Reverend Elaine Jones

I came to Peterlee as vicar of St Cuthbert’s on 2 February 2014. I felt at home from the first. This is where I was meant to be.

One particularly fond memory I have from my tenure at St Cuthbert’s is New Year’s Day in 2016, when I went for a sponsored dip in the sea at Whitley Bay with members of the community. I love the water. That’s where I feel nearest to God. I swim  regularly, especially sea swimming, regardless of the temperature. On this occasion I roped in our church wardens and members of the choir and servers. We were all robed-up in our ecclesiastical gowns.

The sea may have been cold, but it was bracing. Getting out of our cold wet robes on a windy north-east beach was, well difficult! So the hot broth and buns on our return was welcome. It really was a memorable day and I think we raised around £5,000 in sponsorship for our desperately need roof repairs.

Raising the money to replace the roof was a challenge. As well as the standard fund-raising events we looked for more original ways to raise money. I dyed my hair purple during Lent but didn’t get that many sponsors. What was hugely successful was the calendar we produced, which was based on the Calendar Girls story and film. I’m not sure the Bishop knows about it.

We had been very successful in our fund-raising until the contractors discovered that the support brackets at the base of the steeple were rotting. There was a very real risk that in high winds the steeple would collapse. In the event the repairs cost a quarter of a million pounds, and we were forced to apply to the diocese for a loan. Their substantial contribution was to be paid back over 7 years. We paid them back the full amount in 2 years.