Our church building remains shrouded in scaffolding and hoardings as the Impact project continues. There was a set back when government VAT rules changed mid-project. Thankfully an anonymous donor agreed to make up the shortfall. The project deadline has been extended. It will be 2027 before we can move back into St Michael le Belfrey. In the meantime the church, now known as The Belfrey, continues to meet in The De Grey Rooms a short distance away. We are part of the 11am congregation which continues to thrive despite our temporary venue (as you would expect; the church is the people, not the building).

We are regularly on the coffee team serving anywhere up to 200 cups of tea or coffee after the service. Joan is part of the pastoral visiting team, we are both Belfrey Group stewards, looking after the leaders of three small groups.

We belong to a group which has been meeting regularly for something like 20 years. We have some very close friends within this group – and most of us are now in our 70s with the ailments and frailty older age brings.

This Christmas, our church held its last Minster Carol Service, a tradition which dates back to when David Watson was Rector of St Michael-le-Belfrey in the 70’s. The Minster was full and it was a fitting end to an era.