2024-03-31-accounts

THE FRIENDS OF •EVERLEY IAINSTER Jll Il 88th ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024 Il

Contents

Contents
Chair’s Report	Mary Mead	3
Programme Secretary’s Report	Pamela Martin	5
October Weekend Programme		6
Vicar’s Report	Jonathan Baker	8
Membership Report		10
Report by the Director of Music	Robert Poyser	11
An Air Balloon Scratching	Jane Bowen & Janet Ward	13
Church Property	Susan Neave	18
Pilgrimage to St John of Beverley
in the Later Middle Ages	John Jenkins	20
St John’s Tomb - a Reassessment	John Phillips	24
Minster Bell Restoration Project	Mike Robson	27
Lighting Renewal Scheme	James Palmer	29
Annual Accounts	James Moore	30
Financial Review	James Moore	32
Stuart Harrison writes	Stuart Harrison	33
AGM Minutes 2023		34
Members of the Council		43

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Chair’s Report

This year has seen some changes to the Council, with several members, including our President Pamela Hopkins, stepping down. Many of you will recall that Pamela was the Secretary to the

Friends for many years and we are hugely grateful that she agreed to return as President, bringing her great experience and interest to our work. Assuming our members approve the appointment at the forthcoming AGM, we look forward to welcoming Roger Lewis as our new President in October.

Following the retirement of Liz Grove, the post of Membership Secretary remains vacant and, in common with many Friends’ organisations, it is a challenge for us to find new people to join the Council, which is vital if we are to continue to do the work we do. I would therefore be delighted to hear from anyone who may be interested in this post or getting involved in other ways. For example, we are looking to increase input from members regarding our events, so please get in touch if you would like to participate in the planning and organisation of our events programme.

Our new Secretary, Fiona Goel has stepped admirably into this role and I am very grateful for her work in keeping the Council running smoothly. Martin Needler has retired as the Old Fund representative and we have been

pleased to welcome Rodney Barton as his replacement. At the time of writing, we do not have a PCC representative, following Meg Choules’ appointment as Minster Safeguarding Officer. We wish her well in her new role and hope to have a replacement soon. Finally, Karla Vickers has reached the end of her elected term and I would like to thank her for her work on behalf of the Friends.

We were delighted to unveil the John Phillips grotesque carving at a wellattended reception held in May. It was interesting to hear Professor Barbara English’s thoughts on the importance of work done by John and others in increasing understanding of the development of ancient buildings. The carving was designed and created by Minster Welcomer Klaus Selke and reflects aspects of John’s work; do come and have a look at it if you haven’t already. This event was one of many expertly organised by Pamela Martin during the past year and I would like to thank her for this. Pam has once again organised an interesting October Weekend programme and I look forward to meeting many of you there. The programme will finish with a Festal Evensong in the Minster, which no doubt will make an inspiring and fitting conclusion to the weekend’s events.

As mentioned in our Spring newsletter, the Council has provided funds to complete repairs to the bells and clock and most recently has funded a major restoration of the bells. A report by Steeple Keeper Mike Robson can be found elsewhere in this report.

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The Capital Works Board has continued work on the Minster’s highest priority projects and the Council has agreed in principle to make a substantial contribution to the lighting project, which is due to move into its design phase shortly. We look forward to seeing this, and other projects, progress over the forthcoming year.

As a result of this work the Council will be seeking approval at the AGM to convert The Friends of Beverley Minster to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It should be emphasised that is for operational reasons and it is not proposed that we change the charitable purposes of The Friends, nor the things that we do. Further details of this proposal are enclosed with this report.

It is good practice for organisations such as ours to periodically review their constitutions and the Council has been considering whether changes should be made to the constitution of The Friends.

Finally, I would like to thank all members of the Council for their work during the year, and also you for your continued support of The Friends.

Mary Mead

The carving was designed and created by Minster Welcomer Klaus Selke to mark John Phillips’ retirement.

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Programme Secretary’s Report

Where has this year gone? It seems no time since plans were being made for the Spring/ Summer programme which has come to a close. Preparations are now in place for the final main event of the year, the October AGM weekend including the St John of Beverley lecture. A coach tour to Selby Abbey and Wressle Castle is planned for Friday 4[th] October and the St John of Beverley Lecture (on Saturday 5 October) will be delivered by Martin Needler on the subject of the fire which destroyed the roof of the South Transept of York Minster in 1984 and his involvement as Chartered Quantity Surveyor. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a festal evensong, sung by the Minster Choir.

The season just past has not been without its problems in getting final arrangements in place and to some extent, this has affected attendances. The visit to Hull Minster proved to be a most interesting afternoon focussing on the history of the Minster within the development of the town/city of Hull. Mike Robson’s June Minster Tower Graffiti Tours were successful and participants were treated to viewing masons’ marks and other graffiti, the like of which they had not seen before… in unexpected places. The June visit to Everingham Hall, the home of Helen & Philip Guest, and St Mary the Virgin and St Everilda Italianate Roman Catholic Chapel on site, was a great success with an attendance of some 18 members and friends. A detailed tour of the House was led by Mr Philip Guest covering the architectural history of the building as well as a commentary on the furniture, paintings and other items of interest. This was followed by a short walk across to the church where Mr Guest and Joel Westaway gave a general introduction and more detailed history of the church, respectively. The recently decorated ceiling

was a delight to behold. We then walked over to the newly converted Stables Events Room for a splendid afternoon tea arranged by Mrs Helen Guest and those who wished, were able to stroll around the grounds afterwards. Our final event of the year, took place only a few days ago as I write… a minibus tour taking in Malton Priory (Gilbertine order founded c1150) and Kirkham Priory (Augustinian order founded in the 1120’s). The morning in Malton was arranged through the Malton Museum team led by Andy Harvey. We were welcomed with tea/coffee on arrival followed by a most informative and interesting talk given by one of the Museum team, a lady by the name of Chris, on the general history of the Priory and its demise. This was followed by an internal and external tour of the Priory and ruins delivered by Andy Harvey, but also ably assisted by Dr Stuart Harrison (professional archaeologist). The original magnificent Priory materialised in front of our eyes as we walked around the site. An ample buffet lunch was provided by the Priory ladies before we departed to Kirkham Priory some 20 minutes away. Again, Dr Stuart Harrison gave us an illuminating tour of the site and brought to life the architectural features which would have existed alongside the life and work of the Augustinian canons and monks, and the commercial aspects of the wool trade. All this, and in beautiful sunshine, brought the day to close with a welcome supply of ice-cream from the site kiosk!

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all those members who have helped/supported me in any way with the Events programmes over my twelve-year time in office. Some have sadly passed away, but others have remained stalwarts; all have been greatly appreciated.

Pamela J Martin

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October Weekend Programme

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2024 – SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER 2024

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER (8.30 for 8.45 start)

Coach Visit to Selby Abbey and Wressle Castle

On arrival at the Abbey, tea/coffee will be served, followed by a guided tour of the church and a buffet lunch on site. We then proceed to Wressle Castle where Ed Dennison (with permission of the owners) will conduct a guided tour. On the return home there will be a short stop at Howden for a brief visit to Howden Minster or for refreshments.

Estimated time of arrival home 18.30.

Cost: £49 per person for Friends; £54 per person for non-Friends

Meet on Eastgate near the junction with Minster Yard North, Beverley HU17 ODP

Minster Car Park will be open. Sensible shoes recommended for afternoon visit

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER at 14.00

Annual General Meeting

Toll Gavel United Church Hall (behind the church), Toll Gavel, Beverley HU17 9AA (Members of the Friends only)

15.15

St John of Beverley Annual Lecture - ‘After the Fire’

Presentation and talk by Martin Needler

Martin Needler is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor who, during his working life, had an expertise in connection with historic buildings. His illustrated talk will explain his involvement in the greatest Gothic structure north of the Alps in relation to the fire which destroyed the roof of the South Transept of York Minster in 1984.

An Afternoon Tea buffet will follow

Cost: Free for Friends; £6 per person for non-Friends attending the lecture and buffet.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR FRIENDS AND NON-FRIENDS

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SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER at 17.30

Festal Evensong at Beverley Minster

Choral evensong sung by the full choir of Beverley Minster. Open to all, booking not required.

For further details of the weekend programme see the Friends website

2025

JANUARY 2025 (date to be confirmed)

Epiphany Organ Recital at Beverley Minster

Messiaen: ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’

Organ recital by Robert Poyser (Director of Music, Beverley Minster) Epiphany Concert and Reception followed by refreshments (sponsored by the Friends).

Open to all, booking not required.

BOOKING ENQUIRIES TO:

The Programme Secretary, Friends of Beverley Minster, 85, Ancaster Avenue, Hull, HU5 4QR E-mail: [e-mail] Telephone [phone]

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Vicar’s Report

Over the last 12 months the mood of the Minster has been buoyant, with several changes to staff and office holders, and many new faces in the congregations.

Our attempt to recruit a new Mission Priest in September came to nothing, causing us to re-run the process in the New Year. As a result Rev. Eileen Connolly was appointed and joined us in May. Eileen was previously a Curate in Sutton Park and Wawne, and brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as a teacher and banker, and of churches across different denominations. Our Curate, Charlie Shefford, was priested at the end of June, so after 2 years the Ministry Team is now back up to full strength.

My last report ended with some comments about how our mission and ministry are necessarily limited by the capacity of our staff and volunteers to handle only so much activity. This has been helped by the appointment of Kate Howell as Director of Operations, and the creation of this role has already made a significant impact on reducing staff stress and bringing the Minster up to speed with various staffing, health and safety, insurance and procurement issues. Alongside this appointment, our capacity has also been increased by the appointment of an additional relief virger, Kathy Booth. As a result the virgers’ department is running more smoothly. There has also been a recent attempt to recruit an Assistant Organist, but without a successful appointment being made.

Alongside new staff appointments there have been several changes amongst

office holders on the PCC. One of our hardworking Church Wardens, Jane Chipperton, sadly had to stand down on health grounds and we have not yet been able to find a replacement. After a year without a Treasurer we were delighted to appoint Lia Argentou and Matthew Leivers to hold the post jointly. Lia and Matthew have embraced the role with enthusiasm and we are grateful to them for bringing the finance team up to full complement. After many years of dedicated service as Parish Safeguarding Officer, Ian Merryweather stood down at the APCM and has been replaced by Meg Choules. Safeguarding has become an increasingly important responsibility for the PCC, and Meg is leading a review of our policies and practices with a view to deepening our awareness of safeguarding issues.

We have continued to refine the pattern of Sunday services with occasional ‘Joint’ Services combining elements of the 9.15 and 11am congregations. There was a successful Lent Course on the theme of exploring different ways of engaging with the Bible, and a more recent Alpha Course which introduced the Christian faith to a new circle of people, several of whom are now worshipping with us. There are a number of new members of the Minster congregations, which is encouraging. Last autumn a monthly Film Discussion group also began meeting.

Perhaps the major event in the last term of 2023 was the ‘Gaia’ installation which attracted in the region of 30,000 people across the three weeks it was with us. This was followed in December by the Christmas Tree Festival which gets ever

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bigger, and this year hosted 137 sponsored trees. Just before Christmas there was a sell-out concert by Jethro Tull, who generously donated all of their profits to the Minster. In February we welcomed the ‘Lux Muralis’ light show which again attracted thousands of visitors, and which we have booked again for next year. Alongside these events run by the Enterprise Committee we have hosted a growing programme of concerts, including the Tallis Consort and recently the Kings Men. The Friday lunchtime concerts organised by Robert Poyser have been very popular, not least because of the lunches which are provided.

The Minster choir and Junior Choir both continue to thrive, with many new members, despite the inability to find an assistant organist. The choristers and full choir each gave an outstanding concert at the end of the summer term.

Outside, the volunteer gardeners were recognised with an award by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for their work on the Secret Garden, and the Eco-Church group, as well as organizing the successful Gaia exhibition, have encouraged the adoption of more

sustainable lifestyles with regular tips in the weekly Notice sheet.

The recently formed Capital Works Board, of which the Friends are part, has been looking at the various projects for which the Minster is needing to raise funds. Progress is being made on designs for a new lighting scheme, but we were disappointed that an early ‘Expression of Interest’ put forward to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a large grant towards repair of the Quire and Retro-Quire roof along with the east Window has not been accepted, although further conversations have been invited. We face many issues around the state of property and infrastructure which resist swift resolution.

In order to help us maintain focus in the midst of so many competing demands and opportunities, the Minster’s Vision Strategy is being revised. Its next iteration should guide the PCC as it sets future priorities, which will also help the Friends as they consider what role they can play in the ongoing life of the Minster.

Jonathan Baker

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Membership

Current members: 434 (1.8.24)

New Friends:

Mrs F Goel

Ms A Hood

Ms S Signoretti & Mr C Mead

Mrs E Strachan

Mrs M Imrie

Mr S Turner

Mr & Mrs Lanning

Mr M Martin

Mrs A Normington

Mr & Mrs Seymour

Mr & Mrs Wallington

We regret to report that we have learned of the deaths of the following members:

Mr & Mrs Brumfield, of Beverley

Would you like to become more involved with the Friends?

We are looking for a new Membership Secretary for the Friends' Council and would be delighted to hear from anyone who may be interested in this key position. The role includes: attending quarterly Council meetings plus the AGM, managing Friends' communications, including with members, other Friends' organisations, and general enquiries, updating the membership database, and promoting interest in the Friends at events in the Minster and elsewhere. Essential skills: PC skills including email, word processing and basic database management. To find out more please get in touch via our email address

[e-mail] or our Facebook page 'The Friends of Beverley Minster'.

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Report by the Director of Music

This past year has been its customary busy one for the music department of the Minster. The choir has gone from strength to strength and has finished the year off with around eighty members. We have sung in Hexham Abbey, Rudston, St Mary’s Beverley, Everingham, Walkington, Harpham and The Monk’s Walk, and have joined forces with the choirs of Hexham Abbey, Sherburn in Elmet Parish Church, St Mary’s Beverley, Papplewick School and George Heriot’s School and the band Jethro Tull!

In the Minster, we have enjoyed exploring new repertoire, particularly Jonathan Dove’s setting of Seek him that maketh the seven stars, Richard Shephard’s Responses and William Harris’s fine anthem Bring us, O Lord. We have sung in many special services, including our curate, Charlie Shefford’s ordination and the licensing of our new mission priest, Eileen Connolly.

Recruitment has progressed steadily throughout the year and a particular source of encouragement has been the progress made by the Boys Choir. As the newer choristers gain valuable experience their singing and confidence has gone from strength to strength. It was good to see a number of our choristers, both Boys and Girls, do well in recent examinations at RSCM Silver and York Diocesan Dean’s and Archbishop’s levels. You will see a growth in the number of choristers wearing medals in the Autumn! Our choir tour to Hexham and Beamish was lots of fun. Having sung under Gaia (at both Chelmsford Cathedral in 2022 and our own Minster in September) we sang

under the Moon in Hexham Abbey. We are all wondering what will be inside Shrewsbury Abbey this coming Autumn!

There has been a steady progress of young singers from our Junior Choir into the Boys and Girls Choir too. Under Rachel Dent’s expert direction, this choir has flourished and grown. They have taken part in the Friends AGM weekend, services at Harvest and Advent, the Christmas Tree Festival, as well as having a major slot in our traditional end of term concert and their own concerts in the Parish Hall.

Our choral foundation, generously funded initially by the Friends and now by the Deflog Foundation has aided our choristers’ musicianship considerably with free music lessons. Many of our choristers take advantage of this scheme. The concert we held in June was a marvellous demonstration of the talented children who are so dedicated to the Minster and their confidence in performing in what could be an intimidating space.

The Minster has been awash with musical events this past year. Our Lunchtime Concert series held on Fridays has taken a leap forward this year with average audiences around the 70-80 mark and a tremendous variety of musical styles catered for. I am already booking the 2025 series!

Challenges do lie ahead, however. We had an unsuccessful round of recruitment for the post of Assistant Organist recently. The forthcoming term will pose significant challenges as our pool of available organists to cover will

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reduce due to other commitments. How we both progress and maintain our current standards and output will require some careful thought. We have been most fortunate to have a pool of able and available organists to help us out this past year. Particular thanks go to Paul Dewhurst, the Director of Music at Bridlington Priory, James Webb, and our fabulous Associate Organist Nick Wise for all they have done to aid our music making this past year.

A Music Strategy Group was formed in September last year to look at how we go forward according to the aims set out in the Minster’s Vision and Strategy

Document. The group have met three times and have already produced a number of promising ideas based on short, medium and long-term aspirations. It will be good to put some more detailed plans together in the new academic year.

As I write this report, I am midway through my 15[th] year as Director of Music at Beverley Minster. One of the constant features of my time here has been the support, encouragement, and kindness of the Friends of Beverley Minster and for that I am truly grateful.

Robert Poyser

Choral Evensong under Gaia

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An Air Balloon Scratching

Last year, John Phillips ended our A.G.M. with a fascinating talk about graffiti in the Minster, under the title ‘Scratchings’. One slide was of an air balloon, which prompted us to investigate what experience might have prompted this image.

Balloon mania arrived in Britain in 1783/84, after the Montgolfier Brothers’ successful French 1783 hot air balloon flights. By December 1783, the Leeds Intelligencer was carrying reports of unmanned air balloon flights from Manchester, London, and Derby. There was even an advertisement for an Air Balloon Diligence to travel between York and London!, although we could find no evidence that it was ever implemented.

Hot air balloons, although effective, had some significant disadvantages. On occasion the brazier flames ignited the balloon fabric with disastrous results. Also, when unmanned balloons descended, they could set crops or near-by buildings on fire. An alternative means of raising a balloon was to use a chemical reaction to create a lighter than air inflammable gas. Then it was called phlogiston, but we know it now as hydrogen. It was made by treating scrap metal with sulphuric acid and piping the resultant gas into the balloon. This gas provided less lift than the hot air method, and so larger balloons holding more gas became necessary. In the first half of 1784 a number of both types of unmanned balloons were launched in Yorkshire, but there is no record of any of them passing over or near Beverley.

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By the middle of the year, manned flight arrived. James Tytler made the first successful British trip in a hot air balloon in Edinburgh on 8 September 1784. A week later, the Italian balloonist, Vincent Lunardi made an inflammable air balloon ascent in London in the presence of the Prince of Wales.With a royal seal of approval, ballooning became the craze of the age, encouraged by Lunardi’s countrywide tours. Making his gas, however, was a slow complicated and potentially dangerous process: ‘...he began the operation of filling his balloon, which was performed by a cistern sunk in the ground, twenty feet long, eighteen wide, and thirty inches deep; the materials (metal pieces) occupied one third of it, and a tub without top or bottom served as a chimney to convey the air into the balloon, and two other tubs as funnels to pour down the liquor (sulphuric acid)’ (Leeds Intelligencer 12 December 1786). In 1786 Lunardi brought his balloon to York, making an ascent from Kettlewell’s Orchard, behind the Minster, on Wednesday 23 August at 1.40p.m., watched, the press said, by several thousand spectators. The wind blew the balloon to the north east over the wolds, before it landed near Bishop Wilton at 3.00p.m. It is probable that this flight would have been visible from Beverley, particularly from elevated spots such as the Minster roof.

The first mention of a balloon ascending from Beverley is in 1814, during the town’s celebrations of Napoleon’s defeat, after some 20 years of war. From contemporary accounts, 28 June was certainly a memorable day. It began with much ringing of bells. Outside the Guildhall, a great procession gathered, including 24 constables with banners, the civic dignitaries, the ‘principal inhabitants’ of the area, bandsmen, tradesmen, and members of masonic and friendly societies. It progressed through the town before returning to Saturday Market to sing the national anthem and disperse. Later that day Beverley was ‘superbly' illuminated. The market wreaths of greenery, and topped by a ‘crown of glory’ made with variegated lamps. The great and the good of the town filled their windows with striking transparencies back lit by lamps and candles. These included pictures of Wellington, Britannia, John Bull, the dove of

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peace and even Napoleon on his way to Elba. Then, almost as an afterthought the contemporary Beverley historian George Oliver wrote ‘at about half after twelve, a balloon ascended at the North-Bar’. Was this the balloon the scratcher drew? Initially it appeared possible, but closer examination of the graffito showed that it depicted a manned balloon. The other information evident on the graffito was the name ‘Brown’ written across the balloon shape. Was the name relevant? did it describe the colour of the balloon? had two graffiti overlapped each other? or was Brown a person?

Then came a breakthrough. Among the various aeronauts of the time, was an Irishman, Wyndham William Sadler - indeed he was the first person to cross the Irish Channel in a balloon. On 28 October 1823, Sadler made an ascent from Derby, and the Derby Mercury recorded that his passenger was a Sheffield man, a Mr. Brown. The Derby Reporter added that:

‘every one was eager to know who was the destined companion of Mr Sadler in this his adventurous voyage, particularly as it had been understood that there were many competitors for this sublime honour. A Mr Brown, from Sheffield, however, speedily set this question at rest by stepping into the car and taking his seat for this purpose’.

It is not clear from this account whether Brown had prearranged with Sadler to join him on the flight, or had merely elbowed his way in front of others. Either way, it was a successful flight, and by the end of it Brown must have been bitten with the aeronaut bug. By the middle of the following year, he had built his own balloon and was putting on exhibition flights.

Brown’s balloon was a splendid affair, described in an advertisement for one of his earliest flights:

‘The dimensions of the Balloon are thirty-five feet diameter - is formed of gores of Silk thirty-three inches wide, and upwards of sixty feet long, in alternate colours of Crimson and White, manufactured in a peculiar manner, solely for the purpose. The Balloon is divided, from the Equator upwards, by ten horizontal bands of silk, intersecting and forming a double at every joint, which adds considerably to the Balloon against expansion; it is again divided by forty-eight perpendicular bands, so that it forms an interior net, which adds considerable strength to the whole surface... .To the Balloon is attached A SPLENDID CAR Covered and beautifully ornamented, and lined with rich Crimson Silk. Over the Car is suspended a beautifully festooned CANOPY’. (Sheffield Independent 17 July 1824).

The advertisement also named him as Charles Brown, who in 1824 was 22 years old, the fifth son of Roger Brown, a slater, and his wife Sarah Hibbard.

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Brown’s balloon differed in one significant respect from many of those which had gone before, in that, rather than making his own gas, he simply made arrangements for his balloon to be filled from a local gasworks. The pioneer of this method was a London aeronaut, Charles Green, who first used it in July 1821 in an ascent to celebrate the Coronation of King George IV. Although in theory this method was both simpler and quicker, the distillation of gas from coal at that time was not an exact science, and there could be no certainty as to how much lift a coal gas filled balloon would have. On the positive side, coal gas was less susceptible to changes in the air temperature once afloat.

While Charles Brown was making his first air balloon in Sheffield in 1824, the engineer, John Malam, began building an impressive gas works in Beverley. Two years later, these enterprises led to the first recorded manned balloon flight from Beverley. The actual ascent took place on 1 June 1826 from the adjacent Thompson’s Yard on Beckside. As with earlier ascents, it attracted a very large audience, albeit few paid for their admission tickets, choosing to find other view points in the area. The balloon inflated slowly- attributed to Mr. Malam’s gas, although being ‘well adapted for lighting’, was too heavy for air flight. Finally the ascent began in the early afternoon, although all did not go smoothly. Events were described in the Representative (3 June 1826):

‘About half-past twelve, although the wind blew strongly and in gusts, Mr. Brown took his seat in the car, and was followed by Mr. Rees Davies, Hull, ....The machine was let go; when it was found to be not sufficiently buoyant for the conveyance of two persons. After being dashed against the wall, it was, by the exertion of the spectators, brought again to the ground. Mr. Davies then, very reluctantly, gave up his seat, and Mr. Brown, throwing out all his ballast, ascended alone. In the first instance, he was in considerable danger of coming in contact with the sails of a windmill; but having cleared this obstacle, he soared aloft, in the most magnificent style, and to an elevation never before witnessed in this district. The wind was north easterly, and it was carried to an immense height. Mr. Brown descended on Thorn Moor; his grappling irons did not take hold, and the wind being high, the car was forced against him with such violence as to injure him materially’.

He was thrown from the basket, damaging his back, while the balloon rose again, finally coming to rest near Bakewell. Brown was taken to the White Hart at Thorne, from where, after being fed and bled, he returned to Sheffield in a post chaise.

In one respect, this ascent from Beverley is at variance with the graffito which shows two passengers with flags. Possibly it had largely been inscribed before the decision was taken to leave the passenger behind, but there is another possibility. The previous year, at the end of August, Brown had made an ascent in his balloon, Herschel, from Hull’s citadel, described in great detail in the Hull Advertiser, 2 August 1825. He was accompanied by the Hull journalist, Mr. Rees Davies, the man who lost his place on the Beverley flight. The men carried flags as shown in the graffito; the balloon reached

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an altitude of a mile and a quarter; and when it looked as if it might be blown out to sea, Brown descended eight miles away at Swine. The Advertiser article concludes:

‘Owing to the fineness of the day, the balloon was observed at Beverley, from its ascent to its descent. The good people of that place flattered themselves, on its first rising, with the idea of a visit from the aerial voyager, and were prepared to sally forth to his assistance; but were soon aware of their disappointment, from the more easterly course which it took. It was seen from all parts of the town and neighbourhood’.

Possibly it was this flight which the unknown graffiti artist recorded. We will never know for sure.

Charles Brown himself was to continue his balloon exploits for another 15 years in Scotland and the North of England, but never again in Beverley.

Jane Bowen & Janet Ward

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The Minster and St Mary’s as Landlords - Church Property in Beverley

From the Middle Ages to the 20[th] century many Beverley residents lived in houses that belonged to the Minster or St Mary’s.

In the centuries before the Reformation it was common to leave property to churches. The donors usually expected something in return, for example a mass to be said on the anniversary of their death. Rents from such bequests contributed to the church fabric funds. For the Minster mid-15[th] century accounts survive showing how this money was spent. Some was used to repair the church building or its fittings. In 1445-6 the sum of 8 ‘old pence’ (just over 3p) was spent on ‘mending a clapper of a bell’; only recently the Friends of Beverley Minster have funded a similar repair! Money also had to spent on house maintenance - a further 8 pence was spent ‘cleansing and scouring a latrine of a tenement (house) in tenure of John Sixendale’.

At the Reformation property owned by Beverley’s churches was taken into Crown hands, as elsewhere in the country. In 1552 the burgesses of Beverley successfully petitioned Edward VI to get much of it back as the great Minster, now just a parish church rather than a wealthy collegiate church, could not be maintained without a fabric fund. This was the basis of the ‘Minster Old Fund’. The property was administered by the Corporation who granted leases.

In 1585 St Mary’s also got back many of the houses it had previously owned. In the 17[th] century the Minster estate comprised around 80 houses, and St Mary’s 60.

As might be expected, the greatest concentration of Minster fabric property was at the south end of the town, for example in Highgate and Minster Moorgate. St Mary’s property was mainly at the north end, and by the early 19[th] century, and possibly much earlier, was identified by stones inscribed S[t] M[s] C[h] P[y] . At a meeting of the

19-21 Ladygate, a medieval ‘Minster’ property refronted in the 18[th] century .

No. 3 Newbegin, a St Mary’s property rebuilt by the lessee c. 1750.

Nos. 72-4 Lairgate, built for the Minster c. 1797.

Left: St Mary’s church property stone. This example can be found in Waltham Lane.

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churchwardens in August 1833 it was decided ‘Boundary stones to be placed at the extremities of the church property in all cases where there are none at present’. Many examples can be seen around the town, including on Nos. 1012 North Bar Within, a building with remnants of timber-framing. One half of this building must be the shop and chamber ‘in the range called Boucher Rawe’ that was left to St Mary’s by a butcher called John Ulceby in 1460, for this stretch of North Bar Within was formerly known as Butcher Row. Minster property was not usually marked in this way although a wall in Friars Lane is identified as such by means of an inscribed stone.

The houses returned to the Minster and St Mary’s post-Reformation would have been timber-framed (at that time Beverley was ‘well builded of wood’) but in the 18[th] century brick became the standard building material. With little timber available for repairs to the old housing stock, and conscious of the potential cost of rebuilding, the ecclesiastical landlords had several options. One was to ‘make do and mend’, perhaps by simply refronting a building in brick. Another was to find a lessee who was prepared to rebuild at their own cost. A third option was to demolish and build something new that would bring in more rental income.

A good example of the first approach is Nos. 19-21 Ladygate, which was a ‘Minster’ property although it lies within St Mary’s parish. This is a sizeable building that once fronted the east side of the marketplace, although is now on a ‘back street’, the infill block on Sow Hill having been built in front. The brick facade, which must date from the 18[th] century, hides the remnants of a medieval building with a crown post roof, the timbers of which have been radio-carbon dated to 1330. Other examples include Nos. 32-5 Saturday Market, another Minster property, and the White Horse Inn (Nellie’s) in Hengate, which belonged to St Mary’s. Both these buildings retain some timberframing behind their brick facades.

An example of a house rebuilt by lessees is No. 38 Highgate, a Minster property, now the Parish Centre. In 1744 Ruth Horner of Beverley and her son Henry, a wine cooper from Hull, leased quite a large block of Minster property on the west side Highgate. They were given permission to take down the ‘south front or wing’ of one of buildings, and rebuild it as a separate dwelling, explaining why No. 38 is at right-angles to street, facing south and only one room deep. From 1808 it was occupied by the Blue Coat School.

St Mary’s also had lessees willing to rebuild including Walter Wride, a prosperous woollen draper who in 1748 took a lease of the eastern part of a large house in Newbegin that had been left to the church in 1485. He replaced this with a neat three-bay Georgian house (No. 3). The western range of the original house (Nos. 5-7) was refaced in brick in the 18[th] century but here substantial medieval timbers survive in what must once have been the home of a wealthy merchant.

Examples of new houses built by the Minster include a row on the south side of Minster Moorgate. In 1738 the Corporation (acting for the Minster estate) agreed with Samuel Smith, carpenter, to demolish six houses and build a terrace of as many as he could to fill the space. He managed to fit in ten (Nos. 49-67). A more ambitious scheme for the Minster estate was the building in 1797 of a pair of three-storey houses in Lairgate (Nos. 72-4) which attracted tenants such as Sir William Pennyman whose family seat was at Ormesby Hall near Middlesbrough.

Some properties owned by the Minster or St Mary’s were sold in the 19[th] century, but at the beginning of the 20[th] century both churches still owned many houses which they had to maintain. As the century progressed more and more sales took place. One of the last houses to be sold was No. 30 Highgate, where Minster organist Alan Spedding lived with his family for many years.

Susan Neave

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Pilgrimage to St John of Beverley in the Late Middle Ages

The shrine of St John in Beverley Minster was, by the later medieval period, one of the most high-status and popular pilgrimage sites in the north of England. Achieving and maintaining this position of eminence was the result of a great deal of work on the part of the canons of Beverley Minster and of the wider Church authorities. It could certainly not be taken for granted that even such a venerable figure as St John would always attract pilgrims. New pilgrimage cults were constantly springing up all over the country, and if established centres failed to keep themselves relevant then their saints were in considerable danger of being overlooked and eventually even forgotten by all except their most local devotees. Churches like Beverley innovated and advertised themselves to successive generations of potential pilgrims from the region and beyond. In Beverley's case the canons were eventually so successful that they transformed St John from a saint of mainly local importance to one of the patron saints of England by the midfifteenth century.

Pilgrims went on pilgrimage for a variety of reasons connected to bodily and spiritual health, particularly seeking miracle cures, giving thanks for cures and other miracles that had been received, and collecting 'indulgences' which shortened the time the recipient had to spend in Purgatory after death. Mixed in with these motives were some rather more familiar to the modern pilgrim or traveller. The canons of Beverley noted of the medieval pilgrims that they were "drawn there by various vows, for pleasure of course, or to be amazed, or for the sacred purpose of being inspired with devotion", and

"people entered the church so that they might pray, or to look at the [wall] paintings, or to avoid the boredom of the day through some sort of recreation or amusement". These experiences were hardly unique to Beverley, and the need to be 'amazed' or to have some sort of 'recreation or amusement' might instead draw pilgrims to more novel religious sites.

The Church authorities, Beverley Minster included, had two main tools with which to influence pilgrims' choice of destination. The bluntest of these was the penitential pilgrimage: an enforced pilgrimage imposed upon a sinner by the Church's legal courts. The miracle collections of St John of Beverley include stories of such penitents, such as the pilgrim from France who had struck his brother with a sword. As punishment he had been bound with the iron sword moulded around his waist and sent on pilgrimage to St Andrews in Scotland in the hope of absolution. Although he had no success there, on returning home he came to Beverley and while praying in the Minster his sword-cum-girdle fell off, signalling that St John had granted him forgiveness. St John was also popular in the Low Countries, thanks to trade links between Beverley and Flanders, and particularly egregious sinners were sometimes made to make the crosschannel trip to his shrine as penance.

More commonly penitents were sent from the archbishop's courts in York, where between 1357 and 1420 we are aware of at least 31 individuals who were ordered on pilgrimage for their sins, usually of a sexual nature. Some of these are quite simple. In 1372 Nicholas Gilbertson of Ulleskelf, found guilty of

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living in sin with Margaret of Leeds at Milford, had to take part in penitential processions at York Minster and his local churches of Kirkby and Sherburn, then go on pilgrimage from Milford to the tomb of St William of York and offer a candle there. This was a round trip of 34 miles, the shortest pilgrimage in any of the sentences. Yet three years later he was still cohabiting with Margaret of Leeds and was sentenced to undertake pilgrimages to St Mary at Southwell, St John at Beverley and St Wilfrid at Ripon, the main minster churches of the medieval diocese of York, making an offering at each, a round trip of some 212 miles. It is usually stated in the impositions of penance that the pilgrimage had to be undertaken on foot, often with bare feet and sometimes bare-chested, marking it out as specifically a penitential pilgrimage, although none of those who left the confines of Yorkshire were forced to do it barefoot.

Almost all those sentenced to these penitential pilgrimages were guilty of fornication. Only one of them was female: Mathilda Ferthing in 1380, who had to perform a barefoot pilgrimage from York to St John at Beverley for an unspecified transgression with W. Hogg, a milliner. This is in keeping with general attitudes to the punishment. Church officials were wary of sending women, especially those already guilty of sexual misdemeanour, out of their communities, for fear of what such 'loose' women might get up to. On the other hand it was seen as a particularly apt punishment for those in the clergy convicted of similar moral lapses, who would thus be forcibly removed from their parishioners for a period. Clergy accused of sexual misdemeanours make up the majority of those known to have been sentenced to go on pilgrimage to Beverley. In all of these cases, pilgrimage would remove one of the parties from the area for long enough

that the situation could be resolved in their absence, providing some time apart and, for the offender, an enforced period of reflection while on a lengthy and, if barefoot, painful walk.

Beverley was the most common destination for penitential pilgrims from York and the most common route was York-Beverley-Ripon-York, in that order. After the canonisation in 1401 of St John of Bridlington, an Augustinian canon who had a shrine in the monastery in that town, there are several instances of the circuit York-Beverley-Bridlington being used with the stipulation to offer at the shrine in Bridlington. On 23rd November 1407 Robert Clytherow, vicar of Market Weighton, was found guilty of fornication with Elizabeth the servant of Robert Sefte, and within fifteen days had to visit the shrine of St William of York on foot from his house and offer 26s 8d, and from there he had to go to St John of Beverley and offer 13s 4d, and afterwards to St John of Bridlington and offer 13s 4d and receive letters of testimony from each shrine.

These routes were carefully planned by the Church authorities. York, Ripon, and Beverley were the sites of the shrines of archbishops of York who had been elevated to the ranks of the saints. Forcing parish priests who had failed to uphold the standards of their calling to go and pray for forgiveness at the tombs of three saintly archbishops was a way of reminding them of the seriousness of their calling. In the case of the priests, generally from the East Riding, who were sent to St John of Bridlington as well, this was a case of instilling a sense of local pride in proper Christian behaviour.

Besides the 'sticks' the Church had various 'carrots' to entice pilgrims to particular shrines and destinations. In the later Middle Ages one of the most powerful was the indulgence, a

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reduction of the time spent in Purgatory after death which could be gained by going to a particular place on a particular day and making an offering. All major pilgrim sites had quite vast collections of indulgences by the fourteenth century. Beverley Minster seems to have had the largest offer of indulgences in Yorkshire, and in the 1320s pilgrims there could expect to reduce their time in Purgatory by 26 years and 40 days. By comparison St Wilfrid at Ripon had indulgences worth a little over 6 years, and St William at York Minster only 3 years, so Beverley was definitely worth a visit.

Indulgences were eagerly sought by pilgrims, but they were also to be found everywhere, from great cathedrals to tiny wayside chapels. Some pilgrimage sites, such as Beverley, sought to stand out from the crowd by making the experience at their shrines particularly exciting. From 1312 onwards the tomb of St John in the nave of Beverley Minster periodically emitted a holy and healing oil, supposedly exuding from the bones of the sainted archbishop. This was a phenomenon which had first been recorded in England at the tomb of St William in York Minster in 1223, then at St Robert of Knaresborough's tomb, the head shrine of St Hugh of Lincoln, and the tomb of Robert Grosseteste in Lincoln Cathedral. Although rare in England, miraculous oil production was fairly common amongst Continental saints, having first been witnessed at the tomb of St Nicholas. It's strange to think of Father Christmas as being oily!

In 1312 oil began to flow from the tomb of St John in the nave of the Minster, and a miracle story relates that it 'was smeared on the eyes of some boys who had not been able to see properly for three months. Immediately they began to see more clearly'. It just so happened to be on a day when the bishops of Bath

and Norwich were visiting the Minster, who duly confirmed the miracle, shortly after the translation of most of St John's relics to a shrine behind the high altar. Oil flowing from the tomb in the nave from which the relics had been moved (although probably some bones were left behind) indicated it was still a powerful place imbued with the saint's presence. It encouraged pilgrims to go to the nave tomb rather than try and get their way to the more high-status new shrine in the east end of the Minster. For the rest of the Middle Ages the oil tended to flow from the tomb on St John's feast days (7 May and 25 October) and often in Rogationtide and Pentecost week as well when laity from all over the East Riding were expected to gather in the Minster.

Perhaps the most important event in the history of Beverley took place in northern France on 25 October 1415, the anniversary and feast day of the translation of St John's relics, the day of the Battle of Agincourt. According to contemporary accounts 'oil flowed like drops of sweat' from St John's tomb throughout the day, signifying the saint's intervention on the English side. It may have been the large northern contingent of foot soldiers amongst the English armies of the Hundred Years War who promoted St John to their noble and royal generals, as men of Yorkshire would have been well aware that they were fighting on his feast day. Certainly St John was recognised at the time as having intervened to secure the victory for the English. In 1419 King Henry V went on pilgrimage to Beverley, and then onwards to the tomb of St John of Bridlington, to give thanks for the saints' aid during his wars of conquest, after which St John of Beverley became almost a national patron saint, noted especially for his 'protection of victory and peace' for the king. One interesting

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survival from this time is a badge featuring St John of Beverley and St John of Bridlington together, sometimes claimed to be a dual pilgrim's badge to the two saints. It is perhaps more likely that this was a devotional badge worn by northern soldiers on going to fight abroad, carrying the two saints' protection with them across the Channel.

This article is based on research published as:

John Jenkins, 'Holy Geysers? Oily Saints and Ecclesiastical Politics in Late Medieval Yorkshire and Lincolnshire' in Christiania Whitehead, Hazel Blair, and Denis Renevey (eds), Late Medieval Devotion to Saints from the North of England: New Directions (Turnhout: Brepols, 2022), pp. 147-163

John Jenkins, 'Northern Ways? Pilgrimage, Politics and Piety in the FourteenthCentury Administrative Records of the Archdiocese of York' in Paul Dryburgh and Sarah Rees Jones (eds.), The Church and Northern English Society in the Fourteenth Century (York: York Medieval Press, 2024), pp. 247-267

Contact: [e-mail]

Lead badge of St John of Beverley and St John of Bridlington, early 15[th] century, Museum of London, 88.84

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St John’s Tomb - A Reassessment

For the Annual Report last year, I wrote a piece about ‘St John’s Tomb’ in which I proposed a date for the re-erection of the canopy and its contents known as the Two Sisters’ Tomb. My concluding comments in that article were: ‘Clearly the name of the canopy can only date at the earliest from 1736 after it was moved from the north transept. The attribution to two sisters who gifted pasture for two milch cows on the Westwood, or to the sisters of Earl Puch, a Saxon nobleman mentioned in one of John’s miracle accounts are much more recent inventions. Why then was, and is, the canopy known as ‘The Two Sisters’ tomb?’

When doing research, and publishing it, we are very much ‘flying kites’, waiting on the possibility that new information will come to light which blows a theory out of the water. The original article was written using the best information and sources, and therefore deductions, available at the time.

This time I am going to tell you a story. It starts in the middle and ends at the beginning. It concerns not only the ‘Two Sisters’ but as an aside, more importantly, the story of St John’s tomb itself. A number of sources of information have been available since 1644, which is when the story begins. These have all been published over the years. This story became possible when a new source emerged, in the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

In the late 17[th] century, a gentleman named Nathaniel Johnston was, in common with others like Sir William Dugdale who we have used before for information on the Percy Chapel and the heraldry of the Great West window, and St John’s tomb, as you will see shortly, travelling the country principally

recording Heraldry but also other items of interest. Nathaniel Johnston M.D (1675-1705) was a physician, political theorist, and antiquary. He practised at Pontefract but studied the antiquities and natural history of Yorkshire. Part of the Johnston collection in the Bodleian consists of ‘[t]wo volumes of topographical and church notes, with drawings of monuments, brasses and stained glass, compiled by Johnston's brother Henry, on tours mainly in the West Riding, 1669-1671. The notes are arranged in an order suggested by Nathaniel Johnston, in his instructions to his brother (Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS. Top. Yorks. c. 18, fol. 148v).’ [See illustration below.]

Brother Henry Johnston was given his instructions. Henry Johnston’s notes, and beautiful drawings now shed new light on the Two Sisters’ Tomb. These are reproduced by kind permission of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

Henry Johnston visited Beverley in January 1670. The six folios of Beverley information consist of the description and drawings in Beverley Minster, also including the canopy and tomb of Henry Percy, 4th earl of Northumberland, and the Warton tomb inside the reredos, plus a short page on St. Mary’s church.

The drawings of most interest in the current context are of the canopy of the Sisters’ Tomb, (the virgins tomb in 1670,) and also of the ‘tomb’ itself, consisting of the two Purbeck marble slabs and the supporting stonework which now stand inside it. They are drawn from the south, so Henry was probably sitting on the bench in the south aisle. It was January and Britain was going through the ‘mini Ice Age’ so one has to hope that he was well wrapped up against the cold. It

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clearly shows that the tomb was already in that position.

His note above the tomb says: ‘The south side of the nave tomb. This is called the virgins tomb and is placed betwixt 2 pillars on the south side of the main body of ye church’. He also notes, on the slabs themselves, that the two tomb slabs are ‘marble’.

St John’s tomb in the nave was opened and investigated in 1664, only 6 years before Henry Johnston’s visit. This must have involved lifting the large and thick marble stone described by Dugdale in his account of the examination of the Saint’s tomb.

In ao 1664, upon taking up of a large and thick marble stone, lying in the midst of the Church of BEVERLEY, neare ye Entrance into the Quire, there was found under it A Vault of squared freestone, five foot in length, two foot in breadth at ye head, and one foot and an halfe at the foot. In which Vault there was A Sheet of Lead foure foot in length, contayning the Dust of ST. JOHN of BEVERLEY; as also six beades, whereof three were of Cornelian, the other crumbled to dust: there were also in it three great brasse pins, and foure iron nayles. Upon this Sheet of Lead was fixed A Plate of Lead, whereon was this following inscription: (translation: In the year 1188 from the Incarnation of Our Lord this church was burned in the month of September on the night following the feast of St Mathew the Apostle [that is 26 September], and in the year 1197 on 6 Ides March [9 March] an enquiry was made into the relics of the blessed John in this place, and his bones came to light in the east part of the grave, and these concealed, mixed with mortar and dust, were discovered and concealed in the same place.) Also, A Box of Lead, about even inches in length, six inches broad, and five in

heighth, lying athwert the plate of Lead. In this Box were Divers peices of Bones, mixt with dust, yeilding a sweet smell. All which were reinterred, by direction of the present Archbysshop of Yorke.

The visitation of the county of Yorke, begun in A ̊ Dn̄i MDCLXV, and finished A ̊ Dn̄i MDCLXVI, by William Dugdale. Surtees Society vol. xxxvi. for the year M.DCCC.LIX. London: J.B. Nichols and Sons, Printers, 25, Parliament Street.

In this description by Dugdale we have the probable beginning of the story. We know from this description that the tomb was rediscovered in March 1197. What was the state of the building at this time? The building of the new east end of the church had started around 1190 and was built around the shell of the Norman church. By 1197 the two eastern bays of the nave would have been built to join the new building to the Norman nave which would remain in position for the next 100 years and we also know, from the dendrochronology done over the past few years, that the choir was roofed before 1206. The present roof timbers of the nave are contemporary (1177-1202) but are not the roof originally placed here which was likely to be at a different pitch to match the height of the Norman roof of the rest of the nave, but also springing from a point lower down the clerestory wall for the same reason.

Dugdale describes the ‘large and thick marble stone’ lifted in 1664. The stone in the Sisters’ tomb is Purbeck Marble from Dorset. The use of Purbeck at the end of the 12[th] century has precedents in the Gallilee chapel at Durham cathedral, and also in the choir of York Minster built by Archbishop Roger. Both of these date to a couple of decades earlier than Beverley.

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SPECULATION

St John’s tomb is where it has always been.

I am grateful to Wikipedia for the following. “In the early Middle Ages, solemn translation marked the moment at which, the saint's miracles having been recognized, the relic was moved by a bishop or abbot to a prominent position within the church. Local veneration was then permitted. This process is known as local canonization.” We know from various sources that John was ‘canonized’ by Archbishop Aelfric Puttock and his body translated to a new tomb on 25[th] October 1037, presumably from his original resting place in what was the site of the ‘porticus’ of the earlier church. Or perhaps it was the same church, which was improved and embellished, following the translation, by three successive Archbishops in the 11[th] century, making way for the Norman church in the 12th century.

He was originally buried in the porticus of the Saxon church. We know from excavations on the south side of the nave which located coffins dated 992 but on a different alignment than the present building, that there was a church, on or near this site in the late 10[th] century. The Saxon church may have been on the same site as the present church and been subsumed and realigned by the 11[th] or 12[th] century builders. The 1197 rediscovery may have been marked by the addition of the large marble slab. This was lifted, very likely for the first time since the 1197 event, witnessed and reported by Sir William Dugdale, in 1664. The site in the nave marked by the marble slabs, to John and perhaps Berthuin the first abbot of the 8[th] century monastery, may even be the original grave site, used continuously since 1037 although this is doubtful and impossible to verify.

Offerings to the ‘little tombs’, presumably Berthuin and perhaps others, were still being made as late as the 15[th] century. St John’s tomb slab, unmarked by a name, was usually hidden by superstructures as described in miracle accounts of the early 14[th] century. When these were removed, at the dissolution or before, the stone remained.

THE STORY

This story begins on 25[th] October 1037 when the ‘new Saint’ John’s remains were translated to a new tomb. There it remained undisturbed, a centre for pilgrimage and devotion, until it became covered in rubble from the fire on 21[st] September 1188. In March 1197 a search was made in the rubble for its location and it was rediscovered and reinterred in the same spot. The clock moves inexorably on to 1664 when presumably the floor of the nave is being relaid or refurbished, and it is opened again and its contents described. This involved the lifting and replacing of the ‘large and thick marble stone’. It is possible that the canopy which originally covered Nichloas de Huggate’s tomb in the north transept was moved to this location at the time of the dissolution in 1548 or soon after. His tomb was probably in a position in the transept which was inconvenient for liturgical practices at the time so it was shifted, and the canopy moved. The base of Huggate’s tomb fits the canopy exactly. When the slab was lifted in 1664 it must have been regarded as a precious object and the enlightened decision was made to incorporate it and Berthuin’s stone as a tomb within the canopy. It was seen here and drawn in detail by Henry Johnston in January 1670.

John Phillips

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Minster Bell Restoration Project

to be bought to replace it. Some of ours had been in use for over 90 years before they had to be replaced, some of the newer clappers only lasted 5 to 10 years. After some careful thought and investigation into how the restoration of our original clappers would be done, I decided it would be worth doing to give the bells back their original sound. New iron tops were cast and forge welded onto the old clappers, the iron tops being fitted with a modern bush. When you hear the bells being rung now they sound exactly as they did in 1901 when they were first installed.

About every 10 years I get one of the bell foundries to come and do an inspection of the bells so I can draw up a list of possible work that will be needed to be done over the next few years. This time I asked the DAC Bell Advisor to come and do the inspection first as I had noticed some things had deteriorated during the Covid lockdown period, some of which had been caused by the ingress of water into the tower. During our conversation about the new types of clappers that have been introduced since the 1970’s being heavier and sitting on the bell rather than letting the full note come out I was surprised to learn that there was a firm that could restore our original 1901 wrought iron ones. Lignum vitae which had previously been used for the bush in the top of the clapper was listed as an endangered species in about 1976. Any wrought iron clappers that used that wood became obsolete when the bush wore out and a new type of clapper had

Whilst fitting the clappers and test ringing the individual bells we found that the gudgeons that hold the 7[th] bell in place had come loose and that the bell was now unsafe to ring in case it broke free and crashed out of the frame. Other work that was looked at to do over several years was costed and it was

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decided to do all the work at one time; it also meant the Minster could claim back quite a bit of the VAT under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme which runs out in March 2025. The wheels of all 10 bells were removed to have new soling and shrouding fitted, this is the tracking that the bell ropes run in. These were fitted to the original spokes that date from 1901. New pulley boxes and pulleys were made and fitted. The bells were lifted out of their pits and the bearings checked, 7 new sets of bearings were fitted as the old ones had been in use for more than 70 years and had become worn. Part of the bell frame was removed because it had corroded badly because of water sitting on it and a new section was made and fitted to replace the old part. The bells are now as near to how they originally were when they were put in by Canon Nolloth in 1901. Some of the parts that have been replaced should be alright for the next 120 years. Removing so many of the original parts has given us a valuable insight into how the frame was constructed, how the bells were fitted into place and the original colour of the metalwork. The bells being on two levels creates a challenge when working on

them. Canon Nolloth had the frame specially designed to fit the tower with a heavy peal of bells and is the only one of its kind.

Not only did the peal of 10 bells undergo a major restoration programme this year but Great John’s strike hammer did also. We looked at it last year and the hammer head which is made of 2 sections and weighs 70 kilos had come apart. Unfortunately the hammer head sheared off its fixings at the end of November and the restoration had to be carried out sooner than we thought. The hammer and all its connecting parts, some which have helped strike the hour more than 7 million times, were removed by the Cumbria Clock Company who have now fully restored everything. In the last year the Friends have covered the cost of these vital restoration projects which the PCC would have struggled to do.

Mike Robson, Steeple Keeper.

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Lighting Renewal Scheme

Our Minster’s lighting system has become a bit unreliable in recent years, having served us well for around 40 years. Combined with the fact that its older technology is comparatively expensive to run and increasingly hard to find spare parts for, the PCC agreed last year that development of a new, more energy efficient, lighting system for the Minster should be a priority.

The Beverley Minster Old Fund, Two Churches One Town and the Friends (as part of the PCC’s new Capital Works Board), kicked off the project late last year. It began with the Minster’s Architect, Andy Burrell Architecture, working with various stakeholders in the Minster to develop the right requirements of a new lighting system. This has been particularly important, as the way we use the Minster has changed considerably in the last four decades and we need the new system to serve everyone best, according to their 21st century needs.

Having agreed these requirements, we have since started the process of appointing a Lighting Designer for Beverley Minster. In the last three months, three shortlisted designers have produced and presented their vision for an outstandingly lit Minster. A panel, comprising of representatives from the funding bodies (including the Friends), will meet in August to select the most suitable designer. We will then enter a design phase until Spring 2025, where they will work with all parts of the Minster, the Diocese and heritage organisations to design the right system in detail.

This next phase of the lighting scheme is likely to receive significant financial support from the Friends, so we are very grateful that you’ve enabled this essential (and exciting!) work to take place. We look forward to sharing with you some progress and detail of the design in the Spring Newsletter.

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Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023

The Friends of Beverley Minster Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 Statement of Financial Activities Incoming Resources Voluntary Income Subscriptions Donations and Bequests Tax Recovered Activities for Generating Funds Study Days/ Trips Book sales Investment Income Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Charitable Activities Bells Published Article Dendrochronology Study Tower clock Repairs Activities for Generating Funds Study Days /Trips/Events Governance Costs Printing and stationery Insurance Sundries Accountancy Fees Total Resources Expended Net Incoming Resources Other Recognised gains/losses Gain/Loss on investments Net Movement in funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total fund Carried Forward	2023/24 £ 14,739 28,905 1,812 2,013 240 £ 11,780 2,802 2,936 1,459 308 748 1,290	£ 45,456 2,253 28,085 75,794 £ 14,582 2,936 3,805 21,323 £ 54,471 £ 86,031 140,502 £ 991,409 1,131,911 £	2022/23 £ 13,902 70,137 2,745 2,590 420 24,930
			114,724
			3,400 612 2,427 675 313 281
	£ £ £ £
			7,708
			107,016
			35,993 -
			71,023
			920,386
			991,409

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James Moore, Treasurer

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Friends of Beverley Minster

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Elizabeth Blanchard ACA, Sowerby Chartered Accountants Beckside Court, Annie Reed Road, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 0LF

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Financial Review

Summary of Results

The total income received for the year amounted to £75,794, including income from members subscriptions, donation and bequests of £45,456 and investment income of £28,085. Expenditure on projects of £14,582 and other costs including governance costs resulted in a nett surplus of £54,471. The value of the investments increased by £86,031 increasing the overall funds of the Friends by £140,502 to a total of £1,131,911. Further details are provided in the accounts included in this report

Reserves

The reserves at the date of the balance sheet total £1,131,911 and are all unrestricted. The funds are held for future expenditure on projects for which ongoing collaboration between the Friends and the Minster P.C.C. continues to identify suitable projects. It is likely projects will be identified which will require substantial levels of funding and consequently it is anticipated the level of funds will reduce substantially over the medium term.

Investments

The investments are held in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund and a deposit account managed by the CCLA

Bequests

This year the Friends have benefitted from bequests from the estates of

J C Jeffrey

I Goldthorpe

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Stuart Harrison writes…

At the meeting to mark the retirement of John Phillips as secretary of the Beverley Minster Friends I gave an account of the dendrochronology of the roofs of the minster and its significance to the dating of the building that had been financially supported by the Friends. This has been undertaken over a number of years with targeted sampling to try and establish a chronology for the original and later roofs. Importantly the overall results of this work and its significance was recently published in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association and is available online with open access to download.

The dendrochronology and the reconstruction of the various roof trusses used in the original roofs formed a complex account. Understanding the dating of the minster is a key to understanding the development of several major buildings in the north of England. Beverley Minster was not a solitary design but part of a significant group of churches that included, Jervaulx Abbey, Meaux Abbey and Fountains Abbey that grew out of the early Gothic designs seen at Ripon Cathedral, Byland Abbey and to a lesser degree Old Malton Priory and Tynemouth Priory. The church at Guisborough Priory where syncopated arcading was employed before it appeared at Beverley may also have played a major part in this development.

forcing ground where many of the details seen at Beverley were first developed and employed. Byland more for detail and Jervaulx for structural design with identical clerestory arcades and wall passages. This northern Gothic development can now be seen to have been independent of buildings such as Canterbury Cathedral and also Lincoln Cathedral. Beverley makes much use of Purbeck Marble and we now know that appeared in considerable quantities for both major piers and also detached shafts in the lost choir of York Minster built by archbishop Roger (1154-81).

The BAA paper, co-authored by myself and John, explores all these aspects of Beverley and the links which were forged at the time. It can be found and downloaded from Taylor and Francis online.

Byland Abbey and its daughter house at Jervaulx now appear to have been the

Jervaulx Abbey

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Annual General Meeting Agenda 2024

THE AGM OF THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER

TO BE HELD IN TOLL GAVEL HALL ON SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2024 at 2.00 p.m.

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the 2023 AGM held on 7[th] October 2023

3. Matters arising

4. Council Chair’s Report – Ms Mary Mead

5. Hon. Secretary’s Report - Mrs Fiona Goel

6. Hon. Treasurer’s Report – Mr James Moore

7. Hon. Programme Secretary’s Report – Miss Pamela Martin

8. Vicar’s Report – Rev. Canon Jonathan Baker

9. The Friends’ Constitution - conversion to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

10. Adoption of the reports

11. Election of Officers

To be re-elected:

Vice Presidents

• Chair – Ms Mary Mead

Hon. Programme Secretary – Miss Pamela Martin

• Hon. Minutes Secretary – Dr Susan Neave

• Hon. Secretary – Ms Fiona Goel

Hon. Treasurer – Mr James Moore

To be elected:

President – Prof. Roger Lewis

Members of the Council.

Mr Stephen Deas

Those wishing to stand for election to the Council should contact the Secretary prior to the meeting.

1. Any Other Business

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AGM Minutes 2023

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER HELD ON 7 OCTOBER 2023.

The meeting was chaired by the President of the Friends, Pamela Hopkins.

Present: Janet Ward, Jane Bowers, Pam Aughley, Peter Quigley, Fiona Johnson, John Askey, Karla and Bernard Vickers, Linda Johnson, Margaret Bailey, Susan and David Neave, Rita Steadman, Alan Wilkinson, Helena Anderson, Mike Robson, Stephen Deas, James Palmer, Robert Poyser, Roger Lewis, Patricia and David Brunt, Fiona Goel, David James, Berna Moody, Pamela Martin, Pamela Hopkins, Liz Grove, John Phillips, Mary Mead, James Moore, Jonathan Baker.

Apologies for absence: Graham Johnson, Margaret Imrie

The minutes of the AGM held on 8 October 2022 were passed - nem. con. Proposed by Stephen Deas, seconded by Linda Johnson.

Matters arising - none

Chair’s Report (Mary Mead)

This year has been marked by aspects of both continuity and change. We have welcomed new members to the Council and benefited from the skills and perspectives that they have brought. Alongside this, the continued involvement of our longer-term Council members has provided the experience which contributes much to the smooth running of our organisation.

Next year promises to bring more changes with a number of Council members standing down. Our Secretary, John Phillips, will be leaving his post after many years. One of the many contributions that John has made during this time is his work with Mervyn King to produce first-class annual reports and newsletters. We are very pleased that John has agreed to give the St John of Beverley lecture this year and look forward to what I’m sure will be a hugely interesting interpretation of the Minster’s “scratchings”. As you will have seen from the annual report, we will be marking John’s retirement with an event on

3[rd] November, and I hope that you will all join us for that. Bookings can be made either via Pam, or the Minster’s website. If the voting goes as planned today, we look forward to welcoming our new Secretary, Fiona Goel, to the Council.

Liz Grove, our Membership Secretary, has also decided to stand down. I think Liz is perhaps best known for her unequalled ability to ‘capture’ new members, and is an excellent ambassador for the Friends, not least through the remarkable deployment of hat-power! This post is currently vacant and we welcome enquiries from anyone who may be interested in finding out more about it.

In addition, three other Council members, Helena Anderson, Gail Cahill and Stephen Deas have reached the end of their elected term and I would like to thank them for their work over this period. We are hugely grateful to John, Liz, Helena, Gail and Stephen for their contributions and look forward to their continued involvement in future.

As sadly is often the case for organisations such as ours, the Council has been notified of a number of deaths of members over the past year. We are very grateful for the support they gave to the Friends and recognise the role they have played in making our organisation what it is today.

Over the past year the Friends has funded repairs and enhancement work to the bells and clock. Mike Robson has used this as an opportunity to promote interest in both the Minster and the Friends and you may well have seen it reported both by the BBC and local news. This publicity provides an additional benefit from the work that we support.

This year has also seen the publication of John’s article, cowritten with Stuart Harrison, regarding the role Beverley Minster played in the development of the Northern Gothic style in the late 12th and Early 13th Centuries. This is an excellent example of the role that the Friends play in supporting the development of knowledge and promoting interest in the Minster and its history.

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Alongside this, the Friends have been working with the PCC, 2COT and the Old Fund to establish processes for the selection and management of the Minster’s capital projects and we look forward to working with them on the newly established Projects Board. The Friends are fortunate to have the funds at this time to be able to make a significant contribution to the work of preserving and enhancing the building for future generations.

We are pleased to see the Minster’s music, which the Friends have supported for many years, continue to thrive and are grateful to Robert for organising what promises to be a splendid Friends’ festal evensong tomorrow. I encourage you all to come along if you can. Robert has also kindly arranged for the Junior Choir to give us a short performance at the end of the meeting.

Looking to the future, we, in common with other Friends’ organisations, face challenges in a number of key areas:

The first is in the area of recruitment, and whilst membership levels remain healthy, we face the challenge of continuing to attract new members, particularly from a younger demographic.

Secondly, we need to increase the level of active engagement with our organisation, both in terms of keeping the Friends running and also participation in our events. We have had a number of hugely interesting and enjoyable events this year, including yesterday’s trip to Bridlington, and we would like to find ways to encourage more people to join us on those.

A third key challenge is updating our processes. We have recently introduced an online booking system, updated our publicity material and increased our social media presence. These are changes that we hope will bring us to the attention of a wider audience and make it easier for people to become involved with the Friends. We have also introduced online banking as part of our wish to streamline the administrative work of Council members.

The Council will continue to consider how to address these points and would welcome assistance and ideas from members in how to do this.

I would like to thank all my colleagues on the Council for their contribution over the past year and thank you all for your continued support of the Friends.

Hon. Secretary’s Report (John Phillips) SECRETARY’S RÉSUMÉ FOR AGM 2023 Herewith my report on the proceedings of the Friends Council for November 2022 -May 2023

As usual at all our meetings, we receive reports from the Officers of the Council so we discuss the state of the Friends finances, our membership numbers, our social programme and we receive a report from the PCC. In addition to these items we have discussed the following.

In November 2022, we discussed a defective spring in the Minster clock which would have a serious and lasting effect on its function if not repaired as well as depriving the town of the clock chimes. The Council decided that we would cover the cost of the repairs even though this was an exception to normal practice, and would not set a precedent. We also discussed advertising in the Go Yorkshire magazine, and decided not to go ahead. We should explore ways of marketing the Minster ourselves including our own website.

Our Director of Music reported that the Cathedral Music Trust had held its regional Diocesan gathering in the Minster and were entertained by the choristers. The choir had recently completed a very successful tour to Colchester, Chelmsford and Lincoln.

In February 2023, we reported the successful repair of the Minster clock.

The PCC reported that the heating in the Minster had been turned off on 8[th] January. This had raised questions about whether the heating would actually function when turned on again, and further discussion about replacement of the boilers. In addition, the Minster Architect had hired an energy consultant to look at the issues surrounding heating the Minster and the ambition to be carbon nett zero by 2030. This led to a more general discussion about the responsibility for equipment in the Minster, and damage caused to structure and fittings by periods of fluctuating temperatures. It was confirmed that the Friends need take no action and are not responsible for current issues regarding the heating.

The role of Two Churches One Town was discussed.

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We reported the setting up of a group to look at the issues of publicity and communication, including our space of the Minster website. We discussed future funding requests to both the Minster Bells, and the clock. This was highlighted by the recently reported need to repair the striking hammer on the Great John Bell. It was decided that this fulfilled the Friends stated aims to assist in beautifying the church, i.e to have a working clock. Although the council agreed, in principle, to do the work, a formal costed request from the PCC was required before any further discussion could take place.

The Biennial Conference of the National Conference of Cathedrals, Abbeys and Greater Churches, is due to take place in October and was agreed to financially support the attendance of three delegates. We have attended these conferences in the past and found them very useful. Any other business covered the Minster hosting the Gaia installation in September. Council confirmed that they are not in a position to underwrite costs. In May 2023

As reported in the PCC report, a meeting had taken place of the TCOT, Friends etc liaison meeting (representatives from Minster PCC, Minster Old Fund and the FBM) to try and coordinate plans and agree on priorities. It was suggested the Friends might consider putting money towards a fundraiser or project manager to help move things forward; it is thought that this would be seen as part of capital project expenditure. The Friends can only contribute to major projects where there is also another source of funding. MM confirmed that it is not in the remit of the Friends to fund repairs to other buildings, such as the Parish Hall and that contributing to any redevelopment plans would require there to be a significant enhancement to the facilities offered to visitors to the Minster, such as a visitors' centre or a cafe. MM also explained that it was not the Friends' role to fund activities focussed solely on the Minster's religious life.

We were informed that the auction of surplus items from the Minster and St Mary's and other donated items which will now take place on 7/8 July.

We discussed the need for a new secretary as the current secretary had announced his intention to retire from the position after the AGM.

We were told that restoration work is required on Great John's strike hammer. A quote has been received from Whites of Appleton regarding the proposed work on the clappers. This would include reusing existing wrought iron clappers and the creation of two new ones. This work will restore the sound of the peal to that originally intended, as well as addressing issues regarding the excessive weight of the existing setup and the possibility of damage. This work will cost £15,332.40 including VAT.

A quote had also been received from the Cumbria Clock Company to rectify the crack in Great John's strike hammer. This will cost £8,820 incl. VAT. bringing total amount to £24,152 (including VAT, a proportion of which can be reclaimed).

It was proposed that the Friends meet the cost in full.

In August

We were informed that new Friends leaflets and a new banner were on display in the Minster. Work was in progress to improve the function of the website and to increase the Friends presence on Social media (Facebook, and Instagram) as well as increased

communication with the congregation via the weekly notice sheet and the Welcome team via Whatsapp. We also agreed to investigate updating the Friends display cabinet by adding more recent photographs of projects that we have supported.

Beverley Eco Fair 30 September Friends were asked if they wished to be represented by having a stall at the Eco Fair; this would take place while the Gaia installation is in the church during September.

Capital Works Board/Finance This is now a formal group with representatives from the Minster PCC, Minster Old Fund, Friends of Beverley Minster and Two Churches One Town. The group aims to establish a route to finding projects to support. Individuals on the group have agreed to assess progress in specific areas and identify which projects are most in need of support. (Projects on the list for 2023 were the E window, Retrochoir roof, lighting, toilets and parish hall). The Friends can provide match funding for capital projects but not fully fund major work.

In conclusion, as this will be my last report to the Friends AGM I would like to record my thanks to the members of the Friends council and members of the Friends, past and present, for their support during my time as

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secretary. It has been a busy but rewarding experience. I would also like to wish the Friends continued success in their endeavours to help conserve our beautiful building for the future.

Dr Kate Giles: delivered a lively and informative presentation about the Wall paintings in Pickering Parish Church..and the local intrigue...the publication of her book followed shortly afterwards. Approximately 30 attended.

Hon. Treasurer’s Report (James Moore)

The Treasurer referred to the Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2023 which were published in the Annual Report, and answered questions.

David James asked if the requirement for match funding might be stopping expenditure on projects, and whether match funding had been given for work on the clock. The Chair explained that match funding only applies to expenditure over £100,000, and this is used to unlock money from other funders (not the PCC).

Hon. Membership Secretary’s Report (Liz Grove)

The Membership Secretary welcomed new members and thanked people who are now paying subscriptions by standing order. Membership has decreased slightly and now stands at 428 but 4 new members have signed up over the past few days. New processes have been set up making it possible to join the Friends online. New members are asked for email addresses, and information will go out by email wherever possible, to save on postage costs. Those who would like a hard copy of information (especially of the Annual Report) can request this - contact [e-mail].

The deaths of two former Council members, John Ramsdale and Richard Kemp, was reported.

Liz was thanked for her work as membership secretary, a post from which she has now resigned.

Hon. Social Secretary’s Report (Pamela Martin)

October 2022. St John Lecture: Dr Susan Neave: 'The Minster Precinct from the Middle Ages to the mid-18th century' – detailed and interesting account which brought to life some long gone buildings in the area around the Minster. Approximately 42 attended.

In January this year Robert Poyser’s annual ‘Epiphany Recital’ was another successful performance attracting approximately 60 people. Refreshments were sponsored and served by the Friends.

The Lincoln Coach trip planned for April had to be cancelled due to lack of support.

Evenings in June

St Mary’s Lowgate, Hull – a return invitation. Members were able to see the benefit of grants obtained by the church in the form of the creation of a new kitchen/café area, new toilet facilities, new flooring in that area, and the extensive conservation and restoration work which had been carried out and now completed. 15 attended

Sally George – Favourite Corners in the Minster – Sally gave a very personal tour of Minster features which were special to her. 12 people attended.

Mike Robson – Beverley Minster Minstrel Carvings – Mike pointed out the many musical carvings which feature in the Minster nave and chancel – some earlier, some more modern, others quirky, humorous or more sombre, but all illustrating the fascinating musical instruments of the medieval period. 19 people attended.

All of these events brought in people from outside the church as well as Friends and church members.

The Coach visit to Lastingham and Pickering Churches – the former led by Dr Stuart Harrison, who has done extensive research on the church. The tour included an examination of the outer precincts of the church, where buildings were started but not completed, the placement of the church within the general history period and particular attention was paid to the medieval Crypt. Dr Kate Giles gave an illuminating talk about the Wall paintings in Pickering Church and the controversy they created in the past – a follow up to her previous October talk. Refreshments were

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plenty – Morning coffee at Malton, an appetising and ample Buffet lunch at the Barn Guesthouse at Hutton le Hole, unexpected tea and cake at Pickering church followed by the planned afternoon tea at the Forest and Vale in Pickering. 19 people were present.

6[th] October 2023 A visit to Bridlington Old Town when 16 members enjoyed fascinating outer and inside tour of Bridlington Priory led by Dr Stuart Harrison revealing parts of the building which remain after the Reformation and parts which have been changed in subsequent years. We began the outer tour in a gale, which subsided as we processed round the building! John Phillips also gave an account of the Mason’s Marks and the wood carvings. This was followed by a very interesting visit to and tour of the nearby Bayle Museum, which was originally part of the Priory. Most managed the spiral stairs, and a lively and informed guide brought the building alive. An ample buffet lunch followed at the Lamp restaurant in High Street. We were then given a tour of the High Street by one of our members, Pam Quigley accompanied by Max Lunn, owner of a property dating from 1670, which had been a Bank for at least 100 years. A tour of this extensive property completed a most satisfying day.

I must also mention James Palmer’s recent valuable contribution – thank you for setting up the necessary IT to introduce an online events booking facility, which is working very smoothly to date.

Finally to thank Mary Mead for her support and interest over the year.

Vicar’s Report (Revd Canon Jonathan Baker)

An Annual Report is a good moment to remind ourselves of some of the things we take for granted. For example, the fact that Beverley Minster is a cathedral-scale medieval Greater Church and the largest parish church building in the Church of England. It is part of the Diocese of York and a member of the Association of Major Churches. Its parish includes the daughter churches of St Leonard’s, Molescroft, St Paul’s, Tickton (a local ecumenical partnership), and St Peter’s, Woodmansey, each of which has its own Management Committee directing worship and mission. We are part of the Deanery of Beverley which launched its own Deanery Plan in 2022, and we play an active role in Churches Together in Beverley, of which the Vicar is currently Moderator. The Vicar is also the Rector of All Saints, Routh.

Future Events

Perspectives of on Friday 3 November in St Mary’s Parish Hall. To celebrate the retirement of John Phillips, Hon Secretary, his many contributions to the Friends activities, his research and other contributions to the Minster.

Robert Poyser’s annual Epiphany Recital will take place on Saturday 6[th] January in the Minster at 6pm

On this note I would like to personally thank John for his support at events, too numerous to list all, but including guiding coach drivers in sticky reverse situations, putting chairs out at events, acting as photographer and more importantly helping with IT matters.

My thanks also go to Mervyn King for his many contributions to the production of publicity and keeping events updated on the website. His sterling work and willingness to produce art works at the drop of a hat are much appreciated.

The Minster’s direction of travel is set by its Vision, which seeks to become more like Christ, to reach people we currently don’t, to grow as a church of missionary disciples, and to transform our finances and structures.

In the autumn of 2021 the Minster PCC launched a Vision Strategy seeking to improve the work of the Minster across a very broad spectrum of activity. In 2022 these workstreams led to a number of new initiatives. It might be of interest to the Friends to see what has been going on:

New Initiatives

New Congregations

● A new congregation called @9.15 which meets every Sunday and has an informal, contemporary style aimed at adults and those without a traditional church background.

● A new congregation called The Crossing which meets every Sunday afternoon and is aimed at families with pre-school children, many of whom are on the edge of church life.

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● A re-launched monthly Taizé Service attracting folk from across the area.

● A monthly informal worship service called Encounter piloted on behalf of the Deanery.

● A strong online presence in which most Minster services are livestreamed. Prayer and Spirituality

● A new Prayer Team offering daily prayers and chaplaincy in the Minster, regular prayer meetings and training, and prayer for those in need.

● A programme of Quiet Days through the year with visiting speakers. Pastoral Care

● A reconstituted Pastoral Team offering contact with those in need, Home Communions, services in Care Homes, emergency support, bereavement support and a weekly Friendship Group for those alone.

● A gradually growing range of social events, eg Burns Night, Summer Ceilidh and Hog Roast. Engagement with Schools

● Weekly Collective Worship led by the Minster team across four local Primary Schools.

● Increasing school visits and workshops in the Minster run by grant-funded Learning and Engagement Officers and our own team of retired teachers. Engagement with the Community

● A partnership with Christian homelessness charity ‘Hope Into Action’ which has seen the purchase of a first house for supported tenants.

• A mother and first baby group set up during

• the pandemic.

• Support group for Ukrainian refugees. Care of Creation

● An active EcoChurch group running events to raise awareness of the environmental crisis as a spiritual and discipleship issue. A major exhibition and Festival is coming up in September 2023, based around the ‘Gaia’ installation which has been seen in many Cathedrals.

Faith Development

• Investment in existing small groups and Lent Course to support growth in discipleship.

● Online preparation for Baptisms and Weddings which has led to better engagement with the families and couples concerned.

Existing Commitments

These new activities have grown up in addition to existing commitments such as:

Liturgy and Music

● 5/6 traditional services every Sunday across the parish with choral celebrations every Sunday morning and on major Festivals in the Minster.

● A thriving Minster choir with 60-70 members, of whom 40+ are children.

● A Junior Choir for small children not yet old enough for the Minster choir.

Occasional Offices and Christian Discipleship ● Network of house groups to provide pastoral and spiritual support for congregation members.

● 17 Baptisms, 17 Weddings and 35 Funerals.

Children’s Work

● A programme for families and children including Time Out (mums and tots), Me and My Dad (dads and tots), youth group, Sunday school groups, termly family days in the Minster.

Heritage and Visitors

● A ministry of hospitality which sees the Minster open 364 days a year, welcoming 60,000+ visitors to the Minster. ● A profitable shop run by a part-time manager and 40+ volunteers.

● In 2022 an initial approach to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was turned down. An equivalent approach by St Mary’s met the same fate.

● Heating, Lighting, Toilets and the Parish Hall all require significant renovation or replacement as soon as funds can be raised.

● A new Capital Works Board has been convened with representatives from the Friends, Old Fund, Two Churches One Town, and the PCC, to coordinate and fund raise for these projects.

Volunteering

● There is a wide range of volunteer-led activities including: Bell ringing, Gardening, Cleaning, Office work, Website and Social Media, Music, Stewarding, Welcoming, Leading Tours, Shop, Virging, PCC, Churchwardens, Finance and Fundraising, Junior Choir, Youth and Children’s work, Time Out, Embroidery, Serving Coffee, Enterprise/ events organising, Sidesteam, Christmas Tree Festival, Foodbank, Hope into Action, Pastoral

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Care, Prayer Team, Eco-Faith team, Readers, leading worship, flower arranging, catering, publicity and design, leading house groups, Choir support and Tour organising, setting up and livestreaming services, exhibitions, hosting Warm Spaces, Home Communions, laundry.

Enterprise

● A programme of concerts and events serving the wider community including Heritage Open Days, County Choir concerts and an annual Christmas Tree Festival attracting around 10,000 people. In 2022 over £90,000 was raised by the Enterprise Committee.

Outreach

● Support for the local food bank and other charities, local and international.

The Associated Churches at Molescroft, Tickton, Woodmansey and Routh.

● These congregations have their own life with support from the Minster ministry team and are an important reminder that the Minster parish is bigger than the Minster itself.

Additionally in 2022 we welcomed thousands to the Minster to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with special services and community events, and then again in September to sign Books of Condolence and attend commemorative events around the Queen’s funeral, including livestreaming the service from Westminster Abbey. In 2023 we also hosted a programme of services and events marking the King’s Coronation.

Future Focus

Refreshing the Vision Strategy

● Having made good progress in some Workstreams, but not in others, it will be useful to refocus the Vision Strategy and identify some of the short term priorities. Areas which have not previously been major points of focus include music, and youth and children’s work.

Rebuilding the Ministry Team

● Having said goodbye to Tim Kelly in May 2022 and to Wendy Wale in March 2023 we have now welcomed our new Curate, Charlie Shefford, in July. The Mission Priest post has been advertised and all being well interviews will have taken place when you read this.

Fabric

● We have all been aware of the need to do something about the heating in the Minster. However, the reason for there being no heating in the Minster last winter had less to do with the state of the boilers and more to do with the uncertainty over how much liquid cash was available to pay escalating fuel bills. This will not be the situation next winter – see the section below on finances.

● There is also an urgency to repair and renovate the Parish Hall. Toilets and lighting are also in the 10-year programme of works needing to be done sooner rather than later. The challenge is to develop the capacity to prioritise and run several projects at once. It is hoped that the Capital Works Board will enable this.

● The retro-choir roof and East Window is likely to be the focus for the next major phase of work on the fabric of the Minster itself.

● The Old Fund has continued to work on a rolling programme of stone and window conservation. We were sorry to say goodbye to Steve Rial in October after 33 years. Steve has now written a book about his time at the Minster which is available in the shop.

● Repairs to the clock mechanism and the clapper of the Great John Bell have been generously paid for by the Friends.

● In July an auction of disused furnishings, decayed and replaced stonework, and donated items raised £28,687 for the Minster, with smaller sums for St Mary’s and Two Churches One Town. The auction generated much interest as well as clearing some much needed space!

Administrative Capacity

● The ability to implement change, or indeed run routine operations smoothly, is compromised by lack of capacity in the office. We need to look at providing additional support so that we can manage projects and get more done.

● The Minster’s finances are now better understood as a result of heroic work done by the former Treasurer, Tim Carlisle, the Finance Assistant, Pippa Milner, and Accountant, Becky Dymond. This has led to the balance sheet being updated and a better understanding of the resources available, especially in restricted funds.

Many people work tirelessly to ensure that the life of the Minster and Associated Churches is maintained across such a broad

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spectrum of activity, and many of them are members of the Friends. It is much to be hoped that the new Capital Works Board will be able to navigate a way through the present fabric and infrastructure needs in a way that can command support from both the Friends and our sister organisations, all of whom have a shared desire to maintain this great building as a hub of the community.

Adoption of the reports Proposed by Roger Lewis, seconded by David Neave.

The Junior Choir entertained members attending the AGM with several songs with actions, and were warmly applauded.

Election of Officers

President Pamela Hopkins Vice Presidents Mayor of Beverley, Roger Lewis, Terry Holmes, Peter Calvert

Hon. Chair Mary Mead Hon. Social Secretary Pamela Martin Hon. Minutes Secretary Susan Neave Hon. Treasurer James Moore

Proposed by Stephen Deas; second by Rita Steadman. All elections were carried, nem. con.

Election of new Hon. Secretary. Fiona Goel Proposed by David James, seconded by David Neave

Election of new Members of Council

(already co-opted)

Susan Neave

Proposed by David Neave, seconded by Helena Anderson

Mike Robson

Proposed by Roger Lewis, seconded by Stephen Deas

James Palmer

Proposed by Alan Wilkinson, seconded by Helena Anderson.

Before the meeting closed the President paid tribute to the late Richard Kemp, former Treasurer of the Friends, for whom a memorial service is being held on 13 October 2023. She mentioned the Gaia installation and summer evening lectures as highlights of the year.

The AGM was followed by a lecture ‘Beverley Scratchings - An Introduction to Social History in Beverley Minster’ by John Phillips, after which afternoon tea was served.

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Members of the Council 2023-2024

Mary Mead Chair Fiona Goel Secretary James Moore Treasurer Pamela Martin Programme Secretary Susan Neave Minutes Secretary Mike Robson (Retires 2026) James Palmer (Retires 2026) John Phillips (Co-opted) Karla Vickers (retires 2024) Gail Cahill (Co-opted) Rodney Barton (Old Fund Representative since May 2024) Stephen Deas (Co-opted) Reverend Canon Jonathan Baker Robert Poyser (Co-opted) Lucy Duckworth (Co-opted)

Members who have left since the 2023 Annual General Meeting

Helena Anderson (February 2024) David James (February 2024) Meg Choules (February 2024) Pamela Hopkins (August 2024) Martin Needler (May 2024)

Contact details

Ms Mary Mead (Chair) E: [e-mail] Mr James Moore (Hon. Treasurer) 3 The Orchard, Tickton, Beverley HU17 9JE Tel: [phone] E: [e-mail] Mrs Fiona Goel (Hon. Secretary) 7 St John Street, Beverley HU17 8HT E: [e-mail]

Miss Pamela J Martin (Hon. Social Secretary) 85 Ancaster Avenue, Hull HU5 4QR Tel: [phone] E: [e-mail]

Revd. Canon Jonathan Baker (Vicar of Beverley Minster) The Minster Vicarage, Highgate, Beverley HU17 0DN E: [e-mail]

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Friends of Beverley Minster Parish Centre 38 Highgate Beverley HU17 0DP

E: [e-mail]

W: www.beverleyminster.org.uk/the-friends Facebook: The Friends of Beverley Minster Instagram: friendsofbeverleyminster

The Friends’ Annual Report is compiled by Fiona Goel and designed by Mervyn King

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THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024

The Friends of Beverley Minster

Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Statement of Financial Activities Incoming Resources Voluntary Income Subscriptions Donations and Bequests Tax Recovered Activities for Generating Funds Study Days/ Trips Book sales Investment Income Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Charitable Activities Bells Published Article Dendrochronology Study Tower clock Repairs Activities for Generating Funds Study Days /Trips/Events Governance Costs Printing and stationery Insurance Sundries Accountancy Fees Total Resources Expended Net Incoming Resources Other Recognised gains/losses Gain/(loss) on investments Net Movement in funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total fund Carried Forward	2023/24 £ £ 14,739 28,905 1,812 45,456 2,013 240 2,253 28,085 £ 75,794 11,780 2,802 - - 14,582 2,936 1,459 308 748 1,290 3,805 £ 21,323 £ 54,471 86,031 £ 140,502 991,409 £ 1,131,911	2022/23 £ 13,902 70,137 2,745 86,784 2,590 420 3,010 24,930 £ 114,724 3,400 612 4,012 2,427 675 313 281 - 1,269 £ 7,708 £ 107,016 (35,993) £ 71,023 920,386 £ 991,409

The Friends of Beverley Minster

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Fixed Assets Note Investments 3 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 4 CBF Deposit Cash at Bank Total Current Assets less Creditors 5 Net Current Assets Net Assets £ Funds of Charity Unrestricted funds Brought forward Add Surplus for the year £	2023/24 £ 1,053,272 1,053,272 1,812 50,090 28,027 79,929 1,290 78,639 1,131,911 £ 991,409 140,502 1,131,911 £	2022/23 £ 899,241 899,241 2,741 90 89,437 92,268 100 92,168 991,409 920,386 71,023 991,409

Notes to the Accounts

Note 1 Basis of Preparation

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide and true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the trust's ability to continue as a going concern.

Note 2 Accounting Policies

Incoming Resources

Recognition of Incoming resources

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Incoming resources with related expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Donations

Donations are included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Tax Reclaimes on Subscriptions and Donations

The tax reclaimed included in the SoFA is the recoverable amount on the receipts received in the year.

Investment Income

Investment Income earned from the deposit fund is for the period earned in the accounting period. Monies earned from the income fund is accounted for in the period it is received.

Expenditure and Liabilites

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Governance Costs

Includes costs of the trustee meeting and the AGM.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Assets

Fixed asset investments are included at market value a the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sale proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Note 3 Investment Assets

Market Value at the beginning of the year Purchase Net Gain /loss on revaluation Carrying (market ) value at the end of the year Note 4 Debtors The debtors figure is made up as follows Inland Revenue (Gift Aid) Note 5 creditors Independent Examiners Fees	2023/24 £ 899,241 68,000 86,031 1,053,272 2023/24 £ 1,812 1,812 2023/24 £ 1,290	2022/23 £ 885,234 50,000 35,993 - 899,241 2022/23 £ 2,741 2,741 2022/23 £ 100

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Friends of Beverley Minster

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Elizabeth Blanchard ACA Sowerby Chartered Accountants Beckside Court Annie Reed Road Beverley East Yorkshire HU17 0LF

THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024

The Friends of Beverley Minster

Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Statement of Financial Activities Incoming Resources Voluntary Income Subscriptions Donations and Bequests Tax Recovered Activities for Generating Funds Study Days/ Trips Book sales Investment Income Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Charitable Activities Bells Published Article Dendrochronology Study Tower clock Repairs Activities for Generating Funds Study Days /Trips/Events Governance Costs Printing and stationery Insurance Sundries Accountancy Fees Total Resources Expended Net Incoming Resources Other Recognised gains/losses Gain/(loss) on investments Net Movement in funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total fund Carried Forward	2023/24 £ £ 14,739 28,905 1,812 45,456 2,013 240 2,253 28,085 £ 75,794 11,780 2,802 - - 14,582 2,936 1,459 308 748 1,290 3,805 £ 21,323 £ 54,471 86,031 £ 140,502 991,409 £ 1,131,911	2022/23 £ 13,902 70,137 2,745 86,784 2,590 420 3,010 24,930 £ 114,724 3,400 612 4,012 2,427 675 313 281 - 1,269 £ 7,708 £ 107,016 (35,993) £ 71,023 920,386 £ 991,409

The Friends of Beverley Minster

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Fixed Assets Note Investments 3 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 4 CBF Deposit Cash at Bank Total Current Assets less Creditors 5 Net Current Assets Net Assets £ Funds of Charity Unrestricted funds Brought forward Add Surplus for the year £	2023/24 £ 1,053,272 1,053,272 1,812 50,090 28,027 79,929 1,290 78,639 1,131,911 £ 991,409 140,502 1,131,911 £	2022/23 £ 899,241 899,241 2,741 90 89,437 92,268 100 92,168 991,409 920,386 71,023 991,409

Notes to the Accounts

Note 1 Basis of Preparation

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide and true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the trust's ability to continue as a going concern.

Note 2 Accounting Policies

Incoming Resources

Recognition of Incoming resources

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Incoming resources with related expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Donations

Donations are included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Tax Reclaimes on Subscriptions and Donations

The tax reclaimed included in the SoFA is the recoverable amount on the receipts received in the year.

Investment Income

Investment Income earned from the deposit fund is for the period earned in the accounting period. Monies earned from the income fund is accounted for in the period it is received.

Expenditure and Liabilites

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Governance Costs

Includes costs of the trustee meeting and the AGM.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Assets

Fixed asset investments are included at market value a the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sale proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Note 3 Investment Assets

Market Value at the beginning of the year Purchase Net Gain /loss on revaluation Carrying (market ) value at the end of the year Note 4 Debtors The debtors figure is made up as follows Inland Revenue (Gift Aid) Note 5 creditors Independent Examiners Fees	2023/24 £ 899,241 68,000 86,031 1,053,272 2023/24 £ 1,812 1,812 2023/24 £ 1,290	2022/23 £ 885,234 50,000 35,993 - 899,241 2022/23 £ 2,741 2,741 2022/23 £ 100

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Friends of Beverley Minster

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Elizabeth Blanchard ACA Sowerby Chartered Accountants Beckside Court Annie Reed Road Beverley East Yorkshire HU17 0LF