St John’s Heritage Association, Kingsdown
AGM Chairman’s report 18 March 2026
Dear Members
The SJHA was formed in 2013 to raise funds for the maintenance, repair and conservation of the fabric of St John the Evangelist Church and churchyard Kingsdown. Our income is generated by annual subscriptions, donations, and fund-raising events.
The AGM, held on Thursday 6th March 2025 in the church attended by fifteen members elected the new committee whose members are Liz Deschamps, Elaine Love (secretary), Gordon Love, Elaine Mordaunt, Huw Morgan-Thomas, Barbara Ridout, Andrea Miller, Mary Dobbin and Ian Stephen (chair). Rev Seth Cooper (Rector, Walmer & Cornilo Benefice), Rev Norman Gilliland (assistant curate) and Jean Winn, Cornilo Churches warden and Parochial Church Council (PCC) treasurer, are also ex officio members of the Association.
Building: West End Project
Stage 1 is the redecoration of the west wall: after one false start in October 2025, this stage was granted a list b application by Archdeacon Darren Miller in December. Colman’s (contractor) began the work on Friday 23rd January following our consulting architect’s specification and ended on Friday 6th February. Severe weather in the first week of February (Storm Chandra) delayed the completion of painting on the north wall under the war memorial because the wall was too wet. Colman’s are due to return to complete the job.
Unfortunately, the weather identified external leaks around the high-level circular window and the lead valley between the roof and south gutter and a blockage in a downpipe on the north wall.
Cornilo PCC approved the high-level external works (£1008 including VAT) which included the use of a cherry picker, at the December meeting, and also the checking and clearing of rainwater goods (gutters and downpipes) (£372 including VAT) highlighted in QI survey report. The date for these works has yet to be confirmed.
Overall, the expenditure, including the extra work, will be £6,960; 95% of this sum will be deducted from the Fabric Fund topped up where necessary by internal transfers from the SJHA fund.
Stage 2 of the project is for an inside toilet and kitchenette. Preliminary drawings. prepared by Liz Deschamps, were deemed realistic by Kevin Tucker (DAC secretary) when he visited in March 2025. The next step is to approach our consulting architect for more detailed drawings and to receive a fully costed specification.
Our Quinquennial Inspection survey report, completed in July 2025 and received in September 2025, gives us detailed recommendations of the work to be carried out over the next year and the next five years, plus recommended regular maintenance comprising inspections of the church electrics, fire safety, boiler servicing, PAT testing. Expenditure on the repair to the path lights and identifying the possible leak in the water supply are added costs.
If you wish to offer your services to assist the regular maintenance of the church building please get in touch. A display of the QI survey recommendations is posted on the internal notice board in the church.
Fundraising events in 2025 have followed a familiar pattern to recent years.
The Old Bones Trombone concert on Saturday 12th April, featuring guest soloist Rosir Birkett, raised over £1000 while the Garage Safari (Sunday 11th May) raised £321 largely thanks to the combined efforts of Liz & Phill Deschamps and Andrea & David Miller who produced more than a hundred bacon butties for the visitors from a BBQ in the hall forecourt. We were also indebted to members who produced cakes and served refreshments in the Village Hall. Once again Safari Organiser, Rex Martin donated £300 to the St John’s fabric fund from the Safari profits which was much appreciated.
The annual Cream Tea on Sunday 27th July at the church, masterminded by Liz Deschamps, was a great success with over fifty attending. The raffle, always a feature of this event run by Elaine Mordaunt, raised over £200 and overall, the event made over £800. Grateful thanks to all supporters who prepared the food made cakes, provided raffle prizes, bought raffle tickets and washed up!
The annual Grand Christmas Raffle raised £705; tickets at (£1 each) were on sale from The Ox Tale and Del’s Village Store and was very well supported by the village. The first prize was a turkey, the second prize a bottle of whisky, won last December by your chair) and the third prize was a Christmas cake donated by Elaine Love. Thanks again to Nick Britton who provided the turkey.
Overall, in the last three years £9,500 (approx) has been raised thanks to the hard work and generosity of the committee and other committed volunteers. The village too has been very supportive gifting a % of the proceeds from the annual Garage Safari (thank you Rex) and from the carol singing (£1640 in 2025.
Membership: Currently we have 96 members, but we would like many more. Thirty-four supporters are lifetime members; the remainder opt to pay annually by BSO. The fabric of the church at St John’s is constantly in need for maintenance and repair and we need your support.
Individual membership is now £12 a year, for a couple £20. Lifetime membership remains at £100 for an individual and £200 for a couple. Donations are very welcome. Membership forms can be obtained from Ian Stephen and will be available at all events.
Contact Ian Stephen on 01304 380550 / 07960 069441 or id.stephen@sky.com if you are keen to join us or help. The SJHA newsletter and membership details are also available on the Cornilo Churches website www.cornilochurches.org A big ‘thank you’ for your continuing support of your village church.
IDS March 2026.