A meeting of the Council was held on the 10th July 2002.

Several important resolutions were passed.

On Remembrance Sunday it has become increasingly difficult to place crosses on the war graves in the churchyard, due to the very uneven ground. It was therefore decided that the names of all those who have war graves in our churchyard should be added to the war memorial on the walls of the Baptistry.

Overhaul of the church drains is necessary to prevent damp at the east end or the church and a resolution was passed for this work to be carried out in order that a Faculty can be obtained. Possible insurance claims and grants towards the cost amounting to approximately £20,000 are being pursued by the architect.

After much work and discussion in the past months, a resolution --was finally passed to enable tree work to be carried out in the churchyard. This also has to be agreed by the London Borough of Merton. All the trees concerned are subject to a tree protection order, so a lot of detailed work has been necessary.

Mr John Eagles was in attendance at this meeting and a lengthy discussion took place on music at St Mary's. A resolution was then passed, with some abstentions, that an assistant organist should be sought for an initial period of a year, at a cost of £2,000 p.a. with a view to widening the scope of music at St Mary's.

The Vicar had had a meeting with the Archdeacon to see what, if any, help would be possible now that Wilma has left. No stipendiary clergy would be available. The Financial & Administration Committee are looking into the possibility of an NSM or MSE coming to St Mary's part-time.

The Vicar announced that the Revd John Hillier would be priested on Saturday 5th October at 11 am at Holy Trinity, Clapham. His first celebration of the Eucharist would be on Sunday 6th October at 10 a.m., followed by a Shared Lunch in the Hall.

 The Council were happy to welcome, support and approve Mrs Barbara Moreland's decision to train as a Lay Reader.

The Hon. Treasurer said that there was a small surplus of £247 for the first six months of the year. No 1 Melrose Road is now on the market. The Hall had also made a surplus.

Altogether an onward-looking meeting.

Lorna Cowell

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