We have achieved just over 80% of our target of £9,000. A big thank you for those who have so generously given. Given that the appeal came so quickly after that for the new chairs I am impressed by your willingness to contribute to this project.

The actual installation, commissioning and initial running of the new boiler has not been without problems. Prior to the new boiler being installed chemicals were added to the old system to cleanse it – removing the sludge of decades. This necessary act came with downside – namely when the new system was installed and water was pushed through the system at high pressure then a few small leaks were found – including, much to my surprise, a pipe in the parish office (connected to the central heating system) that ‘spouted’ water onto the west wall of the church.

Our new system is much more sophisticated than the old one; it has innumerable safety features for water pressure, the main pump, the flue, the boiler itself and that’s just the first four What this means is that when something goes wrong it’s not always easy to identify what it is. It also has sensors (thermostats to you and me) inside and outside the church and thus it will respond when the temperature suddenly changes. One important point for us all is that the system has an audible alarm – thus if you are in the basement and you hear the same please let the wardens know as a matter of urgency.

If you would like a guided tour of the boiler please ask.

The good news is that when the boiler has worked and it has successfully on a number of occasions (in its commissioning phase) the radiators are so hot you cannot leave you hand on them for long! - regrettably when the system has experienced teething problems it has been prior to or at the weekend. This was not planned ! – but it was somewhat vexatious to say the least.

Finally for those who have not yet contributed may I ask please if you if you would be willing to do so – we still have £1,700 to find.