Friends of
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025
Association of the Friends of St Giles Church Cripplegate
Fore Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA Charity Registered in England & Wales number 247575
Working names
Friends of St Giles Cripplegate
President and Chair of the trustees
The Revd Canon Jack Noble
4 The Postern Barbican London EC2Y 8BJ
Treasurer
Kathryn Elsby 273 Lauderdale Tower London EC2Y 8BY
Independent Examiner
Robert Andrews 3 Sewards End, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9PB
Bankers
NatWest Bank Plc PO Box 712 94 Moorgate London EC2M 6XT
CCLA Investment Management Ltd Senator House
One Angel Lane London EC4R 3AB
Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Annual Report of the Trustees | 4 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 5 |
| Achievements and Performance | 5 |
| Financial report | 6 |
| Plans for the Future | 6 |
| Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 | 7 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 8 |
Annual Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Reference and administrative details can be found on the inside cover.
The trustees that have served during the year and up to the date of this report are:
Ex-officio members:
President and Chair of the trustees
Father Jack Noble...........................Rector, St Giles’ Church Cripplegate
Lorraine Mullins...............................Churchwarden, St Giles’ Church Cripplegate
Anne Marsden Thomas...................Director of Music, St Giles’ Church Cripplegate
Elected members:
Kathryn Elsby Treasurer Dr Brian Solomons Secretary Christine Whaite David Wakefield
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is constituted as an unincorporated association and was first registered on 8 June 1966. It is governed by the regulations set out in the Constitution and Rules that are registered with the Charity Commission. It is run by the trustees who are either ex-officio or elected annually by the Annual General Meeting of members. There is no restriction on the period that any member may serve as a trustee.
The trustees meet twice annually to set the objectives of the charity and to review performance.
Objectives and Activities
Background
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The Association, which was established in 1966, brings together those who have concern for the ancient parish and ward church of St Giles without Cripplegate in the City of London, to assist in preserving, maintaining and repairing the fabric of the church, and as the need arises to assist with renewing, repairing and enriching the furniture of the church and the organs; and to work for the general good of St Giles as a spiritual home of beauty and inspiration and as a centre of missionary outreach.
Activities
The Association currently has one main activity to maintain the three organs in St Giles Church which is regarded as a centre of musical excellence in the City of London.
The Association responds to other specific requests from St Giles’ Church as required.
Achievements and Performance
After a period of relative inactivity, in 2024 The Friends were asked by the Parochial Church Council of St Giles Cripplegate to assist with raising £200,000 needed for urgent restorations and improvements to the West End Gallery Organ.
At the annual meeting in April 2025 it was agreed that, apart from the money set aside for the labyrinth, all funds should be designated to organ restoration and ongoing maintenance. The Friends contributed substantially to the restoration of the gallery organ during the year.
Financial report
In March 2025, £30,000 was transferred to the PCC from existing reserves, including sale of the shares held in the CBF Investment Fund. During the year a further £63,110 has been raised for the organ project through donations, fundraising activities and grant applications.
Reserves policy
There is no formal reserves policy, but surplus funds not required for day-to-day expenditure are placed in Church of England funds managed by CCLA Investment Management Ltd.
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Plans for the Future
The trustees are committed to maintenance of the church’s chief assets, namely the three pipe organs. [What has happened to the £65,000 held in the organ project at the end of 2025. Was it used for further work on the organ or is it still being held? We should include details here] Further work is awaited on the gallery organ, for which further fundraising may be necessary.
There are currently no other projects envisaged.
Approved by the trustees on…………………… and signed on their behalf
The Revd Canon Jack Noble
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Independent examiner’s report
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Association of the Friends of St Giles Church Cripplegate
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Association of the Friends of St Giles Church Cripplegate (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2026.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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 Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records.
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:
Name: Robert Andrews MA, ACIB, FCIE
Address: 3 Sewards End, Wickford, Essex SS12 9PB
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Date: 8 May 2026
Relevant professional qualification:
Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners
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