After several months of discussions and planning, the Friends of St Pancras Arlington (FoSPA for short), was officially launched in January 2016 at a meeting held at Arlington Village Hall. Our beautiful St Pancras Church has stood proudly and served the people of Arlington for well over 1000 years, far longer than the majority of the village, and the formation of the Friends offers the local and wider community the chance to become involved with the preservation and improvement of the fabric of the church, whether those individuals wish to attend as part of the congregation or not.
Membership is now open to all for a suggested annual subscription of £25 per person or household, but for those who wish to offer more, there is no upper limit! If you are a UK taxpayer, your subscription can be gift aided as well.
The Friends will work together with the PCC (Parochial Church Council) to pinpoint specific projects that have been highlighted in the recent quinquennial review and further details of projects will be published in due course.
Several ideas were suggested at the launch meeting, including the establishment of a management programme for the Churchyard. Helen Proctor from Upper Dicker has been carrying out a survey of local churchyards as part of a wider project and is happy to offer advice on the establishment of this project. Evidence of similar projects can be seen at other local churches.
If you would like to become a member and/or have any ideas that you would like to be considered, please contact Jackie Appleton 01323 482429 jackie@appleton.me – Chairman or Irene Flynn ireneflynn@btinternet.com – Secretary for further details. Membership can be paid as a one off payment by cash, cheque or BACS, or as a regular standing order – its entirely up to you.
We will ensure that updates and news are featured in both Arlington Scene and on the village website – www.arlingtonvillage.co.uk and of course in the church.
This is an exciting start for our tiny village – thank you to all who have put so much time and effort into the establishment of the Friends – we look forward to a successful association.
Jackie Appleton, Chairman
