The Parish of Saint Giles-in-Reading
Report of the Churchwardens to the Annual Parochial Meeting 19th May 2024 On the year ending 31° December 2023
The current churchwardens would like to thank all who give so freely of their time to ensure the smooth running of the church.
Repairs to and care of the Church. The usual round of routine maintenance has been completed. The heating system has worked well through the winter. Annual testing and servicing required on the lightning conductor, Clock, Fire Extinguishers, Emergency Lighting and Heating System have all be completed. The five yearly inspection of the electrics in church will take place in 2024. Following the Quinquennial Inspection of 2022 all items marked as requiring urgent attention have been completed. Regular cleaning sessions attended by any who can join in are run once more and it is a good way to meet others who we might not normally have a chance to chat with, it also helps with learning a bit more about the building and what is needed to keep it in good order.
Sidesmen. The office of sidesman is an ancient one, yet is still very important today. Every person who comes into church on Sunday morning needs to be greeted and made to feel welcome. A new cohort of sidesmen were elected by the PCC but we still need more people to help with this vital function. Please do consider offering to become a sidesman; training in the role will be given.
Mission. We continue te broadcast cur main services live, on-lme, and this enables some our regular worshipers to keep together as a congregation either by participating via video or joining in by phone. Daily Compline, on-line, allows others who do not come to our church to join with the parish family in prayer. The return of study groups to the church has been a welcome event. The year saw the coronation of King Charles III and the congregation were able to mark the event with a small gathering to celebrate. The ringing of the church bells has allowed to mark the coronation and act as a call to worship on Sunday. We are grateful for the efforts of the ringers year-round. Work in supporting CIRDIC has continued as normal.
It was a particular joy to welcome the Bishop of Oswestry and many other friends and visitors to the church for the Ordination in June of Fr Sebastian and to share the celebration as he offered his First Mass. Bishop Paul returned to § Giles to confirm our candidates as we celebrated our Feast of Title in September. In May we were finally able to unveil and consecrate the memorial to Fr Michael Melrose which is situated im the Lady Chapel, many friends from past and present were able to join us that day.
Fimances. THE ST GILES CHURCH LANDS CHARITY, registered charity number 1086383. A copy of audited accounts is presented. Considerable time has been expended with regard to ensuring that leases on some of the properttes are being adhered to.
S. E. Mott Churchwarden
- G. Gooding Churchwarden
St Giles Church Lands Charity
Registered Charity No 1086383
Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December 2023
2022 2023 2022 20 ££ __ _ - Receipts Payments 40,638 Rental Income 41,166.20 679 Church Heating 445.4 21,449 Dividends and Interest 21,532.51 0) Church Electrics 2,692.4 500 Miscellaneous 0.00 10,187 Church Fabric, other 14,004.2 10,381 Insurance 11,694.C 2,910 Property Expenses 1,635.6 1,101 Rates 4,100.8 - Excess of Payments over Receipts - 198 Miscellaneous Expenditure 507.2 37,130 Excess of Receipts over Payments 30,618.8
Notes :
1 Rental incomes are shown gross as received, with expenditure relating to those properties, entered as expenses.
2 The Charity comprises the historical estate (set out In the 1599 inquistion), and the Walmsiey, Griffin and Melrose Bequests. 3 The Churchwardens as trustees of the St Giles Church Lands Charity own : 54-58 (even), 80 and 104 London Street all subject to building leases with more than 100 years unexpired : and 70 Southampton Street, the frontage let to a car dealer, and the rear car park let to the County Dancing School.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
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Examiner's Certificate I have examined the Books of Account of the St Giles Church Lands Charity together with the Receipts and Vouchers for the year ended 31 December 2023. in my opinion the attached Receipts and Payments Account, showing a surplus for the year of £30,618.86 and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities give a true and fair representation of the financial state of the Charity's funds as at 31 December 2023. Donovan Tax and Accounts Independent Examiners é rex Ae | 28th April 2024 ft ; CMREME “SH (AT)