Reports for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 3rd May 2026
Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Lis For the Year Ended 31st December 2025
Priest in Charge The Revd Clare Welham
Clergy with Permission to Officiate The Revd Gay Horrex The Revd Peter Coley The Revd Di Townsend The Revd Graham Hamborg The Revd Linda Robertson The Revd Judith Bee
Readers
Mrs Eleanor Childs (Permission to Officiate) Mrs Annie Coley (Permission to Officiate) Mrs Penny Tapp
Bank Lloyds Bank PLC
Independent Examiner Leonie Sadler 19 Liphook Road Whitehill GU35 9DA
Administrative information
The Parish Church of St. Mary is situated in Station Road, Liss. It is part of the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth within the Church of England.
The correspondence address is The Parish Office, St. Mary’s Church, Station Road, LISS, GU33 7AQ
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1128279
PCC members who have served from 1st January 2025 until the date this report was approved are:
Priest in Charge The Revd Clare Welham Churchwardens Annie Coley Clare Oakley
Deanery Synod Robin Coulson
PCC Secretary Penny Briggs
Treasurer Revd Graham Hamborg
Ex Officio Eleanor Childs
Safeguarding Officer Justine Jenner
Elected Members:
Charlie Van Wijk to April 2025 Christine Greaves to April 2026 Helen Vasper to April 2026 Maddy Clark to April 2026 Jane George to April 2027 Rodney Fisher to April 2027 David Self to April 2027 Robin Coulson to April 2027 Sue Hampton from April 2025 to April 2028 John Horrex from April 2025 to April 2028
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance and requirements on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had due regard to it in their administration of the PCC.
As part of its general promotion of the whole mission of the Church the PCC provides a benefit to the public by: -
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Providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers; and
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Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
Objectives and activities
Liss PCC has the responsibility of working with the Priest in Charge and churchwardens, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Its objectives are to make the light and love of God known in our world, which we will do by being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus and doing what Jesus did.
Compliance
The parish reviews its Health and Safety Policy and procedures yearly in order to be compliant with relevant Health and Safety legislation. The Parish is fully compliant with the Diocesan Child Protection Policy. The Safeguarding Officer is Justine Jenner. The PCC complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Committees
The PCC operates through committees and working parties which meet between full meetings.
Standing Committee
This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The members are the Priest in Charge (chair), Churchwardens (one of whom is the deputy chair), Treasurer and two people voted from the PCC (In 2025 these members were Robin Coulson and Maddy Clark).
Finance Committee
meets under the chairmanship of John Heath and provides support to the Treasurer and advice to the PCC on financial matters.
Buildings Committee
meets under the chairmanship of David Self to supervise the care of the buildings for which the PCC is responsible. These are the Church, churchyard and the churchyard of St. Peter’s, West Liss. The Church Hall is currently leased to Crossover who are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance under a full insuring and repairing lease.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Electoral Roll
At April 2025 there were 82 persons on the Electoral Roll; 4 are non-resident in the parish.
PCC
The PCC met 10 times during the year. The committees met in between these main meetings, and reported back to the full PCC meetings as and when appropriate. The PCC received reports of the Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod from the Parish representatives.
Personnel
We benefit greatly from the services of Revds, Peter Coley, Di Townsend, Graham Hamborg, Linda Robertson, Judith Bee and also Annie Coley, Eleanor Childs and Penny Tapp as Licensed Lay Readers who continue to offer strong support in many aspects of parish life, for which we are all very grateful.
Finances
Full details are set out in the Financial Statements and the Finance Report attached, which you are encouraged to read.
Charities
During 2025, we continued to support a number of charities, including Crossover, through direct donations, special collections and fundraising events. Our three main charities in 2025 were: Crossways Counselling, Samara Aid and Mosaic Middle East. Our commitment to these charities came to an end at the end of 2025 and the PCC has decided to wait until we are no longer running a defecit budget to consider future charitable giving.
Signed:
See signed Financial Statements for signature and signed Independent Examiner’s Report
The Reverend Clare Welham Priest in Charge on behalf of the PCC
Date: 3rd May 2026
A Snapshot of our Church in 2025
CHURCHWARDENS
Since the 2025 APCM, Annie and I, as Churchwardens, have continued our involvement in the normal running of the Church, ensuring that the weekly routines and Sunday services are covered. Dividing the jobs between us - rotas for reading, serving, cleaning, sacristan duties, unlocking/ locking, checking the communion supplies and church linen - has worked well. We are constantly aware of the need to check the Health and Safety arrangements for
the Church as well as the associated Safeguarding. Training is on-going and together with Reverend Clare and Justine Jenner we can ensure that all the necessary resources and requirements are in place.
Much has happened during the year. The Quinquennial inspection was carried out, a new bench donated and installed in the churchyard, and much general maintenance. Two excellent fund-raising concerts were well attended together with a wine tasting evening. In addition, both the summer and winter versions of G&T were arranged to enable people to get together. We have welcomed Dawn, our new Administrator, and thank her for all she has done so patiently to help us with our numerous enquiries and requests. Welcome also to Kate, the new Youth Leader, appointed at the end of the year.
The October count and annual attendance review for 2025 was carried out and submitted to the Diocese. The attendance figures for church services remain much the same as last year. Some of our older friends have sadly left us but new faces have arrived through the many new initiatives introduced by Reverend Clare, to include the Alpha Course, Back to Church, Back to School and Encounter services. So, a busy and rewarding time, and our grateful thanks go to all those who have quietly and willingly supported us with the many things that always need doing but are rarely acknowledged. And just to flag up – Annie and I are retiring at the next APCM 2027 so please do consider joining the team and supporting Reverend Clare in all the wonderful work she does for us all.
Clare Oakley
PETERSFIELD DEANERY SYNOD 2025-6
The Deanery Synod is part of the way the Church of England gives people at different levels a chance to discuss key issues and organise the church's ministry and mission. It sits between the parishes with their Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) and the full diocese, with its Diocesan Synod. It is convened by an Area Dean and Lay Chair and consists of all the licensed clergy in the Deanery and lay people elected by the parishes at their Annual Parish Church Meeting. The lay members serve for three years. The most recent elections took place at APCMs in 2023, so the current 3-year term is ending now, and Deanery Synod representatives for the 2026 – 2029 term are to be elected at the 2026 APCMs.
The Lay Chair is Vanda Leary of St Peter’s Petersfield. Rev’d Dr Susie Collingridge (Steep & Froxfield with Privett) is Area Dean. Amanda Greenlee is Deanery Secretary, and David Normington is Deanery Treasurer.
The main work of the Deanery Synod over the past year has continued to be working together to support growth. Over the last year this has included:
● Employment (via St Peter’s Petersfield) of a half-time Children & Families worker for the deanery, Rebecca Parkyn. This role is grant-funded for 3 years.
● Petersfield Deanery Chapter continuing to work together in a Diocesan pilot of “Cairns” – Benedictine style networks to support clergy wellbeing and further develop collaborative working for mission.
Deanery Synod met 3 times in 2025, and welcomed guest speakers on Carbon Net Zero, and Stewardship.
Deanery Synod acts as the electorate to General Synod (elections due in 2026) and Diocesan Synod (elections due in 2027).
I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the continuing life of this deanery, in particular the Standing Committee which in 2025 consisted of Vanda Leary, Neil Chrimes, David Normington, Amanda Greenlee, Lynn Carter, Rev’d Dr Susie Collingridge, Rev’d Peter Sutton, Rev’d Valentine Inglis-Jones.
Vanda Leary, Lay Chair, Petersfield Deanery Synod, 1 March 2026
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding - although underpinned by values of promoting a loving and safer church in which everyone is welcomed as unique and loved individuals, free to worship and seek fellowship without judgement, prejudice, fear of being coerced, controlled or abused - is largely about systems and protocols. Using these, including DBS checks, safeguarding training, policies on recruitment and oversight of workers and volunteers, to name but a few, an objective framework is put in place that allows us to deal with complex human relationships and situations that always transpire within a community, with objectivity and clarity. This detailed framework allows us, as a church, to identify and practice good governance, listening well and clear communication, a healthy church culture, the modelling of loving, safe behaviour and an awareness of power dynamics.
I took on the role of DBS administrator last year as well as continuing with my role as Parish Safeguarding Officer. Despite often feeling a lack of sufficient time to give to the bureaucratic administrative nature of these roles, I and Revd Clare have worked well together to increase our use of the Parish Dashboard, set up by Portsmouth Diocese, to record our activities within the church, our volunteers and to make sure that their DBS checks and relevant safeguarding training are completed, to communicate safeguarding concerns with one another and how we proceed or record them. Clare’s involvement with safeguarding has been a huge encouragement and point of accountability for me.
The PCC has approved policies this past year relating to ‘Responding to Concerns and Allegations’, ‘Lone working with vulnerable adults and children’, ‘Appropriate boundaries regarding vulnerable adults and children’, and the ‘Recruitment of ex-offenders’.
I have recently been involved with a lot of safeguarding admin in relation to our wonderful bell ringers. They are model volunteers in that they are keen and prompt to carry out training, send relevant certification evidence and communicate their progress. We have also put in place volunteer driving agreements/parental contracts for those who give lifts to bell practice to under-16s.
We still have a long way to go in recording all the relevant information on the many activities we provide as a church and significant improvement is to be done on our formal oversight of volunteers in their various roles. However, I witness that we are a loving and caring church family that seeks to model loving behaviour and concern for one another and members of our community who do not share our faith.
It has been strikingly obvious this past year that one of the main safeguarding and pastoral concerns within our church community is the care of our elderly members. We are fortunate to have a caring congregation who look out for each other and are discreet in communicating their concerns for those members who seem to need more help not only in attending church safely but also in their daily lives. Many thanks to you all in helping promote a safer church.
Justine Jenner
ST MARY’S THE WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY
SERVICES
The regular monthly pattern of main 10.15am services continued: Holy Communion on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays, All Age Worship on 1st and a more informal Communion followed by bring and share lunch on 3rd. The flexibility of the worship space enables a variety of layouts from formal to in-the-round and all arrangements in between:
from Big ....
The largest service of the year was, as usual, the Royal British Legion-led Remembrance Service. Liss turned out in force, with all uniformed organisations represented and standing room only. Afterwards, Liss Band led the parade down to the war memorial where Revd Clare presided at the wreath laying.
The Christingle at 4pm on Christmas Eve was packed with excited children and families but the pattern of the last few years, to create a little space for quiet and wonder with story-telling and real candles in the darkened church, was appreciated by everyone. Even unaccompanied adults have started coming to this service!
Annie Coley
... to Small
The 8.30 Traditional Holy Communion Service takes place on the first Sunday each month to complement the non-Eucharist All Age Service later. The quiet, contemplative nature of the service is appreciated by a small, faithful band of worshippers. Numbers have been reducing over the past few years so the
decision was taken to hold this service once a month, starting in July 2025, instead of twice a month.
Jane George
MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION is a little-known gem of a service every Wednesday morning from 9.30 till about 10am. A group of ten or so regularly gather for a quiet Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer, normally with Rev Clare presiding and with no hymns or sermon.
The IONA evening service on the first Sunday of each month continued, a quiet, reflective end to the day, attended by a small but sadly decreasing number. The liturgy is taken from the worship of the Iona Celtic community. We don't usually sing but there is often some music and a short meditation. Everyone is most welcome to join us at all of these quiet and restful worship opportunities.
Revd Judith Bee
Initially for a trial six months, 2025 saw the birth of a new informal service christened ENCOUNTER. The hope was to create a slot in our worship calendar for those who would value a less liturgical gathering with modern music, and space and time to share scripture and prayer together. Each gathering has been different in style and content and they have been appreciated by those who attended them. At the end of the year, the congregation widened a little for a special Advent Service making use of the Advent Antiphons set to new music. Particular thanks to Graham, Sue and John who have added so much by playing for us at several Encounters this year.
Revd Clare
In 2025 our LENT GROUP was ‘Living Life in all its Fulness: Exploring Christian Spirituality’, picking up on our verse of the year by equipping us in prayer and Christian living. As was the case in previous years, a short lecture was followed by time in discussion groups. Each week we looked at a different tradition covering the teachings of Benedict, Francis and Ignatius before moving on to look at more modern approaches from places like Iona and the Northumbrian Community and the Worldwide Order of the Mustard Seed. Huge thanks to Home Group leaders and members who provided delicious refreshments and prepared, served and cleared away each week.
Revd Clare
MONTHLY PRAYER
The monthly prayer meeting has continued to take place every 3rd Tuesday of each month, meeting in the Upper Room between 8-9pm. We seek to encounter God in our time together, to understand His will through the sharing of what’s on our hearts and minds and to note, with thankfulness, prayers that have been answered. We also seek to share honestly in prayer our frustrations and disappointments, although this is often a more vulnerable area to explore. It has been faithfully attended in person by a small cohort of 9 -12 members of
the congregation who all have different expressions of prayer, which is greatly valued. It has also been faithfully supported by people at home who have used our prayer notes to join us in prayer, an idea of Robin’s, so that we could be as inclusive as possible.
We have prayed for the mission and fellowship of our church, the life of our wider community and for national and international concerns. I think it is fair to say that we discern God’s work mostly in the personal and local rather than prayers answered on a broader stage. But we continue to seek in hope our Father and His kingdom come. In the summer months, we had prayer-walk meetings, in which we split into two groups and walked set routes around the village, stopping and praying for different people, places, businesses, activities, churches, school etc. It was a truly wonderful way to pray together and call forth God’s blessing on our community. We stopped and talked to locals, sometimes about what we were doing but mostly about their dogs! We were joined by a couple of people from two other local churches for these walks, and it reminded us of needing an initiative/ impetus to gather the local churches together to pray for each other and our village. This used to occur over a monthly breakfast but was ‘killed off’ during covid and never reestablished. Amongst other things, we have been thankful for the Alpha group that was started last September and has continued into a small homegroup style meeting on various Tuesdays.
We prayed for various appointments and have been blessed by the appointment of our administrator, Dawn, our children and families’ worker, Kate, and our curate to come, Lizzie.
Unfortunately, the prayer group did not meet during the Alpha course season, September to November. Robin and I are always keen for others to join in leading the prayer meetings, whether we are available or not.
Thank you to all who joined us in prayer this last year, whether in the Upper Room or at home. "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them." (Matt18:20).
Justine Jenner and Robin Coulson
TEAMWORK
The Sunday by Sunday organisation of St Mary's church couldn't go forward without the many volunteers whose names regularly appear on rotas: Sidespeople, who sometimes act as Vergers, Readers and Intercessors, Coffeemakers, the Clean Team, and the heroes who regularly transform the layout from playgroup back to church. These duties are largely unsung but we sure would miss them if they didn't happen quietly week by week. Thank you, everyone. Please note these lists are not closed and we are always looking to involve and recruit, especially younger people!
In addition, we have lists of people who are willing to help with the special hospitality events we put on throughout the year. More than 20 enthusiastic bakers can be called on as needed, and our Third Sunday lunches, which are growing in popularity, have a small core of committed volunteers who regularly
organise the food and clear up - thank you in particular, David Bradbury and Gill Griffin.
Annie Coley
MUSIC
Music is still thriving at St Mary’s. The services, and the church overall, sees many different styles of music played and sung. We can only hope that everyone will find something to like!
Regarding the liturgy, we use David Thorne’s Gloria setting and the Sanctus and Agnus from the Brian Knowles setting, which is less easy for visitors to pick up as it is rather unique. On the first Sunday of the month there is an All Age service with Laura Hauer leading a band from the keyboard, made up of members of the congregation usually with guitars, cello and clarinet. On occasion there is a singer leading from the front.
The Carol Service has attracted a large congregation for the past few years and 2025 was no exception. We had enough people prepared to join a scratch choir for the occasion and I found an old arrangement of ‘Mary Had a Baby’, which I did several years ago and resurrected, plus we sang Darke’s ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’. This is the occasion when we can include some carols which will not be sung at other services over Christmas. St Mary’s also hosts concerts given by its resident string ensemble the South Downs Camerata, whose members live in or close to Liss, and other groups – choirs, chamber music and of course Liss Band.
Lucy Flint
AV
The AV team are the group of tech operators who sit behind the mobile console at the back of St Mary's, controlling the sound system and the projector. The team comprises Chris Jenner, John Heath, Ruth Hamborg and Robin Coulson. This group handles most of the services and some other events such as the Barn Dance, parties and concerts when needed. In addition to the AV team, some other events like funerals and irregular services may be covered by a larger group including the service leaders, wardens and funeral vergers. Recently, we have unfortunately experienced some intermittent system faults, which are taking longer to rectify than we would like. Our apologies for this and the disturbance it causes our services. We hope to return to a faultless service soon. We would like to thank all who have helped in 2025 and would welcome any newcomers who would like to join the team.
Robin Coulson
FLOWERS
We have eleven people on the flower team. Penny Tapp manages the team and is well supported by other members. Sadly, Theo Hargreaves died last autumn, and we miss seeing her at our seasonal gatherings. Arrangements have been made for seasonal and festive occasions and poppies for Remembrance Sunday, as well as for funerals when requested.
We like to gather for refreshments and chat when we are decorating the church together. Most of the team attended the annual summer tea party at Penny and Andrew’s home last summer - a good time to enjoy each other’s company.
We have an annual rota, and now all members contribute to the altar arrangements throughout the year at a time that suits them. All flower arrangers can claim reimbursement from the Flower Fund via Dawn in the church office or Graham Hamborg. We don’t have flowers in church during Lent and only green foliage during Advent. We have continued to cut back our use of oasis. We continue to be most grateful to Anne Walden for her expertise and dedication arranging porch flowers. People notice and comment on her arrangements throughout the year. We are grateful to Clare Oakley for ordering and arranging lilies for Easter and the All Souls Remembrance service once again, on top of all her churchwarden and sacristan duties. Last October Gay kindly gave a demonstration for a pedestal arrangement, and several non-church attendees came. We were grateful that two local people, Karen from the Triangle, and her friend Lucy, arranged Christmas flowers for us. New members or guest arrangers are always welcome. Thanks to all who assist with refreshments during our flower arranging meetings. I am personally very grateful to everyone for their loyalty and hard work.
Penny Tapp
HOME GROUPS
In 2025 there was a network of Home Groups spanning the week, some wellestablished, others just getting started.
MONDAY AFTERNOON GROUP
Our home group meets in the afternoon, on the first and third Mondays of the month. We began in September and are an ecumenical group made up of people from three different churches in the area. At the moment we are studying passages from Luke’s Gospel. There are nine of us, so we have room for others who would like to join, as we learn together from God’s word.
Gill Griffin
MONDAY EVENING GROUP led by Graham and Ruth Hamborg meets fortnightly (or so) on a Monday evening. We began 2025 with some sessions on Prayer, as we undertook the final sessions of the Prayer Course that we had begun in the previous Autumn. Our final evening on this was one where we didn’t discuss prayer, but prayed through the whole evening with sections of praise, confession, intercession, and supplication. We then broke for a while to join in with the parish Lent Course. After Easter we re-started with a DVD of ‘Easter in Art’.
We had a one-off evening looking at the Nicene Creed, as its 1700th anniversary was being marked, and a further one-off session looking at the Alpha Course. We then embarked on a series of evenings on passages from 1 Corinthians. In the autumn we looked at the book of Jonah, using a DVD. The year finished with a session in which we all brought along a favourite carol to share, talk about and, in some cases, to sing. We had one new member join us in the Spring, otherwise our membership has remained steady through the year.
Graham Hamborg
ANOTHER MONDAY EVENING GROUP! meets every other Monday evening. There are now six of us. During the year we followed the Pilgrim course on the Beatitudes and then a series on the Psalms. This enabled us to understand more deeply what the Psalms have to offer us in many different contexts. We laugh a lot, and there’s plenty of tea/coffee and chocolate biscuits. We stop meeting during Lent in order to attend the parish Lent course. New members are always welcome.
Judith Bee
ALPHA It was with some trepidation that I hung the Alpha banner on the hedge and sent out invitations for the 2025 Alpha Course. Would anyone come? How would they find the material? Would they come back for week 2? I needn’t have worried, a small but lovely group was formed; the meals provided by volunteers in the church community were delicious, the videos were largely enjoyed, and the topics for discussion ranged far and wide. Most importantly, relationships were strengthened so much that we didn’t want it to come to an end. As a result, the TUESDAY EVENING CHURCH HOME GROUP was formed. Now meeting without the Alpha meal, it was initially made up of seven people (and two dogs!) and we’ve already welcomed an extra member. The aim is to be the place for those at the start of their faith journey or new to St Mary’s, although, as with all our home groups, everyone is welcome.
Revd Clare
THURSDAY MORNING GROUP meets on the second and fourth Thursdays and continues to be an ecumenical group. At the beginning of the year we completed the Pete Greig course on prayer. The rest of 2025 was spent in studying the book ‘Wild Bright Hope’. It consists of twelve chapters, each written by a young person working as a Christian representative in a different part of the world. For example, one is the Anglican Communion’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and another is the Archbishop’s Parliamentary and Public Affairs Adviser and Researcher. They all write passionately about what gives them hope. There is a chapter on ‘Seeds of Unity’, another on ‘A vision for hope in politics’ and one on ‘Hope in suffering’. It is described as a hugely heartening book on hope - we certainly found that to be true. We are happy to welcome new members.
Di Townsend
THURSDAY EVENING GROUP
Our numbers remain stable - around 10 and we meet fortnightly. Over the last year it has been good to share the leadership with Tina Cross. In the early summer we followed a video series by Jeff Lucas on the life of Samson, ‘There are no strong People’. Not as good as the previous one by him, though we had some good discussions. In the Autumn we attempted the first session of ‘The Chosen’, but chose not to continue with it! Instead, we started on The Pilgrim Course on the Creeds, which we managed to complete by December. In September we all enjoyed a Bring and Share lunch together (with spouses) generously hosted by Val Kelly. Eleanor Childs
FRIDAY MORNING GROUP continues to meet every two weeks 10-12 noon. Two new members have joined us. We enjoyed using The Creeds module from the Pilgrim series. Earlier this year we used ‘Gracious Dialogue’, a four week course from Embrace the Middle East. This aimed to help us understand the dreadful conflict taking place in the land we call "Holy”. Currently we are exploring ‘Attentive to God’ by Tony Horsfall. The aim of this book is to help us to become more aware of God's presence in our daily lives. Before Christmas we shared lunch together and we started the New Year with a simple service of Holy Communion. Occasionally we might discuss an item from the news that has caught our attention or challenged us. The ethos of the group continues to be one of loving, mutual support - there are times when we share at a very deep level.
Revd Gay Horrex
MEN’S BREAKFAST
We have continued to meet on the first Saturday of each month using four different homes and have welcomed church members and friends to chat over a very Full English Breakfast. Most months we have a speaker and when not a discussion among ourselves. This year among others we have welcomed a Biker, an Architect, an Industrial Chemist, an Accountant and a Musical Director, all of whom have given us much food for thought. Our numbers vary from 12 to 17 and we are most grateful to our four hosts in their scramble to get things ready for 8.30am - some more calmly than others. No one as far as we know has had food poisoning so we must be doing something right. We finished the year with our annual Burger and Bowling at the Spectre in Guildford. It has been good to welcome some new faces and there is (somehow) always room for more. Come and smell the bacon.
Trevor Childs and Peter Coley
LADIES’ GATHERINGS
We have continued to meet on the first Saturday of the month for breakfast together. We are a friendly, sociable group, varying from 12 to 16 people, and have frequented a variety of local cafés and garden centres for anything from tea and toast to full English - all tastes catered for. We have also occasionally been hosted in homes large enough to accommodate us, and have then had a speaker. This year Alicia, Gill and Lilian have all shared experiences with us. Thank you to them and this year's hosts. £254 given at these events was added to the Christmas Pop-up Breakfast in the Village Hall, which this year was for the work of Mosaic in Gaza. Details of the breakfasts can be found in Liss List each month and all are welcome.
In December we continued the tradition of a Ladies Christmas meal. 21 of us went to the Half Moon, Sheet, for a two-course meal with coffee and mince pies. A lovely evening was had by all.
Carole Revell and Jenny Whidborne
G&T
Into the fifth year, these small summer tea parties continue to be very popular with hosts and guests alike, with the majority of church members joining in, the aim being to deepen friendships, relieve loneliness and enjoy time together
in the open air. This year 12 were held, one of which was an ‘everyone welcome’ Sunday afternoon hosted by Eleanor and Trevor Childs. G&T pops up in a couple of guises: in the summer it's Garden & Tea, in the winter we started informal teatime events in church which we called Gathering & Tea! Popular with children and adults alike was the Crafternoon, organised by Alicia and Jenny, and Board Games. Thank you once again to the wonderful bakers for providing cakes and cookies for these events.
Annie Coley
ST MARY’S THE BUILDING
BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
The committee, which consists of Graham Parrott, Revd Clare Welham, David Self, Trevor Childs, Peter Stemp and John Horrex, met in January, March, June and November during 2025. In November, David Self stood down as Chair of the Committee and was replaced by Graham Parrott. The Committee thanked David for his many years’ service.
In July 2025, architect Ross Aylward, was commissioned to undertake the Quinquennial Inspection (QI). This is an inspection of the internal and external condition of the building. The Inspection report was subsequently received in November 2025. This is a very detailed report providing a snapshot of the condition of the building. The report states that, in general terms, the Church is in good to fair condition. The report identifies various items requiring repair/ maintenance in the coming years. The most significant of these is the roof. There are a number of other smaller items, and we are already looking at the most urgent of these that require attention in the next 12 months. In addition to the items identified in the QI report, the Committee maintains a schedule of regular maintenance inspections, carried out by members of the Committee. Routine maintenance on the bells and clearance of leaves and debris from the tower roof is undertaken by bellringers Ian Mitchell and Rachael Barber. We recently commissioned contractors to carry out work to upgrade the scaffolding giving access to the bell tower. During 2025 the Electrical Installation Condition Report was received. The electrical installations at the church passed the required safety standard, subject to one piece of remedial work. Subsequently, contractors carried out repair of some damaged external cabling and, at the same time, replaced the sensor light overlooking the path to the side of the Church.
Other items on the maintenance schedule include annual servicing of the boiler and radiators and the regular testing by appropriate contractors of the portable electrical appliances and fire extinguishers in the Church.We are responsible for the upkeep of not only St Mary’s but also St Peter’s churchyards. One of the tasks undertaken by the Committee is the annual check of the paths and gravestones in the churchyards. In addition to churchyard working parties, members of the congregation mowed the grass, cut hedges, raked leaves and weeded paths to keep the churchyard tidy. In the summer, some additional gravel was laid to improve the condition of the path leading to the War Memorial. Thanks to all those involved. Work has taken place to trim some trees in St Peter’s churchyard and a Faculty was obtained to allow a new shed
to be placed in St Peter’s churchyard. A big thank you to all the Buildings Committee and our helpful volunteers for their hard work and support.
Graham Parrott
CHURCHYARD AND GARDEN
St Mary’s has a big churchyard, largely surrounded by hedges and there is a lot of work each year to keep it in tidy condition. We are so grateful to a small team of volunteers (St Mary's Garden Gang!) who each take on an area of the churchyard, mowing and strimming, and also to those who join occasional Saturday morning work groups on special tasks. Some of the larger tasks and areas not covered by the garden gang are done well by our paid helper, Michael. The borders are kept in good order by Jenny and Carol - many thanks - the approach to the church looks lovely. Our church garage has a good selection of useful tools for volunteers. More volunteers are always welcome and useful!
Trevor Childs
We continue to take care of the flower borders at St Mary's - planting, pruning and tidying up through the year. We aim to have something scented and something in flower throughout the seasons. We are also trying to introduce more drought-tolerant plants to reduce the need for watering.
Carole Revell and Jenny Whidborne
BELLS
I have the privilege of remaining the Tower Captain of a very friendly and enthusiastic band of bellringers. We continue to welcome new learners and ringers into the band and have an encouraging mix of age groups. This year has seen several members of the band achieve their first 1⁄4 peals (45 minutes of ringing non-stop). Huge congratulations to all of them.
The tower is now equipped with a ringing simulator which enables additional training/learning sessions to take place without the bells ringing out across the village. Open practice night remains on Friday and we ring for Sunday services, as well as forming the backbone of a band keeping Milland Bells ringing for their Sunday morning services. Some ringers also help at Rogate and Trotton as well as practising at West Liss on some Thursday nights.
There is also a camera mounted inside the bell chamber and this has now been connected to the large TV at the rear of the Church, allowing members of the congregation to see the bells in action and also to use when we have visits from the likes of Liss Beavers, when the handbells are also used.
Following the quinquennial inspection some work has been completed in the bell chamber to make the scaffolding more robust and Ian Mitchell has replaced the wire netting behind some of the louvres to prevent birds getting in. We still have issues with condensation leading to some of the plaster blowing and partial delamination of the ceiling decoration. We are also experiencing issues with the quality of the bell ropes and will look to undertake a gradual replacement of the worst ones with better quality replacements. We were saddened by news of Bill Briggs’ passing and rang both a half-muffled ‘in memoriam’ 1⁄4 peal the day before his funeral and call changes for his funeral service.
Finally, I would like to place on record mine and the whole band’s thanks to the helpers who turn out on a regular basis for practice nights to help the band progress. In particular a huge debt of gratitude is owed to Rachael Barber and Francesco Greenslade who have dedicated a lot of time teaching and supporting.
Simon Longlands, Tower Captain
THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY'S
The Committee having decided to mount one major and one or two simpler fundraising events each year, the major fundraiser for the year was a very successful wine-tasting party. More modest in aspiration, but with an attractive result, was the photographic competition leading to the production of a calendar for 2026. These events, together with the renewal of their membership by most of the original Friends, have increased the FOSM restricted fund to about £10,000 at the time of writing. This is an encouraging start as FOSM was only launched about 18 months ago.
Whilst fundraising has been fairly successful, more disappointing has been the lack of support from the wider non-churchgoing community in terms of becoming a member and/or commitment to a regular financial contribution by Bankers Order. We still have only about 30 families as members (out of about 2600 households in the village) and only 3 regular “givers”. The Committee will continue to publicise the aims of the FOSM as actively as possible.
The Committee has been strengthened by the recruitment of Karen Feeney (Manager of the Triangle Centre) but we would like to bring one or two more people on board who are not members of the regular congregation. Members continuing to serve are Cllrs Keith Budden and Clayre Williams, Crispin Paine, Rev Clare and Michael Oakley.
The Committee is proposing to support the forthcoming appeal to re-roof the church in two ways. First by raising the funds to fit solar panels if this aspect receives Faculty approval. Second by encouraging and co-ordinating all small fundraising initiatives across the community. Various major and minor fundraising events are under consideration for this year, and details will be published in the Parish Magazine.
Michael Oakley, Secretary
BOOKINGS
At New Year, Bridget Hughes organised the ceilidh which has been a feature of the season for many years now, filling the church with enthusiastic dancers of all ages (and abilities!) We were privileged to enable Hope Church to hold a big thanksgiving service for one of their members. Our flexible space has been used for post-funeral hospitality on several occasions - outside caterers are very complimentary about the facilities we can offer. As usual, Liss Band, School, and Community Choir booked for their large seasonal gatherings, as did Bohunt School in Liphook. Camerata, Spirit of Music and The Siena Singers all returned for their concerts, and children's birthday parties were also held. This is a useful revenue stream - even though it is a lot of work for some, turning a worship area into a reception venue and back again. If more ablebodied could be available to help now and again, the churchwardens would love to hear from you!
Annie Coley
BUILDING UP A NEW GENERATION
CHILDREN AT ST MARY'S - to March 2026
This has been a really successful year for the children’s team at St Mary’s. A major highlight has been the arrival, in January 2026, of Kate Legg, our Children and Families leader. She’s been a superb addition to the team, has quickly built a rapport with the younger members of the congregation and held a Lego Church event in February half term, which was very well, attended by about 40 children with their parents and carers. Another similar event is planned for Easter Week and we are hopeful that this will enable us to connect more with the wider community. Kate now takes the young people for a session on a third Sunday, meaning that there is focused teaching for children every Sunday.
We have a reliable group of six children from four families who attend most weeks and while our eldest child is ageing out of Sunday School, there are two younger siblings who will soon be ready to join. Among the adult congregation, a child aged 12 has started to attend services independently of family, which has been very encouraging.
Sunday School continues to follow the Roots programme. Over the year, one of our leaders stepped down but another member of the congregation joined the team as a helper, which was much appreciated. It is hoped that more people will come forward to lead and engage with our children, as it is hugely rewarding and naturally a very important part of our mission.
Charlotte van Wyck
STEPPING STONES is the go-to toddler group for parents, carers and toddlers from Liss and surrounding area to meet and play on Thursdays during term time. The mean average attendance for 2025 was 28 (29 in 2024) with lots of regular faces each week. This year the report has been written mainly by the group saying why they like to come. Children: B playing with lego, S riding on the pink bike and doing the craft things, J the slide and playing with cars, W bikes and slides, R comes for the pancakes, L loves the dolls house, climbing frames and pushchairs, N looks forward to coming every week, A loves the singing and space to ride the cars, O loves the pancakes and seeing his friends.
Mums/Carers: Safe place, welcoming and supportive, well-established and well-known in the area. Warm and friendly, have made friends, good facilities, meeting friends. Brilliant range of toys, great choice, climbing frames, craft, slides, music, books. Best toddler group in the area, best coffee, been coming for ten years and will be sad when youngest goes to school. It’s a community, with tea, cake and chat. Wonderful volunteers. Best bit is the buzz and the vibes.
Volunteers: Being part of the team. A breath of fresh air. Making friends, building community. All ages 0-90 have a morning of food, friendship and fun. A setting-up team member values being part of St Mary’s and helping each other.
Some families came to the Christingle and Carol services in Dec 2025. Families have also come to the Messy Church sessions, and baptisms have been held. The Lego Church event at half term Feb 2026 was well attended and enjoyed.
We said a big thank you to David Bradbury who stepped down from doing the chairs in November, with the result that the setting-up team now combines chairs, toys and equipment; and said a big thank you and farewell to Kat Teuten, who moved away in
January 2026. We’ve been delighted to welcome Judith Bee and Andy Rigby to lead some of our singing time now Kat has moved on. Many thanks go to Revd Clare and everyone for helping in so many ways.
Carol Richards
MESSY CHURCH was held once again on the Saturday of the Easter Weekend. In a lovely combination, the flower ladies decorated windowsills ready for Easter Morning, whilst the children made all sorts of things from Jammie Dodger Tomb Biscuits to God’s Eye Crosses and a fantastic Easter Garden which several returned to see in action the following morning on Easter Day.
Then, before we knew it, Spring turned to Summer and the long holidays were upon us. Always our most well attended sessions, the Summer Holiday mornings were full of laughter and fun. The first morning was themed around the parable of the Prodigal Son and the second around the wise and foolish builders. After lots of crafting, the children and their carers are invited to join a short time of worship where they heard the story, sang a worship song and took part in a prayer activity. I’m so grateful to those who prepared food and made sure we could offer a lovely lunch at the end of each session - this was much appreciated by the families who are always amazed that we don’t just feed the children but everyone present!
Thank you to our willing crafters and to all who helped set up and clear away. It’s still a goal to have a more regular Messy Church but every session is worth it and allows us to share the Gospel with families who don’t attend our regular services.
Revd Clare
ST MARY’S IN THE COMMUNITY
SCHOOLS MINISTRY
I really look forward to my Tuesday assembly visits to Liss Junior School. I’ve watched those who were just starting in the Juniors when I arrived make their way up to year 5 and they’re always so keen to engage and both answer and ask questions (not all of which can be answered in the short time I’m there!). Once again, the Junior School pupils and staff came to St Mary’s on the last day of the Autumn term to hold their nativity play. They read, sang and acted beautifully and it was great to see them becoming familiar with the space. I also visit the Infant School on a slightly less regular basis and was particularly delighted that the school asked for a ‘class Christingle’ this year so that all the infant children could invite their grown ups in to help them build their own Christingle to take home.
2025 was my second year as a governor and I’ve continued to be so impressed by the dedication of those who offer time and experience in so many ways, among them our own Graham Parrott. It’s not an easy time for schools, with tight budgets and much regulating, but Liss has a fantastic team of Governors, Teachers and Support Staff who make it a special place to be.
Revd Clare
GOOD FRIDAY
Again this year, a small band of Christians headed by Revd Clare and drawn from the village churches gathered around a rough wooden cross at the Triangle for a short act of witness.
EASTER DAY
At another early morning gathering, the cross was transformed by flowers as we celebrated the Risen Lord Jesus!
CAROLS ON THE GREEN
Once again we had 'Carols on the Green' outside the Triangle Centre, and although the weather had been poor, we were anticipating a large crowd, publicity having gone out to every household and with a big attendance last year. Even so, with everyone participating enthusiastically as the Christmas Story unfolded, and hearty carolling - including a new 'folksy' carol - it was a joyful evening. The usual hot drinks and goodies were served from the Triangle kitchen and a great team effort meant a very enjoyable community event went well. Special thanks to Roy Gregory for the keyboard accompaniment.
CHRISTMAS CARDS AND PUBLICITY
The task of advertising our events seems increasingly to be through social media, though the PCC thought it important to leaflet every household with a Christmas card and to invite everyone to our Christmas events. A big thank you to all those who diligently and very willingly delivered nearly 2000 cards around the village. At the same time we do publicise special events on our A4 poster boards, planted strategically round the village. Peter Coley
VILLAGE MAGAZINE
I continue to edit the magazine, while Linda Robertson is responsible for producing it, using Publisher software. Ten issues were published this year, with July-August and December-January being combined issues. 190 copies are printed each month, most of which are paid for and delivered. A few are collected from church and a few sent by post. Advertising remains stable and together with subscriptions, comfortably covers the cost of production. Dawn deals with advertising renewals and enquiries and is in charge of printing. Carol Richards assists with proof reading and Carolyn Clark also assists and bags the magazines up ready for distribution. A big thank you to everyone involved.
Eleanor Childs
LISS FOOD BANK
We have been in St Mary's Church for one and a half years, and really appreciate our central position, with easy access for our clients and volunteers. We continue to serve households mainly in Liss, with a few in Hawkley and Greatham. We encourage people to come to the Wednesday walk-in sessions so they can select the items they need. We also deliver on average to 6-8 households per week. We have around 30 volunteers. This year we lost two of our key workers, but others happily stepped up to fill their roles. Early in 2026 we are introducing a referral system, which will ensure that needy people will always be able to get help. In spite of that, we would never refuse anyone who came to us in distress.
Those helped in 2025 (last year in brackets) Households receiving food 74 (73) Average requests weekly 13 (11) Total requests for food 683 (590) New clients 28 (16) Total adults served 100 (102) Total children served 60 (55) Financial summary Total expenditure for 2025 was £16,571, an increase of £2,759, mainly due to inflation. Total income was £19,095. The bank balance remains healthy due to the generosity of local businesses and individuals throughout the year. With grateful thanks to everyone who has helped us this year.
Lilian Taylor
BEREAVEMENT CAFE
The Bereavement Café continues every third Monday from 2.30-4pm, a safe space for people to meet others in their bereavement journey and enjoy a drink and cake together. The team is Revd Linda Robertson, Nigel Drury, Andrew and Penny Tapp, Claire Marsden, Revd Judith Bee and Carol Richards. The number of those attending varies each month with eight being the most. Some visit a couple of times and others attend regularly. It is a friendly supportive group.
Claire Marsden
RESIDENTIAL HOMES
ROTHERBANK AND FOREST BROW
We have continued with a monthly service (second Thursday) throughout the year, with one of us leading and the other giving a talk. We always have a BIble reading and normally type out a prayer for residents to say together and keep. We sing hymns and songs - led by an increasingly decrepit player with his guitar! We find the residents very welcoming and appreciative, as are the staff. I think we normally leave them in a more joyful state than we find them and are always blessed ourselves.
Revd Peter Coley and Eleanor Childs
EAST HILL AND MILKWOOD
Penny Tapp and I go every Second Thursday to East Hill and Milkwood Residential Homes to share a couple of hymns (projected from YouTube), a short Bible reading, a talk (usually on a seasonal theme) and a prayer. Over the months we have got to know both residents and staff and made to feel very welcome. If one of us is unable to go, we like to recruit someone to come along and be a smiley presence. If you would like to, please let me know - I think you would enjoy it. In December as usual, an expanded group of carollers, resplendent in Christmas jumpers and Santa hats, retold the Christmas story and sang all the favourite carols that evoke such memories.
Annie Coley and Penny Tapp
BLENHEIM COURT AND EASTFIELD
Revd Judith and Revd Clare have continued the long established Communion Service at Blenheim Court with each visiting once a month. Although our music is a-cappella we always enjoy singing familiar hymns. It’s a delight to get to know the regular residents and staff and spend time chatting over tea after the service. For the first time, some residents have also been able to join us at Sunday worship at St Mary’s on a couple of occasions. In 2025 Eastfield was added to the list of monthly care home visits with Revd Clare visiting monthly. A small group of residents gather to receive Communion and I’m sure this will continue to grow in the year ahead.
Revd Clare
FUN- AND FUND-RAISING
This year we held three fun(d)raising events specifically for St Mary's. South Downs Ukuleles treated us to a winter afternoon G&T, which put a smile on our faces as only ukes can and raised £485 in donations. The Summer Fete in the Rectory Garden was an extremely hot July afternoon and also clashed with the Wimbledon Ladies final, both of which may have affected attendance. It was still a lot of fun, though, and made £1434. An Autumn Concert with The Free Radicals, held café-style with posh nibbles, made £650 and was a delightful evening of a capella classics. All of these events were designed to have broad community appeal while also raising money for the roof appeal, which will be officially launched in 2026.
Annie Coley
ST MARY’S IN MISSION PARTNERSHIP
2025 was the final year of our three year commitment to our three chosen charities: Mosaic Middle East - a charity based in Petersfield, focused on aiding Christian
Communities across the Middle East and providing humanitarian support in an area that is very much in the news and in our prayers. Samara’s Aid - a charity working in Syria that will be well known to many of you and one which the St Mary’s community has supported practically and financially in the past. Crossways Counselling Service - who provide support for local adults on a ‘pay as you can’ basis and who are developing to also provide youth counselling from age 11 up. The Christingle offering went as usual to The Children’s Society.
Sadly, due to a continuing deficit budget, we will now cease to contribute as a church to other charities. However, we’re very keen to make sure that causes close to our parishioners’ hearts receive the support of individuals in the meantime, and I hope that this is something we will revisit when the budget balances at last. This year individual members have supported and brought to the wider congregation the needs of a schools link in Uganda, Elam Ministries, which strengthens the Christian church in the Iran region, and Novo, working to rehabilitate drug addicts in various parts of the world.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The World Day of Prayer is an annual women-led global ecumenical movement. The service is on the first Friday of March in over 170 countries, which means we are all praying together for peace and justice on the same day. In Liss, we join with St Agnes Roman Catholic Church and take turns to host the service. The 2025 service was held in St Mary’s and written by Christian women of the Cook Islands. Fifty people attended and raised approximately £350 which went towards international projects around the world. Carlyn Heath
The popular CHRISTMAS POP-UP BREAKFAST in the Village Hall was held again, alwaysa very happy community event for all who enjoy a bacon sarnie or sausage roll and the fun of the glitzy tombola.This year proceeds were for Mosaic (see above). £983 was raised, to which was added £254 given through the year when Ladies Breakfasts were hosted in homes. Thank you to Carole Revell and Jenny Whidborne, who headed it up again, and the whole enthusiastic team.
Annie Coley
Liss Parochial Church Council Charity Number 1128279 Treasurer's Report on the Accounts for 2025 The Finance Committee has attempted to simplify the presentation of these Annual Accounts to enable ready understanding. There is, therefore, less detail in the main page of accounts, with notes giving more detail. The single page of figures contsins both our Income and Expenditure, and our Balance Sheet Iststement of Assets and Liabilities). A second single page contains the notes. The Accounts are. of course, compliant with church accounting regulations. The unrestricted, general income and expenditure shows a deficit for the year of £6993. This was less than was feared at the beginning of the year, thanks to some generous increases in regular, pledged giving at the beginning of 2025. The introduction of the passing of the collection bag in services has also led to an increase in cash collections. The Finance Committee predicts a further defi.cit for 2026, 50 the need for increased giving and tr.ght controls on expenditure remains. Restricted and designated monies in our deposit account5 have increased with interest payments and some specific donatr"ons. During the year a new deposit account has been opened for money given to the Friends of St Mary's. There will be some expenditures from our deposit accounts during 2026, with the funding of Kate Legg as children's and youth worker coming from one deposit account, and expenditures in preparation for replacement of the nave roof from another. The PCC'S Reserve Policy is that it will hold a minimum of £30,000 in reserves. The funds tonstituting'Reserves' comprise the PCC'S current accounts and CBF Deposit Fund General Account. My thanks to the members of the Finance Committee.. John Heath Ichairl, Michael Oakley, Rodney Fisher, and Rev Clare Welham. Particular thanks to both Michael and Rodney for much time given to help in the preparation of these accounts. My thanks, too, to our administrator Dawn Smith, whose competent handling of day to day matters is invaluable. The Finance Committee would be strengthened by the addition of one or t0 new members. If you might consider this, please speak to one of us. Graham Hamborg ITreasurerl
LISS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL CHARITY NUMBER 1128279 FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER2025 RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTSACCOUNT NOTES Unrestricted Restricted Designated TOTAL 2025 TOTAL RECEIPTS Note I 2024 Voluntaryglvlng Planned Giving Collections at seNces Unplanned donatyons Legacies Giftaid recovered Subtotalvoluntaryglvlng Grant5 61615 2203 63818 58858 6586 6415 6586 7163 21376 Note2 25 2500 20000 16541 911S7 542 3493 17083 97050 17203 119908 25ty) Note 3 1550 1550 Parish magazine Fundraising Collected & Raised for charity Fee5 forweddingslfunera15 Church hall rent Note4 2699 2699 2765 2673 745 3418 6180 Note8 Note S 3842 3842 3661 3432 3432 1388 9400 9400 9540 Church hirefees 2630 2346 2630 6275 738 5312 Noie6 1692 2237 TOTAL RECEIPTS Note 7 115887 9772 4737 130396 157940 PAYMENTS Parish shareto Diocese 74064 74064 74064 Clergy& Staffing cost5 Church runnlnB costs ExternaigvinÉ Parish magazine production Miscellaneous expenses Note9 13797 13797 10956 Noie 10 28174 1668 29842 25319 Note 8 4180 1779 3842 8022 19620 Note4 1779 1066 1795 1068 Note 11 180 TOTAL PAYMENTS 122880 128570 132822 Ex¢es$ Ideflcltl of Re¢elpt$ over payments .6993 4082 4737 1826 25118 Bank & InvestrnentAccount515t Jan Inter Fund Transfers 59717 29701 65290 154708 129590 Note 14 -1516 18465 -16949 Bank & Inve5tmentAccount5 315t Dec 51208 52248 53078 156534 154708 Chanqe 1826 STATEMENTOFASSETSAND LIABILITIES Bank CurrentAccounts Inc cash Note 12 2025 2024 3255 1619 4874 14812 Inve5trnent5- CBF Dep051t Funds lat C05tl Chuich hallfreehold ai cosi Noie 13 47953 50629 53078 151660 139896 150000 150000 150000 Tal assets 201208 52248 53078 306534 304708 2024 209699 29701 6529) Increase inAssets 1828 ANALYSIS OF RESTRICTED AND DESIGNATED FUNDS Note 14 Rèsiiicied.. Friends £9029, Roof E18993, Rectoi DiseretionaryÉ585. 45% of Children & Youth E23842 Designated.. Legacies Fund E24183, 55% of Children & Youth £28895 Approved by Liss Parochial Church Council on 11 March 2026 and subsequently by email and signed on its behalf by Rev Clare Welham. chair Signed................................................................................................... Date.. /s/J
LISS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL CHARITY NUMBER 1128279 Notes to the Accounts Note l-Accountin8 Procedures The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Church Accounting Regulations 2006. The Receipts and Payments statement is prepared on a cash basis and no accruals or liabilities at year end are included. Note 2- Legaciès RetèivÈd £500 from the estate of the13te Mr5 Ballantyne received March. 2025.. £2000 from the estate of the late Oesiree IDizzyl Roderick ceiVed April 2025. Note 3~ Grant5 £350 from Li55 Parish Council towards Churchyard Maintenance. £1200 from East Hampshire District Council for Churchyard Maintenance. Note 4- Parish Magazine Subscriptions Income £2175 + Advertising Income £524.. Total £2699 Costs.. Postage £129 + Allocation to pape¥ & copying costs £1650. Net Proceeds £1779. Note 5- Fees from Weddlngs and Funerals Gross Fees received by PCC £5461. Fees remitted to Diocese £2029. PCC nett £3432. Note 6- Interest Received Unrestricted fund5.' on current accotjnts and CBF Deposit Account. Restricted funds.. on Friends of St Mary's Current Account and CBF Deposit Accounts for Roof , Friends of St Marvs, and 45% of Children & Youth Worker Fund. Designated funds: on CBF Deposit Accounts for Legary Fund and 55% of Children & Youth Worker Fund. Note 7- Frlends of St Mary's The Friends Deposit Aecount was opened in July with an initial transfer in of £7500. A further £IOOO was transferred into it in September. Friends income for the year was £3526 lof which £745 was fundraising activitvl. Note 8- External Giving by the PCC Direct giving by the PCC was to Li55 Youth Centre (Crossover) £1800., Samara'5 Aid, Mosaic Middle East, Cr055ways CoLJnselling £785 each,. Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Historic Churches Trust IHIHCTI £25. Additionally donations have been made as'pa5S through, sums from retiring collection5, fundraising and Special donation5 to.. Growing Communitie5. Zambia £20., Samara's Aid £1018,. Mosaic Middle East £1805,. Crossways Coun5ellin8 £103,. HIHCT £388,. Rosemary Foundation £150; Children's Society £358. Note 9- Clergy and staffing costs Salaries for Administrator and Organists. plus Rector s expenses. Rectory water charges, and Training. Note 10- Church runnlng costs Insurance £2748. building maintenance £8244. churchyard £4742. utilities £5886, plu5 service5, administration and housekeeping cost5. Note 11- Miscellaneous Sundry expenses of Hospitality, Community Events, Children & Families Actr'vities, Local Mission & Evangelism. Note 12- Rector's Dlscretlonary Fund is held in the current accounts but is Restricted. Its current balan is £585. Note 13- Church Hall The hall w35 built in 2000 and 15 shown at C05t price. It 15 leased on a rolling annual basis to Crossover with rent for 2026 being £100. Cros50ver insure and maintain the building and have paid for improvement5. The PCC effectively owns the Hall but not the Church or Rectory. Note 14- Restricted and Designated Accounts The Roof Fund is treated as entirely Restricted, a change from previous years in which it was deemed to be part restricted and part designated.
Independent examiner's repcKt on the aCC(nts of The Parochlal Church Coundl Of The Eccleslastbcal Parish Of St Marfs, Liss Re815tered Charfty No: 1128279 l Ytport tothe trustees on my examIna of ttr• acttsJnts of thè abl tharlty llhe Trust"1 for tr ve•r ended 3tst Oecember 2025. A5 the charfty's trustees, ) a resptsnslble for the pletknn of the ac(ounts In a(axdm wfth the requlrements of the Charltles Act 2011 llhe A¢t"l. I report in respert of my eyamlnatlon ofthe Trusys ¥counts carrled under se¢tlon 145 olthe 2011 kt and In urryin8 out ex•mlnatlon, I have followed all th• aPicable DIretthxsgpfi Iy th• Charity Commbslon undèr sectlon 14515llbl of the rt I ha completed myeyamlnatkn. I confirm that no materlal matters come to ny attenth)n In conn•rtknn w6th the eyamlnation whk 8Ives me cause w believe th•t In. •ny m•terfal respect: the accountlng records were not knpt In accordanc• wlth seeOn 130 ofthè Charblles Art.. or the acLVUrts did not accord with the •¢countln8 re¢grd5; or the atttjunts did not Cornp wlth the appllcable requlreffnts concernthg the forni and contrnt of 3ctounts set out in the Charftles (Accounts and Reports) Re8ulatlons 2(Xother than any requirnmentthat the accouflts 81¥ a'true and falrf whlth ts not a matter t91dered as part of an Independent 4vmlnat. I hav2 no conc•r and hw• come xross no othÈr matters In nIn wllhthe examlnaiion to whl¢h attention should be drawn In th15 report kn ordef to enable a proper understsndln8 ofthe •ttountsto be re•th¢d. Oate.........24103n026...... .. L*onle Sadler FCWI 19 Llphook Ao Whitehlll GU35 9DA