Friends of Long Melford Church Building Trust.
The Friends of Long Melford Church Building Trust has been established to fund works to maintain and improve the dignity of the building of Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. Maintenance and improvement of the building is funded principally through two channels; the Church Restoration Fund, which is administered by the Parochial Church Council (part of the Church hierarchy), and the Friends.
The Church of England itself does not fund maintenance work, which is the responsibility of the local community. The Friends Trust works alongside but independently of the Church Council and is designed to raise funds for projects which are beyond the routine of the Restoration Fund.
- By helping with agreed improvements it relieves pressure on the Church Council.
- By considering matters not of direct ecclesiastical interest, it helps maintain the continuity of the Village.
- The trustees are members of the community of Long Melford. They includes two members of the Church Council through whom close contact is maintained with that Council.
- Details of the Trust and the Trustees are registered with the Charitable Commissioners at number 1069008 and may be viewed at the Commissioners website: www.charity-commission.gov.uk
Works funded over the past two decades by the Trust and its predecessor include continuous minor improvements to the fabric and the major refurbishment of the West Entrance, under the Tower. This has meant the laying on of running water, the provision of a kitchen, storeroom and WC on the ground floor and the formation of a meeting room on the first floor.
The layout of the Church Shop and other facilities have been improved. Finally a glass screen has been installed, separating the first floor meeting room from the body of the church. Over a period of seven years the Friends have contributed nearly £80,000 to this project, which was completed by the end of 2004.
The major current project is the preservation of the medieval stained glass which survived the Cromwellian destruction (the 'Clopton Windows').
|
Two of the Clopton Windows
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
Alleged to be the source for the picture of
the Duchess in "Alice in Wonderland" |
The Lily Crucifix
|
The windows are deteriorating through centuries of exposure to the atmosphere both outside and inside the Church. The plan is to protect the medieval glass by erecting sealed glass screens internally and externally. Besides local fund raising, this work is currently most generously supported by the Clopton family, especially Mr William Clopton. The Cloptons were owners of Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, in the late fifteenth century, and their descendants are now entirely resident in the United States of America.
Local activities of the Trust include fund raising through events such as bazaars, historical and cultural expeditions and cross country treks on horseback. The Trust also organizes major events, especially the sextennial visit of the Clopton family to Long Melford.
Practical support for this Trust with or without membership is warmly encouraged. Suggestions for events are welcome. Membership is £10 a year, Life Membership £250.
The principals of the Trust are:
| Patron : | Commander P.L.K.Needham DSC RN (ret.) |
| President : | Mrs Jo Cotton. |
| Chairman : | Mr Patrick G. Kohler Grange House The Green Long Melford Suffolk CO10 9DU Telephone: 01787 310 373 e-mail: patrick@pgkohler.fsnet.co.uk |
| Hon. Secretary and Charity Commission Correspondent : |
Mr. R.V.Michette, Long Melford Opticians, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9HZ Telephone: 01787 377 741 |
| Hon Treasurer : | Mr. E.R.Hawkins, 18 Roman Way, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9LN Telephone: 01787 312 482 email: ed@erhawkins.wanadoo.co.uk |
