THE FRIENDS OF WALTHAM ABBEY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Objectives and Activities
The charity’s objective is to maintain and enhance the fabric of Waltham Abbey Church, as a building of historical and architectural importance.
The charity raises income to further its purpose from members’ annual subscriptions and from sales in the Visitor Centre that it operates in Waltham Abbey Church.
The income raised contributes to the public benefit by preserving and enhancing Waltham Abbey Church for the enjoyment of future generations.
A number of volunteers donate many hours in serving as Trustees and/or manning the Visitor Centre and we are very grateful to them for their willing service.
Achievements and Performance
The Abbey Church continues to be open only on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, and so the Visitor Centre is only able to be open on those days. However, within these limitations, the Friends have continued to accrue substantial funds to promote the beauty and dignity of the church for its congregation and many visitors.
Financial Review
At 31 December 2024 the charity had £421,408.74 in the bank. The Friends were grateful to receive a generous bequest of £22,772 during 2024. The bequest income was transferred to a Saver Plus account where it accrues interest and is restricted in use for the charity’s purpose. The charity’s Current Account stood at £26,023, the bulk of which came from membership subscriptions and sales in the Visitor Centre. Membership of The Friends is open to all on payment of a minimum annual subscription of £5. A membership event during the year resulted in five new members being recruited.
During 2024 the Trustees undertook a review of the charity’s financial controls and also produced policies on Investment and Reserves. The Trustees also agreed to adopt the Safeguarding policy and procedures of The Church of England, “Promoting a safer church”, and to have due regard to the Church of England’s five standards for safeguarding.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is controlled by its governing document, an amended constitution adopted on 16 August 1994, as amended on 7 May 2003 and 26 May 2010, and is an unincorporated association.
Trustees are elected or re-elected annually at the Annual General Meeting held in May. The District Church Council (DCC) of Waltham Abbey Church is entitled to appoint up to three additional trustees.
At 31% December 2024 the Trustees numbered twelve, comprising the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-Chair, five (of six possible) elected trustees and three appointed by Waltham Abbey Church DCC.
The Trustees oversee the work and activities of The Friends and review sales in the Visitor Centre, finance and membership. Some of the Trustees also volunteer in the Visitor Centre and can reflect the views of the volunteers at the Trustees’ meetings. The Trustees all work in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration from the charity.
The Trustees work in collaboration with the Parochial Church Council of Waltham Abbey Church, from whom it rents its space within the church, to fulfil its charitable purpose.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name The Friends of Waltham Abbey Church
Registered charity number 1044663
Charity’s principal address
The Parish Office Abbey Church Centre Abbey Farmhouse Abbey Gardens Waltham Abbey Essex ENS 1XQ
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Mrs Laura MacNeill Chair Mr Colin Anderson Vice-Chair Mrs Linda Murrell Treasurer Mr Richard Walters Secretary Mrs Margaret Gillett Membership Secretary Mrs Valerie Davis Mrs Myra Purton Mr Geoffrey Maidment Mrs Caroline Moores Mr Chris Theokli Mrs Linda Anderson Appointed by Waltham Abbey DCC Mrs Jane Hudson Appointed by Waltham Abbey DCC Mrs Lynda Beggs Appointed by Waltham Abbey DCC
Independent Examiner Mrs Dorothy Perkins 13 Norman Close Waltham Abbey Essex ENS 1PY
The Trustees declare that they have approved the report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: Signature: Karle Fullname: AAURD act CriAL. Position (e.g., Chair, Secretary): CUAIA ; Date: lov Ocke loey- 2ORS
| E | CHARITY COMMISSION The Friends of Waltham Abbey Church 1044663 | FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a from To For the period 01-Jan-24 To 31-Dec-24
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year funds funds funds tothe nearest £ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ A1 Receipts ee legacy[Donations isi‘“‘C;;CrLSOOOOOOC—i‘“‘“‘CSCdrTSOUCCCCCeOSG eeYCCCC“‘(C‘TCWUT;SS™™C™CUUT{CTCCeeee | i J ||[iC][C5] T5086eid|| ee a ne ee ub total (Gross income for AR) 19,969 22,772 42,741 15,561 A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). a A3 Payments CL [Photocopying/postage/stationery| S44 [CEE 1 esee ||[«4][«8S] 1600 | pCi Te | Ci| =) LL| Ee Ci‘CPO| eE_Pe ||DL BTCC‘+i ns ae' eC‘: Sub ol Ee) Ee Es A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table esSub total]= es Net of receipts/(payments) 2,557 OAT oes 25,329 5,336 A5Transfersbetweenfunds [| sj] | PF A6Cashfundslastyearend ~OD Cash funds this year end 2,557 Cort eeee 25,329 5,336
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
24/09/2025
I ——
Sanna
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
tails = Unrestricted Restricted Endowment to funds funds funds nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ rs ae (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Details funds funds funds --—to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Details_. Fund to which Cost (optional) Current value .- - —=asset belongs P (optional) Details Fund to which . Current value asset belongs Cost (optional) optional Detailsoo Fund to which Amount due When due Signed7by one or two trustees on —==liability relates (optional) =(optional) . 5 Date of behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 2
23/09/2025
Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
Report to the trustees/members of The Friends of Waltham Abbey Church Charity no: 1044663
On the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31° December 2024
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trusts’s accounts carried out under Charity Commission guidelines.
| have completed my examination and | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in any material respect accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act.
| have no concerns and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
==> picture [435 x 35] intentionally omitted <==
Dorothy Elizabeth May Perkins 13 Norman Close Waltham Abbey Essex ENS 1PY