User:Stevepovah/St. Peter's Church Annexe

St. Peter's Church Annexe, Trusthorpe Lincolnshire

Introduction In 1964, due to the keen interest in the youth of the area by the late Rev. Jack Parkinson, the site of the old pig sty in the Rectory Paddock was developed. Villagers of Trusthorpe and a local building firm (Simons & Co.) gave materials and labour of its staff free of charge to build a new Annexe.

The site was completely transformed into a smart meeting place and boat house for the local Sea Scouts who initially achieved great success. Sadly, however, in 1971, they were disbanded, and although the meeting place was used occasionally, it began to fall into disrepair. In the 1980s it was taken over by the Parochial Church Council and transformed into St. Peter’s Annexe.

1980's During the period of the 80s this unusual little building enjoyed great success being used weekly by Sunday School Children, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts. Local events such as Christening and Anniversary parties were held there. The adjoining paddock, no longer belonging to the privately owned rectory, was also controlled by the P.C.C. and used for Village Fetes, BBQs and Summer Fayres etc. A small team of villagers, old and young, regularly maintained the St. Peter’s Churchyard and the Annexe paddock was planted with shrubs and trees, a haven for birds and wildlife.

1990's A new car park in the grounds, paid for by local businesses was completed in the 1990s at a cost of £15,000.00. This provided a driveway around the Annexe for the essential use of wedding cars or the hearse at funerals.

2000's In 2000 the Annexe was in use by all members of the community and funds were raised to purchase a new heating system, improvements to the toilets and various items for the kitchen. In the summer months it is used for serving refreshments at Car Boot Sales, Table Top and Book Sales, a Dog Show, BBQ and many other fund-raising events.

2010's In 2012, when the Church had repairs to its Tower, Sunday Services were moved into the Annexe together with the annual Christmas Carol Service. It is now used every Sunday and Tuesday morning for coffee and refreshments after the now popular Church Services. At the beginning of 2013 fund raising began for a new roof which was completed before the harsh March winds. In July 2013 a group of 50 teenagers, from a Gospel Group in London, stayed locally and helped paint the outside of the Annexe and tidy-up the surrounding gardens and paddock. These young people took time away from their busy schedule of Gospel Services in order to help with the refurbishment. One of these services was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury on his visit to Mablethorpe who expressed a keen interest in the work being achieved in such a deprived area.

New Committee After 50 years of community use, the P.C.C. set up a new Committee focussed solely on improvements to the Annexe to give it a total refurbishment for an Anniversary Celebration in the late summer of 2014. The village and local companies have donated generously to fund new windows and better access for disabled entry. The surrounding paddock is to be landscaped and the Victorian street lighting at the side of the building is to be refurbished for the 2014 Harvest Festival.

It is fair to say that St. Peter’s Annexe has been visited and used by all members of the community and it is hoped that local residents will enjoy events at this year’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and continue to use it for many years to come.