THE FRIENDS
OF BEVERLEY MINSTER
89th ANNUAL REPORT
2024- 2025

## _**Contents**_ 

|**_Contents_**|||
|---|---|---|
|Chair’s Report|Mary Mead|3|
|Programme Secretary’s Report|Pamela Martin|5|
|Events Programme||6|
|Membership||8|
|Director of Music’s Report|Robert Poyser|9|
|Visit to Skirlaugh Church|Helena Anderson|11|
|Time in the Minster|Mike Robson|12|
|Story of a Research Project|Martin Eldred|15|
|Accounts|James Moore|18|
|Financial Review|James Moore|23|
|AGM Agenda||24|
|Minutes of the 2024 AGM||25|
|Council Members||30|




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## _**Chair’s Report**_ 

building’s heritage. One element of this will be a schools’ Choral Outreach programme, offering a valuable 

opportunity to use the Minster’s musical expertise to bring the benefits of choral singing to the wider community. As you may be aware, The Friends has agreed to provide a part of the funding for this initial phase and, in principle, to make a contribution to the future restoration work. 

Over the past year, a key focus for the Council has been the Minster’s Destinations project. I am pleased to report that, since the publication of the Spring Newsletter, work on the development grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been completed and was submitted in May. A decision is expected in September. 

If successful, the grant will fund essential preparatory work for a further application to support a major restoration at the East End of the Minster. This will include restoration of the Great East Window, and repairs to the Quire, Retro Quire, and Lesser North Transept roofs. The project also includes a new lighting scheme, improved landscaping around the East End, enhanced visitor interpretation, and increased public engagement with the 

At our last AGM, members agreed in principle to change the legal structure of The Friends to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Since then, the Council has approved a new constitution, which has been submitted to the Charity Commission for approval. We will be asking members to confirm their approval at our forthcoming meeting, and a copy of the new constitution accompanies this report. As discussed previously, this change is administrative and designed to support our operation as an organisation. Our charitable aims and the nature of our work will remain unchanged. You will notice that the new constitution differs in structure from our current one. This is because it follows the model recommended by the Charity Commission, with specific additions and amendments tailored to the needs of our organisation. 

We have been delighted to welcome both members and non-members to this year’s events, once again expertly organised by Pamela Martin. Pam has decided to step down as Programme Secretary at the forthcoming AGM, and I know members will wish to join me in expressing sincere thanks to her for her 

**3** 



work over many years to create such enjoyable and informative events. Looking ahead to our October weekend, I’m very pleased that Professor Barbara English has agreed to be our speaker for this year’s St John of Beverley Lecture. As in previous years, the weekend will conclude with a Festal Evensong in the Minster, to which all are warmly invited. 

Two other members of the Friends Council, Karla Vickers and Lucy Duckworth, will be stepping down at the AGM and I would like to thank them both for their contributions to the Council’s work. 

Elsewhere in this report, you’ll find articles by Steeple Keeper Mike Robson, writing on the subject of Time in the Minster, and our new PCC 

representative, Martin Eldred, who shares his research into the history of his house and I’m grateful to them for taking the time to do this. 

Many members now pay their subscriptions by standing order, and I would encourage others to consider doing the same if possible. That said, we are of course very happy to continue receiving cheques from those who prefer this method. May I also take this opportunity to ask that you let us know of any changes to your contact details, including your current email address? 

In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Council for their time and commitment over the past year, and to you, our members, for your continued support of The Friends. 

_Mary Mead_ 


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## _**Programme Secretary’s Report**_ 

With commencing the Programme somewhat later this year, there have been two events held so far. 

Helena Anderson (Council Member) has written about the recent visit to Skirlaugh St Augustine’s Church one Monday evening in July and I will give insight into the ‘North Riding Pevsner’ recently revised and published in April of this year – a talk and presentation delivered by Dr Jane Grenville, the editor. 

Thwaite in Swaledale, nineteenth and twentieth century British naturalists and wild life photographers, who created innovative ways of photographing animals and creatures in the wild – disregarding any health and safety regulations! 

Much discussion took place after what was undoubtedly an interesting, informative and memorable lecture. A buffet afternoon tea followed, bringing the event to a satisfactory close. 

Approximately 27 Friends and NonFriends gathered in the Peter Harrison Room on Saturday 21[st] June, one of the hottest days of the summer! They were not disappointed as Jane Grenville began to unwind the fascinating story of how Nikolaus Pevsner (1902 – 1983) came to England from Germany prior to the 2[nd] World War and created a notable career with the research and writing of forty six Architectural Guides of the Buildings of England. Archival clips of film illustrated Pevsner at work in the office and on his visits to some of the churches he recorded. His wife, Lola, played a big part in the operation, providing him with support as well as undertaking all of the driving. 

Jane continued to compare her travels in the North Riding with that of Pevsner and how she approached the enormous task of recording her discoveries. Her talk was not without humour, as she showed a clip of the Kearton Brothers of 

As I write, events to follow include ‘Pickering – a Virtual Historical Video Talk’ presented by John Kinghorn on Friday 29[th] August at 2pm in the Peter Harrison Room and finally the October St John Lecture, after the AGM on Saturday 4[th] October, entitled ‘A Tale of Two Church Stalls’; a presentation and talk delivered by Professor Emerita Barbara English, MBE. Afternoon tea buffets will be provided on both occasions. 

This will be my final newsletter before I step down from the office of Programme Secretary after thirteen years. I would like to say a big thank you to the many people who have assisted me in my role behind the scenes over the years and to you, the members, who have supported the events programmes with enthusiasm. It has been a pleasurable and honourable experience. 

_Pamela J Martin_ 

**5** 



## _**Programme of Events**_ 

**SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER at 14:00** 

**Peter Harrison Room/Minster Parish Hall, Minster Yard North, HU17 0DT** 

**Annual General Meeting** 

**(Members of the Friends only)** 

## **15:15** 

## **St John of Beverley Annual Lecture: ‘A Tale of Two Church Stalls’** 

## **Speaker: Professor Emerita Barbara English, MBE** 

Barbara English discusses the archbishop's quire stall in Beverley Minster and the north-eastern stall in the chancel of St Mary's Beverley, considering them in the context of the famous misericords of both the churches and the other carvings around them. 

An Afternoon Tea buffet will follow 

## **Cost: Free for Friends; £10 per person for non-Friends attending the lecture and buffet** 

## **BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR FRIENDS AND NON-FRIENDS** 

## **For further details see the Friends website** 

## **SUNDAY 5 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. 

**6** 



**2026** 

**SATURDAY 10 JANUARY at 18:00** 

**Epiphany Organ Recital at Beverley Minster** 

**Messiaen: ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’** 

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

**For more details or to book our events please see the Friends website: https://beverleyminster.org.uk/friends-events/** 

**Booking enquiries can also be made to: The Programme Secretary, Friends of Beverley Minster,** 

**85, Ancaster Avenue, Hull, HU5 4QR E-mail: friendsbooking@beverleyminster.org.uk Telephone 01482 442221** 


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## _**Membership**_ 

**Membership** (August 2025): 

430 members 

26 associate organisations 

## **New Friends:** 

Ms T Nicholson 

Mr & Mrs M & N Pliener 

Mr M Ramshaw 

Mr & Mrs C R & S Barton 

Mrs C Benson 

Mr J Bradley 

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

Mrs J Chipperton 

Mr R Shaw 

Mr M Needler 

Mrs R Fletcher 

Mrs Y McGrady 

Mr J Phillips 

Mrs R Adamson Clark 

Mr P Blacker 

Mrs J Peebles 

Mr M R Petch 

**8** 



## _**Report by the Director of Music**_ 

I write this report in recovery mode after a busy end of term with services, concerts and event galore. The choir head into their Summer break after an excellent year with a multitude of highlights. 

An example of our packed schedule is Holy Week and Easter that saw 15 services in 8 days - each with some provision of music. People often say ‘Christmas must be your busiest time of year’ but by the time I have explained these services they have changed their minds! Each service has its own identity and liturgy and therefore its own music choices. Whether that is the exuberance of the opening of the Palm Sunday service outside (always in the wind it seems!), or the solemnity and profoundly moving Good Friday Matins and Litany, Holy Week and Easter takes us through a rollercoaster of emotions and the music reflects and underpins this. 

Musical highlights of the past year have been many and varied. I joined forces in a marvellous and light hearted concert featuring the Minster Organ and Lewis Scott’s amazing digital theatre organ (we are repeating this in 2025 twice due to popular demand!) a choral festival with the presentation of awards at the Minster in October, a first outing for us of Maurice Durufle’s Requiem for Remembrance Day, as well as the standard pattern of three choral services a week. Recently, many of our choristers took their Dean’s and Archbishop’s awards and these will be presented in the Autumn. The choir have also sung jointly with a number of choirs, most 

recently the Chamber Choir from Ampleforth School and always enjoy doing so. We welcome St Mary's Newark to us in September. 

During our choir’s holidays, we have hosted visiting choirs from across the UK, and do so again this Summer. We are a popular destination for choirs due to the fabulous welcome they receive from our virgers, welcomers, staff, and clergy and many seek to return. 

The Friday Lunchtime Concert Series had a breakthrough year with record audiences and a high quality and variety of performers including choirs, a brass band, organists, pianists, harp, violin, and singers. Elaine Dyson’s fabulous efforts with the catering have been instrumental to the success of the series and, now we have linked up with the East Riding College our soups have gone to the next level. The students have been great ambassadors for the College – friendly, hard working and creators of delicious food. The 2025 series has started where the last series finished and if you have not experienced the buzz and energy of a Friday at the Minster do join us for soup and concert soon. 

We made publications from both the Royal School of Church Music and also the Cathedral Music Trust recently in celebration of our choir numbers heading over the 100 mark. When you add up our Junior Choir, Boys Choir, Girls Choir, Consort, Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses it is quite a 

formidable enterprise. Our Junior Choir, under Rachel Dent’s inspired leadership has grown and developed over the past 

**9** 



year and is our chief source of new singers into the Choir as well as a lovely community of young families coming together each week. 

Our choir tour in 2024 was to Shrewsbury Abbey where a group of nearly 50 singers sang the services and a concert in the marvellous Abbey. We also enjoyed a day at Blist’s Hill Industrial museum. A huge thank you to Mary Mead for helping manage the tour, our 8[th] choir tour. Sadly we will not be going away this Autumn but look forward to a resumption of our travels in 2026. 

A number of volunteers have helped hugely with the music over this past year. In particular, Jane Todd in leading the music group, Alison Wise leading Taize including putting together a memorable Joint Service in January, Sue Wheeldon in helping to direct the choir and co-ordinate our Safeguarding Rota, Kevin Wheeldon for his help at Boys Practice and strategic planning, and Nick Wise for his fabulous organ playing at many of our Sunday morning services and special occasions throughout the year. There are so many others who have helped to contribute hugely to the musical enterprise and without their support we would not manage to do all we do. 

The organ has featured in a standalone concert series over the Summer and was used for the New Paths Festival Organ Competition in front of a panel of eminent organists. Our organ continues to delight all who hear it. 

We truly possess an instrument of national importance under the watchful care of David Wood of Wood of Huddersfield. We also acquired a delightful chamber organ earlier this year that has already proved its worth both in services and concerts. It is surprising how something so small carries so well in our Minster. 

Our Steinway Grand Piano gets ever more use in our Concert Series, concert pianists love it and such is its quality it copes admirably with the changes of temperature and humidity in the Minster. It has been a fabulous investment in the music by the Friends of the Minster. 

Our Choral Foundation (which provides music lessons to our choristers) has produced outstanding results and budding young musicians. Our last tranche of funding from the DeFlog Foundation has now come to an end so we will be looking at how we fund it going forward. In fact, there is a lot to look at through the prism of the Vision and Strategy Document relating to Music and how it will be shaped and resourced. We have a lot that is good in the department, but it is time to cast energy towards the future in order to see it develop and thrive and act as the glorious ambassadors for the Minster in new and creative ways as well as its fundamental role in worship. 

_Robert Poyser_ 

**10** 



## _**Visit to Skirlaugh Church**_ 

Fifteen members of the FOBM were welcomed with tea and cake, which was served in the west end of the church by Judy and Cliff Stott and Penny. 

Penny told us of the story of Walter Skirlaw, born in 1330 to a basket-maker, educated at Swine and Beverley Grammar school. Taken under the wing of Archbishop John Thoresby, he studied at Oxford (probably at Balliol as his coat of arms are in a chapel window there), and was priested. As secretary to Thoresby he became Archdeacon of the East Riding, a Canon at York, and prebend of St Andrew’s chapel in the Beverley Minster. In the late 14c he worked for three kings, Edward I, Richard II and Henry IV. He held bishoprics at Coventry and Lichfield, Bath and Wells, and then Durham where he built the Bishop’s palace at Auckland. 

Between 1401-4 Skirlaw endowed this church as a chantry, on a new site at Skirlaugh (previously the nearest church had been the abbey at Swine).  Built of magnesium limestone from Tadcaster, as is Beverley Minster, it is a perfect example of Perpendicular architecture.  Some traces of the interior plastering and painting are visible. The internally cobbled tower and the porch were added fifty years later when the chapel became a parish church. There would have been a minstrels gallery at the west end, a rood screen and reredos, all now removed. There is some medieval glass with Skirlaw’s coat of arms in the east window, otherwise the windows are clear glass with some recent perpendicular bands of colour. The church sits amidst its graveyard, with a wildflower area. 

A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Judy, Cliff, and Penny for a most enjoyable and informative evening. 

_Helena Anderson_ 

**11** 



## _**Time in the Minster**_ 

On the 15th June 2021 a large crowd of people stood below the North West tower of the Minster to watch the hands being refitted to the clock face after the restoration work. This turned my thoughts to another event that was reported about a Minster clock (York Courant, Beverley, February 11th, 1756). 

Last week was finished and played off here a set of chimes upon the 8 bells in St. John's church by that eminent artist James Harrison of Barrow. The chimes afforded general amusement to all that hear them, having for variety ten different tunes. Nine of the tunes are changed by its own motion from one tune to another every time it plays, which is every 3 hours till Saturday night when of itself it plays the tenth which is 2 Psalms. These play until midnight Sunday and then goes to its changing 

course as before, being 9 weeks before it plays the same tune on the same hour on the same day of the week. The machine is curious, yet simple, the model plain yet beautiful, the motion free and easy, for all it is looked upon as a fine piece for its design and performance. These tunes played between 3 to 4 minutes each on the hours of 3,6,9,12. 

The winding gear for these chimes can still be seen on the north aisle wall near the tower door. 

These chimes lasted until the 1860's when they started failing and were replaced by 5 tunes. The 5th tune, a minuet was probably copied from the old 9th tune on the previous chimes. These chimes remained during the clock restoration of 1884 when the clock was overhauled and improved. The black 

**12** 



wooden face was replaced by the present Gothic wrought iron dial, 14ft in diameter. The quarter chimes that until 1860 had been struck on the 3rd and 6th bells were now changed to the 3rd and 5th bells.  The hour was struck on the tenor.  Peter was cast in 1366 and is now the prayer bell in the south tower. This bell along with three others were cast in pits near where the font stands today in the present building and were hung in the previous church. 

In 1901 a new peal of 10 bells was installed which meant a new clock would be needed. Canon Nolloth's idea was to have quarter chimes on all ten bells and the hour to be struck on Great John, the 7-ton bell in the South West tower. What made this unusual was that the Minster would have the only clock in the world that would chime on bells in two different towers from one main mechanism; it is probably the same today. Nolloth took the Minster organist John Camidge down to John Taylor's bell foundry in Loughborough to hear the bells when they had all been cast and asked him to compose the quarter chimes. Each of the four tunes ends 

differently so as to make it clear which quarter it denotes. Camidge says at the time in the Minster Magazine in April 1902,"the chimes contain the avoidance of anything like a tune which soon palls and grows wearisome by repetition." 

The arrangement of the chimes is such that the correct time is indicated at the start of the quarters and at the first strike of the hour bell. We still use this system for a very good reason - the hands on the dial will probably be slightly out. The dial, hands and their cogs (pictured above) were fitted in 1884, the new clock and its cogs are 1901 and the difference between the cogs causes a problem in that they don't match. We have tried over several years to get the hands as close as possible to the correct time, but by moving a cog by one tooth changes the time by two and a half minutes making the hands fast or slow. 

The new clock and chimes were started by the Mayor of Beverley James Elwell in a special service on Saturday 15th February 1902.  Silence was maintained while the clock struck 5.00pm, which was the first time that Great John 

**13** 



John also had large weights that needed to be wound up as every day as well. When the lever drops to start the 4th quarter another one drops part the way through the chimes and taps a rod that goes through the tympanum and into the south west clock room and starts the motor to strike the hour. The hour chimes also work on a large drum. The lever has a 12mm thick wire attached to it and this goes directly up through the ceiling to the hammer which weighs 70 kg. 

(pictured above) had been heard. It is interesting to note that both of these clocks were first started in the month of February. 

The chimes are played in exactly the same way as a musical box.  A barrel with pegs on it rotates and lifts individual levers. The levers are connected to the hammers by wires and angled moving brackets. The wires come up through the roof of the clock case and then go off in different directions under the clock room ceiling and then up into the bell chamber. Once in there they run along the bell frame to their respective hammer, which could be 30 feet or more from the clock.  The hammers vary in weight from 33 to 70lbs. 

The clock was fitted with electric motors in 1962, one to turn the quarter chime barrel and the other one to wind up the clock weights. The weights still power the clock.  When they run down to their lowest point about 40 feet below the clock the motor starts and winds them up again; this happens about every day and a half. If the clock was still hand wound this would need to be done every day, and considering the largest weight on the old clock was over half a ton it would take a while to do. Great 

We are often asked why the clock keeps stopping in the summer and the answer is that there are windows on the east and west side of the clock room that let the sound of the bells on the lower level out and also ventilate the clock room. Some years ago, the grill on the east side was removed and a sealed window was fitted, then in recent years when the grill came loose on the west side that was also replaced with a sealed window. So now in summer whilst we leave doors open to cool the room, the brass and the other metals heat up at different temperatures and can start to bind, as well as the grease drying out, and this stops the clock. 

Canon Nolloth said in 1902 that there had been a clock in the tower for at least 250 years, the records show that in years 1727/28 that oils for the bells and clock had been bought at a cost of 3s 6d, which seems to prove the existence of an earlier clock. 

When Canon Nolloth retired as Vicar of the Minster he was presented with a long case clock that played the Minster quarter chimes and the hour, it is understood that the clock maker liked the chimes so much he made an identical clock for himself. 

## _Mike Robson_ 

**14** 



## _**The Story of a Research Project**_ 

Who would have thought, when I bought a neglected, run-down house, one of a terrace of seven, in almost central Hull, that it would lead to a research project lasting many years? 

In 2007 I bought such a house, partly because it overlooked the rather attractive grounds of some 1970s sheltered accommodation.  A chance remark by the vendor’s son -  “There used to be a dirty great cathedral over there” – really tweaked my interest and so the research project began. 

Initially I visited the Hull Archives (this long before the City’s History Centre was built) and from there I acquired building plans for my terrace and a mysterious groundfloor plan for a church hall. 

From the East Riding Archives I was able to obtain facsimile copies of three memorials for the sale of the land on which my house stands and for the sale of neighbouring parcels. 

Thus I was able to find out about the Parish of Sculcoates and how in the course of three generations its population rose from a few hundreds to tens of thousands. 

**15** 



I discovered how the parish had been served for over fifty years by an absentee vicar’s succession of curates and how, when the last of these curates spoke and wrote publicly about the evils of pluralism, he was deprived of his curacy and his licence by a spiteful and heartily disliked Archbishop of York. 

This same curate had been a local hero during the cholera outbreak of 1849, putting his life in danger and conducting over 330 burials, the fees for which (“A One Hundred Pound Note”) went directly to his absentee vicar. 

I was able to research the original Parish Church of Sculcoates, Saint Mary’s, and discovered how it was regularly inundated by the River Hull most winters and the benches were routinely taken each autumn to the Charterhouse  - where winter services were held – and routinely returned each spring. 

I discovered that Sculcoates had never had a patronage and how successive incumbents had solved this problem by pluralism, either holding another living with a house, or in a few cases by combining the vicarage of Sculcoates with the role of Master of the Charterhouse and living in the rather splendid Master’s House there. 

I researched the first resident vicar of Sculcoates after the dismissal of the poor out-spoken curate. He was the younger son of a Baronet, came from an assistant curacy in a poor working-class area of Paddington in London and proved to be an inspirational Vicar of Sculcoates, esteemed by the rich and influential who lived in such houses as mine and the poor who lived cheek-by-jowl in the many courts and alleys in the parish. 

I discovered how, only months after his arrival in the parish, the foundation stone was laid for a new parish church, on land donated by John Jarratt, the Vicar of North Cave and how, only three years later the new Parish Church of Sculcoates, All Saints, was consecrated by Archbishop Thompson. This was the same archbishop who had dismissed the outspoken curate and who had torn up the winning entry of the design competition for the new church, substituting a design by an architect he favoured. 

I learnt how over the next few years the new church had been expanded to include, amongst other things, a huge church hall to “provide services for the poor” and how it was described in the local press as the most perfect and complete church establishment in Kingston upon Hull or the East Riding. 

Sadly I discovered how this paragon of virtue died from blood poisoning, aged only 44 after serving his parish for sixteen years. 

**16** 



Each new discovery seemed to open a new line of enquiry. For example, the gift of land by the Vicar of North Cave opened up a whole new line of research into the Jarratt family, a long established land-owning, merchant class Hull family. 

Besides the ever expanding research into the church in Sculcoates there were the people who lived in the square. Through census returns, rate books, local press cuttings, court records and records of births, deaths and marriages I was able to conjure up a vivid picture of the people who had lived in the square surrounding All Saints. Their lives, their worries, their fears, their hopes and aspirations were, on a domestic level, exactly the same as ours. They speak quite vividly to us from a hundred and sixty years ago. 

Each September I open part of the ground floor of my house, as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme and present a series of illustrated talks on “The lost Church of All Saints and the elegant square that once surrounded it.” 

Watch out for it in this year’s Hull Brochure: 18[th] and 20[th] September at 10am and 2pm both days. You would be most welcome. 

## _Martin Eldred_ 


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Annual Accounts
The Fdends of Beverley Mlnster
Annual AcCoUntsfort￿ year endlry31 Mar¢h 1025
ststement of Flnandal Adlvltles
1024125
Z023124
Incomln8 Resourtes
Voluntary Incom•
Subscriptions
Donation5 and 8eouests
Tax Recovered
13,540
5.824
1.972
14,739
28,905
1,812
21.336
45.4S6
ActSVttleslorGenera￿fi1 Funds
Study DayslTrlps
Book sales
2,013
240
19)
2.010
2,253
Investment Income
31.162
28.085
T￿•1 Inwmlry Resour¢
75,794
A•sourtts ExpEnded
Ch•rftabl• Artfvltlls
11,780
2,802
PublSshed Artlcle
Grotesque
324
35.312
14.S82
A¢il¥ltl¢sl¢rfjM•ra¥n¢ Fynds
Sludy Days ￿rIp￿EVenIs
2,233
2,936
GOV•m•n￿ Costs
Prlnting and 5tatlonery
nsurance
1,035
1,459
308
748
1,290
Sundrle5
Ac£ountan(y Fees
1,19)
3,805
Totsl Resources Expend•d
41.430
21.323
Net IncornSn8 Resource5
13.078
54,471
Other Reco￿1￿ed plr
Galn/Loss on Imiestments
45.203
86.031
Net Movement in funds
32.125
140,502
Total Fund5 Brought Forward
1,131.911
991,4(Y3
Total fund Carrfjed Forward
IA)99.786
1.131,911
18

The Friend5 of Beverley Minster
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 202S
Flxed Assèts
2024125
2023124
Not•
Investmènts
1.(118.069
1,053.272
Total FIMed A55ets
I,(KJ8.069
1,053,272
Current A55ets
Debtofs
C8F Deposlt
Cash at Bank
2,226
50,0
40,781
1,812
28,027
Total Curr•nt Ass•ts
93,097
79,929
less
Credltors
1,290
N•t Current Ass•ts
91.717
78,639
Net A$￿ts
1.099.786
1,131,911
Funds of Chartty
Unrestrlct•d funds
Brought forward
Add DeficitlSurplu5 for the year
1,131,911
32,125
991,409
140,502
1.099.786
1.131,911
19

Notes to the A¢counts
Note l Ba515 01 Preparatlon
Baslsof Aecountl
The financial 5tsternents of the charity. which 15 a public benefit entity under FRS 102. have been prepared in
accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021'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 (FR5 1021 leffetti¥e l January 20191,. Financial Reporting Standard 102
'The FSnan<lal Reportln8 standard applicable in ihe UK and Republic ol Ireland. and the CharltSes Att 2011. The
fSnèn¢ial statements have been prepared under the historital cost convention, wlth the exception of investments
whlch are intluded at market value, as rn¢￿1￿ed by the reAluation of certain assets.
The flnanclal ststernents have departed from the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2l￿ only to the
extent requlred to provlde and true and falr vlew. Thls departu￿ has Involved foll¢)wing the Statement of
Recommended Prartlce for charlties applyin8 FRS 102 raiherthart the verslon of the siatement of Recommended
Practlce whlch Is relerred to In the Regulations but t*thich has si￿e been withdrawn.
The Charlty constltutes a publ1¢ benefrt entlty as defined by FRS 102.
The trustees conslder that ihere are no Mate￿al uncertalntles about the trust's ablllty to cor*tlnue as a 8olng
Concern.
Not• 2 Accountl￿ Polld•s
In¢omSn8 A¢sourc•s
Re¢0￿1¢50n of InMmlrrf resour
All Incorne Is recognlsed In the Statement ol Flnanclal ACtI￿tIeS an￿ the chartty has entitlement to the fvnds, It Is
probable that the Income wlll be receS¥ed and the amouni can be MeasU￿d rellablv.
IncomSn8 resourees wlth rel•ted expeThllture
Where In¢omSn8 resour￿5 have related e¥penOr(ure the Incom1￿ resources and related eXpendItu￿ are reported
gross in the SOFA.
Donatlons
Donations are included in the SOFA when the charty has unconditional entillementto the resource5.
Tam Aedalms on subscrIp￿On5 *nd Donatlons
The tax reclalmed inclyded In ihe SOFA Is the re¢o¥erable amount on the welpts recelved In the year.

Investment In¢ome
Investment Income earned from the deposrt ftjnd Is forthè perlod eamed In the actountlng perfod.
Monies earned from the income fuThd is accounted for in the period it is receNed.
Expendlture and Uabl1￿￿$
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to that expenditure, It is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be re4ulred IN settlement and the
amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expendiiure is accounted foron an accruals basls and has been
classified under headings that a8gre8ate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be dirertly attributed
to partlcular headin¥sthey have been alhxated to actmties on a basi5 consistent with the use of re50urce5.
Gov•rnanc• Costs
Includes ¢osis of the trustee meetln8s and the AGM
Taxatlon
The charty15 exempt frorn tax on Its charltable actNtt*s
Fund A¢¢ountlni
Vnrestrlcted funds can be used In •ccordance wfth ihe charftable oblecri¥es ai the dlxretlon of the trustees.
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Irwestments a￿ ¢al¢ulated as ihe dIffe￿nce between sale proceeds and ihelr market value at the stan of the year,
or thelr subsequent cost are charged or credited to the Statement of Financlal Artivltles In the perfod of dlsposal.
Unreallsed galns and losse5 represent the movement in market values durin8 the year and are credited or char8ed
to the Statement of Financial Artivitie5 based on the market value at the year end.
P4ot• 3 1n¥eStrn•ntAs￿ts
2024125
202a124
Marketvalue •t the be8innifi8 of the year
L053,272
899,241
Purchase
Net Gain/los$ Oft rewdluation
45.203
86.031
CarryinB lfflarket I value al the of the yeir
i.(KJ8,WJ
1,053,272
21

Note4 Debto
21)24125
2023Iz4
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lThland Revenue (Gift hid)
1226
1.812
2.226
1.812
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2024125
2023124
Independent Examlners Fees
1.380
1.2SYS
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year ended 31 Ma￿h 2024.
There were no trustees. expenses pald forthe year ended JI March 2025 norfor theyear ended
31 Mai¢h 3QZ4.
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## _**Financial Review**_ 

## **Summary Review** 

The total income received for the year amounted to £54,508, including income from members subscriptions, donations and bequests of £21,336 and investment income of £31,064. The total expenditure for the year was £41,430, including expenditure on projects of £35,312, resulting in a nett surplus of £13,078. However the value of our investments at the end of March 2025 was £1,008,069 a reduction from the previous year end of £45,203  thus reducing the overall value of the funds available by £32,125. 

## **Reserves** 

The reserves at the date of the balance sheet total £1,099,786 and are all unrestricted. The funds are held for future expenditure on projects on which collaboration between the Friends and the Minster P.C.C. continues to identify suitable projects. It is expected that any projects identified will be of a scale which will require a substantial level of funding and consequently it likely the level of the Friends funds will reduce significantly over the medium term. 

## **Investments** 

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

## **Bequests** 

In this financial year the Friends have benefitted from bequests from the estates of Mr D.G. Buttery Mrs J Pepper 

**23** 



## _**Annual General Meeting 2025**_ 

# **THE AGM OF THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER TO BE HELD IN BEVERLEY MINSTER PARISH HALL ON SATURDAY 5[TH] OCTOBER 2025** 

## **at 2.00 pm** 

## **A G E N D A** 

1. Apologies for absence 

2. Minutes of the 2024 AGM held on 7[th] October 2024 

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. Adoption of the reports 

10. Election of Officers and Council Members 

To be re-elected: 

   - President - Prof. Roger Lewis 

      - Chair – Ms Mary Mead 

      - Hon. Minutes Secretary – Dr Susan Neave 

   - Hon. Secretary – Ms Fiona Goel 

   - Hon. Treasurer – Mr James Moore 

11. Conversion of structure to be a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and associated new constitution. 

12.           Any Other Business 

Anyone who would like to find out more about the process for standing for election to the Council should contact us via the contact details given in this report. 

**24** 



## _**AGM Minutes 2024**_ 

## **MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF BEVERLEY MINSTER HELD ON 7 OCTOBER 2024 AT 2 PM IN TOLL GAVEL HALL** 

The meeting was chaired by the President-elect of the Friends, Roger Lewis. 

Present: Roger Lewis, Fiona Goel, Mary Mead, James Moore, Susan Neave, Pamela Martin, Mike Robson, Stephen Deas, Jonathan Baker, James Palmer, Pam Davies, Lisa Byass, Valerie Coss, Jan Crowther, Pam Davies, Gillian Fawcett, Peter Fox, Barbara English, Liz Grove, Diane MacLachlan, Neil MacLachlan, Marcus Ramshaw, Janet Ostler, Rita Steadman, Sheelagh Strawbridge, Alan Wilkinson, Pam Wilkinson, Margaret Bailey, Stan Bailey, Jane Bowen, Erica Burt, Jan Crowther. 

## **1.     Apologies for absence:** 

Robert Poyser, Karla and Bernard Vickers, Martin Eldred, Linda and Graham Johnson, Tony Huzzard, Peter and Pam Quigley. 

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

The minutes of the AGM held on 8 October 2023 were passed nem. con. Proposed by Stephen Deas, seconded by Annegret Aveyard. All in favour. 

Matters arising - none 

## **3.     Chair’s Report (Mary Mead)** 

In addition to the remarks included in the Chair’s report in the 88[th] Annual Report issued to members (2023-2024), MM made the following comments: 

Since the publication of the Annual Report, we have welcomed Martin Eldred to the Council as the new PPC representative and Gail Cahill has decided to step down. I would like to thank Gail for her contribution to the Friends during her time on the Council. 

James Palmer was thanked for help with the introduction of the ChurchSuite software programme for administering the Friends, which has brought real benefits to the management of our membership data. 

Pam Martin was thanked for her work as Programme Secretary, in particular the organisation of a great number of events over many years. A survey was being circulated asking for input from members regarding the events programme. 

Anyone wishing to receive a hard copy of the Annual Report (rather than receiving it via email) can request this. 

## **4.     Hon. Secretary’s Report (Fiona Goel)** 

FG’s report was as follows: 

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

**25** 



In November 2023, we were pleased to welcome Prof Kate Giles (Dept of Archaeology, University of York) who outlined a proposal for the Friends to provide research bursaries for students from the university who would like to work on topics related to Beverley Minster. This could range from travel bursaries for students taking the MA Historic Buildings course to funding towards larger projects to be undertaken by PhD students or post-doctoral researchers. Areas of research might relate to proposed funding bids for work on the Minster.  As a first step it was agreed that a travel bursary of £1000 would be offered. 

To date, we have received no expressions of interested from any University of York students. 

Gail Cahill reported that the Capital Works Board’s current foci are heating; lighting; Parish Hall, Peter Harrison Room and Parish Centre Repairs; Toilet Refurbishment; and the Retrochoir Roof/ Great East Window. The Lesser North Transept Aisle roof is in a worse condition than previously thought and may be linked to the Retrochoir Roof works as an add-on.  It was further reported that the costings for these projects need updating and was likely to cost around £1,500-£2,000. The Friends agreed they would pay for a share of the architect’s time to attend these meetings, along with the other parties involved. 

A proposal for a Major Bells Restoration project was also discussed in our November 2023 meeting.  This had been submitted to the BM Capital Works Board, with a request for it to be added to their portfolio. In addition to urgent repairs to the bell frame casting etc, it was proposed to carry out inspection and maintenance work on other items (which would in any case be required over the next 10 years) taking advantage of specialist lifting equipment. The work would be done over a 6 week period, under one Faculty. The cost would be up to £27K, + VAT and The Friends Council agreed to fund this work in full, subject to the new fundraiser checking if any other funding is available. 

The bell restoration project was completed in May 2024. 

In February 2024, the Council agreed to contribute towards the funding for the design stage of the Minster Lighting project (with a ceiling of £20,000) and for the Friends of Beverley Minster to be significant funders of this project in principle. 

## **Background to the Lighting Project** 

In 2023, the PCC agreed that development of a new, more energy efficient, lighting system for the Minster should be progressed as priority. It was proposed that the costs for this project could be shared between the TCOT, PCC, Old Fund and The Friends of Beverley Minster. 

The Minster then invited Lighting Designers to express interest in developing the scheme and three (of six) firms were shortlisted. They then undertook an initial design exercise to demonstrate their capability and a vision for the Minster lighting, producing concept ideas based on the Nave and Aisles. On 25th July, these ideas were presented to a panel (consisting of representatives from the three funding bodies and PCC staff), supported with written submissions of how they approached the design, how they would go about developing it and undertake procurement. 

A scoring panel (agreed at Capital Works Board) was established; this met in August and evaluated submissions against the following criteria: 8 

- ⚫Understanding of and approach to the lighting problem 

- ⚫Initial ideas and how they respond to the brief 

- ⚫Effectiveness in communication during the presentation and in documentation 

- ⚫Understanding of cost limitations. 

**26** 



Following this, the panel made a value for money assessment on the preferred Lighting Designer’s fee proposal and a recommendation for appointment of the Lighting Designer to Capital Works Board (including FoBM representatives), for approval at their September meeting. 

Upon appointment of a Lighting Designer, a Design phase will be entered. The Lighting Designer (under the direction of the Minster Architect) will undertake consultation with stakeholders (incl. informal DAC engagement) and lighting trials to fully develop and confirm the requirements of lighting scheme. Upon agreement of this scope between all funders at Capital Works Board, the Lighting Designer will then produce a detailed design to enable submission for a Faculty and competitive tending for a Lighting Supplier. 

The cost of the Design phase is made up of two components (excluding VAT and contingency): 

⚫Lighting Designer: The three submissions range from £18,855 - £30,450. ⚫Architect: £6,700. 

It is proposed that The Friends pay the design fees and the Architect’s fees will be split three ways. 

The Council of the Friends of Beverley Minster was requested to approve the approach to the design phase and authorise FoBM contribution to it (not to exceed £40,000), subject to agreed appointment of the Lighting Designer. The Council approved this in principle in August 2024. 

It is expected to enter stage 4 and seek funding for the Delivery phase in mid 2025. The prospective lighting designers have indicated a rough Anticipated Final Cost range for the scheme (assuming all 3 scope levels are included) from £500k to £1m, subject to the scope options and designer chosen. 

## **5.     Hon. Treasurer’s Report (James Moore)** 

## 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 the33 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 

**27** 



## Bequests 

This year the Friends have benefitted from bequests from the estates of J C Jeffrey I Goldthorpe 

The Treasurer referred to the Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 which were published in the Annual Report. He asked members who have not completed a Gift Aid form to do so if they can. 

## **6.     Hon. Programme Secretary’s Report (Pamela Martin)** 

In addition to her remarks contained in the Annual Report, PM thanked James Palmer for developing the online booking system, and reported on the visit the previous day to Selby and Wressle. 

## **7.     Vicar’s Report (Revd Canon Jonathan Baker)** 

JB summarised his remarks from the Annual Report, which included staffing changes, changes to service patterns and some of the high-profile events that have taken place in the past year, such as the Gaia installation. Jonathan also drew attention to the work taking place to update the Minster’s Vision Strategy. 

In response to a question raised by Mike Robson asking if TCOT has any ideas for fundraising apart from the lottery, the Vicar explained how this will depend on first agreeing the nature of the project as some bodies fund specific areas of work such as stained glass.  Alternative sources of possible funding are grant-making trusts, a legacies campaign, business community sponsorship, funding from high net worth individuals and community fundraising events. TCOT co-ordinates bids from both the Minster and St Mary’s. St Mary’s currently has a lottery bid in. 

## **8.    Adoption of the reports.** 

Proposed by Councillor David Boynton, Mayor of Beverley, seconded by Liz Grove. All in favour. 

## **9.    The Friends’ Constitution** 

## **- conversion to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)** 

Stephen Deas briefly outlined the benefits of conversion. A CIO has a ‘legal personality’ and can, for example, enter into contracts, employ people and purchase property. This offers extra protection to Members and especially trustees in terms of liability. There would be no material change to the Friends. Jonathan Baker offered his support to the proposal. In response to a query from Liz Grove it was confirmed that this would not affect gift aid. 

At this stage support in principle was being sought. 

Proposed by Stephen Deas; seconded by Susan Neave. All in favour. 

At a later date the Friends will be asked to approve the Constitution. 

**28** 



## **10.   Election of Officers** 

Vice Presidents:  Mayor of Beverley Hon. Chair Mary Mead Hon. Programme Secretary Pamela Martin Hon. Minutes Secretary Susan Neave Hon. Secretary Fiona Goel Hon. Treasurer James Moore Proposed by James Palmer, seconded by Rita Steadman. All elections were carried, nem. con. 

Election of new President 

Prof. Roger Lewis 

Proposed by Stephen Deas, seconded by Mike Robson. All in favour. 

Election of new Members of Council 

## Helena Anderson 

Proposed by Susan Neave, seconded by Bob Aveyard. All in favour. 

Stephen Deas 

Proposed by James Moore, seconded by Mike Robson. All in favour. 

The meeting closed at 3pm, there being no further business. Pamela Hopkins was presented with a gift and card to mark the end of her Presidency with the sincere thanks of Council members for her many contributions and hard work for The Friends of Beverley Minster.  Martin Needler then gave the St John of Beverley Annual Lecture, providing an entertaining account of his involvement in the restoration of York Minster after the 1984 fire. 

This was followed by afternoon tea. 

**29** 



_**Members of the Council 2024-2025**_ 

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) Karla Vickers (Co-opted) Rodney Barton (Old Fund Representative) Martin Eldred (PCC Representative) Stephen Deas (Retires 2027) Reverend Canon Jonathan Baker Robert Poyser (Co-opted) Lucy Duckworth (Co-opted) Helena Anderson (Retires 2027) 

Members who have left since the 2024 Annual General Meeting 

John Phillips 

**30** 



the Minster in June 2025. 

**31** 



## **Friends of Beverley Minster Parish Centre** 

## **38 Highgate, Beverley HU17 0DP** 

E: friends@beverleyminster.org.uk 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 Photo: Sculpture of St John of Beverley by Peter Eugene Ball 

**32**