The Friends of Bath Abbey has been in existence for over 75 years. Our members are from a wide range of backgrounds and ages. Most live in the Bath area, but some live in other parts of the United Kingdom or overseas. All share the same aim and interest - to help preserve and enhance the Abbey's magnificent architecture and ornaments for the pleasure and enjoyment of present and future generations.
We foster friendship and fellowship among our members by hosting a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year.
Recent events have included a pilgrimage to Oberammergau, a Spring Lunch with music, guided tours of long-inhabited Berkeley Castle and Forde Abbey and visits to Exeter Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral and College, and to John Wesley’s historic New Room Methodist Chapel visitor centre in Bristol.
You can find more details about recent and upcoming events in our latest newsletter.
The Friends can provide a link for those who would like to stay in touch with the life of the Abbey but do not worship there regularly.
The Friends work closely with the Parochial Church Council (PCC). While the Friends are not involved in routine maintenance, they play a major role in embellishments, restoration work and refurbishment. These have included cleaning the East Front, installing the angels in the Quire Screens, refurbishing the chandeliers and creating the new south-west porch. The Friends (both collectively, and as individuals) have financially supported The Footprint Project, and lately a new blower for the organ Tuba stop.
The Friends are currently planning to fund 2 major projects:
- The re-roofing of the Tower, to include a safe walking route and seat. This will make the bell tower watertight and additionally benefit visitors who participate in the Abbey “Step it Up Tours”.
- New Liturgical Furniture and Choir Stalls.
The Somme 2023
“It was an eye-opening and heart opening experience” undertaken by 40 Friends that none of them will ever forget.
An introduction to the enormity of the vast numbers who lost their lives during the battles of WW1.
Highlights included: Lijssenthoek, Ypres, Talbot House (Toc H) in Poperinghe, The Menin Gate (where the Friends laid a wreath), Vimy Ridge and the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme – 72,337 names with no known grave.
The devotion with which the Belgians and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission immaculately maintain and tend the memory of the sacrifices made by the men and women was a highlight in itself.
Legacies
The work of the Abbey Friends benefits enormously from donations and legacies.
Should you be inspired to consider making a bequest in your will then the Treasurer will be pleased to help; or see the Abbey's Legacy Giving Leaflet.
Any legacy or bequest should be to “Friends of Bath Abbey”.
The Friends Executive Committee
This comprises the Rector (as President), the Chairman (who is appointed by the Rector), the Treasurer and 9 Friends (all elected at the Annual General Meeting) and up to 5 representatives of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The Secretary is appointed by the Committee, which normally meets four times a year to plan projects and events.
President: The Rector, The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater
Chairman: Peter LeRoy
Tel: 01225 873023, Email: friends.chair@bathabbey.org
Treasurer & Membership Secretary: Brian Webber
Tel: 01225 469722 | Email: friends.treasurer@bathabbey.org or friends.membership@bathabbey.org
Secretary: Penny Cracknell
Tel: 07811 066253 | Email: friends.secretary@bathabbey.org
The Friends of Bath Abbey Announcement - A New Secretary
Jeremy Key-Pugh, who has given outstanding service as Secretary of the Friends for over ten years, has decided to stand down from this post in the near future. Following an extensive search, the Executive Committee of the Friends agreed to offer this voluntary role to Penny Cracknell. She has accepted with delight and enthusiasm.
Penny has been a regular Abbey Steward for four years, welcoming visitors and answering their questions. She is also a volunteer at the Holburne Museum, where she has been involved with a variety of additional museum programmes. Penny has recently moved nearer the centre of Bath and is currently churchwarden at St Stephen’s Lansdown. This has involved updating their IT and communications processes and involvement in church buildings matters. She also edits their weekly online newsletter.
Her professional career involved working in London, Sydney and New York. She has also fundraised for the Muscular Dystrophy Group and promoted membership of the Australian Historic Houses Association. Penny is familiar with the Abbey and is very well equipped for this role.
Peter LeRoy - Chairman
How to Join the Friends of Bath Abbey
The subscription rates are:
- Individual Member - £25 per annum
- Joint Members - £35 per annum
- Life Member - £300
- Joint Life Members - £500
To join, please download, complete and sign the Membership Form. Then send it to: Brian Webber, Treasurer & Membership Secretary of The Friends of Bath Abbey, c/o Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath, BA1 1LT
For further information about The Friends, please contact Penny Cracknell, Secretary of The Friends, see contact details above.
On joining The Friends, you will be entitled to free entry to the Abbey (excluding the tower).
