News from St. Giles

​August & September have been 2 very busy months …. We completed the installation of the new heating and lighting (have you visited to see?) as well as removing some pews on a trial basis to create some social space.  During the works we found another hidden monument under the aisle floor;   see the article in this issue by James Grimwood-Taylor (and with photos on the website, below).    We may be able to uncover it during the next stage of works, but we don’t know how many more may be upturned under the tile floor!

St Giles new lighting

The beautiful font is now a real focal point, and the 19th century Churchwardens’ Chest is alongside it.    You’ll find a table with tea/coffee making items (please bring your own milk) and a jigsaw puzzle… why?   Our church is here for everyone at any time, not just for worship.  If you wish some quiet space or to join with a few friends, please come in.

We have also enjoyed 2 social events- our BBQ & indoor games on  August Bank Holiday Saturday and the Harvest Thanksgiving Service & Supper on 22 September.   Thank you to all who helped Shirley, Sonia and Barbara with the preparations for both functions, especially with catering, which as always is SO good.   From the BBQ profit we have donated £100 to North Devon Hospice, and raised £238 for St. Giles.  About 50  attended the lovely Thanksgiving service  (thank you Peter for orchestrating it all)  and 79 dined in Victory Hall on the delicious supper following.

The collection at the Harvest Thanksgiving raised £136 which will be split equally between St. Giles and the Farmers in Crisis charity.

Moving on, our architect is now drawing plans for an accessible toilet and servery at the rear of the nave, to be screened by the organ which we plan to move from its current position.    Not only will this allow us to create a side chapel and reveal the beautiful stained glass window in the east end of the south aisle, but the Diocesan organ consultant has advised that the organ will sound even better if not set against a wall.   The pews at the back of the nave and south aisle will be removed, but we will have storage for stackable chairs so as to maintain seating numbers for larger services and functions.   There will also be a display cabinet so that the lovely urn made for St. Giles by Harry Juniper can at last be on show.   If you have any queries about these plans, please do contact either Martin Mcvinnie or John Watkins.

It will take a few months to obtain the necessary Diocesan Faculty permission and quotations (hopefully Jan/Feb 2019), and then we’ll be applying for grants.    If you have a fundraising idea, please do let us know.  We hope that building work may take place in summer/autumn next year.

Our next PCC meeting is scheduled for early November;  if there is anything you wish us to discuss, please email or speak with any PCC member  (Churchwardens Martin Mcvinnie & John Watkins, Sonia Mcvinnie, Pat Grimwood-Taylor, Shirley James, Liz Wiseman, Barbara Terry or Rev. Peter Bevan.)

• Martin McVinnie: martinmcvinnie@gmail.com Tel: 01805 601900
• John Watkins: johnandjoyce.watkins@gmail.com Tel: 01805 623253