_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 2025**
## **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:
- **Enable** people of every age and background to become disciples of Jesus Christ
- **Engage** with God through the Bible, Prayer, and Sacrament
- **Encourage** one another to live Christ-like lives
- **Enhance** loving unity among Christians at every level
- **Empower** every disciple to fulfil their calling, exercise their gifts in God's world and thus
- **Exalt** God's name in our lives and our praises.'
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**
If 2024 was a year of storms and hurricanes, 2025 (the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day) was a year of political and economic turbulence. President Trump raised tariffs, threatened Ukraine, brought peace to Gaza, toppled the government of Venezuela, threatened Greenland and destabilised NATO. The UK government struggled with Farm protests, budgets and tax rises, and the resignations of Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson. Parliament failed to pass an Assisted Dying Bill, but decriminalised Abortion up to birth. The King removed the title of Prince from his brother Andrew in the light of the Epstein files. The risk of war with Russia increased, and there were several incidents of rising anti-Semitism.
Rt Rev Sarah Mullally (former bishop of London, and formerly Crediton) was announced as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, a year after the resignation of Rt Rev Justin Welby: the Roman Catholic church chose a new pope 15 days after the death of Pope Francis. Rt Rev Moira Astin became the new suffragan Bishop of Crediton. The House of Bishops announced the end of the controversial _Living in Love & Faith_ process in November but committed to new efforts to bless same-sex relationships.
## **WORSHIP & PRAYER**
We sustained three Sunday services through the year, at 9.30am (Sunday Praise), 11am and 5pm (in the church room). Through the year we have been studying the first half of the gospel of Matthew and Paul’s letter to the Romans.
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The 9.30am Easter service was held outdoors. There were united services for Palm Sunday, a Confirmation service on 27 July with the Bishop of Plymouth and Harvest on 28 September, each followed by lunch in the church room.
Special services were held for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day (5 May), Remembrance (9 November), Choral Evensong (30 November), ’Light up a Life’ for the bereaved (4 December,) Christingle (7 December) and Carols by Candlelight (14 December).
We are thankful for the regular ministry of the Vicar, Rev Graham Hamilton and the staff team of retired clergy (Rev David Harris and Canon Michael Sansom) and licensed lay ministers, Mrs Carolyn Laycock, Mr David Robinson and Mr Richard Orr, and welcomed the ministry of potential ordinands, Mr Richard Thomas, Mr Greg Wilgar Jones. Mr Mark Alexander continues to co-ordinate the 5pm service and to preach occasionally.
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.
In January 2025 The vicar ran a ‘Simply Christianity’ course in the Church Room with ten participants, and the ‘Walking the Way’ course preparing 4 adults for confirmation began in March.
An evangelistic evening of stand-up theology, “God, the Bible & Everything - in 60 minutes”, presented by Mr. James Cary, attracted a large audience in October, and we participated in the Town Market on 6 December with an effective stall.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra gave a concert in the church on 1 May to raise funds for the Paradiso Arts Centre, who made a small donation towards our costs.
## _**PASTORAL CARE**_
There are still eleven small groups meeting regularly for bible study, fellowship and prayer including the men’s weekly 7am prayer breakfast. The Men’s Curry night held its last meeting in March 2025, when Jon Evans moved on from Bovey Baptist Church.
“Friday Friends” continues to attract large numbers of parents and toddlers, under the leadership of Rosie Stephens and Shirley Codner. They also oversee the children’s Sunday Club, whose numbers have remained healthy.
Rosie has begun a new fortnightly group for children aged 5-11 on Tuesday evenings called “Rooted”: this replaces the “Explosion Club” previously held at the Baptist Church. Rosie led a team of adults and 19 children to attend the Spree camp in June, and and coordinated school visits, marriage and baptism preparation and the Christingle service.
After the resignation of Angie Blanche as our youth worker in February 2025 to take up a new role as Family Worker in Ashburton, the Wise Guys group (for 11-14s) moved from the Youth Café to the Church Room and meets weekly on Mondays, led by Michael and Shirley Codner. The 14-18s group continued fortnightly in the Church Room until the summer, then moved to Bovey Baptist Church in September. Graham and Suzanne Barnes assist a team of Baptist leaders with this group.
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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## _**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 Sally Walker replaced Mrs Cheryll Newport as our employed cleaner for the church room. The marquee provides invaluable service for the summer season, especially for Sunday Club and Friday Friends.
Significant progress was made with two fabric projects. The new LED lighting system was completed in February 2025, and an appeal was launched in June 2025 to raise funds for electric under-pew heaters to provide an initial replacement of the ailing oil-fired boiler and radiator system. Thanks to a generous response from the congregation and a matching grant from the national “Give to Go Green” fund, we were able to raise the necessary funds in less than a week, and the under-pew heaters were installed in the autumn.
## _**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 2025. An average of 14 PCC members attended each meeting, with 2 apologies.
At the APCM held on 20 April 2025 Mr. Peter Chesterman and Mr. Michael Codner were reelected as Church Wardens. 5 PCC members had completed 3 years service and stepped down – Mr. Tim Stephens, Mrs Sharon Alexander, Mrs Shirley Codner, Mr. Mike Limb, and Mrs. Jill Hosford. 6 new members of the PCC were elected unopposed – Mrs. Sally Simmons, Mr. Simon Merrett, Mr. Andrew Barnes, Mrs. Annie Cooke and Mrs. Susie Beauchamp, who subsequently did not take office. Mr. Greg Wilgar was elected as a Deanery Synod representative.
The PCC has spent much time and attention on balancing the budget, and planning for a replacement heating system, as the oil boiler is beyond repair, and considering the recruitment of a new Youth Worker.
## _**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 2025 were independently examined by Mrs Clare Lillington.
**Total receipts** on general (unrestricted) funds amounted to amounted to £108,696, designated £88,915, restricted £50, total 2025 £197,661 (total £127,133 in 2024). Gift Aid £26,442 general fund, and £5,184 designated funds, but no legacies.
**Total expenditure** on the general fund for the year was £150,133, designated funds £72,186, restricted funds £2,033. Total 2025 £224,352 (£187,968 in 2024)
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 £5,030 (£6,202 in 2024)
The final accounts for 2025, when compared with 2024 show a significant increase in planned giving.
Fee Income from funerals and weddings was lower than 2024.
_**The Common Fund** contribution requested by the Diocese for 2025 was £86,331 (£84,760 for_
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_2024)._ The PCC renewed its resolve to pay at least the cost of clergy figure, and in 2025 we paid £77,080 (£71,280 in 2024) (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 £72,268 (£98,959 in 2024) a reduction we forecast last year as we planned to meet the cost of the glass doors and lighting from our reserves.
**The General (unrestricted) Fund** stands at £44,933 (£86,431 in 2024), with a further £26,416 in designated and £919 in restricted funds).
## **Restricted Funds (use specified by donors- cannot be changed)**
The Youth & Children’s Fund has been reduced from £2,902 to £919. The glass door fund is now closed, and the Fabric Fund has been reduced to £281.
## **Designated Funds (use specified by PCC - can be changed)**
The organ fund stands at £4,999, The vicar’s discretionary fund is now £1,897. Each mission agency has its own designated fund, and these are emptied each year
Since the establishment of two church accounts, enabling individuals to decide whether to give to the PCC and Common Fund directly or via the Ephesian Fund, there has been a noticeable rise in income.
## _**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 2025 The PCC employed four part-time local staff - the Family Worker, two Church Hall Cleaners 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.
## _**Safeguarding**_
Mrs Shirley Codner has maintained safeguarding administration, and Mrs Serena Worth replaced Tim Stephens as the Parish Safeguarding representative.
## _**Administration**_
Mrs Camilla Matheson works as church administrator, producing weekly notice sheets, service sheets and updating the laptop for projecting services. She played a vital part in the lighting faculty process, and the heating project.
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Mrs Jane Midgley has continued to serve as church room booking secretary.
Mr Mike Limb photocopies and posts notice sheets, service orders, and regularly acts as verger 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 Newton Abbot on 25 February 2025 and at St John’s Bovey Tracey on 7 October 2025.
## _**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 20 April 2025 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 Sally Simmons Mr Simon Merrett Mrs Katie Law Mrs Annie Cook Mrs Karen Chesterman Mrs Shirley Codner (secretary) Mr Tim Stephens Mr Roy Pitchford (treasurer) Mr Steve Matheson Mr Andrew Barnes
Approved by the PCC on and signed on their behalf by Rev Graham Hamilton (PCC Chairman) Sunday 3 May 2026
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## **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 2025.
## _**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:
(1) Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
(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 2026
## **Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Charity number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2025 Receipts and Payments Accounts**
|**RECEIPTS**
**Donations and Legacies**
Tax efficient planned giving
Collections at Services
Gift Aid recovered
Donations
**Other Voluntary Receipts**
Sundry donations
Pew heating donations
Collection -PPT Charities
Grants
**Income from church activities**
Fees (net) 2025
Fees (net) 2024
Publications
Church Room - Letting
Fund Raising
**Receipts from Investments**
CBF funds
Interest
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
**Church Activities**
Parish Share
Staff salaries
Staff Expenses - clergy & lay workers
Staff expenses - family worker
Administration
Church Fabric
Project expenses
Worship
Mission (Outreach & Nurture)
Publications
Fundraising expenses
Utilities
Insurance
Training
Youth Worker expenses
Sundry expenses inc catering
Sundry donations
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**Net receipts (payments)**
Balance - 1 January 2025
Transfers
**Balance - 31st December 2025**|**Unrestricted Designated**
**Restricted**
**2025**
70,599
21,691
25
92,315
1,678
-
-
1,678
26,442
5,814
-
32,256
2,404
19,440
25
21,869
101,123
46,945
50
148,118
-
-
-
-
-
20,745
-
20,745
51
4,979
-
5,030
628
16,140
-
16,768
679
41,864
-
42,543
1,385
88
-
1,473
2,790
-
-
2,790
203
-
-
203
2,597
-
-
2,597
1,424
-
-
1,424
8,399
88
-
8,487
931
18
-
949
354
-
-
354
1,285
18
-
1,303
**111,486**
**88,915**
**50**
**200,451**
52,259
24,821
-
77,080
26,282
-
1,293
27,575
442
-
-
442
2,716
150
-
2,866
7,182
102
-
7,284
5,428
1,267
-
6,695
35,568
36,838
-
72,406
1,090
-
-
1,090
2,160
8,708
244
11,112
537
-
-
537
950
-
-
950
5,692
-
-
5,692
5,507
-
-
5,507
355
-
-
355
-
-
496
496
3,824
-
-
3,824
141
300
-
441
**150,133**
**72,186**
**2,033**
**224,352**
**(38,647)**
**16,729**
**(1,983)**
**(23,901)**
83,641
9,626
2,902
96,169
(61)
61
-
-
**44,933**
**26,416**
**919**
**72,268**|**2024**
83,828
1,245
15,404
8,525|
|---|---|---|
|||109,002|
|||360
-
6,202
-
6,562|
|||4,731
-
370
2,731
-|
|||7,832|
|||1,386
2,351|
|||3,737|
|||127,133|
|||71,280
32,448
1,969
2,529
6,878
16,113
30,782
1,588
7,952
538
-
5,207
5,391
592
1,123
3,550
28|
|||187,968
**(60,835)**
157,004
-|
|||**96,169**|
## **Parish Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Charity number 1128849 For the year ending 31st December 2025 Statement of Assets and Liabilities**
|**Cash Funds**
Lloyds Current account
Lloyds Savings account
CBF Investment Funds
CBF Vicar's Fund
Cash
**Movements in Funds in the year**
**Designated**
Anna Chaplaincy
Bell ringing
Bovey Social fund
Church Flowers fund
Church heating fund
Christian Institute
Compassion UK
Choices Pregnancy Centre
Ephesian Fund
Fabric fund
Falcon Camps
Friday Friends
Heatree Activity Centre
Leprosy Mission
New Patio - Hall
Open Doors
Organ fund
Royal British Legion
Sandels YWAM
Tear Fund
Vicar's fund
Youth Café
**Restricted**
Youth fund
**Unrestricted**
General fund|**2025**
**Unrestricted Designated**
**Restricted**
**TOTAL**
16,254
-
-
16,254
1,759
24,869
919
27,547
26,907
-
-
26,907
-
1,547
-
1,547
13
-
-
13
**44,933**
**26,416**
**919**
**72,268**
Bal b/fwd
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
527
-
65
232
100
-
150
-
-
212
-
-
-
36,885
36,838
-
250
250
-
326
326
-
488
488
-
39,505
24,923
61
270
1,200
1,189
-
658
658
-
201
183
-
494
494
-
646
646
-
2,183
-
135
1,908
1,949
4,989
88
78
-
469
-
-
806
806
-
2,061
2,061
2,179
18
300
932
630
932
**9,626**
**88,916**
**72,186**
**61**
2,902
50
2,033
-
**2,902**
**50**
**2,033**
**-**
**83,641**
**111,486**
**150,133**
**(61)**|**2024**
**TOTAL**
6,458
62,193
26,010
1,495
13|
|---|---|---|
|||**96,169**|
|||Bal c/fwd
462
332
150
212
47
-
-
-
14,643
281
-
18
-
-
2,183
94
4,999
469
-
-
1,897
630|
|||**26,417**|
|||919|
|||**919**|
||||
|||**44,933**|
Accounts approved by the PCC on the 25th March 2026
Signed by Rev Graham Hamilton