What do the Friends do?
The Friends of St Thomas’ Church Northlew (FOST) is a registered charity (No. 1070123) and was formed to ‘maintain, repair, restore, preserve, improve, beautify and reconstruct for the greater glory of God, the fabric of the church, its monuments, fixtures, stained glass, ornaments and other chattels and its churchyard’.
Our Trustees are responsible for raising funds and ensuring they are kept secure. Money is allocated exclusively for work on the church building and grounds in order to preserve the church for future generations.
The funds are received from special events, donations, legacies and the sale of cards and [publications]. Some events are purely for FOST funds, but often the proceeds are shared with other charities. The Art & photography exhibition in May 2025 shared proceeds with the North Devon Hospice, the Open Day in September raised funds for Devon Historic Churches Trust and the Nativity display for the Children’s Hospice South West. These events encourage visitors to St Thomas’ and – importantly – help raise awareness of the building and FOST’s work.
Publications
How you can help
If you would like to become aFriend of St Thomas’ Church Northlew please complete and return the online membership form:
The annual members’ subscription is just £5.00, or more if you wish. If you are a UK taxpayer and would like the Friends to reclaim the tax, please also complete the Gift Aid Declaration.
Payment can be made by BACS or you can set up a standing order with your bank.
Payee: The Friends of St. Thomas’ Church Northlew
Bank: Lloyds Bank
Sort Code: 30.98.97
A/c No: 70485862
One-off donations can be made using this secure link which takes you to CAF Donate who collect the money on our behalf.
If you would like to leave a legacy in your Will for the benefit of the church and would like some advice on how to go about this, please contact the Secretary or visit these web sites:
www.allaboutgiving.org/legacies/uk www.rememberacharity.org.uk
Grants awarded by FOST amount to more than £31,000
| 1997 | Repair of the Parish Church Clock | £975 |
| 1998 | Repair of Vestry (external) and retiling of Nave | 1,500 |
| 1999 | Renewal of Church Heating | 2,000 |
| 2001 | Waterproofing by E.G. Hore of Church Walls | 600 |
| 2002 | Grant for the upkeep of the Church and Churchyard | 250 |
| 2004 | Repointing work on the church | 1,710 |
| 2004 | Ladders for tower access | 2,500 |
| 2004 | Sound system with a loop for the hard of hearing | 3,150 |
| 2004 | New bell ropes | 1,000 |
| 2005 | Resurfacing of church path | 1,000 |
| 2008 | Repairs to roof, gutters and the lychgate. | 3,300 |
| 2008 | Damp treatment & redecoration near south door | 710 |
| 2008 | Leaflet to attract new members | 25 |
| 2008 | Purchase of strimmer | 225 |
| 2010 | Roof repairs | 1,000 |
| 2012 | Repairs to tower roof, installation of oak louvres in the tower and metal grills to prevent nesting in the belfry | 3,400 |
| 2017 | Removal of iron work from broadband installation on tower, slate repairs/clear out gutters & valleys | |
| 2018 | Grant towards electrical survey to inform a potential project on heating and lighting | 420 |
| 2019 | Annual mower service and blades | 530 |
| 2020 | Annual mower service and blades | 530 |
| 2021 | Lightning conductor repair | 696 |
| 2021 | New lawn mower | 920 |
| 2023 | Purchase of defibrillator for the church | 828 |
| 2023 | Organ refurbishment | 4,160 |
| 2025 | New bell ropes | 1,500 |