The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of
St Mary's Church, Stoke D'Abernon
Registered Charity no 1128323
ANNUAL REPORT
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
REcfoR
Revd Sister Phaedra Pamphilon-Green CA
BANK
National Westminster Bank PIC
Independent Examiner
Mr lan Roberts, BSC, ACA
40 D'Abernon Drive, Stoke D'Abernon KTII 3JD

Annual Report for the Year ended 31 December 2024
Background
St Mary's Parochial Church Council IPCCI has the responsibility of
promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social
and ecumenical
Membership
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual
Parochial Church Meeting IAPCMI in accordance with the Church
Represent"ation Rules.
During the year the following served as
members of the PCC:_
Ministers
Reverend Sister Phaedra Pamphilon Green
CA Rector
Reverend Mary-Beth Hawrish
William Fellows
Sue Prentice
Christopher Harwood
Churchwardens
Representative on the
Deanery Synod
Elected Members
Julian Ball (Ringing Mosterj
Jane Berridge ITreL75urerl
Mike Lee
Mary Quinn
Harriet Mortimer
Claire Kin8
lan Read
Susie Carpenter
Christopher Harwood - Coopted
Polly Zabarl
PCC Secretary
Electoral Roll
At the end of 2024 the total number on the Electoral Roll was 136, of
which 30 were resident in the parish and 106 outside of the parish. I
resident and 3 non residents were removed from the Roll due to deaths
in 2024 and 2 resident5 and 8 non resident5 were added to the Roll
during 2024.

Rector's Report
°Rooted in faith and guided by love, we are o welcoming community dedicated to traditional
worship, excellent music, c7nd compassionate care.
Through hospitolity and inclusivity, we embrace all who seek spiritual growth, connection, and
belonging, reflecting God'5 groce in all we do..
Dear Friends in Christ
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not
give up.
Galatians 6..9
As we gather for this year's Annual Parochial Church Meetin& I want to be8in by giving thanks for all
that God ha5 done among us over the past year. l also want to express my deep gratitude to each of
you for responding to His call, making St. Mary's a truly welcoming and caring communitv.
The APCM is an opportunity to reflect on our church's life, celebrate our many blessings. and discern
how we can continue to serve God faithfully in the year ahead. As you'll see from the various
reports, St. Mary's has been a busy, affirming, and growing church.
Our Mission and Outreach
Throughout the year, I have continued to seek God's guidance on where He is calling us and what
our mission should be within our community. Together with the PCC, we have prayerfully focused
on outreach to those who are lonely, elderly, and single. recognising the important role our church
hall plays in community engagement.
l am particularly grateful to Polly, who took the initiative to explore our involvement with the Single
Friendly Church Network and the diocesan 'Hear, Here, scheme. Thanks to her efforts, she is now
trained to offer hearing aid checks In church, but we need more volunteers to support this valuable
service.
In seeking opportunities to connect with the wider community. I was delighted when all the
candidates for the General Election attended our successful Hustings event. It was wonderful to
welcome people from all walks of life into our church, and it helped raise awareness of St. Marfs, as
many still don't realize we are herel
As part of our outreach vision, the PCC and I decided to dedicate one day a week to community
events In the church hall, possibly through a cafe offering various activities. Sharing this vision at
Residents. Association meeting led to a conversation with Princess Alice Hospice. and I'm pleased to
announce our partnership in launching The Compassionate Café, which will begin in March 2025.
I have always been keen to celebrate all that makes St. Marfs special our spirituality, traditional
worship, music, hospitality, welcome, care, and inclusivity. More than just celebrating these
strengths, I want us to share them with our community, and I believe we are making great strides.
However, we must continue seeking ways to grow spiritually and share our faith with others.
Throughout 2024. we welcomed new face5 at our Services and events. Some highlights include:
Our fir5t-ever Burns Night, filled with laughter and fellowship.

The Hustin8s, which engaged the wider community.
Our first Surrey BachFest, an extraordinary success.
We've also seen longstanding members retire from key roles, yet we have beer) blessed with new
people stepping forward to serve. When I first arrived, I had to twist lan's arm to stay on as
Churchwarden for another year because we had no successor. Today, l am pleased to say that lan
has become a fantastic Verger thank you. lanl He was Succeeded as Churchwarden by Willlam
Fellows, who has done a sterling job, hitting the ground running thank you, William I
A special thank you also to Sue"Prentice. who steps down as Churchwarden this year after six years
of dedicated, loyal, hardworking, and faithful service. Sue has been a real asset to our church,
keeping our lunchtime concerts goin& maintaining the electoral roll, and ensuring we stayed within
budget. Wh ile we will miss her in this role, it is a testament to our church's growth that we are now
able to fill her position.
Gratitude for Our Church Familv
Revd. MaryBeth Thank you for your support, prayers, and friendship. Being a Rector can be a
lonely role, but your presence has been a blessin& and I deeply value your insightful preaching.
Sara Read & the Flower Team
stu nning floral arrangements.
Thank you for brlnging beauty and joy to our church with your
Suzy & Polly - Your Spud Suppers have been a source of joy and fellowship. even bringing
newcomers into our church family. Thank youl
Polly lagainll - Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to St. Marvs are Invaluable. From
church events to hall management-even ropin8 in your children and grandchildren you do it all I
James Vickers - Thank you for your dedicated service as our wedding and funeral verger. Families
truly appreciate your care and attention.
Matthew & the Choir- The BachFe5t was 3 significant step for us as a church, and your leadership
made it a 5ucce5s. Here's to an even bigger and better festival this yearl The choir's music continues
to uplift and inspire thank you for all that you do.
Malcolm King & Judith Elllson - Thank you for bringing my mad idea of a life-size stable to life-it
turned out even better than l imaginedl Malcolm, your work behind the scenes keeps our church
and hall running smoothly thank you I
Julian Ball & the Bellringers- Your dedicatlon ensures that our church bells continue to ring out as
a reminder to the community that we are here, active, and alive. Thank you for making our presence
known in Stoke D'Abernonl
Unsung Heroes
I want to express my gratitude to all those who serve quietly behind the Scenes Readers, Duty
Wardens, Chalice Assistants, Sidespeople, Brass Cleaners, Linen Washers, and our Finance Team,
who ensure our resources are wisely stewarded. Your work, though often unseen, 15 deeply
appreciated.

Looking Ahead
Finally, l extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your prayers, dedication, and
Support make our church the vibrant, loving community that it is.
As we move forward, l encourage us all to prayerfully consider how we can continue to grow in
faith. love. and Service. There are always new opportunities to explore, challenges to overcome, and
people to reach with the message of God's grace.
Let us remain Steadfast in our commitment to being a church that welcomes, nurtures, and serves.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless u5 311.
Pax et Bonum
Rev. Phaedra Pamphilon Green
Rector
Churchwardens, Review of the Year
2024 has been a successful year for St Mary's, under the leadership of Rev Phe with continued
growth of our congregation and the launch of some new activities and events.
Church Attendance
Rev Phe's reputation for impactful, insightful and relatable sermons continues to grow and our
ch.urch attendance wa5 well supported with an average of 40-45 attendee5 at our 10 am Eucharist
services, 10 at our 8am Said Communion and 20 at Evensong. We held some memorable service5
through the year particularly at Easter and Christmas. At Easter the Dawn Service and the Tenebr3e
service on Good Friday are now established as very moving and emotional services. Our Christmas
services saw a large number of vlsitors at the Advent Carol Service. the 9 Lessons and Carols and
Midnight Mass. The lar8est attendance however had to be the popular Crib and Christingle service
where we had well over 230 people in Church.
As a result of the generosity of parishioners we were able to donate to a number of charities. we
would like to highlight the £625 donated to the Children's Society from the Crib and Christingle
service and £300 donated to Oasis from the Midnight Mass service.
Whilst we welcomed new attendees to Church we were saddened by the passing of some of our
loyal and long standing parishioners- in particular Richard Atkins, and Brenda Brown who had been a
parishioner for near on 60 year5 and is sadly mi55ed.
Church Warden Change
2024 Saw lan Read stepping down as Church Warden and William Fellows becoming a new Church
Warden. We would like to record our thanks to lan for his hard work and dedicated service to St
Mary's since 2019, which included the challenge of the Covid period and also the Vacancy. We are
delighted that lan is continuing to support the Church as Verger and as such remains on the PCC.
Church Development Plan
We held a much overdue and successful Archdeacon's Visitation in October 2024 with Archdeacon
Martin Breadmore. This had been delayed due to Covid and also the Vacancy. As part of this we
developed a Vision for St Mary's and created a Church Development Plan, with our key objectives
being to-.
Establish an identity for St Mary's as a welcoming, friendly, faithful and traditional Church

Establish St Mary's in the community through holding various events and getting known in
our community
Meeting the needs of the Community through service5 and events
strengthen the relationship with Parkside.
Stewardship Campaign
During September we held a Stewardship campaign which included celebrating our volunteer5 and
launching a Planned Giving Appeal. A5 part of this the Church Warden's gave a talk on the Finances
of St Marws in terms of income and expenditure and explaining both the Parish Share and Planned
Giving. Whi15t we are fortunate at St Mary's due to the generosity of our parlshioners , we run at an
annual10s5 as you will read from the Financial Report. As a result of the Appeal we are grateful to
the new planned givers and also the increased donations from some existing planned givers.
Music
Music at St Mary's continues to develop and improve. We are very grateful to Matthew Brown for
his inspiring leadership as Director of Music. The choir, which now includes both the professional
Norbury singers and parish choir members, goes from strength to strength. Our programme of
lunchtime concerts continue to be popular and well attended. We held a wide variety of different
concerts including some memorable organ performances, a wonderful cello and gamba
performance and some lovely duos; guitar and violin, flute and piano and harpsichord and recorder-
finishing off the year with the annual November Menuhin Pupils concert. Please read the Concerts
section for more detail.
2024 saw our inaugural Music Festival, the Surrey BachFest under the leadership of Matthew. As the
first event of its type we were a bit nervou5 but the whole event proved to be a big success with
amazing and well attended concert5 and 3 popular Come and Sing day. We also made a profit of
around £3000 which was very welcome. We would like to record ourthanks to our Chelsea Football
Club who sponsored us and individual sponsors Lady Joyce Acher. Geoff Trickey, Christina van Roest
and Diana Thalben Ball.
Events and Soclal Artivities
We held our first Burns Night Supper in January 2024; with a delicious 3 course dinner. dancing with
a live band, a piper, a raffle and the address to the haggis. A fun night was had by all and we aim for
this to become an annual event at St Mary's. We were also delighted that we made a handsome
profit.
Our monthly Spud Suppers continue to be a very popular event and are regularly attended by
between 3(>40 people. We would like to thank Susie Carpenter and Polly Zabari for their hard work
in organising and running these events.
We had a delicious and enjoyable Christmas Lunch in December. Our thanks go to Mary Quinn and
Nikki Murray for organising and cooking the lunch, no Small feat in feeding nearly 40 people with
Turkey and Christma5 Pudding. We were pleased that we were able to donate £482 to Crisis at
Christmas.
Ecochurch
Christopher Harwood took on the role of Eco Champion and has worked hard to identify areas
where we can be more environrnentally friendly and identify ways of reducing our carbon footprint.
We were delighted that as a result we have been awarded the Eco Church bronze standard. Watch
out for further activities in this area.

Church Hall
It is now 10 years since our lovely Church Hall was built and inevitably maintenance and
improvement work5 are required to keep it up to date and looking good. We have developed a
programme of works that we aim to launch in 2025 which we hope will make it a more attractive
venue for external hirers.
The Hall has a steady flow of u5er5 but overall 15 under utilised and this needs to be addressed in
2025. We need to increase the revenue we get from the Hall Hlre and ensure this generates income
for our Church. We also need to ensure that the revenue increases to offset the planned
expenditure on the Hall improvements.
We took the opportunity of beginning the process of converting the Hall lights to LED in the autumn.
As a result of failing our annual Emergency Lighting tests all our Emergency Lights have been
switched to LED. Thanks to a grant of £5000 from the Diocese and a private donation we will be
swapping over all the remaining light5 in 2025. This should significantly reduce our energy costs.
We are grateful to Councillor David Lewis for agreeing to use his allocation of the Your Fund Surrey
grant to help us install acoustic sound panels in the hall. The work for this will be done in 2025,
once the Hall has been redecorated early in 2025.
Website
We began the process of reviewing the website, looking at other examples of Church websites and
exploring how it needs to be improved. We concluded that the whole site needed refreshing,
making more impactful and creating a more modern look and feel. Recognising that a total website
re-design is a complex and often expensive undertaking we were very grateful to Kevin Wood, one
of our Norbury Singers who offered his services on a voluntary basis to explore options and re-vamp
the site. We anticipate that the new website will go live in quarter l of 2025. This will also help
with Hall Bookings as we are seeking to include a Hall Availability calendar on the swte.
pcc
We are grateful for the support of all who serve on the PCC and were delighted to welcome some
new PCC members in 2024. Harriet Mortimer is taking on social media responsibility, and Mary
Quinn and Claire King have joined the team.
Many thanks to Janice Scott for her committed work as Safeguarding Officer. this Is a priority for the
PCC and is always a key agenda item.
2024 highlighted the importance of the role of Treasurer with Claire Saxton stepping down as
Treasurer at the APCM due to pressure of other work commitments. Jane Berrid8e, who is involved
in Churches Together and a member of St Andrew's Oxshott, agreed to become our co-opted
Treasurer. Sadly after a few months Jane notified us that she would be stepping down. We have
been unable to find another volunteer Treasurer and were left with no option but to explore paying
a freelance Treasurer. We were delighted to discover that Claire Saxton had some availability and
so from January Claire will be re-joining us on a freelance basis.
We would like to thank Jane Berridge for her contribution and also thank Anne Driver (Book
Keeper), Stephen Chater (Planned Giving), Julian Ball (Gift Aid) and Arthur and Brenda Way Icash
banking) for all their hard work.
Volunteers
Our volunteers keep St Mary's Church running and we would like to thank all our loyal and

dedicated volunteers for their service. As always new volunteers are much needed and very
welcome, if you feel you can offer some time and help please do come and chat with us.
We would like to highlight in particular Peter Trew. a very loyal parishioner who has been running
the Sidesmen Rota for some considerable time. After around 40 years of loyal service to St Mary's
in a variety of roles Peter is taking some well earned rest and we thank him for his dedication and
commitment.
The flowers at St Mary's during 2024 have been beautiful and it has been lovely to have fresh
flowers on special occasions. We would like to thank Sara Read and her band of Flower Arrangers
for their beautiful displays that help make out church so attractive.
We have 3150 been very grateful to Malcolm King who has become our official "odd job man" arld
has been invaluable in 50rting things out and fixing things. Malcolm constructed the Christmas
Stable outside the Church together with Judith Ellison who made. painted and dressed all the
figures..
Finally we would like to thank Polly Zabari for her hard work and commitment as Parish
Administrator. Many of our church events would not happen without Polly and we are grateful for
her enthusiasm and involvement.
Sue Prentice and William Fellows
Church Wordens
Committees
Finance and Standing Committee
The Finance Committee and Standing Committee is the only committee required by law and must
consist of not less than five members.
The Finance and Standing Committee has power to transact the business of the PCC between its
meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. It Is also responsible for ensuring that an
annual budget is prepared for approval by the PCC and has oversight and control of all financial
matters.
Worship
Supervision of and liaison with all those involved in leading worship is maintained by the Rector This
includes intercessors, chalice assistants, lay readers, lay preachers, director of music and captain of
the bell tower.
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
At St Marfs we continue to adhere to recommended Safeguarding practices to promote a safe
environment, ensure safer recruitment practice and respond promptly to any reported concerns.
Details and contact information are available on the church's website.
St Marfs follows the Guildford diocesan advice which adopts the national Church of England
Safeguarding policies and templates, and we are well supported by the Safeguarding team at the

diocese. Activities and events are regularly updated on our parish Dashboard.
November 17th 2024 wa5 Safeguarding Sunday, when the sermon was dedicated to Safeguarding
specific to our parish and congregation.
AII PCC members are requested to have DBS checks, as well as being required to undertake Basic
and Foundation training in Safeguarding. which is a standing agenda item for PCC meetings.
Janice Scott
Parish Sofeguording Officer
Director of Music's Report
2024 was another strong year for the music department at St Marfs, and l am grateful for the
continuing support of the church community in our musical offering5. 1 am approaching my second
anniversary as Organist and Director of Music at St Mary's, and continue to enjoy the varied and
challenging role.
Parish Choir
The Parish Choir at St Mary's remains an important part of our week-to-week musical life, providing
strong support for the congregational singing at our Parish Eucharists and Evensongs. In 2024 we
have recruited new members into the choir, but also have occasionally struggled with illness in long-
Standing members, and so recently our numbers have fluctuated. Peak regular membership in 2024
was around 6 singer5. We continue to rehearse on Thursday evenings in preparation for the coming
Sunday, and the Parish Choir also enjoys the opportunity to work on more challenging repertoire to
sing alongside the Norbury Choir at Choral Eucharist on the first Sunday of each month.
Norbury Choir
Our paid singer5, the Norbury Choir, have settled into a regular rhythm of service5 at St Mary's, and
feedback has indicated that they now feel more integrated into our church community than the
previous "Choral Scholarf, system which l inherited from my predecessor in 2023. With minimal
changes, the same 5 singers sing at Choral Eucharist on the first Sunday of each month. with more
irregular Choral Evensongs and Bach Evensongs in 2024. Their services continue to be much
appreciated, and maintain the high standard of music which St Marf5 is known for in the
community. In 2025, owing to the c05t of Bach Evensong, thi5 offering has been discontinued as a
regular event, but will remain in place as a part of the 5urrey Bach Festival.
Surrey Bach Festival
In 2024, St Mary's held its first summer music festival, the Surrey Bach Festival. Over the course of
four days, 3 evening concerts and 2 lunchtimes were held in church, augmented by a beautiful
flower installation and a community Come and Sing event. The festival was a great success, hosting
large audiences (c. 70+1 for each concert and receiving excellent feedback on the musical offerin
the flower displays, and the lively atmosphere. On the back of this success, the festival is bein8
offered again in 2025, with a slightly expanded offering of concerts and events over the course of
week114th - 20th July).
Lunchtime Concerts
Our Thursday lunchtime concert series continued with a series of beautiful concerts in 2024,
including organ recitals, singers, recorder players, and more. I found the workload of arranging the
concerts more difficult to keep up with in 2024, and therefore since the sum mer I have divided the
workload with our churchwardens Sue and Williarn, whose assistance l am most grateful for. Sue

continued to art a5 "host" at the concerts themselves in 2024, for which she also deserves many
thanks for her excellent work.
Organ
The organ continues to provide a good service to the church, functioning well in liturgical and
concert settings. 2025 will mark its 50th year of Service, and advice is currently being sought about
maintenance tasks in order to keep it functioning beautifully for another 50 years of service.
Matthew Brown,
Orgunist and Director of Muslc
Ringing Master's Report
It's been another busy year, and we have continued with good attendances at practices and on
Sunday5, enabling us to continue regular Sunday service ringing, as well a5 ringing for weddings and
special occasions.
I'm pleased to say that we have been able to recruit two new ringers {with Judith's persuasion !)
during the year and they have been doing brilliantly well with learning how to ring.
On to our three main event5 that took place since the last AGM. Our Tower Dinner took place on
Monday 15 January 2024, when we returned to The Old Plough, Stoke D'Abernon. This was
popular venue the previous year and it proved so again. It was great to get all of the ringers
together.
Our Ringing Outing took place on Saturday 18 May and was to the East Surrey area and we were all
very grateful to Tony for arranging this. We visited Bletchingley Ithe Rectors former parish and
where Tony learned to ringl, Godstone, Lingfield, Caterham and Merstham with a great lunch at the
pu b in Outwood. The bells were heavier than our bells at St Marys, but most are as our bells are
very lightl It was a good experience for us all and it is always good to ring at other towers and visit
the churches. It was a very enjoyable day.
Judith kindly hosted a BBQ at her house on Saturday 6 July 2024. The weather was not kind to us to
start with and we were dod8in8 the rain whilst the food wa5 being cooked, with Lee manfully
cooking outside under an umbrella l Luckily the weather improved later, and we enjoyed some
sunshine to round off the afternoon. Thank you Judithl
We would like to recruit maybe one or two new ringers and if anyone would like to give it a go then
please get in touch, or speak to me at the Church, and I would be happy to show you around and
demonstrate what is involved.
l am so very grateful to all of the ringer5 who are always supportive, enthusiastic and willing to help,
and without whom there would be no ringingl Finally, may I please thank Phaedra, and also the
Churchwardens, who have been so supportive during the year, as has Polly, at all times! We are also
grateful for the continued support from all of the parishioners- thank you.
Julian Ball
Ringing Moster

Eco Church
My report begins with part of a prayer said by our Rector at the recent Ash Wednesday Services for
Lent. 'For our waste und pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come ofter
Us. Accept our repentonce Lord., It struck me that this prayer was aboLAt what Eco Church is trying to
address by taking practical action in expressing our care for God's earth.
The five key areas of an Echo Church that now connect to St. Marls activitie5 and PCC'S
considerations and decisions are, l. Worship and Teaching, 2. Church buildings and energy cost, 3.
Church land and nature. 4.Community and global engagement, 5. Lifestyle awareness. These areas
to tackle are supported with online resources by http.'l/echochurch.arocha.org.uk a Christian
conservation charity endorsed by the Diocese of Guildford. Benefits to our parish include reducing
our church energy costs and in doing so we act on the carbon net zero strategy of the Church of
England and our Diocese. We also take steps to increase the biodiversity of our church land for the
encouragement of native wildlife and plant life. We are guided by 3 benchmarking survey of our
position so far. From the steps taken thi5 year and a progress presentation at the Harvest Festival
spud supper we have achieved in January for St. Mary's to display an Eco Church Bronze Award.
This is the first milestone that wa5 a ffloment of celebration and acknowledgement of St. Marfs
response in the face of accelerating climate change and species loss, we need more than ever to
take action to protect and care for nature today as part of God's earth and our survival. My thanks
to our PCC Eco Church Team and an invite to you to join us as we start the journey toward5 a silver
award this year.
Chrlstopher Harwood
Eco Church Representotive
St Mary's Community Involvement
Cobham Area Foodbank-whavs New?
A question many will ask and the reality shows: not much at all.
We must continue and persevere for an¢Xher year ahead of us with deprivation and suffering of
many families in our communities. The c05t of living has not improved, redundancies and real
poverty are components of many of the health issues, especially mental health, flu, Nora Virus and
still Covid Virus in a new 'disguise'/variant they are 311 still bothering many people of all ages in the
area, some with serious consequences.
We still must help and assist where we can. Our Foodbank is quite small in comparison with other
foodbanks not so far from us. but our catchment area dictates what we can do. We are only open
one day a week, Cobham, Oxshott, Stoke D'Abernon, Downside, East & West Horsley and Effingham.
We still have 15-20 families visiting us, visiting us collecting food ar¢d some deliveries also made by
our volunteers to help clients not able to come to us. Some families in our area have no transport or
any person able to collect the food for them, we offer the 'deliverin8 service, in exceptional
circumstances only.
Thanks to the generosity of many donors, especially from St Marfs Church and the Hall visitors, and
many individuals, who gave sufficient funding and stock to the warehouse to help all clients who

come to us for help. We have received in the period from I" April 2024 to 30, January 2025..
135.41kg of food donations at the church and 133.54kg in the Hall. Which together is a total of
9.90% off all our donations during the period to our foodbank.
A great donation for the Reverse Advent and Christmas time made it P055ible to 5UPPOrt 1792 adults
and children so far in the same period. It is a sad story that it is still so essential to help people with
food, who do not have enough money to feed the family.
We also thank all the people who have donated money to our account. We have many expenses to
run the foodbank, insurances. rents, and upkeep of the foodbank van, sometimes we must buv
additional foods, when 5tock5 are low. We have no salaries to pay for anyone active in the foodbank.
With your special donations we were able to give 54 of our families a generous Christmas Hamper
and fresh items, fruits, vegetables, eggs, fresh meat, and plenty of Christmas Food Goodies. But it
does not stay Christmas forever and many people have rejoined the queue for food at the foodbank
from Mid- January onwards; joining the queue are lots of adults who have jobs but cannot cope with
the 'cost of living, and worried parents who cannot feed their children. We continue to help and
support all these deprived people in our community with your continuous generous help. Many
thanks.
Christina Van Roost
Trustee ond General Manoger
Church Guides
During 2024, the Church Guides have continued to welcome a wide ran8e of visitors to St Marfs at
weekends from April until October.
The number of visitors to St Marls during 2024 was 111, and they came from the Irish Republic, the
Netherlands and the USA, as well as from all parts of the UK. During the year, we welcomed a large
group from Claremont Probus Club for an organised tour. The comments in the visitors, book
Illustrate the great extent to which the work of the Guides is appreciated.
In 2025. we plan once again to open 2pm-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays from the beginning of
April to the end of October. In order to achieve thls, however, we are entirely reliant on volunteer
Church Guides being able and willing to give up their time for the enjoyment and education of
members of the wider community. We are very grateful to them.
For further information. or if anyone is interested in joining the team of Church Guides, please
contact Polly at admin
stma
s5tokedabernon.or
stephen Chater
Church Guide
Church Activities
Lunchtime Concerts and Recltals
2024 Saw St Mary'5 hosting 8 Lunchtime Concerts held on the last Thursday of the month and these
continue to be popular and well attended. We typically get audiences of between 30-45 and after
paying the performers we make a profit of around £150-250 which is a great fund raiser for the

Church.
We kicked off the year in January with a wonderful Organ Recital from Martin Toyer,. in February
Matthew was joined by Olivia Petryszak and they performed a fabulous Harpsichord and Recorder
duo focusing on baroque and ancient music. In April we had Menuhin School alumni Finlay Hay and
Ezo Dem Sarici who gave a very enjoyable guitar and violin duo and in May Pablo Tejedor Gutierrez
performed the cello and gamba with a focus on historical baroque music.
In June we were fortunate to welcome Christopher Herrick, one of the world's leading Organists
who, although now in his 80's, gave an exciting and uplifting concert. July saw our first Music
Festival. the Surrey BachFest which was a great success, please read about this in Matthe￿5 Music
section.
We kicked off the autumn with Matthew performing an Organ recital, and then in Ortober we
welcomed the delightful duo of Dawn Hardwick and Clare Findlater on piano and flute. We finished
the year with our annual performance from the pupils of the Menuhin School in November which
included a lovely harp performance.
William Fellows and I stepped up during the year to help Matthew with organising these lunchtime
concerts. If you see or know of any musician5 you would like to invite to St Mary's in the future
please do let us know. We seek to offer a diverse and varied set of performers and instruments.
Sue Prentlce
Deanery Synod
In October, Leatherhead Deanery Synod met at St. Martin's East Horsley. The Archdeacon of
Dorking, Revd. Martin Breadmore, was the main speaker to say a little about his faith journey and
how he came to be Archdeacon also to answer 3 variety of question5 from members of the deanery.
Examplel. Con you describe your role os Archdeacon ?
He is a director and trustee of the diocese and has a crucial safeguarding role ensuring the diocese
has an increasingly safeguarding culture. There 15 a150 3 vision and strategy aspect of Transforming
Church and Transforming Lives. He conducts Archdeacon's visitations, which have been embedded
into the Parish Needs Process, and operates now almost entirely from a ministry and mi55ion
perspective, plus ensuring all the legal aspects of parish life are fulfilled. He also oversees the
faculties system. A major element of his work, and partly why he applied for the role, is the mission
nd ministry aspect. tryin8 to work with parishes to ensure that they are thriving.
Example 2. The Assisted Dying Bill begt7n it5 journey through the House of Common5. Whot is your
view ond thot of the DioceseP
Martin agreed with the view of the Archbishop of Canterbury that introducing this law would be
dangerous. It would be a significant mistake, the thin end of the wedge, because as humans we
can't be trusted. Bishop Andrew as a member of the House of Lords is interested in this and will
speak against it. Individually we can go onto the CARE website and use their template to write to
our MP. We each have a role and a responsibility. The Bill is expected to return to the Commons in
April.
The Chair spoke about the involvement of Leatherhead deanery's 13 parishes in Eco Church and
achieving awards. (Our St. Mar¢s now adds to that number). St. N icolas. Great Bookham received

special mention from the Area Dean for achieving Eco Church Gold Award with their team of seven
Eco Church warriors
At the latest Leatherhead Deanery Synod Martin Carr IProject and Enga8ement Lead Net Zero
Carbon Diocese of Guildfordl was the main speaker. He gave a presentation on the Church of
England's net zero carbon initiative. He explained that the Church has set an ambitious target to
reach net zero by 2030, ahead of the British government's timeline. Martin framed the initiative a5
an opportunity for the Church to be a pioneer in caring for God's creation, while acknowledging the
competing priorities churches face.
Christopher Harwood
Deanery Synod Representative
Finance
Overall, we received income of £180k 12023.. £201kl, spent £197k 12023: £197kl and had net
outgoing resources of £17k12023.' incoming net resources of £3kl.
The vast majority of our income as always came from Planned Giving1£79k vs £75k in 20231.
Stephen Chater led a successful Planned Giving campaign during the year which has resulted in
some members increasing their contributions and some parishioners joining the Planned Giving
scheme.
We also received donations and le8acies of £9k1£58k in 2023 although this included donations for
the new deckin81. Other important new income streams were the successful Burns Night and the
Music Festival this year. Events and activities in the Church generated £28k of incorne1£9k in 2023).
Hall hire revenue wa5 £38k1£37k in 20231.
Parish Share is the single largest item of expenditure 1£89k vs £87k in 20231. The cost of Parish
Functions also increased considerably to put on the Burns Night and Music Festival la total of £18kl.
Costs fell year on year1£39k vs £59k in 2023) in relation to the hall as there was £24k of expenditure
last year for the new decking.
Thank you very much to all the hard work the Treasury team have put in throughout the year.. Jane
Berridge as Treasurer, Anne Driver as bookkeeper, Arthur and Brenda Way for banking the cash,
Stephen Chater for managing the planned giving and Julian Ball for claiming gift aid on our ad ho
donations.
Clalre Saxton
Treasurer
Planned Giving
During 2024, we launched the Stewardship Campaign, one of the main purposes of which was to
explain and publicise the vital importance of Planned Giving to the financial wellbeing of St Marfs
and to extend participation much more widely among members of the congregation, particularly at
the younger end of the age range. This is the first such campaign since 2019.
During the year, we gained seven new PG members, and we lost five members, so that we now have
a total of 68 PG members.
In addition, 21 of the existing PG members decided to increase their regular givin& which is very
encouraging.

Taken together, the extra annual PG income will be more than £12,000. plus Gift Aid, where
relevant. This is a very creditable outcome and Phe and the PCC are very grateful for the generosity
of many members of the congregation at 5t Mar¢s. This will be enormou51y helpful to them in
planning and budgeting for the future.
We cannot, however, allow ourselves to be complacent about the future financial health of St
Mary's. While the campaign succeeded in securing a significant increase in income, the vast majority
of that increase is attributable to existing regular 8ivers.
It is, therefore, important that we should build on the success of the Stewardship Campaign and
continue to try to endeavour to recruit new land. ideally, younger) members to the PG scheme.
Stephen Chater
Hon. Treasurer of Plonned Giving
Reserving Policy, an explanatory note
The aim 15 norrnally to maintain minimum unrestricted reserves of 60% of annual operating
expenditure having regard to the risks of (al a decline in income relative to outgo: and Ibl
unexpected capital costs. It is deemed prudent to hold additional reserves for purposes referred to
elsewhere in this report, not least in the light of current economic uncertainties.
We have two savings accounts, one with Monmouthshire Buildin8 Society and one with Beverlev
Building Soclety. In these, we have £98,495 in savings
Investment policy. an explanatory note
Having regard to the purposes for which reserves are held. it is considered prudent not to expose
the ch urch's funds to the risks to capital implicit in, for example, equity and property type assets.
Apart from day-to-day working capital in a current or deposit account, the practice is normally to
hold assets in relatively short term sterling deposits and investments carrying la} a capital
guarantee,- Ibl a facility for immediate or early withdrawal without undue penalty- and Icl minimum
default risk.

Page 16
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
BALANCE SHEET AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024
Notes
2024
2023
Fixed Assetg
Freehold Propety
913,023
913,023
Page 16
Current Assets
Debtors and prepayments
Deposits and Cash al 88nk and
in Hand
9,073
5,619
136,143
145,216
158,696
164,315
Current Liabilitles -amounts falling
due within one year
Creditors
10,775
12,531
Net Current Assets
134,441
151,784
Total Net Ass8ts
1,047,464
1,064,807
FUNDS
Unrestrictsd Funds
10
134,441
151,784
Restricted Funds
10
913,023
913,023
1,047.464
1,064,807

Page 17
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
NOTES
Unrestricted Funds
General
Desi
naled
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
Incoming Resourtes
Voluntary income Idirect giving)
Other Voluntary income
Gross income from
events and activities
Other ordinary in¢ome
Income from investments
Total incomlng resources
2(al
2(bl
94.382
9,496
1,889
111
96,271
9.496
89,157
57,968
21c)
21dl
21el
28.067
43,436
2,243
177.624
28,067
43,436
2,243
179,513
9,158
43,577
880
200,740
1.889
Resources oxpended
Charitable expenditu
Donations
The work of the church
3{al
31bl
30
166,007
1.889
1,919
166,007
4,441
180,499
Church Administration
31cl
28.930
28,930
12,547
Total resources expended
194.967
1,889
196,856
197.487
NET (OUTGOING)IINCOMING
RESOURCES
Funds brought fotward
at 1 st January 2024
Funds carried forward
al 31 st December 2024
{17.3431
{17,343)
3,253
10
151,283
501
913,023
1,064.807
1,C61,554
133.940
501
913.023
1,047,464
1.064.807

Page | 18
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following a¢¢ounling policies have been applied to items which are considerèd
malerial to the PCC'5 financial statements
(a) BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church
Accounting Regulations, applicable accounting slandards and the Statement of
Recommended Practice, Accounting by Charities. The financial slatements have
also been prepared under the historical cost Gonvention.
Ib) FUNDS
Unrestricted funds represent funds of the PCC, which are not subject to any
restriction regarding their use and are available for application for the general
purposes of the PCC. They include general funds for the day to day working
of the PCC, designated funds earmarked by the PCC for particular purposes
or to provide reserves for future contingencies and other funds nol appearing
under these other headings.
The restricted fund relates to St Mary's Hall and St Mary's Meadow both of whi¢h are
shown at a value of £100 each, logether with the cost of the new St Mary's Hall of
£912,823.
The accounts include transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC can
be held responsible
(cl INCOMING RESOURCES
il Volunta
income and ca
ital sources
Collections, grants and donations are re¢ognised when received
Arnounts received under Covenants and gift aid are re¢ognised when due
Income tax recoverable on covenants and gtft aid is recognised when
dairnable
Funds raised by special events, magazine sales and sales table are accounted
for gross
ill Other ordina
income
Parochial fees due to the PCC for weddings and funerals are
accounted for when received and are net of the Diocesan proportion

Page | 19
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER
2024 (continued)
iiil Income from investments
Interest is accounted for when it is rècèived
(dl RESOURCES EXPENDED
Donations and other costs are accounted for when due
le) FIXED ASSETS
Consecrated land and buildin
s and moveable church fumishin
Consecrated and beneficed propety is excluded from the accounts by
Section 96{2) of the Charities Act 1993
ii) Other freehold land and buildin
Property for the use of the PCC for its own purposes is included in the
Balan￿ Sheet at cost or valuation at the date of acquisition. No depre-
ciation is charged against these properties but any expenditure on the
maintenance or improvement of the properties is expensed as incurred.
(fj CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors comprise amounts due to the PCC.
Ig) CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors comprise amounts due by the PCC at the year end or within one year of that
date. These amounts include suppliers of goods and servi￿$ to the year end for whiGh
accounts had not been re￿iVed at that date.

Page 20
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
Unrèslri¢ted Funds
General
Desig-
naled
Re51ricled
Funds
Total
Funds
2024
2023
INCOMING RESOURCES
2{al Voluntary In¢om& Idire¢t giving)
Planned Giving
Gift Aid
Not gift aided
Ino)me Tax RerA)verable
Collections in Church
60,986
2,550
15,486
15,360
94.382
60,986
2,550
15,486
17,249
9S,271
56.8S5
3.430
14.216
14,646
89,157
1,889
1,889
21b) Ot￿r Voluntary In¢ome
Lega¢ie$
Donation5
s,000
4.496
9.496
5,000
4,496
9,496
17.025
40.943
57.988
21cl Gross income from events
and activiti•s
Concerts and ￿citalS
Parish Activitias
19.822
8.245
28.067
19,822
6,245
28,067
3,043
6.115
9.158
21d) Other Ordinary Income
PCC Fees
Hall Hire
Bellrin9ers income
Sales Table
Sundry income
3,676
38.448
867
143
302
43,438
3,676
38,448
867
143
302
43,436
5,704
37.084
591
198
43.577
21e} Income from investments
Interest
2,243
2,243
880
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
177,624
1.889
179,513
200.740

Page 21
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Icontinuedl
Unre51ricled Funds
General
Desi
nated
Reslricled
Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
3 RESOURCES EXPENDED
31al Donations Idelails on page 261
30
1,889
1.919
4.441
31bl Directly relating to the Work
of the Church
Minis
Parish Share
89,427
89,427
87.137
Priests, Workin
Telephone
Postage and stab"onery
Motor and Travel
Miscellaneous
enses
10
177
10
177
634
43
88
140
905
24
211
24
211
Recto
Water Rates
enses
1,009
1,009
1,009
1,009
335
335
Church runnin
Healing and lighting
Insurance
Repairs and Maintenance
Altar frontal
ex
enses
4,254
1,899
6,840
4.878
17,871
4,254
1.899
6.840
4,878
17,871
5,455
1,757
6.699
2,029
15,940
of Services
Altar requisites
Organists, Fees
Singers and music
New Hymn Books
Books and printing
Miscellaneous
1,122
10,566
5.178
1,122
10,566
5,178
467
8.945
4,582
1,312
111
1,439
16,856
48
954
17,868
48
954
17,868
31b} CARRIED FORWARD
126,386
126,386
121,173

Page 22
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Icontlnuedl
Unreslricled Funds
General
Desi
nated
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
RESOURCES EXPENDED (Continued)
31bl DireGtly relating to the work of the
Church brought forward
126.386
126,386
121,173
Church Hall
Adminslrator's salary (pro-rated)
Cleaning
Light, Heal and Water Rates
Insurance
Maintenance
New Decking
Telephone
Printing, stationery and photocopying
Website and IT sUPPOrt
Miscellaneous
12,434
7,791
6,209
1,557
6,221
12,434
7,791
6,209
1,557
6,221
12,443
2,747
9,672
1,443
3,117
23,856
793
3,849
49
789
58,758
994
852
391
2.103
38,552
994
852
391
2,103
38,552
Other
Bellringers, costs
1,069
1.069
1,069
1,069
$68
568
Totsl relating to the Work of the Church
166,007
166,007
180,499
31c) Church Admlnlstratlon
Admin5tr8tor's salary (pro-rated)
Prints'ng, stab"onery and photocopying
Telephone
Travel
Website and IT support
Bank charges
Parish Funcb"ons
Miscellaneous
6,695
2,220
994
92
6.695
2,220
994
92
391
58a
17,677
281
28,930
6,700
527
793
14
391
580
17,677
281
28,930
49
579
3.675
210
12.547
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
194.967
1.889
196,856
197,487

Page 123
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31"
DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS
The PCC made Parish Share payments of £89,42712023 - £87,137) to cover all Di0￿san
¢osts on a formula basis. Staff employed by the PCC are.. -
2024
2023
Administrator
Organist
19,129
9,726
19,143
7,309
No financial benefit has been reflected in these accounts for the time and effort freely given
by many members of St Mary's Church involved in the running and administration of church
activities.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S FEES AND FEES FOR ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES
The PCC is not charged a f8e by the independent examiner nor for accountancy services.
FIXED ASSETS FOR THE USE OF THE PCC
The following fixed assets are used or retained by the PCC
2024
2023
St Mary's New Hall (cost)
912,823
912,823
St Mary's Old Hall (residual value)
St Mary's Meadow (estimated value at
date of gift in 1957)
100
100
100
913 023
100
913 023

Page 24
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEPdlBER 2024 Icontinuedl
7 DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
2024
Unrestricted
Restrict8d
Funds
Funds
2023
Unrestricted
Restncted
Funds
Funds
Income tax recoverable
Sundry debtors
7,730
1,343
9,073
3.624
1,995
5,619
8 CREDITORS
2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Receipts in advance
Sundry creditors
4,319
6,456
10.775
3,127
9,404
12,531
9 DEPOSITS AND CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
2024
Restricted
Funds
2023
Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Building Society
Cash at bank and in hand
98,495
37,648
136.143
96.251
62,445
158.696

Page 25
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Icontlnuedl
10 MOVEMENTS OF FUNDS
Balances
al
0110112024
Nel
incomin
{outgoingl
resources
Funds
Transfers
Balances
at
3111212D24
Unrestricted funds
General
Designated
151.283
501
151.784
117.343)
133,940
501
134,441
117,343)
Restrlcted Funds
Freehold Propety Fund
913.023
913,023
1,LI84,807
17.3431
1,047,464

Page 26
STOKE D'ABERNON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024 Icontlnuad)
3{al DONATIONS
Gen8ral
Fund8
Designated
Funds
General
Funds
Oesignated
Funds
2024
2023
Families fgr Children
Oasis Family Centre Cobham
Royal British Legion
The Children's Society
Crisis al Christmas
Embrace the Middle East
Cobham Food Bank
30
72
613
169
625
482
2,148
S05
478
225
578
4,034
26
30
1,889
9e
Ifor
1.919
4132

JNDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF
THE ECCLESIASTICAL PAIUSH OF STOKE D'ABERNON
I report on the accounts for the Y￿ ended 31st December 2024, which are set out on pages 16
to 26.
Rwective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
Th¢ chatity's trustees consider that an audit is not Tequired for this year under section 144(2)
of the Ch￿ltieS Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an indepelldent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Cornmissioner under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. and
Stafr whether particul￿ measurers have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiner's report
My examination was catried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the
Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison
of the accounts presented with those records. It ajso includes consideration of any unusual
items or disclosures in the accouuts alld seeing explanations from you as t￿SteeS concerning
any suth matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be
required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
ndependent examiner's ststtmenl
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention.
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any maleTial respect the
requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011
Act; or to prepare accounts which accord wAth these records have not been met.
2. to which. An my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
lan Roberts. Bsc (Hons), ACA
Independent Examiner
40 D'Abernon Drive
Stoke D'Abernon
Cobham
Surrey KTI13JD