People may have wondered, over the years, why after all our efforts in publicity and planning and fundraising, nothing has yet been begun. The reality is that for any building project these days it takes literally years to get the plans to planning permission, then on to tender, and thence to actual construction. To say nothing of all the surveys, geological, archaeological, theological, or just plain logical which had to be done. Plus technical advice on VAT, Rights o'Light, the Party Wall, etc., etc, usw. We have never actually stopped during all these years.
It is true that once the foundations have been laid, half the money has been spent.
And the fundraising? No sooner had we started when the entire world economy collapsed in flaming ruin, with scenes unparalleled since the Fall of the Roman Empire. Which makes it all the more impressive that our Sunday Mass attendance (average 979 this year) has been able to raise very close to two million pounds. That's £2,000 each - remembering that half of our people seem to be under eighteen.
Anyway, we trust now that within a few weeks we can tell you about the successful tender and award of contract, and not long after you should see signs of energetic work.
in the meantime, patience ...
