## **Chair** ! **s Report March 2023 - March 2024** This has been more of a consolidating year for Friends. We have been establishing contacts and raising awareness of our aims and objectives. ## **a. New Trustee:** Our Trustees gave a warm welcome to David Prentice (EFC) and unanimously appointment him as one of Friends of Anfield’s Trustees. David’s experience includes: 36 years in Liverpool’ media - Echo and Daily Post - progressing to Chief Sports Writer, then Sports Editor of the Liverpool Echo. David was offered a job he couldn’t refuse: Communications Manager at Everton Football Club. David is a member of Everton Heritage Society and has written books about football and boxing. His knowledge, experience and advice will be invaluable. ## b **. Blitz War Memorial:** Liverpool’s Blitz War Memorial is beyond repair. LCC has invited Friends to replace the existing with a new design. Graham and John are following this up and are to seek funding. ## c **. Facebook:** We have over 1,000 Facebook followers now. ## **d. Find a Grave:** Our ‘thank you’ to Karan and Steve, who continue to respond to our ‘Find a Grave’ enquiries. ## **e. Information Boards:** Our two 6’ x 3’ information boards, informing the public about our aim to build an International Heritage and Visitor Centre were erected in the cemetery grounds, with one (on the ex Church of England site) needing securing after sustained strong winds. ## f **. National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Application:** Friends submitted an unsuccessful £250k National Lottery bid in November. It was strongly supported by Hope University, local schools, charities and Walter Fong, a representative of the Chinese Community. Moira and John of the Sound Agents were also present. All confirmed their support and sent letters of commitment. The bid contained 8 mini projects. A revised application is to be submitted later in 2024. ## **g. Pre Planning Advice:** Two pieces of advice were received in response to our Pre Planning Advice application - (i) employ a Planning Consultant and (ii) an Arboretum Impact Assessment (AIA) would need to be submitted with any Planning Application as there are some trees close to the proposed build. The removal of any trees would need a mitigation plan. Bids for compiling and submitting a Planning Application with the necessary requirements for a Grade II* cemetery were sort. Friends will need to raise approx £50k. It includes the services of Mark Kitts (ex LCC Director of Development) with whom we’ve established an excellent relationship over the years. Mark has also offered to be part of our Team when we submit our Lottery Stages One and Two bids. The former is for pre-build work and the latter is for the build. Alan Smith, LCC’s Heritage Lead, also offered to join our Team. As part of a Stage One bid, we will need LCC to provide a letter of support for the Asset Transfer of the South Chapel from LCC to Friends, if Lottery funding was secured. ## **h. Central Site for Friends’ Essential Literature:** A ‘Trustee access only’ website for Friends’ essential literature still needs attention. ## **i. Growing up in Anfield Cemetery:** Karan, Cathie and Tom met Arthur, Joy and Arthur’s sister. Karan gave a brilliant account of Arthur’s memories having put them in writing for our archives. Arthur lived on site with his parents during his youth. j. **Rededication:** EFC Heritage Society (via Jamie) arranged a rededication ceremony for Thomas Keates (1850 - 1928). Thomas was an EFC Director and Everton’s first official historian. After the rededication, Friends representatives attended a gathering with EFC’s Heritage Society members in the Isla Gladstone. **k. St Vincent’s School** for the visually impaired and other issues were given a cemetery tour. They produced booklets with large fonts and in braille, presenting them to Friends. They resisted the War Memorial where they laid photos and flowers of two children buried there. Relatives of the children also attended. The booklets were circulated at our meeting. ## **l. The Cabbage Hall Hotel:** The Cabbage Hall Hotels’ willingness to open their doors at 10:00 on Saturday mornings to allow us to hold our meetings to take place should not go without a ‘ Thank you’ and it would be fitting if our Secretary write to The Cabbage Hall to thank them on our behalf. ## **Graham Marshall (Chair) Date** **G Marshall 13th July 2024** ## **Friends of Anfield** ## **Treasurer’s Statement March 31st 2023 - March 31st 2024** ## **Bank Account** **2023 - 2024 IN OUT** Balance brought forward £2,464.21 Trustee Expenses £0 Donations £584.71 Insurance £90 Subscriptions £0 Website Hosting £140 **Balance to be Carried Forward £2,818.92** **NOTE - The balance carried forward is held in reserve for Friends’ future insurance, activities, commitments and unexpected costs.** **Treasurer: Date: Audited by: Date: Cathie Bradburn 8th July 2024 Jane Little-Smith 8th July 2024**