St Mary's Church Preservation Trust

Name of organisation: ST MARY'S, BARTON MILLS, PRESERVATION TRUST.

Name of Chairperson: Rodney Knight
Contact details: The Manor, Barton Mills. E mail

Name of Hon Secretary: Frances Lewis
Contact details: 11 Church Meadow, Barton Mills, IP28 6AR. Home phone: 01638 713155. E mail
The Secretary is the main point of contact.

Name of Treasurer: Dave Traher
Contact details: 25 Church Lane Close, Barton Mills, IP28 6AX.
E mail: davidtraher@freeuk.com

Other committee members: Colin Brotherton, Jackie Parnell, Joy Willis, Dianne Fuller. Ex Officio: Rev'd Roni Mechanic

Number of members: all people who are interested in the preservation of Barton Mills Parish Church are welcome to join the Trust. A donation of £15 each year from each household is suggested, and at present about 40 families make various contributions. New members are always welcome and can contact the Secretary or the Treasurer.

Main aim of organisation: The main aim of the St Mary's, Barton Mills, Preservation Trust is to raise funds for the maintenance of the building that is the 800 year old parish church. Thus the building can be kept in good order and can be used for a variety of community events as well as for Sunday services.

The Trust was founded in 1996, and, over the years has raised many thousands of pounds, especially from the Scarecrow Festivals, which, apart from one year which was devoted to the Village Hall, have always been organised by The Preservation Trust and the final proceeds have added to the Trust's funds.

Money has been spent on many projects, including: restoration of stonework, protection of the stained glass windows; drainage by the north wall and conservation of the ‘Good Shepherd' mural.

Each year the A.G.M. is held on ‘Pancake Monday' (the day before Shrove Tuesday), when pancakes and light refreshments are served in the church, and, after a brief business meeting, there is an entertainment or a talk. In 2011 the speaker was Jim Bacon, the TV weather forecaster, and other visitors have included the local historian Clive Paine, local musicians Alex Bonnett and Florence Taylor, and the Bunbury Players.

On Saturday 24th September 2011 the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir will be giving a concert in the church in aid of the Preservation Trust.