Whatley, vicar of St. Margarets; Derek Shurvell, working party member; Erica Ansell, churchwarden; Trevor Swainson, working party chairman
The appeal thermometer. Back row left to right: Ven Lionel Whatley, vicar of St. Margarets; Derek Shurvell, working party member; Erica Ansell, churchwarden; Trevor Swainson, working party chairman

The appeal ‘thermometer’ was unveiled to display fundraising achievements over the coming months from the initial target level of £100,000 which has already been reached.

Trevor Swainson, working party chairman, said: “We are looking to raise the remaining £200,000 required from fundraising events, grants and donations in order to build these much-needed facilities for everyone to use and enjoy.”

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The plans, drawn up by Robin Nugent Architects include replacing the existing vestry with a two-storey extension to provide two toilets, one for disabled users, a new servery and a first floor meeting room, using matching stone from Philpots Quarry where the original stone was quarried.

The addition of these much-needed facilities will enable community events and worship to be more easily accessed and enjoyed by all.

A ‘from scratch’ performance of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ in the church took place on Saturday April 16.

A message from Bishop of Chichester, Rt Revd. Dr. Martin Warner, was read out at the launch event by St. Margaret’s vicar, Ven. Lionel Whatley, wishing the church ‘Good luck in the name of the Lord’. Ven. Whatley added that church growth today requires followers to ‘Be joyful and build toilets!’

As Trevor Swainson, working party chairman says, ‘With faith, hope and charity, we intend to start building this year.”