We wish to thank everyone who helped and supported us over the weekend of the Victorian Fair, with the stalls, the refreshments and very importantly the providing of cakes and other goodies. Over the two days we raised over £900 for our Buildings Fund for necessary repairs on the stonework of the Church and alterations to the Church Hall to comply with the Disability Act.

Could I please ask for help in providing Cakes, Scones or other consumables for the Teas on the Green that we are running on 12th September. Your help in this way will be greatly appreciated.

For further information you can contact May Dailey at the Hair Studio on Brockham Green (843533) or myself on 843974.

Alan Huxley

Chairman

Fund Raising Committee

SNOWDONIA CHALLENGE 25TH JUNE 2004

Last week I faced my own mid-life crisis and climbed a mountain. I proved to myself that I was not “over the hill” and raised some funds for Christ Church Brockham building funds (primarily better disabled access and facilities for the Church Hall).

I was accompanied by my friends Emma and Mike Ives and supported by my husband Steve who remained at the bottom as “Base Camp”. We climbed the Miners Track (4 hours) and descended the Rangers Path (3 hours) with a break for lunch on top.

It was very scary at the start of the climb as we looked up at the black mountain disappearing into the clouds and could not believe that within hours we would be standing on the top. It was indeed quite an act of faith to start off along the path but many journeys seem to start with one small step and faith that you will reach the end and so it was with me. Four hours later, after many slow, small steps, and a small fit of vertigo, we reached the top. At this point, the clouds parted and we were treated to some tremendous views of North Wales and some scary ones of the Horseshoe path along Grib Goch ridge.

Our descent was easier although we still had to take care not to slip on the slate shingles under foot and we used our walking poles to great affect.

We were blessed with sunny weather with the occasional low cloud passing over. I’m pleased to report that there were no blisters reported and my dodgy knees held up under the strain.

We didn’t see much wildlife except for sheep and a lone seagull that we called Jonathan and which reminded us of our friends in Brockham.

An early estimate is that I have raised about £1,200 and lost a lot of weight so for all of you who have supported me in this venture – thank you and God Bless.

Barbara Dalton

Christ Church Fund Raising Committee

3 Tynedale Road

Brockham

Betchworth

Surrey RH3 7JD

Fundraising at the Victorian Fair

On Saturday 10th July at the Victorian Fair we are running amongst other things, a Tombola Stall in aid of Church Funds. If anyone has something suitable for our stall it will be gratefully received. Items being donated may be handed in at the Hair Studio on Brockham Green.

We are most grateful to the Victorian Fair Organising Committee for allowing us to participate in this way.

The Church is gradually building up its financial reserves in preparation for the extensive work that is needed to repair the church stonework. We hope to be able to commence this work in the not too distant future.

We do hope you will continue to support us in this task and will look forward to seeing you at the Fair.

Alan Huxley

Chairman

Fund Raising Committee

Struggling Up Snowdon

In a desperate attempt to raise some money for much needed work to the church, I will be struggling up Snowdon on the 2nd July.

I say "struggle" because, apart from the odd long walk with the dog around the Surrey countryside, I have never been much of a hiker. In addition, the thought of clambering around high places turns me an odd shade of grey.

However, I am assured by my friends, that despite my dodgy knees, with a bit more training and the lure of good sponsorship, I should make the summit safe and sound. The plan is to walk up the west side (Rhydd Dhu path) and walk down the east side (Miners Path) about 6 hours hiking. Now I am scheduling extra walks up Leith Hill, and can be regularly seen marching up Box Hill, but what I really need is some good sponsorship.

You can help sponsor me by filling out a sponsorship form at either the Hair Studio on Brockham Green or Strood Green Stores.

For those of you who like facts and figures, Snowdon is a mountain in North Wales.

It is 3,560 ft high or 1,085m. It is approximately five times higher than Box Hill. Its Welsh name is Yr Wyddfa meaning “Burial Site”. It has a starfish shape radiating six ridges with deep glaciated valleys.

Barbara Dalton

Christ Church Fund Raising Committee

3 Tynedale Road

Brockham

Betchworth

Surrey RH3 7JD

Fundraising Update

To update you since my last report in January, our Carol Singing in December along The Avenue and part of Brockham Lane raised £95 which was down on the previous year.

The total income for our Special Events last year amounted to £3,160.

Our Quiz Night on 17th February proved to be popular and several people have said how much they enjoyed it. We made a profit of £220 that evening. We may hold another Quiz in the future.

There have been further sales of Calendars, Cook Books and Diaries since the Christmas Bazaar and this has brought in another £115.

Our thanks for all your help and support. If you have any ideas for future events then please do give me a ring

Alan Huxley

Chairman

Fund Raising Committee

Brockham Church makes Financial Progress

Churches and charities across the country carry out their work under constant financial pressures. In addition to day-to-day costs, the maintenance of historic buildings provides an extra burden for many churches and Christ Church Brockham is no exception.

At Christ Church we recognised some time ago that if we were to remain relevant to the community in the future, our finances must be on a sound footing. Earlier this year we implemented a plan to increase awareness of the needs of the parish and held a Commitment Sunday in June.

Since the launch of this initiative, many members and supporters of Christ Church have increased their giving and a significant number of new supporters have made a financial commitment. The contributions – many regular, as well as one off payments – have ranged from a few pounds to an extremely generous gift of £10,000. We are enormously grateful to everyone concerned.

We want the church in Brockham to be a vital part of the community for generations to come and we must continue to build our financial foundations. As our situation improves we hope to expand our work to include support for those in need both in the UK and abroad.

If anyone would like more information about how they can help Christ Church, please call me on 845105 or speak to either of the Churchwardens.

Ian Larmont

Treasurer