Thursday. So my day to open the church. But not today, as it’s full of scaffolding. Part of our Victorian ceiling fell down, and now the whole things needs inspecting. Cost of scaffolding before work even begins: £10,000. Number of people living in the village: 100.
So here we are, a few of us paying out of our own pocket for an important ancient building freely open to the public – and then part of our donation going in tax. We’ll manage. But it’s a funny old world.
To spell it out, we can’t register for VAT because we don’t charge for entrance (churches very rarely do – no turnstiles, and, anyway, hospitality is their thing). Museums which don’t charge for entrance can reclaim VAT, but not churches.
@SimoninSuffolk But Simon, that reduces my royalties (currently running circa 50 quid per annum) - best to wait until the sale is over, in my view . . .
Thursday. Still my day to open the church. Thank you Sandra for wonderful Remembrance Day flowers. Is church flower arranging part of our intangible heritage?
Thursday. My day to open the church. After ten years, finally got round to lying flat on my back on the chancel floor. Why has tiny Burpham got a vaulted chancel? And what would the ?12C mason make of what I'm doing now?
@nmdacosta@FaithStanhope Thank you for your sterling work on this. It has been eye-opening and the process deeply concerning. Going forward, on what basis does the Speaker accept amendments for Report Stage? Would wrecking amendments be permitted? Will you be tracking proposed amendments? (hope so!!!).
@SteveReedMP What is the relevance of this statistic to farmers wishing to pass on - not sell - the family farm?
Incidentally is it true that Defra were not consulted on this tax change? Did you agree to it - or were you outside the charmed circle?
Thursday. So my day to open the church. Kicking the fallen leaves as I walk up the lane. Autumn nicely captured by the church creative team at the prayer station. Kick the leaves as I walk back.