Annual Report 2011 - Shropshire Historic Churches Trust

CHAIRMANS REPORT
As the Trust is an organisation that I have always admired,
it was a great honour for me to be elected as Chairman
early in 2011. I must pay tribute to John Hall, the then
outgoing Chairman, for the huge contribution that he
made to SHCT’s undoubted success and financial
prosperity. In last year’s Annual Report John Leonard quite
rightly wrote in glowing terms of John Hall’s dedication to
our cause, and I can only add that it was a pleasure to
work with him.
In July we resolved that all members of the Executive Committee
be invited to become Trustees. I was delighted that Richard and
Sally Bifield, David Crowhurst and Gwen Sidaway accepted, and
their energy and enthusiasm are already bearing fruit. Martin
Locke and Linda Savage decided not to join us but Martin is
kindly continuing as Ride & Stride treasurer and as our website
manager. To Linda I say a huge thank you for all her help and
advice during her period in office.
Photographs:
Trust Chairman, Stephen Winwood.
St George, Pontesbury.
I hope you will all appreciate the thinking behind the
subscription increases Marian Haslam has outlined in her
membership report. Many individuals and churches already give
these new minimum amounts or more, but we need the new
levels to reflect the increase in costs since SHCT was formed.
I want to ensure also that no running costs are met from the
valiant fundraising efforts that continue year on year.
I thank all the people who work tirelessly on our behalf, not only
the Trustees but also our secretary Erica Watson Todd, the
Deanery representatives, the generous people who open their
gardens, Ride & Stride participants and sponsors and, of course,
all our friends, patrons and member churches. We have a huge
network of support and this is most gratifying. We all enjoy the
work we to do deliver SHCT’s charitable objectives and to ensure
its future prosperity. It is important that this pleasure element is
not lost.
I look forward to the future with confidence, knowing that
SHCT is in good heart to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
We are an excellent team. Shropshire has a fine collection of
churches and chapels, and their preservation for future
generations must remain our prime concern.
WEBSITES:
www.shropshirehct.org.uk
www.shropshirerideandstride.org.uk
Stephen Winwood
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