News of Old Kirk Braddan

The Friends of Old Kirk Braddan welcome you to Old Kirk Braddan, the former parish church of the parish of Braddan.

Click here for more information about Old Kirk Braddan, and here for pictures of some of the features of the church and churchyard.

News of the Friends of Old Kirk Braddan

NEWS

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Old Kirk Braddan was held in Old Kirk Braddan on 18th May. The Chairman’s Report underlined the success of last year’s Strawberry Teas, the St Stephen’s Day Carol Service and the Snowdrop Teas earlier this year, and the Financial Statement provided the heartening information that we are solvent and able to afford the much trailed necessary repairs to the north-east end of the church and tower – hopefully next year’s annual report will include a statement re their completion!

Our thanks to Jacqy Frear and Eleanor Stubbs for providing and arranging the altar flowers during May and June respectively. And thanks to those supporting our fundraising over the past month:

visitors to the church and grounds, including spectators at the TT whose donations towards upkeep of the site amounted to £155.88
the Strawberry Teas, despite the 14th being a sunny summer afternoon, drew only a small number of about 40 guests! Admittedly the date clashed with the Bishop's celebration at the Cathedral in Peel, but I fear it was due in the most part to volunteer – and visitor – fatigue, following so closely upon the heels of the TT. Disappointing to those who had worked so hard, including the volunteers from Bradford & Bingley, to set the scene and produce such a tempting spread.
However there is a silver lining — the left-over strawberries are being made into jam (thanks to Mrs Harvey, Sally’s mother) for sale during the Manx Heritage Flower Festival.

And funds raised by the Strawberry Teas together with those from the Oriental Jazz Evening earlier in the year, total approximately £850.00 towards the cost of displays for the Festival.

Forthcoming Events

Old Kirk Braddan is taking part in the Manx Heritage Flower Festival this year. It runs from Sunday 5th July to Saturday 11th July 2009, when churches throughout the Island will be open from 10.30am to 7.30pm each day; this year’s theme for floral displays is All Things Bright and Beautiful.

And during the Festival lunches will be served from 12.30 to 2.00pm Monday – Friday in Braddan Church Hall (on the other side of Saddle Road from Old Kirk Braddan).

We look forward to welcoming everyone then!

Goods for sale

Souvenirs etc featuring pictures of Old Kirk Braddan available for sale on the Sales/Information Table include:

There is a wide selection of second-hand books in the box pews to the right of the altar. Just put your payment in the honesty box.

On the Sales/Information table there are also samples of the John Millar Nicholson prints which are available to order:

Samples and order forms for items not on show, combined with membership applications forms, are on the Sales/Information table.

Other facilities

Group conducted tours of the church or graveyard (with or without refreshments) by prior arrangement (01624 675523 or 629370).

Weddings may be solemnised at Old Kirk Braddan if authorised by the Bishop's special licence. In suitable cases filming may be permitted in the church or churchyard, and the church may be booked for concerts. A fee may be charged. For further details apply to the Vicar (01624 675523).

The Friends of Old Kirk Braddan

The Friends of Old Kirk Braddan, a registered charity, was founded in 1982 by the Rev Clifford Bradley, then Vicar of Braddan. Its aims are —

Membership

If you would like to become a Friend of Old Kirk Braddan, click here for an application form (combined with an order form); alternatively contact Peter Watson, 19 Vicarage Park, Braddan, Isle of Man IM2 2QB (01624 629370).

The Friends of Old Kirk Braddan have been responsible for raising the necessary funds to pay for the various phases of restoration:—

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT IN THE PAST
PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US PRESERVE THIS HISTORIC BUILDING

1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays May to September	6.30 pm	Evening Service followed by celebration of Holy Communion
Palm Sunday (28th March 2010)	9.30 am	Parish Communion begins in Old Kirk Braddan with a procession to the Parish Church led by Douglas Town Band
St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day – 26th December)	10.00 am	Holy Communion
St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day – 26th December)	3.00 pm	Carol Service

Regular postcards	20p
Cross photograph postcards	50p
Jigsaw postcards	£1.50 (including envelope)
Pens	£2.00
Key-rings	50p
Fridge magnets	£1.00
Pads of Post-it notes	£1.00
Photograph notelets	20p (or 6 for £1)
Wordsworth's Thoughts on the Isle of Man (booklet of poems with complementary photographs)	£2.00
Christmas cards	6 for £2.50
Notelets	5 for £2.50
Mugs	£5.00

Framed	£35.00
Card mounted	£10.00
Unframed	£5.00

Chairman	Peter Watson 19 Vicarage Park, Braddan, Isle of Man IM2 2QB 01624 629370
Secretary	Caroline McDonald Harold Cottage, Strang, Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4TE 01624 851782
Treasurer	Sally Harvey 8 Honeysuckle Lane, Abbeyfields, Douglas. Isle of Man IM2 7DY 01624 662798

Phase I
1984	Making the building water-tight Re-roofing the main body of the church and tower Re-casting of bells	£17,250
Phase II
1991-2	Lime-wash interior Restore east end of church including the three-decker pulpit, box-pews, wall panels, dados and Murray Monument Refurbish vestry Install electric circuitry	£28,850
1993	Polycarbonate window coverings	£1,000
1994	Tower pinnacles and interior roofing	£4,900
Phase III
2004	Restoration of pews under gallery, wall panels and dados	£48,000
	TOTAL funds so far	£100,000
A survey in 2004 suggested that necessary expenditure for maintenance over the next 5 years would be £30,000.
In addition there is:-
Phase IV – work still to be done
Hopefully to be started in 2009	Flooring and pews in the main body of the church Restoration of the gallery Repointing exterior stone-work	£50,000