ABOUT
'The Friends of All Saints' is a Registered Charity (1118769) whose main objectives are:
(1) The maintenance of the fabric, contents and furnishings of the church of All Saints in the village of Earls Barton in the county of Northamptonshire
(2) The promotion of the conservation and wellbeing of the building structure, works of art, churchyard and ecclesiastical properties of the church
(3) the provision of improvements to the fabric such as required by law
(4) The enhancement of the fabric and contents of the church proposed by the PCC
(5) The advancement among people of all ages of the awareness and appreciation of the architectural and historical character quality and importance of the church and its contents and furnishings.
The Charity was first set up in 2008 but for various reasons it was inactive until the early Summer of 2011 when new Trustees were appointed and a Management Committee set up. There are Trustees who oversee the workings of the Trust and ensure that the Objectives of the trust are adhered to. The Trustees include:
Martin Pratt CBE
Chair of Friends of All Saints Church Earls Barton
Martin and his wife Sandra first moved to Earls Barton in 1986 and have raised their children in the village. He is an active member of All Saints Church and has been a trustee of the Friends charity since 2011. Before retiring in 2023 he was Executive Director Supporting People & Deputy Chief Executive for the London Borough of Camden. He has over 40 years’ experience in the field of children’s services including 13 years as a Director of Children’s Services. He is a qualified social worker and also has extensive experience in education and youth justice, as well as health and adult social care. He was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours of 2025 for services to children and families. Martin became Chair of Friends of All Saints in September 2025.
Peter has lived in Earls Barton since 1970. He took part in the Millennium celebrations of the Tower in 1970. He has been a Tower Trustee since 2011 and is passionate about the Tower and supporting the upkeep of this wonderful structure. Peter has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Since moving into Earls Barton he has undertaken much community work. He was an Earls Barton Carnival Committee member, and chairman until 2000. In 1995 he was elected onto Earls Barton Parish Council, serving 12 years as Chairman, until retiring in May 2011. He was honoured to be invited to the Queens Garden Party in July 2009 in recognition of his long service to the Parish Council. He was also on the Youth Club Management Committee and sat on numerous other committees at both Borough and County level.
Revd Jenny Ingram
Jenny is the vicar of All Saints Church in Earls Barton, a post she has held since her appointment in July 2019. Jenny was ordained at Peterborough Cathedral in 2016 and although born in Burnley, she has lived most of her life in Northamptonshire (including Polebrook, Oundle and Wootton). Jenny is keen to see Christian mission and ministry flourish in Earls Barton and understands the role of the church to be central in the community.
John Bromilow
John and his family moved from Australia to Earls Barton in 1999 and they have been proud to call the village home ever since. John has been involved with the life of All Saints Church as a member of the Parochial Church Council, as a youth leader and with the Wild@allsaints group. He has taught Economics and Business Studies at a local secondary school for the last 25 years.
John has a keen interest in social and local history. As part of the Friends of All Saints Committee, he can share his interest by researching and delivering talks on the rich history of All Saints Church and its churchyard, helping to bring the stories of this remarkable building and the people connected with it to a wider audience.
Iona Flanagan
Iona is married, and has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She taught in Northamptonshire for 25 years in both the Primary and Secondary sector, specialising as a Special Needs Coordinator. She was also a librarian. Iona has lived in Earls Barton for 49 years. Her many and varied interests include heritage, learning and singing. She has been involved with the Earls Barton Museum Trust for the past 38 years, and is now both Chair and curator of the museum. As well as that, Iona also chairs the Earls Barton Heritage Group and IDWEA Adult Education group. When she has a moment to spare, Iona enjoys being a founding member of the Earls Barton Music choir.
GLYNIS BLISS MBE
Glynis moved to Earls Barton in 1971 when she got married and then followed a career in the justice system helping victims and witnesses of crime. When she retired in 2014, she was able to undertake more voluntary work and is currently a trustee for a domestic abuse charity, doing work for the Youth Justice Service. Glynis had to step back a bit in recent years to care for my husband and parents, but when she was able to have more time again saw the advert for new trustees for the Friends of All Saints, she was delighted when her application was successful. With a keen interest in history and historic buildings, Glynis wants to help preserve and maintain the church as the centre of the community that can be used by everyone, whether to experience peace and space to think, have a place to meet other people, or be entertained and informed by events.
Wendy Stanton
Wendy spent most of her childhood in Earls Barton. She left the village in her twenties but then moved back to the village about fifteen years ago with her family. Most people know Wendy through the Earls Barton Help Scheme (or maybe, if they don't recognise her face, they might know her voice!).