St John’s Pop Up Pancake Kitchen!
Shrove Tuesday 21st February
Open from 5.30 – 8pm
Drop in for delicious fresh pancakes
Adults £5 Children £1.50 Tickets available on the door
Includes choice of 2 pancakes with a range of fillings
and a glass of punch
PHONEMAST PROPOSAL
St John’s has been asked to house a low-power mobile phone mast on its church tower by New Edge Telecommunications (NET) Ltd, who survey and build them for the combined 02 and Vodaphone networks. The new generation of mobile phones require much greater data capacity than exists in the current network, so the policy is to build low-range ranger stations to supplement the existing facilities. NET have installed masts on many churches in the country and work with most of the dioceses in the Church of England.
The church council (DCC) has met with one of NET’s managers. Their plan is to house the antenna within a white flagpole structure – which would also be capable of flying flags – on top of the tower. Disruption to the congregations and other church users would be minimal, and the church would enter into a 20-year lease which would pay St John’s a much-needed annual rental. The alternative proposals they considered were a series of lamp-post style antennae spread through the Grove neighbourhood at street level. The DCC discussed the health and safety aspects of playing host to the antenna, and studied the recent reports which found no linkage between mobile telephone masts and cancers in new-born and young children.
The DCC has asked NET to proceed, commission a survey and provide us with detailed plans. In due course these will have to go to English Heritage, the Diocese of Southwark and the Local Authority for formal approval. NET has begun consultations with the local community, including the Spring Grove Residents’ Association, St John’s Primary School, and Kingston University.
Here is some further information about telecom masts which you may find helpful. The Rev Vicky Maunder has written to the residents living in the immediate area and her letter is also available to read below.
Rev Vicky Maunder’s letter to local residents
EMF Fact Sheet -EMF Sources in the Home
Pew Sheets
Our Pew Sheets are packed with useful information, prayers and thoughts for parishoners. Visit the Pew Sheets page to download.
Saints Alive!
Saints Alive! is our regular Parish newsletter. Visit the Saints Alive! page to download.
