The tenders have now come in for our new building - five out of the six companies that were invited have offered to build us a new accommodation block (so that Fr Richard no longer has to live in the cellar, and we can consider taking future novices or guests) better rooms for the parish with a proper office, servery and securely locked bar, a splendid library not only for our own clergy and those training for the priesthood, but also for the scholarly public wishing to consult the Chesterton Library, the Gaisford Library, and our own unrivalled collections. That, with the foundations and "services" for our new Newman Chapel, the connecting Baptistery, and the elegant fire-escape that is dignified with the style and name of an Italian
cortile.
Three of the tenders were within the price range we expected, two of them offered to keep to the timetable suggested, which is 38 weeks beginning on Tuesday 3 January. Our surveyors are going to do a detailed analysis of the tenders, and advise us on which to accept. But it does really look as if, at last, after so many months and indeed years of preparation, we are going to make a start.
That means, of course, that the existing parish centre will be out of action, and you will not be allowed to watch building progress - but we will ply you with photographs and progressive reports. No photographs yet, however, so we will have to make do with another curious creature.
