2025-12-31-accounts - High Street Baptist Church

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89 High Street, Tring, Herts., HP23 4AB 01442 824054; www.tringbaptistchurch.co.uk admin@tringbaptistchurch.co.uk

– Annual Report for High Street Baptist Church for 2025 Charity Commission Number 1128094

Prepared by:

Catherine Rowland 22[nd] March 2026

– Section A 1 Administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers

The Principal office of the Charity is:

89 High Street Tring Hertfordshire HP23 4AB

The list below shows the names of Trustees who served during the Financial Year 2025. James Cave Joseph Egan Ruth Egan Nandi Hall Deborah Inns Cheryl Law Alison Layne-Smith Katharine Passmore Kevin Rogers Catherine Rowland

– Section A 2 Structure, governance and management

(From the Charity Constitution as prepared in January 2009 and amended on 24 September 2020)

The Charity is constituted under the constitution dated 29[th] January 2009, amended 24[th] September 2020 and “The Church” means members of the charitable unincorporated association governed by this constitution and known as High Street Baptist Church, Tring (or such other name as shall subsequently be adopted by decision of the Church Members’ Meeting and with the consent of the Charity Commission).

The Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (Baptist Union) and the Central Baptist Association.

A – 2.1 Appointment and Removal of Charity Trustees

The statutory definition of Charity Trustees in the relevant Charities Acts is “persons having the general control and management of the administration of a charity”. The Church’s procedures are set out in Section 15 of the Constitution.

– Section A 3 Financial Review

Total income for the year was £127,219 (of which £604 was Restricted) and operating expenditure was £125,815 (of which £1,021 was Restricted) resulting in an overall surplus of £1,821.

During the year, the church reimbursed Trustees a total of £1680.02 for regular church expenditure pre-authorised by the Church but initially paid for by those Trustees.

The Trustees reviewed the reserves policy on 13[th] November 2025 agreeing that £23K is held in the deposit account as reserves. This equates to three months expenditure.

At the end of the year there was £69,470 Unrestricted funds held in the current and deposit accounts and Restricted funds of £0.

As at 31[st] December2025, Target Unrestricted Reserves were £23K, and Target Designated Reserves were £20K, a total of £43K. This compares favourably with the actual Unrestricted balances total of £69K. No specific actions are currently envisaged to bring the Target and Actual Reserves closer, but this situation will be reviewed annually, particularly of the excess of Actual Balances against Target Reserves shows an increasing trend.

A – 3.1 Public Benefit Statement

This is to confirm that the Charity’s Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard on the guidance of public benefit published by the Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

The Church’s Objectives, Beliefs and Principal Activities employed to deliver this public benefit are shown below.

– Section B 1 Objectives and Activities

Purpose of the Charity is:

The principal Purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

Beliefs of the Charity are:

That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer his laws.

That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again on the third day’.

That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world

Principle Activities of the Charity are:

In fulfilling the Purpose the Church will engage in a range of Activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time with Activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.

The Activities may include but are not restricted to:

regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
baptism, as defined in the Union’s Declaration of Principle;
the Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month;
evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people;
nurture and growth of Christian disciples;
education and training for Christian and community service;
giving and encouraging pastoral care;
supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad; and
encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.

– Section B 2 Achievement and Performance

(Summary of the achievements of the Charity during 2025, as reported by the Church Secretary in March 2026)

Secretary’s Report 2025

The Lord’s faithfulness and love for our church was once again evident in 2025.

We have again been blessed through the Sunday teaching from Joe, Ruth, Kevin and others. We explored themes around unceasing prayer, God’s love, and courageous faith as we looked at the books of Jonah, Joshua and 1 John, as well as other teaching series including the parables of Jesus.

During Lent a number of us met on Sunday afternoons at church to watch the first series of ‘The Chosen’ followed by a discussion on what we had seen. In true High Street tradition tea and cake was served at each meeting.

In March we took part in the ‘Gather 25’ International Prayer Live Stream event joining with Christians around the world to pray together as a global church.

Also in February on the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine we held a service of remembrance for the Ukrainian group that meet in the church each week.

This year’s ‘Bake Off’ competition was held on Palm Sunday with competitors required to produced Easter themed bakes.

We celebrated Easter with the usual activities: the Good Friday ‘Walk of Witness’ through the town, the sunrise service on Pitstone Hill with the egg rolling and decorating competitions and bacon butties at the church prior to the Easter Sunday celebration service.

The weather this year allowed the Tring Summer Carnival to take place and the church once again took the lead on the ‘Churches Together’ stall. The theme for this year’s stall was about being ‘connected together’, and we gave information about all the churches do, and their connections around the world. There was craft for children and families to engage with.

During the summer the various Bible study groups again led the services taking one of the parables of Jesus as their theme.

During the summer a number of our congregation attended the ‘Big Church Festival’ and enjoyed it so much that they booked straight away for next year!

In the autumn we took part in the ‘Big Church Read’ which was Bear Grylls ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told.’

A number of ‘brave’ souls took part in the ‘sleep out’ organised by DENS the local homeless charity. After a long period of mild weather conditions changed to much colder temperatures just in time for the sleepout. Their efforts raised over £2000.

We again opened our doors again during the Tring Christmas Festival. Hundreds crossed our threshold either to participate in crafts in the back hall, take advantage of the quite space in the church or to partake of hot chocolate and biscuits in the foyer.

Our ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service was well attended with many visitors. Many said how they had been blessed by the service.

On Christmas Day we again prepared a Christmas Lunch for the local community. We were at full capacity with 50 guests and helpers. We gave out Bear Grylls book to those who had not already had a copy and biscuits to those that had.

In April the Church Membership supported a new vision for Youth and Children’s work within the church and local community. To implement this vision a new full-time Youth and Children’s Worker is to be recruited. A recruitment process was started in the summer but unfortunately, we were not able to appoint to the post. Another round of recruitment will take place in January 2026.

The implementation of the vision meant that Carolyn finished her role as Children’s Work Coordinator at the end of May. We are grateful to Caroyn for all that she has contributed to the children’s work over the years and we continue to pray for her as she seeks God’s guidance for the next chapter in her life.

Joe and Ruth have agreed to increase their hours on a temporary basis to cover the youth and children’s work until the new worker is appointed.

Our regular Baby Group and Tots session continues to be well attended. Carolyn held an Easter Activity session during the school holiday at which approximately 50 children attended. The ‘Light Party’ held on 31[st] October attracted approximately 25 children who enjoyed craft activities as well as a disco complete with flashing lights!

We entertained groups of cubs and scouts at the church and Joe and Ruth have taken Easter and Christmas assemblies at Bishopwood School.

The Youth have seen an increase in numbers as five young people moved up from Junior Church in September. HP23 on a Monday evening attracts a number of young people from the local community as well as our own youth.

Joe, Ruth and James took four of our young people away in the summer to the ‘Wildfires’ youth camp. They were greatly blessed by the event and have returned keen to be involved in service within the church. They contributed to a service in October and have joined the Sunday morning rotas for coffee and welcome.

At the other end of the age spectrum our ‘Seniors’ have enjoyed a number of activities in addition to the Wednesday Games afternoon. These included two ‘Songs of Praise’ services as well as lunches and afternoon tea in Alie’s garden in the summer. Bishopwood School choir have visited twice during the year and performed for the group.

Joe has continued to regularly take a service at The Furlong sheltered housing which is greatly appreciated by all who attend.

Norman who had the original vision for the Games afternoon stood down at Easter. Alie Wainwright has taken this on. We thank Norman for his faithful service to this group over many years and pray that the Lord will bless him in his ‘retirement.’

Gill Shelley our Safeguarding lead has had a busy year. The Safeguarding Policy was updated and agreed at the Church Meeting on 23[rd] November 2025. There are two main changes. Julian Eaton has kindly agreed to be the Deputy lead for Safeguarding. Secondly, DBS checks will now be completed every five years in line with Baptist Union (BU) policy. There will be an annual reminder to everyone to notify Gill or Julian of any change of circumstances. The updated safeguarding policy is now uploaded to the church website.

Gill has attended training days for those leading safeguarding, run by the BU. She has also attended webinars on specific safeguarding issues.

There is now a dedicated Safeguarding email address for the church safeguarding@tringbaptistchurch.co.uk This is open for anyone to use who may have safeguarding concerns.

Gill completes all DBS checks, which are paid for by BU. These are up to date with several new volunteers having recently been through this process. Hopefully, Julian will also become a DBS verifier in the next year.

Safeguarding Awareness training was held on October 4[th] and ten church volunteers attended. In early February 2026, the church will host Level 2 and Level 3 safeguarding training, provided by a BU trainer. We are inviting other local churches to attend.

Gill would like to thank Ruth Egan for her support throughout the last year with regular meetings and updates. Katherine Passmore has been the Trustee safeguarding link. She has stepped down from her role as Deacon, and Julian, who becomes a church Deacon in January, will likely take over this link role.

Following on from the ‘Makaton’ course that many attended last year, Sue has run a number of follow up workshops. We have been looking at how we can make our church and our activities more accessible to all whatever their needs. In November we were awarded a grant from the Central Baptist Association which will enable us to invest in more resources and equipment to support this agenda.

We continue to promote and engage in eco activities. We hosted the ‘Energiser’ event in March, a toy swap and again took part in Tring’s Great Big Green Week in June.

We have strengthened our relationship with Herts & Bucks Parents for Future providing space for their Children's Clothes Swap and Book Swap.

Our Tuesday coffee morning and Wednesday afternoon games session are included as local ‘Warm Spaces’ where people can drop into a warm space with have a hot drink. This is a valuable offering to develop climate resilience in our community- a response when people face high energy costs.

We continue to share, promote relevant news and events that highlight care for creation such as local talks and events. We are attentive to the impacts of climate change globally and via our worship regularly consider God’s Earth through sermon references, prayers and sung worship.

Sadly, four of our faithful friends went to be with the Lord during the year – Bob Eaton, Betty Harris, Sue Lang and Ken Stacey.

We welcomed Esther Parnell into membership and celebrated the dedication of Tobias Nelson Cofie.

Our thanks go to Eleni for keep the Church office running efficiently during the year, to Kevin and others who preach and lead services on an ad hoc basis and to Joe and Ruth for their leadership and dedication to the church.

Thanks must also go to so many members of the congregation who volunteer in the many aspects of church life without whom the work of the Lord could not be carried out.

This Report & Accounts was approved at the Annual General Meeting of the church, held on 22[nd] March 2026 at which the following trustees were present:

Joseph Egan Alexandra Wainwright Ruth Egan Kevin Rogers Catherine Rowland Nandi Hall Alison Layne-Smith Julian Eaton

HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - TRING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOEO 310ECEM8ER 2025 GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENT ACCOUNT 2025 2024 Total Not• Unrn61rktsd R¢6trkt•d Tc*al Receipts Weekly offerings + Gift Day Donatn5 and other incorne Income ta¥ coved on gifts Investment income Rentslconlributions for use of prernises Grant Inci)me stn¢ted Incryne 78,754 14.798 13.404 873 14.286 4.550 78,754 14,798 13.404 1.062 14,286 4,550 604 127,457 77.995 19.339 14.772 700 20.755 3&4c 4b 48 417 133.977 126,665 792 Payrnents Ministry Mission Upkeep of church premise5 Administration Re$tri¢ted Expenditure 55.462 31.241 23.760 14.331 55.462 31.241 23,760 14.331 1.021 125,815 1.642 48.533 43.338 23.520 13.352 553 129.296 4.681 4a 1.021 1.021 229 124,794 1.871 Church Surplus Ideficitl for the year Surplus Ideficitl for the year 1,871 229 1,642 4.681 Balance brought fowward Fabric Fund Transfer 69,053 20.000 417 89,470 64.789 20.000 Balance carried lorward 50.924 20.188 69.470 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 Toial 2024 Tolal ASSETS.. Bank and other cash balances". 71.112 69.505 Total A588ts 71,112 69,$05 LIABILITIES: Current 11a 35 Totsl Liabilities 35 NET ASSETS 71.112 69.470 REPRESENTING BALANCE ON THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS.. Unr•5trctqd R•5trthd Totsl General accounts 50.924 20.188 71,112 69.470 He for church's own use 10 3.787.381 3.787.381 2.886.289 The $triCted fvnds t funds in a designated account foi use for'church fabri¢. Notes 2025 2024 2 Donations and othor income: Sundry Income, fUndS ei¢ Other items IGAYL, FITI Events income Ichristrnas feslwal & Christmas lunch I chien'S Work InClle Legaues 3.350 1.009 743 9,696 2.799 810 8.229 7.500 19.339 14.798 2025 2024 3 Inve5ttnent incom?- Bank interest unrestncted reslricled 873 188 700 Othar item5 1.062 700 Page1 of3

HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - TRING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOEO 310ECEM8ER 2025 4a Restricted Funds BMS BMS Mission- this is a colle¢tK)n by the d)uh on behaw of BMS- ¢ollected Ihrough'coffee wrth a cause, The amounts collected, although lak&n into the Church bank account are restricted for payment to BMS and are Indeed paid lo Ihern. In 2026 the will be no movement in or out of this fund as rt has been decided to not use Ihe'coffee for a cause, scheme ff BMS Mi5510n £417 604 1.021 Total Reslricted £417 604 1.021 4b Grants Received In 2025 we received a grant of £4,550 from CBA grant for use for accessibility purp058s which has not been used as at 31112125 These funds are not restrKled. 4c R8Stricted Fabric fund In 2025 rt vias deuded that a fund be set up restricted for use on the Church and Manse fabric- $0 £20,000 vias transferred from If general fund to the new fabric fund. Any earned interest is added lo the re$tn¢tsd fabn¢ fund Fabric Fund 20,118 20,118 20.118 20.118 5 Ministry.. Cost of Ministy (in¢ Stipends. Nl. Manse. Pension, Ministers. phones) Visiting speakers 2025 55.462 2024 48.433 100 48.533 55,462 6 Mi$$ion'. Junior Church, Youth and Children's work Others lall ext8mal giving, social fund, affiliation5 and fellowship givirtql SuppDrt costs lin¢ refreshments. Christsnas costs. printing. equiprnent. Sur[$) 13,602 8.901 8.737 31.241 18.123 8.238 18.977 43.338 7 Upkeèp of churth prÈmises'. Lighting, healing and water Caning Iinc. wages) InsUffjns Repaits and rnaintenance Manse upkeep 5,059 6,160 5.951 2,985 3,605 23.760 5.114 8.066 448 8.842 3.051 23.520 8 Administration.. C0515 associated with Church Administrator 14,331 13.352 10 Non-monetsry assets: lif applicab} Held forthe church's own use.. 3.787,381 2.886.289 The churth is the beneficial owner Isubject to the relevant Irustsl of the following assets. the legal title to which 15 held by the church's custodian trust88 Ithe Baptist Union Corporation Ltdl.. Church building$ at 89 High Street. Tnng HP23 4AB £2.951,744 (insured valuel". Manse al 12 Anns Close. Tring HP23 4HA £684.330 linsured value). The church also owns fixtures and frttings wlh an insured value of £171,307. 11 Liabililie$.' Irf applicable) lal Current: Cash owed to C Boulton- repaid in January 2025 35 The aGcounts were approved at thp Annual Genpral Meeting hpld on 22 March 2026. Sign$d R•vd Joo Egan, Ministor 22 March 2026 Slgned Catherlne R¢)wland. Church Secretsry 2Z March 2020 Page2of3

HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - TRING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOEO 310ECEM8ER 2025 REPORTOF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE MEMBERS OF HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH-TRING ON THE AGCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 SET OUT ON PAGES 1 TO 2 R•8pective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charivs trustees Ithe deaconsl are sponsible for the preparation of the 8ccounls They consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year (under Section 144121 of th8 Charities Act 2011 (the Actll and that an indewndent examination is needed. 11 is my respon8ibility'. to examine the accounts (under SeCtn 145 of the Acll. to follow the procedures la down in the general Directions gwen by the Charity Comrni88ion (under sectDn 14515llbl of the Acll", and to State whether particular mailers have come to my attention Basis of independent exarniner'8 ststement My examination was Carried out in a¢¢ordan¢e wilh general Dire¢lion$ given by the Charity Commi$$K)n. An ex3minatK)n Includes a revew of the accounting records kept by the charity 2nd a comparison of the accounts presented with those rerxjrds 1181so indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosure5 in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provvje all the events that would be required In an audit, and consequently no opinion is given a$ lo whetrtr the a¢counts present a true and fair vw and the report limited lo those matters set out in Y)e ststement below. Indepvndent examiner's ststement In the course of my examination, no rnatter ha5 corne to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the r8quirements'. lo keep proper accounting records lin accordance with sects'on 130 of the Act)., and to ppare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been meL or to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enab a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. R D Farrant 8Sc AKC FCA 14 Le Corte Close ngS Langley Hertfordshire WD4 9PS 22 March 2026 Page3of3