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2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury, Bovey Tracey

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024

AIMS AND PURPOSES

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd. Graham Hamilton, in promoting the whole mission of the church- pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical, within the boundaries of the ecclesiastical parish. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church and the Church Rooms.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The following Mission Statement was agreed in 2008:

'We believe that God's great purpose is to bring all creation to enjoy the peaceful rule of Jesus. We believe that as a network of churches in the Bovey area we are called to:

A shortened version of this Mission Statement is:

'Our mission is to enable all people to know Jesus and to enjoy His rule in their lives.'

When planning our activities, our incumbent and PCC seek to enable as many people as possible to live out their faith as part of our community through (i) worship and prayer, learning about the gospel and developing their knowledge of, and trust in, Jesus; (ii) provision of pastoral care for people living in the benefice, and (iii) mission and outreach. This is in accordance with the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit and particularly the specific guidance on the advancement of the Christian faith. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of PPT and the church Room which provides facilities for many people and community groups.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

2024 was a stormy year - more Atlantic hurricanes than any year since naming began in 2015. The political weather was also stormy, with the threat of war spreading from Ukraine to Europe and from Gaza to the wider middle East. The General Election in July brought a change of UK government and the US Presidential Election in November saw the return of Donald Trump.

The Church of England continued to wrestle with the controversial ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’. The publication of the Makin Review into sexual abuse by John Smyth led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev Justin Welby, and calls for the resignation of the Archbishop of York for his role in other cases. These national controversies have undoubtedly had an impact locally, with two families leaving because they no longer wanted to be associated with the Church of England in any way, and disagreements within the congregation and PCC on the best way to respond. There was a clear reduction in donations to the church, and the appeal for volunteers in the autumn did not produce much response.

Our parish life was significantly impacted by the absence of the vicar, Rev Graham Hamilton, for 5 months (Feb-June) while he underwent chemotherapy for an aggressive lymphoma. He was able to work from home for much of the time, pre-recorded some sermons and wrote two papers about the national church situation (“A lament for the Church of England” and “For such a time as this” which are available on the church website). We give thanks to God for his recovery and gradual

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return to public duties from July and want to express our gratitude to the retired clergy (Rev David Harris, Rev Paul Reynolds and Canon Michael Sansom) and licensed lay ministers, especially Mrs Carolyn Laycock and Mr Graham Whittle, who sustained regular Sunday services, funerals and weddings, supported by many other local and retired ministers and volunteers during his absence. We were sad to say farewell to Rev Paul Reynolds, who moved to Taunton in September, but we were delighted to welcome two new licensed lay ministers to the parish: Mr David Robinson (from Oxford Diocese) and Mr Richard Orr (from Dawlish). We also enjoyed the ministry of Mr Jon Bealey, who did a placement at PPT as part of his ordination training, and we started a training group for four potential preachers, who have preached at the 5pm evening service.

This year we conducted 12 funerals, sadly including many members of the congregation: Mrs Theresa Samuels, Mrs Cilla Turner, Mr John Rickett, Mrs Rose White, Mr David Risdon and Sir Jonathan Clarke. We also conducted three weddings, one wedding blessing, and two baptisms.

WORSHIP & PRAYER

We sustained three Sunday services through the year. Rev Alex Sharp from Chudleigh led the St Georges Day service for youth organisations, and Graham was able to take the Remembrance Sunday parade and Christmas services. There were united services for Pentecost and Harvest. The sermons this year have expounded the gospels of John and Matthew, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and the OT book of Numbers.

Midweek, prayer meetings are held on Zoom on Monday and Friday, and a Wednesday Communion in the Church Room. The monthly prayer meeting is held on the first Wednesday evening of the month.

MISSION AND EVANGELISM

Our mission statement emphasises that the church exists to make disciples for Jesus Christ, each of whom has a responsibility to give a reason for the hope that is within them. The vicar’s illness disrupted plans to repeat the door-to-door visitation after Easter. In January 2024 The vicar ran a ‘Hope Explored’ course in the Church Room with several participants, and a course preparing 7 children to receive Communion before confirmation, and a ‘Simply Christianity’ course in January 2025, but this is an area of weakness for which the whole congregation has a responsibility.

We continued to pray and raise funds for a variety of local, national and international mission agencies. We welcomed several guest speakers -Jane Gillis from Falcon Camps in May, James Sandels from YWAM and Rob Fowler from Compassion UK in July, Choices Pregnancy Network in September and a special presentation by the Christian Institute in October on a range of topics, especially the Assisted Dying Bill which received its second reading in Parliament in November 2024.

PASTORAL CARE

There are now eleven small groups meeting regularly for bible study, fellowship and prayer including the men’s weekly 7am prayer breakfast.

Camilla Matheson stepped down from leading the ‘First Steps’ toddlers group at Easter, after 14 years service, and the group continues under and new name “Friday Friends” and the leadership of Rosie Stephens and Shirley Codner. They also oversee the children’s Sunday Club, whose numbers have remained healthy. Rosie led a team of adults and 13 children to attend the Spree camp in June and organised a wonderful ‘Light Party’ at Halloween and co-ordinated school visits and Christingle.

The number of young people in youth groups grew under the energetic leadership of Angie Blanche: she resigned her post in February 2025 to take up a new role as Family Worker in Ashburton and will be greatly missed.

Jill Hosford continues to lead the Anna Chaplaincy team and recruit new members. The team regularly visits and holds services at Mulberry House. The Friendship Lunch held monthly through the winter at Stover Golf Club continues to provide Christian fellowship and encouragement to those who struggle to attend church on Sundays, and a lovely tea party was held in the summer.

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Jill also launched a monthly ‘Good Grief’ (Bereavement) cafe at Bovey Methodist church. The Men’s Curry night, organised by Jon Evans, has alternated between PPT and Bovey Baptist in the winter months.

FABRIC & ADMINISTRATION

The church building and church room have been in full use throughout the year, and the Monday maintenance group work hard to keep the grounds and buildings in good order. Mrs Cheryll Newport is employed to clean the church room. The marquee provided valuable service for the summer season, especially for Sunday Club and First Steps, though the grass is wearing badly.

Significant progress was made with two fabric projects. The South Porch glass doors were finally installed in September, and work began in November on a new LED lighting system (completed in February 2025), as well as emergency repairs to the church electrical systems, new lights in the church room and along the path in the Courtenay memorial garden. A new shed was erected in the church room garden, to replace the storage bunkers and preserve the marquee. An AED defibrillator was installed outside the church room. Two surveys of the steel subframe for the bells in the tower were made, and major remedial work may be needed in the next few years.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The method of appointment and election of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2020. At the APCM in 2020 the electoral roll renewed its decision of 2015 to reduce its elected representation on the PCC from 12 to 9. This took effect from the APCM in 2021. All those who regularly attend church are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC and to the Deanery Synod. A revision to the way that PCC members are elected was approved by the PCC during 2017 as a result of the need for a postal ballot in 2017.

The PCC met 6 times in 2024. (once outdoors to allow Graham to attend while immunecompromised). An average of 14 PCC members attended each meeting, with 2 apologies. At the APCM held on 23 May 2024, Mr Mark Alexander stepped down as church warden, and Mrs Sue Nickels and Mr Barry Newport stepped down from the PCC. Mr Peter Chesterman and Mr Michael Codner were elected as churchwardens, and after a contested election Mrs Katie Law, Mrs Karen Chesterman and Mr Steve Matheson were elected.

Three members of the PPT congregation were elected unopposed in the Diocesan Synodical Elections in the summer, and become members of the PCC ex officio- Mr Roy White, Mr Mark Alexander and Mrs Dawn Hamilton. In September the PCC co-opted Mr Greg Wilgar to fill the casual vacancy on Deanery created by Mr Roy White’s election to Diocesan Synod.

The PCC spent much time and attention on the door and lighting fabric projects, as well as planning for a replacement heating system, as the oil boiler will soon be beyond repair.

The PCC has also been considering the impact of PLF on people’s confidence in the church, and their willingness to serve and give. The PCC requested ‘Alternative Spiritual oversight’ from the CEEC, and a special congregational meeting was held on Sat 28 September, supported by Bishop Rod Thomas to consider the use of the Ephesian Fund as a channel to pay Common Fund to the Diocese while expressing our concern about the direction of national and diocesan leadership. After lively debate and wider consultations, the PCC agreed in January to provide two accounts, enabling individuals to decide whether to give to the PCC and Common Fund directly or via the Ephesian Fund, and this has produced a noticeable rise in income.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Roy Pitchford has served throughout the year as Church Treasurer and has continued to provide detailed financial reports month by month. The accounts for 2024 were independently examined by Mrs. Clare Lillington.

Total receipts were £127,133 in 2024 (£161,897 in 2023, including £15,404 from Gift Aid, but no legacies.

Total expenditure for the year was £157,186 (£149,290 in 2023), plus £30,782 on the glass door

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and church lighting projects.

This year we continued the policy for outward (charitable) giving (dedicating all cash and contactless payments received on Sundays and any BACS payments so marked) to the mission focus for the month. This raised £6,202 (£11 , 969 in 2023).

The final accounts for 2024, when compared with 2023 show a significant reduction in planned giving. Fee Income from weddings and funerals was also lower. With no legacies, this produced a deficit of £4 5,010 on general funds. This is clearly unsustainable, and the PCC launched an appeal for funds in January 2025, which seems to have been successful.

The Common Fund contribution requested by the Diocese for 2024 was £84,760 (£83,831 in 2023). The PCC renewed its resolve to pay at least the cost of clergy figure, and in 2024 we paid £71,280 (£68,195 in 2023) (the estimated cost of a Vicar’s stipend, pension, NI, and housing, and share of central costs). With income from funeral and wedding fees and Hennock’s contribution of £7,433, this still makes us a net contributor to the Diocese, though giving £13,480 less than requested by the Common Fund formula,

Total cash reserves on 31 December were £96,169 (£157,004 in 2023), a reduction we forecast last year as we planned to meet the cost of the glass doors and new church lighting from our reserves and contributions from parishioners.

The General (unrestricted) Fund stands at £83,641 (£128,651 in 2023).

Restricted Funds (use specified by donors- cannot be changed)

The Youth & Children’s Fund has been reduced from £10,984 to £2,902.

The glass door fund is now closed, and the Fabric Fund has been reduced to £270.

Designated Funds (use specified by PCC - can be changed)

The organ fund stands at £4,989,

The vicar’s discretionary fund is now £2,179.

Each mission agency has its own designated fund, and these are paid in full each year.

Reserves Policy

The PCC has resolved to maintain a balance on our general (unrestricted) funds which equates to at least three months’ salaries for all our staff, Common Fund payments and regular bills, but to include funds in the Local Ministry Fund and Youth & Children’s Fund to local staff costs.

STAFF

In December 2024 the PCC employed four part-time local staff - the Family Worker, Youth Worker, Church Cleaner and Office Administrator. Their purpose is to co-ordinate and support the work of the many volunteers who continue to provide the backbone of church life.

VOLUNTEERS

We are grateful to all those volunteers who continue to maintain the worship, mission, and community life of the church. The range of tasks includes visiting, supporting groups for young and old, playing or singing music, welcoming, reading, and leading prayers at services, providing and serving refreshments after services, cleaning and maintaining the fabric of our buildings and grounds, supporting the sick and housebound. We give thanks for the growing number of enthusiastic bell ringers and 11am choir members.

We have endeavoured to ensure that all volunteers have access to the relevant health and safety policies and risk assessments, and these are available to all on the PPT website, www.pptbovey.church.

We remain very grateful to the Monday Maintenance Group for keeping the church buildings and grounds in good condition and for undertaking all routine maintenance and repair work. This essential work is always carried out promptly and efficiently and saves much expenditure of the church's funds.

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Safeguarding

Mrs Shirley Codner has maintained safeguarding administration, and Mr Tim Stephens has sustained the role of Safeguarding representative.

Administration

Mrs Camilla Matheson works as church administrator, producing weekly notice sheets, service sheets and updating the laptop for projecting services. She and Jill Hosford have played a vital part in the glass door and new lighting faculty process, and in the forthcoming heating project. Mrs Jane Midgley has continued to serve as church room booking secretary.

Mr Mike Limb photocopies and posts notice sheets, service orders, assists the treasurer and regularly acts as warden at most funerals and weddings.

The volunteer rotas for the three services are organised by Shirley Codner at 9.30am, Camilla Matheson at 11am and Mark Alexander at 5pm.

DEANERY SYNOD

The Newton Abbot Deanery met twice, at Kingskerwell on 5 June 2024, and Ashburton on 23 October.

ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Bovey Baptist Church and PPT continued to work together in shared youth and children’s events, but the ministers have not met regularly this year. The vicar maintains contact with other church leaders in the town and area.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The parish church of St Peter, St Paul, and St Thomas of Canterbury (PPT) is situated on East Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon. It is a parish in the Diocese of Exeter, within the Church of England. The address for correspondence is The Church Rooms, East Street, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 9EN.

The parish website can be accessed via www.pptbovey.church

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and has been registered with the Charity Commission (Charity #1128849, since 27th March 2009).

Those who served from the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 23 May 2024 until the date of this report are:

Ex-officio Members (by right of office)

Incumbent Revd. Graham Hamilton Chairman Churchwardens Mr Peter Chesterman (Vice-Chair) Mr Mike Codner Diocesan Synod Mrs Dawn Hamilton Mr Roy White Mr Mark Alexander Deanery Synod Mr Greg Wilgar Mr Jack Knightly Mr Mathew Percy

Elected Members

Mrs Sharon Alexander Mr Mike Limb Mrs Katie Law Mrs Jill Hosford Mrs Karen Chesterman Mrs Shirley Codner (secretary) Mr Tim Stephens Mr Roy Pitchford (treasurer) Mr Steve Matheson

Approved by the PCC on and signed on their behalf by Rev Graham Hamilton (PCC Chairman)

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Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury - Charity Number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Account

Collection - Church
Collection - Planned Giving
Collection - PPT Charities
Gift Aid HMRC
Donations Received
Legacies
Other Voluntary Receipts
Sundry Income
Deeper Youth Camp
Opening balance adjustment
Letting - Church Rooms
Fees - Funerals
Fees - Weddings
Fund Raising
Publication Costs Recovered
Receipts from Investments
Interest - Lloyds Savings Account
Interest - Lloyds Deposit Account
Interest - CCLA
TOTAL RECEIPTS
Income from Church Activities
RECEIPTS
Donations and Legacies
General Designated Restricted
2024
2023
1,225
20
0
1,245
1,211
83,278
500
50
83,828
90,876
236
5,916
50
6,202
11,969
15,404
0
0
15,404
24,414
1,043
570
6,912
8,525
3,584
0
0
0
0
15,000
101,186
7,006
7,012
115,204
147,055
360
0
0
360
29
0
0
0
0
905
0
0
0
0
921
360
0
0
360
1,855
2,731
0
0
2,731
1,968
3,653
0
0
3,653
5,443
1,078
0
0
1,078
2,990
0
0
0
0
1,110
370
0
0
370
251
7,832
0
0
7,832
11,762
1,006
0
0
1,006
428
1,344
0
0
1,344
0
1,386
0
0
1,386
798
3,737
0
0
3,737
1,226
113,115
7,006
7,012
127,133
161,897

Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury - Charity Number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Account

Administration
Bank Charges
Catering & Cleaning
Diocesan Contribution
Donations given
Fabric Costs
Expenses - Administrator
Expenses - Clergy & Lay Workers
Expenses - Family Worker
Expenses - Youth Worker
Insurance Premiums
Outward Giving
Outreach - General
Outreach - Anna Chaplaincy
Outreach - Spree
Publications - Magazines - Books
Staff Salaries
Sundry Expenses
Training
Utilities
Worship Expenses
Project - Glass Doors
Project - New Church Lighting
Surplus brought forward
Surplus carried forward
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year
Other expenditure
Church Activities
TOTAL PAYMENTS
PAYMENTS
General Designated Restricted
2024
2023
6,278
0
0
6,278
6,381
179
0
0
179
184
2,103
0
0
2,103
1,637
71,280
0
0
71,280
68,195
28
0
0
28
153
8,864
6,024
1,225
16,113
11,797
420
0
0
420
1,732
1,969
0
0
1,969
1,301
2,529
0
0
2,529
0
(11)
0
1,133
1,122
2,674
5,391
0
0
5,391
5,210
384
5,071
0
5,455
11,881
1,363
0
190
1,553
862
0
75
0
75
0
869
0
0
869
0
538
0
0
538
274
25,388
0
7,060
32,448
29,636
1,447
0
0
1,447
374
592
0
0
592
274
5,207
0
0
5,207
3,857
1,589
0
0
1,589
2,867
136,407
11,170
9,608
157,185
149,290
3,742
0
3,240
6,982
1,794
17,976
927
4,897
23,800
270
21,718
927
8,137
30,782
2,064
158,125
12,097
17,745
187,967
151,354
(45,010)
(5,092)
(10,733)
(60,835)
10,543
128,651
14,718
13,635
157,004
146,461
83,641
9,626
2,902
96,169
157,004
Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury - Charity Number 1128849 - Charity Number 1128849
For the year ending 31st December 2024
Movement in Funds in the year Brought Carried
Designated Forward
Receipts Payments Forward
Anna Chaplaincy - 602 75 527
Bell Ringing 212 20 - 232
Bovey Social Fund 150 - - 150
Church Flowers Fund 212 - - 212
Christian Institute - 317 317 -
Compassion UK - 736 736 -
Choices Pregnancy Centre - 406 406 -
Fabric Fund 6,951 270 6,951 270
Falcon Camps - 378 378 -
Heatree Activity Centre - 405 405 -
Leprosy Mission - 459 459 -
Open Doors 25 475 364 135
Organ Fund 4,989 - - 4,989
Peninsula Gospel Partnership - 299 299 -
Royal British Legion - 455 455 -
Sandels YWAM - 789 789 -
Tear Fund - 462 462 -
Vicar's Fund 2,179 - - 2,179
Youth Cafe - 932 - 932
14,718 7,006 12,098 9,626
Restricted
Fabric Fund 1,434 4,688 6,122 -
Glass Door Fund 1,216 2,024 3,240 -
Youth Work Fund 10,984 300 8,383 2,902
13,635 7,012 17,746 2,902
General
General - General Fund 128,651 113,115 158,125 83,641
157,004 127,133 187,968 96,169

ST PETER, ST PAUL and ST THOMAS of CANTERBURY - Charity Number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2024 Fund Movement Summary

For the year ending 31st December 2024
ST PETER, ST PAUL and ST THOMAS of CANTERBURY - Charity Number 1128849
Fund MovementSummary
For the year ending 31st December 2024
ST PETER, ST PAUL and ST THOMAS of CANTERBURY - Charity Number 1128849
Fund MovementSummary
Brought
Incoming
Outgoing
Carried
Forward Resources Resources
Forward
Fund
Anna Chaplaincy - Designated
-
602
Bell Ringing - Designated
212
20
Bovey Social Fund - Designated
150
-
Church Flowers Fund - Designated
212
-
Christian Institute - Designated
-
317
Compassion UK - Designated
-
736
Choices Pregnancy Centre - Designated
-
406
Fabric Fund - Designated
6,951
270
Fabric Fund - Restricted
1,434
4,688
Falcon Camps - Designated
-
378
Glass Door Fund - Restricted
1,216
2,024
General - General Fund
128,651
113,115
Heatree Activity Centre - Designated
-
405
Leprosy Mission - Designated
-
459
Open Doors - Designated
25
475
Organ Fund - Designated
4,989
-
Peninsula Gospel Partnership - Designated
-
299
Royal British Legion - Designated
-
455
Sandels YWAM - Designated
-
789
Tear Fund - Designated
-
462
Vicar's Fund - Designated
2,179
-
Youth Cafe - Designated
-
932
Youth Work Fund- Restricted
10,984
300
75
527
-
232
-
150
-
212
317
-
736
-
406
-
6,951
270
6,122
-
378
-
3,240
-
158,125
83,641
405
-
459
-
364
135
-
4,989
299
-
455
-
789
-
462
-
-
2,179
-
932
8,383
2,902
Totals
157,004
127,133
187,968
96,169
Centuary Gothic 18 portrait
Outward Giving 2024
Christian Institute
Compassion UK
Choices Pregnancy Centre
Falcon Camps
Heatree Activity Centre
Leprosy Mission
Open Doors
Outward Giving Fund
Peninsula Gospel Partnership
Royal British Legion
Sandels YWAM
Tear Fund
Youth Cafe
96,169
2024
2023
317
50
736
604
406
398
378
832
405
-
459
1,714
364
949
-
371
299
499
455
463
789
642
462
2,602
932
473
5,071
9,597

Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury - Charity Number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2024

Statement of Assets

Statement of Assets
Cash Funds
Investments
CBF Investment
CBF Vicar's
Lloyds Business Account
Lloyds Business Account
Lloyds Savings Account
Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit
Cash
General
Designated
Restricted
2024
2023
61
-
-
61
-
6,397
6,397
30,630
51,159
8,132
2,902
62,193
22,242
-
-
-
-
78,000
13
-
-
13
13
57,630
8,132
2,902
68,664
130,885
26,010
-
-
26,010
24,699
-
1,495
-
1,495
1,420
26,010
1,495
-
27,505
26,119
83,640
9,627
2,902
96,169
157,004

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury, Bovey Tracey, Parochial Church Council Charity number 1128849

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

(2) The accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Clare Lillington FMAAT Raddon, Station Hill Chudleigh Newton Abbot TQ13 0EE 2[nd] May 2025