From the Treasurer: An Appeal

As you all know, the church is now closed until further notice, due to the Covid–19 coronavirus.

However, some of you may not realise that all the costs to run our beautiful church will continue. We have already been informed that our share of the diocese costs will continue, and in 2019 these costs represented almost 55% of our total annual expenditure.

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Ground Broken for Thomas Field Hall

Photo of ground breaking for the Thomas Field Hall

On Monday morning, 2 March 2020, ground was broken in Little Gaddesden churchyard at the start of works to build the Thomas Field Hall.

The vicar, the Revd John Russell, made the first cut in the soil. He is seen here accompanied by two of the building contractors, the site archaeologist, and churchwarden Barbara Sheard, who originated the design of the new hall. They are gathered round the headstone of Thomas Field, after whom the hall is to be named.

The Vestry@50 Appeal to build the Thomas Field Hall has now raised enough to be able to construct the shell of the hall, but we now need to raise money for the fit out and to upgrade the church heating.  Do please donate if you can. Full bank details and gift aid information are given on our donation leaflet downloadable here:

There’s more project and financial information available on the Vestry@50 – The Thomas Field Hall page.

Header image: Michael Carver, churchwarden

Work to Start on Thomas Field Hall

Detail from Thomas Field Hall - West Elevation and South Elevation/Section
Thomas Field Hall - Computer image of ambulatory door
Thomas Field Hall and Ambulatory – Computer image courtesy of Tempietto Architects

We are very pleased to report that great progress is now being made on the Thomas Field Hall (the Vestry@50 Project).  After careful consideration we selected Clarks Construction Ltd in Markyate to be the  main builder for the project and signed a contract at the beginning of January, with a start date of the 23rd March 2020 and completion seven months later.  Work will actually start on the 2nd March with the site being excavated for the archaeological survey, allowing sufficient time for this to be done before the main contract starts.  Clarks are familiar with this scale and type of work and we hope to run a successful programme to finish on time and within budget. 

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Gaddesden Gallop Benefits the Vestry@50 Appeal

Photo of the finish line of the Gaddesden Gallop

Congratulations to all the participants of last Sunday’s Gaddesden Gallop. Grey skies didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants on the 5 km and 10km runs through our lovely countryside.

And thank you to the 1st Little Gaddesden Scouts and to the Friends of Little Gaddesden School, the organisers of the event, for generously donating the entry fees of those who entered on the day to the Vestry@50 appeal. The appeal fund is £250 £550 better off thanks to their generosity and the efforts of the runners.

Gaddesden Gallop on 5 May 2019

Gaddesden Gallop logo

This fundraising event – offering 10k and 5k race options to participants – is taking place again on Sunday 5th May 2019. The races will start at 10.30am from the sports field and follow a loop through our lovely countryside via the Golden Valley in Ashridge and Hudnall.

On-line registration is at www.entrycentral.com.

The race is now being organised by the Friends of Little Gaddesden School.  Pre-entry fees will go towards the school, and the entry fees on the day will go towards the Church Vestry Fund.

The race organizers are looking for marshals to direct the runners around the route and if you are able to contribute in this way please contact Catriona Angel via email on catrionawebster@yahoo.co.uk or mobile 07980 310502.