Monthly Report for the Heritage Lottery Fund November 2020
St Sylvester’s Church Renovation and Community Project, Chivelstone Parish, Kingsbridge
November was a busy month with work covering the appointment of the Main Contractor for the renovation works, contract mobilisation, arranging for water and telecoms, sorting external church drainage and water supply, arranging cashflow loans and planning remote community activities.
Tasks carried out in the Month
Project Administration
- With the appointment of the Main Contractor all the necessary information to update the Church Insurances has been completed and sent to the church Insurer EIG.
Financials
- Following approval of the PCC to take out the Diocese Loan to facilitate the project cashflow we have set up the necessary arrangements with Diocese Finance to activate the loan as soon as it is required.
- We have made our first VAT reclaim application under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.
- We are looking at innovative ways to raise funds and are continuing with virtual ‘Church Jigsaw’ whereby individuals donate for individual pieces to complete the picture.
Heritage Works
- This month the Project Architect team have covered the following work;
- Moved into RIBA Stage 5 and beginning the construction phase
- Building Regulation Application
- Three tenders were received for the repair and renovation works and following approval by the PCC and NHLF the lowest tenderer Westcountry Stonemasons Ltd were appointed and the contract signed. Contract start is the 4th Jan 2021 with a 44 week project duration
- The contract kicked off with a Pre- Start zoom meeting and minutes issued. A follow up site meeting took place with all relevant parties to begin the Contractors mobilisation period.
- We have received the Bat EPS Mitigation Licence from Natural England and our Bat Consultant Colmar were in attendance on site with the Main Contractor to arrange for the initial bat mitigation works to be put in place to the bell ringing chamber ceiling and main church eaves.
- The water supply to the church has been laid by Community Volunteers in the fields adjacent to the churchyard with only a short length laid through the graveyard to the west of the tower which was excavated under the supervision of our Project Archaeologist. We now await South West Water to make the final connection to their water main in the field to the east of the church.
- The drain to the north and east of the church has been revealed and cleared by Community Volunteers and will now only require minor modification.
- The pews and platform to the rear of the church have been dismantled by Community Volunteers and relocated to other areas of the church. Existing heater electrics now just need to be removed and the area will be clear to assist the Main Contractor with their work on the bell ringing screen and in the bottom of the tower.
Communications
- We have applied for a BT business broadband connection to provide wifi at the church.
- The project website continues to be updated and we are seeing an increase in hits to the site.
Community Engagement/Activity Plan
- We continue to be proactive and positive in trying to implement as many of the planned activities around the church as possible or coming up with virtual alternatives. The Covid 19 restrictions and the current lockdown have frustrated this process.
- The 2nd instalment of the church ‘blog’ has been issued and we are still looking at setting up a You Tube Channel where videos can be posted related to the church renovation and other activities.
- Our first draft of a church ‘Memory Trail’ has been created and is out for comment.
Volunteer Time
- Volunteer time this month equated to 193 hours mainly working on project admin and finances, Main Contractor appointment, pre contract works at the church and implementation of the Activity Plan.