The Farnborough Building Project - what’s been happening?!
Since we raised an amazing amount of money in our autumn Farnborough gift days, our project team has been busy behind the scenes with the next steps. Our Operations Director Calum Field has provided us with some updates on the areas we have been working on, along with some helpful things we can all be praying for;
Nailing our plan for sustainability
One of our biggest challenges has been determining the right level of sustainability for this project. The more sustainable we go the higher the initial cost, but cutting corners often leads to greater expenses in the long run. What’s become clear is that we’re asking questions no one else is asking. We’re not just ticking boxes; we’re committed to creating a truly sustainable building that will be kind to the planet for generations to come.
Thankfully, we’re making real progress! We’ve had some exciting breakthroughs that will provide a clear decision-making framework for every step ahead. With the help of brilliant energy and sustainability experts, we hope to share full details soon.
Prayer point: Continued clarity and wise counsel as we work toward a building that will honour both our mission and the environment for years to come.
Roof troubles
Kerith has a long history of roof troubles! In the late 1980s, when The Kerith Centre in Bracknell was still under construction, an arson attack damaged one of the large wooden roof trusses—thankfully spotted before major harm was done. Fast forward 25 years, and rainwater was coming through the ceiling during a women’s conference (apologies again, Philippa Hanna!). Just last year, Windsor had its turn, with water making its way into the office roof.
Surprisingly, the pigeons in our roof aren’t our biggest concern. The steel structure supporting the current roof is in great condition, but it was only designed for a lightweight metal covering. We need something much stronger, with heavier insulation. On top of that, we’re considering additional equipment—such as PV panels or heating systems—which adds even more weight. All of this requires careful calculation, and we may need extra steel supports to keep everything secure.
Prayer point: A successful meeting with structural engineers and straightforward solutions. Wisdom to anticipate all additional weight requirements for the structure.
Moving towards approval
At last, we’re approaching the Planning Application stage! Our goal is to submit it to the council by the summer. We’re confident that our plans will have a positive impact on the community and won’t negatively affect the surrounding area. Now, we just need to communicate that vision effectively so we can gain full support—without compromises.
Prayer point: Pray for the team compiling the application and for a smooth, swift approval process.
A huge thanks to Calum for the above updates, the helpful and specific prayer points and for driving this project forward. Of course we know that an ongoing prayer point is that we need to raise £950,000 to start Phase One, and we would love to do this in 2025. We are £158,658 into that amount and will be having some more gift Sundays throughout 2025 (the first ones coming up at the end of this month). As well as our personal giving, we will be fundraising through grants and other means. We will be sending out another blog in a few days time with some exciting updates on our fundraising efforts with ideas on how we can all get involved.
Thanks for joining us in prayer as we move towards renovating our House of God and House of the people.