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2020-12-31-accounts

St Lawrence Towcester

Reports of Church Groups, Activities and Ministers

for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday 30[th] May 2021 11.30 am

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Due to the current pandemic the following committees and activities have not taken place since 2020

Churchwardens Report

Pastoral and Services

During this unprecedented year of continuous change, often at a moment’s notice, the community that is the body of St. Lawrence, has remained strong, supportive and with an incredible spirit of ‘can do’.

With the Church closed for much of the year, one of the most positive outcomes has been the communication telephone ‘tree’ and the friendships and conversations shared with those we might not have otherwise known so well. On a weekly basis, phone calls have generated a feeling of strength and spiritual continuity, albeit from our own homes.

The other comfort has been the opportunity for Private Prayer each week since early Summer. The quiet reflection and peace of the Church has offered solace to many, some very regularly, and has been well received and a privilege for those of us who have been able to help.

June saw the welcome arrival of the Revd Angela Hammett and her husband Chris to the benefice, living at the Rectory in Greens Norton.

When we have been able to open the Church for socially distanced Services, and with the help of the Parish Office and members of the PCC and their families, the Church was open and complying with all regulations. Those who have attended have been patient and understanding as we got to grips with the one-way system and seating arrangements.

Claire Reetz, our Children and Families Worker since January 2018 and has been able to contribute significantly to the Family Service which had an excellent attendance in excess of 40 people and children on each occasion. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail made for an interactive and enjoyable Service for everyone and her Christmas activity bags were particularly well received.

Michael Tinsley’s contribution as our Organist gave a touch of normality to our Services. The Christmas Lessons and Carol Service conducted on Zoom, with representatives from each Parish, had an excellent ‘attendance’ of 380 views. Our Crib Service had 202 views.

The Christmas Day Eucharist was well attended and the Rector led Carols in the Churchyard after the Service.

The Treasurer and Gift Aid Officer have been mindful of the lack of fundraising events which had been planned and those implications for the Parish Share and other financial shortfalls and their guidance and continued diligence is appreciated by all of us. Nevertheless, the generosity of the Community has not gone unnoticed and hopefully we can improve our income considerably as this year progresses.

Church and Churchyard

Regular maintenance checks have been made on both the inside and outside of the Church. Preparatory work has been done in advance of the Quinquennial Inspection in June 2021 and particular mention must be given to Kate Saul who retires this year as Chair of the Fabric Committee. Her tireless work has kept a keen eye on particular building issues which have been resolved before they became a major problem.

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The Town Council continue to maintain the Churchyard (together with volunteers who help look after the Remembrance Garden). Work on the Mill Stream wall continues and regular conversations take place with the Town Clerk and we are in discussion with the DAC over permissions that are required for each piece of work.

The Bell Ringers have been able to ring on certain occasions prior to Sunday Services and their presence as always been supportive and in keeping with all the government guidelines and restrictions.

Reflection

A steep learning curve of understanding of what we can and cannot achieve has been a new experience but nonetheless, very rewarding. None of this could have been achieved without the Rector’s remarkable energy and ability to adapt and drive the changes to enable St. Lawrence to continue offering its special brand of spiritual comfort and care.

The Clergy and Ministry Team also deserve praise for their significant impact on our ability to be the Church in this difficult and different year, much of which has been unseen or recorded.

Elizabeth Manning

Chantry Committee

For every one of us the last year has been very strange, and the same is true for 42 St Lawrence Road South and The Chantry House – so much but so little has happened!

Financially, our heads are still above water despite the usual bills coming in and some items of maintenance and repair that have been required.

42 St Lawrence Road South has new tenants; unfortunately our last couple had to return home during the Covid crisis to help with family. There was a minimal delay before our managing estate agents found us new tenants and they have settled well. There were some inspections that were required at the change of tenancy and a repair was required to the house roof but no other major issues occurred.

The Chantry House has just undergone a quinquennial style inspection from which a maintenance and repair schedule can be prepared. The upstairs kitchen has been refreshed: cupboards moved and new worktops fitted. There is now room for a small countertop fridge to be installed once we are able to get one.

Of course, despite the outgoings continuing in the Chantry, unfortunately we have had no income as our bookings all had to stop – our bank account has therefore not shown much increase in our funds this year. Use of the building has continued as the Benefice Office (although operating behind closed doors) has been working through the lockdowns.

Following lengthy discussions at Chantry, Standing and PCC committees the control and governance of the Chantry House has been clarified and organised in accordance with the current legal responsibilities of Trustees (of the PCC) under the Charity Act legislation. A constitution, by which the Chantry will be managed, was prepared, discussed and formally accepted by all committees involved. The Chantry accounts will continue to be consolidated as usual with the PCC accounts prior to presenting them to both the Charity Commission and the Church of England. The Chantry will work on an annual budget that is set following thought and discussion between all parties and finally approved by the PCC.

As the year progresses we all hope that restrictions will begin to lift and our building can once again become a hub of life within the heart of our town and church. Don’t forget that before the rooms can be opened for public hire and use, the garden (which is sheltered and beautiful) should be available for hire.

Isobel Gilbert - Chair Chantry Committee

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Fabric Committee

The Fabric Committee has been unable to meet during the past year due to the lockdowns resulting from the Covid 19 Pandemic. However, the following items have been completed.

1. The 2016 Quinquennial Stonework Repairs to the Church

The QQ Repairs were carried out by Steve Todd during the 1[st] lockdown last April and our architect Russell Christison, who signed off the work, was pleased with Steve’s work. The stonemason’s and architects’ fees have been paid and we have recovered the VAT from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. Our treasurer, Peter Morris, estimates there will be a balance of about £8,000 in the restricted Fabric Fund, which will go towards the forthcoming QQ Inspection, due to be held in June 2021, and any further work which may be required. Our grateful thanks to Peter for managing the Fabric Fund and for recovering the VAT.

2. The Repairs to the Church Bells

Brett Masters, the Steeple Keeper, reported that the main repair works to the church bells was completed on 27[th] November last year by John Taylor and Co., with a few minor things still to do. The work was also supported by local volunteers who contributed over 500 hours to the scheme, thereby saving significant expenditure. (Please see the enclosed report from Brett which was presented at the Bell Ringers AGM in January 2021)

As yet, the Bell Ringers have not managed to ring the bells altogether as the ring of 12, but they did manage to ring 6 of them on Christmas Day and everyone noticed the difference. They are looking forward to ringing all the bells later this year.

3. The E-Bound Roof Alarm

The annual service of the roof alarm by E-Bound is scheduled for the 9[th] April 2021. There were minor problems at first, with frequent activation of the alarm, but this has now been resolved.

3. Ongoing Repairs and Maintenance to be carried out

a) The leaks in the church roof and the repair to the ‘door stay’ on the left-hand side of the West Door are ongoing and will be included in the next QQ Survey.

During the winter months with heavy rainfall, water gushed out of the downpipes and on to the roof above the South Aisle. Russell, our architect, thought that this could potentially be directed underneath the splash lap of the lead roll giving rise to the leaks in the roof. A simple solution to this the problem would be to continue the drainpipe across the roof and into the parapet gutter.

b) In December, Steve Todd cleared the gutters and downpipes of debris, and he has agreed to do this on an annual basis.

c) A Maintenance Schedule for the church has been drawn up and accepted by the PCC.

4. The Churchyard, which is the responsibility of the Town Council

a) Repairs to the millstream wall. This matter is ongoing, due to revised documentation being required by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

b) With regard to the tree which is rubbing against the north aisle corner of the church, near the choir vestry, we are awaiting a report from an arboriculturist, so that a tree surgeon can deal with the problem. I should like to thank Reverend Paula and the Tove Benefice Office for all their help and support during the past year, which has been a challenging time for all of us.

Kate Saul - Fabric Committee

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Servers Report

There is nothing to report as we have not had Acolytes duties since March 20. I have only ordered two transfers for Paschal Candles.

Chris Williams

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Report from Music

This year the Covid pandemic has had a devastating effect to the music in the Church, both to the choir and for the congregation.

Choir practices in person have had to move to virtual meetings, this limits collective singing due to the latency issues. At Christmas there was limited practice allowed and a recording was made of “Once in Royal” to open the Virtual Carol service. With a live performance there may be more nerves, but any mistakes made are just passed over, however with a recording the mistakes stay and somehow are more noticeable. The choir rose to the challenge of not only having to be recorded but also having a camera pointed at them while they were singing.

At the beginning of the first lockdown, I decided that I would try to record every track of the album that made me fall in love with the organ. I uploaded these to You tube and the links were included in the new letters that Paula sent out. I was very touched that people did enjoy these.

A few virtual services were created during the last year, some hymns or solo organ music was recorded for these special services.

Michael Tinsley

St Lawrence Society of Ringers

From April 2020 till August 2020 there was no ringing at St Lawrence due to lockdown. Restrictions eased in August 2020 and there was ringing before services for 15 minutes on 6 out of the 12 bells. As we entered the second wave ringing was stopped again.

September saw the bell project happen. Due to local labour of Brett Masters, John Stanworth, Jonathan King and John White we only required a professional bellhanger for 2 days. The wheels on the back 7 bells were replaced and sold for funds, and there was other general maintenance carried out in order to ease the ‘go’ of some of the back bells. Ringing was allowed on Christmas day and again 6 out of the 12 bells were rung. In 2021 we have not seen any lifting of restrictions. However, the tenor bell has been tolled for both the funeral of Captain Sir Tom Moore, and for the funeral of Margaret Lawson (Grandma of the society). We are hopeful that ringing will resume after the final social distancing measures are lifted in June.

Celia Wood - Secretary

Deanery Synod Report

Synod has met only once since last year and that was in November when a traffic light system was put forward for services moving forward. What we cannot do, what we might be able to do and what we can do. A new representative needs to be appointed as I have stepped down from this committee too.

Rona Cambray

Churches Together in Towcester (CTT)

We started 2020 with our programme of meetings for the year planned as were the usual events such as The Good Friday Service, Ascension Day and Pentecost.

Unfortunately, this did not all go as planned as we were soon in lockdown.

However, Rev Lulu, who was chair at that time, ensured that Churches Together activities did not come to an end. In the first instance we quickly up scaled our computer skills so that we were able to continue meeting via Zoom.

Whilst virtual services were held for Easter Ascension Day, Pentecost and other occasions which occur in the cycle of church life the focus for many changed to ensure the practical needs of the community were being met during the pandemic.

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We have received regular updates from The Food bank and the Wellbeing Cafe These are much valued resources in our community It says so much about the inspirational and innovative leadership of these 2 resources that they have managed to continue serving the community so well during these challenging times.

We were sorry to lose Rev Paul Knight who retired and left the area and who had done such inspirational work in the community. His place on the CTT committee was taken by Melanie Whitlock Paul had in fact written the Lent courses for 2020 which was a cross denominational resource.

Despite the pandemic the “Its Your Move” booklets were distributed as usual to the primary schools in Towcester and Greens Norton

Our AGM was held virtually in September and Melanie stepped up to the role of Chair. She quickly became proactive in organising a virtual Carol Service as we were unable to organise “Carols in the Square.

It was not possible to hold a service this year for World Day of Prayer. However, information was circulated as to how a service could be accessed on line and we look forward to hopefully returning to a traditional service in 2022.

The Welcome Cakes initiative was not able to continue due to Covid restrictions. However, people were continuing to move into the new houses. The Welcome card was quickly updated and reprinted giving up to date details of the churches and the clergy.

Expenditure this year has been on the “Its Your Move” booklets. The Virtual Carol Service and the new Welcome cards

Our meetings have also been an opportunity to offer thanks to all the clergy who have guided us so well through unprecedented times. At the present time we are on a challenging road and much of the future is still unknown but the CTT remain positive and are looking ahead to exploring new ways for the Churches to work together in the Post Pandemic era.

Carol Lucas - Secretary

Marriage Preparation

See Child and Families worker report.

Mothers' Union

During this past year members have kept in touch with each via email, cards, telephone calls etc. We managed to hold one in-person meeting in St Bartholomew’s church in September for the annual Wave of Prayer Service. In 2021 we have adapted yet again and have held two Zoom meetings. MU nationally has been very supportive sending news and inspirational messages “on line”. Our members have continued to generously donate to MU projects both at home and abroad. This year we have 14 enrolled members. We are hoping that it will not be too long before we can get together in person to share fellowship and stories of how we all got through this strange year.

Carol Johnson

St Lawrence Flower Arrangers

There was a virtual flower festival in 2020 which seemed to be appreciated by the community. Regrettably we do not plan to hold one this year as we cannot be sure social distancing will be removed by August. Hopefully we can make more of Harvest in terms of Church decoration.

Rona Cambray

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Reader’s Report

It goes without saying that this has been a very strange year. When we went on holiday on the 1[st] of March last year we had no idea what would happen whilst we were away and believed that Zoom was an iced lolly. When we returned on 4th April it was to a very different place to the one that we left and a new Zoom was to take a leading role in our lives from then even until now.

As a Reader I have used Zoom to attend and lead Morning Prayer, attend and sometimes lead Sunday worship and lead weekly Bible Study.

In the absence of in-church services I have contributed to the reflections used on Sundays.

I have continued to play a part on the Ministry team and attend meetings twice a month, again mostly on Zoom.

Services at Ridgway have ceased but I have maintained contact by phone, but am anxious, as are John Smith and Chris Williams, to resume as soon as possible.

Believing that fellowship is an important part of our life together, I have been involved in the venture of Men-not-at-The Bull when we meet to discuss something of interest about once a month.

I look forward to our churches being open again without having to book and to the changes in the way that we exercise our ministry as a Benefice which may deemed desirable.

John Booth

Licenced Lay Minister

The past year has been very different to my usual year as Licenced Lay Minister. During this time I have stayed in contact with a good number of people I would normally visit as well as others I know. I have been reading, and watching/listening to many discussions on media sites – listening and learning which has been so useful during this time.

We don’t know how our ministry will look when we are able to return. I am prepared to go along with new regulations if it means I can minister to the elderly in our community. I am excited about the prospect of a new way if this is what it will mean and I will endeavour to support our clergy as they ask. Mary Blanchard

Report from Claire Reetz, Children and Families worker with Marriage Preparation report

Work in the
Benefice		 Tots own and
little sprouts		 Pre-school groups in the Benefice were closed in March of last
year due to the start of lockdown. Claire then began to add
all existing contacts to the database created by Revd Paula.
Following this families were contacted weekly via a mailing
with bible stories, craft ideas and prayers. Tots Own restarted
in the Autumn for a short time in September and again in
December. Claire has provided walking groups for adults in
Towcester for parents across the Benefice and has met up
with individuals to provide support throughout the year.
Pre-schoolgroups are due to reopen in April 2021.

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Family Service Family service in Towcester has been severely disrupted this
year. The service resumed in the Autumn but for a short
period before the November lockdown. Attendance was low
during this period. Family service will resume in St Lawrence
in June.
Family Praise Family praise in Greens Norton has been severely disrupted
this year. The service resumed in the Autumn but for a short
period before the November lockdown. Attendance was low
during this period. Family service will resume in
St Bartholomew’s in May.
Family
Worship		 Claire has worked alongside a group of worship leaders to
plan a familyzoom service which will takeplace monthly.
Messy Church No messy church sessions have taken place this year due to
restrictions.
Other church
events		 Claire worked as part of the planning team for the Greens
Norton Scarecrow festival last autumn. She organised a team
of volunteers to create a Christmas trail event in Towcester
which welcomed around 200 families from across the Benefice.
Claire is now working with volunteers to create Easter trails at
St. Bartholomew’s, St. Lawrence, St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s
churches.
Claire has worked as part of a team of churches together
leaders to plan and lead a wellbeing after school group with 15
children aged between 9 and 14.
Marriage
preparation
course		 6 couples attended the Marriage preparation course held in
the Chantry house in February 2020. Due to restrictions, the
next course will be held on zoom.
Lent group Claire offered a Lent course which ran for 3 weeks, with a
group of adults in Greens Norton. Unfortunately, this group
had to stopdue to the lockdown.
It’s your move Claire led ‘it’s your move’ sessions with Melanie Whitlock and
Revd Paula via zoom to talk to children about moving to
secondary school in Greens Norton, Towcester CE and
Nicholas Hawksmoor PrimarySchools.
Children and
families
committee
meetings		 The children and families committee meet quarterly to discuss
work in the benefice, training and finances. This group is made
up of a representative from each parish, as well as
representative from the diocese. Minutes of the meetings can
be available on request and Claire shares a short report for
committee members to share with PCC’s.
Work in
School		 Greens
Norton
Primary		 Claire continues to support the school as a school governor
and has provided weekly Collective Worship for the past
academic year. Claire is looking forward to going back into
school to support for an afternoon each week in the summer
term.
Towcester
Primary		 Claire continues to support the school by providing weekly
collective worship for the past academic year. She will be
running an after-school club via zoom for year 4 children
beginningafter Easter.
Diocese
work		 Children and
families worker
meetings		 As a diocese, children and families workers/ministers are
encouraged to meet every other month to share ideas and
good practice as well as to discuss upcoming training
opportunities.
Deanery
work		 Deanery synod
meetings		 Claire attends Deanery Synod meetings and Greater Chapter
meetings.

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Training

Claire continues to study for her three-year diploma in Pioneering, mission and leadership. The course is now all on zoom and Claire is due to complete her second year in July this year.

Report from Revd Angela Hammett, Curate

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my title here in the Tove benefice. This means that I will spend between three and five years here completing my initial training as a clergyperson under the supervision of Revd Paula. I began work here on Sunday 28[th] of June 2020.

Like Ven David and Revd Lulu, I am serving on a house for duty basis. The house that the diocese has made available to us so that we can live and serve in the benefice is the Rectory on Towcester Road in Greens Norton. It is a lovely house and we are happy to live here. We were fortunate to be able to move in as soon as the first lockdown lifted and we arrived here on June 10[th] .

In exchange, I have committed to work Sundays and three other days a week. One of these is meant to be devoted to my curacy studies. In practice I consistently spend more time than this in parish work. I have also taken a Biblical Hebrew class and have also been spending other days in the week continuing to study Luke’s gospel – specifically Luke 7.36-50. Curacy training days and weekends have gone ahead, but on Zoom.

Covid, and the measures needed to combat its spread, have had a significant impact on my first year of curacy. My ordination as a deacon was delayed until September 26[th] and, even then, the ordination took place behind masks in a nearly empty cathedral. In the meantime, I served as an assistant curate because Bishop Donald declared that I shared in his cure of souls. (The word curate comes from cure of souls.) It is hoped that I, and others in my cohort, will be ordained priest in another quiet ceremony at the cathedral on June 27[th] 2021.

Inevitably the usual opportunities to spend time with people have been limited by the requirements to stay at home and to social distance. My first physical meetings with people were at individual private prayer. Contact with children and families has been focussed on the Christmas and Easter trails. Chances to be hospitable as we would like still lie in the future.

I am very grateful for Zoom which has made it possible to start to get to know a number of you over the internet. The daily 9am Zoom morning prayer is an anchor. Zoom has also made possible collaborative working, through deanery chapters, ministry team meetings, PCCs, standing committees, and worship planning groups. The fellowship of Time4tea (which Jane Small, Mary Blanchard and I set up together) is a pleasure every Wednesday afternoon as it attracts approximately a dozen people to chat for three quarters of an hour before closing with prayer.

I have had ample opportunities to contribute to the reshaping of worship for our changing circumstances. This has included zoom worship, as well as socially distanced matins, Sunday Eucharists, family worship, and festive services. I have also learnt to write Sunday reflections – a subtly different discipline from the usual sermon writing.

I consider myself privileged to be able to work and learn alongside such a varied, gifted ministry team as we serve God in the communities of this benefice. Thank you.

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Report from Revd Lulu Pelly, Assistant Priest

As for everyone, the last year has been challenging as I have sought new ways to minister. The March to June was a period of learning about online worship through Zoom (an ongoing experience) and listening to how God is calling us to be his people, also on going. My roles include being Assistant Priest in the Benefice, for the Diocese Bishop’s Self-Supporting Officer for the Northampton Archdeaconry and for the County, Chaplain to St. John Ambulance Northamptonshire and Trustee of the Towcester foodbank. From March 2020, I felt God was calling all of us to be practising our faith outside of our church buildings in new ways.

Churches Together in Towcester founded the Towcester foodbank in 2012. Until June 2020, Revd Paul Knight, Baptist minister was Chair of the Trustees. Paul retired in July 2020 and for the next six months I took the chair. Working with the team at the foodbank has taken up about 50 per cent of my ministry time. The foodbank has, like the Church, needed to adapt to an ever-changing scene with restrictions and guidelines. One effect of the First Lockdown was that 80 % of volunteers were shielding. Fortunately, many stepped forward to take their place but due governance and taking up two references for each person has taken a lot of administrative time. The foodbank is ably run by an Operational Team and Helen Garton. Co-0rdinator and Trainer of volunteers and David Andrews, Store Manager have been key to the foodbank service with the other trustees and supervisors contributing hugely of time and effort. The community continues to give generously stock and money to the work of the foodbank and for which we are very grateful.

From January to March I completed a 500-mile pilgrimage (averaging 6-7 miles a day) in memory of my eldest brother who died from Covid 19 in April 2020. This has been hugely rewarding in many ways and I look forward to sharing walking and talking with others in the Benefice. I am very grateful for the generous donors who supported me by raising in excess of £5000 for the work of the foodbank.

Pastoral, hospital and residential home visiting and home communion, face to face meetings have all been severely restricted, but we hope these restrictions will ease shortly. I continue to value being part of the Benefice Ministry Team; staff meetings, worshipping and working together to serve our community is a blessing. I am grateful to Paula our Rector on her initiative to communicate fully and widely through the weekly Bulletin which provides so much prayerful resource both locally and from the Diocese and the wider Church.

Report from Revd Paula Challen, Rector

This is the second APCM report as Rector. 2020 was certainly not the year any of us expected it would be. I delivered my 2019 report at Greens Norton and Towcester last year on the weekend before we headed into the first lockdown. There was a hope in the air, that come the end of the summer we would be returning to ‘normal’, and yet having just marked the first anniversary we are still not back to ‘normal’ and suspect the effects will last for many months to come.

The Greens Norton and Towcester APCMs were also the day I announced we would be getting a curate and it has been a delight to welcome Angela and Chris into the benefice and to ministry team. Angela is here as a House for Duty Curate. What that means is her benefice time is 3 days plus Sundays. Her current working pattern is Sunday to Wednesday – therefore please be mindful of this when calling or emailing if you don’t get an immediate response.

Whilst mentioning working pattern, I would also to point out that Lulu is also House for Duty and her commitment to the benefice should be 2 days plus Sundays. Throughout the lockdown she worked full time and I am extremely grateful for her support in 2020. Lulu’s working pattern is slightly more fluid, but please be mindful when contacting her too.

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In my 2019 report I spoke about communication and said “how we do communication is essential, not only within our churches but also in our wider communities. Good communication isn’t necessarily about doing more, it is about making sure what we are doing is being read alongside thinking carefully about how and where we communicate.” Little did we know how much we would develop and need to change. Everything stepped up a gear as we realised we needed to keep in touch: the pastoral telephone tree, weekly emails that are sent to over 300 people and monthly postal letter to 50 people. We used zoom for Bible study, church social groups, PCC and general meetings, marriage preparation, governor meetings, funeral, and wedding meetings.

The ways we worship across the benefice have had to adapt to lockdown and then various release stages of guidance since. As a clergy team we tried to meet a broad spectrum of needs and abilities to connect with us. Providing weekly reflection on the Word every single week for the past year (via email) has been a significant achievement. This has enabled people at home, joining in zoom services and, when we could, those gathering in church to hear the same message. We knew early on that zoom may not be everyone’s preferred method of worship that is why we offered alternative suggestions and resources. Thank you to everyone who has supported the whole ministry team in the new and different ways we each have experienced being church.

I reflected last year on how Lulu and my priestly ministry ‘touches lives’ across our communities and in 2020 not only our communities, but across the world. Our communities are diverse and growing, it continues to be a privilege to serve them and remind us of the quote attributed to William Temple “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members."

Here is just a couple of messages I received this year ‘I don’t think I can say thank you enough for everything you did’ and ‘ you were/are the rock that held us together over the last couple of months and I really appreciate everything you did’.

The financial impact of 2020 was felt across the benefice and each PCC treasurer will share more about that in their report. The ongoing financial impact continues to be of great concern, with 3 of churches now seeing income significantly less than expenditure. Financial struggles are not a new challenge, when they were working on the bell in St Lawrence they came across some parish magazines from Canon Curtis along with some paper accounts. Even in those days Canon Curtis was telling the people of Towcester how short they were of money and that they need to look at fundraising efforts in order to make ends meet. However, we cannot just sit back expecting thing will automatically get better, we need to start addressing this continued issue in 2021 – bottom line is we need to find ways in which to increase our income or we need to reduce our expenditure. As soon as we start saying “well we won’t pay our benefice share” we are saying something about the value we place on ministry. I want us to be a thriving benefice where we can continue to bless our community. As part of a wider stewardship campaign I have asked Chris Hammett to head up a benefice treasurers’ group to look at a number of specific areas, and this will be reported back to PCCs in due course.

Whilst the majority of reports at APCM focus on the past 12 months, I also think the incumbent’s report should say something about the future. I am excited by the Church of England’s Vision in the 2020s work which is subtitled ‘Christ centred and Jesus shaped. Simpler, humbler, bolder’ and I hope that during 2021, with my ministry team, Churchwardens and PCCs we can look at developing our own vision and strategy based on this central vision alongside the 5 Marks of Mission.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to the Ministry Team, Benefice Office staff, Churchwardens and PCC members for the care and support they have shown me. I continue to be excited about the future, and I know that the diocese are excited by what they can already see us doing in the Tove Benefice, and that they are keen to help, support and encourage us. I hope and pray you continue to be excited to and willing to join me on this adventure as we grow in faith ourselves and make Christ known and shared across the benefice.

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Treasurer’s Report

1. Introduction

The accounts for the year end 31[st] December, 2020 comprising the consolidated Statements of Financial Activity (SoFA) and Balance Sheets of the PCC and Chantry Committee are attached.

The accounts have been subject to an independent examination, which identified no matters of concern; and were approved at the January meeting of the PCC.

In November, 2020, Trustees of the PCC approved a Constitution and Delegation of Authority for Chantry Committee, which clearly sets out its role, responsibilities and a delegation of authority to commit to agreed spending plans.

This positive step brings the needed clarity to the relationship between the PCC and Chantry Committee and, therefore, the integrity to external financial reporting. Subject to approval at this APCM, the accounts will form the basis of reporting to the Charity Commission and the Church of England.

2. Key features of the accounts

Without doubt the major influence on the financial performance of the PCC during 2020 was, and still is, the impact of the COVID pandemic. The closure of the Church and the inability to hold the usual fund-raising activities, fewer weddings, not being unable to hire rooms at the Chantry are just some of reasons why levels of receipts fell so significantly.

In April, as insufficient reserves were held to weather the financial storm, Standing Committee agreed that monthly payments of Parish share would be reduced. A revised budget was prepared with the assumption that matters would begin to improve towards the end of the year. Clearly, this was an invalid assumption. The impact on the PCC’s finances were sudden, significant and long term, and the situation was looking bleak. A significant deficit was being forecast, with a substantial erosion of reserves being predicted. At the beginning of the year, reserves were already £8,000 lower than the minimum level advised by the Charity Commission.

Then, throughout the remainder of the year, the position turned so much for the better:

The outcome of these actions is that after a transfer of funds from Chantry Committee, a surplus of £7493.55 was generated and reserves are now held, more or less, in line with levels recommended by the Charity Commission. Given the ongoing impact of COVID on the PCC’s finances, this will prove to be important during 2021.

3. Conclusion

We started last year with little sign of the things to come. By April, with COVID, the situation had become serious and stressful. The degree of uncertainty and potential risks to the ongoing financial stability of the PCC were significant and worrying.

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Then things got better and the year-end saw an outcome that could not have been foreseen earlier in the year. From my, the Treasurer’s point of view, I want to thank the following people who have been instrumental in changing the position (and removing my headache):

4. Recommendation

I am happy to try and answer questions on the accounts either during or after the APCM.

And I recommend that the attached accounts for 2020 are approved and that they form the basis for all external financial reporting.

Peter Morris

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Towtesier St Lawrence Parochi¥l Church Councll ment of Flnancial Actlv fj•Mrnl Restrf£ted 00slinat•d Tffj•l 2019 Incomln Resourcas Voluntary Income Planned GIviDR Ta% Reto¥erÉd Hicps Charlty ComblnÈd Charky Colledion5 & Donations other recelp15 Re5trlcted and De51&nat￿ Fund r¢celpts Tot•1 Actlvlt1•sforS•ner•tl￿l￿¢orn0 Ma8izine & IDPYlll8 Sale of refreshment5 Fltrwer festlval and raffles Mu51cal v4ent5 and Fllm Dight5 Sale5 Fète Charfry Hotsse hlrefees Tot•1 Incom¢ from Church a 90. 2815.Q) 3036.86 1740. 278.(L) 1792.( 2070. 278.C¥) 1792.00 2070. 2094.co 2458.rx) 4552.fy) In¥e5tment In¢pme Rent from42 St lawrence Poad South Dep05It Inieie5t 9883.90 0.88 9884.78 9883.90 5.15 98B9.OS 10675.(KJ 4.27 4.17 10675A) Re5trided and D￿￿ated Fund reLÈlpts Other Par15hesfor BenefSce costs ML5cellanecus Totol 62￿.40 50. 6340.40 6290.40 50. 6340.40 $660.QO 5660.00 Total Recelpts 102487.44 31289.28 12921.64 146698.36 138410A6

oln Partsh Sh•r• I63265.￿1) 163265.￿) 163265.WI 16LSW.(X)I 163265.fpjl {615fr).C)I Totsl Chutth J£tlvltl•s utIiYtlÈs & Insurance rasT5 Cl•anln6 & Malnt•n¥nc• Cost of Upk@ep Clergy expe￿e$ & TrasDin8 Or8ani5t & Chdrftts Li¢ehC¢S oiher 701•1 CostvlFundr4151r FWO Other costs Tot1 dmlnlstr•tlo Salarl Prlntlng& Statlonery Telephone & 8todband 16939.481 11915.961 164.B31 1811.541 1138.(X)I 147k.901 13424.101 110353.581 I12fA￿.6]I 12860.601 14796.561 I7￿2.95} IS4.831 1996.071 1811.541 12624.141 I238.(￿) 11990.(M)I I472.￿) 1879.441 1750.WI 1785.731 17054.701 {17523.14} 1259BOIJI IXIM68.441 150.881 150.88 1184.$61 150.a81 {184.50) 114458.441 16586.581 I16￿.s•) 1813.141 11756.141 12522JA91 114458.441 115053n81 16586.581 IYfj85.251 11609.591 IL320.381 1813.141 1925.541 117S6.141 172.(KJl I25225￿5} IZ50$6.251 Othorcojt oth•rC￿l• FeÈs and Cf)Sts re 42 St Lawrence Fio8d sO￿h Ootsatlons and SubstAptlor Ilq5trSaed DesI￿ared F￿fid payments Tot•1 166q8.S91 16648.IYI I1￿0.13) 170.(K)I IS3È.461 13WSO.991 I3￿0.9￿1 117QI 531 170.WI 136080.99} 16W.1g1 142799.181 14120.121 170.rKJl Tot•1 P•yrn•iits 199078.211 136090.991 113702A9) 114$862.0&1 1116841.161 Iner••s•llD•cr•as•l In R•souTC•S bofor• tr•Msl•rs 1479x.ni 1781.251 1316>.751 21$69.70 bfvv••n fubids D•51$Dat￿ to Rp5trirtd From Chantry Comrnhtee Total N•1 In¢Y•as•l{D•cMse} In Resourc011 824.47 1824.471 14084.321 824.47 I49￿79} 11967.241 (5690.04) 1216a.7al 4084.32 4og4.12 7493.55 21569.70 t4tCuff•ntAM•ts brouihT prt4¥loux y••r 17014.43 14758.73 i(X)84.39 41857.55 N•t Curr•ntAsy•ts •t J15t De¢emb•r 2020 24507.9a 10791A9 499435 39695￿1 Nat• Th•transfqr of £824.47 from Oesl8Daied t¢ Aertrlclqd Fund reies totwodan&tlOn5 mèdlWWI Fund 01£324.47 and Df £5￿) en 5pecWlcallyforcomrfbutlon5 loiheAhar cloth andwron￿¥ ￿lI¢(ated as DÈsl8nat•d Fund durlng 2019. 16

Tow¢•st•r St iAwr•n¢• Paro¢hlal Church Councll nce Sheet4t $lst December G•n•r•l Residct•d D•slin•ted Consolldated 2019 T•n8lbl• A4$0ts ChantryHoUSè 42 Sl Lawrence Moad Stsuth 2s(xX￿.(lj 25(KW.CV) 2SCW). 16(knm.(A) iGC(N)).00 lth¥estments Sharos SnTraOcraft 532.50 532.50 532.50 Totsl FIM•d Ass•ts 531.50 OKPJ 41(X¥XS.00 4LOS32.50 410531.50 Curr•nt A*sets C4sh * bank Cash In hahd Deposits COIFIC8F AccTued recelvablos 16999.12 10791.49 3988.82 14.36 385.86 S.31 4>94.35 31779.43 14.36 750.$8 8439,31 40983.78 38140.ce 27.&) 745.53 7J24.51 46037.73 364.82 8434. 25797.94 10791.49 yr¥•nt Ll•bllltla% Accrued amounis fallln8due 112B9.961 11289.961 14180.181 24507.98 10791.49 4394.35 39693.82 41•57.55 Total AssEts 25040.48 10791.49 414J94.35 450226.32 452390.05 Planned Givln8 TaN fèctrièrÈd Don8tlons Weddin8fees Funer31 fee5 Amounts F•llln8 Clown Ga% & Ptswer Apogee P&5 Coleman5 P&S TWI 4443. 6LI.Q) 2286.(X) 278, 816.00 8434.(K> 1549AII 1533.181 1206.911 IIIHW gl.) 7144.D4 Resrrfctad Fund5 8ulHTK¢S Chr15tmBs Lunch Fund 'Little Sprouts" Towce5ter Akarcloth Fund 675.38 911.98 924.47 8279.66 10791.49 TLltal N•tCurrnnt Tot•1 Cash at bank- PCC- LIDYL Cash at bank- Chantry Commfttee- KSBC Dewsrted with CCLAICOIF Cash in hand Net accrua15 16999.12 10791.49 47S.16 1613.66 385.86 14.36 5.31 301S5.77 1613.66 750.68 14.36 7149.25 364.82 7144.04 Totsl 24507.98 10791.49 4394.as 89693.82 e•sh It b•nks Lloyd5 Bank HSBC Ichantry Commftteel Held on beh¥￿Of Wildlrfe Yrust 30715.77 1613.66 IS JO 31779.43 Note Cash at Lloy(ts bank @ 31 0•cèmbÈr 2020 Includes£5S0 held on b•hatt of WildLtfeTrust bringing balan¢E to £30165.77 17

Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Report to the trusteesl The Parochial Church Council of the EG¢lo9ia¥tiGal Parish of members of st Lawrence. Towcester On accounts for the yoar 315t D&¢emb¢r 2020 ended Charlty no ' 1130077 Ilf any) Set out on pages Re¥peetlve The chartty's Iruslees are ￿ 8pon8ible for the preparation of the accounts. responslblllti8$ of The Gharily's trustees consider that an audrt is not required for this year trustees and examlner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and ihat an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility lo". examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act. and to state whether particular matters have come lo my attention. Basis of independent My examination was Garried out in accordance with general Directions given examlnerfg Statement by the Charlty Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charrty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes consioeration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and 5eeioing explanatians Ltye trustees concerning any such matters The procedures unaeria¥e" provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit. aya consequeitly no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'lrue and fair view and the report is limited lo those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination. no matter has Gome to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in. any material respect, the requirements.. lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities AGI have not been met., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to anablg proper understanding of the accounts to be reached Pleas delet the words in th braGkels if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: 1911121 Nam•: Brlan W J Manning Relevant profgssional qualificationlsl or body Inst. of Bankers IAIBI Retired Bank Director Addrgs5: 32 Benham Rd,Greens Norton. Towcester, Northants, NN12 8DB March 2012 IER 18

Towcester St Lawren Annual Report of the Treasurer To the Annual Parochial Church Meetin l. Introduction The accounts for the year end 31 December, 2020 compr15ing the consolldated Statements of Flnanclal Actlvlty ISOFAI and Balance Sheets of the PCC and Chantry Commlttee are attached. The auounts have been sublect to an Independent examlnatlon, whlch Identlfled no matters of concern,. and were approved at the January meetin8 of the PCC. In November, 2020, Trustees of the PCC approved a Constltutlon and Delegatlon of Authorlty for Chantry Commlttee, which clearly set5 Ollt Its role, re$ponsibillties and a dele8ation of authorlty to ommlt to a8reed spendlng plans. Thls posltlve step brlngs the needed clarlty to the relatlonshlp between the PCC and Chantry Commlttee and, therefore, the Integrity to external financlal reportlng. Subject to approval at thls APCM, the accounts wlll form the basls of reportlng to the Charlty Comm1551on and the Church of England. 2.Ke features of th acco Without doubt the major Snfluence on the flnanclal performancè of the PCC durlng 2020 was, and stlll Is, the Smpact of the COVID pandemlc. The closure of the Church and the Inablllty to hold the usual fund-ralsin8 8Ctlwtles, fewer weddlnis, not beln8 unable to hlre rooms at the Chantry are Just some of rea50n5 why levels of recelpts fell 50 slgnlflcantlv. In Aprll, as Insufflcient reserves were held to weather the flnanclal Storm, Standlng Commlttee agreed that monthly payments of Par15h share would be reduced. A revised budget was prepared wlth the assumption that matters would be8Sn to Improve towards the end of the year. Clearlyi thls wa5 an Invalld assumptlon. The Impact on the PCC'S flnances were sudden, slgnlflcant and long term, and the sltuatlon was looklng bleak. A $18nlflcant defSclt was beln8 forecast, wlth a substantial erosion of reserves being predicted. At the be8lnnlng of the year, reserves were already £8,000 lower than the minlmum level advlsed by the Charity CommlssS0n. Then, throughout the remalnder of the year, the posltlon turned so much for the better.. An approach to the Trustees of the Richard Hlck5 Charlty led to an addltional £10,000 belng Iven toward5 meeting the shortfall in Parlsh Share payments. An approach to the Comblned Charltles resulted In £4,500 being given to meet deflned operatln8 Costs. An on-line giving account was created, whlch through the gener051ty of indI￿dUal5, further £4.400 Ilncludlng Gift Aidl w4s ralsed. The new Parlsh Glvlng Scheme was successfully Introduced by Bill Blyth and this has bfouiht much needed certainty to the flow of receipts. There ha5 been a number of meaningful don8tlons from people a$50clated wlth the Church. The outcome of these actions Is that after a transfer of funds from Chantry Commlttee, a surplus of £7493.55 was generated and reserves are now held, more or less, in line with levels recommended by the Charlty Commlssion. Given the ongoing impact of COVID on the PCC'S finance5, thls will prove to be Important during 2021.

  1. Conclusion We started last year with little sign of the thlngs to come. By April, with COVID, the sltuation had become seriou5 and stressful. The degree of uncertainty and potential risks to the ongoing financial stabillty of the PCC were slgnlflcant and worrying. Then thlngs got better and the year-end saw an outcome that could not have been foreseen earlier In the year. From my, the Treasurerfs polnt of view, I want to thank the following people who have been instrumental in changing the p051tion land removing my headache).. Reverend Paula for being so proactlve and getting thin8$ done, and provldln8 me with vital support and faith. Grahame Blanchard for steerlng TrustÈÈs of thÈ Richard Hlcks Charity toward5 8iving support during a challenging year lin total the Charity suppgrtod the PCC with £34,000 towards Parish Share, and a further £17,428 in contribution5 that enabled the roof alarm to be installed and the Quinquennial repairs to be completedl. 150bel Gilbert for her contributions and support in the review and consultation proce55, as well as the Implement3tion of the new constitution for Chantry Committee. Bill Blyth his for wisdom, experience and support. Brian Manning for being the Independent Examlner and all the other help he continLtes to give me unseen in the background. All those who have shown their generosity and support to the Church through don*ions.
  2. Recommendation l am happy to try and answer questlons on the accounts elther durlng or after the APCM. And I recommend that the attached accounts for 2020 are approved and that they form the basis for all external financial reporting. Peter Morris March, 2021

Towtestèr St Lawren¢• P•to¢hl•l c￿rCh Council inanc al Attivlt 2020 G•nor•l Re5trfcled Des(gn•ted Inc R•sources Volurthry Inwrné Planned Glvlng Tax Recovered Hkk5 Chartty Comblnèd Charhv Collertiorf & Donètions Othér rÈcÈlpts R•strlcted and De518nated Fund recelpts Tot•1 A¢tl¥ltl•ilorG•n•thin8 I￿0￿• Magaiine & cupyinK Salè of rdrÉshmènts Flowerfo5tlval ènd raffles m￿1¢81 events and Fllm n￿htS Sale5 Fe Chantry hlrefees Tot•1 Incom¢ from Churth art1￿￿e Weddin8fe Funeralfees Totsl Irwqstrnèntlnt•m Aent from 42 St Lawrence Road South DepD5it Itrttrest To&1 35313.60 9725.25 1390.CL) 34CO).W 17428.50 5538.12 s(KKI. 7755.21 112.C 7398.78 35313,60 45978.49 11075.25 lld66.66 SL428.50 2c￿. 10538.12 7867.21 7398.78 6167.71 18873.52 123621.46 102486.38 92332.18 31289.28 1306.80 187,79 45. Iii.cK) 1306.80 4(Ya.65 764.42 274a. 1770.53 7CIJ.20 .67 552.26 2815. 8415.$0 4777.45 15037A8 221.86 45.(0 iii.00 2815.Q) 3056.86 1740.59 278. 278.L¥) 1792.rA) 20YO.( 2094.Lh) 2d58.(M) 4552.Q) 1792.CQ 1070.00 9883.90 0.88 9883.￿ IC*75.C 5.15 9889.os I￿7&00 4.27 4.27 9884.78 other Restrirted and Dp5i8nated Fund recelpt5 Othèr Par&hes for Bèn￿4(• costs Mkcellaneous T•t41 6290.40 50,00 6290.40 50. 6340.40 5660.CKI 5660.fM) Total Recelpts 102487.44 31289.28 I2921￿¢ 146698.36 IY8410A6

P•rfsh S￿le I63265.￿) 163265LQI 163265.(Y)1 1615(X).O)I 163255.wl 161500.ty)1 Tot•1 Church Ltlvltlqs Utllities & Insur3llce cc5t5 Cleanlng & Malntenance Cost of Upkeep Clewy expenses & Tr•lnlng Organist & Cholrfees Li¢ences Orher Total Cort of Fundr4l$lni FWO Othtrrtosts Totsl Admlnljtrntlon Salarle5 Prlmlng & Statlonery Telephone & Broadband Website Other costs Tot•1 16929.481 11915.961 164.831 IBII.541 1238.0)1 1472.9)) 135.731 1117160.ml 14424.101 110353.581 112608.631 12880.ffjl 14796.561 17081.951 164.831 1996.071 1811.541 12624.141 1238.LMJI 11990.(X)I 1472.901 1679.441 IY50.(KII 1785.731 17054.701 117523.141 1259802ai 150.881 150A81 1184.561 I￿18) I￿￿8) 1184.561 Il4458.441 16586.581 116(B.591 1813.141 11756.141 115223J91 114458.441 115053LI 16586.581 17685.251 116ryJ.591 11320.381 1813.141 1925.541 11756.141 172.C¥Jl 125223.891 125056.251 Other¢•sts Fees and Costs re 42 St Lawrence RoadS0￿h Donatlons and Subscrfpiions pstrlcted and De5i8nated Fund payments Totsl 16648.191 16648.191 11880.131 170.IX)I 1538A61 136CAO.991 13(￿0.99) 11701.531 170.WI 136080.991 I66￿19) 142799.181 14120.IzI 170.iX)I Total P•ym•nts I9￿78.21) 136080.991 1137C12A911148862.091 Ilk6841.161 Increa￿/[Decrè1s•) In Re50urc•s b•for• transfers 3409.23 14791.711 f781251 121fj3.731 21569.70 Tr•nsF•rsboknv•enlunds De5Ignat￿ to Restrirted From Chantry comm￿1¢8 Totsl Incr•as•llD•cr•asel in Rgsourc•s 824.47 1824.471 4084.32 14084.321 4084.32 824.47 14908.791 7493.55 13967.241 15690.041 12163.731 21569.70 N•tCurr•ntAwtsbrouthtlorward from prnvl•u$y••r 17014.43 14758.73 IW84.39 41857.55 N•t Curr•ntAsMts at 31st December 2020 24507.98 10791.19 439&35 39693.82 Plot• The Iran5for of £824.47 from Deslgnètedto Re5tFlcted Fund relaie5 toiwc dvnatioths made IWWI Fund of £324.47 and one of £5CQI en 5PEcKl¢ally for ¢omrlbutlon5 totheAltarcloth and wron8ly allLKated a5 D*lgnated Fund durln8 2019.

Tow¢•stsrSt Lawrance Parochtal Church Councll •nce Sh et ber 020 GtDernl R•ktrfrted 0•￿1￿•t•4 Consolld4ted 2019 T•n8lble Assets Chantry House 42 St Lawrpncfr Road South 25Cfm.OD 25(MM)O.W 29(XYXI. Inve5tm?nts Shares in Traldcraft 532.50 532.50 532.50 Total Flxed $32.50 O.IX) 41fXXXS.W 410532.50 410532.50 Cash at bank Cash in hand Deposits COIFICBF Accrued recefvables 16999.12 10791.49 3988.82 14.36 385.86 5,31 439435 31779.43 14.36 750.68 8439,31 40983.78 38140.09 27. 745.53 7124.91 46037.75 364.82 8434.(M) 2579Y.94 10791.49 ¢uTh•nt Llibllltl•s Accrued amouTr15 fallingdue 11289.%) 112B9.961 14180.181 24507.98 10791.49 4394.35 39693.82 41857.5S Total A55•ts 25040.48 10791.49 41439435 45022632 452390.05 Re¢•lv•bl•s Plannèd Gl¥in8 Tax recovered Donatlons Weddin8fee5 Funeral fee5 A￿UrtS F4lllni Dué Cr(w4n Ga5 & P¢wÈr Apogee P&$ Colernans p&5 Total 4443.rLI 611. 2286.C¥) 278.( 816.(X) 8434. 1549.811 1533.181 1206.911 1128Y.961 7144.04 Restrf¢ted Funds B81￿•5 Chri%tma5 Lunch FuThd 'Littl Sprout5" TowcÈster Attar Cloth Fund Fabr1¢ Fund Totsl 675.38 911.98 924.47 8279.66 10791.49 nt*d ihèlollowl N•t¢u Tot•1 Cash at b4nk- PCC- Lloyd5 Cash at b¥Dk. Chaniry Commtttee- HSBC Dèposited CCLAICOIF Cash in hand Net accruals 16999.12 10791.49 2375.16 1613.66 385.86 14.36 5.31 30165.77 1613.66 750.68 14.36 7149.35 364.82 7144.a4 Totsl 24507.98 10791.49 4394.35 39693.82 •sh it ban Lloyd5 Bank HSBC Ichantry Commitreel Held on beha￿ of Wildlrfe Trust Total 10715.77 1613.66 I550.￿￿ 31779.43 Note Cash at Lloyds bank @ 31 Dècember 2020 Includes £550 held on behaw of WildLrfeTru5t bringi{￿ balance ro£lOI65.77

Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Independent Examiner's Rep(xt Report to the trusteesl Tha Parochial Church Council of the Eccle8iastl¢al Parlsh of memberyJ of St Lawrence, Towcester On account8 for the year 31•t December 2020 èndod Charlty no (If any) 1130077 Set out on pages Re8pe¢tlv8 The charity's trustees are re8pon8ible for the preparation of the accounts. respon8lbllltle• ol The Gharrty's trustees ¢on8ider that an audit 18 not reqtsired for this year truslM• and oxamln•r under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Acll and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charlties Act, to follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145151(bl of the Charities Act, and lo state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba•1• of Indopendont My examination waj carried out in accordance with general Dlrections given eximlnorf• •tat•m•nt by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a Gomparison of the accounts Pfesenled with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any ur*usual items or di8clo$ure$ in the accounts. and seeking explanations fropi Iruslees concerning any such matters. The procedurès undertaken ?ot provide all the evidence that would be required In an akn'dil. ano consequently no opinion is given as lo whèther the accounts present a 'true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no matter ha8 come to my attention •xamln•r's statsment 1. which gives me reasonable ¢ause to believe that in. any material r8$pecl, the requirements.. lo keep accounting ￿CordS in accordance with Section 130 of the Charilies Act,. and to prepare accounts whi¢h accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Plea delet he words in th br8ck8ls if they do not apply. Slgned: Date". 1911121 Name: Brlan W J Mannlng Relevant professlonal quallfi¢atlonls) or body InsL of Bankers IAIBI Rètlrèd Bank Dlrector Address: 32 Benham Rd,Greens Norton, Towce3ter, Northants, NN12 8DB March 2012 IER

Independent examine¢s report on the accounts Report to the trusteesl The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of members of St Lawrence, Towcestsr On accounts for the year ended 31 •t December 2020 Charity no lif any) 1130077 Set out on pages Respectlve Th8 charity's truste8s are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsiblllties of The ¢harity'S trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charrties A¢t 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)(bl of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Indèpendent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examlnerfs ststement 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 considerats.on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanatms from the trustees Con￿rning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do provide all the eviden￿ that would be required in an audrt, and consequenty no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examinerfs statsment 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requiremerrts.. to keep acGounling records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act., and to prepare accounts which accord with the arKounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pleas delet he words in th brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 1911121 Name: Brlan W J Mannlng Relevant professional qualification{s) or body Inst. of Bankers {AIB) Retired Bank Director Address: 32 Benham Rd.Greens Norton, Towcester, Northants, NN12 8DB IER March 2012