AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2025

1. Prayer

The Resident Chaplain opened the AGM with prayers.

2. Apologies

Apologies were noted.

3. Chairman’s Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed those present to the AGM.

The Chairman informed the meeting that, after 12 years, including 2 whilst he was RAF Chaplain-in-Chief, the Venerable (AVM) Ray Pentland would be stepping down as President of the Friends. He was thanked for all his help and support to the Chairman, Friends and Trustees. As a memento, a photobook was presented to the retiring President by the Chairman. The retiring President thanked the Chairman, Trustees and Friends for the gift and their work, as well as the privilege of being able to serve St Clement Danes, the spiritual home of the RAF.

The current Chaplain-in-Chief, The Venerable (AVM) Dr Giles Legood, has kindly agreed to be the next President of the Friends.

The Chairman also informed members the Patron in Chief, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, and Patron, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, are unable to attend this year’s Concert, but send their best wishes.

Tragically, Scott Williamson, the Friends’ Treasurer, passed away very suddenly in May 2024. In remembrance, his name had been entered by his fellow Trustees in the Trustees Book, kept in the crypt chapel of St Clements. Scott’s widow, Dorothy, has been invited to the Friends concert later today and beforehand will be shown her late husband’s name in the Book. As a memento, Dorothy has been presented with a photobook of St Clement Danes.

The Chairman was pleased to inform members that Simon Denny had agreed to be a Friends Trustee in the role of Concert Organizer. Additionally, Trustee, CJ Hill, is kindly covering as Treasurer on a temporary basis. In the new year, a serving RAF officer, will take on this role.

Finally, the Chairman informed members that Resident Chaplain, Rev (Sqn Ldr) Mark Perry, would be undertaking a new posting in June 2025. Rev (Wg Cdr) Ashley Mitchell will replace him as Resident Chaplain St Clement Danes.

4. Election of Officers and Trustees

The Chairman thanked Trustees for their service over the past year.

Peta Walmesley proposed, and Jenny Youle seconded, the election of the following Trustees for the coming year:

The Ven Canon AVM Dr Giles Legood RAF – President

Gp Capt Mark Heffron RAF – Chairman

Capt Simon Denny – Concert Organiser

Wg Cdr CJ Hill – Acting Treasurer

Flt Lt Ian Perring RAFAC

Mr Christopher Priebe – Secretary

Mrs Iza Seabrook – O&L Manager

Sqn Ldr Gavin Turnbull – Membership Secretary

Co-Opted

Revd Mark Perry RAF – Resident Chaplain

Katya Johnstone – Church Manager

The resolution was passed unanimously on a show of hands.

5. Minutes of Last Meeting

The minutes of the last AGM had been made available via the Spring 2024 edition of O&L Magazine and the Chairman asked if there were any questions. There being none, the minutes were accepted unanimously on a show of hands, Robin Youle proposing and Di Bentley seconding.

6. Treasurer’s Report

CJ Hill, Acting Treasurer, informed members that owing to difficulties transferring bank account signatory authority from the previous Treasurer, as well as accessing bank account information and statements, etc., no accounts were available to present to members. A formal complaint had been filed with HSBC regarding this.

As soon as bank information becomes available, the Acting Treasurer will prepare and ask the Trustees to approve the Friends receipt and payments accounts for the year to June 30, 2024, and report to the Charity Commission (by end April 2025). Two years’ accounts will be submitted for approval by Friends members at next year’s AGM.

£63,000 of funds are available in the Friends’ three bank accounts, so the financial position of the Friends is on a stable footing and its ability to carry out its charitable aims continues.

7. Membership Secretary’s Report

The Membership Secretary reported membership numbers have declined by 6 (5 Life Members and 1 Annual Payer). Membership levels now stand at 343 versus 349 last AGM.

The effort to find new members continues, but they remain elusive. Trustees recently commissioned a new website, which is now being built up. The hope is that this may help us connect with younger members. We will also include an ability for people to join the Friends directly online. One of our other aims is to include more articles on the history and RAF memorabilia that is in the church and thus appeal to a wider audience.

The Membership Secretary firmly believes the best advert for the Friends is word of mouth and he asked all members to actively look out for family, friends, neighbours, etc. who might be encouraged to join. Just email the Membership Secretary their details (membership@fscd.org.uk) and he will gladly send out the necessary forms for joining.

Member subscription fee levels are reviewed biannually. It was agreed at a recent Trustees meeting to therefore hold the Friends annual subscription at £28 for single members and £43 for joint membership.

The Chairman thanked the Membership Secretary for his work in providing an accurate picture of membership levels from year to year. The Chairman will be writing to RAF Station and Unit commanders, encouraging them to evangelise the Friends to junior officers.

8. Any Other Business 

The Chairman informed members that, as was evident from the scaffolding at the front of the church, work has begun on the church steeple and tower. The RAF had agreed to provide the £2 million required. He reminded those in attendance that The Friends had provided an initial £15,000, topped up by £10,000, which proved invaluable in covering emergency work. The repair project is due to be completed by December 2025.

9. Date of the Next Meeting

Friends AGM – Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 5 pm in the Crypt Chapel.

C. C. K. Priebe                                                               Group Captain M. D. Heffron

Secretary                                                                      Chairman