Yesterday I conducted a funeral for a 95year old gentlemen, a former Boys' Brigade Captain and resident of Rayner's Care Home - where AFC take a monthly service. He died of natural causes and it was a great privilege to officiate. Many from his family were prevented from being present because of travel restrictions, so the service was also webcast. It is a testament to AFC folk who join us for these residential home services that we make the sort of relationships with the residents that give their family the confidence to ask one of our ministers to conduct the funeral of their loved one.
Today the Church Officers 'meet' via ZOOM! It will be good to chat through with Janet and Bob the various aspects of church life that need attending to; we keep Erna in the loop too! And then notes of that 'virtual' meeting are sent out to Elders for ratification before the substance is written up in The Minister's Letter which will be published and sent out tomorrow. Never in a million years, I suspect, did our Non Conformist forebears ever think that 'Congregational' church government would be exercised in this way using such technology in a time of crisis. Yet, I hope we are still honouring the 'spirit' of our church tradition.
And lastly, I'm delighted to share some good news, via our church member Hector Fordyce. Hector plays his part in local community life at Chorleywood and is keen to share with us some news about the proposed new Cricket Pavillion on The Common. I've offered to print his letter to me, and the church secretary, below as there are so few avenues at the moment for him to share the news with us. Thank you Hector for sharing the news with us and for your obvious commitment to your local community. I think he was particlaurly keen for me to know about this as I take Pip, our dog, for a walk on the Common every day!
Dear Ian and Janet,
I would normally have sent this article to the editors of Family News, and wonder at this present time whether -due to the present circumstances - this good news could be put on the AFC website.
Some Good News - Chorleywood Cricket Clubs New Pavilion.
Many friends of AFC will have travelled along the A404 to Junction 18 on the M25 passing Chorleywood Cricket Club’s old ramshackle pavilion. For many years CWCC have wished to build a new pavilion.They came to the conclusion that because of cost, they would have to proceed to just clad the original building, and put on a pitched roof instead of the present flat roof. Out of the blue the Charity, “MissionEmployable “appeared over the horizon, and a joint effort to design a new building was started.
Planning Permission for the new building was granted at the end of January 2020 by TRDC. Activity by CWCC & ME is now concentrated on raising the necessary funds. Unfortunately, due to the present circumstances, planned fund raising activities have had to be postponed, but it is still hoped that construction will take place between September 2020 to April 2021.
The building is going to benefit the Chorleywood community, and a far wider area (including Amersham) with MissionEmployable. CWCC have to raise over £ 350,000, and ME over this amount.
Generally the ground floor will be occupied by ME, when from 9.00am to 6.00pm, or dusk, you will be able to order tea , coffee and light meals. Youngsters with learning disabilities etc.,will be trained to cook, serve, wash-up, clean, make out bills, work at the till, prepare CV’s, and interview techniques. This is in expectation that they will be able to apply for a job (employable).
CWCC will occupy the first floor, and will have a socialising space and full changing facilities for men/boys and women/girls, in line with ECB requirements. There will be a balcony for players and scorers to view the match. A separate area on the ground floor is allocated to the Groundsman. Coaching on Sunday mornings takes place from April to July - in normal times - for over 100 boys and girls, aged from 5 to 11 years. Coaching for ages12 to18, and local league matches takes place on weekday evenings. CWCC field 4 teams in the local leagues at Weekends. Did you know that W.G.Grace played for MCC against CWCC on the “hallowed” turf.
Quite a few AFC friends walk on Chorleywood Common, some with their dog. From May 2021 it is hoped you could have a break with refreshments.
If you wish to financially support ME & CWCC for this exciting venture, you could send a cheque to the Honorary Treasurer : Mr Adrian Bryant, 6 Pheasants Way, Rickmansworth, WD3 7ES, or make a Bank Transfer to : NatWest, Chorleywood Cricket Club, Sort Code 52 21 27, Account No.794 379 07, Reference : Your Name. Gift Aid Declaration forms can be obtained from the Treasurer (01923 721309), or On-line by applying via the Treasurer’s email : bryanta@ntlworld.com
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