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The Daily Bread at Brampton Abbots

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7th April 2021 by BAcRG

Project Update: Spring 2021

BAcRG Logo

We are pleased to be able to update everyone that we have now agreed Heads of Terms with the PCC for the carpark and the Diocesan Registry has been instructed to draw up the lease.

During negotiations with the PCC we shared our vision for St Michael’s and the Daily Bread, which we would also like to share again with others. The aim has always been to bring this important heritage building back to the heart of the community.

The commercial aspect of the bakery will ensure the building can be financially sustainable, but an integral aspect of the Daily Bread is to enable people to use and enjoy the building on a regular basis.

During the day the micro bakery and café will welcome people who drop in to purchase fresh bread and pastries, also to enjoy a drink and cake or light snack in the beautiful environment.

To supplement the daytime café offer our vision is for the baker to put on evening events, such as Pizza and Pudding Evenings for the whole village and supporters to enjoy.

In addition, we hope the baker will offer various training courses, bread making, patisserie etc on a rolling programme across the year subject to demand.

In addition to events organised by the baker we hope the building will be used for a wide variety of purposes, all appropriate for the building and the village. These could include:

  • Musical activities, to benefit from the wonderful acoustics, such as choirs, orchestras, musical theatre groups – this could be regular practice bookings and performances
  • Heritage activities, local history societies, heritage talks, genealogy classes
  • Art and literature, book clubs, photography societies, exhibitions, craft classes
  • Food and local produce, taste it evenings, bring and share.

This is just a flavour of how we hope the building will be used.

Although the church remains a closed church we will welcome back occasional worship and the space may also be used for bible classes, church meetings and all the other things that go on regularly in churches beyond Sunday worship.

Throughout the year BAcRG will be aiming to put on various fundraising events and activities and will encourage the local community to enjoy and take responsibility for the building.

The Daily Bread project seeks to ensure St Michael’s has a sustainable future for generations to come and never again faces the risk of redundancy and deterioration from under use and lack of community support.

We are hoping to host a community meeting at St Michael’s later in the year, once Covid restrictions have hopefully eased. More details will follow later in the Spring.

We are looking for more people to get involved in the Daily Bread project. The project has been in development for nearly 10 years. We have secured the necessary planning permissions and consents and completed the Phase I repairs. We hope that over the next 12 months we will be able to secure the funding to finally make the Daily Bread happen.

If you would like to get involved, please contact one of the Trustees, Jo Pilkington, Tom McCarthy and Oliver Marshall or email: info@thedailybread.org.uk

END

Filed Under: BAcRG Update, News

2nd November 2020 by BAcRG

Volunteers Wanted…

Volunteers Wanted for Next Phase of Church Transformation

A project to transform a derelict church in Brampton Abbotts near Ross-on-Wye is moving into its next phase. Herefordshire Council’s Planning Committee approved applications in August 2020 with ten votes in favour and one abstention, enabling the community project to move onto its next stage of fundraising.

The Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group (BACRG) is a registered charity which was formed by local villagers in response to the closure of St Michael’s & All Angels Church in 2008. BACRG aims to save this medieval church from falling into a non-recoverable state of disrepair and to create a hub for the village by transforming the church into an artisan bakery, café and space for occasional worship.

Details of the project can be seen at About The Daily Bread

BACRG’s current trustees are Oliver Marshall, Jo Pilkington & Tom McCarthy, all of whom live in the village. Tom McCarthy commented,

‘Our family moved to the village just after the church was closed. I look out onto St Michaels from my front room. When I heard that the church was in effect derelict, I jumped at the opportunity to get involved in BACRG. To let
this beautiful church fall into a state of disrepair on our watch would be unforgivable.’

Jo Pilkington said that her motivation for getting involved included both the conservation aspect of the project but also the opportunity to create something that breathes new life into the village.

‘In centuries gone by St Michaels’ fulfilled a social role as well as religious and stood at the epicentre of village life. If Covid has taught us anything it is the importance of community. My hope is that St Michaels can once again become a community hub, a place where people come to socialise and enjoy our beautiful heritage asset, through this transformational project.’

For Oli Marshall, the project has a strong personal aspect. Oli grew up in the village, was christened in the church and remembers key events like Harvest, Christmas and Easter warmly.

‘I moved back to the village in 2020 to raise my children. St Michael’s was a central feature of village life during my childhood and I want my kids to have the same fond memories of the church as I do.’

In 2019, BACRG surveyed the village and surrounding communities regarding their views on the project. 82% of respondents expressed either support or strong support for the project (see 2019 Survey Results). Jo, Oli & Tom now want to lean on that support as they look to strengthen the BACRG team. Jo said,

‘Now that we have planning permission, we can up our activity levels – particularly in regard to fundraising – in order to make this transformation a reality. We are looking to recruit new members of the team and would love to hear from you if you would like to be involved.’

BACRG released the following statement:

‘The Board of Trustees is seeking to recruit up to 4 new Trustees to join the team taking forward this exciting and innovative project.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the project; an interest in developing creative and sustainable solutions for our Grade II* heritage building in line with our planning approval and business plan; energy and enthusiasm to push our ideas forward and to make The Daily Bread a reality for Brampton Abbotts, following 8+ years in development. If you would like to be considered to join the team, we would be delighted to
hear from you.

For an informal chat please contact Jo Pilkington; Oliver Marshall or Tom McCarthy in the village or for more information and an application form email info@thedailybread.org.uk‘

2nd November 2020

END

Filed Under: Homepage1, News Tagged With: Trustees, Volunteers

28th July 2020 by BAcRG

Planning News… 28/07/20

Our planning applications for the Daily Bread are to be considered at the Planning and Regulatory Committee on Wednesday 5th August.

The Planning Officers are recommending approval.

This is a major milestone for us and we hope the Planning Committee will approve the project so that we can move on to the next stage of saving St Michael’s and giving it an exciting and sustainable future for the people of Brampton Abbotts.

The Planning Committee Agenda can be viewed by following the link below:

  • Herefordshire Council Planning and Regulatory Committee Agenda 05/08/2020

-END-

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Planning

26th June 2020 by BAcRG Leave a Comment

Project Update: June 2020

Brampton Abbotts Church

The Daily Bread Project Update June 2020

Following professional advice regarding the planning process and positive discussions with the PCC regarding the car park, BAcRG Trustees decided not to withdraw the planning application at its meeting in January 2020.

Over recent months a number of positive meetings have taken place between BAcRG and the PCC to address the concerns raised by the PCC in their representation to the application in November 2019.

We hope that the concerns have now been addressed through constructive dialogue.

The planning application has been referred to the Planning Committee and we are awaiting a date for consideration – it is expected that the committee will take place digitally during the Covid-19 restrictions.

We hope that the Planning Committee will look favourably on the application, enabling The Daily Bread project to progress to the next stage.

Keep up to date with the project by following us on Facebook:

  • Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group

For more information contact any of our Trustees Oliver Marshall, Tom McCarthy, Jo Pilkington or Project Manager Sam Hine email info@thedailybread.org.uk

-END-

Filed Under: News, Uncategorised

18th March 2020 by BAcRG Leave a Comment

Thanks to Stuart and Jan Fraser

BAcRG Logo

BAcRG would like to thank Stuart and Jan Fraser for their huge contribution to the BAcRG project. Having co-founded the organisation, led it and brought it to where we stand today, Stuart and Jan have decided to stand down from BAcRG and resign as Trustees of the charity.

Stuart (left) and Jan (right)

In 2011, St Michael and All Angels Church in Brampton Abbotts was closed by the Church Commissioners and the future of this much loved building hung in the balance.

A small group of local residents including Stuart and Jan formed the “Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group” – BAcRG. Over the last 9 years Stuart and Jan have volunteered many hundreds of hours of their time to the project. As a direct result of their efforts, the church can be used and enjoyed by our community again, both today and for future generations.

The project is now entering a new chapter, seeking planning permission to create an artisan bakery within the church. The bakery will generate income for BAcRG via rent which will be used to preserve and maintain the church. In addition, it will create a social hub for the village both through the bakery and through occasional worship.

As we focus on the future and the exciting possibilities ahead, we also take stock of where we have come from and thank Stuart and Jan for helping lead us to where we are today.

Keep up to date with the project by following us on Facebook Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group or email info@thedailybread.org.uk

Or contact any of our Trustees Oliver Marshall, Tom McCarthy, Jo Pilkington or Project Manager Sam Hine.

March 2020

Charity No: 1181870

Filed Under: News

1st November 2019 by BAcRG Leave a Comment

BAcRG Update October 2019

Update on The Daily Bread St Michael’s, Brampton Abbotts October 2019

It’s been an extremely busy six months since the essential repair works to St Michael and All Angels were completed in April 2019.

BAcRG Trustees and our Project Manager have been working hard on the second phase of The Daily Bread to bring this important historic building back into community use and to provide it with a long term sustainable future, to be able to keep it in good repair for generations to come.

Since April we have:

  • Held a community celebration and open day on 30th May where more than 120 people came along to enjoy the building and join in various activities throughout the day and evening
  • Attended and presented to the Annual Parish Meeting
  • Hosted a number of fundraising events including Sausages & Cider at the Old Rectory; and at the church Whispering Across Centuries art project and exhibition; Village Show where we welcomed 97 entries across categories ranging from vegetables to cakes; preserves to photos from all ages; an afternoon of Poems and Puddings in the Pews; and a musical evening featuring our own local choir The Bramptones. We’ve raised £2,600+ this summer! Thank you for your support!

We’ve also…

  • Opened our doors as part of the national Heritage Open Days initiative
  • Welcomed the first service to be held at St Michael’s for more than 10 years, celebrating the feast of St Michael at the end of September
  • Produced a variety of heritage information in various formats including leaflets, film, web content and interpretation paddles
  • Received pre-application advice from Herefordshire Council
  • Secured guidance from Historic England and the Conservation Officer to help finalise the re-ordering proposals for the building to reflect its historic significance
  • Commissioned highway and transport planning consultants to undertake the necessary traffic surveys as part of our Change of Use planning application 
  • Commissioned further Ecology surveys and studies to ensure our proposals have minimal impact on local wildlife and biodiversity
  • Worked closely with RRA Architects to finalise our planning application
  • Continued to work in partnership with the Diocese of Hereford and Church Commissioners on a community asset transfer and long lease of the building
  • Agreed a programme of church services and supported the PCC to develop a Churchyard Management Plan, including securing Listing for the Lychgate to enable funding bids
  • Commenced discussions with the PCC on securing a long lease on the carpark on similar terms to the building head lease with the Diocese of Hereford
  • Held meetings with nearest neighbours to develop a Community Code of Conduct
  • Retained the interest of an artisan baker who is committed to delivering the Daily Bread with us in 2020

So what happens now? What is The Daily Bread?

BAcRG submitted a planning application for Change of Use and Listed Building consent a few days ago. You can see the detail of the planning application by visiting the local authority planning portal.

The next phase of The Daily Bread is to re-order the inside of the church to make it more usable and accessible for all. We propose to install much needed services and facilities, such as mains water, a toilet, a kitchenette, storage space. We are requesting permission to remove and re-use the pews to open up the Nave and to make it a more flexible and community friendly space.

The Chancel will remain almost the same as now, with only minor alterations to the choir stalls, retaining it as a sacred space with all the history it holds. The Vestry will be converted into space for the artisan bakery with the necessary services, ventilation and hygienic floors and walls.

The budget cost for the next phase of works is approximately £250k including VAT and fees. BAcRG is now actively seeking funding to deliver the project subject to agreeing lease terms for the building and the car park and securing planning permission.

We hope that by this time next year The Daily Bread at St Michael’s will be up and running.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What and Who is BAcRG?

Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group (BAcRG) was set up in 2012 following the decision by the Church Commissioners to close St Michael’s and All Angels as a parish church.

Local people came together to try to save the historic building and to find a new sustainable use. BAcRG CIO registered as a charity in 2018 and is tasked with taking forward the plans for the building on behalf of the local community. Current BAcRG Trustees are:
Stuart Fraser (Chairman); Tom McCarthy; Jo Pilkington; Oliver Marshall; Jan Fraser; Sue Marshall. All Trustees live and/or work in the village.

Will the church be a place of worship again?

Yes, but St Michaels will not re-open as a Parish Church, the decision to close the church was made by the Church Commissioners in 2011. However, the Bishop of Hereford has given permission for six church services a year to be held at St Michael’s and BAcRG and the PCC are working together to look at hosting a range of community services in the church throughout the year.

Will the bakery result in more traffic, light pollution, noise and smells in the village?

Brampton Abbotts is a rural living village. We do not anticipate that the bakery will impact negatively on village life. To be sustainable we hope to attract visitors to the church, the bakery and the pop up café but not in numbers that will have adverse consequences on daily life.

The size of the building will limit the scale of production and numbers of people accommodated. The bakery will be staffed by a maximum of three people at any one time. Smells will be minimal and contained within self venting ovens and ventilation systems. Baking is not a noisy process so there will be minimal noise and the church walls are very thick.

Traffic movements at unsociable and peak hours of the day will be minimal and managed by public opening hours during term times. On a daily basis the existing car park should be sufficient with overflow arrangements put in place for any larger occasional events.

Low level path lighting will be installed in line with Ecology recommendations. It will be a warm yellow shade to avoid disturbance to surrounding wildlife and neighbouring properties.

How can we get involved or find out more?

We have an active social media and website presence so you can keep up to date on Facebook or here on www.thedailybread.org.uk.

We are always looking for more people to get involved so if you are interested contact the Project Manager on info@thedailybread.org.uk or any of the Trustees.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update.

Filed Under: BAcRG Update, News

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Latest News and Events…

Project Update: Spring 2021

7th April 2021

Volunteers Wanted…

2nd November 2020

Planning News… 28/07/20

28th July 2020

Project Update: June 2020

26th June 2020

Thanks to Stuart and Jan Fraser

18th March 2020

BAcRG Update October 2019

1st November 2019

Poems & Puddings (06/10/19)

9th September 2019

Evening of Music (12/10/19)

11th July 2019

Sausages & Cider (07/09/19)

11th July 2019

Village Show (28/09/19)

4th July 2019

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To keep up to date with the project please visit our Facebook page
Follow us on twitter at: @BA_DailyBread
or Instagram: @BA_DailyBread

Further information

For further information contact Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group:

8 Wellmead, Brampton Abbotts,
Herefordshire, HR9 7JD

Samantha Hine – Project Manager
Mobile: 07974 772840 or
Email: info@thedailybread.org.uk

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Project Update: Spring 2021

7th April 2021

Volunteers Wanted…

2nd November 2020

Planning News… 28/07/20

28th July 2020

Project Update: June 2020

26th June 2020

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