Church Warden's Report

We, Withcall and Raithby are part of the ecclesiastical parish of Raithby, which operates with Legbourne and the five marsh villages of the Woldmarsh parish to form the Legbourne Woldmarsh Benefice, all served by Fr James Robinson, who is based at Legbourne.

We enjoyed our usual four regular services last year which were well supported.

In contrast to 2018, we had no ceremonial services (eg weddings).

Our main activity was our 30th Annual Art Exhibition, which was very successful both financially and in terms of community involvement. The funds raised enable us to run the church and safeguard our church improvement funds. Volunteers from the villages of Tathwell and Haugham, the wider benefice and beyond, and the 2nd Louth Scouts, all contributed in myriad tasks, and it is very rewarding to see so many involved and enjoying our annual community event. As ever, we thank them for their efforts, which are, of course, crucial. 

Turning to the projects on which we are engaged to preserve and upgrade the church, last year was quiet, partly because of continuing personal health issues, and partly because the transfer of the font from the tower to release space was frustrated by the closure of the stonemason business engaged to do this.

However, the good news is that, towards the end of the year, we have made progress in firming up plans for tower access and, possibly, economic heating arrangements, albeit not to modern household standards, but adequate for our occasional needs.  We are also in contact with a replacement stonemason, and are now hopeful of completing this job. 

The two churchyards are largely looked after by volunteers who do a grand job in quite challenging conditions. 

Background work is ongoing regarding our two excellent memorials which require renovation. Whilst the preservation of these memorials will not affect our day to day activities in the very short term, we, like the many other custodians of historic buildings, do have some obligation towards them as part of a wider remit to preserve our heritage, but of course, to enable us to meet these responsibilities, we hope that our needs will be appreciated by grant giving bodies and private donors.

As ever, we are grateful to our donors and for the efforts of all our volunteer, without whom our church, nor any opportunity for social interaction, would not exist. 

Russell Howard

Churchwarden