Many people who live in Hartest have become aware that more funding is needed if we are to keep the lovely church open for our community. In spite of heroic efforts by the PCC to raise money, the annual income now falls well below the requirements. At the Benefice meeting in July 2011 it became clear that all the other parishes in this Benefice have a group to help, so we have got together to revive the "Friends of Hartest Church" with the sole and express purpose of raising money which can be spent on the maintenance and restoration of the Church and help keep it open for all in the village. The plan is to have some fund-raising events during the year, as well as one or two on-going schemes.
At the foot of this notice is the current list of supporters. Please do be in touch to add your name if you'd like to help even in a modest way - you are not expected to be a regular Church goer, just someone who wants to keep the Church open so that all in the village can make use of it. We are extremely proud and fortunate that Clive Paine has kindly agreed to become our Patron and will be himself leading an event in September (see below).
The first event is the Midsummer Concert on Saturday 23 June in Hartest Church. This is given by the Churchgate Sinfonia from Bury St Edmunds, and is a glorious programme of string music. The orchestra has very generously agreed to donate all proceeds to the fund and the Friends are extremely grateful to them.
The second event is on Saturday 15 September, when Clive Paine will be giving a talk about the history of the Church. This will be a free event, and bread and cheese will be served afterwards. Donations will be very welcome!
Several more events and other regular activities are being discussed. One is the inauguration of a village 50/50 club which will be open to everyone to join. More details will be circulated soon about that.
Advance notice: Our summer concert next year will be given by the Kirby Voices, the wonderful singers whose concerts are always packed. Date to be announced.
For further information contact :Gill Leeming 01284 830178 / gill@hartest.fsnet.co.uk
