We were encouraged by the interest shown in the article earlier in the year and grateful for donations received. Here is some more financial information as a prelude to inviting villagers to contribute to an informal “Friends of Chipperfield Churchyard.”
St Paul’s Church income is not keeping pace with expenditure and we are facing drastic cuts in our budget for 2010. The churchyard is a village amenity and we are asking villagers to join with the church and the Parish Council in paying for regular maintenance of the churchyard, wall, trees and gates.
Since the beginning of 2001 nearly £51,000 has been spent on the churchyard, £8,600 from annual Parish Council Grants, £6,400 from gifts, usually in memory of loved ones, and £35,900 from church income and reserves, over 80% coming from the voluntary donations of church members, some of whom are not Chipperfield residents.
Of that £51,000, £13,800 has been spent on creating the Memorial Garden and Memorial Wall, £22,000 on gardening, £3,900 on tree works, £3,600 on repairing gates and £7,600 on the wall and miscellaneous items.
Included with this issue of Chipperfield News is a flyer inviting villagers to give their financial support. To continue the present level of churchyard maintenance we need to raise an additional £1,500 each year. If 30 families are willing to contribute £50 each year that would achieve our target. We look forward to the response to this invitation and any comments you may have on the churchyard.