Hello Old Dalby Peoples,

Ok, ok, so it’s another sponsor thingammy, however, this little venture will take considerable effort by the ladies involved! So, you may just feel it’s worth parting with a few pennies to help a good cause.

Becky Woodcock and I are willing to try very, very hard to lose a few pounds in weight between now and the end of the year. Those of you who proudly sport an ‘hour-glass’ figure may wonder what all the fuss is about. Well, actually, we feel that we also possess an ‘hour-glass’ figure – it’s just that 24 hours are more like the truth!

Any monies raised will be given to the Old Dalby Church Restoration Fund. You can help if you want to, by offering support and encouragement whilst Becky and I try to do the rest.

You can telephone us and offer to take us on a little bike ride, or swimming or a walk (no lead necessary) and maybe even try to help us to understand the meaning of ‘aerobics’! We may need a bit of persuasion sometimes, but that’s where your encouragement is needed. My contact number is 823354, Becky’s is 823265.

Becky 14st 10lb

Linda 13st 4lb

In November 2001 the incumbent, the Revd. John Hooley, and the Parochial Church Council of St. John the Baptist Church, Old Dalby, called a public meeting to make known the outcome of extensive investigations of the structure of the church by architects and surveyors. In their report Messrs. Pick Everard set out in detail work which is essential to extend the life of the building.

The first stage of such work is estimated to cost £60,000 at 2001 rates, plus VAT, expenses and professional fees. The overall cost of the work necessary was estimated on the same basis at £250,000. Updating those figures to take account of 2002/3 rates and adding professional fees, expenses and VAT, increases those estimates to £80,000 and £330,000 respectively.

Much of the work arises from structural defects, particularly the failure of dogs and cramps used to retain a fascia of ashler stonework to the inner load-bearing brickwork.

To download the text of the surveyor's report and maintenance plan click here.

Specifications and plans are being prepared so that the first stage of urgent work can be put out to tender. It is hoped that sufficient funds can be raised to enable that stage of the work to start in the Spring or early Summer of 2003. It is clear that a village with 24 names on the Church Electoral Roll, and 514 adults entitled to vote shown on the Village Electoral Roll, will not be able to raise £80,000 in approximately 18 months, between the public meeting and the start of work.

This mammoth task has had the immediate effect of drawing together and unifying the community. Despite this, a great deal of financial help from outside the village will be essential if we are to preserve our wonderful heritage. "Wonderful" because there has been a church on this site since before the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem came to the village in or about 1180. The medieval church on the present site was burnt down in 1834 and the present church built in 1835. Ancient monuments and effigies from the medieval church were saved and are in the Lady Chapel.

The specification for the urgent work to the structure of the tower can be viewed on page 11 of the surveyors report and maintenance plan.

Two groups were set up at the public meeting in November 2001, to raise the necessary funds. One, to make approaches to individuals, organisations and charitable trusts, for grants and financial help, is chaired by Bob Holdsworth, 12 The Green, Old Dalby (tel. 01664 822598). The other, to organising social fund-raising events, is chaired by Val Anderson, Home Farm, Church Lane, Old Dalby (tel. 01664 822622).

DONATIONS If you would like to help the Church Restoration Fund, please make your cheque payable to St John the Baptist Church Restoration Fund, and send it to the Treasurer, David Revill, 31 Croft Gardens, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 3LV (tel. 01664 823017).

Social Events If you would like details of events, or could help with ideas and the organisation and running of events, please communicate with Val Anderson at Home Farm, or with Pauline Freeman, 22 Croft Gardens, Old Dalby. Your contribution in any way will be greatly appreciated

Bob Holdsworth.

1] It is my pleasure to report on the Social Group’s activities since its conception just 12 months ago.

2] As a new committee in an already very active village I don’t think we had any preconceived ideas. From a personal angle it was an opportunity to put back a little into the community which was so supportive to my family during the 14 years that Sean was ill.

3] Together we stepped into a void which quickly became a minefield of generosity and goodwill. Let me explain!

IN FEB the 1st explosion of generosity came in the vision Yvonne had of a Grand Ball to set the community alight. And it did just that. Tickets sold out almost immediately. The catering was organised within the village…the prepping parties at Home Farm were full of fun and laughter. Emilie’s beautiful 21st birthday marquee was the setting for a great party….our senior chairman used all his MC skills to manoeuvre 200 guests through an unforgettable evening.

Yvonne’s ambition was realised ….£3000.00 was raised.

I felt the occasion illustrated the tremendous resource of talent and willing help in the community.

IN FEB…that same week
4] The birthday marquee was the scene of another fun evening that same week. Duncan Bennett and Angela Fairman prepared a challenging quiz, which was very well attended. The proceeds were divided between the CRF and Macmillan Cancer Relief.

STILL IN FEB
5] As a Village Hall fundraiser I had already booked the Bluecoats Singers from Nottingham for a concert in church. The Village Hall Committee very generously decided the CRF’s need was greater and happily made the event over to us. Under Teresa Sisson’s management, the refreshments were characteristically bountiful and an excellent evening resulted.

6] NOTHING HAPPENED FOR 3 MONTHS UNTIL JUNE.

As a gesture of appreciation for the support our committee had received from the village, a small group within the CRF decided to arrange the Jubilee Celebrations. It needed BH’s agile legal mind to steer us through the insurance legalities and then we were away!

We had no budget, but with a little help from the Parish Council and a lot of determination to be self sufficient we all enjoyed 2 days of celebrations which were a fitting tribute to our Monarch. The small amount of money left over will be divided equally between the Young Cricketers, the Scouts and the Youth Group, all of whom made valuable contributions to the organisation of the weekend.

7] JUNE saw the launch of Pat Tomlinson’s Bird Quiz. This generated an enormous amount of mental activity within a 100mile radius of OD!! It raised an equally substantial amount of money.

8] FINALLY IN JUNE, Liz Stenson steered us towards a very happy Open Gardens Day

Again nearly £3000.00 was raised.

Whilst the money is important, I think we all recognise the value of the commitment and involvement of so many people to make the day work.

I feel we were privileged to be invited into people's gardens and see the variety of individual talent.

And the response from the public was jubilant. Comments such as “the best Open Gardens ever” have encouraged the steering committee to put plans for this year’s event into place with renewed confidence. You will love the refinements anticipated for 29th June!

9] IN JULY the CRF volunteered to do the catering for the Parochial Church Council’s Barn Dance held at Will and Jane Grice’s farm. A hugely successful evening meant a substantial sum was raised to help with the church maintenance. Stronger links were forged between the CRF and the PCC in their joint effort to support a united cause.

10] AUGUST saw a unique contribution to our fund. Roger Stenson bravely had a No 1 haircut and raised £900.00!

We will never know the physiological damage it did to that gentleman, but it is typical of the spontaneous gestures people are making to the CRF.

These gestures were abundant on Dalby Day:

a] Denise Tewson ran the beer tent

b] Rhonda Newsom had a fresh veg stall

c] Simon Platt organised a High Score football tournament

d] Joan Revill sold her notelets and Christmas cards

e] Rhiannon Bennet and Denise Tewson launched their Old Dalby calendar. This successful venture involved organising many village people who were prepared to be subjected to original, amusing sets. We all marvelled at Barry Pratt’s photographic skills.

11] IN OCTOBER , Barbara Harris who has very strong links with the Cricket Club, arranged a Race Night. Good fun and excellent food meant that a significant sum was raised to divide between the CRF and the CC.

12] IN NOVEMBER we were able to complete the Jubilee celebrations.

A young oak tree, grown by Joe Bartrop from an acorn found in the Park, was planted opposite the entrance to Paradise Lane. Again we had an example of a generous explosion. On hearing of the plan, Paul Griffiths immediately offered to host a reception in his home after the dedication. No one had anticipated being treated to Ron Beasley’s one man show that was reminiscent of Ken Harris’ musical hall days!

Further generosity from a local stonemason meant we could afford a stone plaque to identify the Jubilee planting for future generations. Mona Tyer’s partner Terry Purvis engraved and sited the stone at minimum cost. Both have strong OD connections and were very happy to be able to contribute to our village celebrations.

13] FINALLY IN DECEMBER Joan Revill organised the Acapella Evening in church to celebrate the Festive Season. It was a very appropriate concert designed to make us think about our Christian values and much enjoyed by everyone who was fortunate enough to secure a ticket.

I feel I am talking far too long but we have had a very busy year and there is much to report on.

At this point I would just like to say 3 more things:

1] You will never know how much time and effort Pauline Freeman has put into this committee during the past year. I would like to pay particular tribute to the cheerful and dedicated way in which she has kept us on track. Thank you very, very much.

2] If I may just explain a committee policy that seems to have emerged over the last 12 months.

I like to call it the Satellite Strategy

An individual will come up with an idea, present it to the committee for approval and then take the responsibility for carrying it through to a successful conclusion, knowing there is a pool of help and support if needed.

With such an intensive program of events this works well as it means that individual members are not involved in every event. I think such a policy is more sustainable over a long period. But with the success of Bob Holdsworth's group in raising charitable funds, it may well not be as long as first anticipated!

3] Would you like to look at the smallest piece of the financial papers which indicates the amount raised solely by the Social Committee

May I conclude by saying what a pleasure it has been to prepare this report for our first year. It has brought back many, many happy memories of shared community life, which I know you value as much as I do.

I thank you all most sincerely for your tremendous support.

Val Anderson

(Chairperson - Social fundraising Group)