Hankelow Chapel Refurbishment Open Evening

At Hankelow Methodist Chapel the Church Council has been working on a major refurbishment project over the last few months with the aim being to improve the whole building to make it more comfortable and welcoming.

We also want to continue to increase its use by the local community and to make the building much more sustainable into the future.

Detailed architectural plans and specifications are now in place and we have already received generous funding support from the South Cheshire Methodist Circuit, from Cheshire East Council and from Hankelow Parish Council.

We are holding an Open Evening on Friday, 17th April, 2015 between 7 and 9pm and all are warmly invited to drop in to look at the plans and to share ideas about future community uses when the Project is completed.

The Refurbishment Project includes:

• a new central heating system throughout the building
• a new side porch into the hall
• a suspended ceiling in the hall with new lighting
• a new and enlarged kitchen
• a new disabled toilet
• a replacement roof over the rear part of the building
• improved insulation throughout the building
• new front and side doors and improved disabled access
• provision of audio/visual and broadband facilities
• a more prominent notice board to advertise events

Support for the Project

We undertook a community questionnaire in Hankelow in December 2014 and had a 30% return rate with over 90% in favour of the plans with some good suggestions for the refurbishment and for future uses of the refurbished premises. We have included these in our plans and within our grant applications.

One or two people queried whether there would be a clash in funding applications with the Audlem Public Hall Annexe plans. The Audlem scheme is seeking funding from the Big Lottery Community Fund for most of the build for which Hankelow Chapel does not qualify.

We have also received very helpful letters of support from Hankelow, Buerton and Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Councils as well as from Hankelow Amenities Group and Audlem & District Community Action which have helped our grant applications.

Funding for the Project

The South Cheshire Methodist Circuit, through the Superintendent Minister, Rev. Malcolm Lorimer, is fully supporting the Project which is being led by our own Minister, Rev. Jennifer Matthews. The Methodist Circuit will be making a significant financial contribution as part of its policy of helping rural churches to extend their mission into the local community.

Cheshire East Council has also recently made a generous grant of £20,000 towards the Project from their 'Giveback Your Money' Fund and Hankelow Parish Council has also offered a significant donation of £1,000.

This means that we are now already half way towards our target of £92,000. An application has also been made to the Community Fund of WREN, the waste recycling charity, for £30,000.

However, we will still need to raise our own funds of up to £15,000 locally to contribute towards the total figure. Various fund raising events are planned in the coming months with the aim being to start the build during Autumn 2015 if possible.

Individual donations are also welcome and can be made to our Treasurer, Sheila Ainley, Greyhouse, Audlem Road, Hankelow who can also provide information on how donations can be Gift Aided for people who pay income tax.

We do hope you can come along to our open evening on Friday, 17th April between 7.00 and 9.00pm to look at our plans and to discuss ideas for the future uses of the refurbished premises.

Ruth Cliffe
Church Secretary

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