A Brief History of the Friends of St Katharine’s, Wormington
In 1997 Lt. Col. M. J. Evetts a Church Warden and of Wormington Grange suggested the formation of The Friends for several reasons. Firstly, he felt that The Friends might attract funds from people who were not Church goers but who would like to assist with the upkeep of the fabric of this interesting old church. Secondly such an organisation might attract donations from people outside the village and thirdly it would provide a source of income for the Parochial Church Council apart from its own funds.
The inaugural Meeting of the Friends was held on 7th September 1997 with the Rector the Rev. P. W. Smith in the Chair and 24 parishioners present. A draft constitution was produced by Col. Evetts (this had been available in the Church for some weeks) and it was agreed that The Friends should be formed and The Constitution adopted. The object of The Friends is “to beautify and assist in the maintenance of the fabric of the Parish Church of St. Katharine’s Wormington”.
The first Chairman was Mr George Hughes-Hartman, then living at The Manor, who remained Chairman until his death in 2002 when Mr Michael Harper was elected Chair remained in office for 15 years until his retirement in 2017. Neil Piercy took over as Chair in 2017 and remains in office.
The annual subscription was set at £5.00 per annum.
The Friends became a registered Charity in 1998 Reg. No. 1067782
The Friends have raised money in various ways – Village Fetes, Lunches, Auction of Gifts, Barbecues and Sporting Events. The funds were very much helped by donations from Mrs Margaret Richards, the widow of a past Rector, in 1997 and from Mr George Hughes-Hartman and Mr Christopher Rowley on their respective deaths.
Monies have been passed on to the PCC for various projects including previous repairs to the turret, central heating, lantern and roof, amounting to several thousand pounds.
The church requires constant maintenance. The current major project is the total renovation of the turret.
Why not support The Friends and help to sustain this lovely Grade II* Church for future generations.
For more information please contact:
Neil Piercy - Chairman
Mathew Rose - Secretary
Angela Piercy - Treasurer