N 4 Wanstead Parish st Mary with Christ Church Annual report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of Ihe Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary with Christ Church. Wonstead for the Yeor ended 31st December 2025 Registered Charity Numbei 1127753 Rector: The Revd. James Gilder. The Rectory. 37 Wanstead Place. Wanstead Bonks: Natwest Bank HSBC Bank CCLA Investment Manogement Ltd Auditor: Lorraine Catherine Purdy FCCA, Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills Table of Contents Foreword lo the Annual Report of 2025................................................................................... Rector's report........................................................................................................................... 27 Church Wardens. reports......................................................................................................... 30 Lay Leaders report.................................................................................................................... 32 Young People's Mlnlslry........................................................................................................... 33 Activities and Groups............................................................................................................... Report of the Elecloral Roll Officer......................................................................................... 41 Baptisms. Weddings and Funerals......................................................................................... 41 The Parochlal Church Councll................................................................................................ 43 Committee reports................................................................................................................... 45 Wanstead Church School Headleacher'5 Report............................................................... Scrfeguarding..................................................... .51 Flnanclal Review for the Full Year to 3151 December 2025................................................. 52 Financlal statements lor the full year to 31 December 2025............................................. 58 Foreword to the Annual Report of 2025 How We Meet Our Charitable Objectives OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Charltable Purposes The Parish of Wanstead was formed m￿e than 8(X) years ago ond hos minislered lo Ihe people of Wanslead continuousty from Ihen-on. Along wilh all parishes in the Church of England. the principal charilable purposes of Ihe Parish of Wanslead are= 11 I to proclise Ihe Christian failh through w(xship wthin the Church ol England, 121 lo further the Gospel of Christ in this Fxjrish, 13110 live oul Ihe commandmenls of Jesus Christ Ihrough a love of neighbour within and beyond this parish. The parish is cuslodian of two listed church buildings of 5ignificont hisloric and local inlerest, and Ihis carries wilh it legal responsibilities on top of those of the Iroditional objectives of a Christian chaiily, in that the charity has a legal duty lo ensure its listed buildings ore maintained in accordance with low. The parish also has o moral ond legal duty lo ensure Ihat those who come into contocl wilh the chorily are safeguarded properly when doing so, porticulorty in regard to young people and vulnerable adults. Short ond Long Temi Alms In order for the above objectives lo be effectively achieved in on everday expenditure wthoul relying on resen/es, to see more 'walk-in5' by new people. ond to encourage new volunteering and a deepening of the faith of Ihose who would see themselves os being part of our churches. The long-term aims of the Parish are lo ensure frnanciol and organisationol slabilily by strengthening reserves and income-bearing ossets for the good of the chority; grow younger loy leoders in all spheres of volunteering in parish life in order lo replace those retiring often ofler o lifetime of service". encourage vocotions lo the priesthood and other ordained / non- ordained ministries in the Church of Englond.- renew and restore bolh church buildings ond ensure that they are accessible by the community- to retain and increase relevance in a country which sometimes views the Church as a historical relic rather thon a living entity. Achieving our Alms: AcHvHies and ResouTce Use In order to achieve our short-term oims, detailed below are the activities Ihat Ihe Porish has engoged in over Ihe lasl twelve months, ond how they go lowords achieving our aims.. Acllv Alm achleved Human Resource Use Regular daily ond weekly Provide welcoming, 2 Ft Clergy worship focussed on bolh St engoging and relevant I PT Clergy Mary's ond Christ Church. Chrislion worship which meets 5 Self Supporting PT Clergy along with worship in o*her the spiriluol, intellectual. 60+ hrs combined local centre5 including aeslhelic. sociol and M￿01 volunteer time each week Wanstead Church School. needs of those who otlend locol core homes and and which provides sufficient occosionolly in the open air. challenge to be inleresling os well a5 comforting. 131. Provide volunteering opportunities in a wde range of areas which enhance leadership and community building skills in individuals, bring relief lo Ihose in needs. and build up communily spirit within the porish. 1121. Mainloin o full-time priestly presence in the parish and enccyJraging vocotions to ordained and non-ordained ministry. A musical Iradition including o substantial choir which enhances the worship at both of our churches and ocls as a 'draw' to encourage people lo worship within our community. Provide welcoming. engaging ond relevonl ChrislK)n worship which meels the spiritual, intellectual. aesthetic. social and morol needs of those who attend and which provides Suff￿lent challenge to be interesting os well as comforting. I PT Musical Direclor 3 PT Volunteer Orgonisls 25 Volunteer Choir Members Combined c. 60 hours per week Actlv Alm achieved Human Resource Use 131. Provide volunteering opportunilies in a wide ronge of areas which enhance leadership and communily building 5ki115 in individuals. txing relief to Ihose in needs. and build up community spwt within the parish. 161. Provide oppclay expenses. 120 people aflended the ftjndraising quiL I(D people attended the Bums Night. whilsl the Christ Church September Flower Festival hosted over 500 people in church. 131. Provide volunteering opportunities in o wide range of area5 which enhance leodetship and community building skills in individuols. bring relief to those in needs. ond build up community spirit within the parish. 141. Engage with the W￿er community of Wan51ead through outreoch and involvemenl in k)cal community initialives, through pastorol care when requested. through the provision of occasional offices, and Ihrough effective digilal and anabgue publicity. Co-ordinating efforts to re51ore the local lown war memorial. 141. Engage with Ihe wider community of Wan51ead Ihrough outreach ond involvemenl in locol community initiatives, through paslorol care when requested, Ihrough the provision of occasional offices, and through effective digital and analo ue ublici Over £IO,WO raised in a year by fundraising efforts arid donotions by locol people, masterminded and adMin￿tered by the parish. 20 Actfv Alm achleved 181. Encourage the engogement with the history of Ihe buildings and communities wthin our care. ond fundraise f(￿ their survival ond enhancemenl. Hosting the Wonstead Beer Festival, ollended by almost l 000 people ond growing each year. 141. Engage with the wider community of Wansteod through ovtreoch and involvement in local community initiolives. through posloral core when reque51ed. through the provisK)n of occosional offices. and Ihrough effective digital and analogue publicity. This has now had its fourth iteration and is growing each year. A significanl sum was raised for local charitES last year and almost ICK[) people accessed Ihe church site. Hosling public meetings regording development ond chonges lo the High street. 141. Engage with the wider community of Wanslead through outreach and involvemenl in local community initialives. through poslorol care when requested, Ihrough the provision of occasional offices, and Ihrough effeclive digital and onologue publicity. Public meetings this year include one reloling lo a local development and one relating to the provision ot market stalls on the High street. Both were atlended by local councillors orid were welkalfended by members of Ihe public. Creoting and running a public outreach evenl based upon sewing and weaving, linked wilh locol history, resulting in almost fifty new kneelers being creoled depicting elements of community life, based in Christ Church. 141. Engoge with Ihe wider community of Wansleod Ihrough outreach ond involvement in local cornmunily inilialives, Ihrough pastoral core when requesled. through the provision of occasionol offices. and through effeclive digital and analogue publicity. 181. Encourage Ihe engagement wlh the history of the buildings and communities within our care. In excess of fifly people were octively engoged in creoling the new kneelers, ond more than this were involved in collating the local history ond recordirlg the evenl. The kneelers are now on display and in use ot Christ Church. 21 Acllvl Aim ochleved and fundraise for their survival and enhancement. The successful application for significant funds from the Heritage Lottery Fvnd lo renew and restore Christ Church's building. 181. Encouroge the engagement with the history of the buildings and communities within our care. and fundraise fry their survivol and enhancemenl. The Development Sloge bid was accepted by the HLF. meoning thol initial funding C￿3[]).0(X) wos ogreed lo spearhead the renewal of the building ot Christ Church and lo move towards the final stage where it is hoped Ihol substanlially more funding will be mode available. A very popular music festival held onnuolly at st Mory's, attracting significanl numbers of people and serious talenl. 141. Engage with the wider communily of Wonsteod through outreach and involvemenl in local community iniliatives. Ihrough postorol care when requested. Ihrough the provision of occosional offices, and through effective digilal and analogue publicity. Significanl crowds were atlrocled to Sf Mary's for Ihe events in Ihe Festival, one particulor]y fun event being the 'Vegelable Orchestra of Great Brilain, who led a workshop for all ages in moking musical instruments oul of caTTols and swedel Moking small grants available on an ad-hoc bosis to local people in need. 171. The relief of poverty. loneliness and need within and wthoul the Parish. Smoll amounts of money were given lo a few members of the communily Ihroughout the yeor who presented in particulor need. Housing a fomily of refugees in a parish owned property. 171. The relief of poverty. k)neliness and need within and wilhout the Porish. e family continues to be housed by the porish. The provision of a monthly bereavemenl group lor those who ore experiencing loss. 171. The relief of FX)verty. neliness and need within and wilhovt the Parish. The bereovemenl café hos mel eoch month and has provided support for a small but significant number of people who have accessed Iheir se￿ICe$. The txovision of a tea and chal event monthly 171. The relief of poverty. loneliness and need wilhin and wthout the Porish. is event h05 proven increasingly popular with elde members of the ublic 22 Actfvi for older people CK those on their own. Alm ochleved and has o willing band of volunteer5. The provision of o communal Christmos L)ay lunch for those who mighl nol be able lo afford it or who are lonely on Chrislmos Doy. 171. The relief of poverty. loneliness and need within ond without the Parish. The event attracled 25 people as well as new volunteers this year, ond included community contribution5 of food. Regular trips, pilgrimoges (including in 2025 0 5evenfy-mile walking pilgrimage lo Conterburyl ond retreats Provide welcoming, engoging and relevant Christion wcKship wh￿h meets the spiriluol. intellectual. aesthetic, social and morol needs of those who oltend and which provides suff￿lent challenge to be interesting as well as comforting. The event 'Pilgrim 25, wos oslonishingly successful, including o core team of seven who walked more than 70 mile5. Supported by 60 people from Ihe parish who joined for one day or more of the pilgrimage, which raised significonl funds for the Inspire Wanslead campaun. Providing safeguarding Iroining to volunteers and ensuring volunleers are safely recruited I l 01. Ensure proper sofeguording procedure5 ore lollowed ol oll times and Ihol on oppropriote level of Iroining 15 undertaken by volunteers where required. A new safeguarding officer has ir)Iroduced a wider range of sofeguarding policie5 for the PCC and all new members of sloff have been safew recruiled. All members of the PCC have undertaken the required level of sofeguarding training. A 24-hour emergency contacl number for Ihe Rector. in case of urgent need. 1121. Maintain o full-time priestly presence in the parish ond encouraging vocalions to ordained ond non-ordained ministry. The Rector continues fo be conlacled occasionally by those in vrgenl need and always does his best to respond lo such colls in an approprFole and paslorol manner. 23 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE It is envisaged Ihol in order lo meet Ihe long-term oims of Ihe charity os staled weviously. it will be necessary lo build upon the good work in lerms ol outputs that has been evidenced for 2025. New activity Ihal hos been identified f￿ 2026 onwards is as follows= (1). Revlew of execulfve manogement procedures and financial management procedures The charily's success in atliacling external funding. from both the Diocese and the Heritage Loltery Fund. hos put o degree of stress on ils existing monagemenl sfructures. which have relied on quorterly PCC meetings, boosled by a slruclure including subcommittees ond a quarterty 51onding Commillee. It is proposed that a new Execulive Committee be formed which brings together Finance, Safeguarding. Fabric. Worship ony other relevant workslreoms, as wdl os acting as the Standing Committee of Ihe charity. This would allow more slreomlined strolegic decision making and for proiecls lo be monaged in a more-timely fashion. Likewise, Ihe pressure on a volunteer Ireasurer in dealing with such a growing charity has been very significanl indeed Ihis year. and it is intended to move lo a system of paid treosury svpporl lo relieve much of the burden from this role. (2). Herllage Lottery Developmènt Phase This is now underway. wth ils own projecl manager ond workstreoms. There will be o need to ensure Ihot this mojor project runs to lime ond meets its significonl objectives. ifwe ore lo go on to secure the major funding the Christ Church requires for its building work. A project manager, architect and other consullonls are now in ploce and it is envisoged that work on the development phase of this project will not be completed vnlil 2027. (3). Pailsh Holls development ond Improvemenl The Parish Holls are a major source of income ond outreach for Ihe parish ond il is vitally imporlant Ihat Ihey receive ongoing inveslmenl lo ensure Ihol they remain competitive and attraclive for communily groups. and for Ihis income source lo remain secure for Ihe parish. 11 is envisoged Ihol a major flo(y replacemenl projecl will be undertaken in 2026 with o cosl ot c.£50.(KM) to be mel from a recent legacy. Ongoing works lo toilets will be undertaken and in Ihe me(Jium-lerm il will be necessary lo fundroise for new exlernol doors. (4). Ongolng recTullment of new volunleefs This is a significonl issue for the charily. as with so many chorilies. There will be a volunteer recruitment stralegy discussed in 2026 and 'growing younger. is on the agenda for this parish. 24 {5). Youth Cholr This will be o major new projecl for 2026. with svJnificant investment having been oblained from the Diocese of Chelmsford. Recrvilmenl is underway for two members of slaff lo sel this up, promote it ond run it, with regular reporting ossured. Ongolng cover for olher parfshes and for the Rector in his additlonal role as Area Dean (6). The appointment of the Rector ol Wansleod os Area Deon of Redbridge has created a sigrnificanl burderi of extro wcxk for him and for the porish in general over Ihis year. There hos been some tinanciol support offered towards Ihis from the Diocese, but there is a need to assess the level of supporl Ihat the clergy from Wanslead ore offering to vacanl pori8hes. lo ensure thot this does not impoct too severely on the aims of this charity. STRUCTURE. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE The charily is govemed by its goveming body. the Porochial Church Council, which is chaired by the legal Incumbent and Recl¢N of Wansleod. Revd James Gilder. who 15 olso the Area Dean of the Deonery of Redbridge. in the Diocese of Chelmsford. The Rector ond PCC have overall authority and responsibility for decisions regarding the charity ond musl sign off all significant expenditure. All new Iruslees must undergo safeguarding training and there is a training session on Ihe role of o choriloble truslee during the firsl PCC meeting after the APCM ol which members are elected. The Parochial Church Council meets at leost quarledy and is assisted in its work by a number of sub-committees. which repcyl into the PCC. The PCC ha5 a Slanding Commitlee. comprised of the Reclor, the Loy Choir, Ihe Secretary, the Treasurer and the Church Wardens and Deputy Church Wardens. This meels qLJarterty and determines the ogenda for PCC. as well os moking any decisions which require to be mode in the interim. The 51ruclure ol the sub-cotnmiltees is detailed in o diogram on the next page. Also reporting inlo the PCC is the Parish Sofeguording Offficer. In oddition to the Rect￿, there are seven other clergy. One of these is employed by the Diocese of Chelmsford. and is Ihe full-lime assistonl curate of Ihe parish. The other clergy are volunteers. The Rector receives a stipend from the Church Commissioner5 os o result of his off ice os Incumbent. He is expecled to work ond reside full-time in the parish and has executive conlrol over Ihe day-lo-doy fvnclioning of Ihe parish. In proclice, marly of the more minor decisions regarding management of the funclioning of Ihe porish are made by him, sometimes in conjunctK)n with the Porish Manoger. olher clergy. or member5 of the Standing Committee such 05 the Parish Treasurer. 25 The parish employs". I x Porish Manoger126 hours per weekl I x Halls Monager112 hours per weekl 3 x Cleoners Icontrocls vary) I x Musical Director I l O hours per weekl I x Youlh Worker I l O hours per weekl With the exception of the cleaners. Ihe line manoger of all the above staff ifi the Rector. A poy review is carried oul for all staff in April. effective from April of the some year. The charity is parl of the Church of England ond the Diocese of Chelmsford. It elects represenlalives lo the Synod of the Deonery of Redbridge and a lay member of the parish currenlw sils on Dioceson Synod, as d￿S the Rector. Both these member5 also sil on Bishop's Council of Ihe Diocese of Chelmsford ond are Iruslees of Ihe Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance. Certain members of the PCC are a150 appointed to sit on Iwo chariloble trusts: Ihe Nuller Field Charily, which provides sports grounds wtthin Ihe porish. the renl from which benefils the ecclesiostical parish, and Ihe Wonsteod Cottages Trusl, which provides grants for Christian religious educational purposes to organisations in Ihe parish. 26 Rector's report l enjoyed 2025 in the Parish of Wanstead. 11 felt like the year wos lorgely one of joy for us, with several major projects coming to fruition. Top of the list must of course be the success of the Heritage Lottery Bid for Christ Church in September. a major ochievement after many yeors of knockbacks. It was a privilege to be able lo nolify the HLF Steering Commitlee that the first tranche of gronl had come in and that they could therefore appoinf on architect and project manager lo take this vilal projecl forword. We now look ahead to a year of developmenl work in partnership with these key oppointmenls. before the submission of our final bid in 2027. Pilgrim '25 was a major undertaking Ihis year. encompassing obout seventy people in total from the parish and involving o seven-day walking pilgrimage from the door of Christ Church lo the door of Canterbury Cothedral. This raised £20.CKK) for Ihe Inspire Wansteod project and l am exlremely grateful to all who took part in one way or another. It brought many in fhe parish together ond was a hugely enjoyoble and meaningful experience for those who fook part. The Kneelers Project at Christ Church was also a highlight of Ihe year. Thi5 encompassed folk from oll over the parish in coming together fo design and create kneelers for the lady chapel. and the commissioning setvice for this proved extremely moving, as people recounted their reasons for choosing their design, and said somelhing of whom they had dedicated it to. We owe Su Allison in particular a huge debt of gratilude for this seriously impressive addition to parish life. Sl Mary's music festival was undoubtedly the best yet this year, with several big names joining the London Vegetable Orchestra in providing a fonlastically fun and entertaining programme of both width and breadth. The choir have also gone from strenglh to strenglh, with excellent perfonnances throughout the yeor coupled with cathedral visils, and il was a very proud momenl to welcome Sl Mary's Woodford and All Sainls Woodlord Wells to join our choir for a special evensong this summer. My sincere Ihanks to Alison Wells for all she does for us musically. she provides a level of dedication lo the choir which is only matched by her skill. We have welcomed Iwo new wardens this year." Adrian Bakelmun 05 Church Wafden Imainly al Sl Mary's) and Dovis Watson as Deputy Warden Imainly at Christ Church). They have brought wilh Ihem fresh perspectives and ways of working, and fresh energy. l am exlremely grateful lor the work thol our wardens do. much of it quiet and unseen. Our clergy team have been busy Ihis year. 11 was o particular highlight to welcome the diocese lo Christ Church in September for the ordinolion of our very own Fr David Lappano as priest. The diocesan team were hugely impressed by whol they found here and il w(Js lovely to hear Iheir positive comments. l om exlremely grateful for all thal our large leam of cleigy do, porticularly Ihe extremely generous attitude Ihey have had to covering other parishes. I believe we have covered elsewhere obout seventy times this year. which is more than once a weekl This is hugely valued by 27 parishes in interregnum. Also of great value are all the poslorol visits made on o weekly basis. So. thank you so much to Fi Charles. Fr David. Revd Olive, Fr Chris. Mthr Anne, Revd Liz and Fr Richard. You give so much lo the parish, and are apprecialed by all. I was made Area Deon of Redbridge in March. which has meant a large amount of extro work has come ocross my desk. both in the deonery lin which currently ¼ of all parishes are without an incumbenll and in liaison with the wider diocesan family. I have largely enjoyed these extra responsibilities but I recognise thal there is a degree of sacrifice involved by a parish whose priest Is orea dean. particularly when l om called away on a Sunday. Thank you for your patience in this regard and let's hope Ihal we are oble to fill some of the vacancies Ihat we carry fhis year. If we do, this should make everyone's lives a bit easier. Lay ministry has continued to flourish. particulatly al St Mary's, with the admission by the diocese of Mark Taylor and Simon Morris as Avlhorised Local Preachers. Simon. Preethi Premkumar. Avril and Phil Carnelley and Diona and Roger Middleditch have all completed the second year of Ihe Christian Studies Course during 2025. The Church needs vocations. both lay and ordained, in order to flourish. God calls everyone lo some kind of vocotion. Please do consider what God is colling you to do this year, the answer may surprise youl The Fabric team has pressed ahead this year. with a new access ramp at st Mary's and a Faculty for the removal of a row of pews at Christ Church. having helped bolh churches lo be more welcoming. As ever I must record graletul Ihanks lo Alan Dowers for all his hard work, and particular Ihonks this year lo Elle Bratutel for his assistance with everything from stringing lights in the rafters to creating a tea bar. Freddie Fawcett has also done so much for us. along wilh everyone on the Fabric committee. This is the year we said goodbye and thank you to LO￿OIne Bucknell in the parish office. and welcomed Ann Corne who took over from Lorraine in January. Ann has gone above and beyond this year to get on top of the job and she ha5 broughl much innovation lo the parish office. In an environment wheie there is alwoys much to do and not much lime to do so. l om grateful to Ann for her diligence and level heodedness, and for every time she has remembered something that I have inevitably forgolten! The Friends of the Parish have had a tremendous year. with increased lakings at every event, some really quite substantially. Lauren Johnson and her team do an amazing job in all weathers to provide such a fun set of fundraisers each year, which do a great deal to open our parish up to others and which give us all a great outlet for fun. Many of us enjoyed our Germon exchange trip to Enge15kirchen this year, and it was lovely to take with us Fr Charles and Fr David a5 new guests, os well several old hands. We alwoys receive an amazing welcome and we look tomord to returning the fovour when our Geiman guests return Ihis year. The annual pilgrimage to Walsingham 28 proved as refreshing as ever and o nrce way to wind down at the end of the summer term. Our school received a glowing SIAMS report and if is excellent lo know that it is a beacon of best practice in so many ways throughout the diocese. Wanstead Church School also recorded the highest attainment of any school in Redbridge in KS2 SATS exams this year, which wos very pleosing. We have roised several thousand pounds for charity this year through vorious events, and my thanks go to Beryl and Lesley for doing so much to coordinate this. Our Sur)day teas for the elderly have retained their popularity and the Bereavemenl Café and 'A Place, mental health sessions have operated successfully throughout the year. Thonk you to Jomes Boast. to Caroline Kingswood and many others for their diligence and commitment. A grovp of us hos also provided meals for the night shelter on a weekly basis and much other social outreach lakes place besides this. As olways, money governs a greal deal of what can be achieved. In a parish as complex as ours, l am hugely grafeful to Jomes Palerson for all he doe5 Qs our parish treasurer. At times il has seemed like o full lime job, unpaid. We all owe him a debt of gratilude. Once agoin, it feels like we have just aboul scraped through. bringing in about as much in the general fund as we hove spenl. This will be a hard task to replicale next year. as we have sadly lost the rental of the vestry al Christ Church which broughl in much needed funds, and our bills are increosing. Our parish giving might be best described as 'ok but not brilliant, and this is something we need to work on further. For me Ihough. the cenlre of the parish is its worshipping life. It was lovely to note that our Christmas atlendances weie up once again across the board, recording fhe best attendances throughout the period since before the pandemic, and with standing room only at the Nine Lessons and Caro15 service at st Mary's. Perhaps more surprisingly. our congregations through Holy Week and Easter were the best for more than a decade. Several nurture groups have operated throughout this year and it is a point of development for next yeai to see what we might be able to do further in this regoid. What is even more delightful is that our week-by-week attendances have been bolstered by the orrivol of several new people, who have Stuck with us, commilted to the parish and are now really part of Ihe family. This is what we need. and it'5 Ihe way we will grow heallhily. I doubt we will ever see hundreds of new people each week, instead Ihe slow but sure growth thal we have seen this yeor is what I pray will increase our life and our vibrancy in the years ahead if it continues. There is so much more that I could say here because Ihere is a huge amount of life here. Every parish thinks they ore speciol, but I do feel that this is a speciol ploce, ond clearly il has been gifted wilh a huge omounl of talent and enthusiasm in all of you. May God bless you all. Your Rector. Fr James Gilder 29 Church Wardens, reports stma 's church Overview 2025 wa5 a particulorly busy. successful and encouraging year for St Mary's Church. Moiked by strong community engagement. well-attended setvices and significant progress on accessibilily and building matters. Communif Events and Outreach St Mary's hosted a very successful Music Festival over the Spring Bank Holiday in May. featuring four well-ollended performances. Special thanks go to Alison and all Ihe volunteers for curating an oulslonding programme of artisls. many of whom regularly perform at the Royal Opera House. A particulor highlight was the performance by Martin Wheatley and his band. which was a reol string sensation. st Mary's played a central role in the Wanstead Fringe Feslival, hosting the opening and closing concerts. as well as several plays and additional concerts in be￿een. Across these events, more than a thousand people visited the church and its gardens. many for Ihe first time. A slandout success was the Crypt Tours. held over eleven days with four hours of tours each doy. These tours generated o significant profit to help with the Crypt improvements and were extremely well received. Sincere thanks are extended to Sue and James Paterson for organising and running the lours, with valuable support from Sian and Davis. The shared Harvest Supper in September was well altended and greatly enjoyed, with music provided by Andy and Lee. A substantial amount was raised through the raffle and bar, and the proceeds were donated to Mill Grove. These events have played an imporlant role in strengthening St Mary's conneclion with the wider cornmunity, welcoming new visitors to Ihe church and encouraging grealer engagement wilh the wider community. Services and Worshi The Bereovemenl Service held in November wos a deeply moving occasion. thoughffully organised by Susan Holdhom. The Chrislmas season was exceplionolly busy and filled with lots of fun and laughter. The Nine Lessons and Carols service in December saw record attendance, wilh over 450 people present, one of the largest congregotions St Mary's has hosled. The Christmas Day service was also very well attended. wilh over 150 people. Throughout the Christmas period. Ihe church looked magnificent. reflecting the dedication of many volunleers who give Iheir time generously throughout the year. 30 Buildin s, Fabric. and Accessibilit A major milestone wos achieved with the installation of a temporary wheelchair ramp, which was operational in time for Ihe Christmas services and significantly improved accessibility. Faculty paperwork has been submitted to the DAC, quotalions received. and the process is ongoing, including rnatters relating to the Crypl. The railings at the front of the church continue lo be addressed, with an agreed approach to complete the work in manageoble sections. The south wall backing onto the golf course remains an ongoing concem. Work is underway to establish whether Redbridge Council holds responsibility for its maintenance. If confirmed. repairs will be pursued Ihrough the Council. Lookin Ahead to 2026 Looking ahead lo 2026, we do so wilh real enlhvsiasm and hope. Building on Ihe strong foundations of Ihe past year. we are keen lo continue growing the congregation and to encourage deeper involvemenl from across our church community. Through worship. events. oulreach. and care for our buildings. we hope to create more opportunities for people of all ages to feel welcomed, valued. and engaged in the life of Sl Mory's. With conlinued collaboration, commitmenl. and faith. we look foiward lo strengthening both our congregation and our wider community in Ihe year ahead. Thanks The Churchwordens would like to express sincere thanks to all clergy, staff, volunteers. and congregation members who have contributed their time. skills, and support over the past year. Their commitment continues to sustain and enrich the life of Sl Mory's Church. By Adrian Bakelmun, Churchwarden Christ hurch In the words ol St Faithful's. Havnot (you haven't found Ihem on Facebook yet? Do look them upl, The Annual Reporl is the ecclesiastical equivalent of boiled cabbage. Necessary. Charocter-forming. Faintly joyless." Their Churchwarden wrote in their onnuol report: 'We locked up. We unlocked. We worried., I think that jusl aboul sums up my 2025 tool The worshi Regular Services continued in Ihe same pattern. we are in o strong and familiar routine now with good attendance. One highlight was the Christmas services. attended by over 700 in lotal lit'5 difficult to count such packed congregationsll. Another highlight was Falher David's ordinalion: il was a real blessing lo share the 31 doy with him in our own church. Christ Church is open regulady including most weekday mornings. and a surprising number of people come in to light a candle or offer a quiet prayer. The mental wellbeing support group. A Place. led by James Boasl. conlinues on the first Sunday of each monlh and has been much appreciated, followed by a healing service led by Mother Anne and Father Chiis. Monlhly tea and fellowship afternoons have also been much appreciated. The flower festivol and Jazz Vespers were a Iriumph and a highlight ot the Wanslead Festival. thank you to those who contributed and helped u5 reach so many locol residenls. The buildin Fabric committee met iegulady and provided invaluable advice and support throughout the year. Christ Church remains on the al-risk register. the bell tower conlinues to deteriorate ond the healing is operating ol less than half power, but the end is in sight thonks to Pfomised funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A large number of routine maintenance works ond impiovements were made and I now know more than l ever wonled lo know aboul the funclioning of urinals and how ropes specialists ore needed to occess the steeple. not lo mention the life cycle of pigeons. Alan Dowers did many of Ihe minor repairs or oversaw others ond his help is truly invaluable, Eli and Alan worked hord on Ihe new welcome area and we hope lo starl using this lo ils full polenlial soon. The gardening club ensured that Christ Church gardens remain a real asset lo the whole of Wansleod, a huge Ihank you lo you all. and also lo everyone who ha5 picked up litter. The eo le Christ Church is blessed with very many volunleers who contribute o huge amount. Thal said. we do still need more in just about every areo. So a very heartfell Ihonk you to all the sides people and welcomers. flower arrangers, those who care for linen and silvetwore, servers. supporters of children's groups, manage the temperamenlol sound system, play the organ. spring clean. offer coffee ofler services. are Euchoristic ministers, are on intercessors and readers rotas, set up before and clear up after services, counl collections, tidy the churchlvestry. sing in the choir. ring bells, bring fin in a Bin and other donations, support outieach. support Ihe loss and bereavemenl café, orgonise parish giving and saleguarding officers- l apologise in advance for missing any volunteers. and thank you all for everything you give to our church. By Barbara Helpworth, Churchwarden Lay Leaders report stmo The pallern of worship has remained the same. The patlem is as follows: 1st Sunday Common Worship Lay led, 2nd Sunday Eucharist clergy led. 3rci Sunday BCP Lay led. 4th 32 Sunday Eucharist clergy led and 5th Sunday a joinl service at Christ Church al 9.300m. The joint service happens 4 10 5 times a year. This appears to be working well. and the congregation continue to tell us thal they like the variety. However. at the beginning of 2026 we feel it would be useful to check in wilh the congregation if the paltem is still working for Ihem. We last checked in with them formally in 2023. At the Lay leader5 meeting in June 2025. it was decided to shorten Ihe Common Worship service.11 was felt the service was too wordy. The first new foimat service was done in July. The feedback from the congregation was posilive and the lay leaders feel Ihe flow of the service is belter. Alongside our Sunday services we have continued to enjoy the office of Compline every Wednesday a18pm. This is a short I S-minute service which offers an opportunity for o spiriluol re-boot at the middle of the week. Primarily. this is led by Susan Holdham. ond other Lay Leoders fill in when she is away. It is held every Wednesday except the week after Chrislmos and has a small and dedicated following. This year Susan led a very sensitive and moving Bereavement service in November ot Sl Mary's. The service was a beauliful combination of poelry ond music, supported by the choir under Alison's direction. Chrlst Church While there have been no loy led setvices at cc, the Lay leaders who worship at Christ Church support the services by leading inlercessions. reading and also lead services at St Mary's. And Simon and Mark, our authorised local preachers. are involved in services al both Christ Church ond Sl Mary's and preach al both churches. They have been a Iremendous addition to our worship. In 2026 We will be arronging onolher Away Day for all Loy Leaders. Our last away day in 2023 was very successful as il gove leaders the opportunity to spend time logether and share and develop ideos. The Lay Leaders across the parish are committed to helping fhe Reclor and the rest of our clergy team develop the spiritual life of our parish. By Ccjry Green Young People's Ministry Young people land their families) are a large part ot the life of this parish. For several families who started attending church in 2024 and are now more regular. they are seeing how comfortable and connected their children have become to nursery church. 33 At Nursery Church Ihe children get 10 Sing fun songs and dance. heor a bible story and do an activity thal brings Ihe story lo life. And Ihe adults in the room witness Ihe wonderful questions and explanations thol these children have about Iheir failh. Junior Church has grown significantly throughout 2025, somelime5 wilh 10-12 kids. up frorn 4-6 in 2024. This group ot young people spans a broader age ronge from 6-13 yr5. Lizzy Shaw leads them with fun gomes and a bible study. The Bridge Youth Club. led by Lizzy Shaw and Fr David welcomes neady 30 kids every Fridoy in lerm time from yrs 6-8. The youth club now olso has a team of adult volunteers who cook loaslies and work the tuck shop while Lizry and David hang out with the youth. Sadiy the Wednesday morning play-group Refreshed (previously Little Angels) came to an end in 2025. While two or three carerslparents ond their children came regularly and cherished the conversotion and relaxed atmosphere of Christ Church it was decided thal Lizzy Shaw would shifl her efforts and pursue more engagement with the 10-13 year olds in our communily. Palm Sunday. Christma5 Eve crib service. and Ihe Chrislingle were, once again, among the very special services that children and young people love because they get more opportunities lo participafe and be al the cenlre of the excitement. In 2026 there are plans to develop a group of young acolyles who will learn about the different roles and meaning behind parls of the communion seivice, and ulfirnately become the acolyte team al fomily services. By Fr David Lappono, Cur(Jfe Activilies and Groups Pra er Grou This yeor Prayer Group meets at Christ Church at 10.30am on Tuesdays in term time, either in the Lady Chapel or in the Vestry. with its focus on a passage taken from the previous Sunday's readings. (The reflection on the chosen passage can be found in the pew sheet attached to the weekly parish email- a paper copy is available at Ihe services, and at the Tuesday meeting.). The meelings typically last a little over an hour. We slill use many of the prayers developed by Valerie Gritten, and we seek to honour her commitment to prayer as the "work of God" in the parish. and to developing our own prayer life. There is a nucleus of regular attendees: we would welcome new members or anyone who would like to just drop in. by Mark Taylor Welcomer5 2025 has been an enjoyable year for the Christ Church welcoming team, as our long serving volunleers have been supplemented by some new joiners lo the team. for whom we are very grateful. We now have a strong leam ol enlhusiastic ond friendly 34 volunteers, who enable us to make all vi51tors to Chrisl Church feel comfortable and valued. The Porish has had a renewed focus on welcoming this year. For this reason, the greeting we are able to give lo newcomers and regulars olike is more important than ever, and l am extremely grateful to everyone who agrees to take on this straighlforward but rewarding role. We would always love to heor from anyone who would be prepared to help once or Iwice per quarter. lo ensure that we are oble to conlinue presenting a warm and friendly welcome into 2026. By Eleanor Taylor Parfsh Muslc The Porish Choir has enjoyed a period ol steady growfh throughout 2025, with membership now comprising opproximafely 25 to 30 dedicaled individuals. Atlendance al rehearsals ond performances has remainecl consistenlly strong. a testamenl to the commitment of choir members who regulady devote their Friday evenings to choir practice. Their dedicalion is greatly apprecioted and hos conlributed significanlly to the choir's success. Over the past year. the choir has continued its Iradition of singing Evensong on o monthly basis. During the winter months. these services were held ot St Mary's, while in the summer. they took place at Christ Church. The number of people attending these Evensong services hos conlinued to rise. and it is hoped thot this positive trend will continue into the future. Even50ng provides a peaceful and conlemplative space lor all who attend, offering a much-needed intertude from the busyness of daily life. The choir has also had Ihe privilege of performing Even50ng at prominent venues: Soulhwark Cathedral in January and Chelmsford Cathedial in May. In addition, May featured the choir's parlicipation in the Choral Festival. an event that brought together choirs from across the Diocese and wos directed by Emma Gibbins. the Director of Music for the Diocese of Chelmsford. Beyond these special events. the Parish Choir has played an e55ential iole in the musical life of the parish. singing al Advent Carols. the All Souls Setvice, Holy Week music, and the much-loved onnual Nine Lessons and Carols. On Sunday mornings, choir members continue to support worship by singing ol the church of their choice, enriching services throughout the parish. Efforts to slrenglhen links wilh Ihe local community and neighbouring parishes have been ongoing. A particular highlight this yeor wos the Good Friday performance of Fauré's Requiem. which saw the Parish Choir joined by singers from the wider community. In total. 60 voice5 came logelher for this memorable event, accompanied on the organ by James Hearn and directed by Alison Wells. Special Ihanks are due lo Andy Richardson, who conslructed a sel of risers for the occasion- these will prove o valuable asset for future performances. 35 In July, during the final Evensong of the ocademic year, the choir was joined by members of the choirs of St Mory's Woodford and All Sainls Woodford Wells. further cementing ties within the broader musical community. Ma Music Festival The May Music Fesfival in 2025 offered another wonderfully eclectic range of high- qualily performances. The festival opened wilh a workshop from the London Vegetable Orchestra, who demonstrated the making of o corrot recorder and showcased a variety of inventive vegetable inslruments. including courgelte trumpets. pepper recorders, and squash trumpets. It was particulady pleasing lo see many young people participating and enjoying the experience. The Festival continued with an outslanding vocol recitol by Ellen Pearson and Sam Hird, two Young Artists from the Royal Opera House. accompanied by Alison Wells on piano. Their performance delighted the audience, with many ottendees commenting thal they had never heard voices of such calibre before. Toby Ward. director of Ensemble Pro Victoria, provided a fascinating lalk on liturgical music and the role of the organ. followed by a short recital fealuring members of the parish's organ ond instrumenlal community. Thonks are due to Chris South. who accompanied the Rector on euphonium: Marlin Whealley. who composed for and accompanied Jane Miller (violal.. Alison Wells, who performed with Sue FitzGerold Iflutel- and James Hearn. who joined Toby Ward and Alison Wells in a Boch duel. The Festival concluded with o spirited perfonnance by Wheatley's Arcodions, led by Martin Wheatley. Their concert. "String5 ain't what Ihey used to be." celebrated the golden age of early 20th-century music with a lively array of guilors, Stroh violins, ukuleles. cellos. double bass. and vocols. providing o filting ond memorable finale. For et-me-nots This year marked a slight change of direction for the Forget-me-nots. wilh a new rota of leaders toking on responsibility for the grovp and meetings now held on Fridays al 10-30. The new team of leaders consisfs ol Tina Lloyd-morris, Alison Wells, Andy Richardson, the Rector. and Jane Miller. Several new members have joined the group, Ihough some have been unable to continue due to the change in meeting day and time. The group continues to enjoy an hour ol singing followed by a sociable gathering. maintaining a cheerful and welcoming otmospheie. Or With two churches reqviring organ music, the parish is especially groteful to its regular volunteers: Marfin Elliott, Michoel Tivey, the Rector. Martin Wheatley, ond Alison Wells. oll of whom contribufe their skills and time. On the second Sunday of each month. the parish engages James Hearn. FRCO. who plays for bolh morning services and Evensong, in addition to accompanying the choir on calhedrol visits. This year. the parish also welcomed Digby Pollard as organ scholar. in a role shared wilh St Gabriel's Aldersbrook. Digby atlends choir rehearsols. accompanies some 36 pieces, and sings with the choir. He has alreody played for several services and is a much-valued addition to the organ commvnily. Visitin A4 usicions The churches have continued to welcome visiting musicians and hosl concerts by a variety of choirs and ensembles. including Lucy Crowe ond Joe Wallers. Joe's own band, East London Chorus, Natural Voices Choir. the Upbeat Choii and Leytonstone Musical Theatre Choir. and a performonce of House ot Scandal. In addition several Wanstead Fringe events took ploce in both churches. These performances enrich the musical life of the parish and provide opportunities for the wider community to experience live music in the church setting. By Alison Wells Bellrin ers Re rt 2025 To give a meaningful report for 2025, 1 am including part of my last ieporl relating to 2023 which unfortunotely was not included wilhin Ihal year's Annual Report. In thot report, l advised Ihat, aftei a somewhat limited period of ringing, things had picked up towards Ihe end of the year. and the bells were rung regulady for the Sunday service. Sadly. this was unable to be sustained for long. largely due to Lucas Owen having other commitments. l am pleased to report, however, that more recenlly and porticulaily in this year {20261. we have been boosted by four ringers from St John's Leytonstone. who come to us on Sunday mornings, before going on to ring at Leylonstone. Thus, on most Sundays. at le05t rive, and ohen six bells can be heard. I am particularly giateful to the two ladies, Alex and Anne. who have overseen the Leytonstone inlerest. On a positive note, we have been able lo continue ringing when reque51ed for weddings and had several visiting bands come to us during 2025. We also welcome Andrew Barham and his band of ace ringers, who come to ring, sometimes qLlOrter peals, after the 9.30 service, every couple of months. We have also received help from the Essex Association of ringers. who have atranged a few practice evenings. The church as well as the wider porish of Wanslead. continue to be graleful lo Christine Wyall, for her efforts in winding ond maintaining the church clock. This probably goes unnoliced. Going forward, I feel the priority will be lo keep the bells ringing as often os possible for the Sunday morning services. In Ihe long lerm. I would hope that it may be possible to offer potential new ringers. an effeclive Iraining programme, lo ensure Ihat Christ Church bells can conlinue to be rung for the benefil of future generations. Bellrin ers Re ort 2023 Sodly.2023 wos over5hodowed by the death of two of Wonstead's long standing bell ringers. Namely Margarel Manser in September and John Eyre in November. It has 37 been well documented how much Ihey each contributed to bell ringing over a period of more than sixly years. Quarler peals were successfully rung in their honour al their respeclive tunerol5. Afler a profracted period of only very limited ringing. l om pleased lo report thot since September, the bells have been Tung regulody for fhe 9.30 Sunday service. with only a lew week5 missed. We have to thank Lucas Owen, who hos joined us from St Mary's Walthamstow. and is able to ring Iwo bells at oncel Lucas was appointed district maintenance officer by Ihe Essex Associalion of ringers. and at the age of eighteen, is a highly proficient and talented ringer. He is also skilled at mainlaining and servicing the bells and has carried out several inspections and improvement5 in the lower. We were able to ring for the King's coronation as well os for three weddings. by Robert Wallis Place, foi mental heallh su ort Il's been another fulfilling year for A Place. We were fortunole to add another experienced host to our ranks who has added great value. We assessed our operating rhylhm during the course of Ihe yeor. experimenting with a different way of doing things, lo ensure we continue to consider how we can best add value to our communily. We look forward to continuing with enthusiasm in 2026. By James Boast Gardenln Club Stma The Sl. Mary's'Gardening' Club tille is perhaps a CU￿ent misnomer as over the yeors our loyal members have developed further skills, albeit still strictly amateur. in landscaping. specific aspects of slonemasonry, carpentry, atboriculture & tree surgery. Wilh fhe critical & welcomed inpuf of the Council'5 contracfors who strim and mow Ihe Churchyard grass. the sile has become an increasingly popular ploce to visil whether for its renowned hi51orical significance. sightings of the itinerant fauna, the annual fly-past5, for family picnics, dog- walking or for strollers who look for peaceful surroundings to share conversalion with a companion or indeed to read their newspaper or latest novel on one of seveial strategically-located benches. Over the last Iwelve months we have seen on inspiring oge-range of dedicated volunteers at our fortnightly meelings - from the mosl helpful uniformed Cubs & Scouts of Ihe 47th Epping Foresl South Group Iwho at one rendezvous enjoyed a celebratory open-fire BBQI posl-secondary education young men and women to the odd past- 70-year-old I Our priorilies remain focused on Ihe maintenance of our beloved churchyard and the groves of its permanent residents by keeping Ihose graves free from sapling5, the memorial epilaphs from ivy. ensuring thal hedges are clipped, shrubs pruned and thaf the cleared vislas stretch to oll fovr boundaries. More recently, new saplings of native free species have been planted along with relevanl Spllng bulbs to further enhonce the estoblished tloro... Our bespoke Compost Heap is flourishing and of course. our local Apiarist is selling fhe honey produced from his two sets of hives set along the eastem perimeter. Before long there will be the first leaves of bluebells to be seen at the southern end of the Churchyard so should you wish to see for yourself or check out what has been achieved over past months do come alongl Needless to say. there will always be a warm welcome for any interested or enlhusiastic individuals or groups who wish lo join us,. lools will be provided ollhough secateurs and a pail of gloves will normally suffice! By Phil Ryan Christ Church The year of 2025 saw Steve Davenport leave Wanstead atler over twenty years volunteering wilh the Chrisl Chvich gardening club, including several of those 05 organiser. We deeply thank him for his countless hour5 01 hard work spent mainlaining our beautiful churchyard for the parish and local community. Since his departure. the club hos been tun as a cooperative with all members assisting with orgonisation and plonning. They hove continued to perform Ihe regular lasks in the grounds, such as grass cutting. hedge trimming. weeding and removing the litter that is frequently left in Ihe churchyard. Dealing with garden waste has proved a key issue in recent times. but Ihe gardening club has been greatly aided by the purchase of a new garden shredder. This has enabled us to easily reduce Ihe piles of woste stored by the easl gale, with the chippings mostly being laid on on emply bed along the east end ol the norfh fence. We continue to welcome new volunteers to our session5, which are held fortnighlly on Saturday mornings between 9:CKlam and 12:30pm Icontirmalion of dates can be obtained through the Parish Olficel. All can be assured of a warm welcome, refre5hmenfs at our tea breaks and the opportunity to help mainlain our mvch-used community space. By Davis Watson 39 Flower Arron ers stma The flowei arrangers worked to a rola for part of Ihe year but the number on the rota hos dwindled. It is always beller to have a rota so that the atTangements ore varied in style and colour, which is much opprecioted by the congregation. Sadly the weddings in the parish have been in Christchurch so il is hoped Ihat in 2026 more couples will be encouroged lo opt lo have their weddings in Sl Mary's. The flower arrangers from bolh churches assisl with the flower orrongemenls at weddings in both churches. At the main celebrations of Easter ond Christmas, additional volunteers do assisl in the various arrangements in the church ond their ossistonce in very much appreciated. At Easter, the colours are brighter than in the winter and they were primarily white and yellow this year. At Chrrstmas. the colours are warmer and Ihe church is transformed into an absolute delighl with wreaths. candles, loliage ond flower arrangements in readiness for the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols followed by the Christmas Day Eucharist service. New members of the flower arrongers rola would be warmly welcomed and a course for beginners could be arranged in Wanslead House it a few people would consider this. It is a wonderful hobby bringing immense pleosure lo so many at the Se￿iCe5 and all new members would be supported when they slart. By Margaret Thoresby Chrisl Church Flower arranging at Christ Church has been required to change as fewer volunteers are ovailable and the cost of fresh flowers has increased considerobly. To manage these changes we ore using faux flowers with fresh loliage on a weekly basi5, when appropriate. Fresh Ilowers are used for Weddings and Memorials and on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter. A Flower Festivol held in September 2025 at Christ Church was enjoyed by many and raised money for Ihe Christ Church Tower project . Arrangers from Wonsteod House Flower Club gave their time and expertise and flowers were funded by a generous grant from the London Mayor's tund. By Beryl Darling 40 Report ol the Electoral Roll Officer This year a new Electoral Roll was formed and approved ol the APCM on Sunday 18th May, os is required every 6 years in accordance with the Church of Englond Church Represenlation Rules. At the time of thot APCM the new roll had 218 members. By the end of 2025 and furthei 17 names had been added and the Roll stood at 235. Any parishioners wishing to join the Parish Electoral Roll are welcome lo fill in forms which are available in both churches or from the Parish Office via email to office@parishofwan51ead.org. By Ann Corne. Porish Manager Baptisms, Weddlngs and Funerals Total baplisms for the Parish= 28 Baptisms al St Mary's: 2 Infants Baptisms al Chrisl Church- 17 Inlanls. 5 Children and 3 Adults Total weddings for the Parish.. 7 Weddings at st Mary's: I Weddings al Christ Church: 6 Another busy year for the Parish, welcoming new families and continuing engagement with others. I remain truly grateful to my mery band of volunteers who respond quickly and positively to my requests tor help at baplisms lo ensure the clergy are supported and families welcomed. Yvy. Danielle, Lisa and Phil deserve thanks trom everyone for this importont volunleer work. We are alway5 looking for more people to offer help, an hour every couple of monlhs is hopefully not loo onerous a task. Weddings as always much enjoyed by the couple and Iheir guests. From absolulely freezing in January with heavy coals. gloves. scarve5 and blankets much in evidence to one of the hotlest days of the year wilh floaty frocks and strappy sanda15. Much in between with very small, quiel setvices to bright larger celebrations. All supported brilliantly by wonderful organists Imainly Alison), beautiful flower arrongements from the flower ladie5, joyful bell ringing from Ihe team and a happy smiling Annabel who is a brillionl osset as verger with me. We love weddings logether and have a bef as lo the colour of bridesmaids. dresses . . though l usually have inside knowledge from booking meeting and rehearsal! By Jan Andrews 41 During 2025 fhe clergy team carried oul nine lunerals in our churches, six ot Christ Church, three al St Mary's and a further six funerals elsewhere. There were five interments in total, two intermenls were corried out at st Mary's and Ihree in the Memorial Garden at Christ Church. By Ann Corne. Parish Manager Bereavèment Café The Bereavement Cafe conlinues to meet every Ihird Tuesday of the monlh in the Vestry at Chiisl Church for one hour between 10.30am and I1.30am. We offer tea. coffee and biscuits and a listening ear for all those who need to unburden. We have five volunteers who are commilfed to the running of the Cafe and Ihe well being of all those who altend. The Cale continues to attract new people alongside a number who ore regulars and who have been attending for a good number of monlhs. We get positive feedbock from Ihose people who say that the Cafe offers a welcome opportunity to share their Ihoughts and feelings with those who are olso going through bereavemenl when sometimes it's difficult to lalk to family or friends. They also appreciate the friendship which the Cafe offers. Whilst we advertise in the Wansfead Village Directory. in shops, doctors surgeries and on local apps we are constantly looking for ways in which lo reach a wider group who may not have heard of us and who may be in need of support. We, the volunleers, are pleased to be able to offer this support lo local people and I would like to thank my colleagues. Anne Dixon. Diana Middleditch. Toni Russell and Evelyn for all they have done Ihroughout the year. By Lesley Wyness Parlsh Halls Our halls continue to be popular for Children's parties al weekends. We did not host as many markels on a Saturday this year. Only 3 inslead of the usual 10112. However. we did host 4 'Repair Café, sessions. This is a community initiative to encourage local people to bring broken items in to be repaired. free of charge, lo deler Ihem from being thrown away. These sessions are a half-day hire. allowing us to take bookings in the afternoon for children's parties. We had one wedding receplion booked in. We confinue to hold many regular weekly classes. suilable for oll ages. The 'Friends' used the halls to host four events this year. We also held o V.E Day parly celebration which attracted many non- churchgoing locals. Tr)e Wonstead Fringe hired our halls for their annual evening 42 Kinema evenl. We hosled Ihe annual beer lestival in October. free of charge. all money raised is donated to various local charilies. including a donalion to the church for Ihe restorotion of the Tower. This year. the event was moinly held outside in the grounds lo help protect our flooring. The Friends ran the bort)ecue at Ihe evenl and all money raised was for the Parish. The flooring continues lo be a problem wilh the wooden tiles still lifting. By Lauren Johnson The Frlends of St Ma wlth Chrisl Church We had a very successful year raising funds for the Parish. We only held 5 evenls this year. Our annual 'Burns nighl Caliah, was a massive success as otwoys, with 96 tickets sold. We held our annual Wonstead Village Fefe at st Mory's in June to celebrate the King's flypast. It was a very busy day with many non-church going residents joining us and enjoying the lun ond festivities. The Wonslead Festival held at Chrisl Church in September was a great success as usual. It is always our highest profil maker. We were lucky to have helpers thal were not members of the Friends team. They had helped lasl year ond enjoyed themselves so much they volunteered to help again this year. We had many activities for our children's enjoyment olong with the bar. barbecue and kitchen for the adults. We joined in with the annual beer lestival which is held in our halls in October. The Friends provided and ran the barbecue. raising further funds for the Parish. The orgonisers also made a generous donation to the Christ Church Tower project fund. Our Merry Quizmas event was held in December this yeai. We were lucky enough to sell many more tickets than previous years so spread ourselves over bolh halls. Many thanks to Fr James for stepping in as the qutzmaster role and did a fantastic job entertaining everyone. We included burgers in the piice of the licket. The few Friends Committee Membeis that we have, have worked really hard raising money for our Parish, but have also had lots of fun in the process. By Lauren Johnson The Parochial Church Councll Back round The Charity operales under the Church Representation Rule5. 2(X)6 and other regulotions ot the Church of England. The Parochial Church Council. PCC. hos Ihe responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoling in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of Ihe Church. pastoral. evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It has mainlenance responsibilities for the only Grade I lisled building in Redbridge, St Mary Ihe Virgin, and for Chrisl Church. itself Grade Il. listed. The Rector and 43 Churchwordens ore truslees of Ihe Church School. which remains the only Aided Church of England School within Ihe borough. erafrion of the Chari All major decisions are made by the PCC during regular meetings,. Standing Committee has Ihe power lo transact the business of the PCC between its meeling5. subject to any direclions given by the Council. The Churchwardens, a5 Ihe leading lay members of the parish, ossist the incumbent in the doy-to-day odministralion of church affaiis and have authority under conon law. Financial delegation is covered vnder the Finance Policy. which is displayed in both Churches. is displayed during the Annual Meeting and is generally available on request. Charitable Iruslees The Truslees of the Charity are members of the PCC.. they are eilher ex officio, elected by the Annuol Parochial Church Meeling. or co-opted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Candidates for election are required to complete Ihe Trustee Declaralion of Eligibility. Newly elected members are given printed information from the Chority Commission. which explains the responsibilities of trustees. Membershi of the Parish Church Council 2025 During the year to December 2025 the following served as members of the pcc.. Ex-officio Trustees: Priest in charge Curale Churchwardens Revd James Gilder Revd David Lappano Adrion Bakelmun Barbara Hepworth Davi5 Watson Lesley Wyness Phillip Camelley Deputy Churchwordens Dioceson Synod Representative Co-opted Truslees: James Paterson (Treasurer) Jennifer Griffiths Lauren John50n Preethi Premkumar 44 Elected Trustees: Equi Ajobe Jan Andrews James Boast Ann Corne Sue Fitzgerold Jen Ambler Jan Watson Djaama Davis Jererny Green Ralph Hall Joanne Hayes Dote when term ends 2026 )26 2026 )26 2026 )27 127 28 2028 2028 2028 Elected Truslee5 by virlue of being representalives on the Deanery Synod Margaret Adams Three-year lerm of office ends for all in Joshua Dickinson May 2026 Neil Hepworth Maureen Medley The PCC held lour meetings between December 2024 and December 2025 with an average attendance of 74% By Preethi Premkumar {PCC Secretary) Committee reports Slandin Commlttee The porish's Standing Committee is a suIKommitlee of the Parochial Church Council IPCCI Ihat handles day-to-day and urgent business be￿een lull PCC meetings. It typically includes the Incumbenl IReclor}. Churchwardens, PCC Secrelary, and Treasurer. In our parish we also include the two Deputy Church Wardens and Ihe Loy Vice Chair. The Standing Committee serves to streamline the decision-making process of the PCC by transacting the PCC'S business Iwifhin certain limilsl between PCC meetings. 11 has the authority lo manage the parish's business as directed by Ihe full PCC and typically will cover such things as: Urgent malters: The committee can deal with urgent issues thal don't require o full PCC meeting. Managing day-to-day operations: It transacts the ongoing business of the parish between scheduled meetings. Assisling the full PCC: The committee prepores proposals and ideos for discussion at the full PCC meelings, Ihough it connot moke major strategic or financial decisions wilhout the PCC'S approval. 45 Ensuring continuity. 11 ensures Ihe porish's work continues 5moolhly. for example, by addiessing building mainlenonce or financial offoirs. By Jeremy Green. Lay Vice Chair Diocesan S nod In 2025 Diocesan Synod discussed and debated a number of topics and reports on octivities across the diocese. including- Safeguarding: Education- Sustainable travel and the Diocese's Carbon Net-zero action plan: budgeting and finance: the Living in Love and Faith process; Racial Juslice.. and the way the Church Commissioners make centrol funds available to Dioceses. Perhaps mosl significant, it slarted lo consider a fO￿ard slrafegy to achieve a 5UStainable model of ministry ocross the Diocese in the foce of decreasing income from central fund5 and falling rolls. currently named 'Sustaining Ministry" More information will be rolled ovl across 2026. to involve individuals, deaneries and parishes in shaping the strolegy. The conversations begin with I￿) doys of proyer starting on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026. By Philip Camelley Redbrld e Deane nod The Deanery Synod exists primarily as an information conduit belween pari5he5 and fhe Diocese especially on financial motlers.ll can propose motions on topics of concem such as govemance or climate change to be discussed at Diocesan Synod. If also shares information regarding charities ond acts as a catalyst for other initialives. Members elect representatives to the General Synod and Ihe Diocesan Synod. The Redblldge Deanery Synod met Ihree times in 2025. fopics considered at meetings during Ihe year included: Chrislian education in the Diocese and Redbridge Deanery. the work of the Mothers Union regarding the prevention of domeslic abuse ond the role ot the Diocesan Racial Justice Officer. Wanstead Deanery Synod represenlatives Iwho are also ex-officio members of the PCCI were Margaret Adams, Joshua Dickinson, Neil Hepworth. Maureen Medley and Philip Carnelley (who is also Diocesan Synod represenlativel. By Margaret Adams 46 Mlsslon and Mlni MM The West Roding Mission and Minislry Unit partners IWan5tead. St Mary'5 Woodford. St Gabriels, and St Peter in Ihe Forestl continued to meel in 2025 to exchange news and ideas. The Mission and Ministry Unil seeks to develop and enhance ministry and mission in our community in partnership with our five local churches. The Parish Representatives ore Jenny Griffiths and Joshua Dickinson. The Parish clergy are also invited. The MMU meet three to four times a year lo share parish issueslnews. ascertain how we can support each other and share worship on some special days. The parishes in the MMU continue to work together to support the Bereavement Café and Snaresbrook Crown Court Chaploincy. More volunleers for both Ihese initiatives are always welcome. A one-doy MMU pilgrimage between the four parishes took place . The MMU shared worship in Ihe form of a joint Ascension Day service. The Parish enjoyed a pulpit swap when Folher Martin led worship and preached. Much of the Partnership's work and discussions in 2025 centred on supporting each other and sharing plans for continuing ministry and building communities. We rernain hopeful that we will see more joint aclivities in 2026 By Joshua Dickinson Reach Oul Committee The Reach Oul Committee met quarfedy during 2025 and events were organised to engage with church members across the parish and the wider community, socially and supportively and to raise funds for charities locolly. notionally and internationally. This included a bottle stoll al Sl Gabriel's raising money for Marsobit. A Lent Lunch in spring raised funds tor the Ukraine Red Cross. A Big Breokfost was held in old of Christian Aid and o Harvest Supper in the Autumn raised funds for our local charity Mill Grove. Mill Grove olong with the Redbridge Food Bank also received o substantial amount of driedltinned food and some fresh food from our Harvesl Giving. A Flower Festival in September was enjoyed by mony wilh funds roised going to the Tower Fund. Hestia Women's Refuge received o generous donation of toys, clothing and gifls at ChNstma5 and responded with heartfelt and emotional thanks. This is nol an exhaustive account of the committee's oclivily but shows we have been busy. With volunteers currently cooking meals and the Church School baking cakes and biscuits. we are providing evening meals on Tvesdoy evenings for Homeless Adults at Ihe Foresl Night Shelter from October 2025 to March 2026. The Committee would like lo increase ils activities to bring more people together across the Parish ond the local community to enjoy sociol events while raising funds for our chosen charities. With many parishioners already giving all their ovailable time. we would require more volunteers, which is quite a challenge. By Beryl Darling. Choir 47 Wanstead Church School Headteacher's Report At Wanstead Church School our vision is to empower every child to approach life with wisdom, compassion and strength so that they can shine in everything they do. We believe thot Jesus is the light of the wortd and that we are called upon to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5."16J. 2025 was a phenomenal year for Wonstead Church School. In June 2025, we welcomed our SIAMS inspector who examined our effectiveness as a Church School. We weie delighted to receive an exemplary report and to hove moved the inspeclor lo tears as a result of Ihe "profound" impacl our Church School has on all those who belong to it and beyond. We were so proud that the inspector gained a really cleor sense of our "powerful and affirming" vision and the impact il has on people. We Can Shine! Our successes did not end there: we were thrilled that our Yeor 6 children achieved the best SATS results our school has ever seen in July 2025, marking vs as the 'best performing primary school in Redbridge" and the 51 sl be51 primary school in the country according to The Telegraph. Percentages don't afvays work in our favour in such a small school, with every child influencing a much higher proportion of the results Ihan in a lorger school. but this year was beyond exceptional and we were extremely proud of the children's achievements. Wansteod Church School is really beginning to be noticed for ils excellenl achievements. and this year we hove been honoured lo support a school in a neighbouring borough while their Headteacher is away. I've undertaken Ihe role of Executive Heodleacher during Iheir hour of need. with Miss Grimmer confidently deputising my absence when l am not onsite. We've olso continued lo contribute to the wider picture of Redbridge, namely through my position on bolh the Funding Forum for Redbridge, and on the Slrategy Board for the Redbridge Education Partnership. These opportunities allow our school to shine o light beyond Ihe school gates and into the wider community ond the world of educalion as a whole. At the stort of the year, we introduced a new way of thinking aboul spirituality. To talk about spirituolily is, essentially, to falk about something which is beyond words. The language of spirituality begins from o Christian understanding that everyone is a valued crealion. individually and uniquely made by God. like pots made by a potter 115aiah 64.81. Yet in life, things hoppen than impact on the physical 'pot" of life and creole cracks that provide a glimpse of somelhing "beyond" the tangible. Christians would view Ihis as on opportunity to relole lo God. Cracks may be caused when something so good and breath-taking happens that Ihe pot expands and cracks- the wows of life. Cracks may happen when something challenging happens and threatens the comfort of everyday- the "ows" of life. Cracks can also happen in the stillness arbd ordinariness of everyday- the 'nows of life, when a moment of stillness. a pause or prayer. creales o crack in the normal. physical everydoy. In these special moments, there is a spiritual opportunify. Kintsugi. Ihe Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with golden joinery or glue. creates something that has been broken into something even more beautiful. Using this metaphor. Ihe "wows" "ows" and 'nows" of life offer the possibility of crack5 that are filled wilh gold and make Ihe pot even more beautiful. The gold in the crocks reflect a little of the wonder of spirituality. In January 2025. the children hod a wonderful time making clay pots with Father James, Father David and ex-teacher Mrs Baptist. We decided against breaking them for real, and instead painted cracks of gold using a glittery point ond they continue to be displayed in our entrance halFway. Spirituality and the concept of shining a light for others is truly al the heart of our work ot Wonstead Church School. One parliculady special mornent in 2025 was when a child suggested that we could bake cakes for the homeless dullng the winter. This idea look off and became o huge project. with families working on a rota to boke delicious and warming cakes for the service users of the Forest Churches Emergency Shelter IFCENS} in Wallham Forest.11 was o very proud moment for the children when the Charity Director came to school to personolly Ihank thern all for their kindnes5, and present them with a beautiful piece of arl crealed by one ol their visitors. Our 5UPPOrt for others beyond our school did not end Ihere. We have been supporting a company called Kitl Medical. who provides emergency Anaphylaxis Kitts for schools, and I was honoured to be invited to a "watch porty" lo see Ihem secure gome-changing investment from Dragons on the BBC show Dragons, Den. Steven Bartlelt was there and mode a lovely speech crediting the teom for removing some of the stigma around allergies as well a5 crealing a life-saving product and service. The University of Wanstead, a vnique 6-week programme Ihal provides all the children the opportunity to enrol on a course of their choice and study something of inlerest beyond the curriculum, continued in 2025. Courses included Photography, Chemistry, Irish Dancing, Henna ond Cooking. It was once again a real highlight in the year and the children are already excited lo find out what Ihey may be able to study in 20261 Throughout 2025. there were many outings and visits to complement our ambiliou5 curriculum including trips to Kew Gardens, the Imperial War Museum, and the House5 of Parliament. Our fabulous choir sang at the Royal Albert Hall this year. which was a once-in-a-lifetime opporlunity. and we welcomed the tiavelling farm to our school once again. The children loved the sheep. goats. rabbils and guinea pigs taking up 49 residence in our playground for the day! The annuol residenlial trip for Year 6 children to Danbury Outdoors took place once agoin in the summer term, ond our Year 5 children had a wonderful time at The Hive exploring all Ihings Science and Geogrophy-related, including looking af animal habitats and the environment. One porticularfy special trip our Yeor 5 children embarked upon wos to accompony the parish on Iheir pilgrimoge to Canterbury Cathedral. The children walked the first and last leg with Ihe pilgrims and had a very speciol lime at the Cathedral itself. The children have continued to campaign for Climate Justice awareness, with two children being invited as special guests lo the Houses of Parliomenl to speak to MPS about their concerns for our environmentl We've since been working with a company that supports schools in their journey to becoming carbon neutral ond we are exciled to see where this journey will loke us. To lurlher enrich our curriculum, we marked a number of special day5 and weeks. including Science Week. Neurodiversily Week. Children's Mental Health Week, Anti- Bullying Week ond World Book Day. We olso hod the pleasure of welcoming Steel the Gladiafor from the hit TV show, who inspired the children to be fil and heallhyl Huge thank5 go to our PTA for funding both this visit and others throughout the year, including a Virtual Reality experience where the children went to places like the jungle through their headsets without leaving the schooll Our prestigious Tom Curry Award continved to be awarded on a termly basi5 in 2025, wilh Elsa, Aryan, Lucas, Helena and Wynler being worthy winners in 2024-25. We awarded Alvo's Rainbow Award again Ihis year, in memory of Alva Fowter. a Wansleod Church School pupil who died in 2020. This yeai, Lucas was the overall winner for the school. Wanstead Church School's club provision continues to go from slrength to strength, with our Woke Up and Wind Down clubs continuing to very busy every day. We are very pleased to be able to provide such vital childcare for our families, with the school being open to all children from 7.35om lo 6.(K)pm on a daily basis. Our flexible booking system, including our ability to always accommodate lost-minute bookings. is much opprecialed by our parent communityl Our wroparound care is in addition to our extensive club provision, which includes Drama. Science. Choir, Chess, Art and Sports clubs. We've now extended our provision to include Holiday Camps in every break, usually led by our PE provider. On The Ball. We conlinued to improve our building ond premises throughout 2025, wilh Ihe mosf nolable projects being a complele overhaul of our school hall lo include a new projector, picture rails and display boards. We also inslalled Teaching Walls in the remaining classrooms thal were not part of the firsl round ond updated our external signage. In the summer of 2025, we sold goodbye to Ms F. Begum ond Miss Williams and welcomed Miss Pang and Miss N. Begum. Mr Slolerjoined oui Senior Leadership Team as Curriculum Leader and we welcomed Ms Perugini as our resident Spanish Teocher. At Christmas we sold o sad farewell to Mrs Turner. our long-standing SENCO who relired, and welcomed Mrs Moon as our new SENCO from January 2026. The staff leam continues lo shine every day and the school is a happy and friendly place to work. We welcomed Miss Naseem to our Governing Body as our Sloff Govemor and in the autumn of 2025, Mr Aves and Dr Sanusi were unanimously elected as Co-chairs of Governors for the academic year ahead. 2025 closed with our annual and very special evenl, Candlelil Carols. which is held in Christ Church. This year was a particulady memorable occasion because for the first lime in the school's history there were five Wanstead Church School Heodteachers all in the same loom! We were delighted to welcome Mr Spinks. Ms Angell, Mr Lewis and Mr Hernsley lo our service. Wanstead Church School continues to empower the children lo be Wise. Compassionate and Strong in everything they do and lo live by our motto, "We Can Shinel" By Natalie Denchfield. Headteacher Safeguarding Wanstead Parish is committed to following the sofeguarding procedures laid down by The Church of England to ensure all its parishioners are welcomed in a safe environment. This year all Safeguarding posters have been updaled. These are displayed in both churches and the Parish Hall. All members of the Clergy Team have Safeguarding training. In addition. over 50 members of the porish have attending training at different levels. These parishioners are involved in different Parish activities and have altended training to ensure fhey keep everyone safe. The PCC have approved a Sofeguarding Policy which is displayed in bolh churches and policies covering Domestic Abuse and Safer Working Praclices. Chelmsford Diocese have subscribed lo the Sofeguording Dashboard. This gives each parish an online system which records all Safeguarding information whilst also providing a checklist of procedures and policies. As data is entered the dashboard 51 produces an action plan of future activities. The PCC have adopted the aclion plan for our parish. Ann Corne and Avril Camelley hove been enrolled as users of Thirtyone'.eight, the system the Diocese use to conduct DBS checks. This means Ihot the parish can now conduct electronic DBS checks. A iecent article was published in Ihe Gropevine to explain what Safeguarding means for this parish. By Avril Carnelley, Parish Safeguarding Officer Financlal Revlew for the Full Year to 31 sl December 2025 There were no significant Cost events during the year; on Ihe revenue side, there was the receipt of the firsl tranche of the Heritage Lottery Fund granl for the Christ Church project and fhe kind legacy from the Eyre family. Neilher of these was intended for the general running of the parish, which is managed through the General Fund. ond which is Ihe subject of the commenlary below. The principal source of funds for Ihe charity is the regular volunlary giving from our parishioners through planned giving and church collections.. in 2025 this totalled £95,835, up about 3.910 over 2024. The increase in planned giving was due to a number of new joiners to the PGS Scheme in response to the 2024 Rector's appeal, although we are still lagging behind where we would hope to be. Cash collections were strong, up 24Yo on budget. By far Ihe largesl portion of donolion5 Still come from our planned givers through Ihe Planned Giving Scheme IPGSI and Standing Orders, ond the PCC'S thanks go to all of the individuals who support us in this way: without these regular givers, we would have faced a very difficult financiol year. People are encouroged to give in sermons from time to time. and the importance of planned giving is always mentioned ot the Annual Porochial Church Meeling. We are not registered wifh the Fundraising Regulator bul do follow the Code of Fundraising Practice. We do not Use third party fundraisers in connection wilh planned giving ond have had no complaints about fundraisinglgiving requesls. We do not engage in small meelings with individua15 to request planned giving donations. although somelimes people might request a meeling to discusslfind out more. Our safeguarding olficer wou5d always be made aware if this happen5. No one acting for Ihe trustees has failed to comply with Ihe Code. 52 We continue to encourage givers lo donale using the Planned Giving Scheme instead of standing orders as this significantly reduces the administrative time ond costs for us and allows us fo budget better for the year. All the General Fund donations that were gift aided enabled the PCC to reclaim £21,009 from HMRC for 2025. We have been oided by the rule which enables us to claim Gift Aid on cash collections up lo a maximum of £8,IXX) for each church in any one finonciol year. Gift Aid continues to be a critical part of our income, as without recovering these funds. we would not be able to meet our day-to-day running costs. After the disoppointmenl of the 2024 bid being tumed down. it was very exciting to win the resubmitled bid to the National Lottery Heritoge Fund for repairs to the lower and intemal e-ordering at Christ Church. The first tranche of financing from the HLF, amounting to £121,391 was received in November to allow the project to gel undeNay in 2026. As part of the Wonstead Fringe. tours of the crypt ot st Mary's were again tun as part of the Wanslead Fringe in September: the tours raised over £5.(K)O towards the cost of various repairs and improvements to the crypt. Approvols from Ihe Chancellor and planning permission are being sought and works should be completed in 2026. 2025 saw bookings ond revenue from Ihe Porish Halls grow slighlly. with renlal receipts at £87.062, up 0.8% on the previovs year la significant increase was not expected as the hall income had increased by15.5% and 20% in the two previous years). The running costs through the General Fund1£26.924 down 6.2Y.I were more than fully met. The nel income trom the Holls of over £60.CXJ) was a very imporlonl part of our 2025 financial performance. allowing us lo fully cover our parish share. something we have been able to do every year since the pandemic years. During 2025. the parish received generous sponsorship to support the music fe51ival (£5001 and four Friends, evenls1£250 each). We are very grateful lo our sponsor, Petty Son and Prestwich. The Friends hosted o number of fund-raising events during 2025 which raised a nel tolol of £10.590 lup from £8.060 in 20241 lowards future sUPPOrt for the parish. In addilion, £1,044 wos received in dividend5 and interest on past legacies and £488.5 was received os membership subscriptions. The Friends funded the purchase of furniture for the halls1£3.(X)01, maintenance works 1£8751 and Christ Church roof repairs1£6.2001 during 2025. The parish again benefited Irom a generous grant Irom the Colfoges Trust of £11,811 lo support the work of the Parish with children. young people and families. The PCC aims lo keep a minimum reserve in liquid funds of £20,CNJ) available at little or no nolice for unforeseen contingencies that are not othemise covered by the insuronce policies in place on both our churches and other properties. Al the year end the General Fund had a balance of £35.534. 53 As in past years, the partsh's regular income ieceived continues to be very finely balanced with amounts expended on the running ot the parish. meaning thal any additionol costs. particularly for largei projects. will continue to require substantial additional externol funding or donations. Over the years. the porish has been fortunate lo be the beneficiary of a number of legacies from pas1 porishioners. In some coses, these legacies have been specifically "endowment funds" where the capitol is invesled and only Ihe income derived from the fund can be used by the parish. In other cases, the legocy is nol an endowmenl fund bul has been specifically left for a particular purpose in the parish, including Iwo sizeable legacies which are reslricted to St Marys ond Christ Church respeclively. In 2020. John Sunley left the parish a sizeable legacy which is restricted to specific types of spend for both churches. In 2025, the fomily of John and Sheilo Eyre kindly donated £150,0(J) from Iheir parenl's legacy to the PCC to be spent on capital projecls at the discrelion of the Rector and Treasurer. This was the single largest donation in 2025., these funds have been ollocoted as £50.C£x) to each of the churches and lo the holl. John was for many, many yeors the Treasurer of the parish, ond for an even longer time Tower Captain al Christ Church. The donotion will greatly assist the Christ Church Tower project and enable the complete replocement of the flooring in the halls Iwhich. as noted above. are a crucial source of income for Ihe parish). During 2025, we were also informed Ihat Ihe late Denis Keeling had remembered the Parish ol Wonstead in his will. The funds, when received. are to be held in a restricted endowment fund named "The Denis Keeling Bequest" for the benefil of the fobric of both churches. We are particularly grateful for the generosily of all our parishioners who have remembered Ihe parish in this way. In addition lo the obove. we remain indebled lo the generosity of Eileen Jolliffe, Elizabeth Howdill and Eileen and Muriel Jupp who kindly remembered the parish in their wills. These bequesls enabled the purchase of the'curales House". the restoration and redecorating of the interior of St Mary's ond Ihe purchase of a flat that generates income to look after Christ Church. Recent Le acies Nome Year Recelved 2025 Legacy Fund Fund Type John and Sheila E re Margaret Manser £150,tKK) John and Sheila E re General Christ Church General Memorial Garden Restricted 2025 £5,1 (K) £306 Unrestricted Restricled lan Hartle Mary Colmer 2021 2021 £i.cx)o £5(K) Unrestricted Restricted 54 John Sunley 2020 House and £200.(XK) £2.( Sunley Restricled Pauline Walker Janet Lilian Morten Rose Clare 2020 General Unrestricled 2020 £i.o)o General Unrestricted 2019 £4.750 Distress Relief General Restricted Barbara Joan Gower Joan Brown 2019 £l.(KX) Unrestricted 2018& 2019 House and £49.279 £5.(XK) Sf Mary's Restricted Beatrice Smith Arthur Worwood 2018 St Mary's Restricted 2018 £29.468 Worwood Music Designated b the PCC Ponsh Share As reported in the Financial Review in 2024. the Parish Share for%)25 was set at £ 117,281 nel. Thi5 was just over l % higher than 2024 following a significant increose of 111. Ihe previous year. The 2025 parish share was again paid in full in monthly inslalmenls. The Parish Share for ￿26 has been increased by around 1.3% to £118,802 net lafter the discount for paying monthly}. In 2025, the planned giving and church collections totalled £95.835,' girt aid reclaimed added £21,(J)9, tolalling £1 16.844. This means. for the second year in a row. we have nol been able to cover our parish share from regular donations from our parishioners, even including using the reclaimed gift aid; to pay the difference and all the othei expenses including utilities, we have had to rely on one-otf donations and income from the hall. Grants Given b the PCC During 2025. the PCC supporled Ihe Histortc Churches Ttust with a donation of £1 CK).00; we also donated the balance of Ihe Winler Nighl Shelter lund 1£6,8871 to the charity Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter IFCENSI to assisl them is localing a permanenl night shelter following Ihe prohibilion of temporary night shelters formerly provided by parishes, including Wanslead. One hardship payment of £6(J) was made to one individual. No grants were given non-charity organisations. 55 staffin and Pa roll The lolal number of staff al the end of 2025 was and the total amount of payroll was £50.409 Financial Position ot ear end The PCC ended the year with seemingly substantial reserves of cash and investments, bul these are largely either designated for a particular purpose or formolly restricted in use. The uncommitted general funds held ore £35,534. 0 slight increase on the previous year's £34.844. and not o huge surplus in an environment of ever-increasing costs. This indicates the fine balance we lace and the reliance we have on the Hall income. The PCC has a policy lo retain £20.OCK) minimum on the General Fund as o strategic reserve. The majority of surplus funds are invested in income shares and deposit accounts held either with the CCLA, HSBC or NatWe51. Objectives ore to conliol risk whilst providing a retum lor use by the Charily. We do not invest in the stock market directly. The PCC'S employees who ore eligible and who have not opted out, are members of Ihe Church Workers Pension Fund, which is a defined contribution scheme and there are Iherefoie no risks of pension liabililies from defined benefit schemes. There are three funds which hold properlie5. and the value in these can only be realised by disposing of those assets. In 2025, Ihose assets generated renlol income and Ihe funds also held sufficient liquid assets; there is no need to consider any sole of these property ossels lorthe foreseeable future. to fulfil the curyent plans of the Charity. These propertie5 do not form a port of the slrategic reserve. The PCC reviews financial performance against budget periodically throughout the year through reporting from the Treasurer any risks identified are discussed and strategies formed to mitigate those. As at the end of 2025. the main risks surround the need for refurbishment of the holl floors and the project at Christ Church. There ore funds set aside for the halls and the Chtist Church project will be mainly funded by the Heritage Lottery fund. Conclusion The priority for 2026 continues to be maintaining the effective work of Ihe parish, providing adequate support to enable the ministry team to locus on developing the mission, evangelical, outreach and pastoral work of the church in Wanstead. The current economic siluotion means that there ore more calls on Ihe porish for assistonce, at a time when our income moy also be constrained, but we must work to increase our regular planned giving through the Porish Giving Scheme and explore 56 ways fo diversify our income further to enable us to continue to maintain the effective work we do. Res onsibilities of the Trustees Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare finonciol stotemenls for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the slate ot affairs of the charity ond of its finonciol activities for thot period. In preparing those financial statements the Truslees are required lo: select suilable accounting policies and apply them consislentty; make judgments and estimates that are reasonable & prudent," .> state whether the policies adopled are in accordance with the SORP. Stotement of Recommended Practice. and wilh applicable accounting standards. subject to any material departure5 disclosed and explained in the financial stalemenls.. and prepare the financial slalements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriale lo assume thal Ihe charity will continue. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records thot disclose wilh reasonable accuracy al any lime the finoncial posilion of the charity and lo enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wilh Ihe charities acl 1993. They are also responsible for safeguording the assets of the charify and hence for laking reasonoble steps for the prevention and delection of fraud or other irregularities. Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees freower 57 Flnanclal statements for the full year to 31 December 2025 Please refer to the following pages 58 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCiESIASncAL PAR15H OF sr MARY W￿H CHRIST CHURCH. WANSTEAD REG15fERED CHARtrY NUMBER 1127753 INDEPENDE?￿ AUDrroRS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 TO THÉ TrUSTEES OF WANSTEAD PCC Opinion We have audited the finanaal statements of Wanstead PCC (the 'char[￿l for the veèr end￿ 31 Decefflber 2025 which comprise Statement of Financial Attrvities. the Balance Sheet, Statement of cashflows and notes to the financial thtements. including a summary of si8nificant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has beeft applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accountin8 Standards, including Financial Reportin8 Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generalty Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charrws affairs as at 31 December 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources. forthe year then ended- have been property prepared in accordance with United Kingd(Mn Generally Accepted Accounting Prattice. and . have been prepared in accordance with the requI￿rnents of the Charities Act 2011. Other matters The financial statements of Wanrtead PCC for the year ended 31 D￿mber 2024 were unaudited due to the fact that the ¢h8rtty was exempt from requiring an audit under applicable law. Basis of oplnion We condutted our audrt in accordance with Intemational Standards on Audityng IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our re5ponsibilitie5 under those standJrds are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the avdit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are ￿levant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRCS Ethical SLindard. and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance WTth these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is Sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opiniort. Conclusions relating to going concem In auditing the financial statements. we have conduded that the trustees. use of the going concern basis of accounting the preparation of the financi815tatements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed. we have not identified any materi31 uncertainties relating to events or condttions that. individually or collectively. may tast Sl8nificant doubt orb the charivs ability to continue as a Boing concern for a period of at least twefve months from when the financlal statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the respon5tbilitie5 of the trustees respert to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. Page 59 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIA5llcAL PARISH OF ￿ ￿ftY WITh CHRISTCHURCH. WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARtTY NUMBER 1127753 INDEPENDETr￿ AUDtroRS' REPORT {coNllNUEDI TO THE TRUSTEES OF WANSTEAD PCC Other Information The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other infomation comprises the information included in the trustees, annual report . other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent othemse explicidy stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other Information and. in doing so, consider whether the other infomiation is materially inconsistent with the financial staternents or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially rnisstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparènt rnaterial misstatements. we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other rnlom)ation. If. based on the work we have performed. we conclude that there is a m3teri31 misstatement of thi5 Other information. we are required to report that fact. We have nothin% to reoort in this reRard. Mattets on whl¢h we ¥e regulred to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requi￿ us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the financial statements is FncorTrsistent in any materh?I respect with the trustees, report.. or sufficient accountln8 record5 have not been kept- or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records- or we have not received all the inforniation and explanations we require for our audit. Respon5ibllltles of trustees As explained more fulty in the tru5tees' responsibilities statement set out on page 57, the tnJstees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view. and for such internal control as the trustees determlne bs necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that arè freè from material mi5Statement. whether due to fraud or error. In preparinB the financial statements. the trustees a￿ ￿Sponsible for assessing the chariws ability to continue as 3 goin8 toncem. disclosin& as applicable. matters related to going concern and using the going collcern bas15 of accounting unles5 the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic altemative but to do so. Page 60 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsncAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. REPORT {CONTINUEDI TO THE TRusfEES OF WANSTEAD PCC Auditorfs re5ponsibilltles for the audlt olthe financial staternents We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charrf(ies Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or havin8 effect thereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free frorn material misstatement. whether due to ftsud or error, and to issue an auditorfs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in atcordance with ISAS IUKI will alway5 detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material rf. indrvidually or in the agg￿gate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisKins of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud. a￿ instances of non-compliance with law5 and ￿gulatiOns. We design procedures in line with our re5ponsibilrties, o￿lIne￿ above, to detect irTe8ularities. including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularitres, including fraud is detailed below. To ident-fy risks of material misstatement due to fraud I"fraud risks") we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commrt fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included: Obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charrty. Obtained an understanding of how the charrty is complying wtth those legal and regulatory frameworks bv making enquiries to the trustees. The susceptibilty of the charl￿5 financial statements to material misstatement caused by fraud or other irregulariknes were assessed with the following procedures- Identifying and assessing the design effertNeness of controls whKh trustees have in p￿te to prevent and detecE fraud Understanding how those charged with governance considered the potential for overrtde of controls and management biases Identifying and testing journal entries. in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combination5 - Assessin8 the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations Assessing the extent to which pressures existed which may have increased the risk of fvaudulent revenue recognition Potential fraud risks that had been identified throughout the planning and commencement of the audrt were communicated to the audit team. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit. there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance wrth regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regar(ling irregularTties occurring due to fraud rather than error. as fraud involves intentional concealment. forgery, collusion. omission or Misrep￿$entatlon. Page 61 THE PAROCHIAL CHUROI COUNaL OFTHE ECCLESIASficAL PARISH OF sr MARY wrrH CHRIST CHURai. WANSfEAD REGISTERED OIARITYNUM8ER 1127751 INDEpENOENfAUD￿ORS. REPORT ICONTINUED) TO THETRUSTEES OF WANSTEAD PCC A further description of our responsibrlrties for the audit of the financkal statements is located on the Financial Reporting Councifs website at.- https:/lwivw.frt.orB.uVtibrary/standards(ty. fortyjr audit work, for thi5 repo¢ or for the oplnlons we have fomied. *-I&MF Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hllls Chartered Accountants & Statutory Audltor Suite D. The Business Cent Faringdon Avenue Romford, Essex. RM3 8EN Date: 24 Af/i12016 Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills is eligible to att as audttOT in terms olsection 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. Page 62 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE EcaESIASTKAL PAR15H OF ST MARY wifH OIR15T OIUR(H. WAP4STEAD REGISTERED CHARITYMUMBER 1127753 STATEMENf OF FINANaALACTwmES FOR THE YEAR ElItXD 31 DECEMBER 2025 FUNIS Funds Funds Tot¥1 2025 Totts12024 Intoming resoufces from 8enerated funds Voluntary income Activitièsfor geneming hjnds In¥e5tment incorne Incomlng resources frorn charitable actr¥tt*s Total income 150.262 104.423 3.757 6.433 187,758 22.128 56W5 121.391 338,021 126.551 63.274 127.824 209,446 121,414 59,107 7,329 2,672 I64￿75 388.113 2.672 655.670 397,296 Resour￿5 used Cost ofgenerating funds C05t ofgeneratlng voluntsry income Fundraising trading cost of g(￿5 sold and other Charitable actwfties Governance costs 38S 29.115 231.346 5,874 62 7.203 47.686 447 36.318 279.032 5,874 538 38,994 295,561 2.817 Totsl expendtty 266.720 S43Si 321,671 337.710 Net Income I lexpendilurtl resources lJeforetr¥rtsfet 333.172 2.672 333,998 59,S86 Transftrs Gross transfers between Funds- in Gros5 rransfers between funds-out 20.898 20,898 8,019 120,8981 (8,019) Net Incoff*l lempendlturel reswrcts before othergains111055e51 333.172 2￿72 333,998 59.586 Otherrecogni5edgfflns/losses Gain511Lossesl rjn investment assets 11.0601 15.4931 13.8851 110,4381 17,587 Net movement in lunds 12.9061 327,678 112131 323,560 77.173 ReonttIl￿IQn offvrtds Total knnd5 brought forward from 2024 752￿68 2219A 116,947 3.089.023 3.QIIA50 Total fvnds¢arrled fon¥ard 3 412 584 3 089 023 p￿63 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRisf CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARifi NUMBER 1127753 BALANCE SHEEf AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets Investment property Investments 666,402 1,6(X).(Nx) 106,CKII 2,372.403 671.1( 1.600,LX70 2.271.100 CURRENT A55ETS Debtors Investments Cash at bank and in hand 7.841 342.466 718,967 1.069.274 7,284 458.906 380,146 846,335 LIABILITIES Creditors.. amount fallinE within one vear Creditors: amount falling due after one vear 21.366 28,412 7,727 29,093 28,412 NET CURRENT ASS￿5 LESS CURRENT UABILITIES 1,040,181 817.924 TOTAL NEf ASSETS LESS UA8ILinES 3A12.584 3,089,023 REPRESENTED BY Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 35,534 714.229 2.547,087 115.734 34,844 717,824 2,219.408 116,947 TOTAL FUNDS 3,412,584 3.089,023 Approved by the PCC on: Name: Page 64 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANsfEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENT5 l Details of ina)ming resources Unrestrirted Designated Restrirted Endowment Funds Funds Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Voluntary In¢ome Giving Income tax recoverable Donations, appeals etc. Other income 95.836 21.(K)9 7.729 20,337 95,836 24,625 41.838 175.722 92,338 35.576 62.632 18,900 3,616 33,507 150.636 603 4.750 144.910 5.353 187.758 338J)21 209,446 Actlvltles for generating funds Events Friends rnembership Friends fundraising H311 lettings Income from renting church buildings 5,949 466 15,713 10.255 466 15,713 87,062 10,027 466 15,958 86,363 87,062 13,055 13,055 8,600 104,423 22.128 126.551 121.414 Investment income Interest & dividends Rental income 2.526 1.231 1,449 55,396 2,672 7,878 55,396 7,517 51,590 2526 1.231 56,845 2,672 63,274 59.107 Incorning re￿UrceS from charitable artivities Fees for wedding5 & funerals Charitable other income 6,342 91 6,433 121,391 3.179 4,150 121,391 91 121.391 127,824 7.329 Total incomlng rewurces 258,21XI 6.674 388.123 2.672 655.670 397.296 Page 65 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNal OF THE ECCLESIAsllcAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 31 DECEMBER 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS 2 Detslls of resources used Unre5trirted DeSi￿ated Re5trirted Funds Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Cost of generating funds/fvndraisln8 trading costs Church hall costs (incl Hall related salaries) Cost of generating voluntary income Friends cost of fundraising Cost of fundraising events 26.924 385 3,014 62 4,123 65 29,939 447 4,123 2.256 35.340 538 7.897 3,654 2,191 29.Sll) 7,265 36,765 47,429 Charltable expenditure Giving Parish share Ministry team expenses Wages Inot incl Hall salaries) Choir & music Parish training & mission Education & young people (not incl youth salory for 20251 Llpkeep of seNices Insurance Organ expenses Residential property expenses Works & maintenance Light, heat & utilities Office expenses Flowers etc. Sundry expenses Depreciation Project costs 160 117.281 3.266 32.585 4,255 7.715 7,876 117.281 2,700 115,957 2.465 23.287 1.634 31 1.338 32.585 4,783 528 591 591 15.920 9.483 17.602 29.362 8.273 980 19.332 22.626 21,400 5,051 655 1,337 4.698 10,074 10.481 307 9.176 2,647 11.373 26.327 9.035 16.IQK) 2,525 18,747 13,898 26.327 9.172 1,665 1,761 4,698 9,641 137 1.665 1,371 4.698 390 9,641 222,136 9.210 47.686 279.032 287,464 Govemance costs Year end accounts preparation Auditors renumeration 750 5.124 750 5,124 2,817 5,874 5,874 2,817 Total resources expended 257.510 9,210 54.951 321.671 337.710 Page 66 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCLE51ASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. wAN￿EAD REGlStERED CHARrrY NUMBER 1127753 NOTES TO THE FINANOAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 3 Attounting policies Statulory informatlon The Wanstead PCC ss an unincorpoiated charity iegi5tered with the charity cornmission In England & Wales. The charity's registered number and registered office address tan be found in the Truttee5 Annual Report. a Basis of preparation The PCC is a public benefft entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Art 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2(K)6 governing the individual accounts of PCC5, and with the Regulations, "true and fair vieW' provisions, together with FRS102 120191 as the applicable accountin8 Standards and the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accountin£ and Reportin% by Charities ISORPIFRS10211. The financial ststements have been prepa￿ under the h￿tOr￿al cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets. which are shown at fair value as agreed by the PCC and investments which are stated at market value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. The accounts are p￿Pared in stedin& whlch is the functional currenry of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financral statement5 are rounded to the nearest £. b Funds Unrestricted funds These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are avaiioble for spendin8 on the general purposes of the PCC. including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a futu￿ project and which are the￿Ore not included in rts'free reserves, as disclosed in the trvstees, report. Desi nated funds These are funds that are for specific purw)ses but not restricted by document or deed to that purpose alone. Restricted funds These are income funds that must be Spent on restrirted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts. Endowment funds These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital etther permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or u￿rest￿ted. c Incoming resources Income from planned giwngldonations and other ￿lUntary income is reco8nised when rl is received. Gift Aid and other tax claims are included in the Statement of Financial ActNities on an acciuals basis in relation to the date the (lonation it relates to was reter¥ed. Legacies to the PCC are accounted tor as soon as the PCC is notffj￿ of rt's legal entitlement and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Rental income from the letting of PCC property is recognised when rents are due. Investment income from interest on deposits and dividends earned ale accounted for when receivable. Investment gain5 and losses includes any 8ain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year. Grants from third parties are included when the relevant conditions for the gfant have been met. Page 67 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 3 A(counting policies (continued) d Resources used Costs are recogni5ed when incurred and as soon as there is a legal or constructive obliBation and settlement of the liability is probable and quantifiable. Include costs of the preparation and examination or audit of ststutory accounts and costs of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. Grants payable are recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made externally and there are no pre-conditions still to meet for the entitlement to the grant which remain within the control of the pcc. e Flxed Assets In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of "charity" by Section 10121 {a} and Ic} of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements. Tangible fixed assets for use by the PCC These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. and cost at least £5,iJxI. They are valued at cost or else, for Erfts- in-kind. at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt. Property Used by the PCC in the course of their work is included in the accounts at cost. Depreciation is calculated to write off the caprtalised cost of fixed asset5 less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follow5-. Curates House Nil Computers Equipment 5 years Furniture & Fixture5 10120 years Alarm 5yStern 10 year5 Fixed asset investment property These are included at best estimate of market value as detemiined by the PCC. f Investments These are stated at market value at the balance sheet date with any gains or losses on revaluation or disposals throughout the year being reco8nised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Page 68 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ￿ MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 NOTES TO THE HNANaAL STATEMEKTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 3 Accounting policies (continued g Financial instrurnents The parish has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Ba5ic Financial Instruments, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instrument5 are recognised in the parish's balance sheet when the parish becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financi31 asset5 and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the accounts. when there 15 a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include other debtors and cash and bank balances. are initially measured al transaction price includin8 transaction cost5 and are subsequently carrTred at amortised cost using the effective interest fflethod unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the trdnsartion is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are r￿t amortised. Baslc financlal liabilities Basic financial liabilities. including other payables are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transattion. where the debt instrument is rneasured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Page 69 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNQL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ￿ MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 NOTE5 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 4 Staff costs During the year the PCC employed a Music Director, Parish Manager. two Hall Cleaners, è Youth worker and a Hall Manager. A Clerical Assistant carried out work for the PCC on a volunteer basis. Employment costs are included in the respective costs heads. During the year. £9752 was paid to the trustee Lauren Johnson in relation to services provided in her role as Hall Manager and £16.687.50 was paid to the trustee Ann Corne in ￿latiOn to services provided in her role as Parish Manager. It is PCC policy to offer to reimburse members of the PCC and others invofved in the administration of the PCC affairs for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties. With the exception of the details provided above, no member of the PCC was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the PCC, although certain travelling and administration costs were reimbursed where requested. 2025 2024 Gross Salary Ernployers pension contribution 50.409 1,452 51,861 40,655 1.517 42,172 Number of employees in the year S Fixed A55ets Furniture Property & Fixtures Total Gross book value at l January 202S Additions Disposals Revaluations Transfers between categories Gross book value at 31 December 2025 642,￿5 59.516 702,421 642,905 59.516 702,421 Depreciation at l January 2025 Charge for the year 31,321 4,698 31,321 4,698 Depreciation at 31 December 2025 36,019 36,019 Net book value at 31 DecÈmber 2025 642,905 23,497 666,402 Net book value at 31 December2024 642,905 28,195 671,11)0 Computer equipment listed in 2024 fully depreciated year ending 31 Dec 2024, now obsolete Page 70 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF TrIE EcaESIASTICAL PARISH OF sr MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANsfEAD REGisfERED CHARtrY NUMBER 1127753 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Investments Property Totsl Gross book value at ljanuary 2025 Additions DisFiosals Transfers between categories Revaluations I,E4xi,I I,6￿.c Gr055 book value at 31 December 2025 1,6(X).(KK) 1,600,000 Net book value at 31 December 2025 1.600.( 1,600,000 Net book value at 31 December 2024 1.6(XJ.( I,6￿,000 Investment properties have been included at best estimate of market value as determined by the PCC Current Asset Investments 2025 Current Asset- Investment at 3111212024 Reclassification of fixed asset investment GainsllLossesl on investment assets Current Asset- Investment at 3111212025 4S8,906 {106,Th)11 110.438} 342.466 Debtors 2025 2024 Amounts falling due within one year Accruals Gift aid tax claim Prepayments 7,110 731 3259 4,025 Total debtors falling due within one year 7,841 7,284 CredStors < lyr 2025 2024 Amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred income Funds received due to be paid (note 11} 11,307 1.750 8,309 9.902 11.227 7.282 Page 71 Total creditors falling due within one year 21,366 28.412 Credjtors > lyr 2024 Deferred income Total creditor5 falling due after one year 7.727 7,727 Deferred income relates to a grant received in relation to the purchase of the AV System that is being released in line wtth the useful life of the asset io Related party transartions During the year. 10 Trustees were reimbursed expenses totalling £13.382 which were incurred in respert of administration costs in connection with the work of the PCC. During the year, £11,811 was received from Wan5tead Cottages Trust by way of a grant. Both Rev James Gilder and Barbara Hepworth are trustees of the Wanstead Cottages Trust. li For Information only: Money received and passed on to Extemal Orzanlsations 2025 2024 Balance brought forward from last year Amounts Received - received for Extemal Organisations Amounts Received - passed to Extemal Organisations Balan￿ still to be paid 7.282 4,395 14,194 5.351 {13,1671 f2,464J 8,309 7.282 12 Auditors. Rernuneration 2025 5,124 2024 2.808 Auditors, remuneration Page n THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCII OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. wAN￿EAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 13 Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPFI The PCC participates in the Pension Builder Scheme sertion of CWPF for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers. The Church Worker5 Pension Fund has a section known as the Defined Benefrts Scheme and a section known as the Pension Builder Scheme which has two subsections- a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic and a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014. Pension Builder Scheme Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are clas*d as defined benefit schemes. Pension Builder Classic provides a pension. accumulated frorn contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on temis set and reviewed by the Church of England Pension5 Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors. Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionory bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment retums and other factors. The account, plus any EKillu5es declared is payable. unreduced, from age 65. There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme. The scheme is considered to be a multi*mployer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not Possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme'5 assets and liabilttie5 to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SOFA in the year are the contributions payable 12024.. £1,571, 2025: £1,452). A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2022. For the Pension Builder Cla551C sertion. the valuation revealed a surplus of £34.8m on the ongoin8 assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective l January 2026. the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of io% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997- and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 1997 service so that the pension InC￿85e was also IO% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to an annual cap of 5% for pensions in payment in respert of service prior to April 21x16 and 2.5% for pensions in payment in respect of service post April 2(K)61- This followed improvements in the funding position over 2025. There is no reouirement for deficit Davments at the current time. For the Pension Builder 2014 sertion, the valuation revealed a surplu5 of E8.5m on the ongoing assumpiions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The Church of England Pensions Board has agreed that some employers could use assets in the D8S of the CWPF in lieu of contributions to Pension Builder Classic ènd/or Pension Builder 2014. You will see this infoimation on your DBS statement which will be sent separately. The next valuation is being carried OLrt as èt 31 December 2025. P4e 73 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753 STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities Net income for the reportin8 period las per the statement of financial activities) Adjustments for Depreciation charges IGainsl/Los5 on investments Dividends, interest and rents receNed lincreasellDecrease in debtors Increase/ldecreasel in creditor5 323,560 77,173 4,698 10,438 163,2741 15571 681 4,699 117,587) (59,107) f3,474J 8.364 Net cash used in operatin8 activities 275.547 10,068 Cash flows from investlng artMtSes Dividends. interest and rents received 63,274 59.107 Net cash provided by investing artivities 63.274 59,107 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the ￿portIng period 338,821 69.175 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reFJOrting period 380.146 310.971 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 718,967 380.146 Represented by: Cashat bank and in hand 718,967 380,146 Page 74 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsficAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH. WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARrrY NUMBER 1127753 FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY YEAR ENOED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Resources Investment Transters 01.01.2025 Incoming Outgoing GainllL0551 In/lOut} 31.12.2025 Unrestrirted Funds General Desi8nated Fund5 Flowers Hall Maintenance St Mary Open days Arthur Worwood Music Property fund St Marys Restoration 2013 Bridge SignsKJSt Property Maintenance Pilgrim2025 Rettor of Wanstead Fund Christ Church Tower & Reordering Proj. 34.844 258,2(Kl 257,510 35,534 1.352 709 1.433 26.603 662,285 3.688 312 435 20,441 1.271 1.665 958 16,320 1,433 26,466 659,337 3,688 312 435 15,611 137 4.698 1,750 1.231 2,423 1,060 - 20,611 287 5,000 287 2.709 5.000 279 714,229 566 717.824 6.674 9,210 Restricted Funds Appeals and collection5 Choir and music Friends Homeless and support Memorial garden Ministry candidates Jazz Vespers St Mary'$8arden Christ Church Jupp bequest Wanstead Winter night shelter St Marys Specific Donations for Upkeep Community choir Distress relief St Mary's Brown bequest John Sunley bequest Christ Church heating fund Christ Church Tower & Reordering Proj. John Sheila Eyre War Memorial St Mary's railings 2,344 2.660 76,291 1,250 1.186 209 437 2.344 2,660 77.769 1,071 14 209 204 2,505 447,133 17.246 14,266 179 1.172 1,503 295 135 20,961 528 230 4,4 6,887 1.566 430.662 6,887 9.886 2,617 16.9)3 712.608 887,791 1.250 1,327 152,320 150.( 5.655 62,5(Kl 1,250 2.219.408 388,123 54,951 5.1 13,510 2,617 15,473 716,552 891,466 1,250 152,970 150,000 5,590 63.750 2,547,087 649- 16,127 8,115 781 20.071 15,LUI 3,210 677 65 15,4931 Endowment Funds Bishops J Adams Memorlal Eileen Joliffe bequest ST M Mem Gdn and Corp Beqs Taylor Memorial 1992 5,829 87.670 12.716 10.732 116.947 5,774.95 87,119.50 12,207.56 10,632.47 115,734 3,412,584 2,672 3,223 Ifx) 3,885 2,672 Total P¥75 LAFICESMEEfBYFUIIDA%AT31 l￿B￿lI015 20 Cash Accounts Receryab Prepa￿nefitS Investments Notrcurrem As*ts Fixed A55et5 Investments Cutteht LI3￿￿11t5 Accounts Pay?￿e Deferred Inrotne Non.CuNert Uat4iitles Deferred Incorne Lon8Term Loan l ￿ortA3 Ntt ￿rIentAl*￿ts TO￿ Nei knetslAssetsMhw5 36322 633.912 9.733 718.%7 7341 3W,146 321.485 342,466 666.402 L6LKIAW 2,266A02 ios,u)i 2.271.100 458.9)6 I￿7 19,616 1,750 17.184 11.227 1.7 2fj￿ 6￿602 35394 7142Z9 I547￿7 9.7J3 697.n5 359.018 3￿9￿25 Rewesentsd &¥ General Iunrestrittedl Chr15tChurch Heatin8 Fvnd IRe#rictal Chrts¢Chur¢h Jupp ReStr￿ted IRestrlrtedl CCTower and Reorderinz Pr￿ett IRertri(xedl Community CholrlRestn¢teOI Distres>Relief Ilomierlywanstead P￿141) IRèstrirtÈdl Friend501 St Maty with Christchurth IRÈ*riuedl Homeless and Support forPeWe In Need IRestrictedl Ivor Nithokès Choir (Restrictedl Jazz Vespers (Renriaedl John Sun1￿ IRe5trictedl Memorill Garden IRe#nttÈdl Mlnlstrycandldates (Restrktedl Spec￿lCOl1e￿￿oTrs IRe5trittedl St Marf5 Brown Beouest IRe#rbctedl St Marfs Garden Fund IRe5trictedl St Mary5 RailinK51Restnctedl Stm SpecrficDonatlQn5 for Upkeep (Rest[￿¢2￿} Wanstè3d WlntÈr Nlghtshdter (ReStr￿ted Arth￿rwOr￿00d Mu51cIDesiHn*edl &rid8elDe51Rnatpdl Buildings M8iht. & D￿0p. Iform*tr Rectorof W) IDesiRnatedl D ChrSstChurch Towerand RelYderi￿pT￿ect 2024 35.sa4 35.534 1,250 447.133 151971 2.617 15.4 1,250 430.662 1,327 2,617 I6.￿3 447.133 152.971 2,617 15,473 71,768 lJ)71 76.291 1,250 1.071 2,660 437 887.791 1.186 209 204 im66 14 14 1344 716.5$2 716,552 712.608 2,600 61500 9.886 6.887 26,FQ3 312 20.441 63,750 13510 63,750 13.510 26,466 312 26.466 a12 279 279 566 Flower Fund Ioesignatedl Hall MainteThan£p IOe51gnatedl Progerty& ￿se15 Fund IDeyKrtatsdi SiRtttsostlDesiAnatedl St Maryopen Days (De￿Inated) St Marys re5toraiion 2013 IDe51gnatedl Bi5hoplame5Adams Memorial 19991Endu*ment) Eileen Ioliffe8eq￿ 1996 (Endowtt￿tl St Mary'% Memorial Garden Ind CorKxyatÈ Be4￿ts IEndowmentl raylormemorial 1992 (Endowmentl Pll8rim2025 IDEsi8natedl WarMemori81 IRe#rtaedl JohTrShe1laE￿ (Restrktedl Re￿orDI WBn5tead Fund IDe￿£r￿aledl A4eDcvCollectionslRe5trittedl Total 958 16.320 659,337 435 1.433 J.352 16.320 6S9.337 435 1.433 662,285 435 1.433 3,688 5.829 87.670 12.716 5.n5 87.120 11208 B7.120 11208 IOA32 10.632 10,732 55 L50,L Iso.(o) 714229 1547 115.734 3AI1514 3P89MZ3 Pa￿ 76