Latest Events and Projects
Patronal Service, 13th August 2023
The Venerable Alan Jeans MBE, Archdeacon of Sarum, conducted this years patronal service and blessed several new items in the chapel as well as rededicating the recently repaired East window.
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The Feoffee Chair, Ian Frostick, updated those in attendance on all the projects completed during the last year, thanking his fellow Feoffees, the Friends, the Broderer and the Flower Team.
FOCSL Deregistered as a Charity, July 2023
As the Chapel is now registered as a charity, as part of the good governance it was decided at the AGM to deregister FOCSL as a charity as only one of the charities could apply for grants, gift aid etc. The deregistered was approved by the Charity Commission as all funds collected through membership subscriptions, donations, and fundraising will still be used for the same end - 'for the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of the chapel and its monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the chapel and grounds'.
Scudamore Organ Service and Repair, July 2023
The organ has been making a hissing sound, and had not be serviced for quite some time. The Friends committee were keen to take on this project to focus fundraising.
In July the organ was cleaned, the pipes were repaired and some woodworm was treated at a cost of £2101.94. The work was completed by Edward and Patrick from Organ Design Limited in Alton.
The organ will now need tuning every 2 years at a cost of £250 + VAT with the next major overhaul will be due in 25-30 years with an estimated cost of £18,000 + VAT
East Window Renovation and Clock Room Floor, 2023
The lead in the East window had softened and was no longer strong enough to support the stained glass. The artisans at Salisbury Glass removed, repaired and replaced the glass and lead at a cost of £££.
As part of the grant, 3 new beams and floorboard were replaced in the Clock Room. You can read an article from The Warminster Journal dated 11th August 2023.
New Benches, 2023
In July 2023 Waitrose & Partners funded a new bench which has been installed in the garden at the front of the Chapel. The benches provide an opportunity to sit and rest or reflect in the Chapel grounds.
Condition Survey, 2023
In February 2023 Christian King of St Anne's Gate architectects completed a condition survey of the Chapel with a prioritisation of work required over the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. This will help the Feoffees prioritise the work required to maintain the Chapel.
Contactless Donations, 2022
In September 2022 a Dona contactless donation terminal was installed in the rear of the chapel. This is designed to be simple for visitors to the Chapel to make a donation towards the upkeep of the Chapel.
The Chapel Registered As A Charity 2021
The Chapel was registered with the Charity Commission. A new constitution was created with 8 Feoffees (trustees) and 4 nominate trustees to represent the town from the Town Council, Friends of the Chapel (FOCSL), the Minster Church and Churches Together.
Event and Project Archives
Poppy Appeal Cascade 2017
In 2017 a cascade of knitted and crocheted poppies was installed outside the Chapel to commemorate the Poppy Appeal.
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This was organised by Lesley Fudge, the Poppy Appeal Organiser (PAO) and £23,000 was raised by the town.
800th Celebration 2016
The Chapel's 800th anniversary was celebrated with a commemorative ceremony and unveiling of a manorial plaque on Sunday 13th of March 13.
You can read more here.
Cross Blessing 2016
On August 7th, 2016 the cross on top of the chapel was restored at a cost of ??? The repairs were completed by ??? and the cross was blessed by ???
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Reverend Liz Smith, along with chairman of feoffees Dave Pollard and Warminster councillor Andrew Davis, climbed up scaffolding to carry out the blessing.
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The chapel’s chancel was restored in Victorian times and a new cross was placed on the altar end of the roof, but at some point it went missing and no record exists to explain what happened to it.
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You can read more here.
South Window - Salisbury Glass 2013
The winning design was created into stained glass by the skilled artisans at Salisbury Glass. The window cost £9219.60 and the newly created Friends of the Chapel (FOCSL) fundraised to pay for the window.
Porch Cross Renovation 2013
In 2013 the path at the front of the Chapel was restored at a cost of ??? The repairs were completed by ???
West End Project 2013
In 2013 the West End of the Chapel was restored at a cost of ??? The repairs were completed by James McCulloch.
South Window Project 2013
In 2013 a competition was held to design a new south window. The winning design was by Charles Lane depicting St Lawrence and the tower of St Lawrence Chapel within a countryside setting.
Path Renovation 2012
In 2012 the path at the front of the Chapel was restored at a cost of ??? The repairs were completed by ???
Tower Renovation 2010
In 2010 the tower was restored at a cost of ??? The repairs were completed by ???
Gargoyle Competition 2009
In 2009 an appeal was launched to raise £23,000 to repair battlement stones and 2 gargoyles. As part of the appeal the children of Warminster entered a drawing competition to design the gargoyles.
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You can read more here
