Restore & Renew - July 2025 update

Key updates:

• So far, over £300,000 has been donated or pledged by members of the congregation

• The Benefact Trust have just awarded us a £70,000 grant

• The anticipated costs of the Parish Hall have increased to £850-950k (but don’t

  panic! Remember we also have money from the sale of St John’s)

• The City Council’s decision on our planning application has been delayed until mid-

  August. We are in negotiation with them about our plans to demolish the air raid

  shelter outside the Parish Hall

• We’ve had some fantastic fundraising events!

• The building work on the Parish Hall won’t start before the beginning of November

Praise God:

• The Quiz night raised over £2700, including some match funding

• The St James Park summer fayre stall had lots of excellent conversations about the

  Parish Hall work, and raised over £200

• The after-church food and drink sales in June and July have raised almost £800 and

  prompted some good conversations with passers-by

• Some local businesses and people’s workplaces have been willing to donate items for

  fundraising events

  
  

Pray for:

• Constructive dialogue with the City Council about the bomb shelter

• Leaflet deliveries to local homes about the Parish Hall - that the local community

  would be supportive of the plans

• God’s protection over key people involved in this project, including Dave & Emily,

  Nichola, Barbara, Carol, Marie.

• Those doing the £10 challenge

• People approaching their workplaces for some match funding or charitable grants

• Grant applications are soon being submitted to the National Lottery and Garfield

  Weston. We are looking at some smaller, more specific grants too.

Other upcoming fundraising events

(contact Carol & Barbara on fundraising@stjamesbythepark.org with ideas or to help)

21st Sept - food sale after the morning service

28th Sept - sponsored Walk the Test Way

4th Oct - Craft Fayre