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Joining the church to the halls and providing kitchen and toilets for both buildings is the Link. Refurbishing this is the biggest (and most expensive) part of our project.
Problems with the Link
The flat roof has been repaired numerous times but is now well past its natural life. Water cascades down the walls in places when there’s heavy rain
The opening through the church narthex is only 61 cms wide.
Access between the two buildings is up and down a narrow turnpike staircase
It is difficult for people with limited mobility to get up the stairs to the church and choir vestry, impossible for people in wheelchairs
The four toilets are cold and shabby
There’s no insulation and it’s very difficult to heat in winter
Things the Link has going for it:
Bright light upstairs room suitable for 30 people to meet
Large kitchen
Toilets and drainage
Direct access from a small car park
Solving the problems with the Link:
Replacing the holey flat roof with a new one
Putting six clean new toilets (one accessible) all on one level
Increasing the size of the opening between the two buildings and doing away with the up/down steps
Adding a wide staircase
Adding a wheelchair lift
Opening up sightlines so people can easily see where they’re headed
To acheive this the choir vestry will move from its present position to over the kitchen – and at last the choir can rehearse in a warm dry room that we’ll be able to open up to other groups
Results we’re hoping for:
Both the halls and church are clean, warm, welcoming buildings where people want to gather
Older members of our congregation find it easier to get into church
Concerts and other events happening in the church on the six days a week it’s not used for worship
The choir have a warm, dry room to rehearse in
A light, bright, accessible room where small and medium groups want to meet