## **The Friends of the Moot Hall Organ** 

## Chair’s Report 31[st] March 2025 

Sadly this is a very brief Report. The repairs to the Moot Hall ceiling proceeded slowly at first then, once the scaffolding, which filled the hall like a spider’s web, was installed early in 2025 it all speeded up. I was a little disappointed that there was a failure to keep The Friends informed regarding the timetable and, indeed, the protection afforded to the organ itself. The initial promise to seek advice from Harrison & Harrison on the latter fell by the wayside as fresh project leads took over. Eventually in the autumn it was agreed that an H&H tuner would be allowed in, who reported that it was in fine fettle, so my worries were unfounded! A subsequent visit in February also showed that there were no basic issues with the organ, virtually two years after the hall was closed. Later in March Michael Vernon and I were allowed in to see how it was faring; and it was again in an acceptable condition. 

That’s the organ! ‘The Friends’ organisation has obviously been in a similar state, that is to say just ticking over. Despite my strenuous efforts, including advertising on a local charities organisation website, we are still without a treasurer. I had picked up the reins and claimed Gift Aid from HMRC for the three previous tax years amounting to £2522.31 and in December we opened an interest paying account at the Co-op Bank with a deposit of £8000. 

The Trustees decided late in 2024 that we would revamp the website. It was nearly four years old and needed a refresh. We agreed to ask Stonehouse Communications, who created  the  current  site,  for  a  quotation  which  was  £1104  inc  VAT.  This  work  is underway. 

I have endeavoured to keep the members up to date through the year via emails and we also have a number of supporters thar receive emailed news too. 

I wrote in last year’s Report that the City Council were undertaking a review of their assets and wondered where that would take us. We did not have an answer in this year but will undoubtedly hear more about it in 2025-6. 

Finally may I thank my fellow trustees for their advice and encouragement and you all for your stalwart support in these challenging times. 



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