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From the Chair to all Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace

Important notice of winding-up the organisation
It is with regret that I must advise you about the winding-up of the Friends of Fishbourne
Roman Palace. This decision had to be made at the AGM held on Saturday 12th April 2025.
Requests for nominations for Chair and Secretary, as well as someone to organise a talks
programme, had been made on numerous occasions in the Newsletter and emails to members.
At the AGM, which had a quorate attendance of members and committee, it was not possible
to fill these roles.
The Constitution (Clause XI, paragraph ii) states that “Failure to appoint one or more of the
Officers of the organisation at any AGM will result in the immediate winding up of the
Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace”. This is mandatory with no requirement for an
Extraordinary General Meeting that is required under a voluntary dissolution of the Friends.
Winding-up process
The same paragraph in the Constitution defines the winding-up process with “The retiring
Officers, or others appointed at the meeting, will be authorised to take all steps necessary to
properly effect cessation of the Friends organisation”. The members present at the AGM
were unanimous in authorising the retiring committee to carry out these steps.
Disposition of Assets
The Constitution further details Disposition of Assets in Clause XI, paragraph iii, which
states that “Upon the winding up of the Friends under either sub-clause (i) [Voluntary] or (ii)
[Mandatory], such surplus funds, property and assets (if any) as remain after discharging all
outstanding debts shall be transferred to the Sussex Archaeological Society. The retiring
Officers or others appointed at the meeting shall seek to ensure that those funds, property and
assets be applied for the sole benefit of Fishbourne Roman Palace for use in support of its
continued preservation”.
Your committee has recently been in discussion with representatives of the Sussex
Archaeological Society regarding the formation of a new dedicated Fundraising and
Development Board (F&DB) for Fishbourne Roman Palace. This is at an early stage and an
outline was provided at the AGM by Jean Sanderson, Trustee of the Sussex Archaeological
Society. The transfer of funds to this F&DB would be an appropriate means of ensuring that
both ring-fenced and unspent funds currently held by the Friends would be utilised for the benefit of Fishbourne Roman Palace.

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