Many topics were covered, most of which are mentioned below, but everyone present…

Expressed a firm desire to see St James’ Chapel of Ease building survive and flourish and were prepared to offer their services to the Friends of St James.

We concluded with three main action areas:

1.  Getting a clear idea of remedial works required and their costs and sources of grants.
2.  Raising awareness of St James’.
3.  Considering uses of the place other than for worship.

Action 1 – administration

Ann Davis (Gamlingay and Hatleys PCC), Ben Hewlitt, Michael Erlebach, Micky Astor and Peter Mann were prepared to be officially named as Friends and to focus on this item.

Action list:

A.  Draw up a constitution for the Friends.
B.  Officially secure an architect.
C.  Approach the Diocese to understand how and where to apply for grants, including sponsorship.
D.  Detail the first phase of remedial works.

There is a degree of chicken and egg in that to achieve ‘D’, some initial funding is required.

After the event it was established by Ann there is some ‘pump priming’ money available in the Hatley Restoration fund (also available for marketing?), which is great news.

Action 2 – marketing

Alex Freaks, Amy Jones, Sue Parish and Sebastian Kindersley said they would help with this.

Action list:

A.  Produce a pamphlet about St James’ and its plight, including its part of a circular walk involving neighbouring churches.
B.  Consider and develop ideas on sponsorship.
C.  Contact the National Churches Trust and the local county Historic Churches Trusts.
D.  Consider and develop marketing and awareness-raising ideas.
E.  Create an on-line campaign and presence.
F.  Having a large sign about St James with a donation bucket at the upcoming 5th November village bonfire event – asking for donations for all such events seems more successful than charging for attending.
G.  Making St James’ church warmer and more welcoming in the winter.
H.  The possibility of having a key rota to open the building during the day.

Action 3 – other uses and events

Alex, Amy, Sue and Sebastian said they would help with this too.

Propose and explore other uses of the building both for low level funding and raising awareness and interest.

Various ideas discussed:

• Organ recitals/lessons (Cambridge colleges, county organ societies), building on the quality of our 1878 Bevington Organ.
• Music recitals.
• Local schools re local history: gravestones, shields, wall inscriptions.
• Art exhibitions – removing the pews would be a major task, but laying wooden sheets across them to mount easels on could be done.
• Small fete.
• Talks.
• Film location (Alex).
• Building on the popularity of the Carol service, Christingle, Easter service, family gatherings.

I am sure I haven’t covered all the suggestions which were made – e.g. for ecclesiastical reasons, weddings for those not in the community are not allowed.

Also, other people present, and some unable to attend, expressed interest in helping with all of the above; there is no demarcation implied between the groups’ activities as written here.

• Please get in touch with the various groups or myself if you want to help.
• The next meeting will be another social gathering on a Friday night, during mulled wine season, pre-Christmas.

How all this started

On 4th September 2026, Micky Astor wrote…

We have a beautiful historic building in the church at Hatley St George.

It is officially called the Chapel of St James the Greater – it is listed Grade II*, which makes it quite particular.

But it needs support if it is to endure, for there are issues with the condition of the building.

As the Revd Hilary Young retired at the end of July, the church is without a vicar and likely to remain so for maybe 18 months, or longer.

And, as the last two quinquennial inspections have indicated, the church needs some work to stop further deterioration:

• The drains on the south side need sorting out to start reducing the damp problem.
• To establish what needs to be done in the tower, a safe ladder and landing system needs to be installed to gain access to the various floors.

I had a meeting in the church recently with Hilary, Ann Davis, the churchwarden of St Mary’s, Gamlingay, Samuel Pedlar of Ely Diocese and an architect friend, who knows a lot about historic buildings – he was impressed with the state and quality of the church and immediately suggested some things which could be done locally.

What to do?

It was agreed there are grants available for such work, but the grantors need to be convinced there is a group of people who will continue to care about the church, both now and in the future.

With a very dwindling congregation, and no vicar, this is currently not the situation.

My aim is to see if we can muster such a group, who will befriend the church and help it as a building to continue and flourish.

I say as a building, for I believe it can be cared for by those who are not necessarily religious, but who do care about such an historic – and local – landmark.

Friends of St James?

I have had my fill of committees and so would propose a loose association, perhaps the ‘Friends of St James’.

We would have to work with Ann, in liaison with the Gamlingay and Hatleys Parochial Church Council (PCC) as it is officially responsible for the church.

A piece of good news is that Stephanie Norris, the architect who did the last quinquennial inspection, is willing to be involved.

This is important as any work done by a local group (e.g. looking for drains on the south side) must be done under the guidance of an appropriate architect, and she knows the church.

Click here for our Hatley St George’s church photo gallery

The church’s address is The Chapel of St James the Greater, Main Street, Hatley St George, Cambridgeshire, SG19 3HP. A key to open the church is available from the farmhouse opposite.

Use this link for more about the history of Hatley St George’s church.

_{Post created: 4th September 2026; updated 28th September 2026.}