The Parish of Neston Charity No 1129453 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Neston Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31st December 2024 Incumbent Fr. Kevin Crinks
NESTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31st December 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Desi%nated Endowment TOTAL FUNDS Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 21123 Note INCOME AND Ef4DOWMENTS Voluntary Income 21al 99,039 4.400 103,439 83,558 Church activities 21bl 7,726 5,638 1,220 14,584 19.251 Activities For Gcncrating Funds 21c I 27.859 4.766 32,625 36,540 Income From Investments 21d I 2,500 2,500 9.9J7 TOTAL 1Tr4COME 134,624 17,304 1,220 153,148 149,266 EXPENDITURE Raising funds 31al 197 197 601 Church activities 31bl 130,594 59,603 190,197 145.822 Other Expenditure 31cl 1.055 1,055 J,361 TOTAL EXPEP4DITURE 131,846 59,603 191,449 147, 784 NET INCOME/(_EXPENDITURE) 2,778 800 42,299 1.220 -38,301 800 J,482 J,642 -1,642 6. 952 Gr05s Transfers between funds- I Gross Transfers bekn'een fllnds- Out Gains on Investment Assets Other Recognised Losses -800 -800 4,999 4,999 NET MOVEMEf4T IN FUNDS 3.578 42,299 420 4,999 -33,302 8,434 Balances blfwd I st January 37,652 209,457 4,704 266,574 518,387 5(19,953 Balances clfwd 31st December 41.2-. 167,158 5.124 271,573 485,085 518,387 The Notes on Page5 3 to 6 form part of these accounts. Page I
NESTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COL'fciL BALANC'F. SIIF,F.T at .Ilst l)F.CF,MIIF.R 21124 21124 Nnte FIXED ASSETS Til Ii&bihlL fixLd A5SLIS Ini.'L'siniLni ASSLIS ?111.V75 CURRETriT ASSETS Siock on Fland Debi(Trrs Short D¥p05its iio Jju 6. 1.¥? ,'(J2.i- Cash 14S 169.g77 2119 4 72 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITH1 0E YF.AR 11.80) ij. (piz NF.T CL'RRF.NT A.SSF.T.S l i8.lng I¥C).Jlll TOTAL ASSETS £48i.U¥i 'il,Y.J.%- FUNDI Endolvnient Unresiricied- Dcsignaied Restricied Unresiri¢ted ?71.$7? 167.158 J-.l)i2 £48.08i Approved by il)e Parochial Churcli Council oli f May 20*5 and Signed on ils bel)dlf b}. Vicar Fr Ktvin Crinks Tru51te LUCN Brooks Meinb¢r ()I'thL A55vciaiion of Chartered Cerrilsed ALui)unlant£ The Note5 on Pages J to O form part of these a£cuunlb. P(ig7¥ 2
NESTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Note5 to the Account5 for the Year Ended 315t December 2024 ACC.OIINTINC. POLIC.IES The PCC is a public benetit entity within the meaning of Financial Reporting Standard 102. The fin1cial statemellts have been prepared under the Charities Act 201 l and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 goverlling the individual accounts of PCC'S and with the Regulations true and fair view provision. They have been prepared under FRS1021?0161 as the applicable accounting standards and the 2019 veTsion of the Stat¢m¢nt of Re¢omiMei)ded Piacti¢e, A¢¢ounting and Reporting by c.harities ISORP 2nd Editi()nlFRS10211 Fixed Assets C'ortséei'tjiéd Lartd (irtdlltiilJirtgs thd.(OV&b/e Chiireh Ftsrnishirtgs. Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.1012llal and Icl of the Charitie5 Act 2011. Such A5set5 are not capitalised in the financial statenients No value is plaLed 01) movabl¢ ¢hur¢l) fuTnishing5 held by the ¢hur¢hwardens on gpe¢ial tiust for the PC.C and which reqllire a faculty for disp()sal since the PCC. ¢onsiders this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings M'hether maintenance or iniprovement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed. Oiher Fi.rnires Jnd Office Equipmgnl Equipn)ent used within the chur¢h premises is depreciated on a strnight line basis appropriate to the life of the equipment concerned. Funds LNrestricted Funds Thes¢ T¢PT¢s¢nt the r¢iMaining inconie funds of the PCC that ar¢ available foi spending on the g¢neTal purposes of the PCC. including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for speiiding on a future project and are therefore not included in its'free reserves, as disclosed in the trustees, report. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affjliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members. Restricted Fund5 Thes¢ ale income funds that must be spent 01) Testricted purp()ses and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are showi) in the notes to the ac¢()unis. Endowment Funds Endowmellt funds have been introduced this year. There were none last year. These are restricted and separately invested. Page 3
NESTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the Account5 for the YeAr Ended 31st December 2024 (Continued) INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Ilnrtstritted Rtstrtcted De4ign9ted Fund5 TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Fund5 FNDdJ 2(a) Ré.snÈiice.¥ From DiTrrtnr.s Planned Giving Collections in Church and Boxes Gift-Aided Gifts Regular Gift Days tk)natioi)s and App¢alg Plat]ned Giving Tax Refunds 62,376 11,302 62.376 11,302 57.614 5,286 8,879 16,482 3,270 130 12.149 16.612 2.953 12, 704 Legacies C.h¢st¢r Diocesan Board Grant Vision Inconie Gas and P Rounding 1,000 1,000 5.QnO 99,039 4,400 103,439 83.556 2(b) Jncofrning Re5011rces from C-hiirch Activilies Wedding and Funeral fees PCC Slay & Play Grants and V A T Refui)ds A55iStant Staff C05t5 Tefunded by Diocese 7,250 7,250 1,220 6.114 13,971 600 764 3,916 1,220 476 2(t) 7,726 5,638 1,220 14,)84 19.251 Aclivilies Foi. Gep7eFCltin¥ Flind5 Wedding and Funeral fees Diocese Parish Fellowship Rent- Neston Centre Rent- 99 The Ringway Coinrade's Field Rooni Hire Wall Safe Shop In¢ome Village Fair Christmas Fairs Events Other In¢ome-Gas & Power Compensation 3,826 545 3,300 1,767 730 4,853 19 1,005 3,454 3,316 4,794 250 27,859 3.826 545 3,300 6,802 374 3.550 6.934 720 9,685 227 J. 195 2,580 1,825 2.64 4,766 730 4,853 1.005 3,316 4,794 250 32,625 2(d) 4,766 36,540 Jfr7veslmefr71S Income from Investments Bank interest etc 2,500 2,500 9.917 2.500 9,917 Page 4
NESTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the Attouthts for the Yer Ended 31st Detember 2024 (Continued) EXPENDITURE Ilnreslttttd Rtstrlcte Endbivme)It TOTAL TOTAL Fund% FUdS 2024 2023 31a l.undraising /i'ading.' Cosis ofsale & Oihei. Cosis Cosib ot-steiwardship Campaign 99 Shop ExpcnsL 98 Inve%tmenl mageMent C()%t% 99 98 485 197 197 601 3{b} chttrch.4ciiviiies Ou1ard Giling SeLular Charilie W¢ddings & Funeral Fees Dioce5¢ Parish Share Dtsignattd 3826 75344 422 1460 3.826 75.344 422 1,460 6, 187 304 ViLar's Working Expenses Curate'% Working Expense Vicarage Expen5¢S Education Insurancc Or¥an. piano luning Repair5 & Maint¢nan¢¢ ChuT¢he5 Cleaniiig Altar requisites Scrn'icL books Rc)bes & LhJliLes Music li¢enc¢s Organist's fees Choir tees Bcll fLLS ljpkeep c)f LhurlhYd F.quiptn¢nt hire Lqiiipillent strvicing usage charges Htaiing, Lighting & Il, Ratts Rcpairs & MainicnanLL NLsion CLntrL Vi%icin Expendiluie Youth Matter5 General F.xp¢nditurt Miscellaneous Lxpenditiire Bank charges 3534 3.)34 3.093 7624 936 4874 3591 199 7,694 936 7,315 936 4.551) 3.122 567 264 76 756 6.)05 560 200 384 45 518 15.207 J2,648 674 40.969 3.591 199 808 5640 808 5.640 540 1.249 1.789 526 14936 4404 i26 20.840 7,160 7.690 2.756 7,690.00 1461 469 1035 2.496 469 2.995 497 130.594 59,C)Q3 190.197 145.822 31¢ Ofher ExpendiNYe her Ordinari, PLC Expenditure Parish Oflic & Administraiion plsh i)rriLe e4iiipment Softi%'are subsLriplions 50 483 50 483 815 522 522 546 1.055 -055 1.36J Page 5
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Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 Parish of Neston 2024 Report and Accounts Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Neston, Cheshire. Aim and purposes It is also important that we maintain the fabric of our three church buildings and the Neston Centre to enable us to carry out our objectives and activities. Neston Parochial Church Council IPCCI has the aim of every Church of England church: To promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. Achievements and performance The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting this aim throughout the ecclesiastical parish of Neston. Revd Kevin Crinks started work in the Parish of Neston in September 2023, with the assistance of local, retired priests, especially Revd Maureen Hobbs, Revd Frances Skinner, and Revd Richard Skinner. The PCC is specifically responsible for maintaining.. Work with elderly people continues with CAFÉ (Community and Friendship for Everyone), meeting monthly in the Neston Centre. Work with the recently bereaved continues through OASIS in the Blue Bicycle coffee shop. St Mary & St Helen's Church.. Parish Church, High Street, Neston, CH64 9TZ,' St Michael and All Angels, Church- Marshlands Road, Little Neston, CH64 4AD: St Thomas's Church.. School Lane, Parkgate, CH64 6SR- and Neston Centre: High Street, Neston, CH64 9TZ. Our pre-school gatherings continued during 2024.. Stay & Play met in term-time on Friday mornings at the Parish Church, offering Christian teaching in a creative and well-received way. It is over- subscribed. Objectives and activities Children from the High School and primary schools made visits during the year and held their carol concerts in 2024. Experience Christmas and Experience Easter workshops were held for local schools. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to become part of our parish community. We aim to enable people to live out their Christian faith as part of our parish through- Services, worship, and prayer; Social outreach and pastoral work,. and Missionary outreach, especially to children and young people. Most of our activities in all three churches benefit from the work and commitment of many volunteers. without whom much of our work could not happen and the PCC would not meet its objectives. The PCC
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 want to thank those many people who are The gas meter in the Parish Church is too contributing their time and talents to our big to change to a smart meter, as is the gas work. meter in the Neston Centre The PCC is reasonably placed to address its financial position and manage budgets, but in 2024, it was only possible to work within our agreed working funds by drawing on other reserves. While there are large capital reserves for projects that are yet to be designed and delivered, day-to-day income not covering day-to-dav expenditure such as the Parish Share. Insurance, utilities, maintenance etc. A Stewardship group of the PCC is working on a new campaign. We acknowledge particularly the skill and commitment of the Treasurer, Lucy Brooks. An exhibition based on the Twelve Days of Christmas was held in the first week of December 2024 in the Parish church. It consisted of 12 fabric banners created by Meryl Abel which took two year5 to complete. The banners were created by stitching, embroidering, painting and with a touch of appliqué work. They were mounted on stands which were supplied by her husband Terry Abel. Over £1,000 was raised for parish funds from donations, and sales of refreshments and craft work. The PCC established three subgroups to address.. stewardship, communications and events. The Event5 Group has delivered many events throughout the year that have enhanced fellowship within our congregations and improved contact with the wider community. The Communications Group is making steady progress, and the Stewardship Group will start its work in 2025. Marion Forshaw helped lead a number of Civic outreach services: Civic Service. The Service in February was well attended by the Deputy Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor of Chester, Mayors of a number of adjoining areas and Civic leaders from Neston Town Council and elected representatives from Cheshire West and Chester Council. Neston Female Soclety. The Society held their Annual Walk through Neston on 6th June. This was attended by over 100 children and the adult members of the Society plus various civic dignitaries. Their Ecumenical Service was held at the Parish Church and outside at Neston Cross led by Revd Crinks. It included a presentation by Open the Book which delighted the children present. Armistice Day. The outside service and wreath laying at the war memorial was on Ilth November, was well supported and led by Revd Crinks. Churchwardens. reports Linda Haigh has continued to work on the energy contracts throughout the year. We are still with EDF. However, the contracts are up for renewal in 2025. Five of the 8 meters have been changed to smart meters. The Parish church electric meter can't be changed until they can access the safety switch, which is under the grass area to the side of the church. The area will be excavated in 2025 to complete the work
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 Remembrance Sunday. The parade and the Service was well attended by the British Legion, Members and Veterans of the armed forces, Civic Leaders and local Cadet and Youth Groups. The Service was led by Revd Crinks. Christmas outreach events The Parish Church hosted Christmas carol concerts for the Univer51ty of Liverpool Leahurst Veterinary School, Neston Primary School, Parkgate Primary School and Neston High School. Outdoor carol singing was held in Mostyn Square, Parkgate and in the Blue Bicycle courtyard in Neston. Both events being well attended and enjoyed by local residents. Approx. 115 people (including children) attended our three churches in person on those Sundays in October 2024 slight increase on 2023- Approx. 178 people attended our three churches on Easter Day- an increase of over 30 on 2023; Advent and Christmas services were held in all three churches.. o Approx. 745 people attended a range of services including carol services etc., Approx. 175 attended services on Christmas Day in person. o A children's party- Jesus's birthday party was held in St Michael's Church instead of a Christingle Service. Worship and prayer The number of views of streamed services on YouTube fluctuated through the year. Approx. 80 views were made of each of the live services streamed in October 2024,. A prayer group has continued to meet, focussing on praying for the world, the parish, for growth and for achieving our mission. The group has established itself on Zoom, as a weekly prayer group, with 6-8 people attending each Friday evening; Ten people were baptised. Baptism services are usually celebrated separately after our main Sunday services,. There were three weddings in our churches; There were twenty-one funerals held during the year, either in our churches or at crematoria / cemeteries. The Principal Sunday Service is streamed live from the Parish Church each week. Services are held every Sunday in all three churches. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday in the Parish Church, and twice a month on Sundays in St Michael's and St Thomas's churches. The mid-week Communion service continues in the Parish Church, now on Wednesday mornings. A weekly mid-week Communion service has started in St Michael's Church on Thursday afternoons. Prayers for healing are included once a month, and the Mothers Union hold their monthly meeting in the Parish Church after a Communion service. In 2024, our annual return to Statistics for Mission indicated.. At St Michael's Church
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 community together. Our Saturday event, The Parkgate Village Fair, had stalls, a BBQ and a sporting Revd Crinks who allowed people to throw water sponges at him in the stocks. The Café Church the following day was one of our Parish United Services. Breakfast was enjoyed by many from our congregations coming together from across the parish. The first Pet Blessing Service was held one Sunday afternoon in August. This attracted people from across several communities and charities, in addition to church people and over 20 extremely well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes. There was a Parish Harvest Supper for 60 people, with table quizzes, a raffle and were entertained by Gabriel, the local guitar player and singer. Together, the Harvest Supper and the Patronal Festival raised over £1,000 for PCC Funds. There was another Cafe Church Service (Come and have breakfast) on Advent Sunday. In December the St Thomas, front garden wa5 packed for the annual Open-Air Carols with the Port Sunlight Lyceum Band. followed by mulled wine and mince pies. As well as occasional hirers, a weekly Art Class is now running successfully. The congregation continues to clean the building and maintain the gardens. St Michael's has continued to hold Sunday services during the year. with Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sunday and Sunday Praise on the 2nd and 4th Sunday. There is also Communion on Thursday afternoon, followed by tea and coffee and a Warm Space during the winter months. The services are fairly well attended, and some children who come along and join us with their mums. Bluetooth has been installed which gives more flexibility with music should an organist be unable to play. New lighting has been installed in the building. Daniel Wakefield has played the organ for services on most Sundays after Jim Wilcock died earlier in the year. There was Alternative Carol Service at Christmas. It was well attended and enjoyed by those who came along. The Patronal Festival was on Sundav 29th September and was well attended. On the evening before, there was a Scouse and Quiz night for 60 people. The Communion and Carols united service on Sunday 29th December was well attended. It included an Adult Nativity, where some members of the congregation recreated the nativity. There are a numberofgroupswho hire the Church buildings on a regular basis. At St Thomas's Church There is a thriving congregation despite a number of regular members dying during the year. Throughout the year there were two Taizé Services which were well attended thanks, in part, to advertising on social media. The Patronal Festival was a great success, bringing church and Music plays an important role within acts of worship across the parish. Daniel Wakefield is our Organist and Choirmaster in the parish church. Currently there are about 16 regular members of the choir. The choir leads singing at our principal Sunday Service and other services.
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 the Nave Dais and for the main porch. There are similar arrangements in St Michael's and St Thomas's churches. For the Festivals of Easter, Harvest, Christmas and also Remembrance and Heritage Open Days a larger group of volunteers come together to produce more arrangements to decorate the churches. The PCC acknowledges this offering to our worship. The bell-ringing band continued to ring prior to every 10.45am service and the joint services held at the parish church during 2024, as well as additional Sunday afternoon and evening services. Twenty-four quarter pealswere rung at Neston in 2024, 3 mixture of ringing for the additional services, by visiting bands and for training and development by our band. One of the band members and one of our regular visitors on both Fridays and Sundays both rang their first quarter peals during the year. Quarter Peals were rung prior to the Ascension Day, Remembrance Sundav and Crib services. Quarter peals were also rung to mark the Patronal Festival, 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the Village Fair, the visit by Revd Richard Coles, the Neston High School Carol Concert, and the Carol Concert by Candlelight. Although there are ten members in the band and regular visitors both for our Friday evening practice and on a Sunday morning, due to a couple of regular ringers retiring for health reasons, the band is looking to recruit new ringers. The band has continued to attrart ringers from elsewhere who see Neston as a supportive place to develop their ringing skills. Progress in both method ringing and the quality of ringing has been made during 2024, and we hope that you have enjoyed the improvement of the ringing throughout the year. A small sub-committee was formed in 2024 to make progress with the much- needed bell restoration project. Deanery Synod Neston is part of the Wirral South Deanery in the Diocese of Chester. All our clergy are members of the Deanerysynod.. Revd Kevin Crinks, who has become the Chapter Clerk. Two lay representatives were elected in 2023 to the Deanery Synod for 3 years.. Robin Hughes and Richard Lewis. There are two vacancies. Lesley Irvin is an ex officio member as a licensed pastoral worker. Richard Lewis is the Lay Chair of the Deanery Synod. Revd Beth Glover (Eastham parish) retired as Rural Dean and was succeeded by Revd Vicky Barrett (Thornton Houghl. DeanerySynod metthree times in 2024 and learned about the Wirral Waters initiative in Birkenhead Docks. Dementia-friendly activities as well a5 deanery-wide worship at Thornton Hough and at Ellesmere Port. Electoral Roll Our three churches are decorated with flowers, especially at festival5. In the Parish Church, there are six people working on arrangements for There were 201 people on the Electoral Roll for the parish.
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 required to be exhumed. This will be done professionally. The work will be a combined effort between The Vicar, Wardens, Diocese, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Architect, and contractor. The four main rainwater roof outlets IGargoyles1 were improved for better water escape. A plan has been drawn up to incorporate the Parish Office into the Vestry including installin8 Wi-Fi for the Parish Church. A problem with the sound system occurred and a commercial sound engineer was called in. Lightning conductor on the Parish Church Tower inspection failed, but will being upgraded in April 2025. The annual Hardwire and PAT Tests were carried out in the Parish Church. The post of Electoral Roll Officer was unfilled until late 2024, following the death of Jim Wilcock in January 2024. Marion Forshaw was elected as Electoral Roll Officer by the PCC in late 2024. Buildings and services Our churches have been used by the wider community for civic and other purposes which help us to meet our objectives. Isee Wardens, Report- abovel We have continued to maintain our buildings and grounds. Parish Church of St Mary & St Helen Contractors were called in to remove vegetation, and repoint gables on the roof. The process of building a new disabled ramp at the south door (ramp door) is still ongoing. A design has been approved, and a contractor has been assigned. There is a delay in the Faculty Application due to there being two ancient graves within the area of the site build. There was consideration given to the installation of automatic glass doors at the south entrance from the proposed new ramp. At the time of investigation the design proved difficult and the cost with the ramp was too expensive, The decision was to go with just the ramp with the view of addressing the doors at a later date. The continuing need to repair and rebuild the West Wall of the churchyard lon Church Lane) is nearing its commencement date in May 2025. Public notices have been posted at graves, public noticeboards and media outlets advising that a number of graves adjacent to the wall are St Michael's The exterior of the building was repainted, and new rainwater furniture replaced the original cast iron furniture. The wooden outside patio hand rail was replaced with new. Hedge and shrubs were cutback and pruned. A new notice board was erected on the south wall adjacent to the main entrance doors. New replacement LED lights were installed in the Chapel and the Helen room. The sound system was improved, and a Bluetooth connection was installed St Thomas Two new dog fouling signs were erected in the access gates.
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 An area of the internal east wall was re- plastered and painted following severe signs of dampness. A condensation trap with water outlets was fitted to the east wall windowsill. Winter Fair A Winter Fair was held in November 2024 to avoid the clash of Christmas events. It was held in the Parish Church and was well attended by the wider parish and local school choirs. Approx £3,300 was raised for church funds. Of this. a substantial element was due to a raffle for a gold and diamond pendant. generously donated by Balducci, the Jewellers. The Neston Centre The smoke detection system was up graded to the present British Standard. A quote was received for redecorating the rear committee room, toilet and adjacent hallway. No action taken. An investigation is under way looking in to re-instating the Parish Hall to a social amenity that may include winter services to reducing the cost of heating the Parish Church. Pastoral Care Conversations, telephone calls, input to Prayer and Action along with the Guild of St Luke and St Raphael prayer chain keep the Ministry Team and Church aware of health and isolation issues within the community. Where appropriate and permitted, Home Communion is offered and taken out from the Church. Revd Kevin Crinks coordinates funera15 with local retired priests and Readers. Funeral ministry extends to many years after initial contact and the immediate irnpact of bereavement. This includes follow up information, OASIS support group, making connections and visiting with particular attention to isolation. There is an annual Memorial Service on the Sunday closest to All Souls, Day. In addition, New church information notice boards were designed and installed at all three Churches. Two memorial benches were erected, one at St Michael's and one at St Thomas,, both at no cost to PCC. Vlllage Falr The 2024 Village Fair was held on the first Saturday in July. Despite mixed weather on the day, the event was well attended by the people of Neston, who were able to enjoy a good family afternoon out for the whole family. Entertainment provided throughout the afternoon with the usual mix of local acts. The Parish made a total of approx. £2,000, which included income from the Grand Raffle, the gate money, craft and toy stalls, and from the teas and cakes in the church. The Guild of St Luke and St Raphael continued its key ministry of offering regular prayers for healing, daily for many in the local communities and further afield. Again, the Guild's wider prayers for healing ministry has been a monthly focus within Mid-week Communions. Healing Eucharists have continued and are now part of a monthly principal Sunday service. was
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 members for all their work during the year. CAFÉ group CAFE stands for Community and Friendship for Everyone and meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month in the Neston Centre. It is open to anyone, with games, Scrabble. Rummikub. Dominoes and Painting, plu5 tea, coffee and cake. It is also a Warm Space for the winter months. There are a number of regulars who come along each month. Bible Study Group During the year. Revd Crinks has led weekly bible 5tudie5 With up to two dozen parishioners in the Blue Bicycle coffee shop. GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) groups OASIS group OASIS meets on the 2nd Tuesday ofthe month at the Blue Bicycle. It is for people who are bereaved and want to meet up and chat. It is not a counselling group, but a friendship group, which has a group of regulars who come along most months and is open to anyone. Two groups explored topics in informal ways to grow, strengthen and 5UPPOrt the faith of those attending. The three-fold ingredients are prayer. Bible study and fellowship. The GG7 GIFT house group facilitated by Beryl and Robin Hughes, continued, during its tenth year, to gather monthly at their home, for Bible study, prayer and enjoyment. It majored in video- supported studies of St Paul's Journeys and St Peter's journey to Rome, and we all learned a lot about the geography ofthe Eastern Mediterranean and the very early church. The second group, coordinated by Carol Stott, met throughout the year. During the darker nights, meetings were held over Zoom and reflected on St Mark's Gospel in particular. During the lighter evenings, the group met socially in the Parish. Knit And Natter Group In 2024, the group had another successful year full of friendship, knitting and nattering. They were able to give knitted donations to: Claire House The Salvation Army The Seamans Mission o The Hedgehog Society o Brimstage Hall Care Home o The Ark Arrowe Park Hospital Maternity Unit Charles Thompson Mission. They also had an Easter coffee morning and stalls at the Summer Fair, the Winter Fair and the Christmas Exhibition. From these we were able to give a donation of over £700.00 to the church. In June we had our annual "Afternoon Tea" party in order to thank all our Mission and evangelism with schools Revd Crinks has made contact with Neston schools and visits them. Children from Parkgate, Woodfall, St Winefride's and Burton Road Schools attended Experience Easter and
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 Experience Christmas events at St bottle, open a bank account and gain Michael's and St Thomas's churches. independence. I We are praying that more leaders will 43 baby hats lincluding 21 special be found to help with this vital work premature baby hats) were delivered with children and young people. to the Maternity Unit at Arrowe Park Hospital. Mothers, Union worked in partnership with Kidsbank in Chester, which is local faith-based registered charity supporting families. They collect new and pre-loved items for babies and children, distributing them to families in Cheshire and Flintshire. These families face challenges like homelessness. unemployment. high living costs and domestic violence. Neston Mothers, Union now have 29 members for 2025. We welcome new members. Angela Klabou has now stood down after 6 years as Branch Leader and Diane Millington has taken over. The MU Stay & Playteam run this ever- growing group. There are 25-30 children attending regularly with parents and grandparents. The aim is to share the love of Jesus with these families in all we do with them. It's a wonderful, friendly outreach for the Church and Mothers, Union. Friday morning is their church. We have a Bible story, action songs and prayers. At Easter and Christmas, MU gives them children's books about these events. Mothers, Union MU have met every month in 2024. except August, after the 1.30 Communion Service in the Parish Church. They enjoyed many excellent speakers and hosted a Deanery Advent Service and afternoon tea December. Prayer is at the heart of all M U does, including participating in the MU worldwide wave of prayer in May. MU gave a children's Bible to every baptism candidate and a Wedding Bible to couples getting married in our Parish. Proceeds of £200 from our Lent lunches went to the MU Relief fund. For Mothering Sunday, MU raised money in all three churches to purchase five Gifts of Dignity in grateful thanks for our much-loved mothers. The 5 gifts were: Literacy and business skills training- Helping communities build resilience against natural disasters,- Empowering women to reach their full potential,. Enabling families to pay school fees and support their futures; Supporting income generation and agricultural enterprises. The total amount raised for the worldwide Mothers, Union was £226. MU supported the MU Summer of Hope Appeal. The Christmas Appeal benefitted from our Advent Deanery Raffle. This Appeal was to empower literacy amongst women. 1480 million women around the world can't read or write. Which means they can't register the birth of their child, read a medicine Outward Giving Neston PCC was unable to give unrestricted gifted income to local and overseas charities in 2024. The Parish Website.. Neston PCC continued to maintain our web presence with information about our services and activities on
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 arishchurch.or strength and the teams include members of our congregations. Christian Aid promoted and maintaining the Fair-Trade status of Neston is encouraged. Member churches operate Warm Hubs on a number of days through out each week. NDCt also have a representative on the Neston and Willaston Community Partnership Steering Group. This group focuses on mental wellbeing, children and young people and the wellbeing of our older citizens. htt www.neston ndex.as Prayer & Action pew sheets are a valuable. informative, and important weekly flyer of group activities, and weekly service information keeping everyone updated. Approx. 90% of these are now emailed weekly or posted to members the congregation and others interested in our work, mainly in the town. During 2024, we were assisted by retired priests in holding our services including Revd Maureen Hobbs, Revd Frances Skinner and Revd Richard Skinner. Lesley Irvin continued her work as Licensed Pastoral Worker. Elizabeth Joyce is a Reader Emeritus and leads services in all our churches. Tony Cooke is a Reader, working in the parish for about 6 months each year. Richard Lewis and John Hart are Readers and lead services, in all our churches. Val Johnson and Carol Stott were trained by Chester Diocese and qualified as OWLS (Occasional Worship Leaders) an initiative by the diocese that started in 2024. ANNUAL REPORT 2024: FINANCES The funds available to the parish consist of.. l. Our General Fund where general income and expenditure go in and out. The overall balance of this is our "General Reserve." 2. Other 'Re5tricted" Funds which are reserves which can only be used for particular purposes. It is the policy of the PCC to hold enough General Reserves to cover three months, running costs. Ecumenical work SUMMARY Neston and Distrirt Churches Together INDcri We have continued in our support of NDCT and have attended their regular meetings and their Service for Christian Unity in January, the Christian Aid Service in May and the Service for One World Week in October. We have also hosted in rotation a number of prayer breakfasts at St Michael's. Open the Book taking Bible Stories back into school assemblies is gaining Our running costs exceeded our general income by more than £22,400 12023 £16,500). This excludes significant repairs to the Parish Church roof costing £28,200. Other funds have been used to subsidise the running costs of the parish, as explained later in these notes. The PCC'S largest item of expenditure is Parish Share which is paid to Chester Diocese.. io
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 19 provided £26,195150% of the totall 2022 £69,666.60 2023 £71.756.64 2024 £75,344.40 2025 £77.604.72 The average standing order was £46 per month. Electricity, gas & water is the third largest area of expenditure. The cost of these increased by one third during 2024, and are 82% higher than 2022. GAS ELECTRICITY & WATER 2022 Parish Church St Michael's St Thomas, £8,042.43 £2,475.73 £934.93 £11453.09 PLANNED GIVING Following the request from the PCC to electoral roll members, planned giving increased by 25% during 2021. 2023 Parish Church St Michael's St Thomas, £10,337.53 £2,923.22 £1945.65 £15 206.40 2019 £49,389.84 2020 £47.215.35 2021 £59,001.87 2022 £56,829.32 2023 £57.613.97 2024 £62,375.86 2024 Parish Church St Michael's St Thomas, £13,336.19 £5,921.96. £1582.58 £20 840.73 'includes gas of £4,048.78 from 2 July 2023 to 31 May 2024 There are around 100 people involved in planned giving, and so far around a third have responded to the request at the end of 2024 to increase giving. USE OF OTHER FUNDS TO SUBSIDISE THE GENERAL RUNNING COSTS The majority of planned givers use monthlv standing orders. A review of the 2024 standing orders revealed: l. Part of the Parish Church's energy & water costs have been paid using monies totalling £5,904.30 withdrawn from the Betty Smith legacy investment. No. of Standing Orders Monthly Amount Total Amount 2. Significant repairs to the Parish Church roof totalling £28,191.95, and other repairs to the building of £3,301.99, were paid for by the Morris Legacy. £0-£22 £22- £43 £43- £65 £65- £87 £87- £130 £130- £328 4 Total 95 32 29 15 £5,263 £11,375 £9,306 £7,270 £8,455 £10 470 £52,139 3. Repairs to buildings and car parks, pruning trees, and improvements to sound systems totalling £16,017.57 were paid for by the Vision Fund. Of the planned giving standing orders.. 76 provided £25,944150'A of the totall li
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 This subsidising of the General Fund from other funds results in a picture as follows: Morris Legacy for the Parish Church £28,637 Income £134,624.26 Expenditure £131,846.23, Surplus £2,778.03 The Vision Fund is available for a range of activities- Expenditure excludes amounts paid from other funds as detailed above. Communications Youth Ministry Team & Leadership Worship for all the Family Fellowship and Social Prayer and Study Giving Outreach & Pastoral Buildings & Resources It is the policy of the PCC to hold enough General Reserves to cover three months, running costs. Based on expenditure during 2024, excluding the Parish Church roof repairs, this threshold is £39,500. In the course of 2024, the General Reserve increased from £37,500 to £41,000, by using restricted legacies and the Vision Fund where possible to subsidise the running costs of the Parish. Safeguarding During 2024, in line with Diocese of Chester guidelines, Neston Parish has a Safeguarding Officer for Neston Parish, Liz Ledsham. BEy SMITH LEGACY INVESTMENT The value of the investment at the end of December 2024 was £189,582, an increase of 2.7% compared to the December 2023 value of £184,584. At the beginning of 2024 she arranged and held a basic safeguarding training session with Amanda Donelan, DBS lead recruiter, at St Michaels. The turnout was 23 and the training was well received. Lump sum withdrawals from this investment are likely in the short term to fund large projects at the Parish Church, such as replacing the external ramp. On-line training During 2024. Volunteers accessing the CofE training portal has resulted in 3 volunteers completing the Basic training, 6 people completing the Foundation, l Leadership, 6 Domestic Abuse, I Safer Recruitment. OTHER RESERVES A summary of the PCC'S reserves is included in the notes to the accounts. The largest restricted reserves of the PCC at the end of 2024 were: DBS Checks 4 DBS checks have been completed locally by the DBS Lead Recruiter. Other Diocese DBS renewals have also taken place Vision Fund £72,056 Hillcrest (including Robert Hamiltonl Curacy Fund £29,086 COE Dashboard system. Neston was one of the first of 81 parishes1265 Invited) to sign up to the 12
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 Safeguarding Dashboard. The Dashboard is designed to make life simpler and provide a way of checking that the parish has everything in place regarding its safeguarding procedures. There are three levels to complete, level I being the first. It also has a traffic light system to show if the Parish is succeeding and has everything in place, needs work or is failing. There are 7 different sections, and these are being added to at each level. It is a way of auditing what is already in place, what needs doing and when things need reviewing. The PCC agreed and authorised Level I Dashboard Safeguarding Action Plan October 2024 Level One Safer Foundations of the Dashboard has been completed. We are currently working through Level 2 and Level 3. Level 2 covers Safer Foundations and Safer Activities The Dashboard has thrown up areas that the Parish needs to put in place to complete level 2 and 3. Some of these have already been completed in the past 12 months. o A Recruitment of Offenders Policy is now in place and authorised by the PCC. Safer Recruitment Policy, written and awaiting PCCS approval List of 9 Church Activities to be included on the Dashboard agreed by the PCC o Insurance Check against listed activities has been completed by the Secretary o PCC agreed that all new volunteers will follow C of E Safer recruitment procedures when they start to volunteer in any of the 9 artivities, including references plus the other safer recruitment procedures. Where a DBS is required for the volunteer role, they have to complete the DBS check and Safeguard training before starting in the volunteer role. (Not all roles require DBS checks or Safeguarding Training) All 9 listed Parish activities on the Dashboard each need a risk assessment completed for their activity and role descriptions written for volunteer roles. All volunteers should also have a copy of the role description. This is part of Level 2 on the Dashboard and is yet to be completed. The Dashboard also alerts the Parish to procedures that need reviewing and has alerted the PCC for the need to review its procedures for dealing with safeguarding concerns. The Hub The Parish was invited and is now registered to use the new Hub. The Hub keep5 a record of the Parish Safeguarding training and DBS checks for volunteers and any renewal dates. This will be a very useful tool in the future and will have the ability to run off reports as well as alerts when DBS checks need renewing. New Organisations using Church Premises St Thomas'5 has a new organisation using the premises and all the paperwork regarding acceptance of Parish safeguarding policy has been completed and put on file. I haven't been informed of any other new organisations using Church Premises. Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations In the previous 12 months there were no concerns, allegations or need to make a report to the Diocese Safeguarding Team. 13
Neston Parochial Church Council Trustees, Report for 2024 Audits With the dashboard in place there At the annual meeting in May 2024, there is no need for future audits. were 201 people on the Electoral Roll. About 20 members attended the meeting. The members of the PCC in December 2024 were: Structure and governance The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Neston is a corporate body established by the Church of England, and is a Registered Charity registered with the Charity Commission, with the public benefit being for the advancement of religious education promoting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines of the Church of England. Clergy- Revd Kevin Crinks (Chairl Churchwardens: Marion Forshaw; Linda Haigh PCC Secretary: Richard Lewis PCC Treasurer.. Lucy Brooks Trustees.. Terry Abel,. Lucy Brooks- Alex Cummins,. John Hart,. Lesley Irvin (Vice Chairl,. Val Johnson,. Helena Jones; Peter Rossiter; Carol Stott; Sue Thomas. The governing documents are the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules 2020 las amended in 20221 Deanery Synod laity.. Robin Hughes, Richard Lewis. Lesley Irvin attends as a licensed Pastoral Worker in her own right. The object of the charity is to promote the whole mission of the Church in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Neston. The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Liz Ledsham, who has provided reports to PCC, and attended some meetings. The trustees of the charity, being the elected, co-opted. or ex-officio members of the PCC, organise a formal election each year in the run-up to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting IAPCMI to fill vacancies on the PCC. New members elected to the PCC automatically become trustees of the charity. Administration and contact details St Mary & St Helen's Church: Parish Church, High Street, Neston CH64 9TZ; St Michael and All Angels. Church.. Marshlands Road, Little Neston CH64 4AD,. StThomas the Apostle's Church- School Lane, Parkgate CH64 65R- and Neston Centre- High Street, Neston CH64 9TZ. The Parish Office is at the Neston Centre and is staffed on Monday mornings and Wednesday mornings. 07464 258372 neston Elected and co-opted PCC members serve for a period of no more than 3 years after which they may seek re-election. There are no limits to the number of times a person may serve as PCC member. On standing down from the PCC, a member is also removed from the list of trustees of the charity. A full list of the trustees of the charity is available on the Charity Commission website. arishoffice mail.com 14