Aims
The Friends of Melbourne Parish Church is a registered charity, entirely separate from the PCC. It has been set up quite deliberately as a secular organisation to preserve, promote and widen the use of the church buildings. The aims of the Friends of Melbourne Parish Church, which have been approved by the Charity Commission are:
- -To preserve Melbourne Parish Church.
-To enhance and develop the facilities at Melbourne Parish Church.
-To encourage the broadest connection between Melbourne Parish Church and the wider community.
-To raise the profile of Melbourne Parish Church nationally and internationally.
It is a legal requirement that there has to be a majority of independent trustees managing the charity. Because of the focus of the Friends on heritage and community issues, as distinct from religious ones, highly independent people have agreed to be trustees. These include the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Councillor Jane Carroll and Councillor John Harrison, from South Derbyshire District Council and Philip Heath, Chairman of the Melbourne Historical Research Association and the South Derbyshire District Council Heritage Officer.
The Friends also has Patrons, prominent invited members, and these include the Bishops of Derby and Carlisle (in honour of the church’s founder), the Dean of Melbourne Australia, Lord Ralph Kerr and Sir Simon Jenkins, the former editor of The Times.
