Out to tender!
The decision was taken, and we went out to tender on the Centre at the very end of July – my birthday, in fact! Tenders are due back on 9 September, at which point we will need to do some analysis and possibly negotiating, before seeing how far the money we have available matches the sums needed. But it’s been exciting showing would-be contractors and sub-contractors around the premises, and contemplating the next stage, when it may all become a builders’ site. However, with Launde Abbey appeal taking the foreground, we don’t anticipate any decisions being made until later in the autumn.
Prayer Pointer – pray for helpful tender returns and analysis, assisting in eventual decisions to be made.
The Centre – when in use
Our young people’s NEET project is now getting properly under way. NEETs have recently become headline news, not only locally but nationally, and latest figures from Leicester show the worst affected wards (Eyres Monsell, New Parks) as many as 1 in 5 young people are in this category. We are hopeful of making a really significant contribution to the needs of these young people as this work develops.
Prayer Pointer – pray for Tony as he begins research work, and for all the possibilities of growing an important piece of work with young people
Carla McKenzie is our external business consultant, and she and colleague Joe Parfitt made an interim report on operating the Centre to both Project Group and board at the end of July, with further during August. A final report will be considered by the Board on 9 September. We’re seeking to get a clear picture both of the essential costs involved in running such a building, of the income we can expect, and in the light of that, how best to maximise the mission opportunities that it will provide.
Prayer Pointer – pray for Carla and colleagues, to get a quick picture of what is possible and for clear and positive advice to the SMCP Board.
The Square
Our 15 July planning meeting for the Square was very successful, and an agreed brief is now in place. We are interviewing landscape consultants in the second week in September, and work on developing proposals will then begin in earnest. We hope to be able to access public funds for this that may become available in the financial year 2009-10, and so we have a tight timescale if we’re to get something drawn up and approved by all relevant bodies, but it is possible!
Prayer Pointer – pray for Joanna Griffin-Shaw, a senior partner at Pick Everard who is leading this work for us, and for all the processes of approval to flow smoothly and in time.
The Cathedral
The priority here remains a narrowing down of the ideas discussed previously into a realistic set of proposals. To do this we need to find the funding to employ the Cathedral architects, van Heyningen Haward, fir this work and are currently investigating the best ways of doing this.
Prayer Pointer – for the funding to carry forward the next stage of this work
Parish support and publicity
The Urban Fete on 15th August was a success, despite a somewhat windy day – but the rain held off and a good time was had by all who made it down there – as well as a financial contribution to the coffers. You can find out more, and see some pictures, on the website. The previous month we had a good time on 19th July showing round both members of the Cathedral congregation and also those Parish Champions who could make it – all followed by sharing in evening prayer in the Cathedral itself.
Prayer Pointer – pray for the next phase of publicity and raising awareness, especially for more parishes to join our network of contacts, and for Stephanie in her work on this side of things
People
This month we welcome Tony Prince developing the NEETs project (see above) who is with us two afternoons a week, paid for by the Church Urban Fund, and we say goodbye to one of our behind the scenes hidden gems in Tom Sheahan, one of our three original car parking attendants, who is off to college later in the month. Tom is also a Cathedral chorister, and so has seen the project develop from at least two perspectives!
Prayer Pointer –pray for Tony in his new work with u, and Tom in his college career in his new work and roles
Last word?
I think I can do no better than repeat what I’ve written for a briefing paper for the special meeting of Diocesan Synod this month. “The moment is drawing near when the mission opportunities, first seen and safeguarded in the acquisition of the former grammar school, can begin to be realised in the placing of a contract for its refurbishment. A year on from our taking the building into ownership, we can see that the vision for a place of generous hospitality, transforming relationships and attentiveness to God at the heart of city, county and diocese, is now susceptible of realisation. It is, in my view, vital that we hold our nerve and commit the necessary resources to bring it into being.” Let’s pray that it can be so….
Pete Hobson – Project Director 3 September 2009