Friends of St. Clare’s (Church in Newton Aycliffe), within the next few months, is to begin a campaign. We are an independent organisation which will seek charitable status and raise funds solely to support all the many community activities and events in St. Clare’s Church, as well as the building, now and in the future. No one doing work within Friends of St. Clare’s will be paid for the work they do.

So that money raised for the support of the church is not used for administrative and campaign purposes we are looking for an organisation or individual to act as sponsor. Sponsorship will ensure we have the correct funding to run a campaign to gauge interest and recruit members and pay for administration.

There are examples of churches across the country often becoming unusable. The buildings are falling apart with many problems such as mould, rot, falling masonry etc. So in desperation people get together to form a Friends Group to try to save their treasures. Let’s not wait for that day.

Not only is the work of the Church of such great importance but there is also the protection of the treasures housed within the building. For example the pews and other pieces of furniture were made by the famous Mouse man company. There are also several very beautiful stained glass windows.

As St. Clare herself showed, our most valued possessions are the people. By making ‘Friends of St. Clare’s’ successful we will be protecting all the ‘people work’ that goes on into the future.

To discuss sponsoring Friends of St. Clare’s please contact me at noelbennett@uwclub.net.

If in the unlikely event that you are not online please write to Noel F Bennett, Friends of St. Clare’s, c/o St. Clare’s Church, St. Cuthbert’s Way, Newton Aycliffe. DL5 5NT

ANNOUNCEMENT

I would like to take this opportunity say how pleased we are to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mike Dixon as a patron of Friends of St. Clare’s. His background has allowed him to build much experience in many varied positions. He recently celebrated, at St. Clare’s, his 50th Anniversary of Ministry. I am sure he will be of great value to Friends of St. Clare’s and thank him for his advice, efforts and enthusiasm so far.