The Friends of St Nicholas annual report summarizes their activities from the previous year. They had volunteers open the St Nicholas Vestry for visitors from near and far. The trustees gave presentations to local groups and expanded their archive materials. Donations covered their costs for the year, and they spent capital on restoring a window. They still have funds in the bank but less than last year so will need extra fundraising as they renovate the main building, having applied for a grant. They hope the historic building can be used once more for heritage-related activities.

1. Friends of St Nicholas
Reg charity no: SCO 44541
Chairman: Alfie Flett Treasurer: Athole Thomson Secretary: Marlene Mainland
Annual Report Spring 2015
After the Annual general meeting in March last year, St Nicholas Vestry opened for
visitors. The opening and closing was carried out by a good number of our volunteers
on a rota basis, and we are grateful to you all for your work. Visitors came from near
and far, from Holm to Melbourne, and many appreciative comments were recorded in
our visitors’ book. Places as far afield as Basel, Tirol, Ontario, and Poland were also
noted, and visitors included many who had ancestors in the Kirk yard. Hopefully,
they will have learned a lot about our heritage, and also about the lives of those whose
names are in the Kirk yard.
The trustees were invited on several occasions to make presentations to local groups,
including the Family History Society and the Vintage Club. This was both daunting
and enjoyable, and we received a generous donation of £100 from the Vintage Club.
Our archive of materials relating to Holm’s heritage is expanding, and we now have
the files from Cyril Parkes lifetime of research, for which we are very grateful.
Donations from our supporters covered our costs for the year, which were the
insurance premium, fees to Voluntary Action Orkney and the hire of the meeting
room in the Holm Hall. No expenses were paid to volunteers or trustees, and again we
are grateful for your support.
Just over £580 of capital expenditure went on the restoration of one window, which
meant that the main building could be entered safely during the hours of daylight. To
celebrate this we held an open day at the end of the season, and reported the event in
the local paper.
We still have over £8000 in the bank but this is down £50 on last year, so we have to
consider extra fundraising, especially as we move forward with our plans to renovate
the main building. We have applied to the Blue Door, but the long waiting list means
that it will likely be 2016 before we have our week. Meanwhile remember to set aside
your surplus items so that we can make full use of that fund raising opportunity when
the time comes.
It is exciting to think that our historic building may be used once
more, providing space for a range of uses relating to our heritage,
and that the scenic area in which it stands will be further enhanced
for the many that enjoy visiting the area.
Courtesy of Tommy Sinclair