The Parish of Worplesdon
St Alban's, Wood Street Village & St Mary's, Worplesdon
Annual Report & Financial Statements of
Worplesdon Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31 December 2024
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Worplesdon (Worplesdon PCC) is a registered charity under number 1128100
The Parish of Worplesdon with the churches of
St Mary’s, Worplesdon, & St Albans’s, Wood Street Village
Seeking to be an inclusive, welcoming, Christ-shaped community reflecting the unconditional love of God
Trustees’ Annual Report for 2024
Administrative information
St Mary’s Church is situated at Perry Hill, Worplesdon and St Alban’s Church is situated on Oak Hill, Wood Street Village. The Parish is part of the Diocese of Guildford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Church Office, Perry Hill, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey GU3 3RE.
PCC members (who are also trustees of the charity) who have served within the period from April 2024 to April 2025 are:
| Incumbent | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| Church Wardens | Joanna da Costa Santos |
| Carol Caven | |
| David Grey | |
| Churchwarden Emeritus | Dan Shaw (in perpetuity). |
| Honorary Officers | |
| Hon Secretary –Janet Weil | |
| Hon Treasurer –Ros Davison | |
| Representatives on | |
| The Deanery Synod | Robert Lynch |
| Rob Pocock | |
| Clive Watson | |
| Ex-officio PCC members | |
| Co-Opted | |
| Members | Richard Broughton |
| PCC members | |
| Jenny Shaw to APCM 2025 | |
| Jackie Pocock to APCM 2025 | |
| Mary Broughton to APCM 2026 | |
| Becky Kerby to APCM 2026 | |
| Graham Bower-Wood APCM 2026 | |
| Janet Sutton to APCM 2026 | |
| Nicola Halligan to APCM 2026 | |
| Robert Lynch to APCM 2026 | |
| Rob Pocock to APCM 2026 | |
| Ros Davison to APCM 2027 | |
| Susie Moore to APCM 2027 | |
| Kevin Davison to APCM 2027 |
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Bank Lloyds TSB Bank plc 147 High Street, Guildford. GU1 3AG Inspecting Architect Rena Pitsilli-Graham BA Arch 6, St Martin’s Almhouses Dip Arch, GradDiplCons(AA) Bayham Street, London. RIBA, AABC NW1 0BD Independent Helen Lee MA FCA 55 Wodeland Avenue Examiner Guildford GU2 4LA
The day to day management of the work of the Parochial Church Council is normally delegated to the incumbent.
WARDEN’S REPORT (in the absence of a rector’s report)
Structure, Governance and Management
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England, by Act of Parliament. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. All members of the PCC are trustees of the charity. Worplesdon PCC is a registered charity under number 1128100. The PCC has complied with its duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising its powers or duties.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All regular church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll, to attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and to consider themselves for nomination to the PCC. Members of the PCC are inducted into their role and responsibilities using literature prepared by the Diocesan Department for Mission, Evangelism and Parish Development.
The PCC has continued to meet every month during 2024.
The PCC operates through several Groups (sub-committees), which meet at agreed times during the year and then report to the PCC. During 2024 these Groups were as follows
Standing Committee
Which became The Vacancy Management team at the start of the Vacancy in May. This was made up ofthe wardens, the PCC vice chair, the treasurer, Rev Tom Weil, the PCC secretary and the parish administrator. This group meets monthly to discuss everything that is being done in the parish during the vacancy and to receive updates on how the recruitment process is going. Importantly the agenda for the next month’s PCC meeting is formed from this meeting. There is always time for prayer and is a time when we come together to support each other.
Property
Maintenance and development of the buildings. Liaison with local council, the diocese, various heritage organisations, and our quinquennial architect. Development and management of conservation policies. Maintenance and development of the churchyard and churchyard structures (stone tablets etc.) Development and management of conservation policies. Production and maintenance of historical records not in our registers.
Finance
Financial accounting to the Charity Commission’s standards. Management accounting and budgeting. Sound cash and expenditure controls, fund management. External fund-raising (eg through charities). Insurance to cover assets and liabilities. Development and monitoring of investment policies.
Events
Development and co-ordination of a regular programme of social and fund-raising events. Advice and support to groups mounting special services and events
Worship4All Group:
This Group helps form and produce the services at St Alban’s. This year this has generally been done remotely as in a vacancy we are not allowed to change the format of services-so both Worship4All and Communion4All have stayed the same.
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We still consider all matters involved in worship, among them liturgy, music, guest speakers, structure and content of services and those providing lay leadership and support. We are very grateful to all those who contribute.
Rota planning.
A small team have met quarterly to compile both sets of rotas with the help of our parish administrator. We are very grateful to the Rev Tom Weil and Rev Martin Wright who have helped enormously with taking regular services at both churches. We are also very grateful to local parishes who have lent us some of their clergy team to fill any gaps and to unable us to fulfil our baptism, weddings and funeral services. A special mention to Father Alistair Milne from St Nicholas’ Church in Guildford is due who helped a great deal.
Outreach Group (see later report)
The Vacancy .
Alex mentioned in her leaving speech that we should continue to move forward as a parish with all the initiatives that had been put in place by the PCC in the previous years. That has most definitely happened although there are things we can’t change as advised by the diocese.
We continue to offer a variety of services, gatherings and events for church members and the wider parish community. Our twice-weekly service of online Morning Prayer continued in 2024 with up to eight people regularly appreciating the opportunity to begin the day with prayer. Our two Discovery Groups continued, both meeting at St Alban’s on alternate Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons. Home communion services have continued during 2024, with five households
regularly receiving visits from pastoral assistants and visitors. Three new pastoral assistants were trained ‘in house’ by Alex before she left thus enabling us to continue the twice-monthly services at Worplesdon View Care Home along with starting a monthly service at the newly opened Silverbirch Care Home. The Easter Trail at St Mary’s was again well-received which was a collaboration between the church and the Sime gallery.
Our association with the Armenian Orthodox Church continued, and we were delighted to welcome their Bishop and congregation for important festivals in the church year.
We have begun tidying the churchyard graves at St Mary’s to comply with the diocesan graveyard rules. This has been undertaken as sensitively as possible with a period of notice being given before anything was removed and stored safely and carefully.
Thanks to Mary Broughton we have continued to support the Food Bank and are able to use the connection to distribute funds to those in need locally from the Worplesdon charities.
The Worplesdon Young Musician of the Year took place for the second year. The standard of entrants was amazing, and it also helped raise funds for the Double Flush campaign. The Parish Youth Club is going from strength to strength.
Other events during the year included a Burns Night dance at Normandy Village Hall.
We held a United Worship service for Harvest at St Alban’s after which we had a soup and bread lunch. It was lovely to eat together after the service-something we hope to do again.
The ‘Worplesdon Carollers’ helped raise an amazing £1063.54 for the Children’s Society during December.
Hopefully I haven’t missed anything if I have, I’m sure David and Joanna haven’t. I do know they will have mentioned how grateful we are for everything that all of you have done this year. When asked to help you all have stepped up and taken things on instantly. But more importantly often you haven’t needed to be asked but just got on with it -we really have worked as a team, and it has been a privilege to be part of that team.
Carol Caven. Churchwarden St Alban’s, on behalf of the PCC.
Church Wardens Report 2024
ST MARY’S
Alex, our Rector, together with daughter Stephanie, Breacon the dog and their rabbit moved onto pastures new in May. Alex had been with us for eight years and her departure was marked by a joyful, all but sad service and a lunch gathering attended by many. This meant that the parish entered what is known as a ‘Vacancy ‘ A period when a team had to be put together to continue the running of both churches and all things church related. 100% of the team were volunteers and this involved a large amount of work some of which was unknown territory. However, everyone pulled together and managed to continue to offer baptisms,
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weddings and funerals with the help of visiting clergy from the diocese. A ‘Parish Profile’ was put together to advertise for a new Rector. Sadly, the first round of adverts did not produce a new Rector and at the end of the year we started the advert process again.
A team of volunteers known as the ‘job squad’ headed up by David, one of our wardens took on the task of looking after the rectory and the surrounding lawns. During this time work included tree surgery and garden maintenance, allowing a lot more light to flood into the rectory.
Thanks to a generous legacy from one of the congregation quotes were obtained for tree surgery and work that was needed in St Mary’s Churchyard. This work will now begin in 2025.
Our double flush campaign did well with us moving ever closer to the target needed for us to start the work on the new lavatories and kitchen area.
We continued to hold many events in St Mary’s and St Albans Church during this vacancy time, including our concerts and lectures in association with the Sime gallery and Laudamus choir, parish lunches, coffee mornings, a sell-out quiz night and a very well attended Christmas lunch. In October, some of us for the first time witnessed the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis clearly visible in the night sky after our PCC meeting.! In November we celebrated our parish secretary Michaela’s 20th year of working for the parish.
In December we put together a children’s workshop to help decorate the Christmas tree and displayed for the first time some large ceramic nativity figures in the church windows kindly donated by Jan Messenger. These figures used to be displayed at Christmas in the former Messenger’s tools in Guildford High Street. All in all it was a busy year, but none of it could have been achieved without the generous help and volunteering of many members of our congregations and many different teams. A huge thank you to all who gave up their time to continue to keep our two churches open and running during this vacancy period, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Joanna da Costa Santos Churchwarden for St Mary’s.
ST ALBAN’S
Writing this annual report as I did last year it feels as if Spring is certainly on the way. The grass at the front of the church has had its first cut, the buds on the ancient oak are just beginning to swell and blue tits are already being busy in the bird box. The early spring sun, so welcome after such a gloomy wet winter have prompted the narcissi to open, swaying in the gentle breeze. And although the snow drops are now beginning to fade, to die back over the next month or so, they will return early next year, hopefully naturally multiplying having been lifted two years ago from St Mary’s. Similarly, the remembrance garden has been a source of winter cheer with the Christmas Roses, the hellebores putting on a cheery display. The soil will be enriched with rotted compost and oaf leaf mould gathered from the aged oak. At Christmas a festive tree was placed here with illuminating lights complementing the large lit starburst on the church front. St Alban’s looks prominent and welcoming. The flagpole now hosts the flag of St George replacing the weathered Union Jack until a new one is purchased for this year’s May VE Day celebrations.
St Alban’s is in good repair. Much has been improved in recent years which continues to enhance our church as a wonderful place to worship. It is centrally located in Wood Street Village and is well connected with many local organisations. With the adjoining Church Hall which is a useful revenue stream for Parish finances it is the home to many church and village groups. The monthly Church Youth Group meet here, continues to grow and thrive. The monthly Parish Lunch meet here also for a gourmet home cooked feast. Always well attended the hall was full for the Christmas lunch where over fifty came to enjoy a superb Roast Turkey festive meal and were then entertained with carols sung by Wood Street Infant School. Wood Street Village Association, Wood Street Village Horticultural Society, The Beavers, The Friday Morning Art Group all meet here as well as tai chi classes, dog training and even folk-dance groups. Our church room is used for our monthly TASA group and the two Discovery Groups (Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons). St Alban’s is also the venue for the hugely successful Worplesdon Young Musician of The Year Competition. Continuing to push boundaries the quality of the young performers has been truly amazing! Similarly, The Laudamus Chamber Choir entertained a full house with a bell and carol concert in December and the annual crib service, as always, was a delight!
Recently, drone footage photographs were taken of the church roof. The apex of the church is almost 15 metres high! and far too tall for extending ladders for inspection. The roof, thankfully, is in good order. That said the Parish Management Team and PCC are aware that the heating system (warm air vent systems and gas fired) are aging and will at some point need replacing. It is likely that this will require significant planning to incorporate green/eco policies that the Church of England is committed too and that we, as a parish, embrace with The Eco Church initiative.
The food donation bin for North Guildford Food Bank continues to collect needy items for the less fortunate (found in the narthex) and the clothing bank operated by Cherry Trees and positioned in the car park is heavily used.
Sadly, St Albans is not open during the day as the church has expensive audio-visual display equipment. Perhaps looking ahead, it would be nice if a method could be found so that it could open?
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Our Church House, (24 The Oval, Wood Street Village) continues to be let successfully. A new family took up residence in November and a full commercial rent is achieved complementing our other church property in Alton. Both are useful assets and continue to achieve sound revenue to Parish finances.
Lastly, thank you to everyone who helps to keep St Albans looking so nice and well loved, whether it be our flower arranging team, our small but highly effective and impactful choir, those who operate the AV Desk, or look after our gardens, lead our “small groups” and lead the Youth Club. But above all particular thanks to those, within our team, who help lead our services which are largely lay lead. All of you make a real difference and it brings our two churches together!
David Grey & Carol Caven Church Wardens for St Albans
Annual Safeguarding Report
This report covers the period January to December 2024
1. Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
My contact details are publicly displayed on the church notice boards and on the website. The e mail address safeguarding@worplesdonparish.com is used for safeguarding matters.
I am fully up to date with required training and liaise with the Diocesan safeguarding team on compliance and best practice.
- Safeguarding Policy
The PCC has an annual requirement to formally adopt the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement’. This was completed in 2024 and is displayed in both churches. This year the updated documents will be sent to PCC members to allow them to adopt the Policy in the first meeting after the 2025 APCM.
- Safeguarding Culture
We aim to maintain a healthy safeguarding culture in our parish. The PCC are fully engaged in their
responsibilities relating to safeguarding. In February 2024 we held ‘Safeguarding Sunday’s’ in both churches using national resources.
4. Safeguarding Concerns
There was one new safeguarding referral involving the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) in the period. The advice from the DSA and the police was followed and there is no longer a local concern.
It’s important to remember that parishioners and those running groups for children, young people and adults must report any safeguarding concerns to the PSO and the Rector (or one of the churchwardens in vacancy).
- Insurance Policy
The Parish Insurance Policy (which covers safeguarding issues) is held by the Treasurer.
6. Parish Dashboard
A Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is used to track and update all Safeguarding requirements and actions associated with the National Safeguarding Framework. This is a powerful tool which can also be accessed by the Diocese to monitor our safeguarding compliance. The report generated by the dashboard is reviewed by the PCC 3 times a year.
The Parish is at level 3 (the highest level) with 97% progress to all required actions consistently achieved. The dashboard produces a traffic light system to measure progress and produces reminders when action is required which ensures continued compliance.
2024 saw the full use of the additional Safeguarding Hub resource which is part of the dashboard. The Hub holds records of:
• the DBS and training requirements of each role working with or with responsibility for activities involving children, young people or vulnerable adults in our parish. We have 23 roles on the Hub.
• the people in role (37) and their current DBS and training status with dates. The system generates reminders when refreshers / rechecks are due.
- Review of policies
The list of PCC approved church activities and non-church activities run in our premises were reviewed and approved in January 2024.
- The procedure for dealing with Safeguarding Allegations or concerned was reviewed in January 2024. 8. Risk Assessments
Our Risk Assessments were last reviewed and signed off by PCC in March 2024. Copies are available in both churches and in the hall and we ensure those directly affected are familiar with the risk assessments. Those running events in either Church or in St Alban’s Hall should ensure they read the RA’s and if necessary, produce their own risk assessment for specific activities if any additional risks are identified.
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9. Safer Recruitment
The Parish carries out the basic requirements of safer recruitment and required Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are in place. Renewals must now be carried out every 3 years (previously every 5 years). 7 DBS checks / renewals were completed during the year.
Role descriptions and Volunteer Agreements are being put in place as part of the DBS renewal process for roles working with children, young people and vulnerable adults where these do not exist.
In September 2022 the PCC passed a resolution that all PCC members should have a DBS check based on recommendation by the Diocese and Charity Commission. This recognises PCC members’ responsibility and accountability for implementing best practice in safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults in the parish. All PCC members have up to date DBS checks
It is important that those who run groups advise me of any new volunteers working with children, young people and/or adults who may be at risk so that safer recruitment is followed, to check if a DBS is required and arrange necessary training and support.
10. Safeguarding Training
The Parish complies with the requirement for volunteers and paid staff working with Children and Young People, and /or Vulnerable Adults to receive training / refresher training every 3 years. The following training was taken / refreshed in 2024:
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Basic: 8 people
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Foundation: 11 people
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Leadership: 1 person
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Safer Recruitment: 4 people. The wardens all completed this training which was required as we are
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in Vacancy.
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Domestic Abuse: 4 people
All Safeguarding training certificates are held by the PSO.
- Children and Young People’s Groups in the Parish
The Parish has adhered to the requirements of the Code of Safer Working Practice when running groups including DBS checks of leaders, appropriate ratios and completion of registration forms and Photography consent forms as well as appropriate behaviours of leaders.
- Parish website
The Parish website complies with the requirements to publicise safeguarding arrangements clearly on the home (and other) pages.
13. Safeguarding Notices
The necessary information on how to raise safeguarding concerns and information about helplines and local services is displayed in both churches, in St Alban’s Hall and at St Mary’s. Domestic Abuse helpline numbers are also displayed in the toilet cubicles and on notice boards.
- Hire of Church Premises
The hire agreement for the hire of church premises contains required provision for safeguarding arrangements required of hirers.
Thank you to PCC members and parishioners for your support in working for a healthy safeguarding culture in the parish.
JENNY SHAW PARISH SAFEGUARDING OFFICER March 2025
Electoral Roll
In 2024 there were 154 on the Electoral Roll: 93 resident in the parish and 61 non resident. The electoral roll has now undergone a total revision and there are now 117 on the roll, 78 resident in the parish and 39 nonresident.
Michaela Kelly Electoral Roll Officer
Ministry to Young People
TASA (Teens at St Alban’s)
we meet on the first Sunday of each month during the main service at St Alban’s. We have 3 regular young people. Our sessions are informal and involve lots of lively discussion and activities on Christian themes with great snacks. We are looking forward to doing the BE Share course as a group to allow one of our young people to take communion as the rest of the group already do.
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Michaela Kelly & Caroline Mankelow
Wood Street Youth Club
We meet on the first Friday of the month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This past year, I am delighted to report that our average attendance has increased to 18-19 members per month, with peaks of up to 24 members. Thanks to the Wood Street Village Firework Committee, we replaced our snooker table with a brand-new pool and snooker table which is in constant use.
We offer a variety of craft activities and always have board games, badminton, table tennis, snooker, and Lego available to use. Throughout the year, we have made bird boxes, planters, tie-dye t-shirts, gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We watched the World Cup in July, enjoyed conker matches and apple bobbing in October, and decorated the church and made wreaths in December.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers: Rob, Graham, David, Dave, Mike, Gaby, Hannah, Nicola and Carol for her baked treats each month. Jackie Pocock Youth Club Leader
School Liaison
Since Easter 2024, throughout our interregnum, I have been visiting each of our two schools within our Parish, once per half-term, to give an assembly, on behalf of the Church: at Worplesdon primary school, and at Wood Street Infants school.
To celebrate festivals together: Wood Street Infants visited St Albans Church for Harvest; one class from Wood Street Infants made Christmas cards for the community, brought them to the people attending our Christmas Parish lunch and sang them a song too; I led the Worplesdon Primary School Christmas Carol service for Yrs 3 & 4; we invited Worplesdon school choir to sing at our Church Christmas Nine Lessons & Carols Service at St Mary’s Church; and I visited Worplesdon school as a guest to watch their Infant Christmas Nativity play.
Helen Warren
Flower teams
St Mary’s
Our small team at St Mary’s has once again decorated our church beautifully for the festivals of Easter, Whitsun, St Mary’s Patronal Festival, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas. We have also provided flowers for most other Sundays throughout the year with the help of several silk flower arrangements to reduce our costs and be eco-friendly.
We would love to have some new recruits to our team, so any volunteers would be very welcome! Diana Forder
St Alban’s
At St Albans we are continuing to follow the principles of the Sustainable Church Flowers group, (Suschurchflowers.com) to help the environment and to support the Eco Church initiative. We use locally grown flowers from Homestead Flowers in the village or from generous members of the congregation. We do not use any floral foam and have been experimenting with other ways of arranging using chicken wire, moss, jars and twigs to hold the stems in place.
We have 2 regular arrangers and 1 other who helps at festivals. If anyone would like to join us please speak to me, no experience is required.
Janet Sutton
Parish Lunches
Parish Lunches are held in St Albans Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, at a cost of £5. We are very lucky to have 5 teams of cooks and helpers to supply the monthly lunch.
Each team cooks twice a year and an assorted team helps at Christmas. Only 7 of the team members are from the congregation the other 10 are willing members of the community so this is very much a joint church/community effort.
We cater for anything from 12 to 24 on a normal lunch. Last Christmas 48 people including helpers sat down to a wonderful Christmas meal of locally reared turkey with all the accompaniments and fresh vegetables. For pudding we served homemade Christmas pudding and sherry trifle both of which were kindly donated. The village school came along to sing Christmas songs and to distribute handmade cards. It was a very enjoyable day for all.
The lunches are open to all senior citizens, so if that is you, you are welcome to join us, just remember to book with the parish office 01483 233091 by noon on the Friday before the lunch. Janet Sutton
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Wood Street Village Maypole Dancers and Macmillan Coffee Morning
This group has now been going for 32 years. We are very fortunate to have the use of the church hall for practices from February, till the weather and ground is fit to be on the green, This year we have a small group, but we are hoping for more new members. Children should be age 6 and be able to skip. Practice is on Thursday afternoon from 3.30
We perform on the first Saturday in May and at the village show. For the last 2 years we have also organised a Macmillan coffee morning with maypole dancing at the end of September. We have been grateful for the use of the St Albans coffee machines to make good coffee to sell, last year we raised £600 Janet Sutton
Music
The music at St Mary’s is traditional and the hymns sung are those that are generally well-known. There is a United Service on the 5th Sunday of the month when the choir at St Alban’s joins us and we normally sing an anthem. There are other ‘special’ Sundays when we are able to sing an anthem which we rehearse with Martin before the service. The Nine Lessons and Carols Service in December was very well attended – standing room only! We were delighted that Worplesdon Primary School choir sang the Ukranian song ‘Carol of the Bells’ and Leah Yan, the winner of Worplesdon Young Musician 2023 played ‘I wonder as I wander’ on the piano. We are looking forward to another full house at the next Carol Service! If you can sing, or would just like to try, then please come and join us any Sunday morning; you would be made most welcome.
Susan Smith
At St. Alban’s we continue to aim to find a balance between newer worship songs and more traditional hymns. Although often we use recorded backing tracks we were lucky enough to have our Young Musician of the Year, Connie Frith, to play for us on a couple of occasions – we are always glad to have live music! We also appreciate the contribution of members of St. Mary’s choir who join us once a month and swell our numbers. Thanks, as always, to Cath and to Mike for their musical input, and heartfelt gratitude to Rob for the magic he works to ensure that the words on the screen match the music. We would love to have more regular singers. We practise before the service each Sunday – please come and join us! Melanie Thornback
Wood Street Village Cricket Club
As Spring approaches, the days are getting longer and soon it will be time for the smell of freshly cut grass and the truly summer sight and sound of leather hitting willow! Wood Street Village Cricket Club eagerly awaits, with all the usual anticipation the forthcoming 2025 season.
Looking back on the 2024 season the Saturday Ist XI successfully held their place in the I’anson League Division 3 as did the 2nd XI in Division 5. The Sunday XI held a full fixture list that ended in mid-September with the annual village 20/20 match. The mid-week XI continued gathering momentum and finished losing finalists in the mid-week league knockout competition. In addition to this the Wood Street Village Cricket Club juniors (boys and girls), with over 70 registered members continued to thrive. For 2025 there will be four teams (U9’s, U11’s, U13’s & U14’s) competing in the West Surrey Junior Leagues. Junior coaching evenings are every Friday evening from 6pm to 7:30pm (April to End of July).
The club is well run, financially sound and is socially active holding regular evening BBQ’s (third Friday of the month after junior practice), a well-attended Presidents Match (normally the first Sunday in July), a Parents versus Sons/Daughters match, The annual Cricket Club Charity Golf Match, The village 20/20 match in September, The annual Quiz night in November, end of season Award celebration evenings for the juniors (end of July) and seniors (end of September).
As the new season approaches there is much to do. The extremely wet winter has left our beautiful ground in need of some fine drying weather to get it ready for a full season. The square has already had two preseason cuts from our professional (paid) groundsman and the outfield has had its first light trim. Our tenants (Wood Street Village Pre-school - Tiny Acorns) will make way for the pavilion to be prepared and our fully licensed bar to be restocked.
Importantly, the club is ECB Clubmark accredited, we have 15 DBS checked members, ECB ACO qualified umpires, ECB qualified coaches, fully compliant with safeguarding procedures and policies. It is a club that is family orientated and is in the heart of the village community and has been for over 150 years! It is also the biggest provider of youth activity in Worplesdon Parish.
Our ground is found at Toby’s Oaks, Backside Common (off Frog Grove Lane) in Wood Street Village. Come and visit us and watch some local cricket. Our fully equipped bar is open weekends from Friday evening. For all our important dates visit our website …just search for Wood Street Village Cricket Club. David Grey
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Fairwood Helpers A Good Neighbour Group
Fairwood Helpers continue to provide a voluntary drivers service to the local community in accordance with operating procedures recommended by Surrey Community Action and our DBS cleared Drivers routinely take Clients to GP, hospital and other medical appointments, along with providing help with essential food shopping. Our scheme is entirely funded by Client donations and in 2024, as a registered charity, we were pleased to donate a total of £2,000 to St Mary's CoE church, Worplesdon (Double Flush appeal), St Mary's RC church, Rydes Hill (Activity Club for elderly parishioners) and the Stella Hancock Driving Group (horse carriage group for those with disabilities). Unfortunately, in August 2024 we had to reduce our phone line hours due to a shortage of Duty Officers (those who receive calls from Clients and allocate requests to Drivers), and our new opening hours are 10am - 12pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Our phone number remains 01483 237619 and messages can be left out of hours. We would, as always, be delighted to hear from anyone who feels they may be able to join us as a Duty Officer or Driver. Just a few hours discretionary commitment a month would make a significant impact on the quality of service we offer. Mike Ryan Chair Fairwood Helpers
The Sime Gallery
The Sime Gallery is located in the nearby Worplesdon Memorial Hall and is a separate charity that promotes the artwork of a single artist who lived in Worplesdon 1904-1941 at Crown Cottage opposite the church and buried in the Churchyard. This year further group visits to the Gallery have incorporated a visit the ancient church of St Mary's as part of a tour. With its fascinating history, the Church provides an additional attraction for Gallery visitors as well as introducing people to nearby Whitmoor Common, just beyond the Churchyard - an area of scientific interest.
In April the Church collaborated with the Sime Gallery for its Easter Workshop for children, in the creation of Easter Garden and Easter Trail. This followed a successful one in 2023 and in addition we held a most enjoyable Christmas workshop by creating decorations with the children for the Church Christmas tree and font area which the children loved. We hope these workshops will continue as it is important for our 'outreach' programme. We are grateful to the church for providing refreshments and helping us with publicity. We look forward to the Easter workshop 2025.
Further collaboration took place in November 2024 when the Gallery held at St Mary's, its annual lecture given by former BBC Arts Correspondent, Nick Higham with a very interesting and amusing illustrated talk on 'The Art of Laundry' which was attended by 99 people. The stained glass of the East window of St Mary's creates a perfect backdrop for these lectures and the church was again much admired by many who had never visited before. Tea was served. We look forward to enjoying improved facilities for much needed toilets and refreshment area the church is fundraising for, this year as there is always a long queue after the lecture on these occasions!
We hope this outreach approach and the opportunities to use the church in many diverse ways can continue to embrace the local community and its organisations for the benefit of all. Mary Broughton, Sime Gallery CIO
Wood Street Village Association
The Wood Street Village Association has continued to meet on the second Monday of every month either by zoom during the winter months or, once the clocks have moved forward, at St. Alban’s Church. The meetings start at 8pm and everyone in the village is very welcome to attend.
The Association has arranged regular litter picks and, in partnership with the Horticultural Society, has organised the very successful Summer Show. The show generates money for local causes such as the Church and the Scouts and has enabled the Village Association to make donations towards local projects including buying litter picks for the school. We also organised the communal Carol Singing on the village green in December. This is always a very memorable occasion, and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves as well as raising money for The Children’s Society.
A village newsletter has again been produced three times this year by Richard Trinick and is an important part of informing residents of village events and news.
A range of other matters have also been discussed at Village Association meetings including the SANG on Frog Grove Lane, any planning applications, particularly the one at Hester’s Yard, fly-tipping and the footpath linking Broad Street to Fairlands. The Association works closely with members of the Parish Council, Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council who all attend the meetings.
9
It is good to know that the Village Association is a useful forum for residents to bring forward issues, to discuss different ideas and to propose new projects and events for our community. Caroline Mankelow
Events in 2024
Worplesdon Young Musician Final 2024
On Saturday 16th March, St Alban’s Church in Wood Street was packed to hear the 11 young finalists in the second Worplesdon Young Musicians Competition perform in front our adjudicator Dr Amy Bebbington and a capacity crowd. In addition, the 2023 Worplesdon Young Musician, Leah Yan, impressed the audience with a piano recital during the interval.
The 11 performers, whose ages ranged from 6-16 entertained the audience with a variety of instruments from guitar to violin, saxophone to piano, clarinet to voice and drums to trombone.
The overall standard was again extremely high as everybody was playing at British and International Festival Federation ‘Distinction’ standard level (performances which were technically and artistically excellent). The winners were
OVERALL WINNER - CONNIE FRITH
aged 13 who played on the piano, Debussy’s Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum and on the trombone, Bach’s Arioso
AGE GROUPS
6-8: Evangeline Hannah, aged 8 who played on the piano: Giuseppe Valentin’s Daydream
9-11: Emily Busby aged 10 who played the clarinet: Mike Mower’s Sambossa.
12-16: Oliver James aged 15 who played the drums: Foo Fighter’s Rope.
The winners each received a glass trophy, a winner certificate and an Amazon voucher for £100 (overall winner) and £50 (age winner) which were presented by Charity Holden, a Partner from the competition’s sponsor, Seymours Estate Agents.
October Parish Concert
Following from the Young Musician Competition, 10 young musicians returned to St Alban's to entertain the Parish community with their musical talents which ranged from piano, drum, viola, guitar, violin, trombone and voice. It was a spectacular evening as Worplesdon's young talent was again on display. Additionally, our own Martin Wright and Becca Ivey-Scott enchanted us with their singing and to finish off the evening, the choir surprised the audience with a unique rendering from 'Sister Act', which as you can imagine created peals of laughter: luckily, they managed to finish the evening on a calmer note with some communal singing. A good time was had by all!
John McLean
Parish Quiz Night
We were happy to welcome back Nicky and Daniel Ward who put together the quiz for us and ran the night itself at Worplesdon Memorial Hall. 126 people joined us and enjoyed an entertaining quiz and a Fish and Chip supper from SeaFare. The quiz made a profit of £1487.13 – we couldn’t do it without a great many volunteers and all those who come along to take part. So thank you!
Web Site Report
We have continued to develop the web site, adding new content where necessary. Typically over a 28-day period we are getting over 200 views on our ‘front page’ with the calendar and news also being popular pages. This shows the need to keep both of these pages up to date so please do let us have content about church events. Why not take a photo of your event with your phone (please ask permission for any whose faces are showing or can be otherwise identified) and send it to webmaster@worplesdonparish.com ? A brief paragraph of text will be helpful. The web page for the vacancy with the job advertisement for a new rector and parish profile also appears in the top 10 pages.
Together with our social media pages, the web site forms part of our online presence. A Google search on ‘worplesdon parish’ brings us up second just behind the civil parish council. We also have a presence on the ‘A Church Near You’ web site https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ which shows the geographic boundary of our parish, the location of our two churches and other basic information about us.
Jackie Pocock and I are both currently looking after the web site with extensive commitments in other activities in the parish. So, if anyone is interested in taking over responsibility for the web site then do please let us know. There is an extensive set of training videos explaining how to do the various things needed to keep the site running and further training can be offered if required. Tom Weil
10
Deanery Synod Report
The Deanery Synod met twice in the last year. On 31st July 2024 the Diocesan Foundations in Ministry Programme Manager, Matt Grove, introduced the programme. He encouraged all present to visit the Diocesan website for more details, and to encourage laity to enquire. The second synod meeting of the year was to have been a much awaited discussion on Living in Love and Faith (LLF). LLF is the Church’s exploration of how Christians are to understand and respond to trends in the world regarding identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Unfortunately, this was postponed until a future date. On 15[th] January 2025, the topic was Net Zero. This resulted in several good suggestions being passed to our property team as well as a plan for the Diocesan Environment Officer, Alison Moulden, to preach to us on the topic at our United Worship on 18[th] May. Your deanery synod representatives are myself, Rob Pocock and Clive Watson.
Robert Lynch
Finance Committee Report – 2024
The Finance Committee met five times in 2024. There have been no significant changes to the way that the committee operates, other than, of course, the departure of our rector Alex.
The matters which have kept the committee occupied have remained largely the same as last year and there is no doubt that the financial situation for the church remains challenging. However, it is pleasing to be able to report on some good progress in some areas. The Double Flush project has been boosted by the receipt of grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Laing Family Trust thanks to the persistence of the Grants sub-group. The additional generous donations that we have received from members of our church community mean that we are within reach of our target and are now in a position where we will be able to proceed with the project in 2025.
We are pleased to report that we have been able to resolve certain issues concerning the transfer of Worplesdon United Charities (WUC) to Worplesdon PCC. Our Treasurer has been able to submit the outstanding annual reports and accounts to the Charity Commission, the previous Trustees have now resigned, and the Charities have appointed three new Trustees from Worplesdon PCC to manage the transfer to the Parish. Once complete the WUC will be wound up and the PCC will manage the assets going forward in line with the objects of the WUC. In the meantime, we have been able to distribute funds that the WUC receives from the Henry Smith Foundation to needy people within the parish through our connection with the North Guildford Food Bank.
Unfortunately, it is not all good news and the situation regarding the operating deficit remains serious. We have been able to take some steps to mitigate the effects of this; we have invested a large sum in a shortterm savers account to boost interest returns, and we have also managed to return The Oval to private rental, where it is bringing in a full market rental price. However, these are relatively minor changes, and the parish is still losing up to £2000 per month. This has been looked at over the course of the year, but it has proven difficult to see where any substantial savings could be made. The only alternative to reducing expenditure is to increase income, either through increased giving from parishioners, increased bookings for church events or both. It is hoped that if Double Flush is finally concluded in 2025, this will enable the church to be used for more events and help with the deficit. As with many churches we face challenges in the year ahead, but we hope that we can tackle these by careful planning and prudent financial management. Richard & Clive
11
Treasurers Report Year ending 31st December 2024
GOVERNANCE
The Worplesdon Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent in promoting, in the Ecclesiastical Parish, the whole mission of the Church: Pastoral, Evangelical, Social and Ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for both Churches, St Mary’s and St Alban’s, St Alban’s Church hall, the Church Office and our two let properties which we rent out to produce an income. The Parochial Church Council meets regularly to conduct its business and contained within it various sub committee vision groups, Standing Committee and Strategy Group which meet between the full Council meetings. All deliberations from the sub committees are discussed and reviewed as necessary by the full PCC. All PCC Members are given sufficient briefing materials to understand their duties and to ensure that good Governance exists.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TREASURERS REPORT WORPLESDON PARISH ANNUAL ACCOUNTS YE 31 DECEMBER 2024
I have now completed three years as Treasurer to the PCC of the Parish of Worplesdon and as such I feel I have a much greater understanding of the intricacies of Church accounting and the Diocesan Reporting System. The Finance Committee under the Chairmanship of Richard Broughton has continued to meet each quarter which is a great help to me for discussing major projects and any other unusual or complex matters. The finance committee then reports to the PCC at the next meeting.
Income to general funds during the year is down on the previous year once legacies are stripped out of the figures. Again this year we have been fortunate to receive two legacies totalling £15,000 which with the agreement of the PCC we intend to put towards the double flush fund. Legacies are a very important source of funds to our parish and if you are thinking of reviewing your will in the coming year please think of adding a legacy in your will. I suspect part of the reason income is down this year is due to a loss of income from parishioners who are no longer with us as well as others who have not been able to review their giving for a number of years due to the cost of living crisis. Costs remain fairly consistent with last year but the overall result is a deficit of £12,000 or if the legacies of £15,000 are added back (as we cannot rely on receiving legacies every year) a working deficit of £27,000, over £2,000 per month. With that in mind we will be making an appeal for everyone to review their giving to discern if any adjustment might be possible, it is appreciated that in these times of high inflation there are considerable demands on income and not everyone will be in a position to increase their giving. But as a charity we cannot continue to operate at a deficit for long.
On a more positive note we are delighted that the double flush fund has now reached a level where we can being the work. Tenders are actively being sort and we hope to be able to report soon that when the work will begin.
We have been negotiating with the trustees of Worplesdon United Charities initially under the leadership of Alex our previous Rector to take over the administration of the charities and bring them under the trusteeship of the PCC. Finally after a long drawn out process this has become a reality and we have acquired the endowment funds from these charities. The charities were formed many years ago from funds left to the local area by a number of local benefactors for benefit of the ‘poor and needy’ in the parish of Worplesdon. The income from these endowment investments together with a grant received annually from the Henry Smith Foundation will be an important fund available for distribution to those in need in our parish. We have already identified a source of distribution in conjunction with the North Guildford Foodbank.
Gift Aid is a major source of funds for our Parish and at present we do not have a Gift Aid Secretary so the claims to HMRC are a little behind, if there is anyone out there who would like to take this on do let us know. Another method of improving this system is to move your giving into the Parish Giving Scheme, your donation to the parish is made in exactly the same way and there are no costs incurred on either side. The payment is made to PGS who reclaim the Gift Aid on our behalf and pay it over to us in the same month. It is a very easy and efficient way to save us all time and money. If you do not use this system please think very carefully about switching over to it and let me know if you would like more information about the scheme.
Rosalind Davison Treasurer March 2025
12
Ind•pnd•nt Ex•mln•r'8 Rwrt to TntSt•M of W¢rpl•*don PaK>chlal Church Councll I rewrt the finanoal statements of the Parochial Church Ct)uncil I'the thanty.) for the year ended 31 December 2024. This ferx)rt is made sOty to the charity's trustees. as a body, in )rdance wth Section 145 of the Charitbes Act 2011 My work has been undertaken w that I might stste lo the chty.$ trustees those matters l am required to stste to them in this report and for no other wrpose. To the fullest extent pemiitted by law. l ¢$) not 8p1 or assume sponsibl11ty io anyone other than tho chanty ar the charity's trusteas as a body, lor my work, for thB report or for the opinions I have fonned. Respective reswnsibilib.es ol the PCC I'lhe trustees") and the examir Tre chanty'$ trustees are respon&bk lor the pparaln of the financial statements. Tr chanty's trustees ¢onsider that an audit is not required for th15 ye8f under wlion 144121 ol the Charitres Act 2011 {'Ihe 2011 Acri and that en independent examinatn Is needed. It is my reskK)nsibility to". exarnine the financlal stslements undef Secti 145 of the 2011 Act.. folbw the procedures Liid d¢)wn In Ihg General Dlreclkons gn by the Chartty Commlsdon under seclK)n 14515llbl ol the 2011 ACL and stste whether particular matters have come to my attentK)n. Basis of indeFendenl examinerfs nw)rt y examination was carried out in m>rdance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissir. An txamtnalion includes a ¥tW of trFe accounting records kept by the eharily and a ComlIS0n ol the flnancial statements presented wth those records. 11 also Inclu(les consKlera1n ol any unusual items or disclosu$ in the financial slal8ments. and seeking eXpLanatn5 from you as tmstees concèming any such mallers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all of the evidence that would be required in an audiL rKI consequenlty no oprnion is given as to whether the financial statements present a"ITue and f8ir VE and the retK>rt limited to those matters set out In the stalemeni below. IndeFendent examinerfs statement In ¢4Jnnection with my examination, no material matter has Cx? lo my attenlion.. wtti¢h gives me asOnable cause to belEve that. in afty material fesm. the requ11ewnts'. to keep accounting rrdS in aLxordarKe wrth secb'on 130 of the 2011 Ac( and to prepare finan¢o1 statements whh accord with Ihe COuntsg recd5 and compty with the accounth'ng requireftpnls wn¢eming Ihg form and conlenl of accounts set oul in the chareS IAccounts ant1 RErts) Regulatsons 2CQ8 other than any rUleThnts lo give a-true and fair view. which is not a matter considered as part ot an independent examinalfi have not been met.. bl lo Whh. in my Dpinion. attention shtrjld b& drawn in order to enaNe a yoper underslanding ofthe finan¢wl staterrEnts to te reached. Helen Lee MA FCA. Indendent Examiner IIY April 2025 13
WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| UNRESTRICTED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL | TOTAL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNDS | FUNDS | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| NOTE | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | |||||
| FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2a | 100,262 | 54,355 | 154,617 | 216,890 |
| Charitable Activites | 2b | 26,203 | 0 | 26,203 | 22,654 |
| Investments | 2c | 32,947 | 1,225 | 34,172 | 30,236 |
| Total income | 159,412 | 55,580 | 214,992 | 269,780 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON: | |||||
| Raising funds | 3a | - | - | - | 168 |
| Charitable Activities | 3b | 172,376 | 6,283 | 178,659 | 175,650 |
| Total expenditure | 172,376 | 6,283 | 178,659 | 175,818 | |
| NET RESCOURCES BEFORE | |||||
| GAINS OR LOSSES | (12,964) | 49,297 | 36,333 | 93,962 | |
| Net (loss) / gain on investments | |||||
| on revaluation | 7a | 994 |
994 | 915 | |
| NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) and | |||||
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | (11,970) | 49,297 | 37,327 | 94,877 | |
| BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD | |||||
| 01-Jan-24 | 834,566 | 128,463 | 963,029 | 868,152 | |
| Transfers between funds | 12 | - |
|||
| BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD | |||||
| 31-Dec-24 | 822,596 | 177,760 | 1,000,356 | 963,029 |
14
WOthE$DC•PARi)E•IIALOWRCM courioi •Akn4NCE SMEET ASAT31 OECEMOtA 2014 VtrESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL 2024 TOTAL FUN WOTf FIXEOA55ETS 10,4 Lllo )i.I TVI• CLftRENfAssETS 1S.17 1SXI57 25,675 Shortltrffl4EPDSrt1 267.611 35.$30 7.76Q IP729) Tota 3$7 CURRENT LWUTIÉS Vbyar f4ET¢VRP£t4l ASSETS 2119 171.7 35Q,g34 TOTAL MEfA55ETS 822.596 177,7 fjJ,o PA4115H FUN05 122.$ IZl.596 Ir*trdi•(omE IvNds IVty5tswthiiiofKC o Ao,1 Jaia. 15
WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND NOTES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
FUNDAMENTAL ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of fixed asset investments at market value and have been prepared on the accruals accounting basis.
The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 are the first financial statements prepared in accordance with FRS102. The date of transition to FRS102 was 1 January 2015. The trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS102 a restatement of comparatives was needed. No restatements were required.
The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the transactions, assets and liabilities of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
The financial statements do not include funds collected for other charities, whether these funds are sent directly to the charities by the organisers or are passed through the PCC’s bank account. They also do not include fees for weddings, funerals and other services which are assigned by the incumbent to the Diocesan Board of Finance.
GOING CONCERN
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern thus the PCC continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements
FUNDS
Restricted Funds represent:
-
1.income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects specified in the terms of the trust or bequest, and
-
2.donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object.
These funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the accounting period is carried forward as a balance on that fund. The money received for different funds is normally co-mingled and is not normally placed on deposit in separate bank accounts. Deposit interest is apportioned to individual restricted and unrestricted funds on the basis of the average balance of these different funds.
Unrestricted Funds are funds which are available for the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.
INCOME
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the donation is received. Grants are recognised when the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due. Legacies are recognised when the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement following grant of probate and is notified of the amount due and the settlement date. Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.
Dividends are accounted for when receivable and interest is accrued. Income from the Halsey Bequest Fund is recorded based on when funds are received by the Guildford Diocesan Board of Finance.
Services donated by members of the parish are normally not included in the financial statements. It is neither appropriate nor feasible to evaluate the voluntary work done by members of the church, because participation in church activities is part of what it means to be a Christian and is the bedrock upon which the ministry and mission of the parish is built. Services donated by “outside” individuals and organisations are normally included in the financial statements.
EXPENDITURE
Grants and donations for missionary and other charitable giving are accounted for when paid or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when it is due. Any parish share which is unpaid at the balance sheet date is provided for in these financial statements as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor
16
in the balance sheet. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and includes attributable VAT where it cannot be recovered.
EXCEPTIONAL EXPENDITURE
One-off and large value payments are normally included in the financial statements as exceptional items of expenditure, to ensure that within the financial statements there is information concerning the significant items of expenditure authorised by the PCC. Also, this ensures that the amounts shown in the financial statements for the other categories of expenditure are comparable with prior years.
GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENT ASSETS
Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on the revaluation of investments at the balance sheet date.
FIXED ASSETS
Consecrated and benefice property are not included in the financial statements in accordance with section 10 of the Charities Act 2011. See note 6d for a description of these assets.
Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church’s inventory, which can be inspected at any reasonable time. Expenditure to renew, improve or add to such assets is written off as an expense.
Freehold land and buildings not deemed as investment properties are included in the financial statements at their estimated original cost. They are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of one hundred years from the date when the construction of the building was completed.
Machinery and equipment is depreciated on a straight line basis over four years. Individual items with a purchase price of £500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
Investments held as fixed assets are included in the financial statements either at open market valuation or at the mid-market value at the balance sheet date and the gain or loss on revaluation in the Statement of Financial Activities.
CURRENT ASSETS
Amounts owed to the PCC at the balance sheet date in respect of fees, rents, tax recoverable on gift aid donations and other sources of income are shown as debtors, less provision for amounts that may prove to be uncollectible. Short-term deposits and cash at bank are funds held on deposit with Lloyds TSB Bank plc.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The PCC only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
17
WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - INCOME
| UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED FUNDS FUNDS £ £ 2 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 2A Donations and Legacies Planned giving: Gift aid donations 14,668 - Tax recoverable 495 - Other planned giving non gift aid 480 - Collections (open plate) all services 3,019 - Tax recoverable open plate (295.00) - Parish Giving Scheme GA Donations 52,757 - Parish Giving Scheme Tax Recovered 13,051 - Donations 1,087 10,212 Legacies 15,000 - Friends funds - 153 Grant Income - 15,000 Other income - 28,990 TOTALS 100,262 54,355 2B CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES Events 7,186 - CHURCH LETTINGS St Alban's Church Hall 8,317 - Fees 9,770 - Other Church Activities 930 - |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 14,668 16,583 495 4,245 480 505 3,019 3,679 (295.00) 920 52,757 51,162 13,051 12,381 11,299 15,703 15,000 111,227 153 485 15,000 - 28,990 0 154,617 216,890 7,186 5,131 8,317 9,038 9,770 8,079 930 406 |
|---|---|
| TOTALS 26,203 0 |
26,203 22,654 |
| 2CINVESTMENTS Interest income from bank deposits 4,156 1225 Income from investment assets Crowdy 1,571 - Income from Halsey bequest 2,880 - Rental income from OVAL and WOOTEYS (gross) 24,340 - - |
5,381 2,610 1,571 1,361 2,880 2,765 24,340 23,500 |
| TOTALS 32,947 1225 |
34,172 30,236 |
| TOTALS 2A 2B 2C 159,412 55,580 |
214,992 269,780 |
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - OUTGOINGS
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS NOTE £ 3 EXPENDITURE ON: 3a RAISING FUNDS Planned giving - Friends Fund raising - Other fund raising- Church Events - |
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS NOTE £ 3 EXPENDITURE ON: 3a RAISING FUNDS Planned giving - Friends Fund raising - Other fund raising- Church Events - |
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS NOTE £ 3 EXPENDITURE ON: 3a RAISING FUNDS Planned giving - Friends Fund raising - Other fund raising- Church Events - |
RESTRICTED FUNDS £ - - - |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 0 0 - - 0 168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | 0 168 |
||
| 3b CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Missionary and other charity giving 3c Ministry costs 3d Church running costs 3e St Alban's Hall expenditure Routine maintenance expenditure 3f Depreciation of fixed assets 11 Administration and other support 3h Property costs for oval and wooteys 3g Other items |
- 91,453 30,437 2,577 10,014 4,763 26,210 6,922 - 172,376 |
1,800 - - - 4,029 - - - 454 6,283 |
1,800 900 91,453 84,298 30,437 39,630 2,577 4,004 14,043 14,860 4,763 3,484 26,210 24,400 6,922 4,074 454 178,659 175,650 |
|
| 172,376 | 6,283 | 178,659 175,818 |
||
| 3c MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING The church overseas 13 UK Church organisations 13 UK Secular charities 13 Other donations |
- - - - |
- - - 1,800 |
- - - - - - 1,800 900 |
|
| - | 1,800 | 1,800 900 |
||
| 3d MINISTRY COSTS Parish Share Rector expenses Rector other (telephone and other) Rector house repairs |
87,593 102 1,413 2,345 |
- - - - |
87,593 80,761 102 2,230 1,413 1,307 2,345 |
|
| 91,453 | - | 91,453 84,298 |
||
| 3e CHURCH RUNNING COSTS Choir, flowers, bells Church utilities and insurances Visiting Organists fees & music licences Verger costs honoraria and fees Church Activities relating to services Church Activities other,cafes,clubs,lunches |
1,281 15,630 6,507 510 1,719 4,790 |
- - - - - - |
1,281 1,488 15,630 26,288 6,507 5,146 510 840 1,719 855 4,790 5,013 |
|
| 30,437 | 0 | 30,437 39,630 |
||
| 3f ROUTINE MAINTENANCE COSTS INC CLEANING St Mary's Church St Mary's Church Building Project Fees St Alban's Church St Mary's Churchyard |
6,616 - 2,206 1,192 |
- 3,489 - 540 |
6,616 5,882 3,489 5,648 2,206 2,454 1,732 876 |
|
| 10,014 | 4,029 | 14,043 14,860 |
||
| 3g PROPERTY COSTS FOR OVAL AND WOOTEYS RENTALS Oval Maintenance 1,439 Oval Fees 2,805 Wooteys Maintenance 720 Wooteys fees 1,958 TOTALS 6,922 |
- - - - |
1,439 797 2,805 458 720 1,062 1,958 1,757 |
||
| 6,922 | - | 6,922 4,074 |
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - OUTGOINGS - Continued
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED | Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 3h ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER SUPPORT COSTS | ||||||
| Parish Administrator | 14,084 | 14,084 | 13,270 | |||
| Computer and photocopier | 2,736 | 2,736 | 2,502 | |||
| Postage and stationery | 671 | 671 | 632 | |||
| Parish Office | 3,741 | 3,741 | 4,186 | |||
| Parish Office property costs | - | 0 | 544 | |||
| Bank charges | 247 | 247 | 269 | |||
| Other items | 1,383 | 1,383 | 563 | |||
| Advertising posters and website | 1,948 | 1,948 | 1,034 | |||
| Independent examination fees | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,400 | |||
| TOTALS | 26,210 | - | 26,210 | 24,400 | ||
| 4 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND | STAFF COSTS | |||||
| Number of employees at year ending | 31 December 2023 | 1 | ||||
| Number of employees at year ending | 31 December 2024 | 1 | - | 1 | ||
| Salaries and wages | 14,084 | - | 14,084 | 13,270 | ||
| Social security | - | - | - | - | ||
| 14,084 | - | 14,084 | 13,270 | |||
| In the year ended 31 December 2024, one person was employed | by the parish and two people were paid verger fees for weddings and funerals. | |||||
| BREAKDOWN OF STAFF COSTS | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Parish Administrator ( including costs | ) | 14,084 | 13,270 | |||
| Vergers | 510 | 840 | ||||
| - | 14,594 | 14,110 |
5 PCC MEMBER EXPENSES FOR YE 31 DECEMBER 2024
£150 £235
Various out of pocket expenses were paid to congregational members during the year. Such figures are not detailed here but form part of the costs shown earlier. No Trustees were paid for their roles as Trustees in the year ending 31 December 2024.
5b Land and Buildings
St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill, Worplesdon
This is a Grade 1 listed building. The oldest part of this church is the Chantry or North Chapel, which is no later than the 11[th] century. The chancel dates from the 13[th ] century and the Nave is 14[th] century in origin. Significant changes were made to this church in later centuries. The value of this building and its contents for insurance purposes was £6,132,787 at 1 June 2014. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the churchyard at this church. The church and churchyard have not been included in the financial statements for the reasons set out below.
The Rectory and the Parish Office, Perry Hill, Worplesdon
The Rectory and the Parish Office were constructed in 1987. The Parish Office has a separate entrance but is not detached from the Rectory and the Rectory’s garage. The Rectory and the Parish Office have not been included in the financial statements for the reasons set out below.
St Albans’s Church and Church Hall, Wood Street Village
The Church and Church Hall were constructed in 1967. The value of this building and its contents for insurance purposes was £1,482,197 at 1 June 2015. This is a single building and the PCC have concluded that the Church and Hall cannot be sold while the Church continues to be used for church activities. The Church Hall has been included in the financial statements at its original cost. St Alban’s Church has not been included in the financial statements for the reasons set out below.
Consecrated and benefice land and buildings
The Charities Act 2011 states in section 10 that benefice property and consecrated property are removed from the definition of charity for the purposes of the Act and should not be included in the PCC’s financial statements. Accordingly, St Mary’s Church and the Churchyard, St Alban’s Church, the Rectory and the Parish Office have not been recorded as being assets owned by the PCC and are excluded from the balance sheet.
The PCC’s responsibility for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of land and buildings
The Diocese of Guildford is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Rectory. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Parish Office and the other properties specified above and for the maintenance and upkeep of the churchyard at St Mary’s Church.
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - ASSETS
| 6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs, accumulated depreciation and net book value | Freehold land and | Unrestricted funds | Total | Total |
| Buildings (note 6b) | Machinery | 2024 | 2023 | |
| and equipment | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| COSTS | ||||
| At 1 January 2024 | 7,612 | 27,071 | 34,683 | 31,809 |
| Additions | - | 2,394 | 2,394 | 2874 |
| Disposals | - | - | - | |
| AT 31 December 2024 | 7,612 | 29,465 | 37,077 | 34,683 |
| ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 January 2024 | 4,262 | 17,572 | 21,834 | 18,274 |
| Charge for the year | 76 | 4,687 | 4763 | 3560 |
| Disposal | ||||
| AT 31 December 2024 | 4,338 | 22,259 | 26,597 | 21,834 |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 December 2023 | 3,350 | 9,499 | 12,849 | |
| At 31 December 2024 | 3,274 | 7,206 | 10,480 |
6b FREEHOLD LAND AND BUILDINGS
| Property Date of Acquisition Part of land between St Mary's Church 1935 and the A 322 road St Alban's Church Hall, Wood Street Village 1967 Total Costs |
COST £ NIL 7,612 |
|---|---|
| 7,612 |
6c MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
During the year the PCC has purchased a Container for storing Churchyard maintenance equipment.
| 7 | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed asset investments | 7a | 42,238 | |
| Investment Property | |||
| Oval and Wooteys Way | 7d | 558,902 | |
| TOTALS | 601,140 |
7a INVESTMENTS: HISTORIC COST AND MARKET VALUE
| CAF UK Equity income fund CAF Fixed Interest fund Market Value 1 January 2024 Purchases at cost Disposals at carrying value Revaluation GAIN/ ( LOSS) Market value 31 December 2024 |
AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Number of Historical Market Number of Historical Market Units cost Value Units cost Value £ £ £ £ 9,726 9,726 17,308 9,726 9,726 16,415 30,012 30,013 24,930 30,012 30,013 24,829 |
AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Number of Historical Market Number of Historical Market Units cost Value Units cost Value £ £ £ £ 9,726 9,726 17,308 9,726 9,726 16,415 30,012 30,013 24,930 30,012 30,013 24,829 |
|---|---|---|
| 39,739 42,238 39,739 41,244 |
||
| £ 41,244 - - 994 42,238 |
Market Value is the mid point between the bid price and the offer price. CAF is the Charities Aid Foundation
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
7b The Tom and Elizabeth Crowdy Bequest
Under the will of the late Mrs Elizabeth Crowdy, the residue of her estate was left absolutely to St Mary's Church, Worplesdon with the desire that the income from the investment of these funds be used for the internal and external upkeep of St Mary's Church and the desire that the capital sum be used only when absolutely necessary. Her wish was that these funds should be known as the Tom and Elizabeth Crowdy Bequest. In round figures the PCC received £72,000 from the Tom and Elizabeth Crowdy Bequest during 2000 and used £29,000 of this money during 2002 to help pay for urgent repairs to the tower parapet and bell cote of St Mary's Church. The funds are invested by the PCC with CAF and shown as above.
7c The Halsey Bequest Fund
Half of the income from the Halsey Bequest is paid to Worplesdon PCC and the other half is paid to Guildford Cathedral. The receipts and payments of the Halsey Bequest Fund are administered by The Guildford Diocesan Board of Finance. The income received from The Halsey Bequest is included in the income from investments (see note 2c).
None of the investment assets of The Halsey Bequest Fund are included in the balance sheet as investment assets of Worplesdon PCC. The Halsey Bequest Fund is not administered by the PCC. The PCC is not consulted when trustees are appointed nor when investments are purchased or sold and no member of the PCC is a trustee of The Halsey Bequest Fund.
Funds obtained by the trustees of The Halsey Bequest Fund are included from the disposal of invesments have to be reinvested and only the income from these investments can be paid to Worplesdon PCC and Guildford Cathedral.
7d The Jenny Jordan Bequest
During 2023 a bequest of £59,062 was left to Worplesdon PCC by a very longstanding member of St Mary's congregation. The will stated that the this was a specific bequest and should only be used for the maintainance of St Mary's Churchyard.
7e INVESTMENT PROPERTY
In October 2017, the PCC purchased the investment property 125 Wootey's Way, Alton Hampshire for £ 247,448 to add to the other investment property 24 The Oval, Wood Street Village purchased in 2016 for £311,454. In 2024 rental income net of agents fees and maintenance costs are recognised as investment income ( see note 2c) for both properties. The latest valuations for these properties remain their respective purchase prices
| Valuation 1 January 2024 No additions or disposals Valuation 31 December 2024 UNRESTRI |
£ 558,902 - CTED FUNDS |
|---|---|
| 558,902 |
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - DEBTORS, CREDITORS
| 8 DEBTORS | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| ST Albans hall income due | 236 | - | 236 | 342 | |
| Halsey bequest income | 2,600 | - | 2,600 | 2,400 | |
| Prepaid Expenses | 2,608 | - | 2,608 | 2,570 | |
| Recoverable gift aid | 7,787 | - | 7,787 | 15,976 | |
| Other sundry debtors | 239 | - | 239 | 300 | |
| Unrestricted GASDS TAX | 1,597 | - | 1,597 | 3,644 | |
| Restricted gift aid tax recovery - Friends | - | - | 0 | 443 | |
| TOTALS | 15,067 | 0 | 15,067 | 25,675 | |
| 9 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Utilities and suppliers | 1,765 | - | 1,765 | 6220 | |
| Independent examiners fee | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | |
| Deferred income-lettings, weddings/funeral fees | 300 | - | 300 | 560 | |
| PAYE/ Nat Ins liability | 156 | - | 156 | 107 | |
| Diocesan assigned fees | - | - | 0 | 729 | |
| TOTALS | 3,621 | - | 3,621 | 9,016 |
9A RESOURCES EXPENDED- MISSIONARY AND OTHER CHARITABLE GIVING
2020 saw a change of strategy to previous years. We set up the GS (GOOD SAMARITAN) fund intended to give financial assistance to both individuals and organisations in need during this year plagued by the covid virus. It was funded partly from a percentage of the operating (non accrual) profit from 2019 and partly by donations from Parishioners. This remains a live ongoing fund.
10 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Expenditure contracted for but not provided for in these Financial Statements totalled £ nil (2023 £nil )
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WORPLESDON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 - FUNDS
11 GENERAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| Balances | Incoming | Resources | Transfer | Balances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | Resources | Expended | IN/OUT | 31/12/2024 | |
| PCC General Funds | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Tangible fixed assets | 12,849 | 2,394 | 4,763 |
- | 10,480 |
| Other funds | 735,034 | 156,320 | 167,613 | - | 723,741 |
| Crowdy Bequest Funds | 41,244 | 994 | - |
- | 42,238 |
| Building Reserve Fund | 45,439 | 698 | - |
- | 46,137 |
| 834,566 | 160,406 | 172,376 | - | 822,596 |
12 RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Balances 31/12/2023 Concert to pay for new piano 169 Parish youth 529 St Mary's Ch. Altar linen/candles 150 St Mary's Bells repair fund 11,380 St Mary's Church/churchyard repairs 35137 St Alban's chairs 108 Choir 908 Organ 5368 Friends of Worplesdon Parish 1,762 GS Fund Missionary giving 2,330 St Mary's Double Flush Project 11,560 Worplesdon United Charities Endowment - Worplesdon United Charities Income Fund - Childrens Society Collection - Churchyard Maint - Jenny Jordan Legacy 59,062 128,463 |
Incoming Resources - 500 - 157 573 - - - 153 2700 21,952 28,990 342 213 - 55,580 |
Resources Expended - 454 - - - - - - - 1,800 3,489 - - - 540 6,283 |
Transfers Balances IN/ (OUT) 31/12/2024 - 169 - 575 - 150 - 11,537 - 35,710 - 108 - 908 - 5,368 - 1,915 - 3,230 - 30,023 - 28,990 - 342 - 213 - 58,522 - 177,760 |
|---|---|---|---|
NOTE 13 MISSIONARY AND OUTWARD GIVING
| GS FUND Expenditure Individuals UK Secular charities |
TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 £ £ 1,800 900 - - 1,800 900 |
|---|---|
Worplesdon United Charities
Worplesdon United Charities were a group of local charities who administered Endowment funds left many years ago by a number of local benefactors for the poor and needy living in the Parish of Worplesdon. It was stipulated that the Rector of Worplesdon Parish should be the Chair of Trustees of the charities. Since 2019 it has become increasingly difficult to find local people willing to act as trustees to the charities and make distributions of funds to local poor and needy families who had to be identified. As a result it was decided by the existing trustees before the resignation of the Rector that the funds should be transferred to the Parish of Worplesdon and be administered by the PCC. During 2024 the endowment funds of £28,990 have been transferred to the PCC and at the year end 2024 are included in cash funds. Since the year end these funds have been invested with CCLA. The Worplesdon United Charities will be closed as soon as is reasonably possible.
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