Patron - His Grace The Duke of Norfolk KG GCVO CB CBE MC

What can the Friends do for Framlingham?
Our beautiful church is well over 600 years old. There is much to do to maintain and improve the building so that future generations can also enjoy St. Michael's. Many people living in or near Framlingham or who have visited the church or who have been connected with it in the past, wish to play a part in caring for the ancient building. They can do so through the Friends. This is irrespective of whether or not they worship there.

The church is surveyed every five years and essential repairs are scheduled and prioritized. The Friends plan to finance a portion of this work. They plan also to contribute towards other improvement projects outside the scope of the five-yearly survey.
The Friends plan to send out six-monthly newsletters about St. Michael's Church. These will tell members of the current and planned repairs and improvements. There may be invitations to make financial contributions to specific projects.

What are the Friends for?
The Friend's aims are simple - to help the Parochial Church Council to maintain and beautify the building and fittings of St. Michael's Church. This is not just for the benefit of those who worship at St. Michael's but also for all who love St. Michael's Church and desire to take some part in preserving it for posterity.

How can you help?
By becoming a member of the Friends. Fill in an Application Form obtainable from the secretary or collect one from the Church and send it with your annual subscription (a minimum of £10) to the secretary.
If you are willing to subscribe by Deed Of Covenant this will help by allowing the Friends to recover the income tax you will have paid on your subscription. If you are a taxpayer, for every £10 you covenant, the Friends will receive £12.98 with the rate of tax at 23%. To help even more you can pay each year by completing a Standing Order form.

NEWSLETTER No 30                   February 2008

Dear Members

You will recall from my last newsletter that Gill and I had announced our retirement, as Membership Secretary and Chairman respectively, as from the Chairman’s Report evening in March.  I am sorry to have to tell you that, even after all that notice, no one has come forward to fill our shoes!  In order to ensure the continued running of FOSM, I have agreed with Graham that I will continue as Chairman for another year in the hope that a successor will be found in that time.  Gill has also agreed to continue as Membership Secretary until the end of this financial year, i.e. December 2008.

It has been apparent for some time now that our programme is not to all members’ tastes, for example the Annual Quiz in October had to be cancelled for the second year running, due to hardly any support.  It is with this in mind, that my committee has planned a somewhat new look programme for 2008 which I have detailed below; no coach outings for example.  Please give us your support so that we can achieve the necessary funding for our two current projects; the new church lighting scheme and buying a replacement piano for concerts etc. in the church.

I am reliably informed that the lighting could cost as much as £50,000 (a firm estimate is still to be prepared) and the new piano between £6,000 to £8,000, so you will see that raising funds is very important, especially when you bear in mind that our recent completed major projects, the refurbishment of the chancel and clerestory windows, and the replacement of the boiler and housing, have left our funds nearly depleted.

PROGRAMME FOR 2008

Chairman’s Annual Report and Timothy Easton’s talk

Wednesday, 26 March 2008 (not 5 March as in the February parish magazine) in the church at 7.30pm

I use this event to report on the year just gone and to highlight the events for the coming year.  However, the real highlight of the evening will be a talk by our local artist and historian, Timothy Easton, and he has entitled his talk, Finishing Shakespeare’s Globe.  This should be a great evening, so please come along and support us.

There will be no charge but donations are welcomed.

                                                           
Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir Saturday, 5 April 2008 in the church at 7.30pm

This promises to be an evening of outstanding choral singing.  I do not have details of the programme as yet but please give the “boys in blue” your support.  Entry on the door will cost you £5 each including a glass of wine and nibbles afterwards.  Proceeds will go to the new piano fund.

Coffee Morning Saturday, 12 April 2008 in St Michael’s Rooms starting at 10.00am

This will comprise of the usual fare; the stalls will include cakes, books (we need cakes and books so please deliver these to St Michael’s Rooms, preferably on the day) gifts, plants and a special “bric-a-brac” stall, to name but a few.  There will be refreshments for a minimal fee plus the chance of winning prizes in the raffle (prizes needed also please). We are also planning a non-alcoholic “bottle tombola” so if you could donate bottles of any kind, even ketchup, shampoo etc., that would be a great help.  Deborah is organising the event and she would be most grateful for volunteers on the day; please ring her on 724544 if you can help.

“Time Torn Man”- A Celebration of the Life and Work of Thomas Hardy
Saturday, 26 April 2008 in the church at 6.00pm

This is not actually a FOSM event but Imogen Sheeran has asked me to promote it for her in the Newsletter.  Being a great Hardy fan myself, I am really looking forward to the programme which we all hope will be as successful as last year’s John Donne evening.  Details of the evening and ticket sales are on the enclosed flyer and will include all entertainment, food and drink.  All proceeds are to go to the “Toilets in the Tower/new choir vestry” campaign.

BLAZE ENSEMBLE Concert Saturday, 19 July 2008 in the church at 7.30pm

Blaze Ensemble was established in 1997 and aims to give high quality chamber music concerts featuring a diverse range of works from the baroque to the contemporary, from trios to large ensemble works, from popular mainstream repertoire to less familiar.  Our local music celebrity, Claire Baughan, is joint founder of the group.  I do not have programme details as yet but I hope you will turn out in numbers to enjoy what promises to be an entertaining evening of good music. Entry will cost £5 each on the door and the proceeds going to the new piano fund.

“Graham’s Gang”Sunday, 7 September 2008 in the church at 3.00pm (date to be confirmed)

Graham has persuaded his Cappella group to again perform for us in the church with their particular brand of great music (no Elgar again Graham?).  I do not have details of the programme but those who went last year will know what a tremendous afternoon was had by all. 
Entry will cost £5 each on the door, proceeds going to the new  piano fund.                                                               

The Lincoln Singers  Saturday, 27 September 2008 in the church at 7.30pm

Yes, by popular demand, they are back.  Those of you who attended their previous appearance two years ago will remember what a marvellous concert they gave us.  Again, I do not have details of their programme but if it is as good as last time, we are in for a special treat.  Entry will cost £5 each on the door and will include a glass of wine and nibbles with the proceeds going to the new piano fund.

Christmas Tree Festival and Exhibition of Nativity Scenes

Weekend of 6/7 December through to weekend of 13/14 December 2008 in the church. 

Details to be provided in my next Newsletter but I can tell you that it will involve various local organisations/businesses being asked to decorate Christmas trees supplied by FOSM, in the church, on a fun basis but with sponsorship.  There will also be an exhibition of Nativity Scenes.  Lunches will be served during the first weekend and coffee/tea during the second.

AND FINALLY I must thank all of my fellow committee members and others who have supported Gill and me over the last 4 years while we have been in office.  A lot of it could not have been done without you and I hope that you will all continue to support us during what will definitely be our last year!  However, we do need new blood on the committee so please contact either me (621577) or Graham (621082) if you feel that you would like to help ensure the continuing work of FOSM for years to come.

Robin Self
Chairman

FOSM Monthly Lunches held in the Conservative Club on the third Wednesday. Organised by Jennifer and Nicholas Nottidge. You will need to contact Jennifer (723255) to confirm your attendance, giving at least two days notice.

Remaining dates for 2008 are:

March 19th, April 16th, May 21st, June 18th

July 16th, August 20th, September 17th

October 15th, November 19th, December 17th.