This has been a relatively busy year for us, but a productive one, where we have embedded for the fifth year running our systems for the annual maintenance and development according to our declared aims- as agreed by the PCC in 2003:
v To ensure that all church buildings are developed and maintained to the highest standards as part of our stewardship, and to support our Mission Statement
v To exercise our duty of care to ensure that all personnel, members of the congregation, and the wider community are kept safe
v To develop and maintain our buildings and activities according to principles of inclusion, so that no-one is excluded or treated unfavourably.
We have completed this year’s cycle of maintenance of the buildings according to the Health & Safety regulations. This means that we have carried out the annual service and safety checks on the following; the lightening conductor, the guttering, PAT testing of all electrical appliances, Gas boilers and appliances, Chubb fire extinguishers. At this point, both Michael and I would like to thank Andrew Curran who undertakes all the gas safety checks and annual service procedures that we need, and who does so at very low rates as part of his contribution to the life of Holy Trinity.
By the time you read this, we will also be well advanced towards renewing the electrical circuit on the stage in Parish Hall, and towards having the fixed electrical installations in all three buildings checked. We need to have the latter checked every five years, and these are now due.
Disability Access
It is now statutory that all who run public buildings conduct a Disability Access Audit. We carried one out in 2003 and have in place a Disability Access Plan. Most of the items on that plan have been carried out: we have a hand-rail to the chancel, a ramp to the church, and toilets for the disabled in both Trinity and Parish Halls. It is now also time to renew our Disability Access Plan, and you will all be consulted on that.
Halls
Michael and I would to thank all those involved in running and developing the Halls for their untiring energy and commitment on our behalf. This year, they have been responsible for upgrading the toilet facilities in Trinity Hall. They plan to upgrade the heating in Trinity Hall, and to refurbish the structure of the roof of Trinity in the coming year. This is in addition to all the jobs that need doing throughout the year. Many thanks to Jim & Daphne Curran, Jon & Maxine Paul, Laura Priestman, Jess Whipp, Barbara Barton, Cheryl Clarke.
Parish Work Days
Michael initiated these days and has organized them for the last two years. And they are a great idea! We now have three such days each year: the church is opened to the public, and the gentlemen of the parish carry out some much needed repairs and jobs. Many thanks to Michael, and his team of gentlemen and gentlewomen!
The Church
This year, we have seen the installation of our new screen and sound system. The company involved has not been the easiest to deal with, and Chris Potten has undertaken all the negotiations involved. Many thanks Chris, for all your hard work and time. This system should go a long way to enhancing our worship. Thanks are also due to the anonymous donors who have made the installation possible.
Because of the delay in installing the sound system, we are slightly behind in our other projects. However, with PCC agreement, we have now instructed Bakers of Danbury (who initially installed the church door 40 years ago, and more recently the handrail to the chancel) to renovate the front doors to our church.
We have two major projects in the immediate future, and within the next year or so: the refurbishment of the vicar’s vestry; the refurbishment of the flower room & toilet area. Both are significant to us. For example, we want out church to be used in a variety of ways to enhance worship and its status within the community, yet the area around the flower room and including the flower room is dingy, and unwelcoming, and certainly not fit for purpose.
Quinqennial Inspection
We have just learnt that we are due for our quinqennial inspection this year. What this means is that every five years, the Diocese pays for an architect to inspect our church: the architect looks to see that we have maintained the church as well as we can; s/he checks our health and safety certificates, and a whole range of documentation; s/he checks that we have carried out all the recommendations suggested in the previous inspection
Finally, I would like to thank Michael Gilham for all his hard work and generous support in the last year.
I would also like to thank Father Edmund for his unstinting support and advice.
Thank you to Mary Fabb, for all her support and hard work.
And thank you to all the congregation; your financial support has made all this refurbishment possible.
And a well-kept church is our significant contribution to the next generation of worshippers.
Irene Papadopoulos
Holy Trinity Church Barkingside, north Ilford, is a friendly lively church in the London borough of Redbridge. Anglo Catholic Charismatic in Churchmanship, multi-racial in makeup, with services aimed at all ages. We look forward to your visit.