New St Andrews
On this page you can find out about the proposals to re-order our buildings in order to better serve our Parish community, and make St Andrews more welcoming so that we can invite more people into our Church.
We will post updates here as they become available, so please check back here frequently and click on the links below to view the documents.
2022
Tuesday 4th January 2022
Team Meeting was held on Zoom to discuss the final details regarding completion of the
Toilet Extension. Our treasurer was delighted to report that we have a balance of £5,978.74 to carry forward to the next part of the project.
It was agreed to hold a presentation with the congregation on Sunday January 23rd to restate the vision for NSA as our main tool for enhancing both worship and outreach.
The team agreed that it was important for everyone to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the proposals for the next stage of the project which will be discussed by the Parochial Church Council on the 1st February 2022.
At the end of the meeting Alan said that he was retiring as chair of the team due to his forthcoming retirement as Director of Music on Sunday September 25th 2022.
Alan thanked every member of the team for all their hard work during the past years and wished the project every success in the future.
The Vicar the Revd Robin Lodge paid a vote of thanks to Alan for all his hard work as
Project Manager.
2021
Monday 29th November 2021
9.30am
Today marked another event in the life of St Andrew’s Church.
Following an inspection of both External and Internal works everyone agreed that the work had been carried out to a very good standard.
It was then agreed to accept that the work has been completed and can be officially signed off.
The meeting began with an inspection of both External and internal works carried out by George Bros.
Everyone agreed that the quality of the work was excellent.
In the presence of
Owen Beale, George Bros (Builders) Ltd, Taunton,
Jo Hibbert, Architect, Chardleigh Green, Chard,
The Revd Robin Lodge, Vicar of St Andrew’s Church
Mr David Budd, Churchwarden of St Andrew’s Church
Mr Alan Cook, Chair, New St Andrew’ Group
November 2021
Doors arrived - carpenter fitted them together with architraves and skirting’s.
Electrical work installed and water heater fitted.
Painting and decorating carried out.
Plumber connected toilet pans and fitted the sink.
October 2021
Building works continue including plastering the wall in preparation for painting when the plaster has dried. It is hoped that the construction of the extension will be completed by the end of October.
September 2021
It was noted that Kevin Wyatt from George Bros is doing a great job fitting the stones to the exterior of the toilet extension. It is a work of great skill.
During this month the roof was fitted and includes a number of glass panels providing light to the area of the extension.
August 2021
Advised that stone had now been sources from the Moorcroft Quarry based in Plymouth. Order was placed with them and delivery of the stone was received during the early part of September.
April, May and June 2021
During the middle part of June Jo Hibbert our Architect and Owen Beale George Bros advised that there would be a delay with the supply of stone. The Westleigh
Quarry closed during the pandemic with supplies not being available until 2022.
6th April 2021
Letter received from Ms Elizabeth Harley (The Beatrice Laing Trust) enclosing a cheque in the sum of £2,000 covering the pledge originally made by them.
Letter sent to Ms Harley expressing our appreciation for the generosity of the Trust.
9th March 2021
Somerset West and Taunton Council confirmed payment of the £5,000 pledged by the Council when the building work began.
Letter sent to Marcus Prowse expressing our appreciation for their generosity to the project.
1st March 2021
As promised George Bros Builders arrived at the church at 8.00 am to commence work on the building of the toilet extension.
The work is progressing well.
10th February 2021
Pre-Contract Meeting with Jo Hibbert (architect) during which Owen Beale (Director George Bros Builders) confirmed that the work is planned to begin on Monday 1st March 2021.
26th January 2021
During a meeting of the PCC it was unanimously agreed to accept the Tender from George Bros Builders, Taunton in the sum of £62,561.40 inclusive VAT.
2020
March 2020
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic work on the project continued with email contact to the architect and to Somerset West and Taunton Council and The Beatrice Laing Trust who had generously pledged money to support the project. During this time our finances continued to grow through donations, bequests and regular monthly giving to the project.
3rd March 2020
We have now reached the magnificent sum of £34,000 through the generosity of fund raising, monthly giving and the Buy & Build Scheme.
We have two pledges totalling £7,000 which will be released when we reach £40K.
There are a number of building products which are still available for purchase ranging from £25 to £50 each.
On behalf of the team Thank You for your on-going generosity to the project.
9th February 2020
Buy & Build has now reached a total of £10K. We are now moving closer to our target of £45K.
2019
November 2019
We are delighted that the Trustees of the Garfield Weston Foundation have made a grant of £5,000 towards the cost of the toilet extension.
We thank the Trust for this very generous grant.
Buy & Build Scheme
This was launched on Sunday November 17th and so far nearly £5,000 has been given. Alan Cook 5th December 2019.
August 2019
A Cream Tea was held on Saturday 10 August where £647.80 was raised in aid of the New St Andrew's Project.
July 2019
We are delighted that the Trustees of the Beatrice Laing Trust are prepared to make a grant of £2,000 towards the cost of the toilet extension.
We thank the Trust for this very generous donation.
We are close to the half way point where we can apply for the Faculty from the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
February 2019
We are grateful to Richard Bryant from TDBC who has confirmed that £5,000 has been earmarked towards our building project.
Our thanks also to councillor Marcia Hill and the other councillors who supported and agreed that our Bid should be accepted.
2018
16th January 2018
Meeting arranged with our architect, Jo Hibbert for presenting us with proposals for the development of the Narthex area.
13th March 2018
Meeting with our architect Jo Hibbert who brought final drawings for the toilet extension. Drawings have been submitted to Taunton Deane Borough Council for approval. Following this, they will be submitted to the DAC for their approval also.
3rd April 2018
Installation of two handrails to the main entrance of the church is shortly to take place, and these will be blessed as part of the Parish Eucharist on Sunday April 22nd. Also on Sunday April 22nd we will be launching a funding appeal towards the cost of the building works.
On Sunday 22nd April we dedicated the new handrails on the doors into church. We hope this will make the church more accessible to more people.
Many thanks to Ben Horrobin who installed them for us and to all who have contributed to the fundraising.
14th August 2018
Article in Somerset County Gazette.
Appeal for improvements at St Andrews Church, Taunton
October 2018
New St Andrews received a very generous donation of £1,150 from the All Churches Trust towards this project.
18th October 2018
Committee discussed the three tenders received for the toilet extension.
Agreed to appoint Oakleaf Builders to do the work subject to approval by the DAC.
November 2018
A local history evening - A Travelling Church - Still Moving by well known local historian Dr Robert Dunning held on Tuesday 13 November 2018 in the Church raised £557 in aid of the New St Andrew's Development Fund. Thank you to Bob and all those who supported this very interesting and enjoyable evening.
4th December 2018
Meeting with Oakleaf Builders, Modus Surveying and Jo Hibbert our architect.
Tender reviewed with changes to specification agreed.
Revised tender with prices due in January 2019.
Fundraising to continue with further Bids to be applied for.
2017
12th December 2017
Faculty granted authorising the supply and fixing of two handrails to main entrance of the church.
12th December 2017
Official order given to Ben Horrobin to produce and install the handrails.
20th September 2017
TDBC has APPROVED the planning application for the new handrails. The documentation is on their website today. We should be on course for our faculty to be discussed at the DAC meeting on 11th October.
August 2017
For new handrails - Faculty from the Diocese and planning permission from Taunton Deane Borough Council applied for.
Application notice displayed on church door from 10/8/17 - 31/8/17 inclusive
July 2017
Contractor to make new handrails appointed.
June 2017
Architects drawings received.
27th February 2017
Meeting held.
January 2017
Meeting held.
2016
September 2016
Meeting held.
August 2016
First meeting of the group held.
June 2016
PCC Building Project Group set up to be chaired by Alan Cook.
January 2016
Visit from the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
2015
September 2015
PCC agree to adopt the report and to start the work in stages as recommended by the congregation.
May 2015
Questionnaire to the Church family - replies to the Parish Office by 31st May.
May 2015
A presentation to the congregation made after the service on 10/5/15
2014
October 2014
"New St Andrews", the 2014 report to PCC of the "Use of Buildings" Group.