Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
Trustees, Re
ort for the Year endad 31 St December 2024
Ob'ectives
The charitable objective of the charity is to apply the income and capital of the Trust to the repair,
preservation and improvement of the buildings and contents of Shropshire churches and chapels
of all Christian denominats'ons. This includes churches that are outside Shropshire but controlled
by either of the Archdeaconries of Salop and Ludlow. Many are 'listed' as being of architectural or
historical importance.
Structure
The board of Trustees administer the charity under the tenns of a Trust Deed. They meet
quarterfy to review the financial position and the value of the investments that support the
reserves, and to consider grant applicab'ons. There must be a minimum of four and a maximum of
twenty-five Trustees and the Archdeacons of Salop and Ludlow are 'ex-officio'. Trustees
appointed are expected to have some knowledge of the structure of the Church of England and of
other denominations and to support our ideals. and we seek as Trustees people whose experience
complements that of the existing members of the board.
The Charity's address during 2024 was 2 Russell Place, Cross Houses, Shrewsbury, SY5 6EY.
Trustees
The people holding office during 2024 were:
Mr John Clark (Chainnan)
Mr John Cole
Revd Preb David Crowhurst
Mrs Anne Edge
Archdeacon Fiona Gibson
Mr David Hardham
Mrs Angel Hughes (resigned 2411012024)
Mr Roger Hughes (resigned 2410412024)
Mrs Rachel Pittaway (T￿aSUrer)
Revd Canon William Price
Mrs Gwen Sidaway
Mr Stephen Winwood
Activities
There was an Annual Members, Meeting in June providing an opportunity to hear about the Trust's
work.
There were tours for members and their friends to tell them about the history and architecture of
churches and chapels in Shropshire and adjoining counties. This year there was a coach trip to
Radnorshire in addition to two tours in Shropshire. We also enjoyed a tour of Holy Trinity, Meole
Brace and in particular the opportunity to appreciate its Pre-Raphaelite stained glass

Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
Trustees. Re
ort for the Year ended 31st December 2024
contd
Activities
contd
We organised the annual Ride*Stride day in September (the Shropshire part of a national cycling
and walking event) to raise sponsorship money from participants to support the Trust and to
benefit the parb'cipants, nominated churches. We are gratefvl to the National Churches Trust for
help with publicity for this event.
As in previous years we ran an extensive Gardens Open scheme whereby throughout the spring
and summer single gardens or groups of gardens forming a trail were opened to the public for the
benefit of the Trust and local parishes. We were parbcularly grateful to garden owners for their
willingness to show off their gardens.
Publlc beneflt
The Trust benefits many churches and chapels, both large and small, with its grant aid. It helps
ease the burden falling on those responsible for the repair and maintenance of many of
Shropshire's fine churches and chapels. The county has a comparatively small population with
many churches in remote areas, and the grants offered encourage these communib'es to embark
on projects that may appear daunting.
The Trust is increasingly called upon to make buildings more welcoming and comfortable for both
congregations and visitors by grant aiding, for example, projects for lighting, heating and access
and for community facilities such as kitchens and toilets.
By arranging talks and visits the Trust encourages appreciation of our lovely churches and of their
architecture, local history, stories and place in the landscape. These events help to promote a
wider interest in heritage and the countryside.
Visitors to the gardens that are open as part of our programme enjoy their wide variety, the
availability and sharing of readily given horticultural advice and knowledge, the sociability and the
surroundings. All these factors contribute to the visitors. relaxats.on and wellbeing and to a happy
atmosphere.
Ride+Stride encourages cyclists and walkers to visit churches other than their own and to enjoy
going to different parts of the county. Many churches provide generous hospitality to participants.
We were grateful to the Bishop of Hereford forjoining David Hardham, our organiser, on the
Bishop's Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Many volunteers help distribute the thousands of Gardens Open leaflets, assist in different ways at
the gardens when they are open and man churches to welcome participants in Ride+Stride. They
give their time willingly and enthusiastically for which we are extremely grateful.
The Trustees have given regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit

Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
Trustees, Re
ort for the Year ended 31st December 2024
contd
Financial hi
hts
During 2024 the Trust has. through its fundraising efforts. been able to consolidate its financial
situation and also to maintain previous levels of grant aid to churches.
We continued our recruitment campaign through mailing and a presence at our Gardens Open
events. This continued the increase in church membership. tsking the total to 217. Trustees
attended events to canvas MO￿ individuals to become members, which resulted in a small gain in
membership numbers.
These membership subscripts'ons have contributed nearly £15.200 to Trust funds and we value the
Gift Aid we can claim on individuals, subscriptions.
Our Gardens Open scheme raised £38,573 which was shared belween the Trust and the local
churches. This was only £400 less than our ￿COrd breaking year in 2023.
Ride+Stride also had its best ever year raising nearly £40,000 and it was heartening to see
enty-bNO churches participating who raised money for the first time ever or had not done so for
long time. As with membership subscriptions we appreciate the generosity of individuals who
agree to the Trust claiming GiftAid on their sponsorship.
The Millichope Foundation maintsined its support for the Trust with a further donation of £5,000.
Our investments continue to perfonn sab"sfactorily.
Reserves
The policy of the Trust is, subject to market condits'ons. to reduce the level of reserves by up to
£70,000 annually for the foreseeable future. This gives us addits'onal funds with which to provide
grants. Our reserves are geared to cover, at any given time, at least the total of outstanding
grants payments and incurred overheads.
Grants
Grants paid in 2024 (￿lated to awards made that year and in previous ones) amounted to
£107,070. This figure varies each year according to when churches complete projects and submit
invoices for payment. Grants outstanding (awarded but as yet unpaid) at the end of the year
totslled £126,700.
For 2024 the Trustees kept the maximum grant amount for any one church at £10,000 whilst
retaining the right to exceed this figure in exceptional circUmstan￿s. This will enable us to help
more churches than hitherto.

Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
Trustees. Re
ort for the Year ended 31st December 2024
contd
Grants
contd
The thirty-two grants awarded in 2024 totalled £139,750. the highest being £10.000 (four
churches) and the lowest £850. They take into account the nature of the work (from both the
architectural and historical viewpoints) and the viability of the church or chapel in the local
community.
Besides the 'tradits'onal' applications to remedy leaking roots, rotten timbers and defective
stonework we have considered requests for organ repairs, electrical improvements, repairs to
bells, installation of kitchen and toilet facilits"es, clock repairs, conservation of family memorials and
rebuilding of churchyard walls.
Without this help projects stretch the churches, financial resources and the grants support the
Dioceses of Lichfield and Hereford in the work they do to bring people into their churches.
As part of its policy of supporting churches the Trust continues to contribute towards the funding of
the Church Buildings Support Officer for Hereford Diocese. This is an English Heritage
appointment and we are committed to it for a three-year tenn.
Concluslon
The Trustees consider that the charity is in a sound financial position and well equipped to support
this very important part of our heritage.
John Clark
Chairman
Date:

CHARITY COMMISSIO
FOR ENGtANO AND WALE
Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
101690
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the perlod
1stJanuary 2024
To
31st December
Section A Receipts and payments
UnrÈstrtctÈd
funds
Restrictèd
fund5
Endovm*nt
tunds
Tot41 fun
La* year
tothE nearest
i•** •w•s¢£ *oth•M*r•st£
A1 Recel
mbershtp I￿1 ¢)ftAd
DOnab"0￿ aThJ Lew¥
Gorden scheme
Tours
16,194
5,980
18.390
2.377
40.0
115,194
6,980
18.398
2.377
40,0158
14A33
6,814
192S4
3.327
30fft55
1hOO
Ride and Strkle irKI
SpoThsor8hip
Intereston In¥￿trne￿Il
11.07•
1•.310
Sub total
ross incom8
AR)
•B.149
•8,14•
•1￿2
2 A55et and Invesin*nl
sales.
Wthjrawal from knveslmont
Fund
40.000
Sub total
40,OOQ
13&149
1¥8,14•
91.672
e*idèth i*hem•
Tourn
Ride and Strll•- PCC •h•r•
73
2AY3
1271
16,424
111.070
4,JeO
103
3.883
2,782
14P6
100321
8,091
1271
&an15 bj churGht$
111.070
4,310
103
Tru8texpenses
Fund rai81n9 colts
Sub total
135,701
1Y5.7•1
138,438
A4 Pss•t and Itw•stm•nt
¥e* t4ble
Sub total
138.701
136.701
138.438
Net ofrncel￿[p8yMents)
41887
AS Transferts betV4••n ¢uThd•
Cash lunits la51 >rar end
Cash ￿ndS thls year •nd
49n
W7
9.425

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
End0vA￿￿t
Categories
Details
b)nArn￿£
Bl Cash fund•
9.425
Totalcash fvnds
funds
funds
ton•4r••t£
funds
Details
Details
**••tb•
B3 Invo8lm•nta8••ts
584,764
Detalls
84 A890ts rntslned forthe
charty'8 own u80
kndtowl*h
Wh•n **A•
Details
BO Ll•blMI••
Sp3nature
pr￿7t Name
Dats of

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of the Shropshire
Historic Churches Trust (Charity registration number 101690)
I report to the trustees on myexamination of the accounts of Shn)pshire Historic Churthes Trust for the
year ended 31 De￿rnber 2024 vthich are set out on pages 8 and 14.
Respeclfve responsfibllfides ofthe tnistees and examiner
s the charity's trustees you are rwonsible for the PTeparntion of the accounts in accordance with the
requirements of the Charities Act2011 Cthe ChaTltiesActJ. The charitys ttiistees consider thatan auditis
not TEqUiTed for thts year under section 144 of the Chaities Act and that an independent examination is
needed
It is my responsibility b)
exarnine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
follow the prO￿dUlEs laid down In the Genern] Directsons gven bythe Charlty Commission under
section 145(5)0)) of the Charities Actr, and
state whether particular matters have come to my attentio
Basls oflndependent ￿MInerfs report
My examlnatlon was canled out in accordance wlth the General Dirertions &￿Ven by the Charlty
Q)mml&slon An exwnination indudes a ￿leW of the accounting lty by the dwity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consfideratlon of any unusual
Items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeklng explanations from you as trustees concerning any
such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be reqUI￿d in an
audlL and consequently. no oplnion Is glven as towhetherthe accounts presenta'trueand frair" vlew and
the report is limited to those matters set out in the statementbelow.
Independentexamlnerfs statement
I have completed my¢¥amhHt50Th I confirni thatno materta matters h￿COmet0 myattentlon In
connection with the examination which we me ￿￿se to believe thac in any materlal respect
accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Charities ACL or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have nOCon￿rn5 and havecome no OtherMatte￿ Sn connection with the ￿MI[￿￿On kn whlch
attention should be th?wn In this reportin onler to enable a properunderstanding of the accounts to
be reached.
20 R￿A￿enue
StNeots
Camknidgthire
PE19 IDT
Date 30th August 2025