For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
1 Corinthians 3:9
The time is January 1956 and at last progress can be made and actually build something. Those of you who have had anything to do with any sort of construction will know that the first thing that happens is that you find the job is not quite what was envisaged. So it was with St Marks hall. On the 11 January 1956 Mr Morley wrote to Revd Freeman "I am sorry that Stacey's firm estimate has come out rather higher than we had hoped", the letter is not reproduced as the detail is in the one sent to Charlewood, who is obviously going to be the 'man in charge' of the project and Morley's point of reference. Incidentally the letter to Revd Freeman has an apology for not enclosing plans but unfortunately 4 copies were sent to the planning authority which meant there were none left. Copies were precious things in those days. The letter to Charlewood is reproduced below, at the click of a mouse, how times have changed.
Letter dated 11 January 1956
To Commander Charlewood PCC Secretary
From Allner Morley & Bolton
Dear Commander Charlewood
Proposed Church Hall, Parley Cross
I forward herewith copy of the plan and specification of the above for which we have received an estimate amounting to £5,530:0:0d. from Messrs R & R.M.Stacey Ltd of Rosemary Road Parkstone. This estimate includes the construction of the hall and the paths immediately around the hall, but does not include the entrance drive in from the road and the fence and gates.
When we got down to preparing revised plans and specifications of the hall and obtaining estimates for the steelwork, roofing, and the like, we found that the use of steel Portal frames instead of roof trusses had added rather more to the cost than was anticipated, and the recent rise in the price of steel has made matters worse. The increase in the depth of the Sanctuary, necessitating the erection of the screenwall on a different line to the Portal frame, has also added to the cost. In addition to these items the general building costs have continued to rise and these have contributed to the increased cost.
Included in Messrs Stacey's estimate is a sum of £100:0:0d. for contingencies.
We have spent a considerable time going into the estimate and have effected some small savings which have resulted in bringing the figure down to its present level, but we are unable to make any further suggestions to that end without reducing the size of the hall or the ancillary rooms, or omitting some of the fittings.
Messrs Stacey state that they are prepared to give an undertaking to start work within a few days of acceptance of tender. Not much progress could be made however until the steel Portal frames are erected, and the steel suppliers state that a period of at least six weeks would be required for this.
The plans have been deposited with the RDC and will be considered by the plans committee on the 16th January and the Town Planning Committee on the 24th January.
I shall be happy to meet you or any members of your Committee to discuss any points connected with the plan or Messrs Stacey's estimate.
Yours faithfully J G Morley
To Commander Charlewood PCC Secretary
From Allner Morley & Bolton
Dear Commander Charlewood
Proposed Church Hall, Parley Cross
I forward herewith copy of the plan and specification of the above for which we have received an estimate amounting to £5,530:0:0d. from Messrs R & R.M.Stacey Ltd of Rosemary Road Parkstone. This estimate includes the construction of the hall and the paths immediately around the hall, but does not include the entrance drive in from the road and the fence and gates.
When we got down to preparing revised plans and specifications of the hall and obtaining estimates for the steelwork, roofing, and the like, we found that the use of steel Portal frames instead of roof trusses had added rather more to the cost than was anticipated, and the recent rise in the price of steel has made matters worse. The increase in the depth of the Sanctuary, necessitating the erection of the screenwall on a different line to the Portal frame, has also added to the cost. In addition to these items the general building costs have continued to rise and these have contributed to the increased cost.
Included in Messrs Stacey's estimate is a sum of £100:0:0d. for contingencies.
We have spent a considerable time going into the estimate and have effected some small savings which have resulted in bringing the figure down to its present level, but we are unable to make any further suggestions to that end without reducing the size of the hall or the ancillary rooms, or omitting some of the fittings.
Messrs Stacey state that they are prepared to give an undertaking to start work within a few days of acceptance of tender. Not much progress could be made however until the steel Portal frames are erected, and the steel suppliers state that a period of at least six weeks would be required for this.
The plans have been deposited with the RDC and will be considered by the plans committee on the 16th January and the Town Planning Committee on the 24th January.
I shall be happy to meet you or any members of your Committee to discuss any points connected with the plan or Messrs Stacey's estimate.
Yours faithfully J G Morley
Well there is plenty of food for thought there. Following receipt of this letter there are three letters in the records, two written by Charlewood; the first, dated 13 January 1956, is an acknowledgement of Morley's letter above then on the 26th January 1956 Morley writes a one paragraph letter:
As it will be a couple of weeks or so before we get the amended drawings finished I thought perhaps you would like to have a copy of the revised plan as I produced last night. As the Rector may also like one I am enclosing two copies herewith.
which Charlewood acknowledges by a letter dated 27 January 1956 :
Letter dated 27 January 1956
To Allner Morley & Bolton
From Charlewood
Dear Mr Morley,
Proposed Church Hall West Parley
Many thanks for the two copies of the revised sketch plan dated 25/1/56. We are most grateful for the trouble you took to enlighten our Committee on Wednesday evening and your efforts were rewarded in an unanimous approval of the building plan.
I will pass on the name of any local builder who may be willing to tender for the work as soon as I hear of one.
Yours Sincerely Charlewood
To Allner Morley & Bolton
From Charlewood
Dear Mr Morley,
Proposed Church Hall West Parley
Many thanks for the two copies of the revised sketch plan dated 25/1/56. We are most grateful for the trouble you took to enlighten our Committee on Wednesday evening and your efforts were rewarded in an unanimous approval of the building plan.
I will pass on the name of any local builder who may be willing to tender for the work as soon as I hear of one.
Yours Sincerely Charlewood
So we have something of a mystery here. In his acknowledgement dated 13 January Charlewood says there is a PCC meeting on the 23 January, which is a Monday. Then in his letter dated 26 January Morley says he encloses revised plans as produced last night - meaning the 25 January?, Must be as Charlewood says they are dated the 25th. in his acknowledgement the following day. I can only infer from this brief exchange of correspondence that the plans as submitted to the RDC have now been revised in some way. This, however will remain a mystery as there is no trace of any revised drawings on the record. My guess is that if there were any changes they were at best cosmetic and did not have any great bearing on the overall cost estimate or deliberations by the Planning Authorities as on the 30 January 1956 Commander Charlewood thought it prudent to once again write to the Pastoral Committee pleading hardship.
Letter dated 30 January 1956
To Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Committee with copies to Board of Finance and Archdeacon
From Charlewood Secretary West Parley PCC
Dear Mr Falkner,
Proposed Hall-Church
West Parley
With reference to previous correspondence on this subject ending with my letter date 15 November 1955, and your letter P.44(p)/801 dated 2 December 1955, I have to report as follows:-
The architects, Messrs Allner Morley & Bolton estimated the cost of their original design, based on the cost of the Hall of the Good Shepherd, to be about £5000. To this should be added architect's fees amounting to about £300 and if competitive tenders were required it would doubtless be necessary to get bills of quantities prepared which would cost another £150. With these figures before them and with the prospect of having to lay out an approach road and a car park, the provision of the latter being insisted upon by the Dorset County Council, the P.C.C set £6000 as the total cost of the undertaking. The loan offered by the Church Commissioners is £3000, being 50% of the estimated total cost.
A specification for the work has now been drawn up and plans for the hall have been revised and these show details for a hall to seat 210 with a sanctuary at the east end and a stage at the west end. The design includes a committee room and a small office or vestry, a kitchen and suitable toilet accommodation. The PCC have studied the revised design and consider that it fulfils every reasonable requirement. The preparation of the specification has caused the architects to reconsider their estimate which now stands at £6100 for the building and consequently the PCC are compelled to set their target at £7000.
The financial situation is as follows :-
Loan promised by the Church Commissioners
£3000
Loan promised by the Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Com 1000
Grant promised by the Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Com. 1000
Sums donated by parishioners (now nearly)800
£5800
As the first local appeal was only made in September last it may be claimed that the response is favourable.
It is felt that if Diocesan assistance could be raised to £7000 parishioners could guarantee repayment of loans in the time stipulated and would be able to furnish the hall and meet other incidental expenses.
Houses are now being built on every side of the site and this makes it desirable that the hall should be able to seat not less than 200.
As we have now reached the stage when building tenders may be invited we should be grateful for your advice upon how we should proceed on what does appear to be a work of paramount importance.
Yours sincerely Charlewood
To Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Committee with copies to Board of Finance and Archdeacon
From Charlewood Secretary West Parley PCC
Dear Mr Falkner,
Proposed Hall-Church
West Parley
With reference to previous correspondence on this subject ending with my letter date 15 November 1955, and your letter P.44(p)/801 dated 2 December 1955, I have to report as follows:-
The architects, Messrs Allner Morley & Bolton estimated the cost of their original design, based on the cost of the Hall of the Good Shepherd, to be about £5000. To this should be added architect's fees amounting to about £300 and if competitive tenders were required it would doubtless be necessary to get bills of quantities prepared which would cost another £150. With these figures before them and with the prospect of having to lay out an approach road and a car park, the provision of the latter being insisted upon by the Dorset County Council, the P.C.C set £6000 as the total cost of the undertaking. The loan offered by the Church Commissioners is £3000, being 50% of the estimated total cost.
A specification for the work has now been drawn up and plans for the hall have been revised and these show details for a hall to seat 210 with a sanctuary at the east end and a stage at the west end. The design includes a committee room and a small office or vestry, a kitchen and suitable toilet accommodation. The PCC have studied the revised design and consider that it fulfils every reasonable requirement. The preparation of the specification has caused the architects to reconsider their estimate which now stands at £6100 for the building and consequently the PCC are compelled to set their target at £7000.
The financial situation is as follows :-
Loan promised by the Church Commissioners
£3000Loan promised by the Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Com 1000
Grant promised by the Salisbury Diocesan Pastoral Com. 1000
Sums donated by parishioners (now nearly)
800£5800As the first local appeal was only made in September last it may be claimed that the response is favourable.
It is felt that if Diocesan assistance could be raised to £7000 parishioners could guarantee repayment of loans in the time stipulated and would be able to furnish the hall and meet other incidental expenses.
Houses are now being built on every side of the site and this makes it desirable that the hall should be able to seat not less than 200.
As we have now reached the stage when building tenders may be invited we should be grateful for your advice upon how we should proceed on what does appear to be a work of paramount importance.
Yours sincerely Charlewood
Go to Page 21