The Parish Hall
In the past week we have received word from the diocesan Finance and Planning Board to say that they have decided to go ahead with a re-wiring of the hall so as to ensure that the electrical system complies with the latest regulations and to preserve the hall for use until a new hall is built.
This decision clears up what was a lingering uncertainty about the immediate future of the hall and the possibility of its closure.
This in no way affects the plans for a new hall. It is simply a move to guarantee that premises are available for essential parish activities. The time-scale for a new hall will depend almost entirely on the degree of fund-raising in the parish over the next few years.

Fund-raising for the new hall
We are currently taking a close look at what funds our efforts have raised over the past year. This will help us to assess realistically how we are progressing and what the long-term time-scale will be for a new hall.

Thank you to all who supported the event last week. It was a great success!

'LOOSE COVERS'
Don't miss LOOSE COVERS in concert at Bollington Arts Centre. Saturday 4th February 7.30pm till 11pm. For tickets (£5.00) Phone Barbara - 614276 or Annette - 574953. Proceeds to St Gregory's Parish Centre Fund.

Buy a Brick! Buy a Brick! Buy a Brick! Buy a Brick!
This week-end we plan to launch our ‘Buy a Brick’ project for our new Parish Centre.
Everyone can have a share in this – young and old and not so old! Leaflets are available to explain how the scheme works. We aim to raise £50,000 in this way, in addition to all other fund-raising efforts. Be a brick - get your leaflet and start buying. or selling bricks!

Pamper Evening Success
The ‘Pamper Evening’ was a stupendous success!
On the evidence of the one man present (briefly) it can be said that the ladies looked happy, relaxed and beautiful as they submitted themselves to the skilled hands of beauticians and therapists, chatted and sipped wine. And all this, with admirable altruism, for a good cause – to raise funds for a new Parish Centre! We are immensely grateful to Annette Hurst and her magnificent team – there wasn’t a furrowed brow to be seen among them! Grateful also to the various professionals who gave their services for the evening, and to Head Teacher Maureen Clowes for the use of the school. If you’re still asking ‘How much did we make?’, it is allowed: the answer is £726.25. Wow!!

St Gregory’s New Parish Centre - Fund-raising
This week-end (25th September) we formally launch our parish fund-raising for a new Parish Centre. Please see this as:
· an important venture for the future life of St Gregory’s
· a personal invitation to every parishioner to become involved

We expect to take five years to raise enough finance for this project, starting from NOW!
There will be many ways in which you can play your part, especially by supporting events and projects and also by your own personal initiative.
Below are some pointers to how funds will be raised:

Gift Aid: anyone who pays tax can, without paying a penny more than the normal weekly donation, enable the parish to claim back around 23p of every pound, SO A DONATION OF £10 WILL BE TURNED INTO £12.30. This will provide us with our first and greatest source of income.
‘Buy a brick’ appeal: you might have guessed this would be on the list! Preparations are well in hand to launch this soon.
St Gregory’s 200 Club: this is an attractive venture, with monthly prizes, that brings in over £1000 a year. New members are welcome – and needed! (Contact: Kevin Nolan: 573679)
The annual Christmas Fair: this is a well-established event which, over the years, has proved to be our major fund-raising social occasion. (Contact: June Biggar: 575406)
Concerts and social evenings: in addition to the two events listed below, we are already planning others, including two musical evenings.
Personal efforts: there’s a vast range of possible initiatives. Please start NOW: DO what you know you CAN do and pass on ideas to the fund-raising committee.

OUR FIRST TWO EVENTS

Pamper evening: St Gregory’s School this Thursday 29th Sept.
(Only a few tickets left!)
Help needed, please! Could you spare a couple of hours? We are in need of volunteers to help run this event. If you can help, please call Annette Hurst on 574953 (also for tickets)

Dance/Social Evening with ‘2-10’ Band: Bollington Scout Hall Saturday 29th October
Please put this date in your diary. Tickets available soon: £10 including Hot-Pot Supper!

Fund-raising committee
Our fund-raising group is now focusing on a detailed planning process for fundraising activities which will involve the entire parish community. They had their latest meeting on Monday 19th Sept. At this meeting a formal committee was set up as follows:
Chair: Fr Coupe (vice-chair: Annette Hurst), Secretary: Sharon Place, Treasurer: Pat Fannon

Ladies pamper evening - Thursday 29th September from 7.15 – 10pm
A special evening for all ladies of the parish to relax and enjoy a taste of various beauty treatments. 15-minute ‘taster’ treatments include: nail art; Indian head massage; pedicures and much more. All treatments are bookable on the night with prices starting at around £3. Due to high demand this is a ticket only event. Tickets are £5 and include a glass of wine and a free selection of beauty samples. Come and join us at St Gregory’s school for what promises to be a great evening!

New parish centre update
The next meeting for the fundraising committee for the new parish centre will be on Monday 19 September at 8pm in the presbytery. It is important that we form an ‘official’ committee and would welcome proposals for a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer for this committee. If you feel you could assist please do attend this important meeting. Many thanks.

New parish centre fundraising gets underway! - 19th June Newsletter
The fundraising committee for the new parish centre met again this week to confirm the first wave of fundraising events to be held over the next few months. Many, many ideas are now transforming into definite activities so please make a note in your diaries of the forthcoming events:
Sunday 17 July 3-5pm Strawberry afternoon at Savio House
Thursday 29 September Pamper evening at St Gregory’s school
October (date to be confirmed) Dancing the night away at the Scout Hut
Other events/activities in the pipeline include a fashion show, piano recital, musical show and a ‘buy-a-brick’ campaign– watch this space for dates.
We would welcome anyone who wants to join the committee or if you have an idea for fundraising or would be willing to contribute anything towards the planned events please contact Sharon Place (575697) or Annette Hurst (574953).

Newsletter 15th May 2005
Some time ago the Bishop told usthat the dicesan building projects were being considered on the basis of 'pastoral priority', given the heavy financial commitments of the diocese at this time. It is only quite recently that we have been given specific information from the diocesan finance and planning board regarding our proposed parish center. Briefly, the main points are as follows:

1. There is no likelihood of a new parish centre being built here within the next five years.
2. Half of the projected costs must be raised by the parish before work could go ahead.
3. The possibility of the project getting off the ground would depend on two factors:
   a. The financial situation in the diocese at the time
   b. The likelihood of the parish being able to raise the rest of the funding.

In the light of all this we are looking for guidance on the following:

1. The nearest estimate possible of the TOTAL cost of the new centre
2. How we can maximise the use of the present hall for the time being.
3. Meanwhile one thing is abundantly clear: we must make every effort as a parish community to commit ourselves to serious fund-raising. We alraedy have a fund-raising committee who will spearhead and co-ordinate this activity. Please feel welcome to take any personal initiatives. Thank you

Fund-raising for a new parish centre: plans to gather a group to spearhead fund-raising efforts were discussed at the Parish Pastoral Council meeting in March.

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