The Friends AGM Annual Report 2024
I’m very pleased to report to The Friends that the Minster continues to thrive, with significant growth in events and visitors, and consequently financial stability. All this comes about because large numbers of people have put in a huge amount of time and energy, to enable the Minster to become the place it now is, many of whom are active Friends of the Minster.
Ministry continues to evolve, much of which is either in response to the needs of the community around us or strategically to be found in the Minster’s Strategic Plan. New day chaplains responding to pastoral encounter are beginning to make themselves present, supporting both volunteers and paid staff, during opening hours of the Minster. Chaplaincy towards others institutions in the town and with a focus particularly on 16-19 education, has seen Chaplaincy beginning to flourish at both Trinity Sixth Form Academy and Calderdale College, both of whom are now regularly using the Minster, and some young people worshipping here midweek. Before the summer we appointed Charles Murray as the new Director of Choral Music, who is already making his mark across the music department in very positive ways. The Choir had a marvellous tour of Normandy, singing in some of those enormous gothic Cathedrals including Coustance and Bayeux. Schools continue to visit as we support learning communities in their delivery of the national curriculum, including 5 Ordinands from the College of the Resurrection Mirfield, on a two week mission last May. This year will see the largest programme in December on record, which will crescendo towards Christmas Day, when we shall broadcast live to the nation on BBC ONE in the morning Sung Eucharist.
The Friends are particularly interested in the fabric of the Minster, and like the forth bridge we continue to work around the building with a yearly programme of works. This year has seen significant work on the Harrison organ, including the replacement of new pipes on the Mixture, unheard since 1968! The nave floor is having some much needed repointing, alongside the replacement of lead flashing on the Southside, and the rebedding of pinnacles on the south porch. The Minster has a new baby grand piano following a legacy from a former chorister which is already being well used. The Friends have helped to match fund much of this work, for which the Minster is hugely grateful, as we continue to be wise stewards of this great heritage in our care.
And now looking to the future: the Minster Development Board has been meeting regularly throughout the year. This brings together the Minster Council, the Friends and the 900 Trust – all three charitable organisations that support the work of the Minster. Andrew Nunn, former Dean of Southwark is writing a Liturgical plan which maps out how the building has in the past and is now used for worship. Last Easter I launched a small appeal to raise some £16,000 to enable us to commission a Conservation Management Plan, which will map out the history of the building and its significant parts. We are still slightly short of our target, and I’m determined to get this commissioned before the year is out! This then leaves us to finally begin work on our Sustainability Plan, which will shape how we will
progress in terms on reducing our carbon footprint, and importantly how we shall replace our heating system with something that keeps us warm and is environmentally appropriate. The cost for the Plan is £37,000 before we do anything at all! The Development Board is putting in place these strategic documents which will then enable the Minster to move forward with many of the projects on our wish list, including new heating, relighting the building, reordering the West End, and dare I say, re-examining the whole issue of toilets with our new architect.
This is deliberately a very upbeat report for The Friends, as there is much to be proud of and so much in recent years has been achieved. Whilst many churches around us face closure, the Minster is currently thriving, and we thank God for his blessing and his guidance.
Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar of Halifax Minster
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS - PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND
| RECEIPTS Dividends and Income from Stocks and Shares Building Society Interest Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund Interest CCLA Interest Adjustment Central Board of Finance and Building Society Balances as at 31/03/25 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 HSBC Bank plc Treasures Account Leeds Building Society Accounts (See Separate Sheet) Central Board of Finance SHARE HOLDINGS AT MARKET VALUE 31/03/25 155 Ordinary Shares Nat West Group (RBS) 346 Ordinary Shares Relx plc 389 Class B Ordinary Shares Shell |
2025 £ 820 70 499 177 1,566 90,457 General Purpose Fund 1,558 921 87,978 90,457 @ £4.51 @ £38.73 @ £27.86 Endownm |
|---|---|
2024 £
615 3 594 1,212
68,857
Permanent ment Fund
1,450 13,152 14,602
£700 13,401 £10,839 £39,542
THE FRIENDS OF HALIFAX MINSTER (Charity number 1106122)
Independent examination of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of Halifax Minster (the Friends) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Friends you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Friends as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Alan Steers
Name: Alan Stears
Date: 17 August 2025