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Introduction

All Saints' Church, Longhope

For the past few years our church roof tiles have been slipping and have been replaced as necessary, the latest repair being in Spring 2008. However, the Quinquennial inspection in April 2008 revealed the urgent need to replace all the tiles and repair flashings, weathered stonework and rainwater goods in order to avoid damage to the roof timbers. We were told this should be completed within two years.

We are a small congregation in a parish of about 1900 people but we think we can raise £10,000 a year by local effort in addition to that for our normal requirements.

English Heritage have given a grant in two parts: phase one involves preliminary work which is estimated to cost £30,000 of which they will provide £23,000. Hopefully, money already in hand or promised should meet the shortfall of £7,000 for this.

The main repair work will cost about £232,000 of which English Heritage will give £158,000. We will receive £23,000 this year for the investigation and procurement. This leaves us with a shortfall of about £74,000 required by December this year to qualify for the second phase award.

All Saints' is a grade 2* listed building with origins in the Norman period. The design is mostly 14th century and was restored in the mid-19th century.

It is a basic part of village life, being the largest building with a seating capacity of 200, being used by the village primary school and by the community for events such as flower demonstrations, concerts and fundraising causes other than those of the church.

With such a large sum required we are applying to a number of grant making organisations, alerting the entire village of the situation by a postcard through every letterbox and setting up a Restoration Committee and a Friends of Longhope Church group. A number of local fundraising events are already happening or are planned, as detailed below.

Trusts to whom requests have been sent include the Langtree Trust, The National Churches Trust, The Allchurches Trust and The Garfield Weston Trust. Further requests are planned to the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.

We have recently had a detailed investigation of the problems with the roof and our architects intend to invite tenders this Summer with a view to doing repairs in early 2010 through the timing depends on whether or not we have bats in the roof.

We are asking, therefore, if you qould consider making a donation towards this worthy cause. Any contribution would be much appreciated and can be sent to All Saints' Church, Longhope PCC. For readers who don't live in Longhope and would like to donate please get in touch.

If you require any further information please don't hesitate to contact us.

How you can Help

The Friends of Longhope Church are using the services of the website Easy Fundraising to help raise money. You will need to go to the site and register, then whenever you want to buy something from the many retailers they work with they will donate a percentage of what you spend to the All Saints' Restoration Fund.

A number of fundrasing events will be happening soon in and around the village, a list of which can be found below.

When	What
12 September	Nearly New Sale	Details
24 October	All Saints' Feast	Details
13 November	Posh Frocks and Suits	Details

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