The Friends of Bromham and Sandy Lane Churches was set up as a Trust in March 1987 and aims to assist in the maintenance, improvement and restoration of the buildings, grounds, fittings, furnishings and amenities of the churches of St Nicholas, Bromham and St Mary the Virgin and St Nicholas, Sandy Lane, Wiltshire. The Friends also promote the use of both churches as centres of Christian worship and appropriate cultural activities for the benefit of the local community.
Both Churches are a beautiful part of the heritage which belongs to everyone, particularly those who have some connection with Bromham and Sandy Lane or who are interested in church architecture. They have many unique features and we hold them in trust to look after so that generations to come may also enjoy them.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Friends is open to everyone who is interested in furthering its objectives and who have paid a minimum subscription / donation of £5 per head.
There were some 60 members during 2006.
CONTACTS
Chairman Carol Drew, 22 Hunts Mead, Bromham SN15 2JP ( 01380 8509088 jc.drew@btinternet.com )
Secretary Moya Wallis, 276a Sandridge Lane, Bromham, SN15 2JW ( 01380 859611 8 moya.wallis@virgin.net )
ACTIVITIES
The Friends Committee organises an annual programme of fund-raising events which can include concerts, sponsored events, sales stalls, garden parties, art exhibitions, soirées and curry evenings. Members receive a regular Newsletter and information about all events.
PROJECTS COMPLETED SINCE 1987
Projects refer to the Parish Church unless otherwise stated.
- The bells were removed, restored and re-hung at a cost of £16,000 – paid for by a generous donation to the Friends. Completion August 1990.
- A contribution was made towards the costs of re-thatching and repairs to the timbers of Sandy Lane Church roof. This an unusual church, being the only wooden church with a thatched roof in England.
- A survey of the Chantry Chapel took place in 1993 and a small sample of conservation work was done.
- In 1994, repairs were made to the church wall.
- In 1996, work was done on gutters and down pipes adjacent to the porch room.
- The porch room was redecorated.
- A contribution was made to the cost of replacing the outside lights.
- The old tower door was replaced.
- In 1997 and 1999 contributions were made towards window mesh over the outside of the east and west windows.
- New pew cushions were bought.
- In 2002 and 2003, new lighting and wiring was installed in the parish church.
- In 2003, new cupboards were provided for the choir vestry and Sunday School room and the old wooden occasional chairs were replaced.
- In 2004 further rewiring was carried out and the board flooring by the south aisle re-varnished.
- In 2005 the flooring beneath the organ and in the meeting room was replaced.
- In 2005 and 2006 the north aisle, meeting room, vestry and ringing chamber were rewired.
- A successful application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in June 2004 for funding to undertake urgent repair and conservation work on the roof and unique polychromed and gilded, medieval oak ceiling of the Chantry Chapel. The Friends raised a further £60,000 towards the project which was completed in the spring of 2007.
- The parish church was completely redecorated in the summer of 2007.
- In 2008, the Friends will contribute to the repairs of the main path and gates at the front of the parish church. Also to improved access from the road for people with disabilities.