FODC Bulletin – March 2026
adamsinnottNew Year Reflections
As the New Year started the Friends reflected on the achievements in the previous
year including the very successful Amy Baker concert in September; ongoing repairs
and improvements to the church building, specifically repairs to the roof above the
community room, specialist cleaning of the stained glass windows and making one of
the clerestory windows watertight, and refurbishment of the kitchen space in the
Annexe; the distribution of over £10,000 to local community causes from the
successful operation of the cafe in the church (Wilfrid's) in 2024-25; and most
notably the successful installation of Phase 1 of the Droxford Church audio project.
We are very grateful to our donors and volunteers who make all this possible.
Church Audio Project
The sound system in Droxford Church has been inadequate for many years and three
years ago FODC started a project to improve it. After extensive research with church
sound experts a system was proposed and accepted from Distributed Sound and
Video Ltd (DSAV). To install this system in our Grade-1 listed church we applied for
Faculty approval from the Portsmouth Diocese which was secured last year thanks to
the hard work of Colin Richardson and Nick Capon. Finally the Friends had to
stretch the budget as inevitably costs had risen through the lengthy selection and
approval process.
Phase 1, based on two high-quality Bose MSA speakers and associated amplification
equipment, was installed in December in time for the Christmas services, and to
universal approval. This project represents the largest single investment in the church
building since the Annexe was completed in 2019. Phase 2 will see the addition of
two further speakers, and Phase 3 will be a Video extension project so that services
and concerts can be fully streamed into the church with high-quality audio.
Kitchen and Cafe Refurbishment
Following the termination of the previous cafe operations licence in December the
Friends have undertaken a much needed refurbishment project in the kitchen and cafe
seating area. This work has now been completed and the improved kitchen
environment and new furnishings have been much admired. The Cafe is now open in
support of church activities such as the weekly and monthly worship services and the
monthly ChitChat club.
At the time of going to press the Friends are in discussion with the PCC, who have
overall responsibility for the church and activities within it, for a new operations
management structure to enable the cafe to serve coffee with extended opening hours.
Please visit our website (www.friendsofdroxfordchurch.org.uk) for updates on the
opening hours and services offered to the wider community. All volunteers whether
baristas or servers, beginners experienced are welcome and can register their interest
by emailing cafe@friendsofdroxfordchurch.org.uk
The trustees of Friends of Droxford Church.
March 2026