First glimpse of the work currently being carried out on the upgrade of the Methodist Schoolroom, was offered to members of the congregation on Sunday morning. It certainly looked different and, with the removal of the kitchen, just so much bigger.

The centre of the room was full of insulation panels and plaster boards, which should be in place by the end of next week. Secondary glazing will then be installed and will fit flush to the walls. The temporary white door will lead to a sloping ramp down to an eventual covered outside walkway.

The shoe (still with nothing attached), that the contractors had unearthed during their first couple of days working on the schoolroom, has been reburied under the floorboards in the same place that it was found.

Villager, Dave Molyneux, has agreed to decorate the chapel over the Christmas period. Senior Steward, Tim Abel, said that the Chapel was very grateful to Dave, as it had proved virtually impossible to find a decorator at short notice to work over the festive break. Finally the carpet will be laid week commencing January 6th just in time for the monthly men's breakfast, which may well be the first event to be held in the smart new schoolroom.

Work on the chapel area will begin on January 6th with the removal of the remainder of the pews, ready for Phase Two of the redevelopment programme. For more details of Phase 2 click

So, if all goes according to plan, Spring this year will see the Methodist congregation welcoming a re-born building.

Phase Three of the project is for a café and even a shop, in line with the ambition to make the Chapel a real community asset. Funding for this is currently being sought. The chapel has appointed a Grant Application Firm who source, and then apply for, smaller available grants. Tim said that the company seems very positive about a outcome with a strong belief that the funding can be found.

Both the local Methodist Circuit and central Methodist Office have also indicated that they would be willing to help with some financial support if there was a shortfall.