The Elders have agreed that we will formally launch the next phase of our redevelopment appeal once the committee has been formed and had a chance to consider how it wishes to function. However we have been able to agree on a chairman for the appeal: Ian Thomson has agreed to lead it once he returns to Cheltenham in July. We expect to unveil the full committee by the time the September issue goes to press.

The first work required is replacing the hall heating system with some-thing that will remain useable after the rest of the work is completed. It is envisaged that it will be radiators at floor level and, as I write this, we are awaiting quotes and specifications so that we can appoint a contractor and get the work done this summer. It is possible that some of the wood blocks will have to be lifted round the edge to make the layout work.

The next phase is to get a formal specification drawn up for replacing the floor and lighting, then redecorating the hall. The architect has been asked to give us a price and timetable for that. With that we can then go out to tender and have a contractor ready in place for next summer. How-ever, because of possible changes in the VAT rules for listed churches like ours, we may need to have contracts signed and materials on site by the end of March 2011. I hope we can also include work on the skylights within this programme because of the problems with access. As I have explained to several hirers, and found ways of relocating them for the work period, the work window is primarily from mid June to the end of September. The flooring contractor needs virtually all of that time because of the extent of the work and the time required for the floor to settle once installed. The hall would be sealed off and there would be no access to the stores during that period. Particular attention will be paid to avoiding dust getting into the kitchen.

There is more work required after the interior is finished, but apart from installing secondary glazing on the main hall windows the work is external. The current phase of external work is almost complete, but it was held up at the end by the wrong guttering being supplied to the contractor. We do have a fully replaced flat roof over the stores so hope-fully there will be no more leaks there.