MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF ST CLEMENT DANES HELD IN THE CRYPT CHAPEL ON THURSDAY 27TH NOVEMBER, 2025 AT 5 PM
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.
He informed members that regrettably, the Patron-in-Chief, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, and Patron, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, are unable to attend this year’s Concert, but send their best wishes. Air Chief Marshal Smyth replaces Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, (now Chief of the Defence Staff), is delighted to be Patron. A vote of thanks was given for the CDS’s efforts on behalf of the Friends. The Chairman stated that he had written to CDS to thank him.
There was a change of Resident Chaplain during the year. A vote of thanks was given to Rev (Sqn Ldr) Mark Perry for his outstanding efforts bringing the work of the Friends closer to the overall ministry of St Clement Danes and for his care of parishioners, servicemen and families. His successor is Rev (Wg Cdr) Ashley Mitchell, an Honorary Chaplain to HM King Charles III, who was welcomed.
The Chairman was pleased to inform members that all the current Trustees had agreed to stand for re-election. Additionally, a serving RAF officer, with qualifications in administration and accountancy, Flt Lt Adam Rosbottom, would be taking on the role of Treasurer. A vote of thanks was made to CJ Hill, for stepping in as temporary Treasurer, following the sad passing of the previous Treasurer, Scott Williamson, in May 2024.
Also, co-opted Trustee, Katya Johnston, has been promoted within the MOD, and as a result would sadly be stepping down as Church Manager and moving to another role. A vote of thanks was given for all her efforts on behalf of St Clement Danes and the Friends. A memento of her association with the Friends, in the form of a photo book, would be presented at a later date.
The Chairman stated that due to a recruiting ban in MOD regarding civil servants, the church would no longer be able to fill empty posts and therefore St Clement Danes would not be open to the public on weekdays. Ushers would be present so that it would be open to the public on weekends.
Overall, the Friends is in a good place financially and continues to provide support to the church in the form of grants, which this year include a coffee machine and new nativity scene.
Changes to the publication of O&L Magazine would commence from next year.
4. Election of Officers and Trustees
The Chairman thanked Trustees for their service over the past year.
Sir Ian Macfadyen proposed and Peta Walmesley seconded the election of the following Trustees for the coming year:
The Ven Dr (AVM) Dr Giles Legood RAF – President
Gp Capt Mark Heffron RAF – Chairman
Mr John Burnapp
Prof Simon Denny – Concert Organiser
Wg Cdr CJ Hill – Acting Treasurer
Flt Lt Ian Perring RAFAC
Mr Christopher Priebe – Secretary
Flt Lt Adam Rosbottom RAF – Treasurer
Ms Iza Seabrook – O&L Manager
Sqn Ldr Gavin Turnbull – Membership Secretary
Co-Opted
Rev Ashley Mitchell RAF – Resident Chaplain
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 2025 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 Wg Cdr Di Bentley seconding.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Copies of the Receipts and Payments Account (CC16A) for the years to 30th June 2024 and 2025 were distributed (see Attachment 1).
CJ Hill, Acting Treasurer, informed members that the Friends were solvent. Problems experienced last year, transferring bank account signatory authority from the previous Treasurer, had been overcome. However, because no accounts were available to present to members at last year’s AGM, this year two sets of receipt and payments accounts had been prepared and approved by Trustees for members to adopt – one for the year to June 30, 2024, and the other for the year to June 30, 2025.
The Treasurer asked if members had any questions on the accounts.
- £10,000 of expenditure was queried. The Acting Treasurer explained this was for regilding the weathervane.
- The £2,600 under “O&L” was queried. This was the cost of printing the last physical edition of the magazine.
The Treasurer explained that as total receipts for the year were under £25,000, a formal audit of the accounts was not required under Charity Commission rules.
Approval of the accounts was proposed by Di Bentley, seconded by Gavin Turnbull and passed unanimously on a show of hands.
7. Membership Secretary’s Report
The Membership Secretary reported membership numbers are stable at 343. Losses – which included 1 corporate member, 2 life members and 2 annual payers – were offset by new joiners.
Efforts to find new members continue.
A revised “Invitation to Join the Friends” leaflet has been prepared. This is designed to fit on the back of pews. The joining process had also been automated.
Member subscription fee levels are reviewed biannually. It was agreed at a recent Trustees meeting increase the Friends annual subscription to £30 from £28 for single members and £45 up from £43 for joint memberships. No approval vote was needed on this point.
8. Any Other Business
A vote of thanks was given to Concert Organiser, Prof Simon Denny for his work on this evening’s annual Friends concert. Audience members are already arriving. Over 350 were expected. A significant increase on last year.
The format for the concert is somewhat changed. The start will be 6.30 pm and it will last for 1.5 hours, with no interval and refreshments provided at the end.
The Chairman asked if members had any questions.
- Sir IanMacfadyen asked if the electronic version of O&L Magazine automatically went to stations and chaplains. The Chairman explained it went to all, including the Chaplain in Chief (via the Resident Chaplain).
- A question was asked on whether or not a handrail would be installed to help members of the public navigate the last three steps to the crypt chapel. It was explained that a faculty process is required, and a handrail had been approved. Installation is imminent.
9. Date of the Next Meeting
Friends AGM – Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 4 pm in the Crypt Chapel.
C. C. K. Priebe Group Captain M. D. Heffron, Secretary Chairman