Salem Buildings News HeadlinesJune 2008 - Ongoing work Now that most of the original work has been completed there is still ongoing maintenance required at the church and at the manse. There is no insulation in the roof of the church building, therefore approximately 30m x 20m of roof space needs to be insulated to a good standard. Likewise, the small schoolroom needs a false ceiling and insulation to stop the quick loss of heat. The money from the Church Gift Day for 2008 will be used to help carry out this insulation, making the buildings warmer and saving on the church's fuel bills.
April, 2005 - Building Work still not completed As the new church heating did not perform as expected, it is to be taken out and replaced by a hot air system, that we are assured will heat the building properly. We are currently awaiting planning permission from the local authority before the work can be done.
August, 2005 - Building Work almost complete Still waiting for some items to be completed as per the snagging list, and for the heating engineers to do modifications on the schoolroom and church heating to spread the heat more evenly and reduce the noise generated.
February, 2005 - Building Work almost complete After a long break and with grateful thanks to Gladstone School for their hospitality, services start again at Salem. We give thanks for everyone who as helps in any way to bring these changes about in the life of Salem.
June, 2004 - Building Work Commences The £150,000 modernisation and renovation of the schoolrooms including new floors, new kitchen, new windows, new heating systems for the church and schoolrooms, new toilets (including disabled toilets) etc. has begun. The work should take up to 22 weeks. During this time the Sunday services will be held at Gladstone School Canteen. Please pray that the work will go to schedule that the costs will be contained and the money required will be forthcoming. Over £100,000 has been raised or given by members of Salem for this work. £45,000 has had to be borrowed, so has to be paid back. The work could not wait any longer as the dry rot had caused a hole in the schoolroom floor and was taking hold of window sills and parts of the pews in the church gallery.
September 12, 2003 - Silent Auction A Silent Auction raised over £800 towards the Building Fund. Thanks to everyone who supplied the auction items, the food and came along to buy the items and have a fun evening.
September 2003 - Loop System Installed in memory of Olive Bubbins Family friends of our late sister Olive Bubbins who died on September 1st 2003, have paid for the installation of a Loop System to aid the deaf in the church. The Deaconate have been looking into having such a system installed for some time as it has to be done during 2004 for the disability discrimination act. We are most grateful for this tangible donation to the church in memory of a faithful member and friend, Olive.
September 2003 - Architect to produce final costing Architect Peter Jenkins has been asked to work on the drawings and costing for the refurbishment of the schoolrooms. Once this has been put out to tender we will know exacting how much money we require to complete the work.
November 2002 - Work on the sides, roof and chimney completed After waiting for a year for the contracted builder to complete the work on the side of the church adjacent to the old Manse, it was decided to cancel the agreement and go back to tender for the work. A new quote was received and the work commenced and completed within 5 weeks. During this time we found there were problems with the other side of the church where the down pipe had broken away from the guttering, roof slates had moved and a chimney looked rather dangerous. While on site the builders gave a quote for this work and we are pleased to say that the quote was accepted and all the work has been completed. The total cost will be about £5,500. We now look ahead to progress on the schoolrooms and the inside of the church. 
October 15, 2002 - Anwen Plays Chess - see Salem News
June 25, 2002 - Celebration of Youth Concert - see Salem News
May 30, 2002 - Church fellowship agrees to new plans At a special open church meeting, Mr. Peter Jenkins, the architect, presented new plans to modernise the schoolrooms, replacing the flooring, the heating system, kitchen, toilets and adding addition toilets and a disabled toilet. The plans were discussed extensively and the members unanimously accepted the plans. Mr. Peter Jenkins has been asked to progress the detailed drawings, plans, put the work out to tender and manage the construction. The estimated cost is approximately £80,000. This is a much more realistic amount that the previous plans drawn up in 2000 that many people felt were unattainable. All the events, concerts and contributions from members have raised part of the money towards the £80,000. As a church we currently have £40,000 available, £3,500 of which has been earmarked for the side wall of the church. We are still looking to raise over £40,000 so we do not burden ourselves with hefty loan payments. It is hoped that work will begin toward the end of 2002 and take about 3-4 months.
May, 2002 - Still waiting for the builders After agreeing with the architect and builders for the side of the church (adjacent to the old manse) to be worked on, we are still awaiting commencement by the builders. At the end of May 2002 they have still not started although they have been chased up on numerous occasions via the architect. This delay has caused more water to soak into the walls and come through to the church. We look forward to this work commencing.
April 25, 2001 - Silent Auction a great success - see Salem News
April 13, 2002 - Chris Bravey swims for Salem - see Salem News
May 23, 2001 - Scaffolding comes down After over ten months (original estimate 2 months) the scaffolding comes down on the front of the church - the cost of refurbishing the outside front of the church has been over £12,500 + V.A.T. The next phase is the damp problems on the side elevation of the church. Meanwhile the floor in the minister's room has given way with dry rot.
November 21, 2000 - Carmen sings to raise funds Local soprano Carmen Cowling a former member of our Young Church and a graduate of Cardiff College of Music and Drama gave a wonderful concert in aid of our Building Fund. Three of Carmen's friend also brought their wonderful voices and cheered the appreciative audience. The music and songs came from stage and screen, some familiar, some not so, but all performed with love and sincerity. The audience could sense that the singers were all enjoying performing such wonderful show songs written by such composers as Irving Berlin, Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, and Andrew Lloyd-Webber & Tim Rice. The concert raised almost £300 for the building fund. Thanks to all the soloists and an excellent accompanist. Carmen has promised to sing at Salem in 2001. This will be a great opportunity for those who missed this concert to enjoy some fantastic voices.
August 2, 2000 - Scaffolding goes up - work begins Scaffolding goes up on the front of the church - the cost of refurbishing the outside front of the church will be £11,500 + V.A.T. - Pictures
2000 - Plans drawn for modernisation and restoration of Salem The church members agree to go forward in faith. The total amount of money required to fulfil all the plans is £230,000. See Future Plans for more information.
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