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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1128976

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

For the year ended 31[st] December 2024

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH

Contents
Legal and Administrative Information 1
Trustees Report 2 -16
lndependent Examiner's Report 17
Statement of Financial Activities 18
Balance Sheet 19
Notes to the Financial Statements 20-32

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Legal and Administrative Information

Registered charity name The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical
Parish of St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich
Charity number 1128976
Principal address St Mary le Tower Vicarage
53 Fonnereau Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3JN
Church location Tower Street
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3BE
Main correspondence address Parish Office
Church House
Oak Lane
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3BN
lndependent examiner Moore Green Chartered Accountants
22 Friars Street
Sudbury
Suffolk
C010 2AA
Trustees The Revd Tom Mumford (Chairman and lncumbent)
The Rev Jo Gunn (Vice Chair and Assistant Curate)
The Rev Gregor Purdie (Curate)
The Rev Pippa Scott (Assistant Priest)
Mr David Matthews (Churchwarden)
Mrs Bridget Hanley (Churchwarden)
Miss Rosemary Caudle (Hon. PCC Secretary)
Mr Andrew Gosden (PCC Treasurer)
Mrs Sue Adair
Miss Simone Butler - Mayer
Mr Richard Hanley
Mrs Joanna Jones
Mrs Sarah Purbrook (Parish Safeguarding Officer)
Mr William Harrison
Mr Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of lreland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Aims and Purposes

The primary object of St Mary le Tower Ipswich PCC is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 states that to do this, the PCC is to co-operate with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church of St Mary le Tower Ipswich and the adjacent Church House and Tower House buildings. The PCC mission statement is as follows:

“St Mary le Tower seeks to be a welcoming, inclusive and open church, offering peace and sanctuary in the heart of Ipswich, flourishing through prayer, faith, and positive action”

Objectives and Activities

At the beginning of 2022, the PCC engaged in a vision and strategic plan for the next five years. This vision and strategic plan continues to be our guide. As part of this plan, the PCC identified five areas of work that will help it achieve its vision. These are: welcome, worship, faith, act, and sustain. The plan, including its strategic objectives and activities are summarised below:

Welcome

We will provide a peaceful sanctuary for all through:

Worship

We will enable all to experience the love and presence of God through exceptional worship

Faith

We will be a place where people can encounter, deepen, and grow in faith.

Act

We will discern and respond to local need using pilot projects in the areas of:

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Sustain

We will secure a financially, environmentally and socially sustainable future through:

Achievements and Performance

2024 was a year of huge grace. We continued to build on the substantial groundwork laid in recent years growing our congregation and, for the first time in living memory, posting a financial surplus. This is all despite the challenging financial headwinds in the national and local economy, and the continual narrative of decline for churchgoing in England. St Mary le Tower has, for the last 3 years now, bucked that trend, and continues to do so. During 2024 it was also announced that church would become Ipswich Minster in January 2025. Petitioned by the civic, business and local community, this is a huge honour and a tribute to both the wider town as well as the church’s enduring mission. The re-designation will signify a renewed vocation to serve the town, its people, and to see both flourish. There is of course still more work to do in all areas (it will ever be so), and we have been lucky to appoint Rev. Pippa and welcome Rev. Gregor as Associate Priest and Assistant Curate, respectively to help us with that. Their contribution will be hugely important over the coming years. But for now, there is much hope and optimism for the future of Ipswich’s civic church, as well as a continued determination to meet the challenges it faces. St Mary le Tower is a growing and faithful church with incredible potential, huge talent, and a dedicated and loving community. Examples of this follow in the sections below.

First, THANK YOU!

Before talking about ‘achievements and performance’ as required by the charity commission for this annual report, it is important to say, as I have sought to at regular intervals during my incumbency, THANK YOU. The mission and ministry of St Mary le Tower would not be possible without the ministry of so many members of the church community. Ministry is something that is done by the whole Body of Christ and so the PCC thanks all those who offer their time, gifts, and services to God in this place. Those individuals who volunteer their time, whether through the Top-Up Shop, music, pastoral care, worship leading, church and churchyard care, administrative support, fundraising, flowers, bell ringing and many other ways, are too many to name, but to all of you the PCC wishes to offer you its sincere thanks and continues to thank God for you!

Worship, Pastoral Care, and Discipleship

During 2024 the regular Sunday worship pattern included 4 services: a Book of Common Prayer Communion service, Choral Matins, Sung Eucharist, and Choral Evensong. There are sermons delivered at both the 8am BCP Service and the 10:30 Sung Eucharist. The latter of which is the best attended and has seen continued growth in 2024. In 2024 it averaged a weekly attendance of between 80 and a 100, but regularly saw more than 110-20 attenders for special services and feasts. Across a Sunday, by the end of 2024, the average church attendance was between 180 and 200 people. The 10:30 Sung Eucharist is also live-streamed every week and attracts a small number of regular worshippers who value the opportunity to share in worship with others.

A real highlight of the last worshipping year was our choir singing in St Paul’s and also receiving a visit from the Chapel Royal of Hampton Court Palace for our Civic Service. In particular, the choir and music staff deserve enormous thanks and credit. We also saw, again, among the biggest numbers of confirmands in the diocese and hosted the first ordination in living memory (perhaps even ever).

The addition of the Daily Offices, instituted by the Vicar when he arrived, continues to be a real gift to the church and the town. Morning Prayer continues to be well attended and was said in church Monday to Friday (being Sung on a Sunday). A particular thanks to Jim Robinson, the Verger and Cathy Moss, who led these prayers when the Incumbent has been absent prior to the arrival of our curate. 2024 also saw the continuation of Evening Prayer five days a week, and including towards the end of the year a service of Choral Evensong now moved to a Thursday from a Friday.

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

At 10.30am on Wednesdays there is a Book of Common Prayer service of Holy Communion. This is the primary service of worship, and experience of church, for a small community of faithful people. Congregants at this service ranged from between 8 and 15 people. Though this congregation has lost some attenders through ill health, it has added to its number and remained small but strong. Following the service tea, coffee, and biscuits are always shared enabling regular fellowship. This community of worshippers have a strong bond and are always open to newcomers. They even have their own Christmas meal to which the Vicar is invited and attends.

Pastoral care and visiting have been a high priority for the Vicar. The Vicar and others regularly visit housebound members of the church family, as well as visiting those in hospital or in care when required. The Vicar’s civic ministry has also led him into the lives of those outside the worshipping congregation and this has included much pastoral care. Funerals and memorial services both at the Tower and outside have resulted from this. To ensure effective pastoral care, members of the congregation are encouraged to let the Vicar know if they or anybody they know would value a visit from him or any of the pastoral visiting team. The Vicar also encourages any within the church family to consider whether pastoral visiting could be a calling of theirs.

During 2024 there were a number of discipleship opportunities that sought to deepen people’s faith. There was a sermon and seminar series on Sunday mornings in Lent on the Beatitudes in Luke with a series of guest preachers. There was also a quiet morning with talks from an external speaker, as well as two weekly Lent study groups held ecumenically for the first time.

Following a busy but exhilarating Advent and Christmas, including the longest Trees @ The Tower yet, our choristers starring in Griff Rhys Jones variety show, a visit from Ed Sheeran and record congregations on Christmas Eve, the church looks forward eagerly to 2025 and its redesignation as Ipswich Minster.

The Reverend Tom Mumford

Vicar

Choral Tradition and Music

2024 started with the choir resuming its 4 sung services a week after a busy Christmas period. During this time, the choir consolidated repertoire learned in the previous autumn and looked ahead to endeavours later in the year.

A very successful ‘Be A Chorister for a Day’ was held on Shrove Tuesday, with the stalls full of current and prospective choristers, some of whom joined the choir subsequently. The choir performed Bach’s St John Passion having learned the piece from scratch the previous year. Once again, the choir took part of the Justice Service held in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in late March.

Easter Sunday provided an opportunity to give the premiere of Ben Parry’s Wolsey Mass, written as part of the Wolsey550 celebrations. The anthem that day was Handel’s Hallelujah chorus which was applauded during the service. Something that hasn’t happened before or since in my time.

Much of the summer term was dedicated towards preparations for the choir’s new recording. The recording involved the choir plus a professional orchestra. The pieces that were chosen reflected the news that we were to be made a Minster church and the joyous and compassionate role the choir and church play in the heart of the town. The recording sessions were a huge success, with a special mention to those choristers who performed solos. The recording also included former chorister Jonathan Hanley who returned to sing the tenor solos.

Alongside the recording, an icon by Tracy de Bernhardt Wood was commissioned to be hung in the new Song School. The icon was inspired by the music of our recording which is called Eternal Source of Light.

Also in July, the church celebrated the 10[th] anniversary of the Girl Choristers. For the occasion we travelled to sing evensong in St Paul’s Cathedral. I would argue that this service was the most musical event of my tenure as choirmaster. The standard of singing was notable and remarked upon by their clergy.

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Over the summer months, plans were drawn up to establish a ‘vocal pathway’ both in the church and in

conjunction with the Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub. Initial conversations were had and were very positive. This is still ongoing but further progress has been made in 2025. We were delighted to establish and start working towards the January 2025 launch of Mini Minster Maestros, a choir for 5-8 year olds, which takes place on a Wednesday evening in the Song School.

Autumn 2024 brought with it a number of important events, such as the visit of the Prayer Book Society on the Accession of Charles III; a further “Be a chorister for a Day;” a joint concert with the Chapel Royal of Hampton Court Palace in Aldeburgh; a joint Civic Service with the Chapel Royal the following day; Gregor Purdie’s ordination and Durufle’s Requiem for All Souls.

The run up to Christmas involved a number of concerts, including the Ipswich Primary Schools’ Concert as part of the tree festival and a performance at a variety show at the Regent Theatre alongside Griff Rhys Jones.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vicar, Churchwardens, PCC and congregation for their support of the Music Department over the past year. I would also like to thank my colleagues, William, Matthew, Jane and Megan for their tireless work. And finally, a thank you to all the choir members: choristers; parents; choral scholars; adults for their hard work and excellent attitude.

Christopher Borrett – Director of Music

St Mary le Tower Ringing Masters Report

The sound of our 12 bells continues to be heard at least twice a week on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings, and occasionally on Sunday evenings too. These days, and thanks due to a very healthy number of members of our band, ringing all 12 bells is very much the norm on all occasions.

Our band caters for people at varying levels of capability, and it has been particularly pleasing to see all of our less experienced ringers make significant progress over the past twelve months. This has helped enhance our towers reputation as a progressive tower, and has succeeded in drawing in a number of ringers from nearby Ipswich towers who have aspirations to progress.

Notable occasions marked over the past twelve months through either peals or quarter peals include the His Majesty the King’s birthday, SMLT Ipswich becoming a Minster Church, the Trees at the Tower festival and….. Ipswich Town earning promotion to the Premier League.

Training and development has been a key focus area for the last twelve months through the training bell project. This reached its conclusion in January when the physical installation of the six training bells was completed - which includes blue & white sallies to show our allegiance to our town’s football team! Some fine tuning has been necessary post installation, but the training bells are now starting to be used for their intended purpose with numerous test activities performed for familiarisation purposes. The training facility is due to be blessed as part of a service in May, ahead of a formal launch in June.

Mechanically, the bells remain in good working order thanks to the ongoing efforts of our local band in performing day to day maintenance. With the 25[th] anniversary of the re-hanging of all bells now upon us, however, it will now be necessary to start planning for overhauling the fixtures and fittings that enable the bells to be rung as the current components approach end-of-life condition. This will necessitate engaging professional bell hangers as the work required will be beyond the capabilities of our local band.

David Potts - Ringing Master

Safeguarding Report

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.

As a Church we are committed to promoting a safer environment and culture, safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults, responding promptly to every

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

safeguarding concern or allegation, caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons, caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons and responding to those that may pose a present risk.

The PCC, the churchwardens, the music team, and many of the choir, the bell-ringers, top-up shop volunteers and those with roles of responsibility have completed or renewed safeguarding training. There is the opportunity for all congregation members to complete Basic and Foundation level training.

Throughout the year we have completed DBS checks as necessary and assessed safeguarding training needs for those involved in church roles and our community initiatives, we have also reviewed our recruitment processes for Staff and Volunteers.

We have had a small number of safeguarding questions and concerns in the last year which have been dealt with appropriately in a prompt and efficient manner, often with the guidance of Karen Galloway, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Myself and either Rev Tom Mumford or Rev Jo Gunn have met during the year to ensure Safeguarding at Ipswich Minster remains a priority and is kept up-to-date.

Our latest Safeguarding Policy is displayed on the website for everyone to access along with the CofE Safeguarding Policy and the 'Promoting a Safer Church' Poster.

Sarah Purbrook Parish Safeguarding Officer

Churchwardens’ Report

During the past year there have been a number of projects affecting the church estate. This included the construction and painting of shelving for the Song School in Tower House to facilitate its smooth operation. There is still one room which is not in use on the second floor of Tower House South Wing.

Covid Memorial Dove

Funding for the re-siting of the Covid Memorial to the grounds of Tower House which is accessible from Tower Street has been sought but has not yet been successful.

Church House

Work is underway to reconfigure Church House so the function room can be used more effectively

A number of bids have been submitted unsuccessfully for funding of an architect’s feasibility study into the development of the church estate to improve access for disabled people and provide toilet facilities. Funders are reluctant to provide money for projects without a physical end result. There is one further application to make for a May 2025 funding season.

£5,000 has been donated by Cathedral Music Trust to support the musical outreach of the Music Department. Unfortunately this was considerably less than was requested, using the Charter 825 project as a vehicle for this work. This lesser award means that we are not eligible for more funds from this source until 2026. The music department has managed its finances to ensure the outreach work is self-funding for the next twelve months. Planning for the Minster-making weekend was a central focus over the past twelve months, culminating in a successful weekend in January. This helped establish useful links with local artists which should lead to the generation of original artwork to sell, in due course, as Minster merchandise, bringing in some income. Planning for the Ipswich Charter 825 celebration has been another key strand in the churchwardens’ work. This has developed a strong collaborative link with Northgate High School and opened up channels of communication with other schools with a view to hosting visits by school children. The Music Department has actively supported the church’s contribution to the Festival between 21[st] and 27[th] June 2025. Overtures to other choral, dance and community groups continue to be made to increase participation in order to project a sense of cohesive community. The church is liaising effectively with Ipswich.Love who are co-ordinating and promoting the Festival across the town. The cost of the church’s role in the Festival will be covered by funds donated by Essex and Suffolk Children’s University for this sort of project, income from ticket sales and advertising and private donations.

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Work has been ongoing regarding a review and renewal of literature about the church building so that visitors can be appropriately informed. Recruiting a team of volunteers to be welcomers during the week will then

become a priority. Prior to their recruitment, the PCC has been focusing on an appropriate process for the recruitment, support and management of volunteers.

David Matthews, Churchwarden

Tower House

As liaison between Ipswich Minster the PCC and CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) as the majority tenant, I have attended regular meetings with the Chief Executive Officer of CAB. More recently there has been a new person in post who has responsibility for premises management.

Several repairs have been carried out including to the car park drain and the guttering and glazing of Tower House. The ground floor north wing has been renovated; re plastered and decorated and new carpet installed. CAB are now using this space in addition to other rooms. Rental figures have been adjusted to reflect this usage. CAB have funded refurbishment of both kitchenettes.

There are ongoing issues that require work for which quotes are being sought. These include a leak in the music library, leaking skylight, front door porch pillars requiring replacement, and an entry system to enable all users better access. Doors require adjusting and push bar mechanisms so that the building is compliant with fire regulations.

Ipswich Chamber choir have use of the Song School on Tuesday evenings for rehearsal, in addition to using Ipswich Minster.

Jo Jones

Church Fabric Report

 At the beginning of the year the verger Jim Robinson laid the felt underlay over the brasses as recommended and a volunteer cleaned the brasses with the Renaissance Wax.

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

 On Sunday 13[th] July it was discovered that the sound system had been stolen. CCTV footage revealed that this had happened on the previous Wednesday after the TUS. We have been fortunate that several members of the congregation have come forward to pay towards the cost of replacing the equipment which was installed on 29[th] August. The theft has highlighted the fact that we need more of a presence in Church and more obvious signage about the CCTV.

 The organ was tuned on 9[th] September and the blower and humidifier were serviced on Thursday 24[th] October.

 A new foam backed noticeboard was commissioned using the new Ipswich Minster branding to go into the glass fronted noticeboard near the Tower Street gates.

We are immensely grateful to Ian Molloy for all his efforts to keep the woodwork looking so good and his expert minor repairs and to the gardening team for all their hard work keeping the churchyard looking so well-tended. Bridget Hanley Churchwarden

Works carried out by lan Molloy - Clerk for Minor Works

“Why should the two large oak benches in the porch beneath the church bells be mentioned in this report? Well; here goes!

I started singing in the choir of St. Mary le Tower during the first Sunday of November, 1980, aged 36. My son, Andrew, joined me regularly.

I recall singing a baritone solo in the Nunc Dimittis at my first Evensong. At that stage, very few people knew that I was the Head of Technical Studies at Hadleigh High School. For at least a fortnight, everything remained normal. Then I noticed the heap of firewood near the font. It was a collapsed bench which had been in” the porch, near the large doors. The verger asked if I could repair the benches. I felt bound to tell him of the effect of the woodworm damage. The collapsed bench was unfit for use and could not be kept for firewood because Church House was not immune from damage. The Choir had recently sung a joint concert with the Cathedral Choir and, during the rehearsal, the bench collapsed under the massed bass and tenor choristers from St. Edmundsbury. (Don’t ask me about the second bench. Life is too short for that.)

By early in 1981, I had acquired sufficient further oak to enable me to build two new long benches for use of St. Mary le Tower. Since then, the benches have retained their strength, but have become grubby. In 2024, I took the decision to take it home, where I could “Give it a birthday”. It looks renewed and the brass remembrance plaques are cleaner than I can remember. Even better, the porch looks so much tidier in 2024. So, also, did the organ loft and floor, together with the choir-stalls on Cantoris’ side. I was delighted by the positive response from numerous people, including visitors. In 2024, I started to clean the pulpit from the dove at the peak of the canopy and I have wax-polished many of the panels but I have not yet reached the floor. If I remain in sufficient health, I hope to continue to Decani choir stalls and the carved panels in 2025. Incidentally, the pulpit was built in 1699 -1700. It may shock you to know that I was not around at that time!”

Ian Molloy Clerk for Minor Works

Eco Church

The Eco Church team was formed in July 2024. We are a team of four eco enthusiasts working towards achieving an Eco Bronze award. Having spent the last few months collating information and gaining an understanding of what we need to do, we recognize that this is not something that can be achieved by a small team in isolation. It needs everyone within the church community to play their part, no matter how small, otherwise it will not work. We have already started working closely with the gardening team, the Top-Up Shop and the Trees at The Tower café where small but very important changes have already been made. These are some of the activities / changes that have taken place since July:

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

 Attended the ‘Caring for God’s Creation’ Diocesan event at Stowmarket and several online seminars where we heard from other churches who have been on this journey and we got to know several people from within the Diocese who can support us.

 We have been in contact with the Wildlife Trust and the Suffolk Bee Association and Fairtrade to improve our understanding of what is needed in those particular areas.

 Amanda Richmond contacted SOS Swifts regarding swift boxes and is now working alongside the bellringers to see if the boxes can be accommodated in the belfry louvre windows.

 Tony James is acting as our link to the gardening team and we are now working together on the herb and wildflower garden. June Malloy and David Matthews are carrying out a plant audit which will be a benchmark to assess progress against in future years. This may lead to an informal churchyard plan which will be overseen by June and David, so that everyone knows who’s doing what and where.

 Tony James is planning a wild flower bed in the Tower House carpark as a memorial to Francis Simpson, an Ipswich School alumnus, who wrote a book on Suffolk Flora and Fauna.

 The Net Zero Carbon Diocesan officer has visited the Church, Church House and Tower House and has provided us with a lot of information on what can be done to improve our energy efficiency and how we can get the funding for it.

 We have had an energy audit done on all three buildings and are awaiting the report which will highlight areas for attention. This will enable us to access some of the Diocesan grants available.  All non-LED lighting has been identified and quotes for replacements have been received. We can now start looking at grants to have the lighting replaced.

 There is now a facility to collect all plastic wrappings / bags and to take them to the local supermarket for recycling. Some teams have already started reducing the use of plastics including the Top Up Shop who are now using butter tubs and jam jars rather than individually wrapped butter portions.

 The Trees at The Tower café served Fairtrade Tea and Coffee throughout the festival and all coffee granules and compostable tea bags were composted. We are working towards having Fairtrade tea and coffee at all times.

There is still a lot to do to achieve the Eco Church Bronze Award which requires us to have made progress in many areas not least our procurement, the use of plastics and chemicals, reducing the amount of energy we use, conserving water, ensuring that the goods and services we buy have been produced by workers who are paid a fair wage and have good standards of living.

If you are interested in joining the team or if you have any ideas on how we can become more eco-friendly please contact any member of the team, we would love to hear from you.

Bridget Hanley, Sonia Docherty, Rosemary Caudle, Amanda Richmond, Tony James

Flower Arranging

The flower rota has run smoothly this year. There has been no change in the number of volunteers, but we would always welcome more. There was very little holly that was reachable in the churchyard this Christmas due to enthusiastic pruning which made life a little difficult for the Christmas flower arrangers.

Claire Jones is helping with organising the rota for 2025/26.

I would like to thank all the lovely volunteers for their hard work over the last year.

Sue Adair

Care of the Churchyard

The last 12 months have seen some significant changes to the overall look of the churchyard. A new border along the Tower Street boundary on the north side of the church was created by Paul Whinney, who also cleared a large area of ivy near the Covid Memorial Garden. A good working relationship with Ipswich Borough’s Parks Department has resulted in the cutting down of two dead trees near the church porch and a great reduction of shrub and undergrowth

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

near the south wall. This work has produced a log pile for insects and help for the police in their fight against anti-social behaviour.

Prior to the making of Ipswich Minster, the Parks Department did sterling work with grass cutting and grass edge trimming, thus aiding the work of the gardening team to provide a churchyard worthy of this very special occasion. Very shortly, (as I write this brief report), David Matthews and I will produce an inventory of plants in the churchyard,

which will provide information for Eco-church and help formulate future ideas for the gardening team. We are all conscious of changing times, and give much thought to the future for plants, pollinators and people.

All this would not be possible without my dedicated gardening team- Mike, Penny, Tony, Louis, and Catherine, to whom I owe much gratitude. I’m also very grateful to David for his support, encouragement and his vast gardening knowledge! We welcome Sonia Docherty to the gardening team who is currently working on the North area of the church yard to create a herb garden.

Let’s see what the next 12 months will bring.

June Molloy Head Gardener

Social Events

Social events followed the same pattern as last year! Pancakes were provided on Shrove Tuesday and enjoyed by all from the whole church community. The now traditional cooked breakfast was enjoyed after the Sunrise service on Easter Day and a bring and share lunch was organised before the APCM in May. In September Diana Pipe once again opened her garden and hosted a wonderful afternoon tea on a sunny Saturday. Celebratory cake and fizz were served after Gregor Purdie’s Ordination, and Pippa Scott’s licensing and a special service organised by The Prayer Book Society to mark the anniversary of the Accession of The King.

Richard Hanley

Pins and Needles

We are small in number but big in friendliness. At the moment our numbers are reduced due to ill health, but we continue to meet, (weather permitting) on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Fridays of each month in Church House from 12-2pm. Most of us are knitters, but all crafts are welcome. Why not come and join us over a hot drink and a biscuit or two, along with conversation and laughter? The welcome would be warm.

June Molloy

Top Up Shop

Each Wednesday morning there are around a dozen people waiting in Tower Street at 7.30 am to queue for the Top Up Shop and cafe. We welcome our customers into the porch to wait, or to join us for Morning Prayer, which some occasionally do. At 9 am the shop opens and we then welcome around 35 customers weekly, to shop at £2 a bag, choosing their own goods. They can then enjoy a free hot drink and rolls, sandwiches and cake. One or two people don’t shop but enjoy the refreshments and company. This happens as a band of volunteers arrive on Tuesday afternoon to sort out the delivery from Fareshare, one of the food providers, and then set up the “shop” at the back of Church. We also receive food, household cleaning products and hygiene goods, from the donations in the blue box at the back of church. We also collect food from Suffolk Food Partnership, from time to time, but this is an irregular supply. We also receive donations collected from the residents around Christchurch park, facilitated by Councillor Carole Jones. We have received grant funding from the Grimwade Family charitable trust, which we have spent on food and toiletries. One of our volunteers collects food, usually bread and cake from the local Sainsbury every Tuesday. There are around 25 volunteers from Ipswich Minster involved with this.

Customers are from a variety of backgrounds with differing needs for food and other support. We have welcomed Citizens Advice, NHS Suffolk and Housing Officers to offer advice to customers. At Christmas and Easter, we have offered additional gifts of treats, including chocolate and toiletries. We work as part of a group of Churches in Ipswich.

Jo Jones

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ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Trees @ the Tower' - Christmas Tree Festival

This was another successful year for the Christmas tree festival. Having taken advice, the event was extended to cover two weekends, offering people more opportunity to visit. It was open for 10 days, extended from 7 in previous years. Visitor numbers increased to around 8,000. Trees were varied and thoughtfully prepared.

The opening event being on a Friday evening was well attended by both sponsors and participants including the Mayor and representatives of the charities, that were selected for support; Genesis Orwell Mencap and Cancer Support Suffolk, both the Mayors chosen charities. The financial outturn will be noted in the annual accounts.

The Christingle service and Children’s primary school concert were both very well supported and very happy occasions. To give volunteers some downtime during T@TT the cafe was closed on the Wednesday and Thursday, which did cause some disappointment for visitors, and the Children’s Craft activities were also not offered on these days, with the exception of a session for a playgroup who were very appreciative. The Planning Group will review the whole offering when meeting next, and will welcome the views of others.

The amount of help from the congregation, as well as help from friends and family has been crucial to getting T@TT planned, up and running, and the Planning Group really appreciated all the help provided.

Jo Jones

Deanery Synod Report

The churchwardens’ Ipswich Deanery WhatsApp group continues to be a useful source of information and support.

Meetings were held on Wednesday 28th February at St Helen’s Church Ipswich Tuesday 25th June (All Hallows) and Tuesday 22nd October (St Mary Stoke).

The focus for the first meeting was clergy wellbeing and resources that have been created by the national Church were shared. Delegates were then asked to discuss questions which were circulated for groups of clergy and lay members. The importance of protecting the clergy’s rest days was highlighted. Rev Canon Charlotte Cook had attended General Synod in February and fed back on this and Canon Alan Forsdike spoke about the Deanery finances. Alan went on to say that the Deanery Treasurers’ Group is growing in success and through it several treasurers are linking up to help each other.

The theme for the June meeting was to consider the Fifth Mark of Mission ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ and in particular to look at ‘Net Zero Carbon’. There was an update on the churches in the Deanery that had achieved their bronze and silver awards and Rev Emma Haggar interviewed James Rolls the Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer. The interview format was an engaging way to present the information and there was an opportunity for questions afterwards.

On Sunday 6[th] October there was a Deanery Celebration of Inspiring Ipswich at St Matthews instead of the usual Autumn Conference. This gave us all time to reflect and give thanks for Archdeacon Rhiannon’s ministry as we said goodbye to her and wished her well for her new role as Suffragan Bishop of Southampton. It was a very uplifting and moving occasion.

At the October meeting Bishop Martin attended and the evening was devoted to discernment and listening about the future of the deanery and archdeaconry. Rev Canon Charlotte also introduced Archdeacon Rich (Archdeacon of Suffolk) who is the interim Archdeacon of Ipswich. Bishop Martin re-licensed Rev Tom Mumford and Rev Rachel Revely as Assistant Area Deans for a further 2 years and licensed Rev Kiran Lotay as Assistant Area Dean for 2 years. Rev Canon Charlotte Cook’s license has another three years to run. There was some information also some circulated about the new Eco Church Survey.

Bridget Hanley Churchwarden

Diocesan Synod Report

This was held at the Cathedral and was the last Diocesan Synod of the Triennium and was Bishop Mike’s last Synod before leaving for Exeter.

11

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

In his speech the Bishop thanked Synod for their diligence and engagement over the last three years. The theme was Church Buildings and the Environment. In his speech the Bishop detailed three very different Church Buildings.

There were talks on the Environment and churchyards and the Diocesan Director of Education presented the Annual Schools report.

More details can be found on the Diocesan website. https//www.cofesuffolk.org

This was my last Diocesan Synod as I have not applied for the next Triennium.

Sue Adair

Diocesan Synod Representative

Financial Review

Overview

General Operations

For the first time in many years 2024 has seen an operational surplus for day to day activities after growth in investments of £1,282 vs a deficit of c (£28,986) in 2023, for which we praise God! We ran a campaign in Autumn 2024 asking congregation members to contribute £200 each to plug a predicted deficit of around £32,000. This raised more than £34,000 including Gift Aid. In 2025 we aim to work hard to encourage increased regular giving to reduce the need for one-off appeals such as this. Investment growth of c. 2.3% further improved that position by an additional c. £3,200.

Regular giving has increased by 15%, with more people taking advantage of the Parish Giving Scheme. Overall donations including gift aid increased by 16%.

Trees at the Tower income was at least £13,000 vs £11,600 in 2023 (not including gift aid and additional contactless donations that could be attributed to the increased footfall) while costs reduced slightly to £5,000.

Tower House

The operation of Tower House returned a small surplus of £4,650 in 2024 vs. a deficit of (£5,000) in 2023. This is despite having to write off £1,500 in bad debt from former tenants from 2023. This surplus should increase in 2025 as more of Tower House is rented to the anchor tenant, the Citizens Advice Bureau. A further £30,600 was spent on work on Tower House from the Bellamy legacy.

Choir and Music

We are grateful for an annual grant of £15,000 from Framlingham College which allowed us to employ our music director full-time from the start of 2024. We also received £5,000 from the Cathedral Music Trust to support the work of the department including our choral outreach work. The Scarfe trust made a grant of £600 towards the recording of our new CD.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, and donations at concerts, the lunchtime concert series, and other occasional concerts returned a surplus of £4,051 leaving a healthy balance in the Concert funds of £8,241. The major choir project was the production of a wonderful new CD which, despite some generous sponsorship towards recording fees, has left the funds with a deficit of (£1,000), which we hope to offset with CD sales in 2025 when the CD is officially launched.

After a number of years of operation, the trustees of Choral Foundation for St Mary Le Tower Church decided to wind up the charity and the remaining funds of £56,226 were transferred to the church to continue the funds objectives of developing and maintaining the musical life of the church. This has been placed in a specific fund with the intention of using the money for music projects or development of music ministry and not (at least at this stage) for general expenditure.

12

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Fabric

£15,000 was spent on work on the fabric. We received £11,000 from St Mary le Tower Charities, representing accumulated income over several years from various investments owned by a separate trust for the benefit of the church, and the PCC agreed this should be placed in a designated fund for fabric.

Top-up Shop

Alongside the weekly donations, the Top-up shop was supported during the year with a number of grants including from the L D Rope Trust, Grimwade Charitable Trust and Rotary Club East.

Other activities and grants received

In addition to those listed above we are very grateful for grants received from a number of bodies as listed in the accounts including the Belstead Ganzoni Trust and Alfred Williams trust towards installation of Training Bells and the Suffolk Children’s University to support the Ipswich Charter Festival in 2025. There is a full list of grants shown in the accounts in Note 11.

It is impossible to list all the acts of financial generosity which we have seen through the year, with many one-off donations for the mission and ministry of the church and for specific projects, choir activities, concerts, music and so on. We are immensely grateful for each and every one of these.

Last year I quoted the great 19[th] Century missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, who proved in his own life that “God’s work, done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

We have seen God’s financial provision in wonderful ways in 2024. In ways that are” immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” [Ephesians 3.20]. To God be all the glory!

Andrew Gosden Treasurer

Structure, Governance and Management

PCC members who have served at any time between 1[st] January 2024 and 11[th] May 2025 are as follows

Ex-Officio Members

lncumbent: The Reverend Tom Mumford (Chairman) Clergy The Rev’d Jo Gunn (Assistant Curate) The Rev’d Gregor Purdie (Curate) The Rev’d Pippa Scott (Assistant Priest)

Churchwardens: David Matthews Bridget Hanley Elected members: Mrs Sue Adair Miss Simone Butler- Mayer Mr Jonathan De Bernhardt Wood Miss Rosemary Caudle Mr Andrew Gosden Mr Richard Hanley Mr William Harrison Mrs Joanna Jones Mrs Sarah Purbrook Mr Graham Ridgeway

13

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

2024 Report on Proceedings of the PCC

As at 22[nd] February 2025, the PCC will have met seven times since the last APCM which was on 11th May 2024. The PCC were led throughout the year by the Rev’d. Tom Mumford who chaired all of the meetings.

All PCC meetings have been in person with the first meeting following last years’ APCM being hosted by Tom at the new vicarage in Fonnereau Road; from then on meetings were held in Church House.

The PCC currently comprises of 16 members represented by:- 4 Clerk in Holy Orders [the Vicar, Curate, Assistant Curate and Assistant Priest] 2 churchwardens [Also Denary and Diocesan representatives], 1 Diocesan Synod representative and 7 laity. There are currently a maximum of 7 places available on the PCC.

There has been good representation at the meetings from the PCC and the meetings have been supported with regular reports and updates. There have been specific papers relating to a number of initiatives and policies. These have enabled detailed discussion and the approval of reports and agreement for various essential works to be carried out on Church Fabric.

The following changes have been made to those serving on the PCC members since the last APCM PCM as follows:-

The PCC looks forward to continuing to work on behalf of the St Mary le Tower community in the year ahead, serving God and ensuring St Mary le Tower is a church for the community in Ipswich.

Rosemary Caudle Hon. PCC Secretary

14

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Electoral Roll Report

This year saw the preparation of a completely new electoral roll replacing the 2019 roll in its entirety. The final roll is displayed on the noticeboard in the South Porch and at the back of church. Sadly some previously on roll have passed away whilst others have moved away from the area.

We remember and pray Rest ln Peace and Rise in Glory for Michael Warren and Jean Bradberry as well as Michael Watts and Lorna Wood who, whilst not on the electoral roll, were members of the congregation. We also remember Michael Watts and Lorna Wood, and others that we know, who have gone before us since the last annual meeting.

The final number on the electoral roll will be reported at the APCM.

Rosemary Caudle Electoral Roll Officer

15

ST MARY LE TOWER IPSWICH For the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved on ………………………………

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

………………………………………… The Reverend Tom Mumford

………………………………………… Mr David Matthews

…………………………………………..

Mrs Bridget Hanley

16

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of St Mary-le-Tower Ipswich

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of St Mary-le-Tower Ipswich (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's 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 financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 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

Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

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 a required by section 130 of the Act;

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records;

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Signed: …................................................................ Nicholas Farr Independent Examiner ICAEW

22 Friars Street Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AA

Dated: ….................................................................

17

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Donations & Legacies 2 194,172 112,809 - 306,981 236,676
Charitable Activities 3 82,920 5,160 - 88,080 69,955
Investments 4 2,772 12,847 - 15,619 19,231
Trading Activities 5 - - - - -
Other 5,768 - - 5,768 2,107
Total incoming resources 285,631 130,816 - 416,447 327,969
Resources Used
Charitable Activities 6 204,471 101,041 - 305,513 487,427
Raising Funds 7 14,330 6,422 - 20,752 8,117
Support 8 35,080 15,449 - 50,529 32,600
Total resources used 253,882 122,913 - 376,794 528,145
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources (before transfers) 31,750 7,903 - 39,653 (200,175)
Fund Transfers In - 1,908 - 1,908 607
Fund Transfers Out 1,908 - - 1,908 607
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources (before gains/losses) 29,842 9,812 - 39,653 (200,175)
Investment Gains (or Losses) 12 3,140 5,447 2,257 10,845 46,891
Net Incoming / Outgoing Resources (before Asset Revaluation) 32,981 15,259 2,257 50,498 (153,284)
Asset Revaluation - - - - -
Net Movement of Funds 32,981 15,259 2,257 50,498 (153,461)
Total Funds Brought Forward 679,005 351,047 98,624 1,128,676 1,281,962
Total Funds Carried Forward 711,987 366,306 100,881 1,179,174 1,128,676
----- End of picture text -----

18

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior Year
2024 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Non-Current Assets
Fixed Assets 13 553,832 - - 553,832 553,832
Investments 14 108,094 275,676 100,881 484,651 473,807
661,926 275,676 100,881 1,038,483 1,027,639
Current Assets
Accounts Receivable 16 9,585 396 - 9,981 23,082
Short term Deposits (Investments) 17 10,017 48,852 58,869 45,037
Cash 40,205 51,300 - 91,505 67,900
- - - - -
Prepayments
-
59,807 100,547 160,354 136,019
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable 18 9,746 2,417 - 12,163 27,481
Deferred Income 18 - 5,000 - 5,000 5,000
Net Current Assets 50,061 93,130 - 143,191 103,538
Total Assets less current liabilities 711,987 368,806 100,881 1,181,674 1,131,177
Non-Current Liabilities
- -
Long Term Loan / Mortgage 2,500 2,500 2,500
Net Assets 711,987 366,306 100,881 1,179,174 1,128,677
Capital Funds
Endowment Funds General 20 - 100,881 100,881 98,624
-
Income Funds -
Restricted Funds 21 366,306 366,306 351,047
Unrestricted Funds 711,987 711,987 679,005
711,987 366,306 100,881 1,179,174 1,128,676
----- End of picture text -----

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on …................................

..................................................... Trustee

19

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

Charity information

St Mary-le-Tower Ipswich (known as Ipswich Minster) is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Church House, Oak Lane, Ipswich IP1 3BN

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" ("FRS 102") and the second edition of the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" issued in October 2019. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. The departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the histroical cost convention, modified to include the revalutions of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existance for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going conern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

20

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements continued…

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherence of their charitable onjectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amounts is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Income from donated goods is measured at fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.

Income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classifed as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent of a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

21

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements continued…

1.5 Expenditure continued…

Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset's use.

Expenditure on generating funds includes the cost of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities and the sale of donated goods.

Expenditure on charitable activities inclused all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitiable activities.

Other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impariment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:

Freehold land and buildings Not depreciated

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

22

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements continued…

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transactions price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitues a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Finanical assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

23

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements continued…

1.9 Financial instruments continued…

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employees benefits

The costs of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

24

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2 Donations and Legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Donations - Other
Donations - Regular Giving
Gift Aid Receivable
Grants
Transfer from closure of Choral Foundation
Legacies		 75,650
10,717
86,367
69,731
2,920
72,651
32,681
1,486
34,167
12,860
41,460
54,320
-
56,226
56,226
3,250
-
3,250
194,172
112,809
306,981		 44,330
29,776
74,107
61,583
1,610
63,193
25,196
3,667
28,862
2,486
56,513
58,998
-
-
-
1,500
10,016
11,516
135,095
101,581
236,676
3
Charitable Activities		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Tower House - Rental Income
Tower House - Tenants Committee Payments
Music - Concert Income
Trees at the Tower
Fees for Weddings and Funerals
Music - Sale of CDs
Top-up Shop Income
Rental income - Church and Church House
Music - Choir Trips and Tours
Event Income
Fundraising Income
Other Income		 27,925
-
27,925
16,949
-
16,949
9,221
4,950
14,171
13,244
-
13,244
4,094
-
4,094
3,867
-
3,867
3,375
-
3,375
2,090
-
2,090
1,540
-
1,540
486
-
486
-
210
210
128
-
128
82,920
5,160
88,080		 18,638
-
18,638
8,454
-
8,454
9,178
2,550
11,728
11,643
-
11,643
2,750
-
2,750
203
-
203
3,429
-
3,429
2,455
-
2,455
8,490
-
8,490
-
1,050
1,050
-
200
200
240
676
916
65,479
4,476
69,955
4
Investments		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Income from listed investments
Interest Receivable		 2,347
6,240
8,586
425
6,608
7,033
2,772
12,847
15,619		 3,615
14,443
18,057
687
486
1,174
4,302
14,929
19,231
5
Other Income		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Car Park Fees
Insurance Claim
Other Income		 776
-
776
3,174
-
3,174
1,817
-
1,817
5,768
-
5,768		 541
-
541
-
-
-
1,275
292
1,566
1,816
292
2,107

25

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

6
Charitable Activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Music - Staff Employment Costs
Parish Share
Clergy and other Staff Employment Costs
Tower House - Building Works
Tower House - Utility Costs
Tower House - Tenants Committee Costs
Music - Church Music Expenses
Bells Incl. Training Bells installation
Music - Concert Expenses
Tower House - Repairs and Maintenance
Tower House - Other Running Costs
Printing, Stationery and Postage
Other Expenditure
Equipment
Church House - Utility Costs
Top-up Shop Expenses
Clergy and Staff Expenses
Resources and Expenses for Mission and Ministry
Car Park Costs
Music - Projects (Trips, Tours etc.)
Tower House - professional fees
Tower House - Unpaid Rental (Bad Debt)
Licence Expenses
Mission Giving
Church House - Repairs and Maintenance
Church House Flat - Utilities
Bank Charges
Training
Church House - Building Works
Sanctuary Day Centre Costs
7
Raising Funds
Music - CD Production Costs
Fundraising costs - Trees at the Tower
Fundraising costs - other
8
Support Costs excl governance costs
Church - Building Works
Church - Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance
Church - Utility Costs
Bank Charges, Fees and Finance Costs
Church - Telephone costs
IT and Website Expenses
Other Running Costs
8b
Governance Costs
Governance Costs		 45,709
27,981
73,690
64,814
-
64,814
21,323
-
21,323
-
18,709
18,709
17,264
-
17,264
16,866
-
16,866
3,867
12,280
16,148
-
11,354
11,354
4,602
5,295
9,897
-
9,201
9,201
4,558
1,119
5,677
4,675
925
5,600
-
5,496
5,496
5,078
-
5,078
4,787
-
4,787
-
4,332
4,332
3,105
-
3,105
1,663
900
2,563
1,700
-
1,700
-
1,607
1,607
-
1,578
1,578
1,536
-
1,536
572
264
836
800
-
800
755
-
755
552
-
552
208
-
208
37
-
37
-
-
-
-
-
-
204,471
101,041
305,513
8,987
6,265
15,251
5,016
-
5,016
328
158
485
14,330
6,422
20,752
-
12,169
12,169
7,758
3,220
10,978
10,358
-
10,358
8,828
-
8,828
1,869
60
1,929
1,857
-
1,857
1,119
-
1,119
531
-
531
32,320
15,449
47,769
2,760
-
2,760
2,760
-
2,760
-
-
-		 17,480
38,276
55,757
61,441
-
61,441
18,589
9,614
28,203
-
171,840
171,840
13,729
-
13,729
8,023
-
8,023
1,075
12,943
14,018
-
10,663
10,663
9,352
4,065
13,417
-
17,720
17,720
10,496
2,483
12,980
3,836
-
3,836
13
2,005
2,018
2,205
485
2,690
3,247
-
3,247
2,685
2,146
4,831
2,344
138
2,482
1,896
-
1,896
1,237
-
1,237
8,879
4,825
13,704
-
13,602
13,602
-
-
-
235
552
787
-
419
419
954
-
954
2,053
-
2,053
339
-
339
30
-
30
1,138
11,620
12,759
-
12,753
12,753
171,278
316,150
487,427
-
-
-
6,346
371
6,718
-
1,400
1,400
6,346
1,771
8,117
-
704
704
8,487
-
8,487
9,745
-
9,745
6,125
-
6,125
1,569
-
1,569
1,473
-
1,473
974
-
974
986
-
986
29,358
704
30,062
2,538
-
2,538
2,538
-
2,538
-

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any renumeration or benefits from the charity during the year

26

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2024 Number|2023 Number| |5|6| |Employment costs| |2024 £|2023 £| |Wages and Salaries|95,013|83,959|

----- End of picture text -----

There were no employees whose annual renumeration was more than £60,000

11 Analysis of Grants Received by Fund and Grant Making Body

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|TOTAL| |Funds|Funds| |2024|2024|2024| |£|£|£| |General| |St Eds & Ipswich DBF (for Minster Making Video)|1,500|1,500| |Ips. Borough Council (Electricity & Ground Maintenan|360|360| |Fabric Designated| |Grant from St Mary-le-Tower Charities|11,000|11,000| |Music - Choir Memorial| |Framlingham College (for Director of Music)|15,000|15,000| |Scarfe Trust Grant (for CD Recording)|600|600| |Music - Cathedral Music Trust Fund| |Cathedral Music Trust (for support of music department)|5,000|5,000| |Music - Choral Foundation| |Closure of St Mary-le-Tower Choral Foundation|56,226|56,226| |Top-up Shop| |L D Rope Trust|6,360|6,360| |Grimwade Charitable Trust|1,000|1,000| |Winter Warm Grant|1,400|1,400| |Rotary Club East|100|100| |Bells - Training Bells| |Belstead Ganzoni Trust (for Training Bells)|4,000|4,000| |Alfred Williams|3,000|3,000| |Ipswich Charter 825| |Suffolk Children's University (for Charter Festival)|5,000|5,000| |12,860|97,686|110,546|

----- End of picture text -----

27

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

12 Net gains/(losses) on investments

Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£		 Total
2024
£		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
Revaluation of Investments
Gain/(loss) on investments		 3,140
5,447
2,257
3,140
5,447
2,257		 10,845
10,845		 9,176
23,337
8,549
41,062
-
5,830
-
5,830
9,176
29,167
8,549
46,892

28

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
13 Tangible Fixed Assets
Freehold Land and Buildings
£
Cost
at 1 January 2024 553,832
At 31 December 2024 553,832
Carrying Amount
At 31 December 2024 553,832
At 31 December 2023 553,832
14 Fixed asset investments Listed Investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024 473,807
Additions -
Valuation Changes 10,844 See Note 12
At 31 December 2024 484,651
Carrying Amount
At 31 December 2024 484,651
At 31 December 2023 473,807
Unrestricted 108,094
Restricted 275,676
Endowment 100,881
484,651
15 Financial Instruments
2024 2023
£ £
Carrying amount of financial assets
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss 543,520 518,844
16 Debtors 2024 2023
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Trade Debtors 518 14,036
Other Debtors 9,463 9,046
9,981 23,082
----- End of picture text -----

29

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

17
Current asset investments		 2024
2023
£
£
Short-term deposits 58,869
45,037
18
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		 2024
2023
£
£
Trade creditors
Accruals
Deferred Income		 12,163
27,481
-
-
5,000
5,000
17,163
32,481

19 Retirement benefit schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

20 Endowment Funds

Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund.

Balance at
1 Jan 2023
Revaluation
gains and
losses
Balance at
1 Jan 2024		 Revaluation gains
and losses
Balance at
31 Dec 2024
Harriet Bacon Trust Endowment
44,613
4,234
48,847
Choir Memorial Endowment
6,984
663
7,647
Prior Memorial (Church House) Trust Endowment
38,478
3,652
42,130
90,075
8,549
98,624		 1,118
49,965
175
7,822
964
43,094
2,257
100,881

30

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

21 Restricted Funds

Balance at
1 Jan 2023
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Fund
Transfers
Revaluations,
Gains (or
Losses)
Balance at
1 Jan 2024
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Fund
Transfers
Revaluations,
Gains (or
Losses)
Balance at
31 Dec 2024
Tower House Restricted (Restricted)
384,593
11,321
(198,146)
-
21,440
219,208
6,233
(30,606)
-
4,153
198,988
Fabric Restricted (Restricted)
3,090
23,094
(704)
-
-
25,480
587
(15,389)
-
-
10,677
Music - Choir Memorial Restricted (Restricted)
29,897
17,139
(44,756)
-
2,003
4,283
26,428
(29,366)
-
29
1,374
Music - Choir Scholarship Restricted (Restricted)
7,708
-
(2,168)
-
122
5,662
-
(2,953)
-
58
2,767
Music - Choir Projects Restricted (Restricted)
2,500
6,915
(5,770)
-
-
3,644
4,265
(7,909)
1,875
-
1,875
Music - Concerts Restricted (Restricted)
722
2,550
(3,177)
-
-
95
5,000
(5,329)
-
-
(234)
Music - Choir Tenor Fund (Choral Foundation Grant) (Restricte
-
4,487
(120)
-
-
4,367
-
(2,492)
-
-
1,876
Music - Cathedral Music Trust Fund (Restricted)
7,000
694
(4,671)
-
-
3,023
5,000
(5,644)
-
-
2,379
Music - Choral Foundation (Restricted)
-
-
-
-
-
-
56,226
-
-
-
56,226
Top-up Shop Restricted (Restricted)
779
1,861
(2,631)
-
-
9
8,895
(4,332)
-
-
4,572
Bells - Restricted (Restricted)
1,825
728
-
-
-
2,553
248
(691)
-
-
2,110
Bells - Training Bells Restricted (Restricted)
-
18,145
(11,224)
-
-
6,920
10,130
(10,723)
33
-
6,361
Sanctuary Guild Restricted (Restricted)
545
-
-
-
-
545
-
-
-
-
545
Church House Restricted (Restricted)
4,509
-
(4,446)
-
750
812
1,187
-
-
43
2,042
Mission Giving - Res. Giving for spec. projects (Restricted)
523
289
(254)
-
-
558
-
-
-
-
558
Covid Memorial Garden (Restricted)
7,553
-
(1,975)
-
-
5,578
-
(5,578)
-
-
-
Fundraising Restricted (Restricted)
14,187
-
(838)
-
-
13,349
-
(76)
-
-
13,273
Children's Ministry (Restricted)
400
-
(371)
-
-
29
-
-
-
-
29
Mission Giving - Christingle Donations (Restricted)
75
66
(140)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Suffolk Theology Forum (Restricted)
-
2,055
(168)
-
-
1,888
-
-
-
-
1,888
Sanctuary Day Centre - Restricted (Restricted)
-
22,974
(22,367)
(607)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ipswich Charter 825 (Restricted)
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
(1,825)
-
-
3,175
Usherwood Capital Restricted (Restricted)
26,343
-
-
-
2,500
28,843
-
-
-
615
29,458
Harriet Bacon Trust Restricted (Restricted)
9,839
1,460
-
-
670
11,970
1,616
-
-
290
13,875
Charity Capital Restricted (Restricted)
17,725
-
(7,174)
-
1,682
12,233
-
-
-
261
12,493
Mission Giving - Red Cross (Restricted)
25
-
(25)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tower House - AHF Restricted (Restricted)
-
7,500
(7,500)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Movement in Funds 2024
Movement in Funds 2023		 Balance at
1 Jan 2023
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Fund
Transfers
Revaluations,
Gains (or
Losses)
Balance at
1 Jan 2024
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Fund
Transfers
Revaluations,
Gains (or
Losses)
Balance at
31 Dec 2024
Tower House Restricted (Restricted)
384,593
11,321
(198,146)
-
21,440
219,208
6,233
(30,606)
-
4,153
198,988
Fabric Restricted (Restricted)
3,090
23,094
(704)
-
-
25,480
587
(15,389)
-
-
10,677
Music - Choir Memorial Restricted (Restricted)
29,897
17,139
(44,756)
-
2,003
4,283
26,428
(29,366)
-
29
1,374
Music - Choir Scholarship Restricted (Restricted)
7,708
-
(2,168)
-
122
5,662
-
(2,953)
-
58
2,767
Music - Choir Projects Restricted (Restricted)
2,500
6,915
(5,770)
-
-
3,644
4,265
(7,909)
1,875
-
1,875
Music - Concerts Restricted (Restricted)
722
2,550
(3,177)
-
-
95
5,000
(5,329)
-
-
(234)
Music - Choir Tenor Fund (Choral Foundation Grant) (Restricte
-
4,487
(120)
-
-
4,367
-
(2,492)
-
-
1,876
Music - Cathedral Music Trust Fund (Restricted)
7,000
694
(4,671)
-
-
3,023
5,000
(5,644)
-
-
2,379
Music - Choral Foundation (Restricted)
-
-
-
-
-
-
56,226
-
-
-
56,226
Top-up Shop Restricted (Restricted)
779
1,861
(2,631)
-
-
9
8,895
(4,332)
-
-
4,572
Bells - Restricted (Restricted)
1,825
728
-
-
-
2,553
248
(691)
-
-
2,110
Bells - Training Bells Restricted (Restricted)
-
18,145
(11,224)
-
-
6,920
10,130
(10,723)
33
-
6,361
Sanctuary Guild Restricted (Restricted)
545
-
-
-
-
545
-
-
-
-
545
Church House Restricted (Restricted)
4,509
-
(4,446)
-
750
812
1,187
-
-
43
2,042
Mission Giving - Res. Giving for spec. projects (Restricted)
523
289
(254)
-
-
558
-
-
-
-
558
Covid Memorial Garden (Restricted)
7,553
-
(1,975)
-
-
5,578
-
(5,578)
-
-
-
Fundraising Restricted (Restricted)
14,187
-
(838)
-
-
13,349
-
(76)
-
-
13,273
Children's Ministry (Restricted)
400
-
(371)
-
-
29
-
-
-
-
29
Mission Giving - Christingle Donations (Restricted)
75
66
(140)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Suffolk Theology Forum (Restricted)
-
2,055
(168)
-
-
1,888
-
-
-
-
1,888
Sanctuary Day Centre - Restricted (Restricted)
-
22,974
(22,367)
(607)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ipswich Charter 825 (Restricted)
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
(1,825)
-
-
3,175
Usherwood Capital Restricted (Restricted)
26,343
-
-
-
2,500
28,843
-
-
-
615
29,458
Harriet Bacon Trust Restricted (Restricted)
9,839
1,460
-
-
670
11,970
1,616
-
-
290
13,875
Charity Capital Restricted (Restricted)
17,725
-
(7,174)
-
1,682
12,233
-
-
-
261
12,493
Mission Giving - Red Cross (Restricted)
25
-
(25)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tower House - AHF Restricted (Restricted)
-
7,500
(7,500)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Movement in Funds 2024
Movement in Funds 2023
TOTAL 519,810
121,277
(318,625)
(607)
29,167
351,047
130,816
(122,913)
1,908
5,447
366,306
22
General and Designated Funds
General (Unrestricted)
Fixed Assets (Unrestricted)
Tower House Designated (Designated)
Fabric Designated (Designated)
Music - Choir Projects Designated (Designated)
Music - Concerts Designated (Designated)
Top-up Shop Designated (Designated)
Legacy - Designated (Designated)		 129,810
156,800
(156,355)
607
9,176
140,038
206,913
(197,741)
(1,908)
3,140
150,442
553,832
-
-
-
-
553,832
-
-
-
-
553,832
(18,335)
27,091
(32,248)
-
-
(23,492)
44,874
(40,224)
-
-
(18,843)
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,000
-
-
-
11,000
1,270
8,693
(8,879)
-
-
1,084
6,049
(10,127)
-
-
(2,993)
4,269
9,178
(9,352)
-
-
4,096
10,170
(5,790)
-
-
8,476
1,204
3,429
(2,685)
-
-
1,947
3,375
-
-
-
5,323
-
1,500
-
-
-
1,500
3,250
-
-
-
4,750
TOTAL 672,050
206,693
(209,520)
607
9,176
679,005
285,631
(253,882)
(1,908)
3,140
711,987

31

ST MARY-LE-TOWER IPSWICH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
23 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31 December 2024
are represented by
Tangible assets 553,832 - - 553,832 553,832
Investments 108,094 275,676 100,881 484,651 473,807
Current assets/(Liabilities) 50,061 90,630 - 140,691 101,037
711,987 366,306 100,881 1,179,174 1,128,676
----- End of picture text -----

32