Friends of Anfield’s Chair’s Report - April 2024 - 2025
We continue to consolidate ‘Friends’, establishing contacts and raising awareness of our aims and objectives.
a. New Trustee:
Our Trustees gave a warm welcome to Linda McDermott and unanimously appointment her as one of Friends of Anfield’s Trustees. Linda is an English radio presenter and former broadcast journalist from Liverpool, best known for her Late Night Show on Liverpool Live Radio and previously BBC Radio Merseyside.
She has worked as a journalist and reporter for the Liverpool Echo. As a presenter, she
has presented other shows such as Morning Merseyside for a number of years. Linda trained with the Army for one week, in which she was given the role of Major. She has interviewed the likes of Oprah Winfrey. In 2008, Linda broadcast live for three hours in storm force seas during the 50th Battle of the Atlantic commemorations and also hosted coverage of the Tall Ships parade in the same year. She has hosted shows on BBC Radio 5 Live and previously written and narrated documentaries for the National Geographic’s Discovery Chanel.
In 2017, Linda was awarded a Liverpool Citizen Of Honour for her work at BBC Radio Merseyside and elected only the second woman President in the 138-year history of the Liverpool Press Club.
b. Blitz War Memorial:
LCC have verbally given their support for the replacement of Anfield Cemetery’s Liverpool Blitz Memorial: now ‘beyond repair’.
c. Facebook:
We have over 1,000 Facebook followers now.
d. Find a Grave:
Our ‘thank you’ to Karan, who continues to respond to our ‘Find a Grave’ enquiries.
e. Information Boards:
One of our two 6’ x 3’ information boards, informing the public about our aim to build an International Heritage and Visitor Centre was damaged in sustained high winds and is now secure thanks to Terry.
f. National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Application:
A new NLHF bid is being compiled. Discussions with Hope University, People First, St Francis de Sales, Positive Futures, Maricourt High School, St Vincent’s School for the visually impaired, the Chinese Community and others are being pursued.
g. Possible New Patron:
Through the ‘good offices’ of Professor Brennan, Hope University are considering becoming one of our Patrons.
h. Pre Planning Advice:
We have Pre-Planning Advice about our Heritage Centre build and LCC have recently included Anfield Cemetery’s South Chapel (the focus of our ‘Centre’ on their Asset Transfer list. We now need to raise £40k - £50k for a Planning Application. More information can be found on last year’s Chair’s Report. Letters requesting financial support have been sent to three of our Patrons: EFC, LFC and Steve Rotheram (Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.
After a meeting with Catherine McNeil, LCC offered to invite various LCC Departments to join a Working Party to forward Friends’ Heritage Centre project. The intention is to discuss such things as Community Asset Transfer, strengthening Friends’ management team, Planning Application, future funding and in-kind support from LCC. These help to address Kate Kendal’s (National Lottery Heritage Fund area representative), ‘What else, other than an Asset Transfer are LCC prepared to do?’ Anton of The Reader Group has agreed to consider a partnership with Friends for the catering side of our Heritage Centre.
i. Central Site for Friends ’ Essential Literature:
A ‘Trustee access only’ website for Friends’ essential literature still needs attention.
j. Meeting Venues:
We now have a choice of the Crem Chapel and the Cabbage Hall Hotel in which to hold our meetings. Our ‘ Thank you’ to Alan Sheldon and the Cabbage Hall for allowing us to do so.
k. Storage Container:
Alan is organising an on-site storage container for Friend’s tools and equipment.
l. Dyno-rod Volunteers:
As part of their community volunteering scheme, a team from Dyno-rod spent a whole day applying wood preservative to our Heritage Boards, cleaning around the South Chapel and unblocking its drains. They purchased the materials and did a fantastic job.
m. Clock Tower
We still need funding to reinstate the a clock in the clock tower.
n. insurance:
We have insurance cover (APPROX £90 / YEAR) for tours but not for any physical work within the cemetery; this includes litter collections and gardening. Alan confirmed that LCC can not help. If / when we include the above in our activities our insurance cover will be in the region of £180.
o. Dog Fouling:
Alan agreed to see how the situation can be improved.
p.
The £30k plus Anfield Cemetery Conservation Management Plan produced by Purcell’s (approx 2021) has not been passed by LCC.
q. Enhanced DBS:
If people wish to become an Anfield Cemetery Tour Guide they will need an EDBS. It simply means visiting gov.uk and filling in the application form. It is free to volunteers.
Graham Marshall (Chair) Date: 24th May 2025
Friends of Anfield
Treasurer’s Statement March 31st 2024 - March 31st 2025 Bank Account 2024 - 2025 IN OUT Balance brought forward £2,818.92 Trustee Expenses £0 Donations £25 Insurance £0 Subscriptions £20 Website Hosting £140 Balance to be Carried Forward £2,683.92
NOTE - The balance carried forward is held in reserve for Friends’ future insurance, activities, commitments and unexpected costs. Treasurer: Date: Audited by: Date: