PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR 2023
1. Administrative information
The Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert is situated in the village of Bolton Abbey
and is part of the Diocese of Leeds. The correspondence address is Church Office, Bolton
Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6AL.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission.
PCC members who have served since the date of the last report, 31 January 2023, until the
date of this report are:
Clergy
Rev N. J. Mercer Rector, Chairman
Churchwardens
Mr M. J. Hey
Mrs D. J. Simpson
Diocesan Synod Representative
Deanery Synod Representatives
Mrs S. Barker
Mr P. Lambert (non-voting)
Honorary Member
Duke of Devonshire
Patron
Elected Lay Representatives
Mrs E. Adams-Lambert Environment Officer/Village Hall representative
Mrs S. Barker
Mr B. J. Cody
Mrs J. Crawford
Mrs R. Fisher Electoral Roll/Friends
Mr M. J. R. Heatley PCC Treasurer
Mr P. Lambert (non-voting)
Mrs K. J. Templeton PCC Secretary /Guides organiser
Mr G. Yates
2. Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.
All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for
election to the PCC.
3. Mission Statement
A community seeking to live well with God, gathered around Jesus Christ in prayer and
fellowship and committed to welcome, worship and witness.
4. Church Attendance
a. There are 122 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll. Of these 90% live outside the
Parish.
b. During 2023 there were 16 baptisms in the Priory Church and 20 couples were married.
There were also 19 funerals and one person was confirmed.
1.
5. Review of the Year
At the end of the pandemic, it was anticipated that Church congregations would fall by 10-
20%. Indeed, this has been the experience of many churches, not least in the Diocese of
Leeds. However, having submitted the Statistics for Mission at the end of 2023, I am
pleased to report, once again, that Bolton Priory has continued to hold together and its
pre-pandemic numbers have been sustained. Indeed, there is very little difference between
the figures for 2022 and 2023. In addition, we continue to be joined by an on-line
worshipping community as well. This has not impacted on actual church attendance but has
allowed those who are sick or housebound to join us. We still also have sizeable numbers
of on-line worshippers who are unknown as we are unable to interrogate the on-line figures.
Some notable events during the course of 2023 included:
On the 18[th] March, the writer and journalist Peter Oborne delivered the St Cuthbert’s
lecture at Bolton Priory. This was an inter-faith lecture on why the West is wrong about
Islam. The thrust of Peter’s lecture was that the West has always perpetrated and continues
to perpetrate myths about Islam and that, in reality, there is nothing for the West to
fear. Approximately 40 people attended the lecture.
The Coronation of King Charles III was celebrated on 7[th] May. We had a special Service of
Thanksgiving at Bolton Priory and 114 people attended the service. The Parish held a
lunch party after the service at which over 100 parishioners attended.
On the 24[th] June, the Army Apprentice College at Harrogate sent 42 junior soldiers to
Bolton Priory to help clean up the graveyard. They kindly helped the parish to clean moss
off the gravestones and to right some of the gravestones which had been placed face down
on the graves. They also removed much of the rubble which had accumulated in the lower
graveyard and put the boulders back in the river.
On the 23[rd] July, the Rector preached on the feeding of the five thousand referring to a
picture by Eularia Clarke (where Jesus is depicted at a Church party while everyone is
eating fish and chips). A fish and chip van was arranged for after the service and over
fifty people had fish and chips together in the Boyle Room.
In September, William Mason, an ordinand at Salisbury Theological College, spent a week
at Bolton Priory learning about rural ministry. He took part in a number of services and
was generously hosted by many members of the parish.
On 22[nd] October we had our first Confirmation Service since 2019 when the new Bishop of
Ripon, Anna Eltringham, confirmed Anne Hardy.
We also had a visit from the Diocese of Erfurt in Germany who joined us for Sung Eucharist
on the 29[th] October. Fifteen members of the Diocese joined us for the service and the
Lord’s Prayer was said in German. After the service, there was lunch for thirty at the
Rectory followed by a walk at Bolton Abbey.
Finally, in November, the Rector gave a number of talks at Ripon Cathedral on the “Just
War and Christianity”.
Liturgy and Worship
Worship continued throughout the year. In addition to the visit by the new Bishop of
Ripon, we had a number of visiting preachers including John Barret the former Head of the
Methodist Conference, Reverend Jimmy Hinton vicar of St Stephen’s Church, West Bowling in
Bradford and Father John Wisdom, formerly priest in charge of St Mary’s Catholic Church
in the Falkland Islands.
2.
As well as the weekly services, during the course of 2023 the Priory conducted 16 baptisms,
20 weddings, 13 funerals and 6 interments of ashes.
The outreach of the Priory continued. Donations were made to Shine (West Bowling),
Christians against Poverty, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and the Skipton Food
Bank.
Liquid Worship continued to flourish. For the first time we held an All-Ages Service on
Palm Sunday which included a donkey! 122 people attended the service. Once again, we
held a joint service for Harvest Festival with an artistic contribution from the Montessori
School in Upper Wharfedale. 112 people attended this service and a talk was given by
Climate Action in Ilkley on the need to achieve net zero as part of the stewardship of
God’s creation. In addition to Liquid Worship, the Boyle and Petyt School held their
carol service at the Priory on the 19[th] December and approximately 350 people attended.
There was no Nativity play this year but Christingle was held on Christmas Eve attracting
over 350 worshippers.
Music continued to play a pivotal part in the life and worship of the Priory under the
Director of Music, Dr Tim Raymond. The choir numbers held up well and the organ scholar,
Amelie Chaduc, continued to make good progress.
The concert series continued with four concerts being held in 2023 (Manchester Chorale,
Wharfedale Chamber Ensemble, Aires and Grace notes and Chapter House Choir). We also had
a number of other concerts performed by Cantores Salicium, The Tallis Consort and the UCC
Handbell Choir. The highlight at Christmas was a Christmas Concert given by Alexandra
Lowe who sang a Christmas medley of songs having spent the summer at Glyndebourne!
Governance
Finally, I am pleased to report that the PCC and Standing Committee functioned very
harmoniously and smoothly for the whole year. The APCM was held in Church on 28[th] May and
Joyce Simpson and Matt Hey were duly elected as Church Wardens for 2023/4.
Conclusion
I am also pleased to report that, once again, Bolton Priory held together very well.
Furthermore, we managed to pay our parish share in full for the second year in a row since
the pandemic. As mentioned in my last report however, this decade is like to see continued
decline in Church numbers and, as a parish, we need to prepare for the transition and the
inevitable succession that will follow. It is incumbent on the current generation to
equip Bolton Priory for ministry and mission for the coming decade and beyond. This is
our challenge. We have a Gospel to proclaim to this and future generations.
6. Financial Review
Total receipts on ordinary unrestricted funds during the year amounted to £190,952 (2022
- £184,527). Total expenditure from those funds amounted to £195,659 (2022 - £189,543).
The net result of this was a deficit for the year of £4,707 (2022 – Deficit - £5,016). We
did, however, have a surplus on restricted funds of £7,934 (2022 – Deficit - £108).
Our Diocesan Share for the year was set at £93,034 and we paid this in full despite the
fact that this resulted in the deficit mentioned above. Our Share for 2024 has been set
at £88,382 made up of Baseline Parish Share - £72,634 and Capping Adjustment - £15,748.
We have told the Diocese that we will pay the Baseline Share in full but only so much of
the Capping Adjustment as to keep us out of deficit for the year.
3.
7. Reserves Policy
It is the PCC policy to maintain adequate reserves in unrestricted funds to cover any
eventuality for the maintenance of this ancient church. As a consequence, at the year
end, we held £32,450 in a general reserve account (2022 - £35,833). This account is held
by the Central Board of Finance.
8. The PCC greatly appreciates and thanks all those from the congregation who contribute so much to the work of the Priory Church, its worship and mission:
-
a. The Standing Committee: The Rector, the Churchwardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer.
-
b. The Serving Team led by Mr Michael Vineall.
-
c. The Liquid Worship team led by Mrs Joan Mason.
-
d. The Administration Department led by Mrs Margaret Cody assisted for many years by Mrs Betty Nelmes but now by Mrs Amanda Wood.
-
e. Mrs Kate Templeton our Secretary and our Treasurer, Mr Michael Heatley.
-
f. The church cleaning now JK Cleaning Services but with additional help from the congregation.
-
g. The Choir and the Priory Director of Music, Dr Timothy Raymond.
-
h. The floral teams co-ordinated by Mrs Lorna Freegard,
-
i. The magazine team and editor, Mrs Joyce Simpson ably assisted by Mrs Liz Clayton.
-
j. The Welcome Team led by Mrs Kate Templeton.
-
k. The Voluntary Offertory and general money counters.
-
l. The Sacristan, Mrs Jen Hardaker.
-
m. The coffee team led by Mrs Liz Hornby.
-
n. The Priory Verger, Mr Peter Lambert.
-
o. The Sidesmen led by Mrs Susan Whittaker,
-
p. The Friends of Bolton Priory under their Chairman, Mrs Jill Riley.
-
q. Our webmaster Mrs Aurora Mercer.
-
r. The Skipton Food Bank team led by Mrs Lyn Bartlett
-
s. Our Baby Basics contact, Mrs Mary Vineall.
-
t. Last, but by no means least, our Churchwardens, Mr Matt Hey and Mrs Joyce Simpson.
On behalf of the PCC
N. J. Mercer
30 January 2024 Rev N. J. Mercer
4.
PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
Registered Charity No 1129541
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OF THE
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
RECTOR:
Revd N. J. Mercer
The Rectory
Bolton Abbey
Skipton
BD23 6AL
BANKERS:
Santander UK plc
Bootle
Merseyside
L30 4GB
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:
T. A. Barker
Chartered Certified Accountant
Barnhill
Wetherby Road
Collingham
LS22 5AY
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from
donors
2(a)
Other voluntary incoming
resources
2(b)
Income from ancillary
trading
2(c)
Income from investments 2(d)
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
Grants
3(a)
Activities directly
relating to the work
of the church
3(b)
Church management and
administration
3(c)
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING)
RESOURCES
9
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1 JANUARY
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT
31 DECEMBER |
Unrestric
ted Funds
£108,616
38,551
40,016
3,769
190,952
4,000
151,579
40,080
195,659
(4,707)
94,393
£ 89,686 |
Restricted Total Funds
Funds 2023
2022
£ 12,094
£120,710
£112,854
-
38,551
33,633
-
40,016
43,716
7,421
11,190
2,941
19,515
210,467
193,144
-
4,000
4,000
6,311
157,890
159,168
5,270
45,350
35,100
11,581
207,240
198,268
7,934
3,227
(5,124)
150,781
245,174
250,298
£158,715
£248,401
£245,174 |
|
|
|
5.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock of books and postcards
Debtors
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Unrestricted
Restricted |
Note
2023
2022
£ 10,829
£ 9,719
6
1,650
3,561
232,724
226,429
10,070
11,595
255,273
251,304
7
(6,872)
(6,130)
248,401
245,174
£248,401
£245,174
5
£ 89,621
£ 94,329
158,780
150,845
£248,401
£245,174 |
|
|
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 30 January 2024 and signed on its behalf
by:
N. J. Mercer M. J. R. Heatley
Revd N. J. Mercer Michael J. R. Heatley
Rector Honorary Treasurer
The notes on pages 6 to 9 form part of these accounts.
6.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial
statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with
the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of
PCC’s, and with the Regulations’ “true and fair view” provisions and is prepared
under FRS102(2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of
the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities
(SORP(FRS102)).
ASSETS
Consecrated and benefice property
In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the
statutory definition of ‘charity’ by Section 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities
Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.
Short term deposits
These are the cash held on deposit with the CCLA.
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for
spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the
PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and
which are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the
trustees’ report.
Restricted Funds
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of
the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
7.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2. INCOMING RESOURCES
2(a) Income resources from donors
Planned giving
Gift aided
Income tax recoverable
Not gift aided
Collections at all services
Votive candles
Donations
2(b) Other voluntary incoming resour
Church boxes
Fund raising events
2(c) Income from ancillary trading
Bookstall
Magazine
Fees – see note
2(d) Income from investments
Bank interest
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
Note: Fees
Fees due to the PCC
Weddings
Funerals, cremations etc
Video/Streaming/Photography
As shown above
Heating/Music
Fees passed on to:
Diocese
Organist
Choir
Verger
Total fees received |
Unrestric
ted Funds
£ 63,452
17,816
1,466
21,119
1,524
3,239
108,616
ces
28,983
9,568
38,551
21,850
4,504
13,662
40,016
3,769
3,769
£190,952
£ 5,580
3,832
4,250
13,662
3,270
16,932
6,975
4,630
3,520
2,105
17,230
£ 34,162 |
Restricted Total Funds
Funds 2023
2022
£ -
£ 63,452
£ 63,144
-
17,816
18,281
-
1,466
1,603
-
21,119
17,724
-
1,524
1,888
12,094
15,333
10,214
12,094
120,710
112,854
-
28,983
27,702
-
9,568
5,931
-
38,551
33,633
-
21,850
23,947
-
4,504
3,882
-
13,662
15,887
-
40,016
43,716
7,421
11,190
2,941
7,421
11,190
2,941
£ 19,515
£210,467
£193,144
£ 7,232
3,055
5,600
15,887
4,115
20,002
6,872
5,475
3,300
2,360
18,007
£ 38,009 |
|
|
|
8.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
3. RESOURCES USED
3(a) Grants
Missionary and charitable
giving:
Overseas mission societies
Christian relief agencies
Home mission and Church
societies
Secular charities
3(b) Activities directly relating
to the work of the Church
Ministry: Diocesan share
Clergy expenses
Organists and choir
Verger
Altar and books
Light and heat
Insurance
Repairs and renewals
Fund raising events
Bookstall
Magazine
Boyle Room
Flowers and requisites
3(c) Church management and
Administration
Rectory
Parish administrator
Parish office
Office equipment - running
costs
Printing, stationery,
postage, telephone
Sundries
Heating project
TOTAL RESOURCES USED |
Unrestric
ted Funds
£ -
-
-
4,000
4,000
93,034
1,206
7,407
1,880
2,290
4,913
5,774
12,833
3,404
9,609
3,838
5,391
-
151,579
6,807
13,800
8,300
5,341
3,566
2,266
-
40,080
£195,659 |
Restricted Total Funds
Funds 2023
2022
£ -
£ -
£ -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,000
4,000
-
4,000
4,000
-
93,034
97,930
-
1,206
981
1,485
8,892
8,795
-
1,880
2,100
-
2,290
1,624
-
4,913
2,547
-
5,774
5,304
-
12,833
9,468
-
3,404
3,586
-
9,609
13,803
-
3,838
2,540
-
5,391
3,825
4,826
4,826
6,665
6,311
157,890
159,168
-
6,807
5,713
-
13,800
12,600
-
8,300
8,625
-
5,341
3,682
-
3,566
3,126
-
2,266
1,354
5,270
5,270
-
5,270
45,350
35,100
£ 11,581
£207,240
£198,268 |
|
|
|
9.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PRIORY CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ST. CUTHBERT, BOLTON ABBEY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4. STAFF COSTS
4.STAFF COSTS |
|
|
|
Total |
Funds |
|
2023 |
2022 |
Wages and salaries |
£ 22,760 |
£ 20,760 |
Social security costs |
- |
- |
|
£ 22,760 |
£ 20,760 |
During the year the PCC employed a parish administrator, an organist and
a verger, one of whom earned over £10,000.
5. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND
Unrestric
ted Funds
Current assets
£ 96,493
Current liabilities
(6,872)
Fund balance
£ 89,621
6.DEBTORS
Income tax recoverable
Other debtors
7.LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors for goods and services
Accruals |
Restricted
Funds Total
£158,780
£255,273
-
(6,872)
£158,780
£248,401
£ 1,325
£ 2,991
325
570
£ 1,650
£ 3,561
£ 5,705
£ 5,130
1,167
1,000
£ 6,872
£ 6,130 |
|
|
8. FUND DETAILS
The unrestricted funds comprise the main church account and part of the
restoration account.
The restricted funds comprise part of the restoration account, the music
endowment account and the flower account.
9. NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
Church account |
|
£ (6,860) |
£ (5,569) |
Restoration account |
|
2,153 |
554 |
|
|
(4,707) |
(5,015) |
Restoration account |
|
7,525 |
1,920 |
Music endowment account |
|
569 |
(1,059) |
Flower account |
|
(160) |
(970) |
|
|
7,934 |
(109) |
|
|
£ 3,227 |
£ (5,124) |
|
10. |
|
|