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News Report March 2013 Posted on 04 March 2013 As the date draws near for our AGM, we would like to give you an update on the past year’s activities.
At this time last year we were working on the redecoration and repair of the vestry, with the aim of having it open to the public by April. That was achieved and the opening was celebrated by a good turnout of folk. In order to keep the books and documents in good order, and in the interests of safety, due to the exposed nature of the site, it was decided to close the building during the winter months, i.e. September to April. We were grateful to the Community Council for its support in awarding us a grant of £2000 for the materials, and to the volunteers who toiled for many weeks, on what was initially a daunting task. Edwina Lloyd from Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) will be present to explain the implications of changing our constitution to the status of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). If agreed, the documents for this can be completed by Edwina at a comparatively modest cost. We are planning to host a heritage event in the Holm Hall in the summer, funded by a Heritage Lottery grant. This would comprise of displays and talks, and we will be looking for suggestions to make this a successful community gathering to celebrate Holm’s rich history. If you are interested in taking part please let us know. Please note that we will be in the Blue Door from 8th July to 13th July, and it’s not too soon to start looking for items which can raise money, including raffle prizes. This letter is being circulated as widely as possible to establish a list of the Friends of St Nicholas, in light of the proposed constitutional change to charitable status. Please complete and return the tear off slip, either to the AGM, or through feedback on this site. Alfie Flett (Chairman) Marlene Mainland (Secretary)
………………………………………………………………………………………………… Posted on 04 March 2013 Easter Opening 2012 Posted on 19 April 2012 (This article appeared in The Orcadian 19/4/12 - extra photos have been added here) Holm kirk is open forEaster, after 73 years
After seven decades of inactivity, the St Nicholas
 Kirk, in Holm, has opened its doors to the public again.
When the kirk closed its doors in 1939, with war looming, no one could have envisaged that, after a period of 73 years, it would again be accessible to the public, albeit in a different role.
During the war years, the kirk was commissioned by the army as a store, and situated as it is, on the eastern shore of the approach to Scapa Flow, it had a commanding view of the entrance to Holm Sound.
After the war, the building continued its use as a store, this time by the owners, the Church of Scotland, and it had a brief respite when it was used as one of the locations for the filming of Venus Peter.
However, as the years wore on, the kirk began to deteriorate, suffered broken windows and the indignity of a lightning strike irreparably damag-ing its bellcote.
It was put on the open market in 2009, and it was wondered who on earth would take on this B-listed liability, with no adjoining land, and access only through the kirkyard!
It was soon apparent, however, that many Holm people did not want to see the old building pass into the hands of an absentee owner and were willing to take on the responsibility of saving St Nicholas.
The Friends of St Nicholas was formed, under the chairmanship of Alfie Flett, and the building was purchased. Two years on the building has been made safe, and a small area has been restored for the use of visitors. The former vestry houses
 a small display of Holm history, with a Book of Remembrance, and is a very tranquil place to enjoy a seat looking out over the sea. Over 50 people attended the informal opening on Saturday. April 7, and the vestry will now continue to be open over the summer months.
More photos can be seen here
Posted on 19 April 2012 Winter Newsletter 2012 Posted on 01 March 2012 Our Winter 2011/12 newsletter is available for downloading here Posted on 01 March 2012 |
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