On 15 July members hosted a meeting and social evening to thank helpers with past fundraising events for Church wall painting conservation, and to discuss ideas for the future.
Group Chairman, David Corrie, reported the submission of an application for £50,000 with the Heritage Lottery Fund. A decision is due in the autumn, but fundraising is still needed, whatever the outcome.
The May Flower Festival was a great success, in spite of terrible weather, and it was suggested it could be repeated on alternate years - next in 2010.
Lynne Fugle explained the organisation of an Auction of Promises, which was an excellent fundraiser. The idea was well received and will be discussed further.
The Easter Saturday refreshments in the Church in tandem with the Hen Party at the Kitchen Garden will be repeated and organised by Sue Bishop. It was suggested this should be teamed with another village event.
The group was asked to organise teas again, linked with the National Gardens Scheme open garden at the Kitchen Garden.
Roger Anderson had kindly agreed to lead a History Walk around the parish next Summer.
Other plans also included concerts.
Volunteers will be needed and valued!
Sue Sollohub,
Group Secretary
01359 269574
At least it didn’t snow! But heavy rain and high winds which blew down the tea tent gazebo kept numbers down for the two-day event on 25 & 26 May. All the same, visitors who braved the weather enjoyed the wonderful flower displays inspired by the saints, and featuring our medieval wall paintings of St George, St Christopher and St Edmund.
Proceeds grossing around £700, including some very generous donations, go to the Troston Heritage Appeal for the conservation of the wall paintings. After the deduction of some expenses, the total will be added - it is hoped - to a Heritage Lottery sum. The appeal group has applied for £50,000 to safeguard them from deterioration. The outcome should be known by September.
The appeal group warmly thanks all the volunteers who created the Flower Festival, including the children, those who made and/or served the refreshments, worked behind the scenes, took Songs of Praise and publicised the event, and who otherwise contributed to its success in any other way.
Sue and Ted Haynes showed a fascinating range of postcards of Troston past, while Pauline Whitaker-Bethel provided Troston memories on-screen. The Festival was teamed with Francine Raymond’s National Garden Scheme Open Garden opposite, at the Kitchen Garden, which was on view under the Scheme for the first time. The project was co-ordinated by Susan Sollohub (Heritage Group Secretary), Judith Brown (Group member), David Corrie (Chairman) and Canon Sally Fogden (Floral Display Organiser).
The flower arrangers included talented ladies from Troston, Honington, Bardwell, Euston and Great Livermere. Thank you everyone. The church looked wonderful!
Sue Sollohub