ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY

Why do anything?
 

We are renovating the Henrietta Suite for the following reasons:

1. It is in very poor decorative condition and in urgent need of sprucing up

2. There are serious safety concerns around the kitchen and the wooden floor

3. We wish to improve the provision and accessibility of storage space for those regular hirers who need it, and for any new hirers we would like to attract

We are mindful that the Suite has not been touched for decades, and looks it!
We wish to ensure that the newly renovated suite is not only fit for all the various types of function that our parish, but is attractive and will see us for the next 30 years.

 

Current status of project

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Barkers recommended that we proceed with Clarks as our preferred contractor. The project team endorsed that after checking their finances and following up customer references, and being assured by Barkers that neither of the others who tendered were offering more, and that there was no reason not to prefer them.

 

The PPC met on 8th September and reviewed a report from Martin Mansbridge, the project manager that had been sent a few days before. They also had a checklist of issues and risks to consider.

After a serious debate which examined in detail the need and morality of spending so much money, and the possible alternatives, the PPC agreed to proceed with the tender from Clarks, subject to detail to be resolved in a pre-contract review.
They accepted that the scope for reducing the functionality or quality of the offering was very limited, and considered that it would be very unwise to do so, given that this is a once in 30 years exercise.

Martin reminded the PPC that various elements of the original plan had been pared back once the high cost became apparent, but that those did not threaten the overall objectives and quality of the plan we now have.

The only possible further saving might be to do without a false ceiling. That was discussed, but its advantages and positive visual impact persuaded the PPC to retain it - the saving would in any case have been relatively small. 

 

The next stage of the project will be managed by Rob Fernandes, supported and overseen by Brian Martin (Finance) and Bernard Hunter (PPC). We owe a debt of gratitude to Martin for his efforts in bringing us this far, and to Geraldine who has been quietly very effective in so many ways.

 

Next Steps

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Pre-contract meetings, and contract signing.

Work to start on 29th September if possible (this will be confirmed once fixed), and taking at least 6 weeks. In advance of that, all equipment to be moved out into two temporary storage containers that will be hired.

Users have been warned, and offered use of either the upstairs rooms or the scout hut, which is acceptable to most of them.

During the works, the Henrietta Suite and foyer will be given solely to the builders - access to upstairs will be through the Church and the corridor.

 

Click here to see the history of the project

Please see below documentation regarding the project.