FRIENDS OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
i) to assist the Chapter in maintaining the fabric and monuments and the fittings and furnishings of Winchester Cathedral and its associated ground-works within the precincts; ii) to stimulate interest in the Cathedral; iii) to encourage and support activities calculated to preserve and beautify the Cathedral, its history and music.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported a net surplus of £913,137 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven largely by a one-off legacy provision of £1 million. Unrestricted reserves increased to £1,873,004, a level the Trustees confirm meets their policy of covering nine months of expenses and one year of grants. The accounts state there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees have agreed a policy to maintain reserves within the General Fund at such a level as would enable it, in the event of a sudden loss of income, to cover ongoing direct expenses of running the charity for a period of about nine months, and to cover annual grants to Chapter for a full year.” — page 6
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- The Very Reverend Christopher Palmer — Dean
- Emma Bourner — Director of Learning
Funders the charity credits
- Aurelius Trust
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Alison Evans
- Angela Forder-Stent
- Dr Cindy Wood
- Jenny Hilton
- Karen Dagwell
- Marcel Bradbury
- Michael Burke
- Nigel SPICER
- Richard Lumley Green-Wilkinson
- The Very Reverend Christopher Palmer
- Zoe Seenan
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.2m | £324k |
| 31/03/2024 | £394k | £263k |
| 31/03/2023 | £537k | £338k |
| 31/03/2022 | £304k | £212k |
| 31/03/2021 | £182k | £235k |
Common questions
Is FRIENDS OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported a net surplus of £913,137 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven largely by a one-off legacy provision of £1 million. Unrestricted reserves increased to £1,873,004, a level the Trustees confirm meets their policy of covering nine months of expenses and one year of grants. The accounts state there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds FRIENDS OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FRIENDS OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL as a grant recipient include SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN GIFT TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN GIFT TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | |
| SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN GIFT TRUST | FY2024 | £1k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHRISTOPHER AND HENRY OLDFIELD TRUST | 1 | £128k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE A M CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £32k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £14k |
| CATHEDRAL MUSIC TRUST | 1 | £14k |
| The Patricia Routledge Foundation | 1 | £8k |
| THE MCCORQUODALE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE OUSELEY CHURCH MUSIC TRUST | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- THE FRIENDS OF HEREFORD CATHEDRAL
- CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST CIO
- YORK MINSTER
- THE FRIENDS OF EXETER CATHEDRAL
- SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
- THE ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL | £1.2m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE FRIENDS OF HEREFORD CATHEDRAL | £126k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST CIO | £1.4m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| YORK MINSTER | £18.3m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | below | 69.8% | no doubt |
| THE FRIENDS OF EXETER CATHEDRAL | £392k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL | £202k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |