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St Bartholomew's Church is a Grade 1 listed building that enjoys a unique position in the medieval town of Lostwithiel (Charter 1189) and in the affections of many people, a considerable proportion of whom are not part of the church's regular congregation.
St Bartholomew's Church Autumn 2003
© 2003 Kitty Chanter Menendez
The Friends of St Bartholomew's Church Lostwithiel (FOSB) is a registered charity that provides an agency through which those who have been married, christened or attended concerts in the church, and local residents or visitors who value the building, its history and its traditions, can help maintain the fabric of this lovely building for the benefit of present and future generations.
FOSB's mission is to raise money for the maintenance of St Bartholomew's Church, Lostwithiel.
FOSB organises a range of events throughout the year appealing to different interest groups in the catchment area of town as well as remoter supporters and visitors. The purpose of these events is not only to raise money, but to increase public awareness of FOSB's mission and to recruit new Friends. In addition, FOSB raises money directly by soliciting one-off as well as regular donations by standing order, Gift Aided when possible. Legacies are always welcome.
FOSB was set up in 1995. Thanks to their supporters the Friends have been able to make grants to St Bartholomew's PCC amounting to £104,215 towards upgrading the church electrics (£5,000), renovating the vestry (£3,215), restoring the church roof (£40,000) and installing a new central heating system (£16,000) and, in 2008, towards the renovation of the Tower and Spire (£32,000) and re-hanging the Bells (£8,000).
St Bart's Tower and Spire Project Gets Started - Scaffolding and Initial Scrutiny. Left: photograph by Douglas Steven, Right: photograph by Ian Philipson for Douglas Steven. Photographs © 2008 Douglas Steven
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FOSB's work is ongoing. For example the Parochial Church Council (PCC) is currently seeking grants for a separate project that has emerged in connection with the renovation of the Tower and Spire; this is to refurbish the bells and to make them safe by replacing the supporting steelwork at a total cost of around £42,000.
St Bartholomew's Church
One of the six bells
© 2008 Eleanor Knowles
However these spectacular one-off projects inevitably divert funds from routine maintenance, and FOSB aims to increase its income to match outgoings in the longer term so as to make planned maintenance the norm rather than the exception.
Join us by becoming a Friend. Membership is open to all who are interested in furthering the work of The Friends and who have made a donation in the current year to FOSB of not less than £5. Members over the age of 18 years have the right to vote. And then we are always on the lookout for volunteers to be officers, executive committee members and helpers.
The rest of the site fleshes out this sketchy introduction. The three pages Building, Appeal and How to Help set out FOSB's stall, while the Resources page gives access to much downloadable documentation. We hope you enjoy the site and we look forward to hearing from you, so please contact FOSB to have a chat and find out more.
| Home | News | Events | Photos | Copyright |
| Building | Appeal | How to Help | Contacts | Resources |