| Description | Part of a 16th century barn at Tinker’s Hall, Furneux Pelham, was transformed into the Chapel of the Annunciation in the 1940s when Neville and Florence Lake, owners of the Rayments brewery in the village of Furneux Pelham, converted to Roman Catholicism and decided they wanted their own chapel. It was served by priests from surrounding parishes until its closure in July 2013.
Following the death of Capt Neville Lake in 1979 (?), and the deteriorating health of Florence Lake during the 1980s, there were discussions between the brewers Greene King, the parish of Buntingford and the Furneux Pelham Chapel Association regarding the future of the Chapel of the Annunciation. Although the file indicates that the Chapel was destined for closure in 1985 following the death of Mrs Lake, in fact it continued to exist until 2013, when it was closed. A planning application was submitted to develop the barn into housing accommodation in 2021.
The file reflects the close family connection between Neville and Florence Lake and the brewing company, Greene King. The Lake family, partners in Greene King, acquired local Furneux Pelham brewery Rayments in 1888. Neville Lake's nephew, Martin Corke, was Managing Director of Greene King in the 1980s during the period this correspondence took place.
Correspondents include Bishop B C Butler, St Edmund's College, Ware; Martin D Corke, Managing Director of Greene King brewers; Fr Joseph Vallauri, FDP, parish priest, Buntingford; George J Bull, Chairman, Roman Catholic Chapel Association |