Church Monuments Society

The 2025 Annual General  Meeting will be held at 12 noon on Saturday 4 October 2025 at St Lawrence, Little Stanmore, Edgeware HA8 6QS, as part of a study day (details below). The AGM itself is for members only but all are welcome to the other events.

The church is close to Canons Park tube station and bus routes 79 (Stonebridge Park station – Edgeware station), 186 (Northwick Park Hospital – Brent Cross Shopping Centre) and 340 (Edgeware station – Harrow bus station) pass the church. For details of car parks please check the web and the TfL website for information on public transport. There are various cafes, pubs and other ‘eateries’ in the vicinity.

As well as the richly decorated church we will also be able to view the Chandos Mausoleum. Although the relationship of James Brydges, First Duke of Chandos, with the church, was of relatively brief duration his impact on the church was little short of spectacular.

The day will begin, at 11.00, with a tour of the church led by Stuart Cawthorne author of St Lawrence Whitchurch its Memorials and its People, copies of which will be available for purchase on the day.

As well as its monuments, the church has a famous Baroque organ. Handel was employed by the Duke of Chandos, and must have played this organ. (The church is believed to be where the Chandos Anthems were first performed.) After the AGM and lunch, we will have a recital on this organ by Richard Pilliner, a renowned organist who has played at many home venues as well as in the United States, Moscow, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Be in your seats by 2 pm for this unique opportunity.

After the organ recital there will be a chance to visit the Chandos Mausoleum and learn more about it. There will be more Handel connections in a tour of the churchyard led by Dr Roger Bowdler at about 3 pm. Graves include that of William Powell, Handel’s ‘Harmonious Blacksmith’.

A copy of the Minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting is available on the Society’s web site and a printed copy may be requested from the Hon Secretary, Hilary Wheeler (address on back cover). You can download this year’s reports below; the accounts and further reports will be available on the day. In order to cut down on waste and expense, printed copies will only be available on request, from the Hon Secretary.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Presidential Address
5. Hon Treasurer’s Report
6. Thanks to the Independent Examiner and the Appointment of the Independent Examiner
7. Hon Membership Secretary’s Report
8. Hon Publicity Officer’s Report
9. Hon Archivist’s Report
10. Hon Event’s Co-ordinator’s Report
11. Reports on the Society’s Publications
12. Hon Conservations Cases Recorder’s Report
13. Election of the President
14. Election of Officers and two Ordinary Members of Council
15. Any Other Business
16. Announcement of the date and venue of the 2025 Annual General Meeting

Item 14: Election of Two Ordinary Members of Council

Nominations are: Sophia Dumoulin, Wayne Hart and Torquil McNeilage.

We are always keen to welcome new members to Council. Council members attend three Council meetings per year in March, July and November and the AGM. Meetings are held on Saturdays, you will receive reports and up-dates on on-going matters, in addition to planning future activities. Business is conducted in accordance with the Society’s Constitution and in-line with the Charity Commission guidelines. Please contact the Secretary if you have questions or would like further information.

Finally – the AGM is your meeting, your opportunity to have your say, ask questions and make comments as well as meeting other members of the Society.

Some photos to whet your appetites:

Gallery