For the next six months

Friends of Chadkirk will be continuing with outdoor activities for the next six months (weather permitting).

Given advice that we can be Covid safe in the open air, with minimal mitigation (social distancing for example), there is the chance to join our volunteers gardening. All the information on how you might do this is on the previous item.

Now we are adding open air TaiChi on Monday mornings. Starting back on Monday 14th September at 10 am. Sessions last about an hour. You do not need to wear a mask while exercising, as you will be able to maintain a safe socially distanced stance. However you will need to bring a mask (for emergencies) and hand sanitiser. Please be aware that Chadkirk Chapel remains closed. This means that there will be no toilet facilities or refreshments. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Any of the indoor activities that we had planned pre-Covid will not take place this year. We are adapting as we go. As more becomes possible, we will put the information out here.

Update: Gardening goes ahead

Friends of Chadkirk volunteers are back in action down at Chadkirk.

Weeding, pruning and planting has been resumed in the Walled Garden and the other flower borders around Chadkirk Chapel.

Having made adjustments to take account of safety advice around Covid, we are able to meet and enjoy the satisfaction and pleasure of time well spent in the open air in this lovely space . For anyone wanting to join in, you can see how you can take part and stay safe here.

The pattern of our gardening time is to be the same as pre-covid. We meet on Saturday afternoons on the first Saturday of the month and on the morning of the third Thursday of each month.

Our next Gardening Team Task day will be on

Saturday 5th September between 2 and 4pm

and there will be another opportunity to garden with the team on Thursday 17th September between 10 and midday.

While it is possible to continue to garden at Chadkirk, we are unable to hold the other events planned for September and October. For this year,  Batbox making and the Harvest Festival Supper will be suspended due to safety concerns.

Guidance on gardening

While the team are working in the Walled Garden (between 2 and 4pm on the afternoon of September 5th and between 10 and 12 midday on Thursday 17th September) the Walled Garden will be closed to non-gardening visitors.

Although the Chapel will be open to allow a hose to run for watering the garden, Chadkirk Chapel remains closed to visitors and the amenities will not be available for use by gardeners and non-gardeners alike. If you are planning to join us, please be aware that there will be no drinks provided and no toilet facilities available. Please plan accordingly.

Here are some tips for the gardening team about staying safe in current covid times.

Please bring and wear your own gardening gloves.

Where possible, please bring and use your own tools.

Current Covid-19 precautions will affect the way we work.

Each individual needs to bring their own hand sanitiser and a face mask. (The face mask is advised for emergencies. It is not required that you wear this when gardening in the open air.**)

Please bring and wear your own gardening gloves.

Where possible, please bring and use your own tools.

If you use any of the tools that belong to the team please sanitise and disinfect before and after use. For this, a sanitiser spray and disinfectant wipes will be provided.

It is advised that volunteers socially distance and keep 2m apart.

2 people from the same household may work together.

Gardening in the beauty of the Walled Garden at Chadkirk is always a delight. It can be immensely satisfying. Despite any changes, there is the prospect of time well spent at Chadkirk. Something for yourself and something for others to enjoy. Whatever the weather.

Thursday 20th August 2020

Our gardening team leader is preparing for a task day later this month.

Between 10 and 12 on the morning of Thursday 20th August Friends of Chadkirk volunteers will be in the gardens. They will be watering and weeding, tending the plants in the Walled Garden and the long borders in the gardens of Chadkirk.

Please bring and wear your own gardening gloves.

Where possible, please bring and use your own tools.

Current Covid-19 precautions will affect the way we work.

While the team are working in the Walled Garden (between 10 and 12 midday on Thursday 20th August) this will be closed to non-gardening visitors.

Although the Chapel will be open to allow a hose to run for watering the garden, Chadkirk Chapel remains closed to visitors and the amenities will not be available for use by gardeners and non-gardeners alike. If you are planning to join us, please be aware that there will be no drinks provided and no toilet facilities available and plan accordingly.

Here are some tips for the gardening team about staying safe in current covid times.

Each individual needs to bring their own hand sanitiser and a face mask. (The face mask is advised for emergencies. It is not required that you wear this when gardening in the open air.**)

Please bring and wear your own gardening gloves.

Where possible, please bring and use your own tools.

If you use any of the tools that belong to the team please sanitise and disinfect before and after use. For this, a sanitiser spray and disinfectant wipes will be provided.

It is advised that volunteers socially distance and keep 2m apart.

2 people from the same household may work together.

Gardening in the beauty of the Walled Garden at Chadkirk is always a delight. It can be immensely satisfying. Despite any changes, there is the prospect of time well spent at Chadkirk. Something for yourself and something others will enjoy. Whatever the weather.

Butterflies in the meadows

Following on from recent messages about the butterflies in Coronation Meadow, I see it’s time for the Big Butterfly Count.

An extract from an email from Butterfly Conservation (16th July 2020)

The Big Butterfly Count is back tomorrow – and this year’s count is more critical than ever.

Following the fine spring weather we’ve seen the earliest average emergence of butterflies for the last 20 years. It’s vital that we understand how these weather patterns affect butterflies to help protect them for the future.

By spending just 15 minutes taking part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count, you will help us understand how different species are faring in your area, which in turn will help us target research and conservation work where it’s needed most.

So many of us have sought comfort, inspiration and hope through spending time in nature during the difficult last few months of lockdown, participating in the Big Butterfly Count is an easy way to give a gift back to nature this summer.

What’s new this year?

This year we’ve upgraded the website and app to make it even easier to use. This means you’ll need to have the latest version of the app for your count to be included. Available via your App Store and Google Play

Coronation Meadow

Chadkirk has been very popular in recent months. Visitors have enjoyed the woodland walks, the Walled Garden and the fields of meadow grass. In spring and summer 2020 many more of the visitors have walked around Chadkirk Country Park, often daily, with some new visitors perhaps returning regularly. From spring to summer a transformation, evident throughout Chadkirk Estate. Trees coming into leaf, the gardens coming into flower and the meadows changing from green to russet and ochre as the grasses flower and ripen.

During June and July the flowering plants in the meadows attract insects and butterflies. These in turn attract bats and birds. As the summer moves on, the flowers begin to turn to seed and the butterflies will continue their life cycle. The nectar of the flowers provides food for the butterflies. To lay their eggs, butterflies will seek out plants, such as nettles, that will provide food for the caterpillars. In the next stage of their life cycle, caterpillars turn into pupae before emerging once again as a butterfly.

On summer days you might see meadow browns and gate keepers, small tortoiseshells, peacocks, brimstone, small skippers and speckled woods.

As the summer progresses, the meadows at Chadkirk will be cut.
By then the caterpillars will have moved from the nettles to where they pupate. The timing of the cut is always a balance between what’s best for wildlife and the right conditions for cutting. In a typical British summer, it can be a case of looking for a dry spell to get the work done. Whenever that happens, Coronation Meadow is the last to be cut. Until that then, looking out over the meadows, which butterflies can you see?

A question answered…

Will there be anything happening at Chadkirk on St Chad’s Day, Monday 2 March? I am planning a walk for my Monday walking group past Chadkirk on that day. I remember that in 2015, the previous time St Chad’s Day fell on a Monday, we happened to walk past Chadkirk and were delighted to find coffee and cakes being served.

Good to hear from you Leslie.Thanks for your question.
We celebrate St Chad’s Day on the nearest Sunday to St Chad’s official day. So this year we will be in Chadkirk Chapel on Sunday March 1st 2020.

If your group are walking on Sunday 1st some of our Friends will be delighted to meet you and offer you a warm welcome and refreshments.

There’s plenty of short circuits around Chadkirk, so it’s also pleasant to just have a little wander towards Chadkirk Chapel and step inside for a cuppa, a cake and a chat. There’s plenty of interest in the history and art works too. And things are starting to wake up in the Walled Garden too. Join us when you can.

Sunday 1st March Celebrate St Chad’s Day at Chadkirk

Looking to get out and about now that spring is officially just around the corner?

A stroll around Chadkirk and a visit to the Chapel might be just the thing. Perhaps a short walk, followed by a hot drink and a slice of cake in the shelter of Chadkirk Chapel? Just the right balance of fresh air and convivial comforts.

We are hosting our annual St Chad’s Day event on Sunday 1st March 2020.

There’s a presentation DVD on the life of St Chad.

The presentation starts at 2pm. Tray bakes for sale. Drinks from the kiosk.

From the car park, it’s a short walk to the Walled Garden and Chadkirk Chapel. All welcome. Join us for a visit. Chadkirk and St Chad. It’s all part of what makes this a special place to treasure.

The month of March: what’s going on at Chadkirk

Our next event is the celebration of St Chad’s Day.

This will take place on Sunday 1st March.

In the Chadkirk Garden:

Our team of volunteers enjoy some fresh air, occasional rays of sunshine, movement and the delights of earth and tending the garden. Often too, cuppa and a chat, many times accompanied by cake.

You are very welcome to join us.

We meet by Chadkirk Chapel.

Every little helps. Maybe join us for minutes and moments or a longer spell.

March gardening days: Saturday 7th and Thursday 19th

Meetings of Friends of Chadkirk

Meetings take place on the second Thursday of every other month.

Time:10-00 hrs

Place: Chadkirk Chapel

March Meeting (AGM) Thursday March 12th 2020 at 10-00 am

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is held at the Chapel on Mondays (except Bank Holidays and August) 10am to 11am. Cost £3.50p per session. Tea/coffee after session.

2020 Diary Dates

Our next event is the celebration of St Chad’s Day.
This will take place on Sunday 1st March.

Tai Chi is held at the Chapel on Mondays (except Bank Holidays and August) 10am to 11am. Cost £3.50p per session. Tea/coffee after session.

In the Chadkirk Garden:

Our team of volunteers enjoy some fresh air, occasional rays of sunshine, movement and the delights of earth and tending the garden. Often too, cuppa and a chat, many times accompanied by cake.

You are very welcome to join us.
We meet by Chadkirk Chapel.
Every little helps so join us for minutes and moments or a longer spell.

Gardening Team Days are on two days each month.
On the first Saturday in the afternoon between 2.00pm – 4.00pm

and each third Thursday of a month in the morning 10.00 am – 12.00pm

January gardening days: Saturday 4th and Thursday 16th

February gardening days: Saturday 1st and Thursday 20th

March gardening days: Saturday 7th and Thursday 19th

April gardening days: Saturday 7th and Thursday 16th

May gardening days: Saturday 2 and Thursday 21th

June gardening days: Saturday 6 th and Thursday 18th

July gardening days: Saturday 4th and Thursday 16th

August gardening days: Saturday 1st and Thursday 20th

September gardening days: Saturday 5th and Thursday 17th

October gardening days: Saturday 3 and Thursday 15th

November gardening days: Saturday 7th and Thursday 19th

December gardening days: Saturday 5th and Thursday 17th

Meetings of Friends of Chadkirk

Meetings take place on the second Thursday of every other month.

Time:10-00 hrs
Place: Chadkirk Chapel

First meeting of 2020 : 9th January 2020

March Meeting (AGM) Thursday March 12th 2020 at 10-00 am

May Meeting Thursday 14th May 2020 at 10-00am

July Meeting Thursday 9th July at 10-00am

September Meeting Thursday 10th September at 10-00am

November Meeting Thursday 12th November at 10-00am

Events at Chadkirk

MARCH

ST. CHAD’S DAY CELEBRATION 2pm 1st

APRIL

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE 3pm 12th

EASTER MONDAY CHILDREN’S EASTER TRAIL 2 -4pm 13th
(Open to children under 10 yrs – charge: 50p)

JUNE

PLANT SALE on lawn 2.30pm – 4pm 13th

JULY

WELL DRESSING in the making 21st – 24th
11am – 3pm refreshments available

BLESSING OF WELL 1pm 25th
& then into the gardens until 4pm for Stockport
Silver Band, stalls & refreshments.

SEPTEMBER

BIRD & BAT BOX MAKING 2pm – 4pm 5th
£6 per box, please bring a hammer if
possible.

OCTOBER

HARVEST SUPPER & QUIZ 9th
7.30pm – 10 pm (approx.)
£6.50p per person – BOOKING ESSENTIAL
To obtain tickets contact Stockport Tourist Information
Office at Staircase House, Tel: 0161 474 4444.
Please check times of opening at Staircase House

HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE 3pm 11th

DECEMBER

CAROL SERVICES 2.30pm and 4pm 6th
(BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Information on how to book tickets will be advertised at the Chapel later in the year.

——————————————————————————————————

Tai Chi is held at the Chapel on Mondays (except Bank Holidays and August) 10am to 11am. Cost £3.50p per session. Tea/coffee after session.

St Chad’s Day Celebration on 1st March 2020

Stockport Museums’ consultation – formal response from the Friends of Chadkirk

The Friends of Chadkirk
John Pengelly – Chair
Mr P Ashworth
Head of Culture and Leisure
Stockport MBC
Fred Perry House
Edward St, Stockport SK1 3UR

c.c. (by email) to:
1. consultation@stockport.gov.uk
2. Cllr. K Butler, Ctee. chair

17th Nov 2019

Dear Mr Ashworth,

Stockport Museums consultation – formal response from the Friends of Chadkirk

As promised, this letter forms the formal response of the Friends, but should also be read alongside the email exchanges which have taken place with you and other council officers, and also our minuted meeting on 31st October. Our comments are directed solely at the proposal to close Chadkirk Chapel as a museum facility.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Friends are wholly opposed to the current proposals, which seek to withdraw the already limited weekend opening, and to remove museum status for the building. We see this withdrawal of core council support as a significant retrograde step, after many years of reducing assistance. It potentially jeopardises the long established partnership we have developed over 40+ years. We can also confirm that we have no intention (or resource) to open the chapel as per the current hours on a voluntary basis should the facility close. Our resources are just capable of continuing the current voluntary commitments of organising a programmed calendar of community events, and maintaining the formal gardens. This is of course subject to the continuing availability of some funding or support, of which there is no certainty. We are in no position to take on additional responsibilities here; the need to seek additional funds will itself place a strain on our volunteer activity.

1. The consultation process

We are of the view that this is flawed on the following grounds:
a) The consultation relies heavily on electronic means of consideration and response, which is prejudicial to those users of the facility who are either not proficient with electronic communication, or are not on prescribed circulation lists. Until the Friends took it on themselves to publicise the proposal, which was some time into the specified consultation period, there were no public notices at the site and public knowledge of the council’s intentions was negligible. There has been no attempt by the council to engage meaningfully with the general public users of the site.
b) In the consultation document sent to councillors “Getting More out of our Spending” (sic) it clearly states that the consultation would be sent to schools. As a governor of the nearest primary school to Chadkirk, I have been advised that no consultation has been received by any of the local schools. At a time when OFSTED are looking to examine in more detail the wider school curriculum, to propose closure of a facility of this nature is short sighted in the extreme. Chadkirk performs a valuable function in educating and informing children of their local heritage and history, and is much visited by parents with
young children when open. To close it without considering this impact is unacceptable, and undermines the purpose of genuine consultation.

2. The proposal

a) The document has been written in a deliberately pejorative manner to advance the case for closure of Chadkirk. The sites proposed for retention are justified as “unique to Stockport”, “defining the identity of the town” and “most important buildings in their own right”. Chadkirk is dismissed as a “popular refreshment facility” and its offer is” limited”. This is nothing more than crude propaganda, and has no place in a document of this type.
We would remind you that Chadkirk Chapel is a Grade 2* listed building, which ranks it alongside the Town Hall in terms of its perceived historical and architectural significance. Only 5% of listed buildings nationally fall in to this category. It is possibly the oldest religious site in Stockport Borough. It was the earliest practising chapel for non-conformist religion in the area. To dismiss its importance in the manner that this document does is risible.
That its offer is “limited” is solely at the behest of the council, who for many years have done nothing to enhance its status, or look to build its collection. The audio visual display explaining its history has been broken for at least 10 years. This sums up the council’s deliberate neglect of this museum. In the meanwhile, other museums (Bramhall, Hatworks) have been, or are being, lavished with cash to preserve and enhance their offer. The decision to commit to the enhancement of Hatworks knowing that this consultation would be taking place appears to be a deliberate ploy to constrain the consideration of alternative cost saving options.

b) Chadkirk Museum is part of the Chadkirk Estate, which has grown in importance as a recreational and environmental resource over the past 20 years. There is no recognition here of that symbiotic relationship, nor any thought as to how the museum and estate could be managed together to reduce council cost and exploit potential. Each council department is working in an isolated bubble, as manifested by the current document.

c) It is normal for a consultation document to set out alternative options which have been considered, and to set out in a justified argument why the preferred option has been chosen. There is none of that here. The claimed savings of £40k pa are shared with the main Stockport Museum, but there is no breakdown of the cost which Chadkirk embodies. Given that the chapel is only open for less than 500 hours per year, we estimate staff costs at less than £5000 per annum. There will be income from refreshment sales, say £1000 over the year. There is no consideration of the potential impact on the Events income (which we understand to be growing) of the proposed closure. Without the ability to informally view the chapel when it is open, the likelihood of choosing it as an event venue decreases. Every event lost is a foregone income of £600 – £800. Additionally, there will be more calls on the events staff time to visit the site to enable potentially non-productive viewings. The museum “saving” (small as it is) will be outweighed by the increased staffing requirements and income loss elsewhere in the council. And that also assumes that the wedding event usage can continue, which is discussed later.

d) There is an implicit assumption that volunteer activity might increase here, albeit no mention of the many museum supported activities that take place here at the Friends’ instigation currently – another way in which the document downplays Chadkirk’s uniqueness. (Where else in the borough does a well dressing of this type take place each year? That truly is “unique” – and yes, there are other museums with hat collections, albeit they are displayed in the context of the town museum where they are sited). In ignoring the volunteer activities, the document also ignores the potential implications for such
community events following the withdrawal of museums funding. Should the Friends withdraw from such events due to lack of funding, a potential casualty would be maintenance of the formal gardens which feature so prominently in the Events team promotional literature. Again, the potential negative implications for broader council considerations are lacking.
This is a one-dimensional, museum driven document, with no thought given to wider cost/benefit aspects.

e) The public document states that the proposed closure date for the chapel is 29th December 2019, but the “Getting More out of our Spending” (sic) document indicates that the implementation of changes would be phased take place up to April 2020 following a cabinet decision being made in December. The general election “purdah” will impact on the decision timeline. The “consultation” process does not conform to the stated parameters, and arguably should be extended until the parameters are met. We have sought to establish what the future arrangements for use of the chapel will be (should it close) without success. The questions referred to you after our meeting with you and other council officers on 31st October remain unanswered. To close the chapel on the 29th December in the absence of any clear guidance as to its future use and management is in our view ill-conceived, and we would ask that the timescales for any change are extended to enable suitable arrangements to be discussed and put in place.

3) Future usage

a) The document sets out no vision or recommendation for what happens to Chadkirk should the museum close, other than a vague resolution to contact volunteer groups to “see if they are interested”. We have sought, but not obtained, written assurance as to the future functioning of the Friends group in areas such as use of the chapel for our events; where costs will fall; where responsibility for management of the building will sit; and how the site will be publicised if it leaves the museum grouping. These all appear to be “work in progress”. It does make it more difficult to be “interested” if there is no formal framework or commitment to how future volunteer activity will be supported. The borough is already littered with underutilised buildings where council services have been withdrawn; the setting of Chadkirk Chapel is itself already diminished by the vacant and deteriorating farm buildings next door (abandoned and unused since school visits ceased many years ago). Woodbank and Vernon Parks also bear testament to this lack of joined up thought. We do not want another casualty here.

b) The Chapel was acquired from the church in 1971 with a covenant that it should be used for community use. The planning consent for the current use derives from the refurbishment in 1995, which refers to the building as being used as an “interpretation centre”. Withdrawal of the museum status will breach both of these requirements should the primary use change to that of a council “events venue” as appears to be the proposition. Planning consent for such a use would raise conflicts with many Stockport planning policies and seems unlikely. Without it, the registrar approval which currently exists for the performing of civil wedding ceremonies here would fall. The council has a history of legal breach at Chadkirk due to lack of forethought (paths constructed without planning consent; new window installed without listed building consent; weddings performed with the public prohibited). There appears yet again to be no thought given to this aspect when these proposals were formulated. Cessation of the events income through loss of the registrar’s weddings approval would certainly nullify the purported savings.

c) Given the lack of proposals for the immediate term (i.e. beyond the closure of the museum), it is no surprise that any medium to long term vision is lacking. Whilst this
proposal may theoretically satisfy the need to reduce museums expenditure (and that, from previous analysis, is arguable), it does nothing to secure the longer term future of the site. The council’s policy seems to be resting on the Micawber principle that “something will turn up”. Experience indicates that the more likely outcome will be a further reduction in use; further cost-cutting pressures; and ultimately the complete closure of the building to public and community access.

4. Conclusion

The Friends of Chadkirk believe that the current proposals are flawed. They will not deliver overall savings to the council, and place in jeopardy the future of this building as a community venue.
We are more than willing to work with the council to produce a management arrangement that will address the currently perceived difficulties of public access and in the process address the cost pressures that the council is experiencing. However, for all the reasons listed in this letter, what is currently being proposed meets neither of these requirements and should therefore be rejected pending the formulation of a more robust and sustainable proposal.

Yours sincerely

John Pengelly
Chair, Friends of Chadkirk

Listen in…

…to BBC Radio Manchester on Saturday morning.

Today (Friday 22 Nov) our Chair, John, will be talking about Chadkirk Chapel with someone from the BBC. They plan to run the interview on Saturday morning. That’s Saturday 23rd November Chadkirk on BBC Radio Manchester.

Continuing consultation

During Thursday’s meeting of the Friends of Chadkirk we continued to work to find a way forward. In this we were helped by the attendance at the meeting of a number of representatives from SMBC. Present at the meeting were four people from SMBC ( including two from Events, one from Museums and one from the Neighbourhood team).

At the meeting:

*the background and reasons for retaining council presence at Chadkirk were discussed.

*It was agreed that The Chair of the Friends of Chadkirk is to send a response on behalf of the group summarising the main concerns.

We thanked the 4 representatives for their input and attendance.
As a Friends group we appreciated the professionalism they showed in the way they approached the meeting.

Before our meeting a response from SMBC to “the questions” was received.
However it made clear that most of the questions raised could not be answered
until after all the consultation responses had been received and processed.
After that a view would be taken by decision makers at SMBC as to what the appropriate course of action might be.

It seems that due to the General Election “purdah” requirements, no decision from the consultation can be taken until after the 13th December.

Perhaps this means that we can continue to make our case until then?
Certainly those at recent meetings and members of Friends of Chadkirk will continue to do that. And perhaps you will too?

What’s happening now…

Thanks to everyone who has been involved this week. Many people have been taking steps to influence the future of Chadkirk and it’s unique Chapel.

Thanks to the many people who have been in touch with local councillors and decision makers. Lots of people have signed one of the petitions and responded to the proposals via the consultation process on-line. Some have sent emails direct to decision makers.

Early in the week, a member of our community filmed some of the activities at Chadkirk and has put together this video:

On Wednesday representatives from the Friends of Chadkirk met with our local MP at Chadkirk Chapel.

On Thursday there was a meeting of Friends in Chadkirk Chapel.

Thank you to everyone for their time, energy and enthusiasm.
Each step makes a difference. Thank you.

Funding the future…what if?

One participant spoke of her disappointment when she learned that her daughter’s wedding had been held in Chadkirk Chapel, and yet not a penny of fee paid had come to the Friends of Chadkirk or to Chadkirk directly. How much pleasure would it have given to know that the wedding was taking place at Chadkirk and that they were contributing to the support of a treasured part of the local landscape and community and the continued nurturing of this historic site. It seems like an opportunity missed.

So here’s a thought:
What if a % of the wedding fees paid were in future dedicated to go directly and explicitly to the Friends of Chadkirk/Chadkirk Chapel. After all, without the work they do, the money they raise, the garden they maintain, the beautiful west window they commissioned , would people chose to have a wedding at Chadkirk?

Maybe with 1% of the fees they would be able to set up the service, so that the kiosk continues to open at weekends? Perhaps this money could help fund our on-going programme of improvements?
Just a thought…

There’ll be better ideas, other thoughts and possibilities, alternatives that enable thriving rather than shrinkage. What are yours?

Going forward…

Yesterday’s meeting brought many people together. It was good to see so many folk care about the future of Chadkirk and, in particular, Chadkirk Chapel.

After the meeting it was only possible to talk briefly with some of the many and yet it was encouraging to connect with people who would like to do step up and get involved. It is clear that many of you have expertise that would extend the range of what our little Friends group have been able to do so far.

We meet as a Friends group in different guises for different activities. Sometimes that’s for events, sometimes for gardening, sometimes just for social activities. This week, on Thursday 14th November happens to be the third Thursday of the month, so we will be meeting in Chadkirk Chapel at 1pm. Obviously the future of Chadkirk Chapel will be on the agenda. And there’ll be an opportunity to develop and explore some of the idea that came out of the meeting.

Members new and old, ancient and modern are all invited.
You would be very welcome to join us there.

1pm Chadkirk Chapel
Thursday 14th November
Friends of Chadkirk Meeting

I’ve been ‘doing the blog’ since 2012. I set up a ‘free’ site. At the start there were no adverts. Now there are. So I believe it would be better to change what we do. Maybe stay with wordpress but pay their annual fee for a domain name, so the site is unsullied by ads.

Following on from the great ideas expressed and the enthusiasm shown, new members will be able to offer something that can mean that our future communications and social media connections change for the better.
Let’s find a way to get together.

Perhaps that’s another idea for Thursday’s meeting. Get the ball rolling?

Today’s public meeting… and what to do now

Thank you to everyone who came along to Chadkirk Chapel today and made their voice heard.
Thank you to all those who signed the petition.
Thank you to those who stood up for the future of Chadkirk Chapel. Some folk literally, stood up – there was standing room only as today’s meeting got underway. More than 145 within the building, others at the doorway, listening.

The Chair of the Friends of Chadkirk welcomed everyone and started the meeting by providing an update. He had written to decision makers and raised questions about the future of Chadkirk Chapel. Given the proposals, what information could they provide about the future plans and possibilities? To kick off he went through the questions with any answers he’d been given, as well as outlining the questions where answers and clarifications are still pending. We await with interest the answers to these questions*…

Much seems uncertain.

And while much seems uncertain, what we can be sure of is that Chadkirk Chapel has a special place in the hearts of people far and wide. Many individuals talked of what it meant to them. People described the value of all the amenities and opportunities. Observing the real transformation that has taken place over the years from 1995, when renovation and other projects were initiated, has been a source of immense pleasure and satisfaction. The restoration of the Chapel, the Walled Garden, the programme of steady improvements in the range of Chapel’s art and craft work, investment by the Friends of Chadkirk, including in the sound system and facilities for presentations. There is much here to celebrate.

Nevertheless, we have also seen the way that austerity measures introduced since 2008 mean that there are funding issues. In that context, the consultation includes a statement that the Museums Service seeks to save
£40 000 each year (starting in 2020) by no longer including Chadkirk Chapel in their budget or their responsibilities. Who then has the resources to plug the gap? Or to do a better job with different resources?

It is clear that people want to see Chadkirk and it’s unique Chapel play a greater (and not a lesser) part in the lives of the community. It’s listed status alone almost demands that enough resources are found.**

There are ways to influence decision makers. Here’s a few :

There is the on-line consultation currently underway. (paper copies of the document are available at Chadkirk Chapel) You can make a submission either on-line or in writing. You have until 18th November to make your submission.

There is a petition in Chadkirk Chapel. You can sign this petition. Over 300 people have already signed. In addition there’s an on-line petition.

Raise the issue with local councillors and request consideration at meeting of Werneth Area Committee.

Contact decision makers via consultation@stockport.gov.uk

Funding the future

One participant spoke of her disappointment when she learned that her daughter’s wedding had been held in Chadkirk Chapel, and yet not a penny of fee paid had come to the Friends of Chadkirk or to Chadkirk directly. How much pleasure would it have given to know that the wedding was taking place at Chadkirk and that they were contributing to the support of a treasured part of the local landscape and community and the continued nurturing of this historic site. It seems like an opportunity missed.

So here’s a thought:

What if a % of the wedding fees paid were in future dedicated to go directly and explicitly to the Friends of Chadkirk/Chadkirk Chapel. After all, without the work they do, the money they raise, the garden they maintain, the beautiful west window they commissioned , would people chose to have a wedding at Chadkirk?

Maybe with 1% of the fees they would be able to set up the service, so that the kiosk continues to open at weekends? Perhaps this money could help fund our on-going programme of improvements?
Just a thought…

There’ll be better ideas, other thoughts and possibilities, alternatives that enable thriving rather than shrinkage. What are yours?

There were many people with many ideas about ways forward. Thank you for your ideas. Now let’s take what steps we can to make sure that our voice is heard. Through the democratic process and the engagement of the community there are ways that we can achieve a better outcome. Stronger Together.

** Cambridge Museum Service – person at the meeting who stepped forward and offered support. Please get in touch.

A few questions to answer…

Questions raised include:

1. Do councillors agree that a proper consultation process has been followed by SMBC staff?

2. Does the General Election “purdah” impact on the consultation?

3. Who within SMBC will act as FoC’s contact, and who within the council will have “ownership” of the chapel if museums disengage?

4. Will SMBC continue to meet all operating costs of the building, and continue to allow its use by FoC for community events without charge?

5. Will SMBC support some other form of regular public opening of the chapel if it is no longer staffed as a museum?

6. How will SMBC advertise and publicise Chadkirk on its website if it is no longer seen as a museum? How will the public find out about the site and what’s on?

7. Why is past maintenance work incomplete, and what plans exist for future spending on Chadkirk buildings?

8. Please confirm the anticipated closure date, and council willingness to extend any implementation until the many issues regarding future use have been properly resolved and publicly confirmed.

9. Agreement to enter in to “Memorandum of Understanding” which defines future roles and responsibilities between different council departments and FoC.

You are all invited…

to Chadkirk Chapel
at 2pm
on Saturday 9th November

There are changes planned.
How will these changes affect you?

The pleasure of a visit to Chadkirk Chapel when enjoying a wander around the gardens and the woods adds an extra delight to any visit to Chadkirk Country Park. Not to mention the comfort of a break inside and a cuppa, sheltered from the weather. The history and art works within add a special dimension which is unique.

Now we know that this benefit may fall away as a result of plans currently being considered. As a result of the changes, Chadkirk Chapel may not be open to visitors as weekends. Private events and events organised by friends will be the only occasions when the public will be likely to have access in 2020.

Our community has played a vital part in the renovation of Chadkirk Walled Garden and Chadkirk Chapel. Hours of TLC and fund raising have maintained the special qualities of this place as a resource for our community.

What now?

There’s some uncertainty.

What is certain: the plans will mean an end to weekend openings of Chadkirk Chapel. Unless the plans are modified. Unless people speak up. Unless people show they value access to Chadkirk Chapel for the general public.

How can you express your viewpoint? Have some influence? See a future with this amenity and this extraordinary historical site accessible to the general public at weekends?

Join us. Come along to the public meeting. Hear a little more about the plans. Sign a petition. Spread the word. A community resource for our community. An historic and artistic place. A community amenity.How can we develop a plan? A plan which enables use and sharing of the resources we already have, rather than a reduction in access?

We look forward to seeing you.

Chadkirk Chapel
at 2pm
on Saturday 9th November

Consultation about changes

A consultation process is under way. Now is the time to make your views known about the future of Chadkirk.

https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/policy-performance-and-reform/museums-consultation-2019/

The future of Chadkirk is being considered in the current round of budget planning and cost savings. 

The public consultation on the proposals runs until 15 th November.

As a means of making budget savings,  proposals being considering include:

• (b) Offer local organisations the opportunity to run the visitor and refreshment facility at Chadkirk Chapel and for the Council to cease operating the museum offer at the site.

Removing the chapel from the list of museum sites has many potential implications. 

How then will the fabric of the building be maintained to ensure that the chapel’s future use by our community? How will that be taken care of? Funded? By which part of the council if not by museums service?

Will this change of status affect it’s continued use by our community?

Without adequate maintenance will it be available to the community as a safe, beautiful place to meet, celebrate the passing of the seasons? What will happen to it’s key role as a focal point for community use of Chadkirk and Chadkirk Chapel? What of the future of events such as Weekly Tai Chi, annual festivals such as Harvest supper, Easter and Christmas celebrations? Well Dressing ?

A consultation process is under way. Now is the time to make your views known about the future of Chadkirk.

https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/policy-performance-and-reform/museums-consultation-2019/

As part of current proposals for Stockport Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP ) 2020/21, there is a proposition that the budget for the museums service is reduced by £150k per year with effect from April  2020 . A summary of the outline proposal is attached. 

The Council has developed four proposals for meeting the required budget saving: 

1. 1Reduce the number of museum sites operated by the Council 

2. Change opening hours at Stockport’s museums 

3. Change fees and charges for admission to Stockport’s museums 

4.  Changes to museums service management. 

The detail of the proposals 1-3 is now subject to online public consultation which can be accessed at the link below. 

https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/policy-performance-and-reform/museums-consultation-2019/

The public consultation on the proposals runs until 15 th November. 

We would really welcome your views on these proposals and encourage you to participate in this consultation exercise. 

Chadkirk Chapel 

Chadkirk Chapel is a popular refreshment facility for walkers, but its offer as a museum is limited. The site has being increasingly used as a venue for civil weddings in the past two years. With the proposed budget reduction and the other museum sites it is committed to operating, the Council cannot justify continuing to operate Chadkirk as a museum. It is proposed that the site is closed as a museum from 29th December 2019. The Council proposes to work with local organisations to see if they are interested in opening the site to the public and operating the refreshment facility at the site. 

Benefits 

The proposed closure of Stockport Museum and Chadkirk Chapel to the public will have the following benefits: 

• Savings of £0.040m of the proposed £0.150m budget saving.

• Reduction in the operational management requirement for the Council’s museums which will
  enable savings in service management

• Enabling the Council to focus its attention on improving and developing those sites which are unique to Stockport and help to define the identity of the town.

• Enabling the museums family gallery to be re-provided at a more accessible location.

• Enabling museum collections to be displayed in new and more accessible locations.

October 16th at 13-30 a meeting of Friends of Chadkirk to discuss this proposal.