It is frequently said that at the heart of the College is the Chapel. This is not too surprising as our chapel was founded by the Dominican preaching order. For the Dominicans believed that the world in which we live, turbulent and restless, often unpredictable and yet wonderful, is at the same time the place where we encounter, listen to, and see God.

Today, the Chapel continues to enjoy its roots in the Dominican order as we see it as a place where we can all, by sharing human experience, encounter something of God. It is therefore a place where people are encouraged to be touched by what happens in fellow pupils' lives and in the world around us all, in the belief that in this way we will come upon the traces of the God of salvation and liberation.

Pupils from all faiths have been, and continue to be, encouraged to talk about what they value. Doing this seems perfectly natural because Christ College has a long tradition of teaching a generous and open Christian faith. The Chapel of Saint Nicholas is also a place that has a splendid tradition of enjoying some wonderful music. Christ College has for many years had an excellent choir, composed of staff as well as pupils. Because of the choir and a long tradition of lusty congregational singing, Breconians continue to sing with enthusiasm and passion.

However, aspects of this much loved building are in need of restoration and repair and whilst Christ College finances are very sound, resources are needed for other routine maintenance and major capital projects. Any surplus is used up in financial concessions to assist needy pupils from poorer backgrounds. Quite simply, all of the required funds are not readily available to meet this specific need from within Christ College's own financial resources in the timescale in which the work to the Chapel is required.

In view of the above circumstances, approaches are being made to a select number of Grant-making Trusts for help in raising the necessary funds for the repairs and restoration work to the West Wall. However, we want to give one of the most important elements of the Christ College Brecon community, the Old Breconians, an opportunity to contribute to this worthy cause, and share in the collective satisfaction of securing this special place for current and future Breconians.

The West Wall of the chapel is in urgent need of restoration and repair. The wall consists of a stone gable end, part of the original Dominican Chapel, surmounted by a small, open belfry. As you know, built out from the lower half of this wall is a lean-to, slate roofed narthex or ante-chapel which forms the only entrance to the chapel itself. Based on foundations which were part of the original Dominican Church, this was included in Gilbert Scott's restoration of the chapel in the 1860s.

The West Wall faces the prevailing weather, which, situated at the foot of the Brecon Beacons, can often be ferocious, as I'm sure you can remember! This has caused both the stonework and the mortar to deteriorate to the point at which it has become very porous. As a result water is beginning to penetrate through to the inside of the west wall causing the plaster to crumble.

The Vowles Organ of 1873 is housed in a small gallery against this inside wall. The damp and dust resulting from the condition of the wall endangers the condition of the organ. Water also seeps into and down the inside of the wall to emerge in the ante-chapel through which all pupils and congregation enter the chapel. In wet weather the ante-chapel can be awash.

In additional to the obvious external works, internal requirements are likely to include removing the rendering, raking out the wall, removing timber boarding from behind the organ, applying a specialist lime render and then distempering the finished wall. This will require considerable work to protect the organ and to make some electrical alterations.

During 2007 and 2008, whilst preliminary fundraising was being undertaken, the Chapel Wall continued to deteriorate, having been subjected to two very wet summers and a particularly harsh winter.

Given the evident deterioration, the Bursar engaged with a number of specialists and instructed Pickard Finlason to carry out a full structural survey and provide us with a full report. They were chosen because of their expertise in this area, having recently been involved in a major restoration project at Brecon Cathedral, as well as for their good links with CADW. This survey was carried out in July 2008 but was not published until February/March 2009.

Their findings were as follows;

·Water penetration through the outer (West) wall caused by poor pointing is resulting in the addled and loose plaster on the internal wall.

·The bell tower and gable stonework was found to be disturbed and insecure. The area consists of largely loose and open jointed stonework, cavities within the wall depth and bowing of the wall due to disturbance of the outer and inner leafs of masonry.

·The pointing of the wall is poor due to weathering and the movement of the stonework itself.

According to the architect “There is a significant risk of further degradation to this important building,…. . If these works are not carried out this year. The building will continue to deteriorate and there is a potential risk of collapse to the high level structure.” This refers to the top of the wall. He continues with the bell tower saying “There is a significant risk of a partial collapse within the next year or so if no action is done.” When questioned more closely the architect has estimated a 30% chance of a collapse in the next year depending largely on the weather.

The report makes a number of recommendations;

Phase 1 - Immediate Urgent Works

Removal of internal plaster; structural tying of Bell Tower; structural tying of West Wall and grout injection; repairs to copings and kneelers; repair flashings; re-point in lime mortar

Phase 2 - Mid-term works

Re-pointing to south and east elevations; repair weathering to stone dressings and surroundings to openings; renew gutters and rainwater goods; repair timber doors; re-lead stone gutter to porch; leaded light and window repairs.

The maximum estimated costs including VAT and Architect Fees is:

£165,000

Every attempt is being made to fund important repairs from our own and public resources. We have made good progress with this, but pledges are now waning. The following pledges have been obtained;

General donations via the Christ College Foundation CADW Other trusts such as the JT Morgan Trust, the Powys Welsh Churches Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation Christ College Foundation Legacy Programme	£10000 £34000 £13300   £ 2500
TOTAL	£59800

We have made a bid to the National Churches Trust for a Cornerstone Grant of:	£50000
Optimistically, we therefore face a financial shortfall of:	£55200

How can you help?

·Should your circumstances allow, please consider a one-off or regular donation to this specific appeal.

·Please download the Donation Form below which should be used for gifts in the form of cheques, cash or standing orders. Please complete the Gift Aid section if applicable. An option to donate online will be available shortly.

·Donations by cheque should be made payable to Christ College Brecon.

·To make a bequest via a legacy please contact the Foundation Office on 01874 615468.

We are all bombarded every day with requests for private and commercial giving. We trust that this appeal will rank highly in your list of worthy causes.

Any donation will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.