Chair's update, April 2024

Tom Walker, Chair

We are ramping up our programme of events and back to some sort of new normal.  The stand out event of our new programme of events was screening the Hackney Society “Women in Abney” film as part of our International Women's Day celebrations on 14 March.  We had a successful sell-out screening of the film in the very place where their burials took place.  It is a powerful film and we hope to be able to do further screenings - the chapel is very atmospheric for this sort of event.

We are still awaiting confirmation from the council for dates for the cafe and community room opening.  This will enable us to host more small scale events at lower cost and should make a real difference

As we have noted before, the Chapel is formally managed by the excellent Hackney Venues team.  The first wedding was held on 12 February 2024.  The council have a lovely write up of the occasion here.  Congratulations to Besime Sahin and Hakan Kuyar.  Ten years ago it was a dilapidated ruin and is an amazing transformation.

Behind the scenes we have successfully recruited some new Trustees following our recent campaign to find new skills and experiences.  Once all the DBS checks and other aspects are finalised we will welcome them to the Board and update the details online.  

We will then move on to refreshing the way the Trust works, our policies and developing ideas for a more inclusive membership model.  We are also just about to cross the line on our financial year end.  Subject to the detailed roundings we are close to breaking even this year, which is a big achievement given the delays to the restoration works.  Thank you for your support to keep us going.

I hope you will get to our events and support the Trust.