28 ## STATISTICS FOR ST ALKMUND’S WHITCHURCH |28|28|28|28|28|28|28| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |STATISTICS FOR ST ALKMUND’S WHITCHURCH||||||| |**Year**|**2018**|**2019**||**2020**|**2021**|| |**Electoral Roll**|169|144||155|149|| |**Average Sunday (*)**
**Adult**
**Attendance**|108|100||**(Oct)**
58|64.8|| |**Average Sunday (*)**
**Under 16 Attendance**|6|4||4|3|| |**8.00am**
**10.00am**
**6.30pm**(new)
**6.30pm**(total)|12.3
78
17
26|11
76.4
16.5
25||7
44
10
7|6.5
52.6
9.2
16.7|| |**Easter Communicants (**)**
**Easter Attendees (**)**|148
189|136
172||N/A
N/A|N/A
N/a|| |**Advent Special Attendees**
**Christmas Communicants**
**Christmas Attendees**|1510
116
1092|1710
125
1092||158
83
102|220
80
148|| |**Baptism (u16)**
**Baptism Adult**|20
0|29
0||12
1|14
0|| |**Funerals**(with Church service)
**Funerals**(at Crem Only)
**Interment of Ashes in GoR**|55
14
12|46
19
10||21
55
15|35
21
8|| |**Weddings**
**Prayer & Dedication of Marriage**|9
0|10
0||0
0|10
0|| ## **Statistics for St Alkmund’s 2018—2021** The statistics are shown in the table above. Please note that the Average Sunday Attendance (*) for 2017-19 figures include Harvest, Mothering Sundays but exclude Baptisms, Easter, Remembrance, Christingle, Memorial & Thanksgiving and Carol Services. ## **ST ALKMU ANNUAL** ## Annual Paroc Sunday 2 2020 & 2021 figures affected by Covid-19. 2 - give financially - Co-leading of Zoo  Staying in touch w  Hosting Zoom me - ## **Workload** - - ## **Conclusion** 26 - The PCC unrestricted finances showing only a small deficit, the faithful and accurate work of our treasurer - The Plant Sale – thanks to Judy Bryant & Janet Ivens - The continued fundraising work of the Friends of St Alkmund’s, Whitchurch ## **Charity Name & Number** - Work on the church building, carpark and Bargates Hall - Ongoing work on Safeguarding (see elsewhere) and on Data Protection – with thanks here to Jo Lavin, Mel Williams, Paul Williamson and Meriel Edge ## **Address** ## **Mission Action Plan (MAP)** We had hoped to draw up a new MAP for 2020, and then again for 2021 but Coronavirus intervened. We have kept our activities under review, bearing in mind the Diocesan priorities of Discipleship, Vocation and Evangelism: ## _**Discipleship:**_ - Sunday services – including livestreaming and the talks / sermons which are available afterwards in printed form or on the church website - Lent Course on Zoom - Living in Love & Faith Course - Advent Meditative services ## _**Evangelism**_ - Review of Music and its place in our Mission – included theological study and then underpinned the appointment process of our new Director of Music - John Castledine Sheila Chase Celia Churchill Meriel Edge David Fisher Hilda Francis-Roberts - Caroline Hulse Sam Johnson (until Sept Jane Rylands Tom Rylands - On-line group work; stream-lining of our publicity and other outreach, including “A church near you” website - Young People’s choir - Reflections and services on Church Facebook and YouTube and also on a town Facebook group ## _**Vocation**_  Conversations leading to people feeling able to offer new ministries during Covid-19 lockdown _e.g._ - Co-ordination of pastoral care ## **Bankers** Barclays plc ## **Independent Examiner** - Pastoral phone calls - Prayer over the phone - Leading on changing the way in which congregation members 4 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **PCC’s Constitution** The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. - Trustees (PCC members) are appointed by election at the APCM; ex-officio on the PCC are all clergy licensed to the parish, churchwardens and members of Deanery, Diocesan and General Synods. - New trustees are given an induction pack - A Standing Committee exists and other committees include the Bargates Hall Committee, and a Finance Committee. Other groups meet: the Social Working Group and various pastoral groups. - Safeguarding and Data Protection have received considerable attention this year and all our policies are now reviewed annually in January - - - - - ## **Our activities** navirus pandemic, as you can ## **Objectives and Activities** - Promoting the Gospel and the doctrines of the Church of England - Vision statement: - Our church is a place where all are welcome and God can be found. We seek to: - build up our spiritual life through prayer and teaching, - actively encourage lay involvement in mission and outreach, - and share the good news of the Gospel with the whole community. ## **Public benefit** The trustees of the Charity are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Alkmund, Whitchurch, it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) more effectively, within the Ecclesiastical Parish, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by: • Providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers; and - Sam (until July). - The oversight & ministr their deputies, Treasure Committee members. - the extra that had to be of Covid-19, plus the m - - prayers by various lay p for setting this up - - our Administrator, Jo La Also the work Jo has do - • Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole. ## **Reserves Policy:** The Reserves Policy of Whitchurch PCC is to hold 3 months' costs in Unre- - vices, our general involv our support of our link 24 ## other churches in Whitchurch and the Friends of St Alkmund’s too. **Sadnesses** - The community of St Alkmund’s was ‘hit’ by the death of a number of core members whose presence and whose contribution to the life and ministry of our church are much missed. - The opportunity to meet together physically for fellowship and nurture has been tough – especially for those who cannot join in anything that is on-line. - Missing the physical get-togethers for both Messy Church and Time Together for many months, plus the lack of opportunity to serve _via_ the Hospital Chaplaincy and Homes Services. - The unexpected departure of Revd Sam Johnson and his family in September. - St Alkmund’s community f - There are usually three - 10.00am – average atte 6.30pm – average atten - The resignation of Wayne Edwards as Bargates Manager / Caretaker - **Challenges** - Challenges have been linked to the sadnesses – particularly in caring for those who are bereaved, whilst feeling wider losses brought about by Coronavirus restrictions. community bereavement too. - Continuing to minister in our community despite these challenging losses amidst the longer term fatigue associated with the Coronavirus pandemic - Losing the Revd Sam Johnson and the unwillingness of Diocesan Senior Staff to respond adequately to our requests for information about the vacant House for Duty post have been additional challenges. - venues of funerals were funerals in church follow ## **Financial Review** availability of lateral flow test rates were extremely high in become minimal for the vacci - Ensuring that our income did not plummet during the year - Other challenges have come through the work continuing on the church building and on Bargates Hall - Regular individual and corporate prayer for God’s help in meeting these challenges with grace and hope has been important, and has been answered. have ‘switched places’ in the ## **Joys**  The arrival of Richard James as Director of Music; although this came about through the sadness of loss of three of our former organists, we are delighted that Richard accepted the appointment and our worship has been enhanced though his work with the choir, as well as through his organ playing - The formation of a Young People’s Choir - A strengthened prayer network – in St Alkmund’s but also with Fauls and Tilstock - Regular Zoom meetings for prayer and for fellowship cision. tional revenue: Plant Sale £1,400 Christmas Fayre £1,500 Civic Centre Coffee Morning £ Harvest Lunch £180 - Regular Messages for Christian outreach and nurture on a local 6 ## Thanks to everyone involved. The Bridgewater Street properties required more maintenance than in previous years and in order to ensure we fulfil our legal obligations as a landlord, we chose Barbers to manage the property. The management charge is 11% and is included in the cost of ‘Raising Funds’, the gross rental income being recorded in ‘Income and Endowments from: Investments’. The car parking area was resurfaced at a cost of £12,600. but the lack of someone in th means that Revd Judy will hav had been hoped. Restricted income £21,773 and expenditure £36,087 gives a net deficit of £14,314. The stonework repairs were completed by the end of the year and there was some extra leadwork required to deal with water ingress at an additional cost to 2020 of £23,374.29. In memory of Anne Monie, the South Porch doors were glazed at a cost of £5,150 net of DCMS grant. An autoregulator was fitted to the tower clock mechanism costing £2,420 after DCMS grant, which was funded by the Friends of St Alkmund’s Church. £150,000 shares were purchased in August after it was clear all the structural building work had been completed, in order to bring us into line with our Reserves Policy. The gain on revaluation of 33734.23 CCLA shares at the year end was £86,428. Coronavirus information and on some aspects of ministry i ## **Appointment of Independent Examiner for 2021 accounts** Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance ## **Church Wardens’ Report** **John Stokes and Jill Wallace** 2021 was again a very busy year for the upkeep of St. Alkmund’s Church and its grounds, with once more, the added problems of having to work within the Covid 19 Restrictions. tinued There has been a sharing of r -  Further work was carried out to the lead on the North and South sides of the Church Roof -  Church Clock – Regulator fitted.  Glass panels were inserted to the entrance door leading into Church from the Porch, enabling people to look into the church through the glass panels. and encouragement. -  New fittings and bulbs to the floodlights outside church, and a new Time clock. -  Parts of the Tarmac which were sinking on the Car Park, were repaired and relined. Plus part of the Rectory drive was re-tarmaced. - **PAT** testing carried out on all electrical appliances and equipment, and - electrical Tests also to any remedial work carried out -  Fire Extinguishers serviced -  Gutter maintenance carried out by Wayne Edwards -  Annual inspection of the Church Bells was carried out. -  Roof - Alarms, both Fire and Security were all tested 22 Money had been raised in 2020 by publicity about the need to install a new auto-regulator at a cost of £2,420 plus VAT. Donations received totalled £1,725 and some of these were gift-aided. The autoregulator was installed in the autumn of 2021; it has kept the clock to time and did alter the hour for the change at the end of October. The Friends paid the whole cost of £2,420; VAT was reclaimed by the PCC _via_ the DCMS scheme. year.  Gas Boiler Annual Servici _Gas for a date for this work t_ **The Friends AGM** was held on 30.09.2021. Trustees for the coming year were appointed: The Revd Judy Hunt Ex-officio and Chair Mr Simon Edge Elected and Treasurer Mrs Hilda Francis-Roberts PCC Nomination Mr Ray Hatton Elected and Secretary Mrs Belinda Hutchinson-Smith Elected Mrs Alex Williamson PCC nomination and Membership Secretary Mr Tom Rylands PCC nomination . ## **Safeguarding Report 202** Mr Chris Smith Elected After the business part of the meeting; we had a talk and ‘organ demonstration’ from Richard James, the new Director of Music at St Alkmund’s. This was really interesting, highly informative and amusing, too. Sincere thanks to Richard. ## **Events in 2021** We were not able to go ahead with some events because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Numbers interested in a meal at Etzios were not sufficient for this event to be booked A raffle was held on two occasions: at the AGM and at the Ninebarrow Concert that took place in early December necessary. ens, Time Together leaders a ers, Bible Study, Choir leaders Homes team, Junior Church, P Transport. ## **FTW Report Revd Judy** This year was greatly affected by Coronavirus. The FTW co-ordinating group for the three parishes, with PCC representation from each, met four times during the year, either in person or by Zoom. ued to be challenging these No progress was made on the vacant House for Duty post. Tom Rylands contacted the Bishop of Lichfield on behalf of the churchwardens. He was directed to the Bishop of Shrewsbury who told him to make the case for the post _via_ the Deanery Shaping for Mission group. This group, however, said that staffing was not within their remit. Contact with the Deanery Facilitator (appointed by the Diocese) was attempted but with no response. The Revd Sam Johnson, curate, left us in early September. This was a shock for the parishes and there was no ‘proper’ goodbye, nor reasons given. This has been difficult for us all Revd Judy announced at all three APCMs in 2021 that she hopes to retire around Easter of 2023. Planning for the vacancy will need to start early, 8 opment pathways. As IICSA identified, this will require a significant shift in the Church’s culture as a whole system approach Achieving a paradigm shift in safeguarding requires a “whole system” approach within which change is achieved by the inter-relatedness of different strands. One developmental strand is “safeguarding learning”. This framework sets out the form that safeguarding learning needs to take to contribute effectively to the paradigm shift envisioned and to overall organisational change. The safeguarding learning pathways support participants in developing and maintaining the necessary values, beliefs, knowledge, and skills to safeguard and protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults as outlined in the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ House of Bishops policy statement (2017). Copies of this Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework 2021 -2024 have been printed out by Meriel Edge and placed at the back of Church for any interested parties to read. It is the plan of the PCC to put in place a small benefice Safeguarding Committee to ensure this paradigm shift is achieved. ## **Electoral Roll** ## **Mr Paul Williamson** January 2022 is the date names are recorded for the purpose of the APCM. At that time 147 names were on the list and 11 of those lived outside the Parish. On 1[st] January 2021 153 names were on the list with 14 living outside the Parish The total raised for the Child supports it. a box to anyone who would l ## **Crib Festival** Church in November after be ## **Whitchurch Foodbank Re** My thanks to Revd Judy and Jo Lavin for their support. ## **PCC Secretary Mrs Judy Bellingham and Mrs Elaine Bucknell** St Alkmund’s PCC met bi-monthly during 2021 on a Monday evening on Zoom because of the pandemic until July. We welcomed new members Hilda Frances Roberts and Celia Churchill. We did manage to have face to face meetings in Bargates Hall from July onwards. A full list of members can be seen at the start of this report booklet. The internal front doors were replaced and have made a big difference to the appearance as you enter the church. Covid-19 restrictions continued to cause disruption of services. Our online presence on Youtube and Facebook continue with one service being streamed each week and reflections recorded via this media and also by telephone. A lot of people who do not normally attend church have viewed these services and appreciated them. We started meeting for services in church again on 18[th] April with restrictions. to the crisis. ## **Fairtrade Report** to all of you who have suppo The empty vicarage at Tilstock and the use of St Alkmund’s Church car park by the general public have continued to be concerns. We continue to be represented on Churches Together, Christian Aid, The Friends of St Alkmund’s, Whitchurch Fairtrade Group, The Foodbank and the Higginson’s Charities. _**Main Project: The Church T**_ ## 20 start to the morning, but we had fantastic support as the town got busier. Many thanks to all who helped in anyway – total raised was £808.89. _**Friday 24th September**_ Tilstock Coffee Morning at The Civic Centre. Due to illness many of our social Group and Church Members helped Tilstock with this event, grateful thanks were sent from Barbara Ellison. ## **Bargates Hall** _**Thursday 30th September**_ Refreshments served in Church at The Friends of St Alkmund’s A.G.M. _**Sunday 3rd August**_ Harvest Lunch in Bargates. All food was prepared in Bargates Hall as COVID safe as possible. The New Menu seemed to go down very favourably with those who enjoyed the lunch. Jacket potatoes with various fillings and selection of sweets were offered at the cost of £5:00 ph. _**Wednesday 13th October**_ Careers fest in Church hosted by Sir John Talbots School, Rotas were arranged so that the morning was covered to serve refreshments to all the exhibitors. _**Saturday 13th November**_ Christmas Coffee Morning in Bargates was organised by Hilda Francis-Roberts and raised £1,500. _**Friday 3rd December**_ Nine Barrow Concert in church - team on duty for refreshments cial support also. The Hall wa as food was distributed by tea **Works carried out:–** pairs to the Alarm system.  Work to the roof carried work, repairs to the kneele _**Friday 24th December**_ Light Tea in Bargates was cancelled due to COVID ## _**Dates for 2022**_ Concert re-arranged for 7[th] May, Coffee morning at Civic Centre 12[th] August. ## **The Children’s Society** ## **Mrs Sue Collins**  Some minor works were yard, thanks to Dennis Edwa Dudleston. We, as a church, continue to give good support to The Children’s Society, with our regular contributions year on year. There are still 71 boxes in use which are emptied once a year, unless they are full, in which case, are emptied as needed. The total box money this year was £1,364, a very good result, especially as more people are now not using cash, so don’t have the odd change to put in their boxes. Thank you everyone who contributes so generously. The Christingle Service is the other major fund raising event for the Society. Rebecca Sims has taken over this part of the administration for the Children’s Society for which I’m extremely grateful. Due to Covid restrictions we were unable to distribute collecting candles to the children in our schools as in the past and things had to be done differently, but I do thank Judy for generously allowing the service to go ahead and for all the work she put into preparing for it. Much thought was given as to how the oranges could be made as safe as possible considering the Covid restrictions, and Rebecca and Jacob came up with the idea of small lollipops instead of raisins and dolly mixtures. The lollipops were individually wrapped and the sticks easily pierced the oranges. Optimistically, 100 oranges were prepared by loyal helpers. We were delighted by the numbers who came for the service, which as ever, was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended, and, for the first time in sev- ords were brought up to date Covid Restrictions. ## **Churches Together in Wh** Christian Aid The Food Bank Time Together The Hospital Chaplaincy The Bible Society 10 Action on Climate Change Action on Afghan Refugees ## **Church Services** We had planned to continue with our ‘liturgical year’ for the churches in the town but during 2021 all were cancelled because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. of other local ringers. ## **Lent Activities** The usual face-to-face Lent activities were cancelled. **The AGM was held** on Tues 29th June. During the business meeting, Revd Sam Johnson was elected as Chair; no vice-chair or secretary were elected and Sue Collins was willing to continue as treasurer. The speaker was John Prockter -who heads up _**“Catalyst Youth Trust”.**_ He arranged for the “Jesus Bus” to visit SJT which was a great success. **Covid related event:** on Sunday 22nd August, Churches Together organised an event in Jubilee Park, with stands from some local businesses and charities, together with a Service of Thanksgiving. **COP-26:** Churches Together supported an event in the town to raise awareness of the issues being discussed at COP-26 problem. **By-Election Hustings:** Churches Together organised a Hustings meeting with candidates from the following parties (although all were invited): Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat. ## **The Churches Together Christmas Card** This was produced in 2021 and hand delivered by members of all 4 churches. Clients at the Bradbury Centre were invited to submit entries, from which one was chosen. ## **Goodbye to one & Welcome to another** During the year, we said goodbye to the Revd Rob Weir and welcomed the new minister for St John’s – the Revd Donna-marie Broadbent-Kelly. ## **School Governors’** ## **Jane Rylands** Liz Walsh retired from her role as a foundation governor at the beginning of the year having completed more than two ‘terms’ of office mostly at the Infant School but latterly with the Federation of the Infants and the Juniors. She was a great support to the school as well as an able questioner of strategy with a good eye on what was needed to improve and consolidate success. The vacancy created currently remains unfilled. Covid has made it a frustrating time to be a governor with all meetings on zoom and next to no support visits possible although I was able to attend excellent zoom sessions with the Diocesan Advisor and also to speak with the Special Needs Co-ordinator about the way she had operated her role to support the more vulnerable pupils through the pandemic. There was huge pressure especially on senior staff and they worked extremely hard to cope. the service. bered. Anyone who would like to vol tism services please contact t ## **Plant Sale** the beginning of May. With a ## **Social Working Group** The Infant Academy had a new RE lead in September and there has been good liaison between him and Rev Judy to enable her to contribute to 18 experiment with new and different styles of display. Many people contributed to our displays by providing flowers, greenery or ideas whilst sharing their anniversaries or remembrance with others. This provides comfort and happiness to many. Collective Worship there. Summer gave way to a beautiful autumnal period when we planned our Harvest celebrations. By public demand we designed a display of traditional Harvest produce and nature, but with a difference. We also embraced the fruits of the sea and filled the church with glorious autumn colour with special displays in all areas. Remembrance Sunday was a traditional swath of red poppies, which provided a wonderful backdrop for reflection, remembrance and love. With the run up to the Festive period being uncertain, our flower arranging team, forever optimistic, became spirited to pull together and fill the church with colour, vibrancy, warmth and hope. Everyone rallied to the cause and produced spectacular displays to celebrate our wonderful festive period. With a large church to decorate it was very much many hands make light work. What a wonderfully collective effort it was too. As the main organiser of the flower arranging team I would like to convey my thanks to all involved for their continued commitment and support throughout this year. In addition, thanks to all our regular people who provide wonderful materials at crucial times of the year, enabling us to continue to produce our displays.If anyone would like to join this very friendly and joyful team, whether you would like to join our Altar Rota or contribute in any way , then please contact me on: 07855067296. school. This was daunting fo ## **Guild of Service Sue Wainwright** As always members of the Guild continue to go above and beyond to keep St Alkmunds the shining jewel in our town of Whitchurch Although the last twenty one months have been a trial to us all our ladies & gentleman have kept up the good work whenever possible to make sure that our church is admired by visitors and of course the people of the town. Marchand supporting. I am very grateful to all the members we have but it would wonderful if we could attract even more to join our teams. ## **Bell ringing** ## **Malcolm Monie** 2021 has been another year in which our normal pattern of service ringing and practices has been interrupted or modified because of the coronavirus pandemic. At various times we have been ringing a single bell, alternate bells and normally. We are fortunate to have a large and wellventilated ringing room. ## **Reader’s Report** I have tried to be a good sup agreed ‘hours’ as well as con Bible Study courses and mini The home band of Peter, Helen, Mike and myself has been regularly augmented by Chris from Malpas. Jacob also joined us when he was on vacation from Bath University. All weddings in 2020 were cancelled or postponed which led to a bumper 12 ## **Deanery Report** ## **Revd Judy** Elected Lay Members of the Deanery Synod: John & Pauline Stokes Steve White Clergy Members of the Deanery Synod: Revd Judy Hunt Revd Sam Johnson (until Sept) The Synod met once by Zoom (March) because of Covid-19 restrictions and once ‘in person’ (November) In March, the Deanery response to Shaping for Mission was presented and discussed. Some Deanery projects are underway: developing a Chaplaincy team for schools, a Deanery “Open the Book” provision and looking at training for lay people to lead services and at developing some kind of agricultural chaplaincy. In November, the focus was on the new arrangements for Parish Share agreed by the Diocesan Synod: it will be called the Common Share and have different factors involved in calculating the amount being asked from each parish. The formula is based on the Multiple Deprivation index (UK Government statistics) and the number of part or full time clergy. Some parishes will see a considerable increase (although not being asked for until 2023) – often because they have not been paying their “proper share” of the clergy that they have had. Whitchurch will see a decrease from 2022 onwards. ## The Clergy Chapter met (by Zoom) regularly. Also, the Revd Deborah Walton gave a talk about Chaplaincy and the work she is doing in our secondary schools (September). ## **Time Together Report** ## **Revd Judy** The purpose of the Time Together group is to provide social, spiritual, physical and emotional support for those with Memory Loss or Dementia and their family members or carers. We work in partnership with AgeUK and this is very helpful. too. the Lord's Prayer when we me surprised what crops up for d you come and see? ## **Flower Arrangers** cheer. The group continued to meet twice a month on Wednesday afternoons despite the Coronavirus pandemic. This was by Zoom until the end of July but in August we resumed ‘face-to-face’ meetings, much to the joy of our members. We have ‘lost’ some members this year, through death or through health deterioration, and we have not yet gained other members. This will need to be a priority in 2022. We have received several generous donations from grateful participants and from Community Organisations. ## **Hospital Chaplaincy Team** ## **Revd Judy** and remembrance and have g people and visitors alike. Our first celebration of colour us all a collective spirit to war The hospital chaplaincy team has been providing support for patients 16 The St Alkmund’s Choir has been hugely affected by Covid in terms of continuity and the requirements of social distancing. This has improved over recent months, with only short periods of extra restrictions. I look forward to the choir processing and robing again, hopefully sometime in 2022. The choir members are extremely loyal and professional in their approach to rehearsing and singing at services. As a group, they are quick to learn, eager to sing well and there is great joy in their collective success when they do sing at their best. An example is the Nine Lessons and Carols at which their hard work over the preceding weeks bore fruit and I was so delighted with the choir’s sound, ensemble and balance. Indeed, a member of the congregation described their singing as ‘electric’. There is a small core of tenors and basses which was added to at Christmas, but I look to try to establish a greater and more consistent presence of broken voices. The formation of a group of young singers, termed ‘Choristers’, has been a success. There are now 4 new singers, aged 10-14, who rehearse on Thursday evenings and some attend the 10.00 Holy Communion. Their participation in the Nine Lessons and Carols service was greatly appreciated and their contribution will hopefully increase throughout the year. ## **Parish Office and On-line Matters** ## **Revd Judy Hunt** During the course of 2021 the Parish Office, staffed by our part-time Parishes’ Administrator Jo Lavin, continued to publish the Parish Magazine of St Alkmund’s, Fauls & Tilstock and The Chancel Steps, which also accommodates news from our other two parishes . The production of the regular Pewsheets plus posters for events, once these were allowed, was completed week by week. arrangement amongst the tea ter Holy Communion and cons board at the Hospital for use, All this regular visiting continu virus pandemic. Revd Judy was tients. We stayed in touch with the H activities and on-line services. appreciated. We sent a Christ ing them of our prayers. The role of Parish Administrator has continued to be a busy one through out the pandemic, and 2021 built on the experience of 2020 with more material online. The website (www.stalkmunds.com) served as an effective means of communication for church members and for those making enquiries. I am very grateful for Jo’s skills and flexibility of working. Towards the end of 2021, Jo was off work and others stepped in to help. I am particularly grateful to John and Pauline Stokes (proof reading, printing and folding the pew sheets for St Alkmund’s), Caroline Sewry (printing off and delivering the pew sheets for Fauls and Tilstock), Wendy Darter for all the administration to do with baptisms, Mel Williams for taking on many tasks in the office (especially sorting out the wifi and leading with equipping us for livestreaming, updating our “A Church Near You” sites and some other Facebook work), Jane Rylands (for leading on Twitter for us) and Elaine Bucknell (producing this Annual Reports booklet). **Afternoon Bible Study Group Mrs Celia Camplin** This is going to be quite a short report as the Bible Study group didn't 14 out how to get the best sound quality with the help of ideas from the team and others willing to add their technical know-how. **Also for much of the year the free phone short reflections** from one of the services has been available, reaching people in their homes, with Revd Judy or Revd Sue or Jane speaking, though are in abeyance at present. The regular sermons we also try to put on our **website, with hard copies in a mauve folder at the back of church** for any who would like to reflect on a sermon again or were unable to attend. 2021. **The church prayer board** has been well used and prayers are left on the board usually for about 2 weeks then removed for others … these are added to the FTW Prayer Link so that those who wish can pray at home for those mentioned, as well as at one of the church services on Sundays. **Bible Reading Notes** are available and sample copies to take are at the back of church on the rack. If you would like to be a regular reader, please let Jill Wallace know and yours will be added to the order. **A Box by the Prayer Board for those who need visiting** … Just put your request for others or yourself in the box with name and address and phone number, or let Revd Judy know. most immediately. **Thank you** to all who help with on-going pastoral care by giving your time caring and listening day by day to those in our community … sharing the love of Jesus with all around. ## **Dementia-Friendly Church** ## **Pauline Green** Much of our Dementia-Friendly Ministry as a church takes place through Time Together, the Hospital Chaplaincy, general Pastoral Care and the work with our Residential and Care Homes. We publicise this work in the local press and, when Covid-restrictions allow, through involvement in town events. We were awarded a Diocesan Certificate again for this work in 2021. We keep in touch with other churches involved in similar work through the regional meetings hosted by Sarah Thorpe. ## **Messy Church** Messy Church met just once physically in 2021—a July meeting in the Rectory garden. Rev Sam and his family prepared a regular family session of worship and activity broadcast through facebook and the Messy Church team contributed to several Messy Church video specials. The hope to re-start this group has sadly had to be put on hold because of the departure of Revd Sam and Leah Johnson. ## **Revd Judy** ## **Music report – January to June 2021** the last year. subject to the varying temper standard for use in church an piano on Thursday evenings. Normal church services did not take place in the early months of 2021. In May, we gathered again, but with only choir allowed to sing until 25th July. We are very grateful to those who provided ‘organist cover’ in these first 6 months: Angela Davies, Ted Chegwin and Stewart Smith. However, the first few months of the year were used productively to con- THE PCC OF ST ALKMUND'S CHURCH, WHITCHURCH End of Year Financial Statements Year ending 31 December 2021 Puge I The Parochial Church Council of St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2021 Accounting Policies The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 goveming the individual accounts of PCGS, and with the Regulations true and fair view" provisions. They have also been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102>. The financial statements have been preparèd under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or tt3nsaction value unless othe￿iSe staled in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsibl8 in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those thal are informal gatherings of Church members. There may be mlnor dlscrepancies in the totals as the pence are not being shown. Cashflow Statement The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS102 from the requirement to produce a Cash flow statement on the grounds that the income does not exceed £500,000. Going Concern There are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that cast significant doubl on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The Charity has reviewed its cash flow forecasts and considered the impact on going concern, concluding that the going concern basis remains an appropriate basis of preparation for these financial statements given the likely cash flow impact of operations for 12 months from the date of signing this report. Accounting Estimates and Prior Year Errors No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period. No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period. Description of Funds UnrestriGted funds are 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 tts own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the trustees, annual report. Restricted funds comprise of two elements.. a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest b) donalions or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where thore is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis. Page 2 Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capit81 either pennanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as inwme, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts. Income Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received or when the PCC becomes entitled to the resource and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resour￿ to which they relate is received. Grants and Legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross. Expendilure Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, orwhen awarded, if that award creates a binding or Constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounls received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. Governance and Support Costs Support costs should be allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the PCC and its compliance with regulation and good practica. Support costs indude Gentral functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources eg by allocating staff costs by time spent and other costs by their usage. Fixed Assets Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts by s.10{2J(al&(C) of Ihe Charities Act 2011. Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the Church's inventory, which can be inspected (al any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valuèd in the financial statements. No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useftjl life of these assets exceeds 50 years, so that any depreciation charges would be immaterial. Investments Investments in quoted shares. traded bonds and similar investments are valuad initl8lly at cost and subsequently at the mid - market value at the year end. Investments held for re-sale are treated as current asset investments. Puge 3 Accounting Policies contlnued Debtors Debtors are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount. Subsequently they are measured at cash expecled lo be received. Creditors and Accruals Creditors are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. Accruals are measured on best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. Whitchurch PCC Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2021 Unre8trleted Deslgnated Restricted Endoivmeiit funds runds futids funds Total Prlor year funds total funds Incowe audeDdDwthettts DO1￿110￿Sand leg￿se5 Irtcomt fromcha¥iiable*ctivilies Otlitttrading ￿etIVities iivestnwts 79,512 45 7,247 86,804 15,319 217,582 14,735 4W 14,125 27,459 28,18S 122W99 45 21,773 144,718 269￿16 EyptndIM￿iTrJl'. ai3inB fijttds Exwd1￿ie￿n th8ritabk a¢tivitie8 Totsl ezpondltwj'e 320 320 125J87 36,087 161,474 J81,363 Net bkCamtl{experLdlthte)reso4t¢es befor¢ tVaJE5fei' {2,4 4S 114J141 11(Y561 {Lll,74Y) Tr*nrftrs Gro5$ translcTS fuDds- in GrosstYaiLrfers benvee￿frll￿s-0uI Olhei. re￿B￿Sed galosllosses Gdinslloss¢s investrneMI ossets GU￿5(￿1￿al￿3tlOn.fjxcd a&Bds, cbatityts owji uÈ¢ Net movenierjt lh 610 (6001 {6W) 219 345 107J98 11.49 45 58,131 69,672 Totsl funds bI￿ll8￿t fD]Ivard i.JiiffjiJ 2,429 538,439 1,652,481 1,544083 Tot*1 fllmdscnrrled forward 1.123.liJ 2174 $96, 1,722,154 1,652.48L RepreS￿ltsd by UDTe¥lrlclÈJ (lelltt￿ FUD 1.123.109 1.123.lQ9 Dest￿￿ted Bell Designated 2.474 1474 2.429 R¢5tiq¢ted Agency eollettioTh Church BuildiMggFllnd S¢lJcmt F4biicJtrstticted loieriorDecorAitng S¢benJE L￿teM RtArrie*d T1￿￿Toge￿ie[ 220 584,930 3,014 1,0 7,405 220 584,930 5.014 1.000 7.405 528,015 2514 i.ooo 6.909 Page 4 Whitchurch PCC Balance sheet as at 31 December 2021 TotAI funds Prlor ear funds Flxod a#8trts Tangiblg assets 892,300 892,3N) Current assets Debl(K5 Inv68bnonls CA8h at bar￿ and In haDd 8,639 789,991 6,242 553,562 205 373 765.1Y7 Llabllltle5 Credi10￿.. Amounis falling ￿￿8 In ona year 8.388 8,288 4.996 4,996 Not Current a$set8 1088 current Ilabllltl85 829,854 760,IB1 Total a$80ts loss Current Ilablllues 1,722,154 1,652,481 Tofal not 48s6ts loss Ilabllltla8 1.722.154 1,652,481 Represented by LlnreAtrletad Gènetal Fund 1,123,109 Doslgnatod B811 Design8iÉd 2.474 2,429 Re¥trf¢t•d Church Buldings Fund $th￿9 Fat¢lc Restrld Inlor4or D1￿mting Sch*n8 Leclem R£slriclad Tlme Together Ag6ncy ¢011gCtlon 220 584.930 3.014 528,Q16 2,514 1,000 6,909 Fundts of thtr church 1722 154 1652 481 Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 22.02. 2022 and signed on its behalf by- Signature- Name:.............. The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts Page 5 Allocation of Support Costs Support costs comprise Trustee Training and Governance Costs etc. Due lo the nature of the financial activities of the PCC. these would be allocated aGross Charitable Expenditure which comprises the majority of its expenditure 2nd as such are automatically charged there. Staff Costs 2021 2020 Wages & Salaries £ 18,929 £ 16,866 Average number of employees During the year the PCC employed an administrator, organist and church-cleaner (all part-time). Subsequent to the sad loss of our previous organist, we recruited a new organist in June. The administrator's salary attraGts pension contributions. The PCC use the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) for it5 pension payments. There were no employee benefits to key management personnel in the previous or current year. Trustees, Remuneration & Expenses No Trustee expenses have been incurred during the year. Related Partles No other expenses were paid to any other PCC member. persons Closely Connected to them or related parties. Donations from related parties IPCC members) totalled £12,740 (2020 £11,316). Fees for the examination of the accounts 2021 2020 Independent Examlnevs fees 150 150 Other fees leg atcountancy services) paid to the Independent Examlner Page 6 Analysis of Transfer between Funds Unrestricted Restrictsd IDS CBFS Payment to Diocese for Schemes becoine Restiicttd Debtors (600) 400 200 Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Freehold 8ulldings Bridgewater Street Propertles Totsl Bargates Church Cost or Valuatlon As at I" Jan Addition5 in the year Disposal in the year Revaluation {if any) Value at 31" Dec 584,282 308,018 892,300 584,282 A¢¢uMulated DèprÈtlatlot) As at I" Jan Charge for the year Disposals Value at 31" Dec Net Book Value at l Jan 2021 Net Book Value at 31" Dec 2021 584,282 308,018 892,300 584,282. 30è,018- Page 7 Investments change in market value At 31" Dec At I" Jan Additions Disposals Transfers Unrestricted funds CCLA Inveslment Fund income shares Restricted Funds CCLA investment Fund income shares 101,944 89,682 14,584 206,210 451,618 150,(I)O 189,6821 71,845 583,781 Total 553,562 239,682 (89,682} Current Assets Debtors 2021 2020 LDBF Interior Decoration & Church Buildings Scheme Gift aid & VAT recoverable Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors 3,234 2,514 2,532 346 58 1,195 Ttstal Liabilities Amounts falling due in one year 2021 2020 A¢¢rua15 Agency collectlons Other creditors 150 11,4941 9,732 2,050 1,215 1,731 Total Page 8 ststement of assels and liabilitles 2021 CeiierAI Desi iiated Restrleted Emdoivwent Thls LAst eAr rixod a&Eets-TAnRibl¢ a55¢ts Bar8AksH811- 3#Br1dg¢￿￿t¢r5tr¢#l- 3b Ilridgew8terSlreel- S84,282 154,iM19 154,009 584,282 154,009 154,009 584,282 154,0 154,OD9 rotals 892,300 892JOO 892JLWJ Currcnt as5e18-Casb at bank h8nd 3rclays Cul￿ntACt￿n1- BiYclaysDeposil Attoullt- Peltyca￿l- FloweiEPettyCasb- BAryategPeLty CN6h. 166 25,665 95 45 2,429 4,185 11,905 4,297 40,0 95 Igo,003 127 Totats 26,047 2174 44ffi12 105J73 c￿l're11t H85ets-J)ebtsrs Int￿701 Dtcth¥iiAg ScheiMe- ch￿rCh RiiildiiigFund Sthcmt- Sundry Deblors- Al'rou￿ts k¥￿ivab16- 3,014 3,014 220 346 58 3,639 1514 346 58 405 2,532 Totals 1234 6,242 CtsrtéTht assÈt$- Iiivegtwemts CCLA Inv¢5ttn¢nlFund 24698. ceLA Jnveslmen*VuMd IWIS- cCLAIDv￿t￿c￿ItTrUlld iorJ25- 63,603 52,924 63.603 52,924 673 463 789.992 55.643 46,301 45101 861 583 780 583,78 TolaT$ 206,210 L1*blllllc4-A¥e￿cY Ae£0￿￿18 Agcncy ¢oUcGlions- Totals 118941 {1,4941 1,215 Liabllititts- Ce¢dltoiy: A￿41￿￿ts I%￿ng olle yeai. Ac¢ruals. QUDis PayabLe. 150 150 2,050 TotAIs 1,853 8029 gW82 3.781 Grand totsl 2.474 S96 70 J54 81 SLit8ment of assets and liabllltles 2020 comparatives Celleral De51 Mated Restrlcted Endoivment Tbi$ Last Fixed &5sets-Twnglble assets Bargat¢sH811- 449 833 449033 T¢Jts15 $84,2¥A 5843B2 C¥nYiil 955et5-C4sh atb*nk 4lldlttb*lld Batclay5 c￿rc￿l Aecount- BoiclDys tkp05itAcc¢iilAt- PeityCasli- Flowtts P*￿yC8s￿_ B￿gate&PettyC0$kn- lJ,927 103.898 2.429 83,675 190,(X)3 127 3QC I￿ 118052 100 41419 1429 84090 205073 Cui'i'eiit*%sets-DebtoYs InteriorT)ec8 1102- Slatulory Feeg for fuiierais 1105- Local Trccs forweddillgs L106. Local Fees for funerals 1210- Fund Raising a¢ltvilics 1230- Hospital Chpla￿CY 3,039 5,636 sy 1,750 3,039 5,636 594 1,750 157 5212 949 1,139 00 11,757 Total 15J19 15,359 Other trading activities 0910- Rumtn8ge 581es etc 1240- ChurctL hall lettings 1241- HiTe of ChuTch 1250_ maga￿￿e incorne- adveTtising 1260- PaTish inag9zin¢ al￿ other incomc Total 2,892 10,089 764 2.892 10,489 764 400 11504 989 14,735 989 15.135 346 12,091 400 Investments 1001- Divid¢nd5 1020- Baith aodbuilding ￿iety interest 1030- R¢nt frojn 3a Bi?dg¢wal¢r Street 1040- Rcnt fro￿ 3b BtidgO 723 1296 723 lJ96 721 1,221 1,209 1,209 280 287 59 388 150 388 150 32,672 2.791 32,672 2,791 243,198 12.816 2801- Hall + tutsjor repA*rs- &tsu¢ttL 2820. Hall + tu4or irpairs- itislallalioJJ 2830- Hall + interior al￿ cxterior deeoratthg 2840- Bi'idgewateiStsEetpiopeity cos 29Ql _New bullding PaT.£on8ge house 2910-New buildinR house for ¢yr*e 2920- Ncw builditig CburclL 29JO_New building Hall 7.360 7,360 4,189 4,189 918 Total XPENDITURE TOTAL 125066 125 387 381363 381303 161474 45 14 14 ILI 747 Page 14 Statement ofjFinanci81 ActÈvities 2020 Comp￿.&￿Ve8 Dpsl¢Dated Roslrf¢lod fyDds Endowmffint lunds Income 8ndendowgnenf5frDm.- DonatlonsAnd ¢omè[rom¢hadiab￿a¢l￿iI1Bs Olher￿l￿aGbV1[8 &l436 t24Pt G8 Y2P91 tr.*1 N.M7 37 2,4tr2 3M49 TolAI Inoom 130.51J 138.352 269.616 212.034 Expèmllture on.. t3137 294 3913 ?8?￿2 Total 8xpfindlturq Gèkns 11093eson I￿stM￿t£S8&S 1.632 256,294 381.383 IB2,Q82 7.459 28J45 126,271 N41 In¢om4 11oxy•ndllurel r•$•ur¢os b•fortr tr•ngf•r -952 -11D,4e2 lJ7.597 se.222 Trènsférs Gro88transl8rs ￿￿￿enfU￿S-I Gro&slran$lws be¥W￿lUnds-Oul 552 -562 552 1442 -1442 Other recognlsfrdgalnsllos N4t movomgnt In fundg 219,022 -952 -110,472 58,222 Recon¢lllatlon of funds Total lunds brought lorward 892,540 3,3$1 646,•11 1.544,Ee3 1.486,1811 T•lol fund8 ¢•rrlèl fon¥ard 2.429 538,439 1,552,481 1,544,8B3 Page 15 ## **Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees/members of The PCC of Whitchurch** Registered charity number: 1129900 I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2021 which are set out on the following pages. ## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility - to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent Examiner's Statement** In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or - the accounts do not accord with the with the accounting records - the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: ………………………………………….. Jonathan Hill FCMA CGMA Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance St Marys House, The Close, Lichfield. WS13 7LD Date: ………………………………… 01 April 2022