History 1980-1989 
1980
The newly
appointed chaplain for
The church
roof was giving problems. An estimate
for repairs to the tiles came to FF10,200. The diocese promised help, with a
contribution of up to FF12,000 towards these repairs
(using the monies handed over by the U.S.P.G.).
Preparations
were being made for the entry of all the European chaplaincies into the new
Diocese in
The
credence table, which had been donated to the church by the family of Miss
Pamela Darley in her memory, was dedicated on
The new
silver cruets donated by Mrs Yeomans in memory of
Richard Yeomans, to which the church had added a
small silver tray, were dedicated on Maundy Thursday.
At the end
of 1980, the chaplain summarised “There is a warm friendly atmosphere in the
church, appreciated by visitors and those who returned regularly. A study group has been started in the spring,
which those who had attended had found helpful.
There is still a lot to do to the church fabric.”
1981
In 1981 it
was recognised that
The repairs
to the vestry roof escalated to FF23,000, of which
FF21,000 was contributed by U.S.P.G., and the builder allowed a FF1,000
discount.
A “Royal
Wedding Garden Party” was held in Mr and Mrs Farr’s garden in Le Muy to raise funds, and a music event was organised in the
church by Mr Clayton. These raised FF6,600 towards church funds.
1982
At the
beginning of 1982 Rev Jennison announced that he
would be leaving to take up an appointment in Nice. The Rev Canon Donald Macnaughton would be
arriving in February, initially for 3 months, and if all went well, to become
chaplain of St. Raphaël and
The church
began the year with FF11,000 on deposit, earning 4%
interest. If the church could be
recognised as an “Association Cultuelle” this would
be closer to 8%. It was decided that
“more should be given away” as it was not necessary to keep so much on
deposit. If a serious crisis arose “The
Lord will provide”. The chaplain
proposed a target to give away 10% per year.
In the
event, it was towards the end of the year that Canon Macnaughton
and his wife Diana were welcomed to
The
accounts were in a very healthy state, with FF16.476 in the current account and
FF11,055 on deposit.
However, of this, FF10,000 was brought in by
the “Bring-and-buy” sale, and this would not be repeated in 1983. Nevertheless, a total of FF10,500 was given away this year to various charities.
The vestry
was painted by volunteers, and estimates for painting the sanctuary and library
professionally came to FF19,442. Damp patches on the roof necessitated an
inspection by a painting expert and a surveyor.
Steel shutters and “anti-vol” bars were
purchased for the vestry after a burglary attempt which had badly damaged, but
not opened, the safe. These cost FF2,616.
1983
In 1983 the
building crisis came to a head.
Estimates for repairs to the roof came to FF51,000,
electrical rewiring would cost FF6,300, treatment of timbers would cost
FF9,880, restoration of the bell tower FF7,000.
A fund-raising initiative, with the objective of raising FF80,000 was undertaken, reaching over half its target by the
end of the year! The diocese and
U.S.P.G. promised £3,000 towards the works.
In this
year also the formalities were completed for the church to be registered as an
“Association Cultuelle”.
1984
The year
started with the good news that the restoration fund now stood at FF104,157. The roof was
finished, the timbers treated and the bell overhauled. A sum of FF22,500
was allocated for internal painting. The
ceiling was a major concern. It was
desired to retain the Victorian designs, but repainting would be very expensive
and might not last. It was agreed to
follow an approach of creating stencils on linen, which would then be stuck to
the ceiling. If future repairs were needed,
these could be removed then stuck on again.
An estimate of FF44,000 was accepted for this
work. An additional FF5,000 was budgeted for painting the walls, vestry and
lavatory. The work was completed by the
middle of the year, to the delight of the council.
Sadly in
this year Walter Farr died at Easter, a man who had given many years of service
to the church and was churchwarden at the time.
30 copies of the new Alternative Services Book were donated in his
memory. Mrs Farr was nominated churchwarden
in his stead.
1985
At the
Annual General meeting it was reported that the main object for the previous
year had been the church restoration.
Everyone agreed that the church looked marvellous. There had been an excellent summer
congregation, and numbers kept up well during winter months. Nevertheless, there were still outstanding
loans to repay in respect of the restoration.
1986
At the
A.G.M. it was reported that the church was now free from debt relating to the
restoration work of 1984. A maintenance
and improvement fund was being established, its first objectives being to
improve heating by mounting double-glazing on six windows in the nave. This escalated to address replacement of
windows in the dome with double-glazed units, and also the sanctuary.
1987
Church
heating was an issue in the winter period, and it was decided to purchase a
low-level gas heater, using bottled gas, to reduce the heating costs. A second heater was bought towards the end of
the year.
The
chaplain, Rev Donald Macnaughton, announced that he
would be leaving after Easter. A vote of
thanks was made for his leadership.
In the
autumn, the Rev Ronald Baker took up a six-month appointment.
1988
The Rev R.
Baker left in May, and Rev Paul Topham was asked to
take services during the summer.
Discussions on other possibilities for sharing a chaplain with somewhere
closer than Marseilles took place, without conclusion. The Rev Michael Coombs arrived in the autumn
for a one year appointment. He reminded
the council that the chaplaincy was divided into 3 parts, Aix, Marseilles and
St. Raphaël.
The Rev P
Ball initiated a series of Lay Training courses to run through the year.
Rising damp
was detected in the vestry and a subcommittee appointed to investigate. A fan was purchased for the summer
months. Repairs were undertaken to the
cracks in the wall, and a new lavatory was installed.
Discussions
began on the possible sale of All Saints, Valescure,
to the Roman Catholics, who already leased it from the diocese.
1989
Bible study
groups were initiated for Lent, and the final session of the Lay Training
course took place. It was proposed that
when St. John’s had trained lay assistants, it should be open every Sunday
during the winter.
The Rev P Ball
proposed to restart his courses of instruction in September. Weekly services were held through the
summer. Meanwhile, the Bishop had
advised St. John’s that the Rev Coombs would not be staying on after his one
year was complete, and advertisements would be placed for “a man about to
retire, but with his own pension”. No
such person had been found by the end of the year, and various temporary
arrangements (Rev G Hancocks, Rev B. Smith, Rev P. Ball) were made.
Mr Edleston presented new communion kneelers and a tapestry in
memory of his wife.
A
fund-raising committee was established and fund-raising events such as a picnic
at Prasada, Montaroux, a competitive quiz and video
shows were initiated.
Patrick
Dudgeon recalls “In the late ‘80’s the
organist was a man who had been a cinema organist. While the communion was being administered he
would play selections from his vast repertoire, including “In a