The Fitzhardinge Society
The Fitzhardinge Society is a membership organisation that was formed in 2006 to support the mission of Bristol Cathedral Trust, and to facilitate the opportunity for members to participate in regular activities to learn more about, and get involved in, the preservation and restoration of the Cathedral building.
The Society is named in honour of Robert Fitzhardinge, who founded the Abbey of St Augustine in Bristol in 1140. The Abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1539, but part of the structure later became Bristol Cathedral. The Abbey’s gatehouse, for example, also known as the Great Gatehouse, dates back to around 1170.
Bristol Cathedral Trust and the Fitzhardinge Society have worked closely together since 2006, raising funds that are used to maintain, protect and preserve the fabric of Bristol Cathedral, which means the building structure itself and the many historical and precious parts of the building, including the walls, stonework and statues, the roof, windows, organ, clock, and the numerous fascinating relics within the building.
Members of the Fitzhardinge Society pay an annual subscription that helps build a strong endowment for the Cathedral’s future. As well as receiving bi-annual editions of The Buttress magazine, which is packed with fascinating information about the Cathedral, past, present and future, members are invited to take part in visits and excursions throughout the year to other historic Cathedrals and buildings around the country.
In addition, members help to raise the profile of the Bristol Cathedral Trust mission to protect and preserve the Cathedral for future generations, attracting donations from a variety of funding partners, including various charitable trusts, corporate sponsors and individual donors.
What has been achieved
As and when required, the trustees of Bristol Cathedral Trust, who administer the charitable fund, distribute grants to support the development and preservation of the beautiful Cathedral that is visited by over 300,000 people every year.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and funding partners, in recent years, we have been able to support a wide range of projects in the Cathedral, including:
If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of the Fitzhardinge Society please click here. If you would like to make a donation to Bristol Cathedral Trust, please click here.
“I had the good fortune to be one of the original Trustees of Bristol Cathedral Trust. To enable a wider group of supporters to help maintain and preserve the fabric of Bristol Cathedral, we formed the Fitzhardinge Society, and I am delighted to hear that its membership is flourishing, which in turn will support the care of the fabric of Bristol Cathedral for many years to come.”
“I joined the Fitzhardinge Society to support the fabric of Bristol Cathedral because I feel the Cathedral is so important for the city of Bristol. I have enjoyed attending many fundraising events which the Society has organised, and I look forward to more in the future.”
“As a Bristolian born and bred, I have always been proud of our Cathedral. I was delighted to become a member of the Fitzhardinge Society, giving me an opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of this historic building, and help ensure its future presence in our city.”
“The Fitzhardinge Society is a superb concept, and we have enthusiastically supported its vital role for the fabric of Bristol Cathedral, especially important for my mother Stella when she was a Trustee. Our great places of worship need critical funds, and as we have seen at Notre Dame, widespread community efforts are required to maintain their magnificent heritage.”
“The Fitzhardinge Society grew out of Bristol Cathedral Trust and helps to deliver the Trust’s mission to raise funds enabling much-needed repairs and enhancements to the fabric of this most beautiful Cathedral. I hope the Fitzhardinge Society will grow in strength, continue to generate essential funds and spread friendship amongst its members.”
GET IN TOUCH
For further information about the work of Bristol Cathedral Trust, or if you would like to know more about becoming a member of the Fitzhardinge Society, please contact us.
For further information about the work of Bristol Cathedral Trust, or if you would like to know more about becoming a member of the Fitzhardinge Society, please contact us.
