SNU Spotlight: From springing a leak to securing firm foundations for the future – Newton Abbot’s transformative journey.

As a scorching, arid and record-breaking Summer of heat and dry spells draws to a close, it seems only fitting that our next Spotlight article – right on the cusp of Autumn – springs almost literally from a leak.

For the team at Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church, a knock on the door from a neighbour concerned about rainwater pouring into his garden would eventually lead to two major phases of building work, almost £20,000 in SNU grant support, the discovery of a potentially serious structural problem – and, as an unexpected bonus, a rather smart new space for the church’s readings and activities.

But even that isn’t quite where the story begins.

For this latest Spotlight, we turn to South Devon, the South Western District Council, and a church which, in the space of just a few years, has gone from facing the very real prospect of closure, to having a thriving healing group, a newly renovated and watertight building and a new committee ready to take it forward.

Looking back to the church’s AGM in 2022 though, and a very different, downbeat picture looked like it was about to be painted.

The serving committee of the time had announced that they would all be stepping down. Without a new group of people willing to take over the running of the church, the message was fairly stark: Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church could close its doors.

Thankfully, six people stepped forward to make sure that didn’t happen.

Among them were new President Mike Flaun, Treasurer Paul Dodds, Vice President Fiona Dodds and Secretary Claire Henderson.

And, having volunteered to keep the church going, they certainly didn’t spend the next few years standing still. Instead, an inspiring journey of renovation and inspiration paved a new path forward for Newton Abbot.

One of the first major changes was to bring the church, which had been previously operating independently, into the Spiritualists’ National Union as an affiliated body of the Union. It proved an exciting and important moment not just for the committee and the church, but for the Union itself, too – welcoming a brand new church into the SNU family.

The church’s two-tier membership system was reintroduced, along with a Roll Book and Naming Services, whilst another important development saw Newton Abbot become a registered charity.

These were but some of an influx of new achievements and moments, and a particularly significant first for the church when it conducted its first same-sex marriage.

The hard-working committee also made a point of reintroducing SNU Spiritual Healing to the church, the subsequent growth of which would only highlight their dedication and efforts.

At that point of reintroduction, Newton Abbot had just one registered healer – Secretary Claire herself. Fast-forward to 2026, though, and there are now six registered healers and two trainee healers at the church, with support from healers at nearby Paignton Spiritualist Centre when needed.

It’s an area of the church’s work which has increasingly made its presence felt beyond the building too.

The team regularly attends local holistic fairs to promote SNU Spiritual Healing in the community, while its Sunday healing sessions are now well attended and supported.

Impressive and inspiring progress, doubly so given they stem from relatively humble beginnings.

And in September 2025 came another moment which perhaps summed up how far things had moved on when – “much to our surprise,” as Claire and Mike put it – Newton Abbot was awarded the prestigious ‘Church of the Year’ Award as the SNU’s Annual General Meeting.

While all of that was happening inside the church, however, the building itself was beginning to demand some attention.

And this is where the fateful sprung leak comes in.

Back in January 2023, a concerned neighbour made his problem known to the committee. Nick Jones explained how water was regularly pouring over the church guttering and into his garden. Understandably, Mr Jones wondered whether something could be done about it.

The committee started looking for quotes, but the situation was almost immediately exacerbated by the arrival of two particularly aggressive winter storms, that swept in and dislodged several roof tiles.

The problems, the shopping list and, of course, the inevitable cost, were all growing.

One ill tile deserves another – As more work was undertaken on Newton Abbot’s guttering and roofing, ever more serious – and expensive – problems began to reveal themselves, not least of all serious structural discoveries at the church’s gable end.

Quotes were sought to repair the tiles and replace the guttering, but it quickly became apparent that there was another sizeable expense involved: the scaffolding to tackle the problem was going to cost almost as much as the work itself.

At which point the committee asked an eminently sensible question:

If you are paying so much to fully scaffold the church anyway, why not deal with everything that needs doing, while it is up?

And so, a job which had begun with correcting a troublesome gutter, eventually blossomed into a full renovation of the outside of Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church.

The proposed works grew to include not just the guttering, but also roof repairs, painting, making good the window frames and various other jobs needed to protect the building.

Thankfully, there was another twist to come in the tale, one of a decidedly more positive slant.

The committee had remained in regular contact with neighbour Nick and, during those conversations, discovered that his own work happened to involve renovating churches.

Quite handy, so far as neighbours go.

Nick was invited to tender for the work, alongside two other reputable builders. Ultimately, Nick’s submission impressed the committee, both in terms of the price quoted and in the level of detail provided, with the various jobs costed and timescales all clearly set out.

By now, however, the cost had understandably moved some distance beyond the initial price of fixing a gutter.

The committee decided to approach their new family, the SNU, to see what financial support and assistance may be available.

The Union’s Property Manager, Andy Foley, visited Newton Abbot to look at the church and assess the work being proposed. Andy made his recommendations supporting the church’s application for grant funding, ultimately leading to the church rceceiving an SNU grant of £10,000 towards the renovation.

Work began in September 2024.

Nick set about repointing ridge tiles, replacing damaged roof tiles, painting, repairing and replacing areas which needed attention, with the overall aim of making the church sound and watertight for the foreseeable future.

Things were looking promising… and then came the rain.

…lots and lots of rain.

A prolonged period of wet weather in the October put the completion date for the works back considerably. But as if this weren’t enough, an even bigger issue was about to reveal itself.

Whilst working on the roof, Nick became concerned about the front gable end; the triangular upper section of the building’s front wall. There were cracks, along with signs that timber had moved, which led him to suspect that part of the roof structure itself had shifted.

Andy Foley was informed, and he promptly arranged for a structural engineer to inspect it.

Unfortunately, Nick’s instincts proved correct.

The engineer’s report supported his concerns and concluded that remedial work needed to be carried out immediately for the church to even be considered safe.

What had already been a major renovation project had suddenly become even larger, and significantly more serious.

Another round of tenders followed, with Nick and one other builder pricing the additional structural work. Once again, Nick came in with the better price and was requested to complete the works.

And, once again, the church turned to the SNU for help. Andy reported back to the Union on Newton Abbot’s behalf, and a further grant of £9,000 was secured to enable the gable end to be made safe.

Nick was awarded the work and was able to begin over the Christmas period, with everybody hoping that it might be finished in time for the church reopening in January. The job included new roof tiles and strengthening the roof covering, as well as providing access into the roof space.

Unanticipated Benefits… – as part of the clearout the church needed to do for structural work to be undertaken, it meant a brand new office and seating space was able to be created, for church work, one-on-one readings and much more!

Before these works could be done, however, there was a not-inconsiderable spot of housekeeping that needed to be done – namely emptying the very full, very crowded office beneath the gable.

Everything that had been gathered, stored and accumulated over the years had to be removed. The committee saw this as a good opportunity for a long overdue spring clean and, with Nick’s help, not only managed to get everything out, but also used it as an opportunity to throw away some of the things that had been accumulated but were no longer needed.

It was another case of a practical necessity turning into another demonstrable improvement for the church.

Claire and Mike describe the new space that has been forged from this as a “fantastic working area”.

Sometimes it seems a complicated and costly roof repair has its own compensations.

The gable work was completed by March 2026, with the cost covered by the second SNU grant.

By June, the transformation was complete.

And, as the rains subsided and an ironically dry Summer set in, Newton Abbot’s journey of discovery, renovation and transformation that had all sprung from a leak, came to a proud close.

After several years of quotations, scaffolding, roof tiles, rain, structural reports, grant applications and rather more building work than anyone can have imagined when a neighbour first mentioned his guttering, Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church was sound and watertight once again.

Though it has to be said, impressive though it may be, the work that has been carried out by the committee over the period wasn’t confined to what could be seen from outside.

Once the structural work was finally completed, attentions turned to the interior of the church – finishings, upholstery etc. The church office was carpeted and reorganised, with tables and chairs added to create a comfortable area, which the team now used for one-to-one readings.

And during 2024, the church also undertook major electrical works, including new lighting in the library and healing room, replacement switches and outside lighting, alongside completion of its five-year electrical compliance work.

Taken together, it has been a remarkable programme of improvement.

All the more striking when you consider that the committee overseeing much of it was the same one which had stepped forward in 2022 simply because somebody had to if Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church was to remain open.

In the years since, the admirable and dedicated team brought the church into the SNU, developed its membership structure, secured charitable status, re-established SNU Spiritual Healing and watched it grow from strength to strength, taken healing out into the local community, overseen its first same-sex marriage, won ‘Church of the Year’ and navigated a substantial renovation of the church itself.

A truly impressive roster of achievements, and certainly one to bow out proudly to.

Safe, secure, stunning – the renovated and completely rejuvenated Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church is a stunning, completely revitalised building, and a far cry from the cracked and crumbling edifice of yesteryear!

For with this one incredible chapter of change and improvement closing, another now begins. As is the way with our wonderful churches and the teams of volunteers who underpin their stories, their success and their legacies, committes are rarely permanent.

Having helped take Newton Abbot through this inspiring chapter, the outgoing team has handed responsibility for the church to a new committee, headed by President Nicci Ramsden and Vice President Mellisa Hudson Bond.

Claire and Mike say they are proud of everything which has been achieved since 2023 and wish the new committee “all the very best to keep up the good work.”

There are also two people the pair are especially keen to thank in recapping to us the journey they have all been on.

First, of course is Nick himself, whose involvement began with a simple concern about his garden, and finished with him playing a major role in securing the future of the building.

Nick receives their heartfelt thanks for his work and support throughout.

And they are equally grateful to SNU Property Manager Andy Foley for his continued assistance, advice and in helping to secure the pivotal financial backing from the Union that made the whole transformative journey possible.

Newton Abbot’s journey in the past few years speaks to the fortitude of the church’s wonderful volunteers, and hopefully in some way to the willingness of the Union to support its churches and centres, too. Spiritualism, community and, indeed, Union in action.

As with many of our Spotlight accounts, there have been a few surprises along the way – some considerably more welcome than others – but perhaps the nicest part of the story is where it leaves the church today.

Back in 2022, the big question was whether or not the church had anything resembling a future, and whether or not its doors would have to close.

Today, in 2026, not only are those doors triumphantly open, but so too are they to a church revitalised and placed on stronger foundations for the future. One that is buzzing with growth, with new ventures and a transformed energy and space. Healing, membership, community engagement all expanding, and a sound, secure and watertight building to house it all in.

The future for Newton Abbot looks very positive indeed, and it’s thanks to not just a wonderful committee – past and present alike – but also something as seemingly simple as a few words from a concerned neighbour.

Though, after everything that has happened, the new committee might be forgiven for keeping a keen eye on that guttering.