Trustees’ Annual Report for the period of 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Charity of Canons Regular of Prémontré Canonry of Peckham Registered Charity number: 1104904
Priory of Our Lady of Sorrows, Friary Road, London, SE15 1RH
Section A Reference and administration details
Names of the Trustees who manage the charity
-
The Reverend Darren Pius Collins
-
The Reverend Alexander Stephen Morrison
-
The Right Reverend David Hugh Allan ~ Prelate and Chairman
Principal address
Priory of Our Lady of Sorrows Friary Road London SE15 1RH
Tel. No. 020 7639 0947
Website : www.norbertines.org.uk
Email : community@norbertines.org.uk
Bankers
Santander Corporate Banking Bridle Road Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB
Investments
Fairstone Management Ltd 4th Floor, 25 Copthall Avenue, London, EC2R 7BP
Solicitors:
Davis, Blank, Furniss 90 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QJ and
Tozers Broadwalk House, Southernhay W, Exeter EX1 1U
Section B Structure, governance and management
The order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (the Norbertine Order) is an international Roman Catholic Religious Order. It was founded in France in 1121. Its Generalate is in Rome, and it is constituted of autonomous canonries (abbeys and priories with their dependent works). The Order was re-established in England in 1872. The new autonomous Canonry was established in 2004 under a new Scheme dated 29th June 2004 (Charity No. 1104904).
Governance and Structure
In terms of Canon Law the supreme governing body of the Order is the General Chapter which meets every six years. Between these times there is an Abbot General who meets twice a year with four Definitors. The Canonry is governed by its superior (known as the Prelate) and council. In terms of Civil Law, the Order is governed by the trust deed.
The Trustees are members of the Order and have a detailed knowledge of the Order and its structure. The Trustees are responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charities. They meet regularly to review developments with regard to the charities and its activities and make any important decisions.
Description of the charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document Trust deed How the charity is constituted Trust Trustee selection methods Appointed
Additional governance issues:
The chairman appoints and nominates new trustees.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:
The trust fund and the income thereof shall be held on exclusively charitable trusts and shall be applicable subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereinafter contained for such charitable purposes as shall advance the charitable work for the time being carried on promoted or supported by the Society as the Trustees shall from time to time with the consent of the Prelate think fit PROVIDED THAT if at any time the Society shall cease to exist or to carry on promote or support any charitable works the Trust Fund and the income thereof shall be held for such general charitable purposes in
connection with the Roman Catholic religion as the Trustees shall in their discretion think fit.
Objects and Mission
The Canonry aims to support the religious and other charitable works carried out by the members of the Canonry and to care for those members throughout their lives with the Order.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Report of the past year
Throughout the year, the community continued to serve in our various apostolates.
After some delay and a few problems to resolve, our church roof was finally finished after Easter. The original roof had been blown off during the Blitz in World War II and repaired with slates from houses that had been destroyed nearby. After weathering 80 years, it had to be completely replaced. This was only possible because of many kind benefactors, for which we are truly grateful. This has been a major expenditure and has cost nearly £500,000.
The next major project we hoped would be to reopen the parish hall, which is derelict. It is a sad story of small jobs not done now mean it is a huge job. When it is reopened, it will be a great blessing to our community and the local community. Sadly, other structural repairs were needed on the church building which has meant a further delay to this project.
At the end of May, some confreres visited Farnborough Abbey who are kindly giving us some choirstalls for the church. They were originally from the monastery at Prinknash. We look forward to installing them in the church.
June began with our Corpus Christi procession which this year went along the Old Kent Road – the first time that has happened since the reformation. Around 600 people joined us for that, including Bishop Philip Moger, an auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese. The Old Kent Road goes through the middle of our parish, and, for the board games enthusiasts, it is the first square on the Monopoly board – and the cheapest!
After eight years in the role, Fr Hugh handed over his work as apostolic administrator for the South Atlantic islands. He was appointed for five years and ended up doing it for eight years.
Before the General Chapter, we welcomed three confreres from De Pere, and it was a real joy to have them stay with us. At the General Chapter, Fr Hugh was elected a Definitor of the Chapter. After the General Chapter, we had our community retreat which was given this year by a monk from Pluscarden Abbey.
Sadly, our oldest confrere, Fr Michael Gallagher, died at the end of August. In his life as a Norbertine and a priest, Fr Michael served the Church and the Order in several different ministries. In retirement, he lived with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Longsight, Manchester, and he died there on 26th August.
At the end of October, more structural problems surfaced with the church building and the west end gable of the roof and window were in danger of falling out. So, after rejoicing that scaffolding had come down after the south side of the church roof was finished, it had to go up again at the end of October and work began to replace parts of the roof that were in danger of falling out. Interestingly, part of the problem was the temporary repairs done after the church suffered during the Blitz in the Second World war. Some of the "ad hoc" repairs had caused more damage than the bombs. This then became a focus for fund raising and repairs. It sadly means a further delay in the renewal of the parish hall
At the beginning of November, Fr Gildas led a youth retreat at the abbey of Douai and continues his excellent work in psychological evaluation of candidates for different dioceses around the country.
The confreres enjoyed an advent day of recollection together led by Fr John Hemer. He is a Mill Hill father who has taught at the local seminary for many years. He gave us a beautiful day of reflection on the "O" antiphons.
Fr Stephen celebrated his tenth anniversary of ordination on 6th December. Friends gathered from near and far to thank God for his service and ministry.
At the beginning of February, confreres attended the annual Mass for Consecrated Life with the Archbishop. This year it was held at the Little Sisters of the Poor convent in Vauxhall, London. We have 62 convents of sisters and 21 men’s communities in south London, and it was a great blessing to come together for the day.
Fr Pius has now started teaching in the local seminary, Allen Hall. The seminarians enjoy his pearls of wisdom on the wonderful world of Canon Law.
At the end of March, Fr Hugh began a new task as Director of Mission for the Bishop's Conference in England in Wales. This new task means he has responsibility for the work of the Bishops Conference in pretty much every area of the churches work, except schools and finance! So, his department covers liturgy, catechesis, evangelisation, ecumenism and inter religious dialogue, vocations, marriage and family life, church buildings etc.
On Good Friday, the young people from the parish continued the tradition of an outside stations of the cross around the local streets. This year, our Archbishop came to support the young people in this powerful act of witness. Throughout the Triduum, we saw an overflowing church for all the celebrations.
Not long after Easter, the work on the West End Gable of the church was completed. A newly restored cross was placed at the pinnacle of the roof. A
very brave Fr Stephen ascended the scaffolding and blessed the new cross in situ.
We are looking forward to clothing our first novice in our new home soon.
• Caring for members of the Canonry
In common with many orders in Britain, the profile of the members of the Canonry varies from year to year as people come and go.
The Canonry has an obligation, both moral and legal, to care and provide for its members, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted a significant part of their lives to the care of others.
The Canonry pays a monthly fee to the Little Sisters of the Poor for the ongoing care of our eldest confrere. This ended at the end of august this year with the death of Fr Michael.
We have also continued to train men for the Catholic priesthood. We have one man training for the priesthood and after ordination he will continue with his studies. The Canonry is responsible for all his needs and costs.
• Parish and Pastoral duties
The main apostolates of the Canonry consist in serving the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham. In addition to this work, we also serve the local primary school and are "on-call" to the local Hospital when needed. One of the priests is also chaplain to St Thomas’s and Guys Hospital and the community support him in this important ministry.
The Parish work has involved visiting the sick in their homes, nursing homes and in hospital; in preparing couples for marriage; preparing parents for the baptism of their children; preparing enquirers for reception into the Church; counselling the bereaved and preparing for funerals.
Fr Gildas Parry is the chaplain to St Thomas’s and Guys Hospital, London.
Fr Pius Collins in addition to his work in the parish also works for the Diocesan Tribunal
Fr Hugh Allan is the Episcopal Vicar for Religious. He helps as an on-call chaplain to Kings Hospital. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of the Falkland Islands and Superior of the Mission sui juris of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. This mission concluded in July 2024.
Fr Stephen Morrison in addition to his duties as Parish Priest, is a chaplain to the Knights of Malta and organizes their Lourdes Pilgrimage.
• School and University Chaplaincy Work
Fr Stephen Morrison and Fr Gildas Parry at Governors of St Francis School, Peckham. Fr Stephen also says a weekly Mass for the school and provides pastoral support.
Fr Hugh Allan is a director of the Oscar Romero Trust (South East London Catholic Academies Trust).
Different members of the community have celebrated Mass for and supported the work of the university chaplaincy at Guys.
• Retreats and Spiritual Direction for other religious communities
Fr Hugh Allan fulfills duties as confessor to the nuns of Tyburn Convent and various other convents.
Fr Pius Collins is chaplain to Catholic Men UK.
Fr Hugh Allan, Fr Stephen Morrison, Fr Pius Collins and Fr Gildas Parry have all provided input for days of recollection and retreats in the local area and beyond.
Working with other organizations
The charity works with other charities and public bodies in the services they provide. In some instances, they are occasionally employed by these organisations, whilst in other instances the relationships are more informal. Examples of organizations for which the members of the Canonry have worked and with which they have co-operated during the year are as follows:
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark The Diocesan Tribunal Office The Vicariate for Religious in the Archdiocese of Southwark Bishop's Conference of England and Wales Southwark Borough Council Tyburn Convent Catenian Association Knights of St Columba Day with Mary St Francis Primary School, Peckham Alcoholics Anonymous A.I.C. Nigerian Association Ghanian Association Sierra Leone Association Catholic Youth of Peckham Peckham Youth Choir SELCAT Marriage Care Knights of Malta
Catholic Men UK Good Counsel Network The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham Parish foodbank Falkland Islands Government Falkland Island Conservation Society St Helena Government Ascension Island Government
Plans for the future
Various repairs and redecorating continue around the property.
The main focus for the site will be seeking to re-open the derelict parish hall. This will require a huge fund raising project.
We number eight members of our community.
We will soon have a novice in formation and have hopes for other men to join the community in coming years.
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Along with all other organisations that serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the Canonry serves. The trustees are committed to implementing all the policies and procedures of the Catholic Standards Safeguarding Agency (CSSA) and the RLSS. Safeguarding training is undertaken with the local Archdiocese.
Section E Financial Review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
-
(a) The trustees shall have power instead of applying any income of the Trust Fund for the aforesaid charitable purposes to employ the same in the creation of augmentation of any reserve or endowment fund or funds for providing by the income thereof for all or any of the said purposes but so that the Trustees shall be at liberty at any time or times to resort to the capital or any such fund for any of the said purposes.
-
(b) The Trustees shall also have power to appropriate or set aside any part or parts of the capital of the Trust Fund in the creation or augmentation of any such reserve or endowment fund.
-
(c) Any periodical payments or other monies or property of the nature of income which may be received by the Trustees whether under gift aid declarations or otherwise howsoever for the general purposes of this deed shall be treated as income of the Trust Fund.
Section F Other optional information
Trustees
As members of the Order, the Trustees' living expenses were borne by the Order, but the Trustees received no remuneration or other benefits in connection with their duties as Trustees during the year.
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
| Signed on | behalf of the charity’s trustees. |
|---|---|
| Signature | David Hugh Allan, o.praem. |
| Full Name | David Hugh Allan |
| Position | Prelate and Chairman of Trustees |
| Date | 26th March 2025 |
Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2025
Income
| Income | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas and Easter collections | 10,764.91 | |||||
| Donations | 106,108.06 | |||||
| Hospital Chaplaincy | 18,741.43 | |||||
| Interest Income | 1,999.80 | |||||
| Other Revenue | 100,682.35 | |||||
| Rental Income | 34,232.40 | |||||
| Standing Order Donations | 1,745.00 | |||||
| Stipends | 3,504.00 | |||||
| Stole Fees | 26,630.02 | |||||
| CAF Donations | 5,763.57 | |||||
| Refunds | 37,343.38 | |||||
| Supply | 2,217.66 | |||||
| Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2025 | ||||||
| Income | ||||||
| Christmas and Easter collections | 10,764.91 | |||||
| Donations | 106,108.06 | |||||
| Hospital Chaplaincy | 18,741.43 | |||||
| Interest Income | 1,999.80 | |||||
| Other Revenue | 100,682.35 | |||||
| Rental Income | 34,232.40 | |||||
| Standing Order Donations | 1,745.00 | |||||
| Stipends | 3,504.00 | |||||
| Stole Fees | 26,630.02 | |||||
| CAF Donations | 5,763.57 | |||||
| Refunds | 37,343.38 | |||||
| Supply | 2,217.66 | |||||
| Total In | 349,732.58 | |||||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Audit & Accountancy Fees | -757.20 | |||||
| Books | -1,696.21 | |||||
| Clothing | -2,099.71 | |||||
| Fr John Allowance | -2,674.22 | |||||
| Fr Richard Saksons | -1,452.40 | |||||
| General Expenses | -26,082.26 | |||||
| Health Care | -1,925.43 | |||||
| Household | -11,588.64 | |||||
| Insurance | -82.40 | |||||
| Investments | -14,977.20 | |||||
| It Software and Consumables | -684.97 | |||||
| Legal Expenses | -20,885.49 | |||||
| Litergy and Chapel | -1,250.78 | |||||
| Motor Vehicle Expenses | -20,032.72 | |||||
| Nursing Home Costs | -7,200.00 | |||||
| Postage, Freight & Courier | -1,099.68 | |||||
| Printing & Stationery | -1,327.85 | |||||
| Repairs & Maintenance | -380,365.10 | |||||
| Student fees & training | -9,494.80 | |||||
| Subscriptions | -3,043.48 | |||||
| Telephone & Internet | -1,681.00 | |||||
| Travel - International | -11,300.69 | |||||
| Travel - National | -12,729.30 | |||||
| Total Out | -534,431.53 | |||||
| Income - Expenditure | -184,698.95 | |||||
| Funded By:- | ||||||
Bank 1 Closing Balance |
52,816.02 | |||||
| Bank 2 Closing Balance | 79,561.45 | |||||
| Investment Closing Balance | 561,711.20 | 694,088.67 | ||||
| Less | ||||||
| Bank 1 Opening Balance | -51,082.15 | |||||
| Bank 2 Opening Balance | -250,645.28 | |||||
| Investment Opening Balance | -577,060.19 | -878,787.62 | ||||
| -184,698.95 | ||||||
| I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the | ||||||
| accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025. | J. L. Mooney |
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025. J. L. Mooney
Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2025
Income
| Income | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas and Easter collections | 10,764.91 | |||||
| Donations | 106,108.06 | |||||
| Hospital Chaplaincy | 18,741.43 | |||||
| Interest Income | 1,999.80 | |||||
| Other Revenue | 100,682.35 | |||||
| Rental Income | 34,232.40 | |||||
| Standing Order Donations | 1,745.00 | |||||
| Stipends | 3,504.00 | |||||
| Stole Fees | 26,630.02 | |||||
| CAF Donations | 5,763.57 | |||||
| Refunds | 37,343.38 | |||||
| Supply | 2,217.66 | |||||
| Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2025 | ||||||
| Income | ||||||
| Christmas and Easter collections | 10,764.91 | |||||
| Donations | 106,108.06 | |||||
| Hospital Chaplaincy | 18,741.43 | |||||
| Interest Income | 1,999.80 | |||||
| Other Revenue | 100,682.35 | |||||
| Rental Income | 34,232.40 | |||||
| Standing Order Donations | 1,745.00 | |||||
| Stipends | 3,504.00 | |||||
| Stole Fees | 26,630.02 | |||||
| CAF Donations | 5,763.57 | |||||
| Refunds | 37,343.38 | |||||
| Supply | 2,217.66 | |||||
| Total In | 349,732.58 | |||||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Audit & Accountancy Fees | -757.20 | |||||
| Books | -1,696.21 | |||||
| Clothing | -2,099.71 | |||||
| Fr John Allowance | -2,674.22 | |||||
| Fr Richard Saksons | -1,452.40 | |||||
| General Expenses | -26,082.26 | |||||
| Health Care | -1,925.43 | |||||
| Household | -11,588.64 | |||||
| Insurance | -82.40 | |||||
| Investments | -14,977.20 | |||||
| It Software and Consumables | -684.97 | |||||
| Legal Expenses | -20,885.49 | |||||
| Litergy and Chapel | -1,250.78 | |||||
| Motor Vehicle Expenses | -20,032.72 | |||||
| Nursing Home Costs | -7,200.00 | |||||
| Postage, Freight & Courier | -1,099.68 | |||||
| Printing & Stationery | -1,327.85 | |||||
| Repairs & Maintenance | -380,365.10 | |||||
| Student fees & training | -9,494.80 | |||||
| Subscriptions | -3,043.48 | |||||
| Telephone & Internet | -1,681.00 | |||||
| Travel - International | -11,300.69 | |||||
| Travel - National | -12,729.30 | |||||
| Total Out | -534,431.53 | |||||
| Income - Expenditure | -184,698.95 | |||||
| Funded By:- | ||||||
Bank 1 Closing Balance |
52,816.02 | |||||
| Bank 2 Closing Balance | 79,561.45 | |||||
| Investment Closing Balance | 561,711.20 | 694,088.67 | ||||
| Less | ||||||
| Bank 1 Opening Balance | -51,082.15 | |||||
| Bank 2 Opening Balance | -250,645.28 | |||||
| Investment Opening Balance | -577,060.19 | -878,787.62 | ||||
| -184,698.95 | ||||||
| I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the | ||||||
| accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025. | J. L. Mooney |
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025. J. L. Mooney