All Saints Building Project - New Heart for North Baddesley
LATEST NEWS
***************** PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED IN JUNE 2009**********************
WE ARE NOW APPLYING TO NATIONAL AND LOCAL GRANT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS FOR FUNDING
PROJECT SUMMARY & AIMS
This project seeks to raise funds for the demolition and rebuilding of All Saints Church and Hall and replace it
with a new community focussed building which will be welcoming and attractive to all who use it and have a pleasant visual impact on the surroundings.
The main objectives of the project are:-
to serve the general community at the heart of the village by the provision of enhanced community facilities
and greater choice of meeting spaces .
to encourage and engage more of the community in community activities of their choice.
to provide a landmark community building.
to improve facilities for existing users.
These objectives and identified needs align with the Test Valley Community Plan developed by a number of local organisations and agencies working together through the ‘Test Valley Partnership’. The plan identifies eight priority areas, four of which are supported by this project. Namely:- A community that values education and learning; A community that encourages healthy lifestyles; A place with strong local communities; A community that knows how to enjoy itself.
The project has been granted Planning Permission by Test Valley Borough Council and we have raised £60,000, from within the congregation most of which has been used to finance the planning application, architects and quantity surveyors fees.
PROJECT COSTS
The capital sum for our new building is currently £1,250,000 and we have set ourselves a 4 year target to achieve completion.
Our initial target is to raise £240,000 by January 2012 in order to commence building works prior to the expiration of the three year planning permission.
WHY WE DECIDED TO REBUILD RATHER THAN RESTORE OR EXPAND
The existing building, though comparatively young, is the product of several extensions built between the 1950s and 1970s. It was badly built, is very unfriendly to the young, the elderly and the disabled because of steps to two different levels. It is a high maintenance building which will continue to deteriorate without major restoration. It is also inadequate for the growing needs of our community. The current building severely restricts the use for community activities. For example the Café which is the only meeting place in the community, can only open for a limited period. Occupancy is currently operating at 90% of usable space on weekdays and 22% at weekends. The population of North Baddesley Parish is 6605 (2007) and comprises town and fringe (rural).
The conclusion of a feasibility study by the architects is that demolition and a new build is the most appropriate way forward, would address the varying needs of both community and congregation and would be the most cost effective way to proceed.
THE PROJECT WILL DELIVER THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
1. Extended and enhanced T-Cup ‘drop in’ café with longer opening hours.
2. Improved and enlarged hall facilities for existing and new users.
3. New kitchen with modern facilities.
4. Ability to host a range of new community services – Citizens’ Advice Bureau; health support groups; mother
and toddler; dance; offender reporting centre; short mat indoor bowling, parenting classes; craft workshops;
single mums’ support, etc..
5. Additional provision to care for community needs through increased use of the building by local people.
6. Expansion of charitable fund raising events.
7. Improved flexible worship facility.
8. Improved urban environment as the new building will have a pleasant visual impact on the community. The
building to be open to the whole community seven days a week.
9. A flexible high quality public meeting space for up to 200 people open to the public on weekdays as well as on
weekends.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
The building (church and hall) is currently home to an extensive range of activities hosted by twelve local organizations including the church.
T-Cup cafe
• T-Cup is a very popular ‘drop in’ café which has been running for 4 years providing tea, coffee and other refreshments to all visitors. It has also proved to be a source of comfort and general support to many and is the only such venue outside of licensed premises in the village.
Children & Young people
• Little Saints Pre – school
Little Saints Pre-School is the largest weekday user of the hall with 250 + places filled each week and has received outstanding Ofsted reports.
• School activities
The local Infant & Junior Schools are welcomed to the church building for particular events (e.g. harvest festival, & other special occasions).
• Uniformed organisations
Brownies meetings are held in the hall on a weekly basis. Guides now meet elsewhere due to our limited space and their growing numbers, but have expressed an intention to return to us when our new building is completed.
• Workshops
Children’s workshops are organized and run by volunteers in the church. Our last Easter workshop hosted 60+ children from the local community.
• Young Carers
Romsey Young Carers, is a voluntary organization providing a club and respite facility for young people who care for family members. The church has sponsored the use of the building by providing the facilities at a greatly reduced rate.
• Youth Groups
Two youth groups meet weekly in the hall, “Sundays at Seven” , and “Footprints”. These groups are open to all young people regardless of faith and has the aim of providing a friendly safe environment where young people can meet together for fun and friendship.
• Junior Church
Junior Church, organized by volunteers, meets each Sunday providing fun and learning activities for children aged between 3 and 13.
Senior Citizens
• Lunch Club
The lunch club operates one day per week providing a hot lunch and fellowship for 30 senior citizens and includes volunteer aided transport to and from home.
Charitable Activities
All Saints Church has a specific commitment to support diverse charities both within the UK and overseas.
eg:- Action Aid, Christian Aid, Children’s Society, Crisis, South Rwenzori Uganda self sufficiency Workshops & Orphans, McMillan Nurses, Shaftsbury Society, Romsey Young Carers.
All Saints has a policy of offering support to all charitable organisations and members of the community regardless of race, nationality, creed, religion, gender or other characteristics.
Other Activities
All Saints provides meeting facilities for a diverse range of local community groups and others. Preferential booking rates are offered to locally based groups and organizations.
Examples of other current building users include:-
Weight Watchers, Wine Circle, Martial Arts – children and adult classes, Computer classes , Pilates Classes, Keep Fit classes, Village French Twinning Exchanges and events, Workers’ Education Association, Church social events, and Casual hirers (e.g. private parties & community events). There is a constant flow of enquiries for meeting space which we cannot accommodate fully.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to the new building fund, please contact :-
Mrs. Pam Morffew, Treasurer, All Saints' Church, Rownhams Road, North Baddesley, Southampton, SO52 9ER
