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Friends’ Annual Report 2025 Supporting Suffolk’s Cathedral since 1942

ANNUAL FESTIVAL THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2025

The Council of the Friends have been giving a great deal of thought to the format of the Annual Festival Day, and it is “ all change” for 2025!

5.30 pm Evensong with the Cathedral Choir in The Nave

6.15pm Our AGM in Pilgrims Kitchen chaired by Bishop Graham
6.45pm Supper in Pilgrims Kitchen with a musical interlude featuring our Assistant Director of Music Richard Cook and Natalie Werner , Vicar Choral.

We are very keen to showcase our excellent choir led by our new Director of Music, Claudia Grinnell , and give those of you who have not had the chance to eat at Pilgrims’ Kitchen the opportunity to do so.

Please apply for tickets using the booking form enclosed.

For further information contact Friends Director Sue Cockram 01284 766688 or sue@cockram.net

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PATRON

This is my final message to you all as Lord Lieutenant, as I retire next spring.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who contributes to the life and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Your

generosity, dedication, and unwavering support – whether through your time, talents or financial gifts – are truly invaluable.

The Holy Father has designated 2025 as the year we celebrate our own pilgrimage of Hope. I personally have been hugely honoured with The Order of St Edmund. Your commitment ensures that this scared space continues to flourish as a beacon of hope for all who enter.

Thank you for the wonderful things that Sue Cockram and the Friends’ Council achieve in an effort to bring

the community into the Cathedral to serve, grow and celebrate together in the spirit of faith and fellowship.

With my warmest best wishes,

Clare, Countess of Euston HM Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

2024-5 has been a year of departures, arrivals and new opportunities; a seismic amount of change for the cathedral which has brought that blend of sadness, excitement, a burst of creativity, as well as the uncertainty which accompanies times of transition .

The departure of two bishops, an Archdeacon, two Residentiary Canons, a Director of Music, a curate was always going to be challenging. Bishops Martin and Mike, Canons Michael Robinson and Philip Banks, Archdeacon Rhiannon, Rev'd Anita, and Tim Parsons have all filled the cathedral with prayer, wise words, glorious music. All have contributed in their time with wisdom insight energy and laughter. We have been blessed by their ministry.

What felt at some stages in 2024 like a farewell service every week, followed swiftly by journeys to London, Exeter, Canterbury, Wells to see them variously installed, enthroned, consecrated… it was at times dizzying, filled with pride that the wider Church had recognised what we in Suffolk had cherished for a while, and sadness to see them go.

But vacancy brings the excitement of new arrivals. Our delight in being able to attract new talent has brought a renewed excitement to the cathedral. Claudia Grinnell our new-ish Director of Music, and although it shouldn't be a matter of note to point out with pride the first woman to fill this post at St Edmundsbury, when you add our new Canon Theologian and Chapter member, Dr Victoria Johnson, our newly appointed Canon Precentor, Katy Cunliffe, and our new (and first ever, thanks to the Church Commissioners) Chief Finance Officer, Caroline Rouse, you might be able to understand why I joyfully thumb my nose at John Knox and hail 'A Magnificent regiment of women'!

On Maundy Thursday last year, we received the joyful news that we had been successful in our development stage application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for our Project; 'The Abbey of St Edmund reborn.'

This exciting and bold vision will:

conserve the Abbey ruins,
unite the site with a new network of pathways and signage,
create a heritage welcome centre using cathedral buildings fronting Angel Hill, completing the west range of cloister buildings at the same time,
develop an exciting programme of activities and learning especially for those who currently do not access the site and those vulnerable and in special need,
enhance the biodiversity of the site through planting and management of green spaces and the rare chalk streams Lark and Linnet.
develop partnerships and pilgrimage links throughout the county and nationally.

It will cost £10 million, nearly £7 million of which will be provided by the NLHF if we are successful at the delivery phase application at the end of February 2026.

At the moment, a raft of consultants are developing the brief; everything from architecture to interpretation design, activity planning, archaeology, the business plan and conservation management plans.

The meetings are relentless and exhilarating, the amount we have to raise to match the NLHF commitment is daunting - nearly £2.4 million, but the pledges to date have been extremely encouraging, moving and humbling even.

I am so grateful for the ongoing support of The Friends of the Cathedral, who both support the enhancement and equipping of the cathedral building, but perhaps just as much for the wisdom, support, encouragement and thoughtfulness of Diana, Sue and the Council.

As we move forward with the plans, prepare to welcome new Bishops, a new colleague and new ways to serve our town, diocese and county, I feel greatly blessed in the Friends who so love our cathedral and our county and whose support, your support, is so essential.

Thank you all for everything you do for St Edmundsbury!

Dean Joe

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes Dean of St Edmundsbury

INTRODUCING THE CATHEDRAL’S DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, CLAUDIA GRINNELL:

I joined the Cathedral in August 2024 following in the footsteps of Tim Parsons who is now at Wells Cathedral. I have received such a warm welcome and have enjoyed meeting so many of you over the past few months, and I look forward to getting to know you all better as time goes by.

My church music journey started in a small village in Shropshire when I was 9 and I was invited to join the church choir. It was noticed that I could play the piano and had long enough legs to reach the organ pedals! I had organ lessons at St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton, where I also sang and experience choir tours – the last and best being to Salisbury Cathedral, where I was able to return after studying at Peterhouse as an Organ Scholar for three years.

Before moving to Bury St Edmunds, I spent seven years on the music staff at Winchester Cathedral and teaching organ at Winchester College. In the last two years I led the Cathedral Girls’ Choir celebrating 25 years since their founding in May last year.

So now I am here! The first few months have been enormously busy and rewarding getting to know the choirs and my fellow members of staff. It has been very busy with many different services, concerts and the special; musical farewell to Bishop Martin - I do not know how some of the little choristers managed to hold onto the towering stack of music! We are looking forward to lots more exciting music as the choir year goes on.

Thank you for all you do to support the musical life of the Cathedral – it is much appreciated by us all.

Claudia Grinnell

Director of Music

THE ABBEY OF ST EDMUND, REBORN JAMES MELLUISH, PROJECT MANAGER

The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn is our £9.9m project to restore the Abbey ruins, expand and improve the footpath network, create a new West Cloister and build a visitor centre in the listed buildings facing the town’s main public space.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the lead partner, and we are working with West Suffolk Council and English Heritage to deliver this project for the town and county. The project is supported with a development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

We are undertaking this project for many reasons.

On a local level, we want to unite – for the first time in hundreds of years – the Abbey, Cathedral and Town so that our local economy is amplified on a scale not possible until now and our local communities can enjoy this wonderful resource for generations to come.

On a county-wide level, we wish to bring huge benefits throughout Suffolk by working with cultural partners – such as West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Sutton Hoo and the Food Museum – to develop inspiring visitor journeys through our richly textured landscape.

And on a national level, we wish to energise the old pilgrimage pathways through Suffolk to the shrine of Saint Edmund.

In doing all of this, we will be reaching out to all our communities – not just the ones who already know us and engage with us (such as our very important Friends) but also to those who might like to come here but find the barriers are too overwhelming. There will be welcome and events and activities and learning programmes and volunteering opportunities for everyone - and we do mean everyone.

We are working hard with our consultants (architects, interpretation designers, archaeologists, business planners, activity planners, conservation planners and many more) to develop the project to RIBA 3 by early 2026, when we will apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for our delivery grant of £6.7million.

By that time, we will need to have raised £2.5million in match funding. If we are successful in all of that, delivery of the project will begin late summer 2026 with the aim of completing it by the end of 2029.

For projects updates and to download a brochure please go to www.stedscathedral.org/abbey-st-edmund

James Mellish Project Manager

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FROM THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Since I started being Secretary and then Membership Secretary of the Friends some years ago, I have been pleased to meet so many of you at events, trips or annual gatherings. Your enthusiasm and support for the Cathedral is very much appreciated.

You will be pleased to know that subscription rates have remained stable for the last few years and are still extremely good value at £15 per person or £25 for a couple. If you wanted to make a one-off payment and become a life member that is also available with prices starting from as little as £100 for individuals over 65 - details can be found on the Cathedral Website stedscathedral.org - search for the word Friends and you will find a link to our page with a flyer and application form.

Why not encourage a friend of yours to support our wonderful Cathedral by giving them a Friends subscription for a year? The Director, Sue Cockram, will send a letter of welcome and they will receive an annual report and invites via email to talks, events, trips and holidays.

Subscriptions may be paid by cheque or standing order, and cheque renewals can be posted for my attention to The Membership Secretary, The Friends of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Cathedral Office, Abbey House, Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LS

We do now offer BACS transfers directly into our account for one off events such as Quirky talks, holiday or trips payments - we just ask that you contact me when you have done this so that I can check with our bank that payment has been received.

You can contact me on 01284 716499 or via email at friends@stedscathedral.org

Looking forward to seeing many of you again in 2025.

Louise Martin

Membership Secretary

OUR QUIRKY TALK WITH BUNNY CAMPIONE (MARCH 2025)

Over 100 friends joined The Friends’ Council Fundraising team for the latest in our series of Quirky Talks, at Lavenham Village Hall back in March.

Bunny Campione, long time and much loved presenter of the BBC TV series, The Antiques Roadshow kept people amused and interested about how she first got involved with the world

of antiques and how she

went on to host the famous BBC 1 series and become an expert buying and selling all types of antiques on behalf of clients.

There was much laughter as stories of her escapades were passed on to the audience and these were followed by a very lively question and answer session.

As always everyone enjoyed a delicious homemade tea following the talk.

We hope to have encouraged some new members to join us!

Nella Probert

“PEEPING THROUGH THE CURTAIN”

Come and join us for the sixth of our “Quirky Talks” in Drinkstone, on Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 2.15pm.

We are delighted that Retired Colonel Howard Stephens has agreed to come and share with us stories of the time he spent behind the Iron Curtain – he will describe intelligence gathering – some amusing, some slightly more bizarre events just after the Cold War. The afternoon will conclude with a delicious homemade tea. There is plenty of parking available and we look forward to seeing you all there – do bring your Friends!

For further information contact Friends Director Sue Cockram 01284 766688 or sue@cockram.net

VISITING GREAT YARMOUTH

We had a marvellous day at Great Yarmouth arranged by Art and Sue Tanner. It was a revelation! Sad though that more were not with us – was that because of driving to, or because, it was Great Yarmouth – by repute?

The Minster of St Nicholas was a huge must. The Nave is almost square because the North and South Aisles are wider than the Nave! In the Middle Ages and per 1539 a huge number of Guilds had chapels in them. Excellent revenue for the Church.

During the Blitz it took a direct hit and other than the walls all was gone. Come 1945/46 should they do a Coventry or rebuild? The latter was chosen – and hey pesto Stephen Dykes-Bower did the job! Even to the chandeliers! An earlier version of ours but not as beautiful or elegant. The Organ is beautifully painted, twice the height of ours. They need £250,000 to repair this. Dykes-Bower’sstained glass is fabulous – breathtaking! The side chapels are like our Lady Chapel and Edmund Chapel but almost more magnificent. Well worth a visit.

After lunch we went to the “ Time & Tide” Museum which gave the history of the fishing industry – fascinating and once again well worth a visit. We drove past the Winter Gardens on the Prom – when fully restored (£40 million) it will be a wonder of the country!

John Robson

HOLIDAY TO GUILDFORD AND PORTSMOUTH

We left Bury early on 2 September meeting up with previous Friends’ Travelers and settled into our spacious coach. The first stop was Guildford Cathedral where the Friends welcomed us with coffee and a book about the Cathedral – it is a light spacious modern building. Unfortunately, we did not have a tour because the organ was being tuned, and it was very loud!!

We then travelled on to Compton, a Victorian Artists Village founded in the 1890s by George & Mary Watts. The buildings, galleries and studios are still used today as the founders had intended. We enjoyed lunch in a marquee and then back on the coach to Portsmouth and our Hotel. Art and Sue did their usual puzzles to keep our brains active – this time it was limericks!

On our first morning in Portsmouth, we visited the Mary Rose to see the wreck of this incredible ship and all the fascinating belongings of the sailors, we were there for several hours and still didn’t see everything! Alongside the Mary Rose was HMS Victory and further out an enormous aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth , both proudly flying the White Ensign. The rest of the day was spent exploring Portsmouth.

Our final day saw us in Chichester Cathedral and received another warm welcome from their Friends, giving coffee and a guided tour. The Cathedral is surrounded by beautiful gardens and after lunch we walked through them to return to our coach to start our journey home. Arriving back at Ram Meadow at 6.15pm, tired but we had seen a great deal in three days!

We had a splendid driver, Kevin, and of course Art and Sue kept us going, mentally and physically, our grateful thanks go to them for organising another successful Friends’ holiday.

Pat House

PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE FRIENDS IN RECENT YEARS

2011	Grant towards display cases in new Treasury	20,000
2012	Contribution towards casting of the 13th bell	2,000
	Contribution towards rewiring of lights in the Lady Chapel	1,250
2013	Contribution towards Bishop’s Crozier Case	2,000
	Contribution towards cost of South Aisle roof repairs	5,000
2014	Grant towards book survey in Ancient Library	800
	Cost of new Altar linen	300
	Repair to Bishop’s Crozier and cost of new microphone	622
2015	Contribution towards West End Refurbishment and grant	10,020
	for repair of the Jubilee Cross
2016	First contribution towards Bishops’ & Deans’ Stone	2,000
2017	Further contribution towards Bishops’ & Deans’ Stone	3,000
	Contribution towards new hymn books	1,200
	Contribution towards cleaning Reynolds Memorials and	1,000
	West End window
2018	Contribution to the WW1 work on Clerestory Windows and	2,716
	library roof repairs
	Altar Frontal and Dossal for The Lady Chapel	7,525
	Final contribution towards Bishops’ & Deans’ Stone	600
2019	Restoration of Ancient Library books	1,000
2020	Contribution to Abbey Millennium Anniversary Stone	5,000
	AV equipment for livestreaming of Services	1,400
2022	Restoration of_The Infant St John with A Lamb_by	750
	J. W. Guillod (1850)
	Contribution towards new chairs for the Nave	50,000
2023	Coffin trestles	2500
	Bishop of Dunwich Crozier Display Case	5465
2024	Lady Chapel icon	1200
	Lady Chapel communion table	500
	Restoration of books in Ancient Library	1000
2025	Contribution towards equipment for moving Nave chairs	4000

TRANSFERRING SHARES TO THE FRIENDS

It is a fact that individuals can get income tax relief on the value of their donations to charity of quoted shares and securities. This is especially useful to any donor who is a higher or top rate taxpayer.

For instance: a 40% taxpayer would receive a relief of £4,000 on a donation of £10,000. Effectively, the donation would have cost £6,000. Moreover, potential capital gains tax on a disposal is avoided as it is a gift to a charity.

If you would like to make a donation to the Friends via share transfer, please contact the Director.

LEGACIES

It is a straightforward matter to make a bequest to support our work. The following wording will enable you to make a bequest in our favour.

“ I give (state the sum in words and in figures) to The Friends of St. Edmundsbury Cathedral (Charity No 262815), Cathedral Office, Abbey House, Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1LS and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer of the charity shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my Trustees”.

If a will is altered at a later date, the legacy can form a codicil to the will, and provided the codicil is signed by the donor in the presence of two independent witnesses and dated, it may be kept as an attachment to the original will by the solicitor.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

We are always keen to welcome new Friends from across the Diocese and beyond. Please feel free to expand the membership by inviting a colleague or friend to join.

Friends annual subscription is set at £15 per person or £25 per couple at the same address.

Life membership rates

Corporate Membership, open to Church Councils, Schools, Clubs and Private Groups, is an annual minimum subscription of £25 . Corporate Membership for Registered Businesses is £75 per annum.

FRIENDS OF ST. EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL

Agenda for the 83rd Annual General Meeting

6.30 pm Thursday 12 June 2025 in the Pilgrims’ Kitchen

Welcome and Prayers
Apologies
Appointment and reappointment of Officers and Council Members
Minutes of the last AGM (6 July 2024) enclosed
Matters Arising
Dean’s Report
Director’s Report enclosed
Presentation of the Accounts enclosed
Appointment and Ratification of Independent Examiner
Any Other Business **
** Any items for Any Other Business to be notified to the Director by 6 June 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Legal structure

The Friends are an un-incorporated charity, number 262815, operating with a constitution adopted on the 20 June 1942 and amended on 22 July 1972.

The trustees meet three times a year with the day-to-day operation of the charity delegated to the Director, Secretary and Treasurer.

Objects

To support and encourage the Dean and Chapter in their work and to add to the fabric and beauty of the Cathedral by contributing towards its restoration, maintenance and

improvements as a token of the gratitude which the people of Suffolk, and others, owe to Almighty God.

Trustees

The trustee body consists of the following ex office trustees: The President, Deputy President, The Dean, The Canon Pastor, Director, Secretary, Treasurer and the Cathedral Wardens.

The trustee body includes up to 9 trustees elected to represent the Archdeaconries.

Public benefit

In planning the Friends activities for the year, the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit at the trustees’ meetings.

FRIENDS OF ST. EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL

Registered Charity 262815 Established 1942

Patron

The Lord Lieutenant of the County of Suffolk

President

The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles Acting Diocesan Bishop Deputy President

Vacant

Vice President Mr Robert Rous. DL, Vice Lord Lieutenant of the County of Suffolk Director Mrs Susan Cockram

FRIENDS’ COUNCIL

Chairman: Mrs Diana Hunt JP DL

Members

Mr Ian Brookman FCA (Hon Treasurer) Miss Alison Evans Mr Neville Horn Mrs Lucinda Hutson MVO DL Ms Louise Martin Mr Tom McKenney Mr Stephen Miles DL Mrs Nella Probert Mrs Sue Rawlinson Mrs Alice Sheepshanks Miss Jill Taylor

Ex-Officio

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes Dean of St Edmundsbury The Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon Sub Dean and Canon Pastor The Reverend Canon Katy Cunliffe Precentor Mrs Barbara Pycraft and Mrs Terry Stark Cathedral Wardens

MINUTES OF THE 82ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF ST EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL HELD ON SATURDAY 6TH JULY 2024

Our Patron Clare Countess of Euston, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Suffolk was in attendance.

In the absence of the Bishop of Dunwich, Diana Hunt, chair of the Council of Friends, chaired the meeting.

Sue Cockram (Director), Ian Brookman (Treasurer) and Canon Philip Banks (Representing the Dean) and 46 Friends were present

Apologies were received from the Dean and 36 Friends.

Lady Clare welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their continuing support for the fabric of the Cathedral and the staff, clergy and volunteers who carry out the work of the Cathedral. She added that the Friends organisation is the constant presence which ensures a continuity in the care of the fabric.

The Chairman asked Canon Philip to open the meeting with a prayer and reflection.

The Chairman apologised for her presence in the place of Bishop Mike and explained that he had contracted Covid and was isolating himself at home. The meeting wished him a speedy and complete recovery.

Appointments . The Director and Treasurer having consented to stand for election were duly re-elected unanimously: Alison Evans proposed, and Stephen Miles seconded Sue Cockram and Jill Taylor proposed and Alison Evans seconded Ian Brookman

Minutes of AGM 2023 The Chairman apologised to the meeting and reported that the Minutes of 2023 could not be found. She reminded the meeting that the purpose of Minutes is to record

decisions and demonstrate that the organisation is being properly managed in accordance with the law and the charities objectives with special reference to money dealings. She assured the meeting that not only the accounts for last year (that is the transactions for 2022) but also the Dean’s Report, the Director’s Report and all Friends activities, were set out in last year’s Annual Report, which was sent to every Friend, so that all that is missing from the record is the names of those who attended. She said that the Treasurer was present and very happy to answer any questions relating to the accounts of 2022. There were no questions on the accounts or anything else.

Dean’s Report In the absence of the Dean this was delivered by Canon Philip.

National Heritage Lottery Fund application has entered its development phase with an initial grant of £750,000 being used over the next two years to progress the project “The Abbey of St Edmund and a Millennium of English History in West Suffolk”. The Cathedral is the lead partner with Suffolk County Council, English Heritage and other heritage groups. The main objects of the project are to attract more visitors and enable a better and more thorough understanding of the Abbey and the Cathedral. Interpreting the Abbey Ruins and seeking to make their site and that of the Cathedral more permeable will be key as will the development of a pilgrim’s route to include both sites and the wider county. It is hoped that after two years the full grant of £6.7m will be released. It is inevitable that this project will impact on the workloads of all who work at the Cathedral and with the departure of the Precentor in September, more will devolve to those who remain.

Engaging with the Diocese. There have been several notable special services during the year: 80th Remembering D Day, 40th Anniversary of St Nicholas Hospice, 50 Years of Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, and Celebrating 30 years of Women Priests.

Because the Cathedral is neutral ground it aims to affirm the work of charities throughout the County.

Chaplain to the High Sheriff. The Precentor holds this office for a year and considers it enables him, via local charities, to assist those existing on the fringes of society thereby helping them to avoid entanglement with the criminal justice system.

Worship. The Director of Music, Tim Parsons is moving to Wells in August, but it is hoped that all his good work will be developed by the new Director, Claudia Grinnell who takes up her post in August and has already visited the Cathedral. Fresh Expressions Worship 9.00am each Sunday is for all ages, a Communion Service is growing in popularity. The Communion Table, funded by the Friends, is in regular use and was on display in the Edmund Room.

Finance. The deficit for the year is much lower than expected. Donation Stewards (funded for two years by the Church Commissioners) have made a positive impact and there is no intention to charge for entry to the Cathedral. Pilgrims Kitchen and the Shop continue to generate a very helpful income stream.

Presentation of the Accounts. These are printed in the Annual report for 2024 a copy of which has been sent to each Friend. The treasurer reported that the charity had benefitted from the higher interest rates: £3,000 for 2023 instead of £1,000 in 2022. He pointed out that income might appear to down for the year 2023 but a legacy received in 2022 made the difference understandable. He mentioned the new Table for the All-age Worship, coffin trestles and crozier case which the Friends had funded together with the chairs in 2022. Fundraising events had shown an improved surplus, Postage is a major expense, but it has been shown conclusively that the Friends respond much better to notifications through the post rather than email, so posting will continue. The £130,000 held by the Friends may appear quite substantial but £75,000 is held as an emergency fund in case a need arises for help

with the fabric at a time when the Cathedral does not have the necessary funds available. Sadly, there has been a decline in membership.

Appointment of Independent Examiner. The Treasurer said that he would like to nominate Gascoignes. Proposed by Stephen Miles, seconded by Andrew Gooderham and agreed unanimously.

Membership of the Friends Council. The Chairman said that Jill Taylor who was well known to many had agreed to become a member of the Council. This was unanimously endorsed by the meeting.

Any Other Business The Director announced a Quirky Talk at Drinkstone Village Hall at 2.15pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024. The topic: Building the Orwell Bridge.

The Director then thanked Canon Philip Banks for all that he had done to promote the smooth running of the Cathedral over the 12 years that he had held the post of Precentor. Sue mentioned all the Special services he had organised and of course the All-Ages Worship which has proved to be so popular, he has overseen many building and repair projects and, of course assisted with the transformation of the music.

On behalf of the Friends, our director wished Philip and his family every happiness in his new post at St Paul’s and hoped they would return to Suffolk from time to time.

The Annual General Meeting next year will be on 12th June 2025.

There being no other business the meeting was closed with Canon Philip leading the Friends Prayer.

THE 2025 DIRECTOR’S REPORT

I find it very hard to believe that another year has flown by so quickly and here I am sitting in the garden writing my report – so much has been happening within The Friends in the last 12 months !

As you will all have read in the Dean’s Report we have said many goodbyes to staff within the Diocese and Cathedral during the past 12 months and I would add our good wishes to them all – farewells and welcomes! It is always good to welcome new members of staff with new ideas, and we look forward to meeting our new Precentor in June. It will be good to have a new Diocesan Bishop appointed later in the year, followed we hope by a new Bishop of Dunwich to complete the picture. I would like to thank Bishop Graeme Knowles, our acting Bishop, for agreeing to be with us for our Festal Evensong, AGM and supper in June.

This year we are changing the format for the AGM which will be held on 12 June starting with Evensong at 5.30pm, followed by the AGM and then supper in Pilgrims Kitchen and I am delighted that Richard Cook, Assistant Director of Music and Natalie Werner, choral vicar, will be entertaining us during supper. Details have been sent out, but an application form is enclosed with this report so please do book your tickets. There will be a limit in numbers who can attend.

During the past year we have welcomed Lucinda Hutson back to the Friends Council after a short break and I am delighted that Sue Rawlinson has joined us, and we hope she will enjoy her term of office with the Council.

It was with heavy heart that the Council had to make two major decisions in the past year: after many years we decided to cancel the Art Exhibition, which was first held in the late sixties. This was due to a substantial drop in sales and lack of support. My thanks must go to all the artists and volunteers who supported this event over the years.

For many years a group of Friends have enjoyed a short holiday – again first started in the sixties. Regrettably Arthur Tanner has decided the time has come for him to close the holiday brochures and unless we can find someone to take over, The Council very much regret that these will not continue. I am extremely grateful to Arthur, who took over from David Cockram in organising these short breaks for all his hard work and commitment to the Friends. Do please let me know if you would be interested in taking on planning these greatly enjoyed holidays.

We started in 2023 arranging “Quirky Talks” and these have been very successful – the format being a speaker with an unusual subject followed by a delicious homemade tea. We aim to make these affordable and available to all. Reflecting that the Cathedral is the Mother Church of Suffolk, we are keen to move them around the county - enabling more Friends to come and more Suffolk people to hear about us.

The last one being in March this year when Bunnie Campione spoke to us about her involvement with the Antiques Roadshow when 100 of us enjoyed a fun afternoon.

Our next Quirky Talk is on 8 October in Drinkstone Village Hall when Retired Colonel Howard Stephens will be telling us about his time spent behind the Iron Curtain – it will be interesting, informative and amusing! Further details enclosed.

I am sure you will have heard about The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn – the very exciting project which involved the Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage. It is envisaged that this project will enable visitors to experience the overall impact the Abbey had on Bury St Edmunds with the creation of a heritage welcome centre and many other facilities. This is only a brief outline of the project – do please read the article by James Mellish who is the Project Manager.

I close with my thanks to the Council and best wishes to the many Friends I know and to those I look forward to meeting during 2025.

Susan Cockram Director

THE FRIENDS OF ST EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Receipts Membership subscriptions Donations Gift aid Income from events Income from fundraising Interest Payments Grants to Cathedral Expenditure on events Expenditure in advance Parish Teas Printing and postage costs Administration costs Net receipts/(payments) Transfers between funds Balances - 31 December 2023 Balances - 31 December 2024	2024 2023 Unrestrict- ed Restricted Total Total £ £ £ 5,185 5,185 4,407 942 942 394 1,462 1,462 15,110 15,110 22,424 499 499 618 5,034 5,034 3,335
	28,232 28,232 33,178
	1,000 1,700 2,700 8,218 13,175 13,175 14,615 612 612 614 301 301 770 619 619 563
	15,707 1,700 17,407 24,780
	12,525 -1,700 10,825 6,398 121,660 8,390 130,050 123,652
	134,185 6,690 140,875 130,050

~~28~~

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILTIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Bank balances Deposit accounts Current account Cash held Assets owned for charity’s own use	2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 132,562 6,690 139,252 129,223 500 500 500 1,123 1,123 327
	134,185 6,690 140,875 130,050
	Details Fund Nature of Item Current value £ Picture display boards Unrestricted 500

Signed by I C BROOKMAN S E COCKRAM Treasurer Director

6 February 2025

TREASURER’S REPORT

The membership income rose during the year supported in part by new life members.

The events put on by the Friends showed an in-year surplus of £1,935 of which the Art Festival and Quirky Talks were the main contributors. It has been decided that in terms of return for the time involved the Quirky Talk programme is much more successful and therefore no Art Festival will be held in 2025. The Quirky talk by Bunny Campione in March had a surplus of just over £2,000 with minimal costs.

The Friends benefited from the higher interest rates and received £5,034 compared with £3,335 in 2023.

The Friends made grants to the Cathedral of £2,700 in connection with the Lady Chapel (Hodegetria Icon £1,200 and the Small Communion Table £500) and a grant toward the restoration of one book held in the Ancient Library (£1,000).

The Friends have committed to supporting the funding of the dollies for the new Cathedral chairs up to a sum of £8,000.

The Friends continue to hold £75,000 as a designated fund towards a major project and the restricted fund is in respect of work in the Lady Chapel.

The Friends have been notified it is a beneficiary of the Estate of the late David Rees, however at this stage we have not received an estimate of the Friends’ bequest.

Ian Brookman Treasurer

The Friends’ Prayer

Almighty God,

To whose glory we dedicate the work of your servants, Pour down your blessing, we beseech you, On those who labour to express our worship in beauty. May our Cathedral Church be sanctified By the prayers of your faithful people; May its holiness touch the hearts and minds Of all those who pass through its doors; May its beauty afford a glimpse of heaven So that more may join your Church as living stones.

Amen

Y7 li'( vi rj 11 PJ 'liir;

2024-12-31-accounts