The objective of the Friends is to preserve the fabric of the church in as good a state of repair as possible.

The Parochial Church Council has to find a considerable sum of money for the running expenses of the church and it is their intention to continue to do this. However to find the necessary funds to preserve and make improvements to the church is now beyond the resources of church members. Anyone with an interest in preserving this historic building can join The Friends of Bardwell Church. As well as a smalll annual subscription of £5 members can get together at various fund raising and social occasions.

Will you be a friend?

For more details please use the Bardwell Church contact form , stating your interest in the 'Friends of Bardwell Church'.

Latest Report from the Friends Committee December 2007

The Friends have now been in existence as an organisation for eighteen months and we would like to let you know what has been happening in that time. Since we started in the Summer of 2006 fifty nine families have joined, two of which have subsequently left the village so we currently have fifty seven as members.

The first event that we held was a Safari Supper in November 2006 to which twenty two members came and we had a most enjoyable evening eating each course in a different house.

This was followed by an Auction of Promises in the Tithe Barn in April 2007 which raised a sum of £2,744.

We held a second Safari Supper in November 2007, which thirty three members attended and had a very successful evening which culminated in everyone meeting at the Dun Cow to round off the evening.

So far we have raised £4,409 for funds, which will be used for improvements to Bardwell Church.

With the help of members, the old rusting external metal window grills on the church have been removed, the stonework cleaned and the new grills fitted. The cost of the materials for this operation was £2,024 and has been paid for by the Friends.

At the moment redecoration of the internal walls of the church is taking place using scaffolding purchased for this purpose. It is the intention that the Friends will pay for this scaffolding and the lime wash applied to the walls. Friends and other volnteeers from the village are joining together to carry out this major operation, which it is anticipated wil take a few months. Paying an outside contractor would have cost £17,000.

Looking ahead we plan a concert by Guidonian Ensemble and a car or bicycle treasure hunt.

Michael de Lotbiniere

Chairman Friends Committee