The two sides – St Lawrence Church Conservation Group, headed by Save Jersey’s Heritage’s president, Marcus Binney, and the congregation, led by the Rector, the Rev Phil Warren – are each canvassing hard to win votes for their particular proposals.
Election-style banners have gone up, leaflets are being distributed around the parish, debates are being conducted on social media, people say they have been stopped in the street and lobbied and the JEP has received a significant number of letters from both sides.
In one letter published today (see page 12), David Barnett says that the enmity resulting from the saga has divided the parish and that it will take time to heal the rift.
He writes: ‘I have sympathy for both the Rector and the Constable [Deidre Mezbourian], who have endured abuse, bullying and intimidation. This kind of behaviour shouldn’t be happening in what should be a civilised society.’
Without going into any details, Mr Warren confirmed that he had been on the receiving end of intimidating behaviour.
He said: ‘I have had to endure these things, as have others, but my focus for the meeting on Monday is for St Lawrence parishioners to come and hear what is said, have an open mind, and make their own decision – so that whatever the outcome of the vote, our parish can move forward together.’
Mr Binney dissociated his group with any of the alleged intimidating behaviour.
He said: ‘At all times the signatories of the four requêtes [requests for a parish assembly] have been at pains to be both courteous and polite to the Constable and the Rector.
‘We have not been involved in bullying or intimidation of any kind. If others, not involved in our campaign, have been discourteous, we deplore it.’
The church’s £200,000 extension plan has all the relevant approvals from the parish, the Church of England and Planning, but St Lawrence Church Conservation Group say it [the work] will damage the 800-year-old building. They have come up with alternative proposals to site the toilets, and kitchen facilities, inside the church as they believe it will be less harmful to the historical fabric of the building and cheaper overall.
The church has raised £180,000 for the works, including £80,000 from the parish, and work began last month. It was halted after claims from objectors – subsequently dismissed by Planning – that workmen were damaging the building.
To try to resolve the matter, Mrs Mezbourian convened the assembly to give parishioners the final say over which scheme should go ahead.
As passions are running high and a large turnout is expected, entry is being restricted to St Lawrence voters only, who will have to provide photographic ID to be admitted. And instead of the vote being taken on the traditional show of hands, there will be a secret ballot.
Initially the media was banned from covering the meeting, but in a letter to the JEP published today, Mrs Mezbourian says reporters are now welcome to attend – if space is available.
Mr Binney will be sharing the platform on Monday night with Mr Warren and they will each present their proposals. The assembly starts at 7 pm, but the doors will open at 6 pm. Mrs Mezbourian advises anyone who wishes to attend to arrive early.
