The AGM was well attended by the members and we also welcomed the Town Mayor of Romsey and the Mayor of Test Valley, who are our Honorary Vice Presidents. New members have been appointed to the committee. The new Treasurer is Michelle Twigg who takes over from Tim Rogerson. A very big thank you to Tim, especially for steering us through our first few years as a new charitable organisation. Fortunately, Tim has agreed to remain on our committee, where I am sure we will benefit very much from his financial and ecclesiastical knowledge.
Our new Chairman of the Projects Sub Committee, John Thompson-Hall has been serving on this recently formed subcommittee since its inception in October 2013 and as a full committee member will take over chairmanship from Roger Rowe.
It is a real pleasure to welcome back Ken Gibson who has been involved with The Friends of Romsey Abbey since its inception. As an existing member of the PCC and a regular helper at FRA events I am sure his enthusiasm and undoubted communication skills will be a great asset to our work.
Ria Skelton has taken on the task of FRA Newsletter Editor and produced our winter 2013 edition. The rapidly growing importance of electronic communication today is both a challenge and opportunity and it is therefore a very great pleasure to welcome John Compton into our team as Webmaster for the FRA website.
Our Speaker Professor Peter Toyne, CBE DL, one time High Sherriff of Liverpool and Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Morres University, gave an inspirational talk, especially appropriate for us as a relatively new ‘Friends Organisation’. His enthusiastic encouragement to “get involved” was so apt for the Church we know as The Abbey, and the way he conveyed his understanding of what that meant, and should mean, left us in no doubt as to the path we should now be treading.
On Friday June 13th at 7.45 pm The Reverend Tim Sledge will be giving a talk about The Benedictines, their ethos and importance to the Abbey. Everyone is welcome, £6 on the door which includes a glass of wine.
The Friends of Romsey Abbey are 310 strong, made up of people who love and support the Abbey. Recent visits include Bletchley Park and The Brooklands Museum. Coming up we have a two day visit to York and the Whitchurch Silk Mill. There are regular Coffee Mornings, talks and an Annual Dinner at Berties. If you are interested in becoming a Friend then please contact John Twigg the Chairman, 01794 521966 or Jill Hall, Secretary 02380 731640 or email: office@romseyabbeyfriends.org