Well praise God for an approved Business plan, which we believe provides a firm basis for moving forward to begin work on the refurbishment that will create St Martin’s House. Its executive summary (shortly to be available on the website) ends with these words: “The conclusion is that once in operation St Martin’s House will make a significant contribution to the employment, training and social needs of the city and county; that it will be providing the region with a new and unique conferencing and events base; and that it will enhance the work of both Cathedral and Diocese.”
This is now to be reviewed by the Diocesan Finance Committee and Cathedral Chapter towards the end of the month, in order to assure themselves it provides the secure basis to release the promised moneys into the work.
Conversations with our possible partners continue, and we will be much better placed to further these once we know we have some premises to let.
Prayer Pointer – pray for the forthcoming meetings of DBF Finance Committee and Chapter
The Square
Last month I wrote that we had just submitted our application to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England for permission to proceed. The project is subject to dual jurisdiction, which means that we also needed to seek planning permission from Leicester City Council. That application was submitted just before Christmas, and is the subject of public comment during the rest of January. You can read more about it on the website.
There was some good publicity around the CFCE application, and arising from that a very positive meeting with representatives of Leicester’s Civic Society.
The funding avenues open to us continue to be tricky in these straitened times but it seems agreement is being reached that a concerted approach in partnership with the city council remains the best way forward.
Prayer Pointer – give thanks for or a generally positive public reception to our Square proposals so far, and pray for that to continue
Cathedral Reordering
We’ve reached a stage of taking stock, along with our architects, on progress to date, and there will be a meeting at the end of the month to map out the next steps. A small team from CFCE, headed by the Bishop of Wakefield, visited us on 21 December to discuss our thinking so far, which was very encouraging.
Prayer Pointer – pray for clarity about the right next steps to take in drawing up our proposals
Parish support and publicity
Diocesan clergy will be aware that in his Christmas letter Bishop Tim has again invited parishes which do not already have a parish rep for the project to nominate someone, and we have reiterated my own availability to speak about where we’re up to – indeed I’ll be doing just that with the Chapter of Akeley East deanery on 28th January.
Prayer Pointer – pray for more openings to promote the vision of Cathedral Square across the diocese
People
A mention this month for Katie, the qualified accountant who visits us one day a month to prepare management accounts and ensure our finances are all in order. With the year end upon us, we’re shortly to begin preparing annual accounts, and her work will be invaluable, as ever. And she’s so cheerful too!
Prayer Pointer – give thanks for Katie – and all the team!
Last word?
One of the joys of my job is taking people on tours of the old grammar school – all sorts of people, for all sorts of reasons, but usually potential partners of some description. I have several routes around what is a large and complicated building, but whichever way we do it I always relish the moment I introduce people to the Grand hall, at the heart of the building on its first floor. Always, but always, there is a sharp intake of breath, followed by something like: “Wow! I see what you mean”. And that’s before we’ve refurbished and enhanced it. By taking on that building, with its grand heart and surrounding potential, we have already done the people of Leicester and Leicestershire a great service. As one conservation officer said, as we ended the tour: “I shudder to think what might have happened to it if you hadn’t secured it” And that’s before we start to make the uses of it that we intend. Yes, there are good weeks and bad in this job – but always there’s a ‘Wow’. Just look what we’re about…
Pete Hobson – Project Director 14 January 2010