In 2002, when St John’s Rooms were completed, the then incumbent Revd John Robertson formed a subcommittee to look after the facilities of both the buildings. The group was known as the Facilities Management Group (FMG). Since then, the responsibilities have increased to include the grounds and the curate’s house.
The curate’s house is partly owned with the Diocese. The Diocese looks after the lettings when we do not have a curate and the income from the lettings is shared between St John’s and the Diocese.
When the house became vacant after the last curate left in 2022 the FMG arranged for the whole house to be decorated by church members. We also had new carpets laid in 3 bedrooms and the existing windows and doors were replaced.
In 2023 when the then tenants left, we stripped and redecorated the master bedroom and had a new carpet laid. We installed new wardrobes and had a doorway fitted between the bedroom and en-suite bathroom. The next time the house becomes vacant it is anticipated that a new kitchen will be installed; this is long overdue.
Over the years various repairs, and improvements have been made to the Church and St John’s Rooms, some carried out by church members and other work carried out by contractors, In recent years the group have instigated and arranged the overdue improvement and enlargement of the church hall. Also a new metal fire exit was installed to the Rooms to replace the decaying wooden fire exit stairs outside the Rooms.
In 2021 we arranged for a new doorway to be installed on the north side of the church to create a new fire exit from the building. This has also proved useful as the school use the door as an entrance for the school services, which removes the necessity of having to cross the often busy car park.
In 2025 we finally had a new gas boiler installed; this is working well and heats up more quickly than the old one. We do however need to have a new external gas pipe installed as the original pipe has deteriorated.
The group changed its name in 2025 to Site Management Team (SMT) The SMT manages the grounds, and we have six volunteers who help keep the grounds tidy.
The SMT is also responsible for making sure that all the safety services are regularly maintained. This also involves arranging the quinquennial inspection every 5 years and acting on the works required in the architect’s report. The 5 yearly Electrical Condition Report is completed by an outside contractor.
For the future, we have placed an order for the new accessible door in the hall for access to the toilet lobby. We are also installing the new gas pipe in the first two weeks of August. Help will be needed to back fill the trench! More details later.
If you would like to find out more then do come and chat to me.
John Harris
This article originally appeared in the St John’s Messenger. If you would like to discuss contributing a future article please contact news@valebenefice.org.uk.
