Our Christmas Services have been added to the Events calendar - find it here:  Events @ St Magnus

As mentioned in the Work in Progress news below, this work could not have happened without the help of our fantastic sponsors:-

Thankyou to all of you!

St Magnus Church Roof Repairs - October 2009 Update

Raise the Roof - Phase One

The “Raise the Roof” appeal was initially launched in June 2007 with a “Songs of Praise” service held in the Church.
We had already received confirmation of a Stage 1 Pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland both offering grants of £125,000. This was just the start of a lot of hard work for our first fundraising committee of Sue Cooper, Cushla Bretton, Joan Sandison, Marghie West, Mary West, Billy Mycock and Pat Baker, aiming to raise what we thought would be the final £50,000 towards the work to be done. Twenty months later after having several very successful fundraising events – The Art Fair, Classical Music Concert, Sale of Slates, Donations and Gift Aid,
the ongoing 5p Collection, Whist drive, Elma Johnson - The Life of Christ, Valentines Night meal and the promise of four smaller grants we had raised the magnificent sum of £47,396.

Raise the Roof - Phase Two

When the final total for the work came in at £500,098, a second committee - Raise the Roof - Phase Two was formed to raise a further £50,000. This was finally realized after holding several more very successful fundraising events – 2 Bingo Nights, 3 Soup and Sweet Lunches, the Grand Raffle, the Silent Auction, Anagram Competition, Fundraising Letters, Donations, Lent & Easter Teas,  Whist Drive, Bag Packing at The CO-OP, Bag Packing at Tesco,  a Talk by Emsley Nimmo on Church Music, Elma Johnson – The Life of Christ Part II, the Toy Show, Ivy’s Sale, 2 Talks by Douglas Sinclair, 2 Book Sales, 3 Car Boot Sales, Walking Tours Teas in the Church Hall  and the promise of three smaller grants.

Further donations were kindly given in memory of Fiona Watt and Ina Mouat.

Thanks

The Vestry of St. Magnus Church would like to thank both of the fundraising committees and also all the members of the congregation (and their families and friends) who gave their support and contributed both time and money to raise these funds.

The repair and conservation works to the Church started in July and we are now at the halfway stage.  We are hoping that the work will be completed around the end of January 2010.

The slating and lead work to the East facing roof slopes is complete and the work to the West roof slopes and repointing of stonework is in progress.

The Bell

The Bell in St Magnus was found to be badly cracked and has had to be taken down for Health & Safety reasons.  We are investing in the purchase of a replacement bell.  The bell, which has the date 1863 on it, is thought to be the original and was probably put into the Church when it was built, then moved to the tower when it was constructed around 1900.

Grant Aid

Without the assistance of grants we would not be able to afford to do these works.
We would like to thank the under noted bodies for their assistance. This has enabled the Church building to continue to be used by both the congregation and the community for the foreseeable future.

• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Historic Scotland
• National Churches Trust
• Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust
• Scottish Episcopal Church
• Shetland Churches Council Trust
• SIC Conservation Grant
• Shetland Amenity Trust
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Allchurches Trust Ltd

The roof fund target has been met!!  A big well done to all involved but especially to the fund raising committee. 

Work is now underway to "Raise the Roof".

Worship is now held in the church hall adjacent to the church.  It is anticipated that we shall return to the church in the New Year.

Wow!  What a fantastic day!  We asked you to bid often and bid high, and you certainly did.  The final total has just been revealed to me:

£3018.61!!!  Wow!

Many of those who offered their lots upped their game on the day - everyone who bid on a car valeting will get one, as will those who wanted manure, spring cleans for their computers and several other lots.

Meanwhile, we can now concentrate on the Next Big Thing - the Grand Raffle!

At St Magnus Church Hall on 23rd May. 10AM until 4PM

Teas, coffees and home bakes will be served throughout.

Online Bidding is Now CLOSED

A massive thankyou to everyone who bid online - if you want any of these things now, please come along to St Magnus Church Hall on Saturday 23rd May between the hours of 10AM and 4PM.  And have a cup of tea and a cake while you're there!

This is the Silent Auction as featured in the Shetland Times and on Radio Shetland.  As with all Silent Auctions, no-one will know who the winning bidder is until the close of the auction.  This adds spice to the bidding for those must-have prizes.

You can bid on the items being auctioned directly through the website by clicking on the link for the chosen item and completing the email with your bid amount.  Please note that you really should be in Shetland to take advantage of this auction as we're not able to post stuff overseas and many lots just won't make sense!

If the links don't work for you, please send an email to newsletter@stmagnus.org.uk quoting the lot number and your bid...

The Lots:

1. 1 - Second-hand, half-size snooker table in very good condition complete with balls and cues .(on view in hall )
2. 2 - 4 hours French tuition for holiday makers
3. 3 - An afternoon learning how to edit photos on a computer
4. 4 - A trip to Eshaness for 2 people with tea at the Breiwick cafe.
5. 5 - Meal for 2, picked from a small menu (including vegetarian option) plus 1 bottle of wine, delivered to your home.
6. 6 - Run in the country including tea in a country hall
7. 7 - Up to 6 hours secondary school Maths tuition ( Bid per hour )
8. 8 - A basket of cheese and wine
9. 9 - A dozen fresh, free-range eggs ( x2 )
10. 10 - An evening meal for 4 in Lerwick's oldest inhabited house, and transport home to mainland Shetland.
11. 11 - Two hours of Interview Practice
12. 12 - Watercolour Painting of Orkney
13. 13 - Two sessions of reflexology with Hazel Thomson
14. 14 - Carpet fitting for a bedroom or sitting room by Tommy West
15. 15 - Computing: 1 hour of tuition in own home
16. 16 - Computing: Spring clean for your computer
17. 17 - Computing: Setting up a website plus one year's hosting
18. 18 - Sunday lunch for 6/8 (3 courses + coffee ), cooked and cleaned up in your own home
19. 19 - One full days labour ( 8 hours ) eg gardening/ cleaning/ clearing
20. 20 - Full car valet, inside and out ---Spring Clean
21. 21 - Designer Jacket , size 14/16 ( On display in hall )
22. 22 - Three hours of gardening or cleaning
23. 23 - A pack of soft, pure Shetland , chunky knit wool, in co-ordinated colours, enough to knit a jumper . ( from Jamiesons Knitwear )
24. 24 - Late Victorian easy chair, buttoned back, turned legs on castors
25. 25 - Flymo Garden Vac -- electric used once
26. 26 - Early evening cruise round Bressay and Noss on board "Shetlender" for up to 6 people, skipper Bert Anderson
27. 27 - The Folio Society - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrel
    
28. 28 - Take someone shopping one day a week for a month in Lerwick
29. 29 - Removed - missing part...
30. 30 - Moses Basket + Stand ( used once )
31. 31 - 2 packs of Mothercare Terrycloth reusable nappies ( unused, in pack )
32. 32 - Self-assembly shelfing unit (on display in hall)
33. 33 - Darning holes in socks and jumpers
34. 34 - Afternoon tea (4PM) in the country with home-made scones and cakes
35. 35 - Boat trip to the islands off Burra with Rodney Jamieson , with sea angling if desired. Boat and passengers are insured. (Maximum of 2 people)
36. 36 - One hour's basic sailing tuition ( from RYA instructor Ewan Stirling ) for two people in a small yacht.
37. 37 - Ladies Waterproof suit (new) size 44, on display
38. 38 - Box of Groceries ---on display
39. 39 - Watercolour painting by Peter Davis - on display
40. 40 - Photograph taken and framed by Dale Smith , of a scene in Shetland, or a portrait of your choice
41. 41 - Large Desk - Top 58" x 29", height 27".  Photograph on display in the church hall.
42. 42 - Bag of Horse manure for your roses - £5 secures a black bag full delivered to your door anywhere on mainland Shetland.
43. 43 - One hour's pony riding for 2 children, in the school holidays
44. 44 - Jewellery designed and made by Emma Williamson - on display
45. 45 - 146 copies of the National Geographic Magazine
46. 46 - Your chance to commission an original composition for piano from Philip Taylor. You can provide the title and will receive sheet music and a CD recording
47. 47 - Learn how to make Shetland Bannocks with Irene Shearer.  £10 will secure a place in the class held at a date tba in St Magnus Church Hall
48. 48 - A framed drawing of the William Wallace Tower in Aberdeen by the late W G Peterson.
49. 49 - Harbour Cruise with refreshments, with Eddie Knight. Round Noss if weather permits ---  for up to 4 people.
50. 50 - The full set of John Shuttleworth DVD's and CD's-- signed--- plus tea cosy
51. 51 - Full wheel refurbishment for 4 car or 2 motorbike wheels, shot blasted and powder coated  ---  from George Irvine , Shetland Powder Coating. Tyres must be removed by customer
52. 52 - Quantity of bluebell bulbs (when flowering season is over )
53. 53 - A guided walk for 2 people in the Weisdale valley followed by afternoon tea at the Old Manse.
54. 54 - A 10ft Shakespeare Trout Rod, in two pieces.
55. 55 - Framed seascape by Liam O'Neill
    
56. 56 - Collector's calendars from Ganson Bros. Lt .Lerwick ( Tel. 11 ) Years 1957 to 1968 ( 1966 missing )
57. 57 - Three early LP records.  Two of Kathleen Ferrier and one of The Glasgow Orpheus Choir
58. 58 - Two old photographs 1956 and 1961 by James Winchester
59. 59 - Second - hand , two piece, full-sized table tennis table. Successful bidder must remove from hall
60. 60 - Two standard lamps - to be sold either singly or as a pair
61. 61 - Two commemorative plates - Royal Grafton/ Crown Staffordshire
62. 62 - One wheel travel bag , new
63. 63 - New blue quilted jacket
64. 64 - New navy boiler suit
65. 65 - New egg boiler from Scotts of Stow
66. 66 - Small Grill/Toaster - used once
67. 67 - New Popcorn Maker
68. 68 - A mixed job lot of LP's
69. 69 - New battery operated kitchen scales
70. 70 - A  small keep-cool back pack and matching waist money bag
71. 71 - Framed papyrus of the god Horus
72. 72 - Three drawings by Davy Cooper;   The Selkie Wife , The Boat in the Museum , The Otter.

Bid high, bid often and good luck!

Check back here regularly as new items may well be added...

If you have an item you'd like to auction off, please email Pam at pamfm@btinternet.com

We have had requests - guaranteed bids - for the following:

• A bookcase
• Garden plants
• Sea and Trout Angling tackle

So if you know anyone with some tackle they want to shift...

Good News!

Historic Scotland have finally given us a Stage 2 Pass and we are waiting to hear from the Heritage Lottery Fund in the next two weeks.  We are still hoping that the refurbishment work will startin April and be completed in September.

Not-So-Good News!

The cost of the work needing to be done now stands at £500,098.  While we have raised the majority of this through grant funding and local fundraising we shall still have to do some more fundraising towards the shortfall of £50,000.  There are several events planned over the next few months so please encourage friends and family to come along to these events.  Please see the calendar of Church events for details!

We thank you for your continued support of St Magnus Church, this will ensure that our Church building will continue to be used by both the congregation and the Shetland Community for many more years to come.

Work to be Done...

This is a major project to stabilise the condition of the fabric of the Church building and put it into good order by working on high level repairs and repairs to parts of the building that are at risk of being damaged beyond repair.

All works are to be completed using traditional materials and in accordance with traditional practice as much as possible.

A summary of the works are:

• Complete stripping and recovering of all pitched roofs, renew all sheet metal gutter linings, ridge cappings and flashings, etc.
• Repair or renewal of the rainwater disposal system and the surface water drainage system.
• Repair and repointing of the corss/finial base stones at the gabel apexes, skew copings and crow steps, the tower and walls to an acceptable condition.
• Repair and replacement of the stone tracery to the windows as required.
• Repair or restoration of damage to stained glass windows caused by water and weather as necessary.

Once these works have been completed, no further external repairs should be required except for regular maintenance.