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JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE AMS AND FRIENDS OF FRIENDLESS CHURCHES

9 NOVEMBER 2020

Since 1993, the Ancient Monuments Society (AMS) and Friends of Friendless Churches (the Friends) have shared some resources and operated a joint membership. This arrangement was established at a time of financial difficulty and uncertainty.  Often called the ‘Working Partnership’, the scheme provided mutual support and strength when it was needed.

Happily, both charities are now more financially secure, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, and are going from strength to strength.  Since 2018, each charity has been led by a full-time, dedicated Director, respectively Lucie Carayon and Rachel Morley, and the charities have continued to flourish, and develop their identities within the heritage sector.  The two societies are now very different in character, as are their objectives.  As a statutory amenity society, the main function of the AMS is advisory, centred on casework and policy development and the promotion of the understanding of the built heritage of all periods. In contrast, The Friends’ mission is to rescue, repair and campaign for redundant places of worship; with 55 historic buildings in their care, they work with local communities to care for and celebrate their ecclesiastical heritage. Both organisations wish to respond to new challenges and expand in different ways, including enhancing their funding bases from different sources.

There was always going to be a time when, as each charity developed in size, resilience and character, the benefits of operating completely independently would come to outweigh some, and ultimately all, of the benefits of working in partnership. These considerations have prompted us to take stock, give careful thought to the future and move forward.  As a result, our respective Boards of Trustees have decided to work toward becoming fully independent of each other, in order to realise our respective ambitions and bring our particular objectives into sharper focus.

The ‘Working Partnership’ with the Friends of Friendless Churches will end formally on the 26 September 2021, but the joint membership will continue for the calendar year of 2021.  All life and honorary memberships will be upheld.  For the subscription year 202, each member will have a choice of joining one or, we very much hope, both charities.  In the course of 2021, each charity will announce its individual subscription rate.

« 2020 Annual General Meeting
Planning for the Future White Paper »

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  • About
    • Our Work
    • Organisation and People
    • Job Vacancies
    • Friends of Friendless Churches
    • Privacy Notice
    • Contact Us
  • Casework
    • About Casework
    • Casework Gallery
    • Annual Register of Total Demolitions
  • Publications
    • Newsletter
    • Transactions
    • Order Publications
  • Support Us
    • Membership
    • Become a Member today and support our work
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  • News
  • Events
    • Annual General Meetings
      • 2020 Annual General Meeting
      • 2018 Annual General Meeting
      • 2017 Annual General Meeting
      • 2016 Annual General Meeting
      • 2015 Annual General Meeting
      • 2014 Annual General Meeting
      • 2013 Annual General Meeting
      • 2012 Annual General Meeting
    • Autumn Visits
      • 2018 AMS Autumn Visits
      • 2017 AMS Autumn Visit: Charlton House
      • 2017 AMS Autumn Visit: St Albans Abbey
      • 2016 AMS Autumn Visit: Kelmscott House
  • Become a Member today and support our work

The Ancient Monuments Society is a Registered Charity No: 209605.

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Registered Office: St Ann's Vestry Hall, 2 Church Entry, London. EC4V 5HB

Telephone: 020 7236 3934
email: office@ancientmonumentssociety.org.uk

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