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.

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 Cawthorn author of St Lawrence Whitchurch its Memorials and its People, copies of which will be available for purchase on the day. There will also be a tour of the churchyard led by Dr Roger Bowdler. Graves include that of William Powell, Handel’s ‘Harmonious Blacksmith’. Save the date and watch the Society’s web site for further details or contact the Secretary in August.

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). The accounts and other reports will be available, on the web site, nearer the date or from the Secretary – please include your email address if possible. 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 invited for two Ordinary Members of Council, whose subscriptions are not in arrears, to be elected for a three-year term. Nominations should be made in writing, proposed and seconded by two members of the Society, whose membership is also current, they should confirm the willingness of the nominees to stand. Nominations should reach the Hon Secretary, from whom nomination forms may be obtained, no later than Monday 18 August 2025.

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