Happy New Year to all our helpers, volunteers, and supporters.
During the COVID 19 situation we have been unable to open the Grammar School to the public and have had to cancel all the events we planned for 2020, however the team have not been idle. We have continued to raise money by selling donated items via the facebook selling page, this has gone really well and has kept us ticking over during the pandemic. Thank you so much to all who have donated items or bought items, every little item helps.
We have spent the money on paying the bills and keeping the building in good order, this includes
Work on the roof to replace some slipped slates and re pointing of the ridge tiles.
A £2,300 bill for repairs to the lift, expensive but very necessary
Completing the kitchen upgrade, this included a new door and window, new wall covering and insulation, new cooker, sink and stainless steel units and new floor covering, we just have to put in new lights and an electric water heater then the job will be finished.
We have had the large conifer outside the kitchen door removed as it was blocking access to the kitchen steps and storage sheds. The building surveyor advised us to have it removed before any damage was done to the building. We hope to replace it with another tree in the grounds which will be planted further away from the building.
We hope this spring to start work on the widening of the gate and as funds allow to re-lay the carpark surface and driveway, currently this is very uneven and is a trip hazard and is difficult for pushchair and wheelchair users to negotiate. We received a grant from the Co-op towards the cost of this work so many thanks to all who chose us as their charity on their card. We are also a chosen charity with the Co-op this year so please if you would like to support us again make sure you select us as your chosen charity.
We have kept up with our ongoing schedule of repairs/maintenance. It is a never ending effort to keep our lovely, old, fragile Grade 2* listed building safe and secure, but well worth the effort.
We hope that soon we will be able to restart the giving out of grants, however if organisation or individual is in desperate need of a donation then please get in touch, we don’t have a lot of spare cash but will try to help out if we can.
So I would like to say a massive thank you again to everyone who has helped in any way, it is really appreciated, without your support we could not continue to look after the Grammar School and support local education.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to come and enjoy visiting the Old Grammar School again.
We always appreciate any offers of help in any capacity whether help in caring for the building and grounds, fund raising, help with collection and delivery of sale items and if anyone would like to join us as a trustee please get in touch. We hope once this pandemic is over we can open the building again and welcome you all in again.
Many thanks again from the Trustees of the Robert Windle’s Foundation
So wishing you all a safe, happy and healthy New Year.