Open night to mark refurbishment of Deeping St Nicholas Parish Church

A refurbishment of Deeping St Nicholas Parish Church has finally completed.

And to celebrate the end of the seven-year project, Deeping St Nicholas Parochial Church Council is holding an open evening on Tuesday, November 3, at 7pm for people to see the improvements.

The PCC said: “We are also using this event to thank all those in the community who wrote and supported this project and who support us throughout the year.
“Since the loss of the village hall, six public houses, the Post Office and many other facilities in this community we have been working to make sure the church can fill this gap as a community building for all to use.”

In 2008 the building was improved with a new fully fitted servery and a cloakroom suitable for all users with baby changing facilities.
In the last six years, many improvements have been made with a new lighting system, draught proofing works, redecoration, repairs to windows, work to the roof and guttering plus many small repairs.

The final part of the plan was to upgrade the heating system. The oil tank had already been replaced and as part of the project the boiler house roof and the old flue (both made of asbestos)had to be removed. This has meant that the annual asbestos survey is no longer needed making a saving of several hundred pounds a year.

Thanks to Chris Dunphy Ecclesiastical Heating Ltd, there are now 15 radiators and a modern boiler and control system, enabling an extremely efficient way to heat the building.

The PCC said: “None of this would have been possible without the help of our funders.
“Our thanks also go to our MP John Hayes and our parish, district and county councillors for their invaluable and direct support.”
“The church is now in a position to offer all members of the community a warm and comfortable building for their use.
“The youth group meet every week and the senior citizens have a whist drive every fortnight to raise funds for local charities.
“We are open for private parties, workshops, wakes and other hires.
“Sadly with the recent loss of our vicar, Peter Garland, we have not been able to get going with all our plans but as soon as we have a new incumbent we will be in position to go forward.”

Key donations to project:
Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) £41,952
Deeping Fen Wind Farm Committee £17,138.50
Garfield Weston £2,442.52 (plus £2,557.48 to be used for future repairs)
Deeping St Nicholas Senior Citizens Committee covered postage, stationery and printing