October 2011 Newsletter

Sponsored by Ann and Robert Lindsey

A Television series which showed the efforts of neighbours who banded together to restore their local churches was a “must see” for many viewers, including the Lady of the House and myself. It was our friend Peter who summed up the aspirations behind the various restoration efforts in a quote from Vista M Kelly: “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together”. I doubt if any of these cheerful volunteers would have thought of themselves as snowflakes, but everyone who willingly lends a hand, whatever the project, makes the world a better place”.
The Friendship Book.

Many of you will have read The Eastbourne Herald, Friday, 30th September, where Juliet Perry wrote an article announcing, that after years of fundraising and searching for a suitable site for the JPK, many hurdles to overcome and failing, that our recent offer to purchase the Edgmond Evangelical Church in Church Street, Old Town for £600,000.00 had been accepted, subject to Contract and Planning Consent. We became aware of this site through Derek Kemp, CPL Architects, our architect partners, as the Vendors had not made their plans for co-locating with Frenchgate Christian Fellowship in Hampden Park, to become the Gateway Christian Centre, public knowledge.

Once the Vendors had undertaken their necessary valuations for the site, word spread ‘like wildfire’ and they did receive other offers to purchase, including a supermarket chain who wished to bid for the site! Edgmond Church, the Trustees and Members were leaving their site to undertake much needed work in the community but wished to leave a legacy behind them, which would serve the community, and they were unanimous in their decision for the JPK to purchase their site, as they believed the ethos, aims and objectives, would certainly meet these requirements. I understand that they did not even enquire from the supermarket chain as to what their bid might be! Edgmond Church have certainly given be back the ‘faith in human nature, that good can overcome greed and personal gain, to benefit the disadvantaged in our community’.

So folks, back to the snowflakes! Over the last 11 years we have gained the support of so many people and you ‘as snowflakes’ have all stood by us through thick and thin and together we have ‘stuck together’ to make the JPK happen. Thank you.

Jill Parker.