Update on the Building Fund
St Robert's Building Fund
As mentioned a few weeks ago at Mass, the newly carved stone cross, which replaces the crumbling Victorian one taken down on safety grounds a couple of years' ago, was installed high above the main door of the church in the summer.
The progress update was given on the completion of phase one of our building project, funded by the Building Fund set up at Easter 2025 to help in the repair and preservation of the exterior of our 153 year old church building. The text of the update can be accessed on the button below. As it says, the Building Fund has been supported phenomenally well with £147,000 raised so far plus gift aid of £10,000 and grants amounting to £65,000 plus £11,000 from the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme.
Phase 1 works included:
- Stripping and re-slating of the eaves slating to the south elevation of the nave roof.
- High-level brick repairs to the south nave, including the replacement of spalled and deteriorated brickwork using specially manufactured matching bricks.
- Installation of new roofing felt and battens to the south-east elevation.
- Raking out and repointing of brickwork to the south elevation of the belfry tower.
- Deep repointing works to the spire.
- Replacement of failed plywood panelling beneath the patent glazing above the Lady Chapel and Presbytery entrance hall with new fibre-cement panelling.
- Cladding works to the flat roof area, including the installation of new substrate and insulation.
- Removal, refurbishment, and reinstatement of high-level gutters, together with the installation of new lead lining throughout.
- Installation of new lead cappings.
- Poulticing treatment to clean and remove staining from the main entrance brickwork on the west elevation.
- Raking out and repointing of the main entrance brickwork on the west elevation.
- Repair and redecoration of the decorative stone columns on the west elevation.
- Remedial works to the drains, including jet-washing and CCTV surveys
In a world so often troubled by conflict, division and uncertainty, peace can sometimes seem a distant hope. Yet peace begins not only in the great decisions of world leaders, but also in the quiet places of the human heart.
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How can we, as a parish community, do more to care for God's creation and live more sustainably?
On Monday 9th November, a number of parishioners attended an open meeting to explore how we might put our faith into action through the CAFOD LiveSimply Award, an initiative inspired by Catholic social teaching and Pope Fr
Here are a few dates of events which are happening in the future - chance for people to put them in their diaries.
What does it mean to be a truly welcoming and inclusive parish community?
Recently, with the help of Monsignor Keith Barltrop, a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster, parishioners at St Robert’s explored the sometimes challenging questions surrounding how we remain faithful to the Church’s teaching on human sexual
Thank you to all our volunteers who helped make the special celebration of All Souls such a moving and comforting occasion on Monday evening. Many families whose loved ones' funeral took place here at St Robert's during the past year were able to light a candle on the altar rails in their memory and there was an oppor
As you can see, the suspended ceiling has been taken down in the Narthex, the decorating work has taken place and new lighting has been installed. We are now looking to move on to the next step of the project, which is replacing the glass in the oriel window and installing glass doors. Due to the fact that we are stil
Thank you to Emma for organising last week’s Women’s Evening, and to Fr Simon, Bill and Richard for kindly helping with the setting up, serving the food and clearing up afterwards. We had a lovely evening, beginning with Adoration and continuing with a wonderful time of fellowship and getting to know new friends within our parish community. Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening so special!
Please find here a copy of the Report that was sent to the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV at the end of August concerning the potential unification of our three dioceses.
Our altar serving team joined with some members of the 18 to 30 group and a few parents on a visit to Ushaw College in Durham last weekend. It was a tremendous opportunity to deepen friendships and explore more about our Catholic faith. Ushaw was at the centre of priestly training for the Northern Provinces from 1808 u
You can access here the Pastoral Letter for the Season of Creation from Bishop Marcus. If anyone would like to explore this further as part of a parish group, please speak with or write to Fr Simon.