After seeing his work at Jesmond URC, we invited Graham Hatt of Gritstone Project Management to listen to our proposals. Graham worked with us to develop a plan. The plan he designed was much more exciting and far-reaching than we could ever have imagined for ourselves. After the plan had been agreed, Graham was able to handle all legal requirements, Health and Safety measures, dealing with the local authority, fire service, listed building regulations and more. He also helped us with a presentation to Synod and advised about accessing grants.
Graham and Andy (from Transform, the main contractor) were aware that we had a tight budget, producing cost-saving ideas that did not compromise on quality. We felt that they bent over backwards to help, and really did go the extra mile for us. The work was completed to a high standard in all its aspects. We were particularly impressed that everyone involved respected and cared for the building, taking pleasure in being able to enhance it.
We are delighted with the completed project, with people talking of the uplift and renewed sense of optimism it has given them in these difficult times. We are looking forward to being able to use and enjoy the new facilities when restrictions allow.
Elisabeth Meikle, Secretary, Stockton Road United Reformed Church, Sunderland
Your ‘wrap-up’ report was presented to the last meeting of Property Subgroup and was warmly received, members being very satisfied, not only with the outcome of the project both physically and financially, but also with the way in which you managed its development and execution.
Your approach in the early consultative stage and close attention to detail during the construction were particularly impressive, and it was agreed that I should formally express to you our most sincere thanks for a job well done.
On a personal level, it has been a pleasure working with you and I look forward to doing so in the future on other Synod projects.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Matthew, Acting Convenor, Property Subgroup, United Reformed Church (Northern Province) Trust Ltd.
I have been impressed at the way in which we were kept fully involved throughout, and the way in which the inevitable problems raised by such a huge work on an old building have been tackled and solved with creativity and patience. Church members are thrilled at the transformation of the whole building, being all we imagined, and far, far more
Rev Ruth Croften, Chair of Development Group, Jesmond United Reformed Church
I have led large-scale development projects at a number of churches in the north-east. My first project was for the Jesmond United Reformed Church (URC) and since then I’ve led development work for the URC at Darlington, Rothbury, Sunderland, Horlsey, Holy Island, Roker and the URC Northern Synod Offices at St James’s Church in Newcastle.
I’ve also delivered smaller-scale maintenance and improvement projects for a number of local churches.
I understand the sensitivities and approvals involved in working on listed buildings and I am routinely recommended for development work at URC buildings by Ray Anglesea, Secretary of the URC Northern Province Listed Buildings Committee.
A routine part of church development projects is fund-raising and I have been successful at obtaining significant grant funding for recent projects from a wide variety of companies and grant giving bodies.
Church renovation often involves multiple sub-contractors but may not have an architect or main contractor and in these situations I have taken the role of both Principal Contractor and Principal Designer to ensure compliance with current health and safety (CDM 2015) regulations.
The development and extension of Jesmond United Reformed Church, which I had the privilege to deliver during 2014/5, was shortlisted for the National Churches Trust President’s Award in December 2016. This is great recognition for a fantastic local church that has made full use of the new spaces created during the development and has become an example of how such buildings can be shared with the wider community for the benefit if all.
Since January 2022 I have been acting as Property Management Consultant for the United Reformed Church in the North East, to give guidance and help to the people responsible for keeping their churches and manses in good order.
I am a churchwarden and Health and Safety Officer of St George’s Anglican Parish church in Jesmond.