On-going Projects at Ratby

Toilet facilities coming to Ratby church

Update: October 2008

Thanks to a successful grant application, we now have enough funds to start the work on the toilets.  Hopefully work should start before Christmas.  We still need to raise the rest of the money, so keep saving those pennies!

Fundraising is currently under way to create a new toilet facility in the ground floor of the tower at Ratby church.  Some work has already been completed, as the resurfacing of Church Lane meant that work for the connection to the mains sewer took place to avoid digging up the newly resurfaced road.

Plans for the layout, which will include two toilets, one of them offering disabled facilities, are on display at the back of the church.

Update: November

The facilites pipes have now been laid up to the church tower.  Thanks to the sterling work of Keith and his labourers!

Update: 14th October

We are soon to see the next stage of works to install toilets in Ratby church, namely the laying of sewer and water pipes under the footpath round the tower.  This may take place as soon as next weekend, meaning that access along the path round the tower may be restricted next Sunday.  Soon afterwards we are hoping that the pathways around the church and down to the new churchyard extension section will be re-laid.  Please pray that all will go smoothly as there are a number of different people, contractors and planning permission bodies involved!

 Stopped at 12 O'clock

You may have noticed that the church clock has stopped at 12 o'clock for some time now.  Unfortunately a cog in the clockwork mechanism has broken.  It will cost approximately £750 to repair it, money that the church doesn't currently have available. 

The clock is a similar design as the one that strikes on Big Ben in the Houses of Parliament, and was made in the early 20th century.  The main difference is that our clock only strikes the hour chimes, and does not strike the quarters.   The clock is still wound by hand, and needs to be wound every week to keep going, and the hour chime is struck on the heaviest bell in the tower, which has the deepest note.

If you would like to give a donation to help get our clock going again, please get in touch with the treasurer.

Fundraising Continues for New Organ

Update: October 2008

Our digital organ has been installed for almost a year now.  Fundraising continues to raise the money to pay back the loan which enabled us to purchase this instrument.

For more information on how to help please get in touch with the treasurer, or David Collins our organist.

Update: November 2007

The new organ has now been installed.  The console is in the chancel near the choir pews, while the speakers are out of sight up amongst the beams at the top of the north wall in the nave.

The sound of the organ is fed into the hearing loop, so those using a hearing aid to listen to the services can also hear the organ.