Friends of St Laurence Church, Blackmore
Preserving our ancient church
M I N U T E S
15[th] Annual General Meeting of Friends of St Laurence
Held at the Priory Church of St Laurence, Church Street, Blackmore,
On 28[th] October 2021 at 7.30 pm
1. Welcome by the Chairman
Marion Wollaston chaired the meeting and welcomed all members. There were 20 members in attendance.
A copy of the accounts for the year was distributed to those present. The agenda and minutes of the last AGM had been distributed to all members with notice of the meeting.
2 . Apologies
The Secretary read out the apologies received: Kevin and Sandra Wood, Sue and Andrew Watley, Jane Marr, John and Carol Riley, Pam Slow and Charles Hirons, Lillian Haward, Terry and Eileen Smith, Reverend Sam Brazier-Gibbs, Eileen Hopton, Joan Westover, Elaine and Andrew Smith, John and Helen Cannon, Mike Jefferyes, Stuart and Kim Lucas, Judi Wood, Terry and Elaine Smith, Kay Doyle and Bill Parkinson.
3 Chairman’s Report
Membership
The Chairman first thanked all members for their support throughout the year. She confirmed that at 30[th] April 2021 our membership was 143 versus 149 last year with 2 new members and 8 leaving due to moving away or passing away. The breakdown of our membership types are 12 life memberships, 31 adult memberships, 74 concession memberships and 10 family memberships. It is satisfying to see that our core membership is stable and continuing actively to participate in events and contribute gifts in addition to their annual membership subscriptions.
However given the need for substantive repairs to the tower and lychgate we will need to make efforts to increase our membership income and gift income to supplement our fundraising.
Fundraising
Again the year to 30th April 2021 was an extraordinary one with restrictions placed on us due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. As a result we could not hold any major events. In early December we invited villagers to enter a Christmas Tree decorating competition, but perhaps we were late in advertising this and we raised just under £100 which we shared with the Church PCC.
On the plus side, we were fortunate recipients of a substantial legacy which was most gratefully received.
Media
Our Friends website, www.foslblackmore.org continues to receive viewings. Details of forthcoming events are posted on it along with a brief history of the Friends, photos of the church and our past events. We also have a Facebook page.
Spending
During the year we made a grant to the PCC towards the regular churchyard grass cutting.
Our vice Chairman Richard Thwaite was invited to join the PCC Fabric Committee which has been discussing various projects including of course the church tower and lychgate.
Members will know that we set aside a percentage of our funds raised specifically for repairs to the tower, which is expected to be a considerable sum. Richard will be elaborating further on this after this meeting.
Future Events
Despite the cancellation of most of our events of this year, we have boldly planned our future fundraising calendar. Our 3 events are the Caribbean Evening, a New Year Quiz and a concert by David Pickthall and his Big Band which will be held on Saturday 19th March 2022.
Public Benefit Report and Data Protection Review In accordance with the Charities Act 2008, we are required to make this report as a condition of maintaining our charitable status. Without reading the whole statement, I confirm we have complied with the Charity Commission’s requirements and have not had any conflicts of interest. In addition, we have reviewed our General Data Protection Regulations and I again confirm we are compliant in this respect.
Administration
The minutes of the last AGM were approved by the committee at their meeting on 23rd February 2021 and have been circulated to members along with the notice of this meeting.
Also at that meeting the various officers of the Friends were appointed and other roles assigned. The present Committee which is limited to nine members comprises: Chairman and Media Officer – Marion Wollaston Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary – Richard Thwaite Hon. Treasurer – John Caton Hon. Secretary – Carol Moulder PCC Representative – Peter Mason Committee – Brenda Flack Committee – Kay Doyle Committee – Bill Parkinson
The Chairman thanked the Committee for their on-going hard work and
support for FoSL throughout the year.
She concluded by thanking the Reverend Sam Brazier Gibbs and the PCC for their support of FoSL and all the willing volunteers who regularly help with our work and events throughout the year.
Following the Chairman’s Report questions were invited from the floor.
4. Treasurer’s Report
The accounts showed an excess of receipts over payments of £28806.55 for the year to 30 April 2021. Net funds held in total including the legacy now stand at £61517.43. Of this amount £45727 is set-aside for the tower.
The Treasurer reported on monies raised over the 15 year history of Friends of St Laurence: Membership and donations £32341 Fundraising £25933 Legacies £29456 A total of £87730
Our operating expenses have totalled £2990, most of which is for public liability insurance.
Donations to the PCC for various fabric and churchyard projects total £23583.
There were no questions concerning this report.
5. Election of Members to the Executive Committee
The Constitution requires members of the Committee to retire by rotation after serving a three year period. This happens at the AGM. This year it was Chairman Marion Wollaston and Vice Chairman Richard Thwaite who were due to retire. Being eligible they stood for re-election.
With John Laing’s retirement last year there is a further vacancy on the committee and the Chairman invited any other nominees to come forward. There were no other nominations.
John Caton proposed both Marion Wollaston and Richard Thwaite to the committee and Jill Griffiths seconded these. Both were unanimously elected after a show of hands.
6. Appointment of the Independent Examiner
The Chairman thanked Andrew Smith for undertaking the role of Independent Examiner of the accounts. Fortunately for FoSL, Andrew has kindly agreed to offer himself as a candidate for reappointment. There were no other nominations from the floor. Andrew’s appointment was proposed by Debbie Thwaite and seconded by Jill Griffiths. He was unanimously elected.
7. Any Other Business
Stuart Jennings proposed a vote of thanks to the FoSL committee for their hard work and support of the PCC.
There was no other business and the meeting was closed at approximately 7.50pm.
The meeting was followed by a presentation from Richard Thwaite on the Tower and Lychgate. Following this tea and coffee was served.
FRIENDS OF ST. LAURENCE CHURCH BLACKMORE REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1113888
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR END 30TH APRIL 2021
| RECEIPTS MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS GIFT AID TAX CLAIMED SALE OF GOODS - Proft FUNDRAISING EVENTS Christmas Tree Competition LEGACY Bank Deposit interest Totals Less:- PAYMENTS Insurance Postage, stationery and Membership expenses Miscellaneous Donations to St. Laurence PCC Fabric Fund (net) EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS FOR YEAR FUNDS HELD Bank Balances Cash Sundries FUNDS ACCUMULATED Balance at 1 May 202020 Excess of receipts above Balance at 30th April, 2021 |
£231.64 £0.00 £0.00 £843.00 £1,074.64 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| £231.64 £0.00 £0.00 £843.00 |
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J.A. CATON HON. TREASURER
M WOLLASTON CHAIRMAN
2021 £ p
1282.00 379.50 667.80 0.00
86.00 27455.81 10.09 29881.20
1074.64
###
61267.96 120.08 129.39 61517.43 £ 32,710.87 £ 28,806.56 ###
REPORT OFTHE INDEPENDEIIT EXAMINER TOTHE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF ST LAURENCE CHURCH BIACKMORE YEAR ENDED 30- APRIL2021 I report on the accounts for the yearended 30 April 2021 which are attscheil. Respe¢tive re$ponslbllltles of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner The charitvs trustees consider that an audbt is not requirèd for this year under section 144(21 of the Charitie5 Art 20JI lthe 2011 Artl and that an Independent examlnatlon Is needed. It Os mv responslbillty to.. Examine the a¢coynts under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Art: FOlW procedures laid down in the genernl directions given bythe Charlty commlssioners section 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Art.. and State whether particul•r matters have come to my attention Basls of Independent Examlners Statement My examination was carried out in accordance wlth the General Directlons gNen by the Charity Cornmis5ion. An examlnatlon Includes a review of the accountin8 records kept bythe charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also Includes conslderatlon of any unusual items or diKlosur¢5 In the accounts, and seeklng explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not prowde all the evldence that would be requlred ift a full audit. and ¢onsequently I do not express an audlt oplnlon on the accounts. In connectlon wtth my examinatton, no matter has come to my attention.. Whieh glves me reasonable cause to belleye that in any material pe(tthe requ1ments to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Art; Or To prepare accounts, whlch accord with these accountlnB record5 have not been met.. Or To which. in m¥opin(on, attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper lr$ndIng of the accounts to be rea¢hed. Signed.. A Smith Date". 21 AfjU 2021 A SMITH Whlte House, Blackmore Rd Blackmore CM4 OQX