## Parochial Church Council Annual Report
1[st] January – 31[st] December 2025
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## Vision & Values
The 2025 vision of St Giles’ is to be a church that is: Following Jesus, Building Community and Making a difference.
Our four values are:
## Authentic
## Welcoming
We seek to worship and follow Jesus with authenticity. We are committed to varied forms of worship. We do not believe that one size fits all. We believe that substance is more important than style.
St Giles’ is for everyone; it is not a club for churchgoers, but rather a spiritual centre for the whole community. Everyone is welcome at St Giles’. No one is excluded.
## Generous
## Hopeful
We seek to be a generous people who share the love of God with our community. We are generous with the gifts and resources God has given us: our time, skills, and money.
We believe that God has a bright future for our church and our community; we are full of hope for what God is doing among us. We are prepared to take risks and learn from our mistakes trusting in God’s faithfulness.
## Background
St Giles’ Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for promoting the work in the parish of the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the church, church grounds and the adjoining church hall. The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure.
The PCC has complied with its duty under s5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 and has regard to guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, a duty which it takes seriously.
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## Administrative Information
St Giles’ Church is situated on the junction of Church Hill, Bramhope and the main A660 road from Leeds to Otley. It is part of the Diocese of Leeds within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: St Giles’ Parish Church, Church Hill, Bramhope, LS16 9BA. The church is registered as a charity; charity number 1129657. PCC members are trustees of this charity and therefore have responsibilities to the Charity Commission.
## Parochial Church Council
The vicar, the churchwarden, and the licensed lay minister (reader) are ex-officio members of the PCC, as are three Deanery Synod representatives. They are joined by 10 lay members of the congregation who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Lay members serve for 3 years, with a maximum of two terms, and 4 retire on a rolling basis each year. The church holds its APCM in April or May of each year when a new PCC is elected.
The 2025-2026 PCC was elected at the APCM on 18 May 2025.
|Ex-officio Members|Role||
|---|---|---|
|Revd Matt Broughton|Incumbent||
|Mrs Gill Pinches|Churchwarden|
From 5 May 2024 (2ndterm of 6)|
|Mr Jonathan Slater|Licenced Lay Minister||
|Mrs Jacquie Howard|Deanery Synod|Representative|
|Mr Bernard Williams|Deanery Synod|Representative|
|Ms Val Lee-Priestley|Deanery Synod|Representative|
|Lay Members|Retires|Term|
|Mrs Sue McKenzie|2027|1st|
|Mrs Angela Smith (Treasurer)|2026|2nd|
|Mrs Joy Smith|2026|1st|
|Mrs Hazel Lee|2026|2nd|
|Mr Jim Richardson|2026|1st|
|Mrs Mary Marshall|2028|1st|
|Mrs Joanne Dawdry|2028|2nd|
|Mr Graham Eaton|2028|1st|
|Mrs Debbie Timms|2027|1st|
|Dr Sue Ball|2028|2nd|
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## PCC Meetings
The PCC held meetings in January, March, June, September and November 2025. All meetings were chaired by Revd Matt Broughton. The average attendance at these PCC meetings was 72%.
## PCC Standing Committee Meetings
The PCC Standing Committee consists of the vicar, the churchwarden, the treasurer, the secretary and one lay member, Joanne Dawdry. It acts for the PCC between full PCC meetings. The Standing Committee reports on its meetings and decisions to each PCC meeting. During 2025, Standing Committee meetings were conducted in person on the third Thursday of the months in which the PCC did not have a meeting. They deal primarily with delegated items from PCC meetings and produce agendas for future PCC meetings.
## Core Leadership Team
In 2025, as agreed by the PCC, a Core Leadership Team and Ministry Leadership Team were introduced.
The Core Leadership Team includes: the vicar (Rev Matt Broughton), the churchwarden (Gill Pinches), the treasurer (Angela Smith – also Pastoral Assistant) and the parish administrator (Sarah Meredith). They meet most weeks, as needed, to manage the day-to-day running of the church.
## Ministry Leadership Team
The Ministry Leadership Team includes members of St Giles who are directly involved in leading areas of ministry, at the invitation of the vicar. In 2025 this consisted of: Matt Broughton, Rachel Broughton, Jonathan Slater, Angela Smith, Jacquie Howard, Bob Corrie and Marion Corrie. This is a space to reflect on the ministry needs of St Giles, to think about the future, and to pray.
## Other PCC Committees
The other sub committees of the PCC include Finance and Fabric. These committees meet as required and report back to PCC.
The following sections outline PCC Ministries and Activities during 2025.
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## Worship
Our pattern of two Sunday services, 9.30am for contemporary worship and 11am for Common Worship communion, continues.
In 2025, on average, slightly fewer people attended worship than in 2024. The bar charts show our average Sunday attendance through 2024 and 2025. The blue records adult attendance and the green, children.
However, the total number of attendees has remained constant, so this minor decline is mainly due to people attending less frequently and some outlying circumstances, such as the weather in January. Interestingly, the peak in April 2025 exceeds any peak seen in 2024. This shows the popularity of Easter and other festival services.
## Types of Services
During the 9.30am Sunday services, there
are separate sessions for children on the first and third Sundays. In 2025, this expanded to include two distinct sessions for older and younger children. There is an all-age Holy Communion in church on the second Sundays, and Café Church held in
the church hall on the fourth Sundays.
The 11.00am follows a predictable pattern of Common Worship Holy Communion each week.
Prayer Ministry is offered in the chapel during communion once a month at both services and the prayer ministry team gathers monthly to mutual support and to pray for the church and the parish.
Several joint Sunday services have been held
during the year at 10am, when the whole church has worshipped together. During 2025, these occasions were on: Palm Sunday; Easter Day (attendance 43 children and 160 adults); Annual Church Celebration (including APCM); Harvest (12 October); Toy
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Service (14 December); and Christmas Day (attendance 22 children and 69 adults). Further, an evening service of remembrance, ‘In Loving Memory’, was held to remember before God those who have died.
Throughout the year we offer an intentionally diverse range of services, so that everyone in Bramhope can connect with God through our worship. This is especially the case through Holy Week and around Christmas.
## Lent and Easter
During the seasons of Lent and Easter, services were held for: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Over 200 people joined us for our Easter Celebration.
## Advent & Christmas
During Advent and Christmas, several additional services were held, including: Advent Carols, Toy Service, When Christmas Hurts, Nativity, 9 Lessons and Carols, Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. Furthermore, two Christingle services (raising funds for the Children’s Society) were held on Christmas Eve, when over 300 adults and 200 children attended.
These Christingle services are an amazing missional opportunity in the parish, and in 2026 more support will be needed to ensure everyone who wants to can hear the good news of Jesus at Christmas.
We estimate that over the Christmas period of 2025 about 900 parishioners visited the church for services, compared to 600 in 2024. Over 20% of the parish.
## Life Events
During the year there were 8 baptisms and 10 funerals in church. There were no weddings held at St Giles in 2025.
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## Going Deeper
## Discipleship and Spirituality
Throughout the year there were opportunities to grow in and deepen faith. In 2025 this included:
- A 5-week Lent Course entitled ‘The Mystery of God’ - held with Bramhope Methodist Church covering aspects of Christian spirituality including Silence, Prayer, and Worship;
- Beyond Reason – 4 sessions of teaching and prayer looking at Christian Apologetics.
- Morning Prayer - on Mondays at 9.30am with our Methodist friends at Bramhope Methodist Church;
- Weekly Bible Study & Prayer meeting - gathering together to read the Bible and pray for the world.
- An Advent quiet day, at St Mark’s Harrogate, using resources produced by Bishop Nick Baines, asking ‘Who Am I?’
- A St Giles Homegroup met throughout 2024 in various homes across Bramhope, Otley and Cookridge. Approximately 20 adults attended from all ages and from both congregations.
## Pastoral Care
Pastoral care lies at the very heart of our Christian ministry at St Giles. In a busy and vibrant church community, much of this care happens naturally and informally. Yet we also recognise how important it is to ensure that no one feels overlooked or forgotten.
During 2025, Angela Smith, our Pastoral Assistant, has served faithfully in this ministry. Through visiting those who are housebound,
taking Home Communion, offering pastoral visits and phone calls, and remembering
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people with cards and prayers, she has helped many to remain rooted in the life of the church.
This gentle, consistent work often happens behind the scenes, but it is a deeply significant expression of Christ’s love among us — strengthening bonds, offering comfort, and reminding each person that they are known, valued, and prayed for.
## Mission and Outreach
## Meet and Eat Luncheon Club
The Meet and Eat team, led by Alison Richardson, have continued to deliver delicious homecooked meals for those attending this monthly lunch club. It is normally held on the first Thursday of the Winter months, September to March. A homecooked two course meal plus tea and coffee is prepared and served in St Giles Church Hall, all for the sum of £7 per person.
Meet and Eat continues to grow with the number of attendees now being regularly in the forties. For the Christmas Lunch 2025, diners were greeted with sherry and canapes before the meal.
Thanks also to Peter Smith for entertaining everyone afterwards with his music and witty repartee, which was very engaging.
In June, the team also produced a Strawberry Summer Lunch on a Saturday, to make it available to as many of the Bramhope and beyond community as possible. It was a great success featuring an extensive ploughman’s lunch and a selection of strawberry desserts from the trolley.
The PCC are grateful to all the helpers who work so hard, and to the diners who come every month and make it such a success. Special thanks are due to Alison who dreams up wonderfully tasty menus. She ensures that any special dietary requirement can be catered for, so why not come along and give it a try?
## CATs
CATs is a toddler group run by St. Giles, that continued to meet in 2025 in the church hall every Wednesday from 9.00am to 10.45am during term time. The team is led by Marion Corrie and Matt Broughton. Their mission is to welcome all children - from babies to pre-schoolers - and their carers - for a play session, which includes lots of toys, a snack and a time to sing and celebrate any birthdays.
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The carers, whether parents, grandparents, child-minders, foster carers or anyone acting in-loco-parentis, can enjoy a cuppa and chat while the children play with a variety of toys, and the adults get to know other carers in the village and beyond. The number of children each week varies, but currently averages around 20, accompanied by around the same number of adults.
The volunteer team is fantastic; some manning the kitchen and providing the snack and refreshments and the others working the hall, setting out the room, chatting to carers and clearing up toys at the end. They are a very friendly group, who all enjoy meeting new people.
The PCC are incredibly grateful to the CATs team and we continue to pray that it continues to be a place of refreshment and connection for all, playing its part in our church's mission to build community across the parish of Bramhope.
## Creativity Unwrapped
Creativity Unwrapped is led by Joyce Thompson. This industrious group of creators meet on Monday evenings from 7.15pm for two hours in the Church Hall Meeting Room. They share their individual interests and projects, learning what makes each of them tick. Some have learnt a new skill or skills; some have improved their skills and others have had their skills reactivated. All have gained knowledge to what they and their fellow creators are capable of. Their mantra is that they do not have to ‘be good at something’ – the priority is to enjoy themselves, concentrating on the process, with ‘end product’ being a bonus!
One early creator finally finished their Coronation sampler (1953 Queen Elizabeth’s!) and it is now framed on their wall. Another is finishing a cross-stitch picture, which they have been working on for ten years!
The group includes everyone from beginners to folk who have knowledge of multiple different crafts, sharing samples and ideas with others.
Although everyone works on their own individual projects, the knitters and crocheters have supported the Bramhope Women’s Institute with:
- More poppies for their Remembrance display
- outside St. Giles;
- Hedgehogs for Prickly Pigs;
- Small dolls for Women’s Aid Refuge; and
- Teddies for Zarach to go with beds/bedding
- for children.
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For St. Giles church, the group have folded fabric stars for Christmas church decoration, knitted chicks (with cream eggs) for NSPCC, and sewed and made-up Bags of Fun for PAFRAS. They have contributed to the Methodist Remembrance displays with larger poppies and quilters have supported their own charities too.
As well as working to create these many crafted items, members have chatted, made mistakes, gently challenged each other - and laughed together.
Each week, one lovely creator has served refreshments, whilst the others’ hands are busy. Importantly, everyone has connected to each other and also to others in the locality. The group’s notice board in the hall, and is a visual memory of their work, ‘the sum of their parts’, and how they have liaised with others.
## Bramhope Primary School (BPS)
In 2025 Matt and the schools’ team were able to connect with every child every term to share our Christian faith and spirituality.
In the spring term, we set up an ‘Easter Experience’ where each child was able to hear and engage with the story of Holy Week; from the last supper, to Gethsemane, the cross and resurrection - all in a creative and immersive way.
In the summer we repeated our ‘prayer and reflection’ space, giving each child the chance to engage with Christian spirituality through a variety of prayer stations.
Before Christmas, key stage 2 children came to St Giles for a carol service, and Rev Matt went into school to share the Christmas story with key stage 1.
Rev Matt continues to serve as a school governor with a particular focus on personal development & wellbeing.
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## Social Action
St Giles Church continued its programme of social action throughout 2025; to “Make a Difference” as set out in our vision statement.
Our key events were as follows:
- In February, following a special appeal by St George’s Crypt, a very successful collection of much needed bath towels was made.
- For much of the year a weekly collection of foodstuffs and toiletries for destitute asylum seekers was made in partnership with PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.)
- Our Harvest Collection of foodstuffs last year was once again donated to Caring for Life, St George’s Crypt and PAFRAS where it was all very gratefully received.
- The Children’s Society had their Annual Charity Lunch and Box Opening in October. The sale of soup, income from stalls and raffle raised £826. The income from the Boxes was £1,434. Donations at the two Christingle services on Christmas Eve raised £1,546. Sale of Christmas cards, the annual quiz, sale of craft goods and some very generous donations raised a further £1,045 for this very worthwhile charity.
- Out winter collection of warm clothing, toiletries and underwear for residents of St George’s Crypt was once again extremely well supported. As the result of a special appeal by the Crypt this was supplemented this year by the donation of single fitted bed sheets.
- The Toy service once again took place in December and was supplemented by special services for pupils of
- Bramhope Primary School. Donated toys were sent to Temple Learning Academy, Halton Moor, and to Leeds City Council for onward distribution to local children’s charities.
Our grateful thanks are extended to all church members for their generosity and continuing support for these very worthy causes.
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## PCC Governance &
## Asset Management
## Safeguarding
Safeguarding is an integral part of the Church’s worship and activities here at St Giles’. Children and vulnerable adults are kept safe and supported. As part of this commitment, PCC members are asked to undertake training, which, when it is relevantly updated, becomes part of a training cycle. PCC members are expected to complete both the Basic Awareness and Foundation online courses.
With the increase in children’s work, both on Sundays (Kids Church etc) and on Wednesday mornings (CATS group), new helpers have had DBS checks and undertaken required training.
Each PCC meeting has a Safeguarding Report on its agenda as an emphasis on its importance in the work of St. Giles’; two incidents have been reported to the PCC this year and resolved.
St Giles’ PCC has adopted, as it must every year, the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’. This notice is posted, together with other information about Safeguarding, on the noticeboard in the Hall and Lobby, and a copy is available online and on the welcome desk in church.
In 2025 we also introduced ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ into our annual cycle of worship to raise the profile of safeguarding in the life and culture of St Giles Church.
In 2025 Mary Marshall was the Parish Safeguarding Officer and regularly met with Rev Matt to discuss safeguarding incidents or part of our practice and policy. The PCC are grateful to Mary for her hard work in this vital role.
## Finance Sub Committee
## Overall Position
2025 resulted in an annual surplus of £12k. Total receipts were £136k (2024: £126k). Total payments were £124k (2024: £108k).
Our total net assets stand at £126k. Of this figure, £64k is held in restricted or designated funds and £62k is for general purposes. £956 belonging to Agencies was also held in our bank account. This was money collected at our Christmas Eve Christingle services and held on behalf of the Children’s Society until the new year.
Our reserves policy is to keep a minimum of £43K in the general fund.
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## Receipts
Our main source of income is planned regular giving through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) and by standing order. Over 80 people/families give to St Giles in this way and we are enormously grateful to each of them. Total planned giving in 2025 was £70k (2024: £65k).
Collections at services, including cash, card and contactless were £8k (2024: £8k). Other voluntary receipts were £19k (2024: £20k). £18k was a Strategic Development Funding (SDF) grant from the Church of England to pay for a Parish Administrator. We didn’t receive any legacies in 2025 (2024: £6k), and one-off donations were less than £1k (2024: £5k).
We actively promote Gift Aid and also make use of the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS). The total amount of tax reclaimed in 2025 was £17k.
Receipts from fund raising activities totalled £15k. Our biggest fund-raising activity is hiring out the church hall. Receipts from hall hire were £12k (2024: £7k); income was significantly boosted by the collection of debts of £1.8k from 2024 and one prepayment for 2026.
Our monthly magazine also generates funds by selling advertising space and by selling the magazine itself. In 2025, the magazine generated receipts of £2.6k giving a profit of £1k after printing costs (2024: £700 profit). Our thanks go to all volunteers and our Parish Administrator who give their time and talents to manage these fund-raising activities.
Receipts from church activities were £7k (2024: £6k). This includes fees for funerals and weddings, and receipts from our ministries such as Toddler Group, Meet & Eat Luncheon Club and Creativity Group. Receipts from funerals and weddings were £2k (2024: £3k), but this was offset by increases in receipts from other ministries. We received £1k in bank interest, which is similar to 2024.
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## Payments
Parish Share, which pays for clergy stipends and housing, is by far our biggest expense. Our 2025 Parish Share was £75k (2024: £68k). This payment of £75k covered the cost of our own full-time vicar and contributed towards ministry and mission in poorer parishes across the diocese.
Clergy and staffing costs were £18k (2024: £7k). Of this total, £200 was incidental expenses and the remainder was the cost of employing our Parish Administrator including salary, tax, NI and pension. The increase reflects the fact that 2025 was the first full year of employment for our administrator, having been recruited part way through 2024.
Church service and running expenses were static at £22k. They comprised:
- Ministry £9k
- • Insurance (church, hall and grounds) £4k • Utilities £4k • Buildings maintenance £1.5k • Grounds maintenance £1.5k • Cleaning £1k • Administration £1k
Hall running costs were £9k (2024: £8k). The increase is mainly due to the cost of boiler and roof repairs. The expenses comprised:
- Utilities £4k
- • Buildings maintenance £3k • Cleaning £1k • Consumables £1k
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We had planned to spend £9k during 2025 on major building repairs including replacement window guards, repairs to gates and gateposts and repointing of church walls. For logistical reasons, including contractor availability, this work did not take place and has been rescheduled for subsequent years.
## Fabric Sub Committee
The Fabric Sub-Committee is responsible for planning and carrying out the maintenance and repair of the church, hall, associated spaces, and the churchyard. Its members are: Matt Broughton, Jacquie Howard, Bernard Williams, Douglas Hamilton, Simon Rolley and Sarah Meredith.
In 2025, Nick Pinches stepped down as Convenor and Secretary of the committee and the PCC and fabric team wish to thank Nick for all his years of hard work in ensuring that St Giles’ buildings and associated record-keeping have been kept in good order.
Nick also handed over the day-to-day routine maintenance of the church, hall and churchyard to Sarah Meredith (who undertakes routine in-house checks, instructs the church contractors and is involved in the application for
ecclesiastical and planning permissions), but is still involved in providing practical support for jobs around the building for which we are very grateful. Sarah is particularly grateful for the time Nick has spent in ensuring meticulous record-keeping, a smooth handover and for fielding her many questions about fabric work undertaken in the past at St Giles.
The fabric sub-committee met twice in 2025, in May and October, to discuss and agree on the priority and order of works going forward and to deal with unexpected occurrences – not least roof leaks in the church and hall. The team also collaborated through email correspondence and telephone conversations outside those meetings to progress fabric-related matters. During 2025, in addition to routine checks and maintenance, the following took place in connection with the fabric of the buildings:
- SDF monies were used to continue the office set up, with the purchase of a new desk for Rev Matt, and a teardrop flagpole and heavy-duty base to increase St Giles’ visibility at events such as the Bramhope Show and Rob Burrow Marathon;
- Installation of a new safety gate across the lobby corridor to prevent children in hall groups wandering into kitchen or church during classes and hall events;
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- Purchase of 8 new chairs for our growing CATs children and toddler group;
- Comprehensive new General Building Risk Assessment undertaken;
- • Updating of the churchwardens’ board;
- Installation of two new Ring doorbells at the car park and south porch entrances, connected to an Echo show in the vestry office, so that contractors, couriers and visitors can make themselves known to those working in the building;
- Installation of new broadband (with new provider), with all associated diocesan permissions, to cover church and hall and to assist in better service to the meeting room and vestry office parts of the building;
- Installation of a new water fire extinguisher in the Church Hall;
- Repair to a broken downpipe in the church hall car park, with thanks to Paul Hewitt for undertaking the task;
- Updating the church logo on the external noticeboard and a renewal application to LCC for 5-year Town and Country Planning consent to retain a non-illuminated sign;
- Boiler repairs including new battery for thermostat;
- Commissioning of a specialist arboricultural report in connection with the management of mature trees within the curtilage of the churchyard, and tendering process for the work it recommended;
- The safe removal of a large tree brought down in high winds at the front of the church;
- Repairs of leaks in the roof of both church and church hall, with thanks due to Simon Rolley for organising and liaising with our contractor to undertaking the repairs;
- 5-yearly fixed wiring Electrical Installation Condition Report undertaken in August and associated remedials undertaken in September and October;
- 3-yearly Risk and Valuation survey undertaken in April by our insurers, Ecclesiastical, and St Giles first ever organ blower electrical inspection – now required annually following the insurer survey; and
- Tender process for the replacement of the chancel and upper north aisle window grilles protection.
The fabric committee would like to thank all those people who, either regularly (eg. Alan Tomkins, Nick Pinches), or on an ad hoc basis (eg. Paul Hewitt), undertake oddjobs around the building, sweep paths, take out bins, and who all contribute to it being a clean, tidy and welcoming space. This largely ‘unseen ministry’ plays a vital role in keeping the grounds and buildings looking their best for which we are deeply grateful.
In the autumn of 2025, the fabric committee were excited to be able to start to plan for the refurbishment of the chapel and are grateful to Jacquie Howard and Gill Pinches for their design ideas, work on costing and initiating the overhaul. A sum of £3.5k has been ringfenced in the fabric budget for 2026 to upgrade this space to make it more attractive and welcoming for worship and prayer ministry. Part of these monies include a new replacement skylight to be installed in spring 2026.
In 2025, the PCC began having conversations about the future of the Church Hall and the possibility of refurbishment.
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## Grounds Team
In 2025 the church grounds grass cutting followed the same pattern as the previous year.
Effectively, this involved not mowing on the banks to the north of the church.
This rewilding decision was partly based on trying to improve our carbon footprint, but also on health and safety issues, as it was deemed unsafe to use the hover mower on the steep slopes.
The wildflower meadow area, to the east of the public footpath, involving plants suitable for partly shaded areas, was maintained in its original form. It was cut down in the late summer to allow seeds to disperse, which will hopefully give rise to a more prolific display this coming spring and summer.
The summer of 2025 proved to be a particularly dry one and resulted in periods of reduced grass
growth and the resulting cancellation of some grass cutting sessions.
Throughout the grass cutting season, attention was also paid to the removal of unwanted Holly saplings, as well as Ivy, growing on the trees to the south of the church and the boundary walls.
The Portuguese Laurel and the Millennium Yew tree by the church entrance were trimmed to keep their shape and several condemned trees were felled.
The season ended with a good turnout for the annual leaf clearing session in late November, and the job was done in just 90 minutes. The coffee and mince pies might have helped!
Alan Tomkins, who is responsible for the Grounds Team and retiring, would like to thank the PCC for their continued support during his time coordinating the grounds rota and sends his best wishes and gratitude to all who have volunteered over his years in charge.
## Hall Management
Sue McKenzie took over Hall and Meeting Room Bookings last year. These bookings have continued to provide a valuable source of income for St Giles’.
In 2025 income from bookings was over £12,000 which is an increase of 69% from 2024. In part this was due to the rise in fees implemented at the beginning of 2025 which brought the pricing structure in line with other local providers, as well as being able to
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collect some fees that had been in arrears. There were also two new regular hall hirers: Yoga and Speech & Drama. The new pricing structure still provides a significant discount to non-profit organisations and is free for in house groups, such as CATS and Creativity Unwrapped.
Congregationally, the hall has been filled with Café church roughly once a month, in addition to Sunday morning teas and coffees between services and providing the additional space needed for Kids Church, Women’s Fellowship meetings, PCC meetings and the Flower Ladies to name but a few. It is a venue for events throughout the church year from christening celebrations and funeral teas, Pancake Day and Lent Groups. Additionally, the hall is used for charity events supporting
## Christian Aid and The Children’s Society.
Regular local hirers include the Brownies and Rainbows, Union of Dance, Focus Dog Training and the Bramhope Rolling Scones, the village’s WI. We have a wide range of Ad Hoc community hirers including Chevin Inner Wheel, Lily’s Christmas Wreath Making, the Parish Council’s post-Carol Service mulled wine and mince pies and various children’s parties. The hall was even a venue for a Leeds Bradford Airport community consultation.
The meeting room is used for church-related meetings, as well as the bible study group, Creativity Unwrapped and choir practice. It is not often hired out, but is a great resource when needed to supplement events such as dance shows.
Thanks to Rachel Fox, Gill Pinches and especially Sarah Meredith for their help and support to Sue, helping her get to grips with managing the Hall bookings.
## Risk Management
2025 continued to see developments in this area, for example, updating risk assessments for ministries with children and vulnerable adults. As the church continues to grow and develop, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is still work to do, especially around managing risk at large services. Recruiting a Health and Safety Officer remains a priority.
Sarah Meredith has done brilliant work ensuring our buildings are safe and that all routine maintenance and checks have been completed.
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## General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Our data policy is up to date and St Giles remains GDPR compliant.
## Deanery Synod
St Giles’ current lay representatives to the North West Deanery Synod are Jacquie Howard, Bernard Williams and Val Lee-Priestley, all of whom are coming to the end of a three-year term of office. The vicar, Matt Broughton, is also a representative on the Diocesan Synod.
Since the last APCM there have been two Deanery meetings which have included:
- A report from Jonathan Wood, Diocesan Secretary, outlining the extent of the Leeds Diocese and the thorough process of appointing a new bishop. It is hoped that a replacement for Bishop Nick will be found in the summer with that person taking up their post at the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
- A presentation from Siobhan McNamara, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, giving an introduction to the Safeguarding team and its current key agenda items.
- A presentation and sharing of resources from Alex Burbidge, Diocesan Growing Faith Lead, to showcase the work of the Growing Faith Foundation (GFF). The GFF is part of a national education team which provides research, networking, learning hubs and programmes of study. Their current focus is establishing prayer/reflection spaces in schools and looking at “Seasonal Experiences” linked with the national curriculum.
The members have also been introduced to the “Try Praying” initiative, the resources for which were made available at St Giles in January and February 2026.
Agendas for future meetings include discussions on growing the church and the creation of a central hub for the sharing of resources, such as generic job descriptions and risk assessments.
## Parish Administrator
Sarah’s role has developed through 2025. Sarah’s primary responsibilities now include:
- Supporting the treasurer with day-to-day bookkeeping;
- Working with the fabric committee to facilitate recuring repairs, checks and maintenance as well as liaising on more substantial projects;
- General administration around services and life events;
- Assisting where needed with hall bookings and finance;
- Producing promotional material and helping maintain the website; and
- Serving as part of the Core Leadership Team.
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The PCC are grateful to Sarah for her faithful hard work and dedication.
## Communications
In 2025 our new logo and brand guidelines have been embedded into our communications, both in print and online. This has made producing everything from new liturgy booklets, to powerpoints, to invoices, to publicity, learning materials and communications, much simpler and provides greater consistency.
Gill Pinches continues to work hard on the St Giles review. This is an effective and much loved part of our communication strategy.
Alongside this our use of social media continues with grow and flourish with high levels of engagement – particularly over Christmas.
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## Conclusion
This document is just a snapshot of everything which goes on in the life of the church. It describes our worship, ministries and governance, but probably fails to tell all the small stories which make up life in our community.
Through each of these activities, lives have been touched and changed in 2025. We have met with God through His Holy Spirit and encountered the risen Jesus in countless ways.
We have loved one another and made a difference in God’s world. Nothing is perfect, but we have sought to faithfully followed God together, and that is a wonderful thing.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who works so hard to ensure the foundations of our church remain strong. Particular thanks go to our churchwarden and those who contribute to the finance, fabric and safeguarding of St Giles Church, without whom we couldn’t open our doors at all.
God is clearly at work in Bramhope and it is a pleasure to join in with what He is already doing. Everything we do, from cutting the grass to sharing in the Eucharist is in response to God’s love and grace. But God is not finished with us and so the work continues in prayer and service as we continue to seek to be followers of Jesus, building community and making a difference.
_26_
## **Annual Financial Statements**
## **Year ending 31 December 2025**
**Registered Charity Number: 1129657**
_27_
## **Receipts and Payments Account**
||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior year**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**total funds**|
|**Receipts**|||||||
|Planned giving|70,441|-|-|-|70,441|64,720|
|Collections and other giving|7,909|-|-|-|7,909|7,656|
|Other voluntary receipts|435|-|18,335|-|18,770|20,265|
|Gift Aid recovered|16,719|-|-|-|16,719|16,651|
|Other receipts|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Activities for generating funds|14,781|-|-|-|14,781|9,523|
|Investment Income|1,060|-|-|-|1,060|1,004|
|Receipts from church activities|4,562|-|2,230|-|6,791|6,204|
|**Total Receipts**|**115,906**|**-**|**20,564**|**-**|**136,471**|**126,023**|
|**Payments**|||||||
|Cost of generating funds|24|-|-|-|24|129|
|Missionary and Charitable Giving|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Parish Share|74,638|-|-|-|74,638|67,853|
|Clergy and Staffing costs|212|-|17,598|-|17,809|7,192|
|Church Running Expenses|20,425|-|1,702|-|22,127|22,444|
|Hall Running Costs|8,655|-|325|-|8,980|8,013|
|Church Repairs & Maintenance|-|-|-|-|-|2,650|
|Hall Repairs & Maintenance|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Governance Costs|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|New Building work|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|**Total Payments**|**103,954**|**-**|**19,625**|**-**|**123,579**|**108,282**|
_28_
|**Excess of receipts over payments before transfer**|**11,952**|**-**|**940**|**-**|**12,892**|**17,741**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Transfers:**|||||||
|Gross transfers between funds - in||-|-|- -|-|3,000|
|Gross transfers between funds - out||-|-|- -|-|(3,000)|
|Excess of receipts over payments before other gains||11,952|-|940 -|12,892|17,741|
|**Net movement in funds**||**11,952**|**-**|**940 -**|**12,892**|**17,741**|
|**Reconciliation of funds**|||||||
|**Excess of receipts over payments at beginning of the year**||**50,376**|**54,430**|**8,334 -**|**113,141**|**95,400**|
|**Excess of receipts over payments for the year**||**62,329**|**54,430**|**9,274 -**|**126,033**|**113,141**|
_29_
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code)**
|**Class and nominal code**|**General**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Total**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
|**Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In Hand**
6501: Current Account (HSBC)
6502: Planned Giving Account (HSBC)
6505: Deposit Account (Virgin Money)
6590: Cash in hand
**Total**
**Net total assets**
**Represented by**
General (Unrestricted)
Designated - Net Zero
Designated - Property
Restricted - Children
Restricted - Elderly
Restricted - Fabric
Restricted - SDF Funding
**Total**|13,668
-
7,774
-
21,442
43,679
83
-
-
-
83
-
48,514
54,430
1,500
-
104,444
69,443
64
-
-
-
64
19|
||
**62,329**
**54,430**
**9,274**
**-**
**126,033**
**113,141**|
||
**62,329**
**54,430**
**9,274**
**-**
**126,033**
**113,141**|
||62,329
-
-
-
62,329
50,376
-
12,452
-
-
12,452
12,452
-
41,978
-
-
41,978
41,978
-
-
4,132
-
4,132
3,156
-
-
1,903
-
1,903
1,903
-
-
3,000
-
3,000
3,000
-
-
239
-
239
276|
||
**62,329**
**54,430**
**9,274**
**-**
**126,033**
**113,141**|
_30_
Independent examlner's report to St Glles Bramhope PCC
I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts ot Sl Giles Bramhope ft>r the year end1
310ecember 2025.
R•¥ponslbllitle¥ •nd b•¥is of i•port
As the charity ITitstee8 of Sl Giles Bramhope are resp)n8ible lor the preparation of the
ccounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111lhe Act-l.
I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011
Act and in carrying out rry eyamination I have foll(Med au the #pleable direciions given by the
Charity Commission under section 14515}Ibl of the Act.
Ind•pend•nt examin•r's 8tat•m•nt
I have completed my a%inatiOn. I contim) 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. Accijunting records were nol kept in respect of St Giles Bramhope as required ty section
130 of the Act: or
2. The accounts do rt accord wtth those records.
I have no concerns and have come acioss no other matters in connection with the &¥amination
to which attention should be drawn in this repon in order to enable a proper undefstanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Julia J C Chapman
FCA. M&4
5 London Lane
Little London
Ra¥0
Leeds
LS1968R
24 February 2026
31