from the July 2010 magazine
Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church Thank you to all the Friends who have supported events in the first half of 2010. This enabled us to pay for relaying the paving stones in front of the North Porch – something, which we feel will be readily appreciated by all parishioners and visitors to the Church!

This does, however, illustrate how important it is not just to maintain but to increase our annual fund raising, even in times when most people are having to think of ways of saving money. We have often referred in previous magazine articles to our wish to increase our membership but we are just as keen to be seen to be organising events which will prove attractive and most important of all enjoyable by individuals and families from all over Leatherhead and surrounding area.

As we all prepare to take a Summer break, we would welcome any ideas from readers of the Parish Magazine as to the kind of activity or event they would recommend the FLPC might consider for the rest of this year or in 2011. A note left in the Church for the Chairman or any member of the Committee or a telephone call, with your suggestions, would be much appreciated and will ensure that we are able to respond quickly to any requests for assistance from the PCC towards maintaining and enhancing for future generations the beautiful building we have inherited ... and don’t forget to note in your diaries that bookings will open in September for the Bridge Tea in the Parish Church Hall on Wednesday 10th November 2010. Chris Evans, Chairman (01372 372169)

from the November 2009 Parish magazine
Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church Bridge with Afternoon Tea - Wednesday, 14 October; this year the Friends' popular Bridge Tea was enjoyed by nearly 100 people and increased the amount available for projects for the maintenance of the Church and grounds by over £800. Thanks are due to the organising team for all their hard work.

from the October 2008 Parish magazine
The Friends of Leatherhead Parish - Money matters
The Friends are not always concerned with with raising money. Often we have the pleasure of helping the PCC decide how funds are spent or suggesting ways in which the fabric or the amenities of the Church can be improved. We were very pleased therefore to learn that one of the recommendations coming out of the recent structural survey was to install a modern lightning conductor on the Tower.

Surprisingly, there had been no such protection for many years. Maybe even ever! Happily the Friends had funds available and the new lightning conductor was swiftly installed, just in time for a hefty late summer storm rolling across the Surrey Hills ...

Meanwhile Frank Haslam and his small team of helpers continue with their task of clearing areas of the graveyard. Assistance of whatever kind and for however long is always welcomed. Please contact him on 379341 if you would like to help or to find out more! Chris Evans, Chairman FLPC

from the January 2008 Parish magazine
The Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church
The ancient Church of St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, dates from the 11th century. It is the oldest building in Leatherhead, with one of the largest churchyards in Surrey and consequential ongoing costs.

The Parish Church is appreciated in many ways, as a fine example of mediaeval architecture, as a quiet place for reflection and as a place of worship. It belongs to us all. The objective of the Friends is to raise funds for the maintenance of the fabric and grounds of the Church to ensure our beautiful building and its surroundings are preserved for future generations.

After last year's generous support for the restoration of the 18c Thomas Parker organ, we're looking for ways to raise funds for more exciting (and some not so exciting but nevertheless extremely important) projects. If you have any ideas for fundraising events, we'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, some dates for your 2008 diary are:
Saturday February 9: It's Quiz Time Again (Bookings - J Hampton on 01372 376640)
Saturday March 8: Game Shows for a Laugh - we can guarantee you an evening of great comedy entertainment (Details - J Hampton)
Friday May 16: Annual General Meeting in the Parish Church Hall (details later)
Saturday May 17: Coffee Morning and Plant Sale (more details later)
Thursday October 2: (yes, October) - Bridge with Afternoon Tea (more details later) J Robinson (01372 376650)

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from the January 2008 Parish magazine
Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church - Membership Very many thanks to all of you for your continuing support. With your help the Friends have been able to contribute significantly to the maintenance of the fabric and surroundings of the Church and have been delighted to be associated with the restoration of the Thomas Parker organ.

Existing Friends should have received an invitation to renew their membership - if you know of anyone, family, friends or neighbours, who would like to receive details, please do give them one of the leaflets which are available in Church.
If you have a Collecting Box to be emptied, this may be given to the Hon Treasurer, F Haslam (01372 379341)
S Shaw, Membership Secretary (01372 360304)

At our 2007 AGM we welcomed Chris Evans as our new chairman.
We are grateful to retiring chairman Ron Presley OBE for all that he has done for us.

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Apr 2007 in church - We had an exhibition on the progress on the restoration of our Thomas Parker Organ and at our 2007 AGM Dominic Gywnn, one of the restorers, gave an excellent talk about his work and the project.
In November 2007 this restoration project came to a glorious conclusion with an Inaugural Concert. Many Friends contributed to the project either individually or through their support of the Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church.

Through the Friends there is an on-line listing of those commemorated in the church and churchyard.