The Church

New handrails have been fitted to the Communion Rail at the High Altar by Mr. Mabbitt of Bakers of Danbury. These are necessary to comply with the D.D.A. Act and Health and Safety. The Sanctuary steps have been re-levelled. I would like to thank Mr. Gerald Crowley and Mr. Harry Hodges for their work.

As usual routine maintenance has taken place - the security system, the fire extinguishers and the lightning conductor have all been checked, found to be in order, and the appropriate certificates issued.

The heating system has been overhauled by Mr. Steve Wright. The pipe organ has been tuned. The gas meter has been checked and given a certificate of safety. The roof has been checked routinely, and I am grateful to Mr. Harry Hodges and Mr. Gwynn Davies for regular maintenance of the gutters and for leaf clearance.

The church clock has been serviced, and grateful thanks go to Mr. Mike Saines for winding the clock twice weekly, and for putting up flags on special occasions. The PCC has applied for faculty for restoration work to the church clock which is 300 years old this year.

The bells are regularly checked by the ringers. Thanks are due to Mr. Peter Wood for splicing the rope on no. 4 bell after it broke. A new set of bell ropes is on order.

The back of the church has been re-ordered to create more space. New lights have been put up in the Vestry and the south porch. Grateful thanks are due to Dr. Tony Beecroft for bearing the cost of these. The wire doors outside the west door have been painted, as has the boiler room door. I am particularly grateful to working parties for carrying out this work.

Ms. Sarah Dickie from the Essex Records Office inspected our parish records and archives in January this year. The following files and documents have been placed into the custody of the Essex County Council Records Office.

• Baptism Register (1890-1964)
• Marriage Registers (1878-1983, 8 volumes)
• Burial Registers (1855-1989, 3 volumes)
• Banns Register (1988-1998)
• Service Registers (1883-1923 and 1946-1991, 6 volumes)
• Philpot End Mission Hall Accounts (1971-1972)

Acquisitions for the church include a new altar cloth for St. John's Chapel. The church is indebted to Mrs. Ellen Jackson for designing and making this cloth. A new Church Log Book has been purchased. We are grateful to Miss Susanna Drew for supplying us with cards for the Prayer Corner, to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Crowley for greetings cards depicting church scenes and to the Friends of St. Mary's for postcards of the church made by Mr. Alan Kanharn.

A new First Aid kit has been bought to augment the existing one.

The Churchyard and Car Park

The Portakabin was removed on police advice after it had been vandalised twice. A new mower has been purchased to replace the one stolen from the shed last year. Mr. Ernie Ryman contributed towards its cost, for which many thanks.

Thanks are also due to Mr. Bruce Drew for providing and planting a further 15 Christmas saplings at the edge of the churchyard at the east end of the church. Hopefully this will provide a good supply of trees for Christmases to come.

The cremated remains area has been extended and delineated, and the larches pruned by Mr. Darren Ryman, who has proved to be an asset, being very conscientious in his work. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Ayles have trimmed the lime trees on the south side.

St.Mary’s Room

The re-roofing of SMR was completed in July 2005. Contributions towards the cost were as follows: Garfield Weston Trust £1000, Stansted Community Fund £2000, St. Mary's Nursery £500. I am grateful to Mr. Gerald Crowley for overseeing this project and for foregoing his fee. Fascia boards were painted and a new sign put up. The old sign was removed to expose the stone inscription 'National School 1836'.

The Nursery purchased a good second-hand cooker, which was checked and fitted by Mr. Steve Wright. New mixer taps were fitted in the small sink unit, and a new back panel installed in one of the ground floor cupboards. Mr. Harry Hodges made and put up a new glazed noticeboard on the outside wall.

St. Mary’s Centre

The photocopier has been serviced, a dado rail fitted to the walls of the upstairs room to stop them being marked by the tables. Windows on the north side were varnished. Shrubs have been pruned and the path cleared of moss.

The smooth running of our church is due to the voluntary work of the 'silent army' which works behind the scenes - the sacristan Mrs. Margaret Smith, the church cleaners, the brass cleaners, the flower arrangers and Mrs. Shirley Walker who launders our purificators. Their work is very much valued and appreciated.

Thanks are also due to those in charge of the various rotas, to all the sidesmen and sideswomen for their excellent work and warm welcome to all who come through our church door. The Friends of St. Mary’s who provide refreshments after services and organise special events are also appreciated.

I would particularly like to thank Mr. Michael Ryley for his legal advice and the preparation of faculties.

The Fabric Sub-committee

The Fabric Sub-committee has met regularly over the year and I am grateful for their advice and expertise. My thanks are also due to all those who have turned out on a regular basis for working party duties.

Finally I would like to thank the Vicar, Canon David Ainge, Canon Rosemary Drew, the ministry team and the PCC for their unfailing support, and for all of you for your prayers. Although I have been sole churchwarden this year, I have felt surrounded by your love and prayers. Thank you all.

I am conscious that all those who serve the church give of their time and talents generously, and that all is done to the glory of God.

Vera Davies, Churchwarden
5th April 2006