At the start of the year, the Church Gutters still needed to be replaced (a section fell off the roof in Sept.2025). A Faculty had been obtained and also a Grant from the Diocese to help with the costs. The work on the gutters started on 19th Feb and was completed on 1st April. The VAT for both the Roof repairs (in October 2024) and the Gutter repairs (March 2025) was successfully reclaimed.
Enquiries were made about a water boiler for the kitchen area of Church to make things easier for events and large functions in church. This was fitted by the electrician (S. Ball) on 19th Feb.
Several spotlights working and need to be replaced. 4 lights were replaced, 2 on the North wall of the North Aisle and 2 in the Chancel. There is a spare light stored in the photocopy room.
The National Churches Heritage Fund asked if the church would have a visitor counter to track numbers going in and out of the church. This was installed in May.
Following continued problems with the boilers, we were told that all 3 boilers were irreparable and unsafe. They needed to be replaced. R.A. Brown provided a quote for £14,382. The PCC agreed that they would consider this quote and investigate others.
Following enquiries to other Churches who had recently had new heating systems contact was made with John Book (the Diocesan Heating Advisor) to ask for help with replacing the boilers at St. Margaret and St. George. He advised that gas boilers cannot be replaced without a “Heating Options Survey”, to determine which are the best options available for our buildings that we can afford. This must be done prior to submitting a faculty. John Book carried out the survey and advised that R.A. Brown was a suitable contractor for the work and the quotes given were fair. Further quotes were not necessary.
For St Margaret’s the report advised replacing the obsolete gas boilers with new ones and also to replace the console as the current one doesn’t work. In September the 3 Keston 45kW were replaced with 3 Ideal Keston Heat 2 model boilers. These are connected to the existing pipework and flues to the outside via the route of the existing flue system. This meant a “like for like” exchange of the boilers. This meant a full Faculty was not needed just a list B Authorisation. The boilers were replaced in September.
The Console was not replaced at the same time as a similar model was not available. This will be done in the New Year.
John Book has also suggested St Margaret’s seriously consider either a porch or an extension to the meeting room as they are losing a lot of heat through the main door.
For St George’s John Bookrecommended a new gas boiler with the appliance able to be converted to hydrogen in the future. There would also need to be some work done to the pipe work and the flue system. The quote from Richard Alexander Brown was ok for all this work. This would require a full Faculty. This had not been granted by the end of the year. So, St. George had no permanent heating during the winter months.
There are no vacant plots in the St. Margaret Memorial Gardens. Options which might be available for a New Memorial Garden were discussed with Crowley Memorials. The quote received from Crowley’s for ground preparation and installation of 21 plots in a proposed New Memorial Garden near to the Community Centre was accepted by PCC. A Full Faculty is needed for this and that had not been granted by the end of the year.
Following several different complaints about trees in the New Church Yard expert opinion was sought, resulting in 2 trees being removed and several others being pruned to make them safe. There was still an outstanding issue about 2 trees overhanging and blocking light to a house on St. Margaret’s Close. This has been referred to the Diocese.
General Maintenance
The humidifier and organ blower were serviced anda new drip tray fitted.
The lightening Conductor was checked, no problems found.
The gates outside the main doors of the Church were sanded and painted. The outer doors were also painted.
The door stop at the base of the Right-hand inner porch door was replaced. The left-hand inner porch door hinged return was re-affixed to the door frame.
The alarm required attention. No further problems
The boilers are monitored regularly to check temperatures and water pressure. Servicing was carried out by Anglo-Heating.
The light in foyer was replaced.
The handle on the door between main hall and kitchen was repaired
A plumber attended and replaced the dripping tap in the gent’s toilet in the entrance hall and the flushing mechanism in the boy’s toilet in the extension.
During August the front toilet windows, front door and a broken window were replaced. The front porch was plastered and decorated. The Jujitsu cupboard also needed replastering due to damage caused by damp. John at Jujitsu offered to pay half of the cost for this work.
Community Centre
Problem with heating, due to frozen pipe. This was monitored. The boiler stopped working twice. A filter part was replaced. Boiler service 5th Feb. No further problems
Additional Notes
We have been made aware that the collections of used Stamps, Greetings cards and Spectacles have stopped as the people who did the collections are no longer able to continue.
In addition to our regular services the Church building has been used throughout the year for Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings and to host events such as Deanery Synod, Heritage Day, Plant sale with café, as a refreshment point for the 7 Churches walk, St. Margaret’s School services, World Day of Prayer, and also as a concert venue for various groups.
Below is a list of the Charities the Parish has supported throughout 2025
Charity Giving to the nearest £
Children’s Society £638
McMillan Nurses £705
Christian Aid £150
Total £1493
We have also contributed food and monetary donations to Porch Boxes throughout the year.
And we support charities overseas, international and local from the offerings taken at all our Christmas services.
Laurel Avery, Warden
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 