Recent Minutes of The Friends Committee

Friends of St Mary’s Meeting 

FOSM AGM February 24th 2025
Attendees: Tonia, Philip, Geoff, Rosie, Anne, Eric, Corinna, Glenn
Apologies: Nick Watts (CCT)
1. Welcome to all including new members, Glenn 
2. Review of last years minutes
3. Election of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, all present holders of these
positions were voted back in again. One thing we didn’t do was discuss the
role of Membership Secretary which is currently Philip.
2. Chairperson’s report
Tonia welcomed all and thanked everyone for all their hard work in the past
year and noted that we will be donating £500 a year to the CCT in future, if
funds allow.
3. Treasurer’s Report
GL has prepared the accounts and AP has independently examined them. GL
noted that our income was less in 23-24 as we gave more to the CCT.
4. Secretary’s Report
Rosie noted that we had some great events last year, but only the usual ones,
the calendar for 2025 is already looking a lot busier. S is the editor of the
Burham Buzz and reminded us that we need to get info to him re events asap.
RJ will do this.
5. CCT fundraising plan
PB to give CCT a gentle nudge to get going on this, and also suggested that
we have a separate fundraising committee to dedicate time to this. RJ told the
Co-Op to go ahead but has heard nothing, she will chase this up.
6. Website
The website is now up and running and full of lots of information about the
church and our events. PB has been monitoring the visitors to the website
which varies from month to month, but will rise as more algorithms pick it up!
7. AOB
a) List of vicars, PB to put this on the website when he gets time. We
discussed printing the list out and framing it and hanging it in the church on an
existing nail, but it is quite a big list.
b) Altar cloth needs repairing, AT to ask her son’s partner who is an expert in
this area for her advice. AT will also get a new white sheet for the top of the
altar.

c) The Martlets.
Coming on April 5 th at 2pm. We need to start marketing this as much as
possible. RJ will print off 4 posters for AT to put in the signs in Burham. RJ will
print off some for inside the church along with a QR code. PB to look into
including a link to ticketsource on the website. Also can PB print and laminate
some posters to put outside? GS maybe distribute some posters around
Rochester, if there is anywhere to put any?
Tea and Cakes will be included in the price, Anne, Tonia, Rosie and any one
else will make cakes to bring in on the day. AT will get T, C milk etc and check
that we have enough plates and cups. Also need a gluten free option. (AT to
get this)
RJ will bring in water and set up the toilet. Corinna (and Henry!) will pop in a
day or two before and clean the floor.
d) This is My Theatre, we just have the one play again, The Tempest coming
in May. TP will give RJ a poster.
e) Signage
We still have not sorted the issue of new direction signs for the church. We
will look into the possibilities of making our own. RJ will contact her friend who
is a signwriter for a quote and take it from there.