FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S, WHICKHAM     Summer Newsletter – August 2009   Dear ‘Friends’   Firstly, thank you for accepting me as Chairman of the Friends St Mary’s.   I have lived in Whickham for over 40 years, and since my retirement have been involved in many community activities, and I look forward to this new challenge raising funds for our wonderful church.   Secondly, the present Friends committee includes Rev Barry Abbott, Eileen Hills Secretary, Len Cline Treasurer, Carole Dixon, Sue Gornall, Olga McGee, Carol Noble, Joan Reed, Ann Saint, Liz Vanner and Kevin Willis.   In our January 2009 newsletter Anne mentioned raising money towards the improvement and enhancement of the sound and lighting systems in St Mary’s, so to support this project your committee has arranged  the under mentioned fund raising events.   Friday 9th October 2009        An ‘Irish Night’ starting at 7pm in St Mary’s Centre where we are guaranteed a stunning performance from the current World Irish Dance Champions by kind permission of the Kelly Hendry School. The cost for the entertainment and pie and pea supper is £7.00 per head (steak pies from our local butcher) a vegetarian dish will also be available, and drinks from the bar. Please apply for tickets in good time from any member of the committee, or the Parish Office 0191 4881553.   Friday 18th December 2009               Carol Concert starting at 7pm.   It will be given by an augmented choir in Church, followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies served in St Mary’s Centre.   Wednesday 3rd March 2010               Annual Coffee Morning 10.30am in St Mary’s Centre.   Saturday 15th May 2010               Annual General Meeting in St Mary’s Centre.   Entertainment to be arranged             please watch for more details.   Len Cline our Treasurer has been looking into ‘Gift Aid’ with HM Revenue and Customs.   Gift Aid is a simple way for the Friends of St Mary’s to increase the value of subscriptions we receive from Friends who are UK tax payers.   When a Friend who is a UK taxpayer subscribes to the Friends, tax has already been paid on that money.   This money therefore qualifies for Gift Aid, because the Friends have been recognised by HM Revenue & Customs as a charity. Gift Aid allows us to claim back 25p for every £1 you pay to the Friends, boosting the value of your subscription by a quarter.    All we need from you is permission to reclaim the tax you have paid, and the completion of a Gift Aid declaration form.   Please find attached to this newsletter a double sided form.   If you have paid your Friends subscription for year 2009, and you are a UK taxpayer and agree to Gift Aid, please complete form B/2009.   For those Friends who have not yet subscribed for this current year and wish to remain a Friend of St Mary’s and you are a UK taxpayer, and agree to Gift Aid please complete Form A/2009  and part (a), and for non-taxpayers please compete Form A/2009 and part (b).   If you have any queries please telephone me on 0191 4412374.   The cost of the lighting and sound project will be several thousands of pounds; I am sure with help from the Friends we will succeed on our fund raising for this project.   Very many thanks for reading this newsletter.   Best wishes    Noel Adamson Chairman Friends of St Mary’s