Our President, Marcus Binney, in a recent talk to the Friends emphasised the importance of "Friends". He highlighted several campaigns all over England in the past 30 years to save churches faced with closure. Technical information and money were of course important, both to inform and fund campaigns but Friends – people who viewed the building as one of their friends – were often more important in the longer term, and certainly after the closure had been thwarted. Somebody then has to nurture, support and encourage the local worshipping community to maintain their building in its openness.

So many of our City churches have a core of regular worshippers, but the many who pop in for a few moments of peace, or who value the streetscape or skyline afforded by a particular City church, have often not made a formal link of appreciation with that church. One way is to join the church’s Friends organisation. Many City churches have these, but not all. You could also join the Friends of ALL the City Churches instead, or as well! By this means you will be playing YOUR part in maintaining these wonderful pre- and post reformation buildings for the future. Each Friend does count.

Our request in the March City Events for help with forming an archive of City church guidebooks and related material produced more offers of custodial and librarian help than material to catalogue! Many thanks to all those who responded. Please, do let us have any unwanted guidebooks etc, no matter how old; a letter to us with details will be answered speedily and with thanks.

Remember the City Church Walks on Tuesday and Wednesday 3^rd and 4^th June.

The event will end with a "Fun with Gilbert and Sullivan" Concert at St Sepulchre without Newgate at 4.45pm. The concert will last about 75mins. Tickets (£5) and details from the Friends’ office.

At the end of this month, the Venerable Kenneth Gibbons will be leaving the Church of St Magnus, appropriately enough on the Feast of St Magnus on Monday 28^th April. He has facilitated our move into our new office in the church and made us very welcome. We wish him a happy second retirement!