Two Years on....

So we have been the proud owners of Saltney Ferry Chapel for two years now, and what a journey we are on. Over the last 12 months, we have really ramped up the effort to try and get this gorgeous building to be the hub of the community once again.

The year got off to a great start with the company ISS clearing the land and trees to the site and helping us to clear the inside.

With John and his digger coming in to remove the hedges and scrape the land, a team of volunteers could then come in to board up windows (thanks to Webb’s Builders Merchants for some good discounts and volunteers!) We also had delivered and then spread 20 tonnes of gravel to create a car park.

This allowed us to convert and park up our family campervan ‘Rodders’ to create a pop up cafe on the car park. With the help of a small charity Roots we were able to buy a generator and gazebo and

The Chapel pop up Cafe was born!

It ran for 11 weekends, we raised over £1500 but more importantly we engaged with 740 people who came, shared their ideas, ate cake, built community, volunteered....and in one case adopted a passing cockatiel!

We had locals, cyclists, dog walkers and even cross country land skiers who all came to show support and share in our dreams. It was a really special time where friendships and plans for what could happen in The Chapel in the future were made. It should be noted how much easier this was made by the unusually hot and sunny British summer of 2018! Monthly events were run up to Christmas, where we did indeed discover the that colder weather was not so conducive to alfresco dining.

Some Data:

Much fundraising has taken place, including three half marathon runs, two epic parties, a live music event, and we have been busy applying for grants.

We have signed a long lease with the social enterprise WACE who have been busy developing brilliant business plans, financial forecasts, architect drawings, community engagement, brand development and social media following. The list goes on, and although the building has still to be renovated, we have certainly started to build a community, and we are ready for when that first big grant comes in!

.......and in it has come we were told earlier this week that one of our applications has been successful, we will be receiving a grant of £34,000.

This will allow us to get the roof on, to get a safe ceiling up and to put in fire escapes enabling us to have people in the building. We are so grateful and excited to be moving the building along, and getting a step closer towards the dream.

A massive Thank you to everyone who has helped us on this journey, there really are too many to mention by name but you know who you are!

THANK YOU!

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