Save St John's Church : NEWS

Save St John's Church
NEWS

Date	Headline	Text
30th January 2012	AGM 30th January and FIRST VARIETY NIGHT - THE START OF OUR FUNDRAISING AGAIN NEXT VARIETY NIGHT IS THURSDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 7PM FOR 7.30PM AT QUALITY HOTEL, (WARD ARMS), DUDLEY PLEASE COME ALONG £3 ON THE DOOR THANKS TO ALL OUR PERFORMERS AND OUR VENUE SPONSORS QUALITY HOTEL	The AGM was expertly guest chaired by Councillor Shaukat Ali. Elected: Chair Deb Brownlee, Secretary Maria Bottley, Treasurer Tony Timmins. Committee members Lisa Billingsley, Dawn Greensill, Jane Langdon, Joan Greenaway, Mike Amor Wilkes, Joyce Browne O'Donnell, Betty Ruston, Margaret Whiting, Marion Rushton, Marie Butler, Scott Bicknell, Ramilla Patel, Keith Jeffries Guest of Honour Geoff Hill of Geoff Hill Electrical drew the raffle ticket for the brand new TV he donated - the winner donated it back so we can raffle it again! Fantatastic performances by our entertainers Emma Ball, singer, Bill Etheridge, author 'Black Country Revolutionary', Paul Wynn of Tellit, Mark Crump, singer songwriter and our own New Johnians drama group with their very first public performance with the new line up.
19th JANUARY 2012	LOCAL NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION POINTS	Paper copies of our first 2012 newsletter now in Tiwana's, High View Fish Bar, Malcolms on Watsons Green Road, Stuart Vets, Peel and Black Vets, Ex Servicemens Club, Dudley College, St Thomas's Community Network, Khaliqs and Mars shop on St John's Road, Hall Street Clinic and the new pharmacy, Surestart on Buffery Park, Buffery Park Paradise Centre, Sam's on Buffery Road, Ivy House Pub, Kates Hill Surgery, Dudley Archive, our drop in centre in the Old School House, St John's Road. Free to pick up just go along and if they have run out let us know. More pick up points to follow.
17TH JANUARY 2012	OFF WE GO AGAIN .....AT LAST THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IS FINISHED, WE HAVE A CLEAR COURSE OF DIRECTION AND WE MUST GET RAISING MIONEY AGAIN NEEDED: YOUR ATTENDANCE AND SUPPORT AT EVENTS ENTERTAINERS - CAN YOU TELL A JOKE, HOLD A TUNE, PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, IN A GROUP, CAN ACT, DANCE, CLOWN, PERFORM A POEM......WE NEED YOU TO OFFER TO PERFORM TO HELP RAISE FUNDS TO SAVE, RE-OPEN, RESTORE AND MAINTAIN ST JOHN'S....PLEASE GET IN TOUCH VOLUNTEER TIME - IF YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED, RETIRED OR CAN SPARE A BIT OF TIME ESPECIALLY AT WEEKENDS BUT ALSO IN THE WEEK PLEASE GET IN TOUCH STRAIGHT AWAY WE NEED YOU NOW	FIRST OFF THE BLOCK - MONDAY 30TH JANUARY QUALITY HOTEL (WARD ARMS), DUDLEY AGM 7PM FOLLOWED BY 7.30PM CHARITY VARIETY NIGHT (SEE EVENTS PAGE FOR FULL DETAILS) THIS AGM COVERS THE PERIOD 1.12.10 TO 30.11.11 AND BRINGS US BACK INTO LINE FOR REPORTING PERIODS ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS VERY WELCOME TO COME ALONG WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT
14TH DECEMBER 2011	MEMBERSHIP AUDIT BY JOHN POOLE OF OAKHAM RESEARCH OAKHAM RESEARCH HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CHECK THE CONTACT DETAILS OF ALL 1255 OF OUR MEMBERS AND ALSO TO GET MORE LOCAL COMPLETIONS OF THE ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY WE ALSO WANT TO SIGN UP AS MANY NEW MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE PLEASE ASK FOR JOINING FORMS AND RECRUIT MEMBERS FOR US. MEMBERSHIP IS FREE	IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY JOHN POOLE OF OAKHAM RESEARCH THE CALL IS GENUINE. IF YOU WISH TO DOUBLE CHECK YOU CAN RING JOHN BACK ON 01384 353910 OR HELP THINGS ALONG A LITTLE AND RING HIM FIRST! HE JUST WANTS TO MAKE SURE OUR MEMBERSHIP LIST IS 'CLEAN' IE UP TO DATE AND ESPECIALLY WE NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES SO THAT WE CAN KEEP IN TOUCH
28th November 2011	AGM REPORT Held on 28th November 2011 at The Quality Hotel, Dudley Programme for the evening: 1. Introductions 2. Annual General Meeting including reports and election of committee 3. Chris Smith update on Volume 2 Tales From A Churchyard, St John's Church, Kates Hill 4. Volunteer recognition 5. Repeat of the presentation made to the St John's Church Steering Group - John Poole of Oakham Research and Deb Brownlee 6. Questions and answers chaired by Chris Smith OUR THANKS GO TO THE QUALITY HOTEL FOR SPONSORING THE VENUE AGAIN.	Re-elected as Chair- Deb Brownlee New post of Minutes and Meetings Secretary - Mike Amor-Wilkes Secretary - Maria Bottley Treasurer - Tony Timmins Committee - Dawn Greensill, Marie Butler, Margaret Whiting, Scott Bicknell, Betty Ruston, Kim Harper, Lisa Billingsley, Marion Rushton, Joan Greenaway, Jane Langford. Because this AGM was held late the date of the next AGM to bring us back into line has been set for Monday 30th January 2012 7.30pm Quality Hotel Key points: Fundraising events will begin again in the New Year to increase funds available Membership audit and Business Plan work to continue as fast as possible **Voluntary or placement/secondment Volunteer Co-ordinator required urgently
22nd November 2011	ST JOHN'S CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP TO APPLY TO TAKE OVER THE ST JOHN'S CHURCH BUILDING "I am pleased that after an important community research study, which has successfully engaged with local people, the St John’s Church Preservation Group is able to press forward with plans to re-open this historical building for the benefit of the local community. In keeping with the wishes of the clear majority of respondents, this plan will involve no substantial alteration to the Grade II listed building. I support the Group in its on-going efforts and their wholehearted commitment to bringing St John’s back to life." Professor Carl Chinn MBE Patron, St John's Church Preservation Group	Following the meeting of the St John's Church Steering Group on 21st November the following was agreed: 1. St John's Church Preservation Group will prepare a business plan which will be put before the Church Commissioners, with a view to obtaining a lease to take responsibility for the St John's Church Building 2. The proposal which will be put forward by the Preservation Group is Restore the church with the minimum of alteration Investigate development of the undercroft to create space for toilets, cafe, meeting room Investigate the space available in the church if the undercroft cannot be developed That the church will be used for Christian worship, community use, some commercial use and events and shows also private hire The church will be funded by a variety of fundraising methods including events, shows, voluntary giving, sponsorship and grant applications. *The presentation made by John Poole of Oakham Research and Deb Brownlee of St John's Church Preservation Group to achieve this agreement will be repeated for the benefit of supporters and other interested parties at the SJCPG AGM on Monday 28th November 7.30pm at the Quality Hotel, Dudley. All welcome.
18th November 2011	ST JOHN'S CHURCH STEERING GROUP	The next meeting of the St John's Church Steering Group takes place on Monday 21st November. Options for the future of St John's Church will be looked at following the completion of the feasibility study by Brownhills Hayward Brown and the results of research undertaken by Oakham Research.
10th November 2011	CREATION OF ADVISORY PANEL TO ACT AS ADVISERS TO ST JOHN'S CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP	We are creating an advisory panel for St John's Church Preservation Group. To be able to move a big project like this forward we need to be very well advised and supported, and the creation of the Advisory Panel in one way formalises what is already the case, with some people now 'getting a mention' whereas previously they were unsung unnamed heroes, but also 'reaching out' for new specialists and experts to give their time freely to help us with this great community effort. To offer your services to the panel please email Deb Brownlee on savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk
2nd November 2011	ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2011 7.30PM QUALITY HOTEL (WARD ARMS) DUDLEY Guest Chair author Chris Smith	At this meeting we will present the accounts for year ending 30.11.11, elect the committee and give members a full update on progress towards re-opening and restoring the historic church building.
2nd November 2011	MEMBERSHIP AUDIT - OAKHAM RESEARCH APPOINTED EXPECT A CALL OR VISIT SOON OR - be very helpful and ring or email direct to speed up the process! If you are a member or want to be a member ring John Poole on 01384 353910 or email on john.poole@oakhamresearch.com	John Poole of Oakham Research, Dudley, Market Research Specialis30.ts has been appointed to carry out a full audit of our 1255 members. This involves getting up to date contact details, asking if you know anyone else who could join the group and asking if you have any volunteer time available. John will also be seeking further completions of the online community survey which remains open and is providing vital information for creating future plans.
		The recommendations put forward by the consultant architects at the St John's Church Steering Group on 4th October all involved some disturbance of historic fabric and using conventional models do not address the issue of creating income. We believe there is another way and we have been working on a sponsorship package.This would involve encouraging individuals and businesses and organisations to sponsor the building in return for benefits of sponsorship. The sponsor package is being fine tuned now and we would value input from potential sponsors . If you feel you could help with the sponsor team or wish to pledge support please contact Preservation Group Chair Deb Brownlee directly on savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk We are also looking at others ways of earning funds such as events and shows, guided tours and hiring the church out. Also developing the undercroft to create a pub/club/meetings/youth area and adapting the tower roof for a viewing area and for abseiling. We don't view funding bids as the only way forward, and certainly not as a 'safe' way forward. We have always believed that ongoing self created income is the way to true financial sustainability. We will of course apply for funds to help but they will be the 'icing on the cake' and an added bonus if we get any such help and all funders and sponsors will be gratefully acknowledged. The volunteers and supporters of St John's Church Preservation have shown themselves to be formidable fundraisers and once given access to the building itself will really begin to operate at full fundraising potential. We have raised over £40,000 already from donations, events, jumble sales, shows, our Saturday tombola stall on Dudley Market, recycling fabric donations and people collecting loose change. Author Chris Smith continues to contribute from ongoing sales of 'Tales From A Churchyard, St John's, Kates Hill, Vol 1' and 'Brainteasers'. Authors Michael Taylor, Ned Williams and John Stenson have also helped, and many local performers such as Aynuk, Marlene, Lee Wilson, Beryl Briscoe, Emma Rollason as Dolly Allen, Dodici Corde Duo, Phil James, Mark Crump, Brendan Hawthorne, Sue Hulse, Geoff Stevens, Greg Stokes, Future Championship Wrestling and many more. The Quality Hotel, Club Dudley and Ex Servicemens Club continue to offer us sponsored venues and Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill have also made their function room available to us. Goodwill such as this has already helped us very considerably. To get involved with helping please contact on savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk We need you now more than ever!
26TH SEPTEMBER 2011	MORE COMPLETIONS OF SURVEY URGENTLY NEEDED http://surveys.omni-web.co.uk/oakhamstjohns Listen to John Poole of Oakham Research being interviewed by our patron Carl Chinn on Sunday 2nd October 2011 at 12 noon. BBC Radio WM 95.6fm	If you need help with completion ring Mike Wilkes 01384 243771 Oakham Research 01384 353910 Marie Butler 0781 653 2278 Any of these will complete it online for you and write in your responses. Cut off is 18th November (extended date from 3rd October) but we only want completions with names and addresses - no more anonymous completions required. Your information is stored confidentially and you will not be contacted unless you have asked to be. We next report to St John's Church Steering Group on 21st November
4th September 2011	NEW JOHNIANS NEED MEMBERS	Our New Johnians drama group needs members (youngest age 12 years - no upper limit!) - actors, costume and prop makers, technicians, ticket sellers, extras, tea makers - meet Tuesday nights at the drop in, St John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley DY2 7JT Ring the New Johnians director Phill Liptrot first to check on meeting dates and times 0795 469 2593 or email newjohnians@hotmail.co.uk or join The New Johnians on facebook - this is where the members usually connect.
28th April 2011	ROYAL WEDDING EVENT FRIDAY 29TH APRIL 2011 KATE AND WILLIAM THE MARRIAGE OF OUR FUTURE KING	Join us! Everyone welcome to come along to our drop in Centre in St John's Road next door to the church, anytime from 9.30am. BRING some food, something for the tombola and bring and buy and wear something red, white or blue. We'll have the telly on but if you have a laptop with mobile broadband please bring it so that we have the internet coverage as well. Stay as long as you like - if you want booze bring it, we'll have tea, coffee and squash. Competitions and activities for the children.
21st March 2011	VOLUNTEER INFORMATION EVENT Find out how you can help	Getting more practical help from the community is crucial to the success of this project. Information event this Friday 25th March, meet 6pm at the Lychgate for a quick tour of the grounds, then back to the drop in for tea and chat. All sorts of things need to be done and many hands make light work.
9th February 2011	WORK TO START ON ST JOHN'S - AT LAST - COME AND JOIN IN WITH START OF WORKS EVENT WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 10AM BBC Radio WM will be reporting live from the event Deb Brownlee of St John's Church Preservation Group will be on the Carl Chinn show on WM this Sunday 13th February to talk about this event	It may have taken nearly four years but we are here now. Work starts on the St John's Church building at 10am on Wednesday 16th February 2011. Please come along and share the moment with us: In Victorian costume if you would like to Bring party poppers and party horns Warm drinks, cakes and sandwiches afterwards - bring a contribution if you wish Meet St John's church architect William Bourne (not the real one, unfortunately!) EVERYONE IS WELCOME This is history being made!!
4th February 2011	MEETING OF THE ST JOHN'S CHURCH STEERING GROUP 8TH FEB 2011 - REPORT	Agreed: Drain repairs can go ahead using CARPVALE (1995) Ltd Architect to be appointed to oversee restoration of the LYCHGATE in time for Remembrance Event 11-11-11 Start date for works 16.2.11 NOT RESOLVED: Insurance to achieve re-opening of the church building
11th February 2011	FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW JOHNIANS	The NEW JOHNIANS our drama group, will meet for the first time in our drop in centre in St John's Road, Friday 4th February 2011 7pm. NEXT DATE FRIDAY 11TH FEB 7PM SAME PLACE JUST TURN UP
17th November 2010	NEW JOHNIANS AND TWO LAST PERFORMANCES OF TIPTON SLASHER RE-ENACTMENT	St John's for many years had a drama group 'The Johnians'. The Johnians will be re-formed in January 2011 and will be called 'The New Johnians'. Actors of all ages and levels are needed. Contact Director Phill Liptrot via savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk Final chance to see the brilliant Tipton Slasher re-enactment - two performances at Tipton Library on Saturday 27th November. Featuring Tal E. Shaanti as William Perry the Tipton Slasher, directed by Phill Liptrot and scripted by Chris Smith. Times tbc.
6th November 2010	REMEMBRANCE WALK FOCUSSING ON THE 11 COMMONWEALH WAR GRAVES	Following media appeals and an internet search relations were found for 5 of the 11 fallen soldiers.
1st November 2010	AGM results Your committee for 2010-2011	AGM results: Chair Deb Brownlee. Vice Chair Alan Trumper. Treasurer Tony Timmins. Secretary Maria Bottley. Committee members: Betty Ruston, Margaret Whiting, Mark Richards, Kay Carter, Marion Rushton, Sidney Evans, May Whitehouse, Andrew Guest, Joan Greenaway. Pastoral role: Frank Whitehouse. Patron: Dr Carl Chinn, MBE
1st September 2010	OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTORS TO JOIN FIRST TIPTON SLASHER RE-ENACTMENT Contact Director Phill Liptrop 0795 469 2593 or email savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk William Perry 'The Tipton Slasher' 1819-1880 Champion of England (bare knuckle fighter) 1850-57 Buried at St John's Church, Kates Hill	Acting Opportunity : players for Tipton Slasher re-enactment 15 minute playlet to be performed 3 times at the Tipton Canal Festival 0n 18th and 19th September. Previous experience not essential as there are no speaking parts (the play is acted out as a narrator tells the story) and you will be expertly directed by production director Phill Liptrott. All ages/sizes/male/female needed. We need two Tipton Slashers - a young one and an old one, also a narrator. Casting: Sunday 5th September 7.30pm Wednesday 8th September 6-9.30pm (plus first rehearsals) Rehearsals Friday 10th September 6-9.30pm Friday 17th September 6-9.30pm Venue: St John's Church Preservation Group drop in, St John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT. Performances: Saturday 18th September 1pm and 3pm Sunday 19th September 3.15pm (In marquee by Tipton Slasher statue) Any queries contact Phill Liptrott on 0795 469 2593 or message through facebook or send email savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk Come and be part of history - this our very first re-enactment event and we intend it to be the first of many. If you're not sure if you could do it or would be suitable, come along anyway. Phill will advise. We need about 30- 35 people altogether.
1st Setember 2010	NEARING FUNDING TARGET For your interest..... RECENTLY FOUND.............a fabulous store of pictures of St John's, including of the stained glass windows (some of which are currently removed) - check out http://blackcountryhistory.org/collections/search/?q=st+john%27s+church%2C+kates+hill+&cb_submit=Search&cb_page=1 This is a fabulous website which, if you are interested in Black Country History, you will enjoy.	We are now £2200 short of the £16000 needed to start the waterproofing works on St John's Church. £5000 for Lightning Conductor - raised £10,000 for Feasibility Study - raised £16,000 to waterproof the building - almost there. Donations can be sent to St John's Church Preservation Group, The Old School House, St John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 7JT HOW YOU CAN HELP: We need: Donations - cheques can be made payable to St John's Church Preservation Group or donations can be paid straight into the bank HSBC, account number 52008637 sort code 40-19-28 Clothes, shoes, handbags, good quality bric a brac Tombola prizes especially bottles Used printer ink cartridges Old mobile telephones Gold jewellery Wicker baskets and small items cosmetics/toiletries Non perishable groceries and shoe boxes (to make up hamper tombola prizes) Empty coffee jars and any sort of container that can be labelled up as a loose change container Please collect your loose change
1st September 2010	News Page disappeared from website	Zoomshare has yet again crashed part of our website, this time the entire News page has disappeared. We will try to get it retrieved.
1st September 2010	QUESTIONNAIRE MEETING TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 7PM FOR 7.15PM EX SERVICEMENS CLUB HALL STREET DUDLEY Agenda for a meeting of St John's Church Preservation Group Tuesday 7th September 2010 7pm Ex Servicemen's Club, Hall Street, Dudley 1. Opening Prayer and Intercession Prayers (Those not wishing to participate please abstain) 2. Apologies 3. Treasury Report 4. Feasibility study 4.1 Questionnaires 7. Any Other Business 8. Date of next meeting 9. Lords Prayer Please do come along to this meeting and help us to move this project forward. A RECAP ON WHAT THE PRESERVATION GROUP AIMS TO DO We aim to prevent St John's Church from being demolished or sold off We aim to get it restored, brought up to modern standards and re-opened as an Anglican place of Christian worship so that weddings, funerals and regular worship can all resume We believe that the building can be used for many different types of Anglican Christian worship, from traditional to modern, and at different days and times to suit local requirements We further believe that the St John's Church building can be used as a community facility in many other ways, and by all people regardless of faith We acknowledge that the building has to be financially sustainable.	PRESERVATION GROUP COMMITTEE (MANAGEMENT) MEETINGS We have agreed that our committee meetings will in future be on open invite to guests as we wish to be as inclusive as possible and gain continuous fresh input to the group. The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss the questionnaire that will be used for the feasibility study "The Future For St John's Church". It is absolutely essential that we get the questionnaire right, as the results of this survey will determine the proposal that will be put to the Church Commissioners. The meeting may involve breaking into groups for discussion purposes and to try out versions of the questionnaire. By the end of this meeting we aim to have the questionnaire agreed, as the study is already several weeks behind schedule. We will also need volunteers to take the questionnaires to local households and fetch them back a day or so later and we ask anyone interested to get in touch or leave their details at the meeting. We need a minute taker for this and all meetings - the post of secretary is currently vacant, if you can assist please get in touch. PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING IF YOU CAN
1st September 2010	SUPPORT US BY ADVERTISING IN FUNDRAISING PUBLICATION 'BRAINTEASERS'	Village Voice magazine team are producing a book of their popular 'Brainteasers' to help raise money for St John's Church Preservation Group. The book will retail at just 50p, and on a print run of 2000 will raise £1000 for funds. Advertisers are needed to help fund the printing costs. If you run a business, large or small, and could support us by taking an advertisement in the book, please contact Gail on 01384 866688 or by email to villagevoice@hotmail.co.uk To get an idea of the quality of the booklet and to sample some Brainteasers go to the website www.villagevoice.arcosdesign.co.uk The Brainteaser book will be sold at outlets around Dudley, Stourbridge, Wollaston, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford, Sedgley, Gornal, and Wombourne, and of course the Preservation Group drop in and from our Saturday stall on Dudley Market. Advertisements start from just £20 and you will be really helping our cause by supporting this publication, and at the same time gaining promotion for your business. To support us through this publication contact Gail on 01384 866688 or by email to villagevoice@hotmail.co.uk
1st September 2010	TALES FROM A CHURCHYARD, ST JOHN'S, KATES HILL, DUDLEY, Volume 1 BY CHRIS SMITH First £1000	The combination of book sales and talks and tours given by author Chris Smith has now reached just over £1000, a magnificent achievement and more talks are booked. If you run a group or association and would like Chris to be a speaker please get in touch. His illustrated talks on St John's and amusing and informed delivery are becoming quite legendary, and as new information comes out of our research almost daily, never the same twice. If you have not yet purchased your copy of Tales From a Churchyard, stockists are: Black Country Bugle shop, High Street, Cradley (now back in stock) Reception, Quality Hotel, Dudley St John's Church Preservation Group drop in centre, St John's Road, open Monday to Friday 9.30-4.30pm and weekends by arrangement St John's Church Preservation Group market stall, Dudley, Saturdays Tiwana, High View Street, Kates Hill (open seven days) Dudley Archive, Coseley Malcolm's, Watsons Green Road, Kates Hill Mail order send £8.99 to St John's Church Preservation Group, The Old School House, St John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 7JT
1st September 2010	COMMONWEALTH GRAVES RESEARCH	We are planning an event for Remembrance Day this year based around the eleven Commonwealth Graves at St John's. We are seeking relations of or information regarding these names: John ASTON G. CHEAL J. COX Simon Harry EVANS Private Benjamin GUEST Fred GUEST Howard Geoffrey HARRISON Frederick HARROLD Harold HUGHES Alfred LANE John Thomas SILVERS To see photographs of the graves and the details held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission use this useful link http://www.blackcountryimages.com/12701/23123.html Please get in touch if you have any information no matter how minor.





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