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It was noticed that one of the enamel painted glass windows had become distorted and in danger of collapse, for reasons unknown. To remedy it, half of the window had to be removed and taken away for repair, and happily it is now back in position again. Essential repairs are planned for the roof, tower and cupola, which show signs of deterioration due mainly to age and exposure to the elements. At the same time, the cracked bell will be taken away and recast, and the clock repaired to restore it to full working order. The heating system and the associated oil tanks which are housed beneath the church are suffering from old age, and remedial action is planned quite soon, as well as long overdue improvements to the crypt entrance.
Following the complete collapse of one of the vaults in 1999, the headstones have been re- assembled. A geophysical survey was carried out to assess the condition of the rest of the churchyard and, based on this information, all voids have been painstakingly filled in, to ensure total confidence in the stability of the surface. Early this year, improvements will be made to any uneven areas, and the grass repaired. The perimeter wall of the churchyard has been examined by experts and English Heritage have carried out extensive work to strengthen it from their side.
Minor improvements and maintenance jobs occupy a great deal of our time, not to mention the regular cleaning, flower arranging, and looking after the supplies of books, cards, etc which we sell to the visiting public. As well as the individual groups of visitors, there are more organised parties coming to the church, often hoping to have a conducted tour.
As always we must pay tribute to the faithful band of stewards who man the church on a rota basis; their presence is very much appreciated by the church committee and by the visitors. It is a mammoth task to endeavour to have a steward in the church at all times, and we have appointed an official co-ordinator to organise this on behalf of the committee.
In the past year the total visitor numbers and income from donations were reduced, largely due to the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. The church was closed for a few weeks before Easter - for the first time in 35 years - and visitor numbers were slow to increase, but we were not affected as badly as some. As a charity, we have tried to make use of the more relaxed Gift Aid rules by inviting all donors to sign a Gift Aid Declaration, so that we can reclaim income tax from Inland Revenue. Special envelopes are available in church for this purpose.
For some years we have had tapes on sale at the church with organ music recorded in the church. For the first time, we now have a CD of John Jenkin playing a selection of works recorded on the Witley organ, and we plan to sell them in the church at £10 each.
For special services and other functions in the winter months, it has sometimes been necessary to set up temporary lighting to assist visitors' negotiating the paths as they walk to the church. As usual, this relies on volunteer help, so it is hoped to simplify the process by introducing a more permanent external electricity supply. Within the church, extra emergency lights have been introduced, powered by batteries, which will take over in the event of a power failure - a necessary back-up on occasions when we have a full church on dark evenings.
Although the church has no jurisdiction over the road leading to it, we are very conscious of its poor condition and hope to continue a gradual programme of improvement, subject to the consent of the residents. Car parking continues to be an issue which we have to address. For concerts and other special events, the present arrangements seem to work, thanks to the band of voluntary stewards who ensure that the available space is used in the most effective way.
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Great Witley Church 
