The repair of the roof is still actively under pursuit. There has been a problem in sourcing the exact type of roof slates needed to blend in with the rest of the roof. The type required is the West Moreland slate used in the original building of the church. The local price for sourcing such slates is £50 per slate, and the overall cost of the slates required would be between £30-40k. While it’s true that the insurance will be footing the bill, they have not approved this costing.

We are currently asking the surveyor who surveyed the church back in May if he can find any contact who might offers us a better price. Other options may be available if this does not work out, but I will come back to you and explain those options only in the event we are unsuccessful in sourcing the West Moreland slates.

On Sunday, high winds are expected with gusts of up to 60mph. While I will not close access to the road up the south side of the church, I do ask people to avoid using it if at all possible. There are still many slates which could yet be unseated by the high winds and could fall down the side of the church. Given the strength of the wind, they could even be projected further afield.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have cancelled the planned presentation of the Primary School’s work for Catholic Education Week at the 10am Mass this Sunday, as also the coffee morning which P7 were going to hold in the hall. There will also be no tea or coffee in the hall this Sunday. It also looks as though I won’t be able to get to Millport for Mass.

I also wish to appeal to parishioners, in any weather, not to park on the circle in front of the church whenever there is a public activity going on in the church, be it Sunday Mass, weekday Mass or any other activity. I do understand that in bad weather it is an appealing option to park on the circle, but for health and safety reasons we must always keep it clear for access to emergency vehicles. If someone should faint or suffer an accident or worse during a public activity in the church, it could mean the difference between life and death if access to emergency vehicles is blocked by parked cars on the circle. So, I appeal to your charity and sense of responsibility no refrain from all parking on the circle. Access to drop people off is, of course, admissible, but cars must then move off the property immediately.

Likewise, if you do find a parking space up the side of the church, please ensure that no part of your car is overhanging the road or could block other cars of emergency vehicles from having access right up to the hall. It is also forbidden for any car to park right outside the hall doors, unless it is for dropping people off or for unloading purposes.

Finally, we will continue to use the front door only of the church for access until the roof has been full repaired. To avoid birds or leaves or rubbish coming in through the door, I ask you to close the door behind you both on entering and leaving the church.

I’m sorry for all the do’s and don’t’s but I know you will understand that it is for the health and safety of us all that I reiterate these measures.