Friends of St Stephens

April 2012

FRIENDS OF S STEPHEN ON THE CLIFFS BLACKPOOL

Dear Friends,

Although on the face of it, 2011/2012 has appeared to be a very quiet year for Friends, with no major renovations to windows and the like, nevertheless, substantial financial assistance has been given by the Friends in support of the Parochial Church Council in maintaining and enhancing the Church of S Stephen’s. The Friends made up the shortfall for the renovation of the Rose Window after donations failed to reach the target and they will be making a further contribution towards the new Organ.

Because we go into the new year with a very tight financial situation it has been decided not to produce a Newsletter this year but instead, I am writing to all those who have in the past either been members and have lapsed, are currently members or who registered their interest in becoming a member when the Friends was launched in 2008. I shall also be writing to Wedding and Baptism parties who have indicated their interest in joining the Friends.

Membership subscriptions are now due and the appropriate form is enclosed with this letter. Will you please fill in this form, even if you are a Life Member, so that our records are kept up to date and, if you are a taxpayer, do indicate your willingness to gift aid your subscription/donation if you are eligible to do so. Under the Constitution of the Charity, non-payment of the current subscription will, of course, negate your voting rights. In 2011 we had well over 60 members, including 13 Life Members but we do need to increase our membership substantially if we want to continue to be as generous and successful in our support of the Church of S Stephen on the Cliffs into the future as we have been in the past.

The purpose of the Charity ‘Friends of S Stephen’s is to raise money to maintain and enhance our Church. The ‘Friends’ is the main fund raising arm of the PCC and I would urge all members to support as many of our fund raising events as possible.