What about grants for hall?

I CAN remember when Soham United Football Club ran its bingo sessions on Mondays at the church hall. At this time, the church hall was in use most of the week. What has happened to the hire fees paid to the church? If it had been spent on the hall as and when needed surely it would not be in its present state.

Maybe if the church and PCC members had got their heads together earlier and organised events at the hall, they might have been able to have monies towards the cost of the church instead of having to sell the hall. One of the events they could have held would be the church fete, not like at present where it is around the graves and headstones of some poor souls.

Has the PCC applied for grants, loans, sponsorship etc to carry out the plans? Could the Church of England not fund it or loan the money. What about the Lottery, English Heritage or European Lottery and many others. It was stated that the church hall has been for sale for 20 years, who knew about it? What would happen now if it had been sold then, where would the church be? As for there being more people in church on Sunday than anywhere else in Soham, this is only for one day. What about the other six days. I also think that the other Sunday there were more people at The Cherry Tree Pub than at church. If not, the collection must have been big enough to pay for a lot of work on the church. What about concerts taking place in the church, would they be for the whole community or just those who go to church? I cannot see the church allowing disco's, rock 'n' roll groups, blues and heavy metal concerts taking place. What about drinks, beers, wines and spirits being served? All this could take place in the church hall. If the church is to be the hub of the community it needs to embrace everyone, not alienate and divide it.

B C LORKING

West Drive

Soham