This February Update is coming out later than usual in order to bring you good news. On February 17th the Board of SMCP were assured that finance is now in place for what we want to do. This meant they were then able to agree to place the contract for the refurbishment of the former grammar school building to become the new St Martin’s House. The contractors will be Hallams – a local firm who, as it happens, also built the last major extension to the school in the 1980s! A copy of the News Release, which was published today, 22 February, is attached to this Update.
The expected start on site is just after Easter, with a hand-over date in mid-November, following which there will be a fit-out and moving-in phase, so we can talk in terms of the place getting properly under way at the beginning of 2011.
The contract will continue to be managed by Pick Everard, with Michael Goodhart as project manager, and myself and Andrew Granger (chair of our Construction Group) will be the point of liaison with the client.
Prayer Points – give thanks for arriving at this point in our journey, and for the beginning of the fulfilment of dreams and visions for our Diocese, Cathedral, city and county
– pray for our developing working relationship with Hallams and Pick Everard, as project managers, and for Andrew Granger and myself within that process
The Square
Our planning application to the city is going through due process, and as I write we’re awaiting some sort of response. It may well be that this needs to go to Planning Committee in the next few weeks. We’re also still in conversation with CFCE about their view of the plans.
Prayer Pointer – continue to pray for the planning processes involved in getting agreement on proposals for the Square
People
Stephanie, our fund-raiser and publicity advisor, leaves us at the beginning of March, as her 12 month contract comes to an end. She’s been unfailingly cheerful and encouraging, and now the money is there to proceed, it’s sad to bid her farewell just as things get moving – but then I guess that’s the nature of her job!
Prayer Pointer – give thanks for all of Stephanie’s contributions to the Project and pray for her as she leaves us for new things
Parish support and publicity
In view of the news above, we will be inviting you to a last chance to see the building as it currently is, prior to hand over to Hallams, on the afternoon of Sunday 21st March. As with previous such visits, this will take the form of a tour of the building from 2pm, followed by refreshments and questions, and then the chance to join the Cathedral congregation for evensong at 4pm. Parish reps will be asked to reply separately, indicating numbers planning to attend.
Numbers more parishes have now joined our network of links, and it’s our hope with the news of things beginning on the ground that others will want to know what’s happening.
Prayer Pointer – pray for the tour on 21 March, and for our capacity to respond positively to all enquiries into the future.
Last word?
A supportive friend and advisor offered me this thought recently: “It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, not more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.” That’s from The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli in 1513 – the self-same year that Wyggeston’s Hospital was founded on the site now to be occupied by St Martin’s House. What was new in 1513 is now long gone, demolished as it happens to make way for the school buildings we’re about to give new life to – and so we are about to initiate a further chapter in the history of this most historical part of Leicester. Change always feels threatening – but often, once carried out, is seen to be just the right thing. It’s my prayer that what we initiate now in 2010 will be seen by later generations as the obvious and only right thing we could have done – for our city and county, for our diocese, and for the gospel! We’ll see…
Pete Hobson – Project Director 22 February 2010