2024-12-31-accounts

St Andrew's @ Towntield Bebington Parish Annual Report 2024

Incorporating Reports and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

Our Vision

A Christ-Centred Family Sharing God’s Love

Christ-Centred: Followers of Jesus Christ, grounded in scripture, prayer and worship Family: A welcoming fellowship where all ages are nurtured and enabled to use their God-given gifts Sharing God’s love: Making Christ known in our daily lives with everyone we meet Serving and loving each other, our community and beyond

Contents

3 Rector’s Report	3 Rector’s Report
5 Townfield Report
7 Wardens’ Report
9 Safeguarding Report
10 Treasurer’s Report
11 Parochial Church Council Report
13 Youth Hub Report
15 Children & Families Hub Report
19 Seniors’ Hub Report
22 Poverty Action Group Report
25 World Mission Report
26 St Andrew’s C.E (Aided) Primary School Report
27 Deanery Synod Report
28 Diocesan Synod Report
29 Conroy Trust Report
30 In Memoriam
30 Statistics
31 Minutes of the Meeting of Parishioners 14 May 2024
31	Minutes of the APCM 14 May 2024

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JEWS

Rector’s Report on St Andrew’s

Rector’s Report on St Andrew’s

Where 2023 was a year dominated by activity relating to buildings, the most significant events during 2024 were warmly welcomed additions to our staff team. Having successfully made an appointment at the end of 2023, we saw Jen Shelton start as our Leader of Children & Families Ministry in January. She has settled into the role very well, and despite the challenges of working across both churches in a part time role, and seeking to both support and expand our ministry, she has achieved an enormous amount during the year. You can read of more (including the new Lego Church initiative) in the Children & Families Hub report. The post is financially provided for from legacy funding which we have set aside for the purpose. We have taken the decision (in early 2025) not to recruit an additional part time worker at this stage, in order to be able to resource the post for longer from this fund, to provide sustainability.

Then, in June, we welcomed our new Curate, Andy Field-Davies, and his family. We are working this differently to previous Curacies, with Andy serving across both churches – this enriches the ministry across the parish, and provides a more varied training experience. Andy has settled in well and we are valuing his ministry, which as the year drew to a close included making preparations to start a new monthly caféstyle service early in 2025.

Having seen a lot of buildings related activity in 2023, during 2024 we were able to enjoy the benefits of that. It has been good to see the restored stonework on the spire and tower; the external lighting is a great improvement to the churchyard and very welcoming in the winter months; many people have enjoyed the benefit of the church hall refurbishment; our office team are well settled into working in the church hall; and we are well settled into the replacement Rector’s house on Quarry Avenue, which is working very well both as a family home and a base for ministry. One relatively minor but very significant building-related project during the year was to remove 10 pews from the church and replace with chairs – these were obtained secondhand so there was limited cost to the project, which has provided much more flexibility for wheelchair users, and a greater supply of more comfortable seating for those who need it.

With an ancient listed church building, work is never finished, and in the latter part of the year we instructed our Architect to begin work on a major window restoration project. Much of the stonework around & within many of the windows needs replacement, so watch this space for developments over the next year. And our Environmental Working Group is looking at options and priorities for improving our care for the environment and working towards environmental awards, which in due course will inevitably include some significant buildings related expenditure.

As always, we were sad to say farewell to a number of church members during the year, as some sadly died, and others moved away. However we welcomed a number of new members during the year, and average attendance at the services remained stable – around 135 at the 10:30am service, and around 20 at the 8am service, with about another 30 (on a conservative estimate) joining the 10:30am livestream online or watching afterwards.

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During the year, we ran teaching series including ‘Resourcing God’s mission’, our Vision, ‘Journey to the Cross’, Luke ch 13-16, Old Testament Bible stories, our Verse for the Year (Colossians 2:6-7), and Prayer. We continued the same service pattern as last year. During February, we welcomed the Bishop of Chester for a Baptism (by full immersion) and Confirmation Service. In June, we were privileged to be able to hold a Civic Service for the Mayor of Wirral, who is one of our local Councillors.

We continue to feel the impact of the pandemic in many ways, but one positive legacy has been the practice of livestreaming services, which we have continued to do. This is enormously valuable for members who are housebound, sick, or unable to attend for other reasons. We also continue to support those who are sick or housebound through our small team of pastoral visitors and with occasional home communions – the number of people needing support, and the limits on our resources, mean that such visits are not as frequent as we might like, but we will continue to look for ways of building on this in the future.

We also continued to run other areas of church ministry as before, and held successful events for the church and community at Easter and Christmas. We run a range of groups and activities for different ages, seeking to serve our community, help people encounter Jesus Christ, and grow in faith and service.

We also ran two Alpha courses during the year, and (a first for St Andrew’s) the Freedom in Christ Discipleship Course - we ran this as a trial with a small group and found it worked extremely well, so at the year end we were making plans for a larger course in the new year. These courses enabled a number of people to cement and/or grow their faith significantly. We were also glad to have two church members join the Diocese’s ‘Foundations for Ministry’ course and looking to get more involved in service.

In September we hosted an event titled ‘I am Mark’, a one man dramatic presentation of Mark’s Gospel. Those who came found this both enjoyable and powerful. Then, in October we held a successful Awayday at Barnstondale, with Steve James as the speaker and over 100 people attending for part or all of the day. To make this into a weekend of activities we held a barn dance on the Friday evening, and bring & share lunch on the Sunday, which were enjoyed by all who came. During the year we held a number of breakfasts, lunches and other social events, which were well attended and enjoyed .

Having trialled a prayer breakfast in 2023, we ran these once a term, as an opportunity for people to come together to enjoy fellowship and pray for our church, parish and community. We continued to run a weekly online prayer meeting during term time, and also started from September a weekly simple service of Morning Prayer in church on Tuesday mornings, attended by the clergy team and any others who wish to come. I would love to see more people join us at any of these!

We also saw the beginnings of the ‘Flourish’ project, a joint venture between the PCC and the Governors of St Andrew’s School. This is part of a national C of E pilot project aimed at creating new midweek worshipping communities within schools. You can find out more in the St Andrew’s School report.

Once again, we found that despite increases in giving from the congregation during last year, increasing costs meant that we were not covering our outgoings from our regular income. We are very dependent on the generosity of the congregation, who

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provide almost all our income. We are grateful to all who give, and to those who were able to increase their giving or start giving during the year – as always this was partially offset by those who died or moved away. We finished the year with a deficit of approximately £12,000, which was considerably better than forecast at the start of the year, but still significant, and not sustainable in the long term. Due to increased costs, and despite the increases in income, we began 2025 with a gap between income and expenditure of over £30,000 for the year. Short of cutting staff (which would be very damaging to our ministry) there is very little we can do to reduce costs, so in order to meet the budget, a combination of people giving more, and more people giving, is needed. So once again we have been asking if you could prayerfully review your financial giving, especially if you have not done so for a while.

I would like to finish with a note of thanks. As always, there are too many people to thank individually, but I am so grateful to our dedicated team of clergy & staff, churchwardens, PCC, maintenance team, and all who have served in many different ways in contributing to our ministry during the year, for their partnership, commitment and support. Our teams work so well together and it is a privilege to serve with them. I’m grateful too to all those who serve in so many different ways in our church groups and activities, enabling us to carry out the wide range of things we do. Once again we have seen a number of people drawn into new areas of service. There are always opportunities for people to get involved in serving, so do please consider prayerfully whether the Lord may be encouraging you into something new.

It is a joy to walk together as disciples of Jesus and members of God’s family, in worship, fellowship and service. Seeing people drawn to faith, and others visibly growing in faith, are the greatest joys of ministry, and I trust we will see more of this together in the coming year. I pray that each of you will grow closer to Him in your own daily walk.

David Vestergaard

Townfield Report

2024 has been another year of thankfulness for regular things which have continued to happen, week in week out, and it has also been a year of exciting new things.

We are hugely grateful to God for both, because they both come out of God’s amazing goodness & generosity to us!

Keeping regular

One of the most important things about church life is that we are a solid, dependable, reliable, trustworthy community, and one of the ways we demonstrate that is by continuing God’s work, with amazing energy and resilience. We are grateful to everyone who has so faithfully enabled us to continue meeting together in house groups, at prayer breakfasts, with children and young people in Sunday Clubs and youth activities, as Messy Church, and in community facing groups (joint with St Andrew’s) like Little Fishes, Friendly Faces and the Thanksgiving of Women After Childbirth. Many of these activities (such as Friendly Face and Little Fishes) have seen

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significant growth over recent years, and it’s fantastic to see Townfield members being so involved in such a wide range of activities.

Sundays, are, of course, one of the most public ‘regular things’ we do, and during 2024 we have seen growth both by being joined by new people, and also by deepening our understanding of, and walk alongside Jesus. In 2024 we dug deeper into: our understanding of Titus; times of waiting with God; the Holy Spirit; some of Paul’s missionary journeys; some key female Biblical characters; the Sermon on the Mount; and just how ‘down to earth’ Jesus is.

And we should also recognise that one of the regular things which enables all this to happen is financial giving, which comes entirely from the congregation. Once again, giving at Townfield increased (thank you!), and our total giving in the year was very nearly on budget (just £500 short). We had been expecting that our costs would be higher than our income, and they were – but the gap was smaller than expected (£6500 instead of £8000). This gap is covered by Parish reserves, and we continue to be grateful for St Andrew’s support. But it’s also important to highlight the huge steps that Townfield has made in recent years – giving has increased by 52% since 2017, and the gap between our income and spending has been shrinking significantly too.

New things

Church life never stands still, and we have been so excited to see several new things start during 2024.

Firstly, Jen Shelton started as our Leader of Ministry with Children and Families in January. This part-time post is shared 50/50 with St Andrew’s, and everyone has been so impressed by how much of a difference Jen has made already. She has brought new energy and enthusiasm to everything we were already doing, and has begun new things, like Lego Church, a new monthly worshipping community which meets on Saturdays, and already attracts up to 20 children (plus their adults). We look forward to seeing how that continues to grow.

We were also so pleased to be joined by Andy Field-Davies and his family, as he began his curacy in the parish in July. Unlike previous curates, Andy’s time is shared half and half between St Andrew’s and Townfield, and we are definitely benefitting from his ministry among us.

As part of our ongoing thinking about our outreach into the wider community, in October we began an occasional (and experimental) guest service, called Townfield XL. The idea is that this Sunday morning service (happening a couple of times a year) has a feel which is part-way between a mid-week group (like Little Fishes, or Messy Church or Lego Church), and our normal Sunday morning service. It’s an opportunity to have a special focus on inviting & involving the large numbers of children and families who take part in our groups, but don’t make it to Sundays. It’s early days, but, so far, we have been pleased to see good numbers of visitors coming along, which is just one more small step in sharing God’s love with the wider community.

We also, through the year, began to develop a “Flourish” project at St Andrew’s school (in partnership with the school, St Andrew’s church, the diocese, and the national Church of England). Flourish is about starting a new, intergenerational

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worshipping community within the school, with children at the heart of its planning and leading. The project began in September, with our first priority being to recruit a new staff member (funded by a grant from the national church) to lead the project. Recruitment took place across the autumn term, and we were very pleased to be able to appoint Amy Walker, who began her role at the start of January 2025 (so look out for next year’s report to hear how that’s going!).

Signs of growth, and ongoing challenges

There are so many signs of growth at Townfield (and in our work with St Andrew’s church and the school):

• Thriving community facing groups such as Friendly Faces and Lego Church

• Growing numbers at Townfield Messy Church (with up to 110 children and adults attending)

• The new worshipping community of Lego Church which is getting well established

• New people joining us on Sundays

• The Flourish Project is all set to begin and grow through 2025

• Good responses to guest services, such as Townfield XL and the Christingle Service (record numbers, every seat used)

We’re thankful to God for all his work in that.

But we’re not complacent – the challenges remain large. We still struggle not to be ‘invisible’ in the community due to the limitations of having no building, and although we have great connections with children and families during the week, we’re seeing smaller numbers on a Sunday, which we would love to change!

So please do keep praying, keep serving, and keep being equipped and enabled by God!

Al Rodgers

Wardens’ Report

2024 has been a time of gradual growth in our church life and we have welcomed a number of new people into our church community. We were particularly delighted to welcome a new curate, Andy Field-Davies and his family, and we are enjoying the gifts, talents and enthusiasm which they have brought to our congregation. The number of people attending our regular services in church has remained steady, and we continue to livestream most of our services so that any unable to attend are able to participate. We are now offering refreshments both before and after the morning service and this has been well received and is helping to build fellowship.

We are very grateful to all those who contribute to our weekly worship, our dedicated sides people, those who lead and preach, those who read and pray, our talented music team, our wonderful refreshment team, our skilled technical team who keep our worship running smoothly. Our thanks also go to all those who help with the regular upkeep of our church building, those who clean brasses, arrange flowers and of course our wonderful Monday Gang. We must not forget the wonderful team of assistant wardens who assist with duties at Sunday services throughout the year.

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We have held a number of special events including a well received Good Friday drama outside the Civic Centre, the Carol Service, the Tree Festival and the Christmas Experience. We have continued to hold regular church breakfasts which have proved popular and have been an excellent way of building fellowship across our church community. We have also had a church barbecue and a hot pot supper. In October we had a very successful barn dance and a well attended Church Away Day at Barstondale We have also been running regular prayer breakfasts.

During the last year, most of our church groups have been running regularly including Little Fishes, Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship, Creche, house groups and Sunday Club. We continue to run a weekly online prayer meeting and a time of prayer on Tuesday mornings in church. The Youth team continue to run an exciting programme of youth activities. The initiative which started life as Warm Spaces has developed into Friendly Faces and has gone from strength to strength, providing a really strong and welcoming community base. We are grateful to the individuals and teams who head up the various activities.

We are particularly grateful to Stuart Waldron who is continuing to head up the Maintenance Team dealing with the fabric and building issues. Jen Shelton, our Children and Families worker, has been working very effectively with existing children’s groups to expand their ministry and has also started the new initiative of Lego Church which is proving successful. We are aware that we still need more helpers in some areas of church life and continue to pray that God will provide the personnel we need to run all our ministries effectively.

After the significant changes in our church plant in 2023, 2024 has been a quieter year. David and his family are now well settled in the new rectory and the church office is operating well in its new location in the Church Hall. We have added some sound absorption in the Church Hall and made some other minor changes to improve its function. In the church we have removed a number of pews and replaced them with chairs to increase the accessibility and flexibility of our worship space.

It is great to see the life and ministries of our church continuing to grow and thrive. We are grateful to everyone who contributes to our church community, each and every one of you is valuable. We would both like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for all the love, support and prayer which have surrounded us over the past year.

Kate Butler & Viv Halliday

Church Buildings

Projects completed during the year primarily to maintain the buildings in a fit condition to ensure our ministry can continue and grow.

i) Church External Lighting Scheme

A scheme of external lighting to the main churchyard footpaths and key parts of the church building was given Planning Permission late in 2023 and installed early in 2024. This has greatly improved personal safety when accessing the building at night.

Reconnection of the Narnia Lamp

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With new footpath lighting in place on the south side of the church, a new power supply could be provided to the Narnia Lamp. The lamp is now lit on a regular basis.

ii) Heating in the Fielden Chapel

Four of the six under pew heaters in the Fielden Chapel were replaced to improve heating for the 8: 00am Sunday service.

iii) Church Hall

A new replacement convector heater was required in one of the upstairs side rooms.

iv) Relining of Church Foul Sewers

Further to poor drainage being noted within the church toilets, detailed inspections of the foul sewer within the Churchyard were commissioned. These found reduced flow capacity at several locations caused by tree roots and open pipe joints. A specialist contractor was subsequently engaged to line the pipes. All the inspections and works were funded through our Church Building insurance policy.

v) Defibrillator

A fully automatic defibrillator has been provided, stored in a safe cabinet located by the entrance to the Church Hall.

Annual Routine Maintenance

A range of inspections and essential maintenance works are carried out throughout the year as follows:

• Church and Church Hall – Fire Safety Equipment – Annual service

• Church Roof Alarm -Annual service

• Church Gutter and down pipe cleaning – Minimum twice per year

• Gas Safety Certificates/ Central Heating Servicing– Annual checks to all Church buildings

• Church Hall Gas Cooker Safety check – Annual service

• Church Hall Security System – Annual Service

(The cost of this work is in the order of £5,500 annually)

Health and Safety

Health and Safety inspections are undertaken on a regular basis and the results reported to PCC.

Stuart Waldron

Safeguarding Report

At St Andrew’s & Townfield, we take our duty to protect all extremely seriously. The PCC has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance.

All staff and volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are provided with a copy of the C of E’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook with our own local supplements, and are required to confirm that they have received and read it. All are also supported with safeguarding training, and Basic Awareness safeguarding training is provided to PCC members and others with a relevant interest. We follow the C of E’s

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Safer Recruitment process for appointments, including the use of DBS checks and references.

In November, St Andrews and Townfield both observed “Safeguarding Sunday” taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of Safeguarding and to increase awareness of who our Safeguarding Officers are.

If you have any queries or concerns please speak to one of the Parish Safeguarding Officers (contact details available on noticeboards in both churches, or via the church office):

o Richard Lawrence Safeguarding Officer for St Andrew’s

o Gwen Derrig Safeguarding Officer for Townfield

(Please note that Gwen is stepping down from this role. We hope to have a new PSO for Townfield in place in time for the APCM.)

Richard Lawrence (St Andrew’s) & Gwen Derrig (Townfield)

Treasurer’s Report

Regular giving continues to be mainly by monthly standing order giving us certainty of income to cover our regular running costs. At the moment we have 175 payments received each month from this source, with 90% allowing the church to claim Gift Aid.

Gift Aid continues to be an essential source of income, giving us £49,531 in 2024 (£43,000 in 2023). The formalities for most donors are the very simple completion of a Gift Aid form which you should consider if not already doing. We thank Brenda Duffy, the Gift Aid secretary for the work in collating the information and submitting the Gift Aid claims twice each year.

Our regular planned income including Gift Aid in 2024 was £283,904, an increase on the previous year of £25,083 (Dec 2023 £258,821). This figure does not include one off donations, income from investments, rent from Rolleston Drive and wedding & funeral fee income.

The Annual accounts show an overall income in 2024 of £375,404, against expenditure of £402,815, indicating an accounting deficit for the year of -£27,411. This figure however does include expenditure on the external lighting, repairs to Rolleston Drive and to the Church Hall, funded by income collected in the previous year.

Our Regular income to expenditure for 2024 produced a deficit of just over £12000 (previous year £18000). We are fortunate in having reserves to cover these deficits but still need to aim to balance our regular income/expenditure each year to avoid depleting these reserves too much.

Our biggest expenditure each year is Parish Share, 2024 being £143,154. It is only right that we meet this cost as it pays for our clergy income and pensions, makes a contribution to the running of the diocese and a smaller contribution to the administration of the national church.

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We are very fortunate during the year in welcoming Andy Field Davies as our curate, adding to our team of David & Al, plus full time Youth worker, Christopher Jarvis, part time Childrens & Family worker, Jen Shelton (legacy funded) and a new Flourish lead in Amy Walker (central grant funded).

We continue to make our resources work hard, and also commit to tithing our income each year, giving away 10% of our General Giving to fund such good causes as Wirral YFC, Ferries Family Groups, CPAS, Crosslinks (supporting overseas mission partners), CMJ, Bible Society, Compassion UK, St Catherine’s Church youth ministry, Tearfund, Hasat Ministry and the Anglican church of Chile, in all over £28,000 in the years allocation.

We very much value each contribution to the work at Bebington Parish Church and the impact it can also have beyond the parish.

Bryan Higgins

Report on the activities of the Parochial Church Council

In 2024 we, the PCC, decided that we liked the meetings so much, we’d schedule more of them per year! We also decided we’d start each meeting earlier and not run as late – so actually, we had just about the same amount of time to spend on church business. There was too much of that to list it all, but here are some highlights:

We agreed to the Flourish Project – a collaboration between the Church and St Andrew’s School - after receiving funding from the Diocese as part of a C of E pilot scheme with a view to setting up worship activities during the week for school kids and their families. It’s primarily aimed at children that wouldn’t usually choose to attend church, and we received funding to employ someone – Amy Walker - for two years to head up the scheme. Please pray that it will prove to be a successful partnership.

We sanctioned the removal of some pews from the back and sides of church, and near the front. This required a faculty agreement from the Diocese and allows us greater flexibility of the building, gives more options for where wheelchair users can sit, and provides better for those who struggle to sit on the pews. Users have commented that the chairs are comfier than the pews!

We organised the purchase and fitting of acoustic panels for the church hall to reduce echoing: particularly a problem when the rooms or hall are full. Guides also did some of their own fundraising towards the project, and all users of the hall have subsequently hailed their success.

Some of items we looked at required an element of tact. During lockdown, we didn’t ring the church bells, and this continued to be the case for the 8 o’clock service. When something hasn’t been happening for an extended period of time it makes any decision to start again a bit more complicated, especially as prior to lockdown we had received complaints about the early ringing. Now you might say, as we did, the adage of the church being here first and people know what they’re getting when they move near to a church remains relevant, but the PCC had to weigh up the argument for restarting the

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bells against the needs of the wider community. It was concluded that we, the church, should be here to serve the community and anything that places a potential barrier in the way of that should be avoided if possible.

As part of receiving regular reports on the financial wellbeing of the parish we reviewed our giving partners – as we do each year. As a PCC we set aside 10% of our income to give to partners as far afield as Kenya, Chile and er, St Catherine’s. But we constantly review, and if you think there is someone, or an organisation, that could be needing or deserving of our support, let the PCC know.

We arranged an Audacious’ Gospel event; a one-man show – presenting a spoken dramatization of the gospel of Mark – trying ways of getting people into the church building for events other than a service.

Ian Halliday’s Lay preaching licence was renewed, and we agreed to help pay costs towards several members of the congregation as they put themselves forward to undertake the Foundation to Ministry course: overall, a small outlay for the PCC, but potential benefits for the members and wider church are numerous. We also reapplied to the Diocese to continue the practice of admitting children to communion. We completed the CPAS course we had started last year, “Leading your churches in evangelism”, helping us to consider how we could be more effective in sharing our faith and drawing people to Jesus.

One particular item was with regards to the patronage of St Marks, St Catherine’s and Holy Trinity. The PCCs of Holy Trinity & St Marks approached the Rector – currently the Patron for those churches (and therefore responsible for the appointment of their Vicars) – whether he would pass the patronage to a patronage trust of their choice. Whilst they stressed they have no issues whatsoever with the Rector – and as Rural Dean he has the full confidence of the PCC that his experience would be crucial in making a wise decision with regards to new incumbents for their parishes - they are wishing to future-proof themselves in case a future Rector is at odds with their theology. This is the Rector’s decision, but he chose to consult the PCC for their views. Patronage is a more demanding role to fulfil than it used to be and future Rectors could potentially find this challenging, and even experience a conflict of interest with their Bishop. There are advantages to a parish in being placed with a Patronage trust, so this has been given serious consideration. The Rector visited the PCC at both churches to explain the pros and cons, and potential options. The outcome of this is that the patronage of Holy Trinity is being transferred to CPAS. St Mark’s has asked for their patronage to be transferred to the Church Society and this is being considered, taking time to ensure the correct decision is prayerfully reached. The PCC has been supportive of this action.

We were also able to offer a warm welcome to the Field-Davies family, and to Jen Shelton onto the staff. Revd. Andy and Jen have quickly become valued members of the staff team.

Thanks to the Lord for his provision. Each year we set out our expenditure budgets; or a requirement for finance for a particular project, be it the roof, or lighting, or the church hall, and each year I wonder how we’ll possibly fund them; but each time I find myself realising the Lord provides what’s required.

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And there was much more. We addressed various buildings-related issues, heard reports on and considered different areas of church ministry and practice, and agreed a range of special events.

A massive thank you to Jenny and Karen in the church office, who ensure the right papers are available at the right time. On behalf of the PCC, I’d like to wish Karen every blessing as she steps down from her role in 2025– reminders that my reports are overdue will never be the same!

Please do get involved – there’s always room for more members – at last year’s APCM there were two vacancies left unfilled. I can’t promise hours of fun, but there is satisfaction in seeing something through from conception to completion. As I say each year – decisions are made by those who turn up.

Finally, thanks to the members of the many smaller groups throughout the church – the reports of which can be read elsewhere – who all contribute to the running of the PCC and Parish, and to the Rector, Revd Al and Revd. Andy for their continued support and faithful leadership.

Please continue to pray for the PCC.

Ian Swindlehurst

Youth Report

Youth Ministry Vision

The vision for the youth ministry is:

“To create a growing community where young people can develop their relationship with God and discover who they are. Now and for the future.” Each year we strive to make sure that everything we do fulfils this statement in some way, and that each element is fulfilled by something that we do.

Weekly Church Groups

Unplugged

Our midweek Bible study groups have had a very positive year. We currently run three groups: year 7, years 8-11, and years 12-13, each of which follows an independent series of topics.

Year 7, which started in September, has primarily been focused on gaining an understanding of where the group members stand in their knowledge and faith. This group has temporarily been commandeered by Alpha Youth, but will return after Easter.

Years 8-11 and Years 12-13 we have talked about identity, influences, and a thorough unpacking of Exodus 34:6-7. After the summer we trialled a new approach by which we asked the young people to share more detail of the highs and lows of their week and then created a session on the spot which addressed some of the issues they were facing. We have kept elements of this approach moving forward into 2025.

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With less young people coming up through the children’s work, we are likely to see the format of Unplugged change soon as we possibly begin to meld into one larger group on a Sunday evening. We are still in the early stages of exploring this.

Amplify Friday

Friday nights have seen the usual variety of activities, from cooking to crafting, from mock trials to show and tell, from karaoke to film nights, and much more. We have seen the group steadily gain members as the newer generations of young people are much more inclined to invite friends.

Amplify Sunday

Over the course of the year, we have tackled subjects like how to connect to God, how to deal with difficult circumstances, stories of Jesus’ miracles and teachings, and how to include God in our decision making. It has been lovely to see how well the group gets on well together and the level of discussion we can achieve in such in a short time slot.

Schools Work

Wirral Boys

In Wirral Grammar School for Boys we have been running the regular lunch time group, working our way through the book of Revelation, some of the Gospel of Luke, then a number of short series on topics like patience and joy. We are currently looking for ways to advertise the group to the rest of the school and potentially be more involved in other aspects of school life in the near future.

St. Andrew’s Primary

As a staff team, in conjunction with members of Life Church, we lead collective worship (assembly) once a week which is gratefully received. In June I once again ran the Walk Through The Bible material with Year 6, and the interim head is keen to see where we might further support the older years.

Stanton Road Primary

We have a similar, but less frequent, arrangement to lead assemblies in Stanton Road, and we are slowly growing the relationship with the school, hopefully with the potential to serve them more in the coming years.

Special Events

In addition to these, we lead the harvest assembly for Wirral Grammar School for Girls, as well as carol services for all four schools.

Amplivacation

Back in the Easter Holidays we took just over 20 young people up to Whithaugh for their weekend away. I was the guest speaker for a change, talking about how we are made in the image of God; we had a great weekend as we normally do, and look forward to our 2025 weekend early this April.

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Other Items

NYMW Conference

In November, Anne Coufopoulos and I went over to Birmingham for the National Youth Ministry Weekend. The main theme was the big adventure of youth ministry and how important the long-term sustainability and consistency is in terms of both quality of ministry but also the individuals taking part. It was a good weekend of rest and encouragement. I look forward to going back again this year.

Journey to the Cross / Christmas Experience

It always makes me feel incredibly proud to see the young people getting involved in our main festival dramas; and often making up the bulk of the cast. This past year was no exception, despite microphone problems at Easter and weather problems at Christmas, they stuck with it to represent the church and themselves wonderfully!

Volunteers

I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for my team of volunteers, without whom we literally would not be able to do any of this! Changes in the team, coupled with a growing ministry, means we are always looking for more people to join us in this wonderful journey alongside God and our young people. If you would like to visit any of the groups, or join our team, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Christopher Jarvis

Children & Families Hub

Children & Families Hub

It’s been a privilege over the past year to work alongside our incredible teams of volunteers to grow our children and families ministry at both St Andrew’s and Townfield churches, and to lead collective worship at St Andrew's and Stanton Road primary schools. As you’ll see from the reports, we’ve seen growing numbers at both Little Fishes and Messy church over the past year. Lego church began in May 2024, and after a few teething issues and changes to the structure we now have a working model that is reaching new families. I’ve also been involved on a Sunday morning both with Sunday clubs and all-age services at both churches, and have worked alongside Al and Judith to develop Townfield XL – a special all-age service which aims to involve the midweek children’s groups in a variety of ways. We have had families from each midweek group come along to join us for these services, along with other visitors too. We also saw a good number of families from all our midweek groups respond to invitations to special events such as the Easter Journey, Christmas Experience, and our all-age services on Christmas Eve. None of these groups or events would have happened without the faithful and generous volunteers who give up so much of their time to the children and families that we meet. Thank you so much for all you do!

Jen Shelton

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Leader of Children & Families Ministry

Activities of the various groups during the year are summarised below.

St Andrew’s Sunday Club

Sunday Club continues to meet as a single primary school-aged group and a separate pre-school group during school terms, teaching, through fun activities, St Andrews Church members aged between 2 ½ and 11. There are about 17 children between the two groups, a reduction from previous years, though interest and engagement remain strong in our children. Our leaders and helpers are dedicated and committed, building good relationships with the children and helping them grow.

During 2024 we have looked at more of Jesus’ life and teaching on earth and the Acts of the early church. When one of our leaders started working with refugees in Wirral, we started to think about the ways in which God calls us to different places and in different ways and the plans He has for us, studying Joshua, Ruth, Daniel, and our heavenly home. The children are encouraged to think about what they hear and what it means, writing down any ‘Big Questions’ to bring to the wider congregation; these have proved popular with the children and other church members.

Sunday Club now has a display board in Church to share activities and our learning.

We are pleased to welcome new leaders and helpers to work in our team. We thank God for all they do to support the children in their walk with Him.

Alison Collins & Ali Gurr

Townfield Sunday Club

This year we have continued to enjoy the enthusiasm of our children and their contribution to our worship at Townfield before they head off for their own Sunday Club session most weeks. The year began with our dedicated and hard working team of leaders and helpers, (now joined regularly by Jen Shelton, our Children and Families Worker) preparing each week for separate age groups of children. Numbers, however, have remained low to the point where the youngest group would occasionally have no children. Knowing how much time the leaders were putting into preparation we recognised that this was not the best use of that time. Working with Jen, the team agreed that a new way of doing Sunday Club was definitely due for a trial.

So, in June, the new look Sunday Club took off! The older children went up to Amplify – a positive move for them but we do miss them. Now, all the children aged 3 to 11 meet together for (loosely!) structured teaching/prayer/craft/games, while babies and toddlers under 3 come with their parents and join us in their own corner of the same room.

The size of the group can vary with any number from about 2 to 12 across all the ages but it seems to work. The leaders adapt at short notice and the children are learning to work with and help each other while still being fiercely competitive at times!

We are grateful for every member of the team who puts time, prayer, imagination, inspiration and so much more into making every child feel welcome and valued. The

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older children have adapted well to the wider age range and we hope having all the children together will help the younger ones to make the move more confidently when the time comes.

We would love to grow our children’s work in numbers as well as each child’s knowledge and walk with Jesus and this remains one of our focal points. Our hope and prayer is, as always, that more young families will join us as we connect with them through Messy Church, Lego Church and other events.

Carol Parry

Little Fishes

2024 has been a good year for Little Fishes. Throughout the year we have had a well established team of 8 leaders. We have had good numbers of parents and children attending both sessions throughout the year.

Little Fishes continues to be a welcoming, happy place for children and their parents and caregivers. Strong relationships are being built with those who attend regularly. Our visits to church at Christmas and Easter continue to be popular. We also encourage attendance at other church activities such as Christmas Experience and tree festival and regular family services.

Viv Halliday

Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade (CLCGB)

During the past year the CL&CGB have met regularly on a Thursday evening during term time. Whenever possible members have attended family services and Sunday Club.

As a Battalion, along with St Johns Great Sutton, we went to Crazy Golf at New Brighton.

We ran our Annual Camp, in Prestatyn, North Wales, where we enjoyed fun, faith and friendship. With much fundraising we were able to offer places to all who wanted to attend and we were able to keep the costs as low as possible. It was our warmest year in recent records, having to change our programme as it was too hot! We had our Camp Communion service, officiated by Al. David paid us a visit too. We had the deputy Mayor of Prestatyn at our Camp Concert. Many thanks for their support.

Our band continued to practice through the year, with the tuition from Tom Lindsay and Ian Davies we were able to parade for Remembrance Sunday.

The children took part in our National Service of Remembrance at the National Arboretum, in Staffordshire. The children took part in the prayers and readings and Christopher preached for us.

The youngsters helped produce a decorated tree for the Christmas Tree Festival. The younger members have been studying with animated bible stories.

Overall our numbers have been steady and we look for new youngsters.

Our Motto: ‘ Fight the Good Fight ’ (1 Timothy 6 v12)

Richie Clarke

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St Andrew’s Crèche

The crèche upstairs in church is available for parents to use with children under 3, during any of the services. It is staffed during most services other than family service weeks and school holidays.

There has been a reduction in the number of children using the crèche this year, as some have progressed on to Supercrèche, and we haven’t had the same number of new children joining us, so some weeks it isn’t used. The team has also got smaller, but we are managing to staff it most weeks so that we can offer this facility to any who need it.

Townfield Messy Church at St Andrew’s School

It has been great to hold Messy Church at school on a Friday at the end of the school day. We aim to have a meeting once each half term.

We have a team of 18 adult volunteers who help with planning each session and resourcing the activities. Not everyone is able to attend each session, but God is gracious and we always have enough volunteers to look after each of the activities and help in the kitchens. We also have some young volunteers, and it has been a joy to see them grow in their confidence and leadership.

This year it has been great to have Jen Shelton’s input and support.

Attendance has varied with between 30 - 51 children attending each session with their parents or grandparents. The total number of attendees including the volunteers has been between 72-110!

We have often followed a theme following the season of the year e.g. in January the theme was Epiphany – Who are you following? In September we decided to do a series on Christian basics and in September and November we thought about Who is God?

Looking forward to 2025 we plan to have two sessions each looking at Who is Jesus? and Who is the Holy Spirit?

I am very grateful for the support and welcome we have had from the school for Messy Church.

Judith Battersby

Lego Church

Lego church started in May 2024, running once a month on a Saturday afternoon. The first few months involved a lot of trial and error, and didn’t seem to be very settled. We decided to change how we ran the session in November, moving into the Ormerod room for the video story and talk, and blocking off the stage to prevent children from climbing up. Since then the sessions have been much calmer, with the children engaged more both during the video and talk, and in following the building themes. We currently have between 15-20 children (plus their adults) attending each month. The session is aimed at primary school-aged children, with duplo and megablocks put out for younger children if they attend. We also have a small craft each session. Throughout the year the families have been invited to various special events (eg Townfield XL, Christmas Experience, Christmas Eve services) and we have had Lego

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church families attend each of these events. Thank you to all the volunteers who give up their Saturday afternoon to help run the session!

Jen Shelton

Thanksgiving for Women after Childbirth

Thanksgiving for Women after Childbirth is a very short, simple service giving the opportunity for women to give thanks to God for His hand over them during pregnancy and childbirth. We currently run the service twice a year, in February and October, on a Tuesday morning in the ‘gap’ between the two Little Fishes sessions. This allows members of Fishes to attend.

The service takes place in church, in the Fielden chapel, with toys & childcare provided at the back and refreshments served afterwards.

Seniors’ Hub

Seniors’ Hub

The Hub met a couple of times during the year, to review and share information on our different activities. All our regular activities ran during the year, and updates on each are below.

Women’s Fellowship

Our membership presently stands at twenty five, which includes ages ranging from 70’s through to 90’s.

From January to the end of June we met weekly on Tuesdays at the Church Hall at 2.15pm; our activities included, a talk from Revd Al Rodgers, Guide dogs for the blind, with Mr & Mrs Summersby, our local lunch at the 3 Stags, Diamond painting with Mrs Sylvia Roberts, A talk on her visit to Uganda with Mrs Lorna Dewhurst, a talk on the chaplaincy work at Arrowe Park with Revd Canon Malcolm Cowan, March brought our joint meeting with St Mark’s Fellowship, Easter Holy Communion with David, and April brought a talk on the sizzling 70s by Mr Graham Loach. In May, Mrs Deane Wiles spoke to us about her life in South Africa, we had a presentation to Mr & Mrs A McGraa whose charity Uganda – with Love was our charity of the year. We ended June with a musical afternoon of golden oldies with pianist Mrs Rose Macpherson plus afternoon tea.

Owing to a lack of leaders, it was sadly necessary to reduce our weekly Tuesday meetings to twice a month. The first Tuesday meeting in the month was our formal meeting with speakers and the third Tuesday in the month was for more informal fellowship with each other, in the form of tea/coffee and chat.

September then brought the start of our twice monthly meeting commencing with Holy Communion and commissioning service. Mrs Helen Thomas was our October speaker. Our first meeting in November brought to us a musical afternoon with Dual Harmony, Chrissie and Chris playing piano and violin, with our second meeting being our Christmas local lunch. December was our Carols by candlelight afternoon and the year was rounded off with Christmas Holy Communion on the 17th December 2024.

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Sapa

Each meeting started with prayer, a hymn, notices, scripture reading and prayers led by members of the Fellowship, after which we had our guest speaker/in house activity.

We are so saddened to have had to reduce our meetings from weekly to twice monthly and would urge church members to search their hearts to see if the Lord is leading them to come on to the team and help the Fellowship to grow again. The glory of the young is their strength; the grey hair of wisdom and experience is the splendour of the old. Proverbs 20 v29

Sheila Lindsay

Men’s Fellowship

The January 2024 term was attended faithfully by a small cohort of members who value companionship and the stimulation of our speakers. We include a Christian charity in each term’s schedule and contribute to their work. This term we learnt about the Liverpool Seafarer’s Centre.

In the September term of 2024 we called upon the talents of many of the members of the Fellowship to participate in one of our meetings. Some were interviewed for their “Desert Island Discs”, another person gave an expert insight into his lifelong hobby, others talked about a book they had read, and George Cockayne played his ukulele. It helped us to appreciate each other more.

Where invited, the Fellowship visits members in hospital or temporarily confined to their home.

Our group’s programme of speakers is available in church or from the office. Members from 4 Wirral churches attend regularly. All are welcome.

Keith Lindsay

Monday Gang

The Monday Gang, comprising a dozen gentlemen with varied skills, are happy to give their time supporting the ministry of the Church. Moreover, sharing fellowship is also an important part of our time together.

Activities we tackle range from keeping the churchyard in a tidy condition and repairing fencing to fitting window blinds and installing and putting the lights on the Church Christmas Tree.

A key challenge in 2024 was to install acoustic panels to the ceilings of the two downstairs side rooms and over the balcony to the main hall of the Church Hall. The foam tiles being quite delicate and required fixing with impact glue in neat rows. This called for an innovative solution as to how we went about the task, as we had to get each application a aE Oe vt right first time. George was equal to the task and his application board worked a treat. The tiles have made a significant improvement to noise reduction.

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Very sadly George is no longer with as he went to be with the Lord early in 2025. As a stalwart of the Monday Gang for many years he was fully dedicated to giving his best in God’s service. He was a much loved friend to us all, he is deeply missed.

We meet every Monday, except Bank Holidays, between 9 00am to 11 30am. Everyone is welcome and there is no obligation to be there every week .

Stuart Waldron

Pastoral Work

Since the pandemic we’ve had a significantly increased number of members who are largely housebound, so the need for our pastoral team has never been greater. I praise God for the faithful team of visitors who go regularly to the homes of those who cannot get to church, keeping them in touch with what’s happening in St Andrew’s and encouraging them in their faith and love for God; on occasions practical help is given or the person may be able to be taken somewhere for coffee. Other visitors keep regular contact through phone calls. Some of the visitors are also part of the team who take Communion to those who are housebound. We try to ensure all those who are housebound get an occasional visit from the clergy, usually at Christmas or Easter.

I’m also grateful to the clergy and others who visit those who are in hospital, or unwell for a shorter period. I am conscious that in all of the groups in the Seniors Hub, leaders are providing pastoral care for those who are in the groups.

Amy Haigh

Charlotte House

2024 has been another very encouraging year despite the inevitable sadness when members of our congregation pass away and, where we can, we attend the funeral services. There have been two activities co-ordinators and both have been very supportive of our ministry. Regrettably one left towards the end of the year. Two services, one of them being communion, are held each month on the first and third Wednesday afternoons. The Rector came at Easter, mid-summer and Christmas and residents were very pleased to see him. Andy and Helen joined us for our Christmas Carol service which everyone enjoyed. For understandable reasons, numbers vary but during this year we have often had 20 or so residents attending. Having the opportunity to take part in acts of worship is still very important to many of this generation and it is also lovely to have visiting relatives and friends of residents joining us. After the service, we enjoy refreshments together and a good chat!

Sandy & Carolyn Muir

Safe Harbour

We have continued to offer short, simple services in Safe Harbour nursing home 4 times a year – Easter, Pentecost, Harvest and Christmas. These are gratefully received by the residents, and there would be the opportunity to go more frequently if we were able to resource it. If anyone would like to get involved helping with these services, please do get in touch with me.

David Vestergaard

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Prayer Team

It has, as always, been a privilege to have prayed with so many members of our church family, but would love to be used more. Our offer, of ongoing, confidential prayer has also proved to be helpful to lots of people.

We thank God for being part of this ministry, in which we seek to give him the glory and thanks for so many answered prayers.

Sylvia Tomlinson

Bereavement Ministry

We did not have enough volunteers to be able to offer a bereavement visiting or telephone service, so the clergy seek to offer some support following funerals, although this is limited due to capacity. We once again held our annual Thanksgiving and Memorial Service in November, which was well attended and appreciated by those who came. We are currently considering how we can develop our bereavement ministry in the future.

David Vestergaard

Heritage Report

We have seen several private tours this year which has kept us on our toes regarding questions.

Jane and I have done most of the tours with Richard ‘breaking his duck’ when 28 visitors from Wirral Archaeology came just before Christmas. Looking to the future regarding the church history and tour books which are now running low, and will need to be re ordered. I have been writing a new book on early Christianity within Wirral and the church. The team have been very supportive with this project and John Adamson with Michael Peacock have been doing an edit on three chapters so far.

We are looking to warmer weather when we can open the church doors again also to the new Diocesan project to involve more churches to join in the Heritage Week Event in September.

Alan Roberts

Poverty Action Group

As I started to prepare this 2024 report, and looking back to the 2023 report, I noticed many similarities. However, much of the activity of PAG is cyclical. The aims of the group are to respond to poverty locally, nationally and internationally and to reduce isolation which we have attempted to do during the last twelve months.

Planning meetings were held on seven occasions throughout the year and we give God the glory for all we have been able to achieve with the help of the many volunteers from St Andrew’s, Townfield and other churches.

Christian Aid

Once again, we joined Christ Church, Higher Bebington in an attic sale in January which raised £1,009. Christian Aid Week in May raised £1,098 by holding a breakfast

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and coffee morning together with envelopes collected at both churches, St Andrew’s School and those delivered by Guides.

Foodbank

There was a very good response from both churches to the Harvest Appeal which was so appreciated by the Foodbank. The reverse Advent calendar was again made available to encourage Christmas donations. Demands on them are still challenging as sadly requests continue to increase. Please be aware of the containers in both churches for food and other item donations along with the option of sending funds via online banking, cheque or standing order, details of which can be found on their website.

Christmas

The Charity Christmas Card and Gift coffee morning raised £350 which was divided between Tearfund for sanitation needs and Friendly Faces. Some baby clothes were delivered to Arrowe Park Hospital. Cards made by the children at the pre-Christmas Messy Church were delivered to the Foodbank who were most grateful as they were able to pass them on when giving Christmas food to some of the needy families.

Only six Shoe Boxes were delivered to The Entertainer store in response to the Samaritan Appeal. However, £264.34 was collected and spent on toys, along with a large number of toys and gifts brought to the Toy Service. Ferries Families, Social Services Family Matters and The Oak Project in Birkenhead were the very grateful recipients of the generous donations.

Townfield Church responded well to the Forum Housing Association’s suggested annual list of items. (Mainly for men). The Friendly Faces team were pleased to provide a tree for the Festival in addition to the PAG tree.

Friendly Faces

Having joined the Place of Welcome network in 2023 we continue to follow their values by providing a warm welcome and free refreshments every week. Copies of their charter were laminated for each of the tables. Thanks to our wonderful volunteer team we remained open during icy conditions and also on Boxing Day. The average weekly attendance is forty-five with thirty-five staying for lunch. In all annual attendance exceeded two thousand.

Throughout the year we have celebrated significant birthdays, or marked a special day eg a MacMillan coffee morning raised £272. Poppies were made and displayed both inside and outside of the church hall along with posters of a soldier, the British saints days were marked appropriately, table decorations, craft and card making activities held and a weekly quiz and chair exercise session. As a result of the interest shown in making the table decorations, a monthly Saturday morning flower group was set up which has proved popular. A book exchange has also been provided.

The lunch menu changed from soup to sandwiches during the summer months followed by baked potatoes as autumn arrived. A Christmas lunch was also provided. Smart phone training provided by Lifelong Learning (Wirral Council) continued very successfully until the summer term when the trainer retired and a suitable replacement has not been found. We had a visit from the local representative from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) who spoke very clearly about budgeting.

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In addition a hot pot supper was offered to members and guests of both churches as an extra opportunity to share hospitality and at the same time amazingly provided £552.

A coach trip to Salford Quays proved most successful and left the question ‘when is the next one’. Once again the bi-product was a welcome £275.

An Information and Advice Day was arranged in October which attracted over sixty local residents. Agencies such as NHS, Merseyside Fire Service, Citizens Advice Wirral, Community Connectors, Age UK, United Utilities, Energy Plus, Wirral Carer’s Support and Merseyside Police were represented to give advice, information and support. We plan to repeat the event this year. (2025) Invitations to a dramatised version of the ‘Book of Mark’ were offered.

The PCC are continually updated via the Minutes.

God continues to bless this opportunity to meet and share His love with our local community and we have been encouraged to welcome many new friends as numbers continue to increase.

Besom

The demand continues to grow and we are grateful to all those who donate good quality clean household items, furniture and white goods.

A visit to Involve North West, Community Connectors (a charity aiming to offer support with issues affecting quality of life) by signposting people to appropriate help, proved to be a worthwhile exchange of experiences which was very much appreciated by us all. A meeting was held with Mary Gourley from Citizens Advice Wirral to discuss our referral process. Gilly Laing, our lead co-ordinator was interviewed on Radio Merseyside’s Daybreak on 15 October when she outlined the work of the charity.

An excellent northern gathering weekend was held on 6/7 October at St Werburgh’s Church, Chorlton, Manchester. Instances of positive answers to prayer were shared which inspired the Wirral Besom team to increase their prayer times from roughly termly to weekly. We have experienced God’s provision as we have welcomed two new van team members, successful van repairs and the support of Conway Electrics in Birkenhead who service and deliver any white goods we receive. Small items continue to be collected and delivered by one of our committed volunteers which is invaluable. We have a committed team of great volunteers, however we do need a few more to help on the various rotas namely, the van, warehouse and admin. There were insufficient numbers to take the van out during August.

A much appreciated donation of £500 was received from the Conroy Trust. A presentation at St Peter’s Church, Heswall was given during November and we later received a donation. The Lighthouse church also donated the collection from their carol service. Although we were unable to respond in all cases, we received 326 Referrals (65 from New Ferry/Rock Ferry/Tranmere/Port Sunlight) and 231 Giver donations.

Recycling

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St Andrew’s continued to accept used stamps and spectacles (without the cases) when placed in the swing bin at the back of church.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12 (NIV)

Adrienne Smallthwaite

On behalf of The Poverty Action Group

World Mission Support

Our established practice is to allocate a tenth of the income we receive through regular giving and one-off general gifts to supporting mission. St Andrew’s operates a Mission Committee who are responsible for recommending to the PCC the allocation of St Andrew’s share of this tithe. The PCC members for Townfield Church fulfil the same role for Townfield.

St Andrew’s Mission Committee follows the principle that work supported should have an evangelistic element, although it may also include other aspects such as social action. We also aim to spread the allocation widely in terms of geographical area and type of work. Some of the organisations we support we have been giving to for very many years, others are more recent.

The committee members also each act as representatives for one of our mission partners, being responsible for communication with them and with individual supporters in the congregation, and obtaining updates for prayer and disseminating these. We also aim to welcome visits from mission partners where this is practical, or otherwise representatives share information with the congregation, in the form of a focus spot or presentation, with the aim of covering 2 or 3 mission partners each year in this way.

• In 2024, St Andrew’s Mission Committee gave support to the following mission partners:

• Bible Society (Rep – Martin Heale, later Neil & Kate Muskett) – promoting access to the Bible worldwide – translating and distributing the Bible in different countries, and providing resources and events to promote the Bible in the UK.

• CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society) (Rep – Helen Thomas) – providing children’s & youth camps, teaching & leadership resources and training for churches, and acting as Patrons for many C of E churches.

• Anglican Province (formerly Diocese) of Chile (Rep – Amy Haigh) – towards support for the ministry of Alex Cordova, planting a new congregation in San Pedro Church, Concepcion.

• CMJ (the Church’s Ministry amongst Jewish People) (Rep – David Halliday) – working amongst Jews, Muslims and others in the Middle East and the UK to share and promote understanding of the Christian faith.

• Crosslinks (Rep – David Fearn (from end of year) – to support the work of Jomo Nderitu, the Diocesan Youth Co-ordinator for Marsabit Diocese in Kenya.

• Wirral Youth for Christ (Rep – Christopher Jarvis) – taking the gospel to young people across the Wirral through work in schools, in partnership with churches including ourselves.

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• Ferries Family Groups (Rep – Grace Frame (from end of year) – contributing towards the costs of their office base and their staffing, facilitating their work with and witness to families in need of support in various ways.

• St Catherine’s Church, Tranmere (Rep – David Vestergaard) – towards their employment of a young people and families worker.

We have also supported Barnabas Aid (Rep – Rachel Lindsay) in recent years – working to support persecuted Christians around the world and lobbying on their behalf, raising awareness of persecution and seeking action. During 2024, Barnabas Aid was placed under investigation by the Charity Commission. Due to concern about allegations that have surfaced, we have set aside the funds due to be allocated to them but have withheld payment. The Committee will consider this further in 2025 in the light of developments to decide whether we can safely provide funding to them or to choose a different mission partner to support instead.

During the year, we were able to record & show in services interviews with Crosslinks and our Crosslinks partner Jomo; and we welcomed Aaron Eime, General Director of CMJ, to speak at a service in July. We pray for our mission partners at some of the weekly zoom prayer meetings and prayer breakfasts.

If you would like to receive news updates on one or more partners, please contact the church office. Our thanks are due to the Mission Committee for their service.

David Vestergaard

St. Andrew’s C.E (Aided) Primary School

The long-standing and mutually supportive relationship between St Andrew’s school and our churches has continued to flourish (apologies for the soon-to-be-revealed pun!) during 2024.

As always, our churches have been well represented on the school Governing Body by our Foundation Governors, who give their time, energy and (varied and extensive) expertise to enhance the life and ethos of the school. We continue, as a Parish, to support the school financially, with contributions to the Governors’ account (towards the cost of major repairs and building improvements), and we also benefit from school’s support to us, not least in their incredible welcome to Townfield Church each Sunday morning.

There have been some significant changes in leadership in the school during 2024. Towards the end of the summer term, Mrs Lamkin announced that she would be retiring at the end of December. The Governors began a recruitment process, hoping to have a new head in place for January 2025, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to make an appointment within that time frame. However, the Governors were very pleased to be able to appoint an interim Head (for the Spring and Summer terms of 2025): Mr Neal, an experienced Deputy Head from West Kirby who came highly recommended. As Mr Neal began his role at the start of January 2025, you’ll have to wait for next year’s report to hear more (but spoiler alert: it has been a pleasure to work with Mr Neal so far!).

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Mrs Lamkin has been a real asset to the school since 2018, and our thanks go to her for her tireless work, including through the very challenging Covid years. Mrs Lamkin’s commitment to the children, the school community, and the school’s Christian ethos has always shone through, and we wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.

2024 was also a year in which a new partnership between our churches and the school began, when we were approached by the Diocese to ask if we would like to be part of a new national pilot called the Flourish Project. With Governor and PCC approval we agreed to take part, which meant that, with national funding, we began the process of working towards starting a new Intergenerational Worshipping Community within the school week. With the project officially launching in September 2024, our priority during the autumn term was to recruit a new member of staff (funded by a national grant) to work for the churches, in the school. We were delighted to be able to appoint Amy Walker, who was, until December, a teacher in the school, and she began as our Flourish School Lead at the start of January 2025. You’ll have to wait until next year’s report to hear more (but another spoiler alert: Amy has got things up and running very quickly, and it’s exciting to see what will grow through the year).

And something else to look out for in next year’s report – 2024 saw the Governors begin to explore an opportunity to join the Diocese’s new Multi-Academy Trust, with consultations with the school community and stakeholders taking place in early 2025, to help inform those explorations.

We look forward to an exciting future in our church/school relationships, with (at the time of writing) the first Flourish events taking place, and the excellent news that Mr Neal has been appointed to the permanent position of Head Teacher!

Al Rodgers

Deanery Synod

During 2024 we held three meetings as follows.

On 29 January at the Lighthouse Church in Heswall, we had a presentation lead by Peter Froggatt on Stewardship and Giving to which treasurers were invited. This was started as a powerpoint presentation – where would you place yourself re church finances from totally relaxed to very worried? We also heard about issues that cause anxiety and hamper mission. Later on we heard how we might see things better – among them a gracious God, grateful church using every gift of prayer, time, concern and money for Gods mission now and in the future. There is a link on the Diocesan website “building a generous church”. How we could do things better – MINT(Mechanisms, Impact, Need, Trust), IDEA(Inspire, Disciple people, Embed, Activate). We also heard from Mrs Bessia Kanengoni the diocesan digital giving adviser. She pointed to encouraging digital giving on the local parish website as well as examples shown of digital giving aids.

On 26 June we had a presentation at St Andrews by Paul Crowther from Embracing Age charity (www.embracingage.org.uk) which looks at a world where older people

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are valued, connected and full of hope. This is achieved by equipping churches, mobilising volunteers, combatting loneliness and providing on-going support. We were challenged to think of what older peoples ministry looks like in our churches as well as the opportunities and challenges we face. We were challenged to think longterm about older peoples ministry as we have an ageing population and it increases quicker in the church than it does in society. We were directed to Zechariah 8,4-5. We then looked briefly at how to deal with dementia in our older people.

On 24[th] October we had a presentation at Christchurch Higher Bebington by Lynn Everton, one of 4 diocesan advisors on Safeguarding to which parish safeguarding officers were invited. Most of the presentation was about the new safeguarding dashboard. As of June 2024, 78% of all parish dashboards (or 266 parishes) were up and working as a management tool for incumbents and Parish safeguarding officers as part of safer recruitment. Each PCC needs a safeguarding action plan and there is a network amongst parish safeguarding officers as well as support for parishes to work through issues. As part of safer recruitment each parish is encouraged to look at how it is doing, training completed as well as how to deal with challenges and look at what is going well. Questions were also taken from individual parishes as to address issues they have found re safeguarding.

Here ends this report from a Deanery with 14 parishes (and 21 places of worship)

Chris Jackson

Diocesan Synod

Diocesan Synod met twice in 2024. The first meeting, in March, was the last meeting for our Diocesan Secretary, George Colville, who has served the Diocese very well for many years.

As the Synod also sits as the Diocesan Board of Finance, the members are also tasked with approving accounts and setting the Dicoesan budget, always a challenging task but especially at the present time.

Reports we heard and discussed in March included "From Lament to Action", which is the report of the Archbishops' Anti-Racism Taskforce and the Net Carbon Zero Action Plan.

Most importantly, we looked at the Diocesan Strategy, which is under review. The key question is, and must always be: how do we reach the million and a half people who live in our Diocese who do not know the Lord Jesus as Saviour. The four key strategic streams are Growing our local missional health, Increasing our local missional reach, Planting new missional communities and Developing our missional leadership. Together, these four sound rather dry, but they are key in addressing how we might reach the 1.5 million.

In the November Synod meeting, we heard the budget proposals, including the trial of a complementary parish share scheme and an update on the process of appointing a new Diocesan Secretary.

A report of the General Synod naturally covered Living in Love and Faith and Safeguarding, high profile issues for the national Church, but also a discussion on Clergy Wellbeing.

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The most significant part of the meeting was the Presidential Address, delivered by Bishop Mark. This was in the week after Archbishop Justin had resigned. Bishop Mark highlighted two tendencies the church often falls into: succumbing to activism, which can lead to functional atheism or placing others on unreachable pedestals. He called for humility and intelligent critique within the Diocese and urged honest selfexamination and outward compassion.

Ian Halliday

Conroy Trust

The Conroy Trust was established in 1873 to benefit the poor of the Parish of Bebington, as defined by the then parish boundaries. These boundaries include St Andrews Bebington, St Marks, New Ferry and Holy Trinity, Poulton.

The management of the Trust is overseen by 5 trustees. The Trustees during the year were David Vestergaard, Chairperson, Alan McGraa, Betty Cartwright, Helen Brown and Sue Kennaugh.

The annual meeting of parishioners has the power to appoint new trustees when the occasion arises and the appointment process is conducted by a majority vote.

2024 Financial Statement

The summary income and expenditure for 2024 was as follows:

2024 2023 Income from Investments 6695 6603 Expenditure 9280 11094 Surplus/Deficit -2345 -4190

During the year we have again managed to support the work of: Ferries Family Group Wirral Foodbank Life Church Bebington CLCGB Holy Trinity Poulton Besom Along with 2 grants to individuals.

Expenditure during the year was in excess of the current year's income, with the trustees wishing to utilise some accumulated reserves to boost the assistance they can give to as many as possible. Donations are directed to where they can impact numerous people.

As of 31[st] December 2024 the value of funds under management stood at £255615, compared to £252526 in 2023. Apart from a current account held at HSBC all investments are held

with CCLA Investment Management Ltd, with the largest portion being a stock market investment, which has seen some recovery in 2023 & 2024, growing by over £30,000 in these 2 years (post pandemic recovery)

Grants can be awarded to anyone in the parish who is experiencing financial hardship, with Grants also available to charitable organisations within the parish who are

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working to help the poor of the parish. Anyone interested in discussing grants should in first instance refer to the chair of the trustees, Rev David Vestergaard.

Bryan Higgins (Secretary to the Trustees)

In Memoriam

During the year we said a sad farewell to the following members of our congregation:

Joan Ball Wendy Clarke Denise Connolly Dorothy Develing Joan Evans Beryl Parker

Statistics (St Andrew’s & Townfield combined)

Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll	Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll	Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll	Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll	Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll	Average Sunday attendance (including children) Funerals Weddings Baptisms Electoral Roll
2020 315 (including online and at home) 25 2 5 358
2021 380*(including online and at home) 20 4 6 328
2022 250 (including online & at home) 19 3 13 338
2023 270 (including online & at home) 25 2 6 326
2024	266 (including online & at home)	20	4	12	326

*It’s very hard to estimate online figures and with hindsight this is probably an overestimate

Minutes of the Meeting of Parishioners

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held on the 14 May 2024 at St Andrew’s, Bebington church hall at 7:45pm

In attendance: the Rector, the Revd. David Vestergaard in the Chair, plus 44 parishioners and members of the electoral roll.

1 . The meeting opened with a prayer, an act of worship and a reading from Matthew 5.

2. Apologies for absence

Apologies for their inability to attend were received from Caroline Adamson, John Adamson, Judith Battersby, Karen Davies, Ian Halliday, Jenny Jackson, Deric Millington, Carol Parry, Ann Shevlin, Mike Shevlin, Nathan Storm and Ash Vestergaard.

3. Minutes of the meeting of 16 May 2023

The minutes, having been previously circulated, were signed as a true record on a proposal from Viv Halliday, seconded by Ann Renison; with all in favour.

4. Election of Wardens

There being two nominations for the two vacancies – and with no other nominations allowed at the meeting – Kate Butler and Viv Halliday were duly elected for another year; with all in favour. The Rector placed on record his appreciation of their service and for being willing to stand again.

5. Receipt of the Conroy report

Having been previously circulated, the meeting was happy to receive the report.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.45pm

Minutes of the APCM held on the 14 May 2024 at St Andrew’s, Bebington church hall at 8pm

Present: The Rector, the Reverend David Vestergaard in the Chair, and 44 Parishioners and members of the electoral roll.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for their inability to attend were as per the Meeting of Parishioners.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 16 May 2023

The minutes, having been previously circulated were, following a proposal by Chris Jackson, and being seconded by Kate Muskett, signed as being a true record.

3. Electoral Roll Report

The report was given by the Electoral Roll Secretary, Alison Collins. The number on the roll as of 14 May 2024 was 324. This was a fall of 1 from last year’s roll – consisting of 20 omissions and 19 additions. She advised that next year there is a full re-populating

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of the electoral roll. The Rector expressed his thanks to Alison for her work. The meeting was happy to receive the report.

4. Receipt of the Annual Report

The Annual Report was received. It had been printed in advance of the meeting and gave reports on Townfield Church, Youth activities, Growth Action Planning, Wardens’ & Treasurer’s reports, Sunday clubs, World mission support, Poverty Action Group, Safeguarding, Children & Families Hub, Seniors, St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Deanery Synod and the activities of the Parochial Church Council.

The receipt of the Rector’s, the Wardens Report, the PCC Report, Townfield, Safeguarding, and the Deanery Synod Report were accepted en bloc on a proposal by Stuart Waldron, seconded by David Halliday; with all in favour. All other reports were taken as read.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Bryan Higgins. The figures as shown within the annual report were explained in a bit further detail. He highlighted that although the accounts showed we hold total funds of £1.1m, £655,000 of this is valuation of church buildings. We have an investment fund with CCLA which currently stands at £106,000, which together with savings of £73,000 are set aside to finance the Children & Families worker, and general reserves (money set aside so that in dire circumstances we can still meet at least two months’ worth of expenditure) of £127,000.

Total expenditure for 2023 was £761,000 which feels like a very large sum, but with £342,000 spent on the spire, £101,000 on the church hall, £9000 on the community kitchen at Townfield and £5000 on external lights, a lot of what was paid out had previously been, and shown, as received in previous years accounts. General expenditure for the year was £270,000.

Income for 2023 was £630,000, including £258,000 from giving and donations, £44,000 from Gift Aid, £27,000 from interest and returns from investment money, and £163,000 from the sale of the rectory. This meant there was an overall deficit to the accounts of £134,000.

Of normal expenditure (those day-to-day expenses we pay out most months) £141,000 was our Parish Share, £47,000 for the maintenance of the church and church hall. Clergy costs and expenses for the year were £11,000; staff salaries came to £51,000, tithe giving of £28,000 and £5000 to the church school. There was also £16,000 of sundry items which includes a wide range of expenses including minor items such as tea, coffee, communion bread and wine.

Regular income included £214,000 from general giving, £44,000 from Gift Aid, £12,000 from donations and £5000 in fees. All of which meant an overall yearly deficit of £18,000.

The Rector extended his thanks to Bryan, and to Libby Higgins, for their work on the accounts throughout the year.

5. Appointment of Independent Examiner

Mike Forshaw was appointed as Independent Examiner on a proposal by Amy Haigh, seconded by Paul Humphries; with all in favour.

6. Election to the Deanery Synod

Despite there being 2 spaces there were no nominees. These spaces can be filled during the year.

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7. Election to the PCC

Caroline Adamson and Kate Muskett were elected to fill two of the three available spaces to the PCC. Mike Ludbrook was elected to fill one of the two available spaces to the Townfield church council.

There being no other nominees, all were appointed unopposed.

The Rector extended his thanks to those willing to stand, to those already on PCC and Deanery councils, and extended a special thank you to Carol Parry who has stood down having served on the PCC and Deanery council for many years.

8. Rector’s report

The Rector reported that 2023 was all about the buildings – the church hall refurb, the spire, external lighting, the sale of the rectory and the moving into the Quarry Road property. The new house is working well, both as a family home and as a base for church things.

He showed a few clips from a longer video that had been shot to show the extent of the works undertaken on the spire.

Looking ahead we will have to prepare for a window repair project, necessary to replace crumbling stonework and broken glass. We are also looking to replace some pews having found that chairs are in short supply but high demand. This will also offer wheelchair access nearer the front of church and greater flexibility with the use of the building.

An environmental working group has been set up to help lead the congregation in caring for God’s creation and aim towards Eco awards. They’ve been producing ideas to help us reach the targets, such as the likes of solar panels – something we’ve tentatively started looking at.

All this building work has mainly been made possible through legacy money and the sale of the rectory, and we’re grateful at being able to fund the works.

He said that he hoped 2024 would be about the people: we have a new curate being ordained at the end of June and we’re really looking forward to receiving him. His role will differ slightly from previous curates insomuch as that he will be working across both churches. This year will also see a Church of England pilot project – Flourish – for which we succeeded in securing funding for resources towards setting up a group at St Andrew’s school.

The Rector noted it was ten years since his first APCM: his first congregation list had 380 regular attendees. The intervening years have seen 80 members die, 70 move away and 30 have become housebound. Some others have moved churches or disengaged from church (mainly during the pandemic). So of those members from 10 years ago, there are now around 150 still attending. We have gained around 100 members over the same period – with over 50 since the pandemic – which means it feels like a different congregation to a few years ago, but he welcomes the opportunity of building faith and disciples from new members.

Other challenges include the ongoing need for volunteers – critically short in youth work and worship in particular – and church finances. He asked that we prayerfully listen to the Lord’s prompting.

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But there is a lot to be thankful for and be excited about. He offered a big thank you to the staff team, highlighting there is a good level of trust within the team and they resource and support each other’s ministry.

He concluded by expressing his thanks to the Wardens and the PCC, and too many volunteers to ever be able to name without whom we wouldn’t be able to do half of what we do.

9. Minister for Townfield report

Revd. Al reported that the Bishop of Chester had visited Townfield at the beginning of the year and that was a very encouraging visit. Friendly Faces was flourishing and had grown throughout the year, and Messy Church continued to flourish post-covid with around 70/80 children and adults regularly attending.

The year had seen a lot of serving from Townfield members in numerous local charities and groups. Throughout the year Townfield has tried to build community amongst the congregation so that they can support each other. The year had also seen a weekend away and lots of other events.

They had refurbished the community kitchen in St Andrew’s School hall thanks to donations and Toast Club. In services they had looked in detail at Galatians, looked at creation and how God calls us to care for it. They had also looked at numerous biblical characters – looking at what they did right, and wrong; plus, prayers of lament at Lent.

All of this was made possible through the generosity of the Townfield members, many of whom have given over and above; and he expressed his thanks for that. Townfield giving increased again and whilst being aware of costs, the aim was to increase income by 11% this year.

Some of the challenges they faced included a reduction in the birth rate meaning less people are looking for schools and a reduction in what is generally a steady stream of people finding Townfield through the school route. So they are trying ways of making themselves more visible – including praying for a street at a time in the parish, writing to neighbours asking them to reply with any prayer requests, putting up a big banner on the school railings on a Sunday and utilising Messy Church. The addition of the children’s and families worker should mean they are able to do more.

In summing up, Revd. Al stated that he was very thankful to God for everything that had happened in 2023.

10. Leader of Children and Families Ministry report

Jen Shelton shared with the meeting a summary of her year so far, having only started in the position in January. She expressed her thanks to all the volunteers across the two churches who are making a difference. She has been making connections between the various groups, meeting families and getting to know faces. In particular, Little Fishes are seeing flourishing relationships.

She is working on groups and events having greater visibility on social media and asked for people to interact if they saw something posted online. She reported that she had been doing assemblies at St Andrew’s School and had been in to Stanton Road and had organised an Easter egg hunt.

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For the future, she hoped to be able to reach more people through the likes of Lego Church and is looking at ways of getting the youth involved in serving in some way, plus helping with the transition of Y6 children from Sunday club to Amplify.

She ended by saying it felt like she had been in the role for longer than five months – but in a good way! And thanked everyone for their support.

11. Youth Ministry Co-ordinator

Christopher Jarvis reported that the youth work had had a good year. They had done everything they had planned to do, and they have a wonderful group of young people – pretty much in one big group from Y7 to Y13 – which is great to see.

There is a great group of volunteers who are committed to the youth, but they are few in numbers and more volunteers are needed – particularly for Friday and Sunday groups as they need to maintain the correct ratio between youth and leaders.

They had the weekend away during the year – around 20 youths attended, and the general consensus is that the last couple of weekends away have been the best ones. Amongst the 20 are some from the Friday evening group who don’t have any church contact but by going on the weekend get to see Christians being ‘normal’ and receive teaching and praise.

There was a team away day to assess ministry and re-evaluate where they’re headed in the future. The year also saw a Psalm & Sponges event – a cake and art sale – that raised £500 for Wirral Youth for Christ. They will try and do something again this year. Chris concluded that it was a joy to work with the youth and he thanked all those who help out.

The Rector expressed his thanks to Christopher for all his work.

12. Discussion and Questions

David Jack asked about Lay Preachers within the church. This is something that is well controlled by the Diocese so the Rector would be unable to make someone a Lay Preacher. David asked if the Rector would bring to the PCC a way of building lay preaching up within the framework provided.

The Rector replied that it is something the PCC could look at – the key element though is discerning those who are called.

Chris Jarvis mentioned that the Diocese does provide some teaching for OWLs – Occasional Worship Leaders – with the emphasis on those leading services rather than preaching.

13. Any other Business

The Rector showed the whole of the spire works video.

There being no further business, the meeting closed with an act of worship and a prayer at 9pm.

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The Charity Registration Number is :- 01130323

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Report and Accounts

31 December 2024

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

Contents

	Page
Charity information		1
Trustees' Annual Report		1
Statement of directors' responsibilities		6
Independent Examiner's Report		7
Funds Statements:-
Statement of Financial Activities		9
Statement of Financial Activities - Prior Year statement		10
Movements in funds		11
Income and Expenditure account		12
Balance sheet		13
Notes to the accounts		14

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Reference and administrative details

The charity name.

The legal name of the charity is:- The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington. The charity is also known by its operating name, Bebington Parish Church, St Andrews' and Townfield Churches.

The charity's areas operation and UK charitable registration.

The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 01130323.

The charity does not operate in any overseas jurisdictions.

Legal structure of the charity

The charity is constituted as an unincorporated charity, established by Trust Deed. The governing document of the charity is the Trust Deed establishing the charity.

The governing document is dated 24 June 2009

There are no restrictions in the governing documents on the operation of the Charity or on its investment powers other than those imposed by Charity Law.

The trustees are all individuals.

The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web addresses of the charity are:-

St Andrew's Church Hall Highcroft Ave, Bebington Wirral, CH63 3EZ Telephone [phone]

Email Address [e-mail] Web address www.standrewsbebington.org.uk

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-	The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-
	Appointed	Resigned
Chris Jackson
Al Rodgers
David Halliday
David Vestergaard
Ian Halliday
Ian Swindlehurst
Judith Battersby
Kate Muskett
Mike Ludbrook
Carol Parry
Caloline Adamson
Bryan Higgins
Sharon Mason
Callum Peters
Nathan Storm
Wendy Doran		14/05/2024
Colette Owen		14/05/2024
Viv Halliday
Kate Butler
Sue Kennaugh
Stuart Waldron
Laura Clark
Esther Darnton
Penny Tomlinson
Mike Shevlin
Cathy Morris	09/07/2024
Andy Field-Davies	30/06/2024
All the trustees are also members of the charity.

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Objects and activities of the charity

The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.

Promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church.

The main activities undertaken in relation to those purposes during the year.

We have run church services each Sunday, and seasonal services, for St Andrew’s and Townfield churches. The main Sunday service at each church, and some seasonal services, were also livestreamed for the benefit of those unable to be present in person. Most of our other regular activities ran through the year, including Little Fishes (carer & baby/toddler group), Children’s groups, Youth groups and activities, Women’s and Men’s Fellowships, prayer events & meetings, house groups and Alpha courses, services in nursing homes, pastoral visiting and home communions, Friendly Faces (place of welcome & hospitality) and hosting & supporting the Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade and Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. We ran a large outdoor dramatic event on Good Friday, and a Tree Festival & dramatic performance titled A Christmas Experience in the church in early December. We started a monthly Lego Church running on Saturdays, from May.

The main activities undertaken during the year to further the charity's purpose for the public benefit.

Activities ordinarily carried out and serving the local community include weddings, baptisms and funerals; marriage preparation; baptism preparation; support for the bereaved; youth activities, Little Fishes carer & baby/toddler group; school assemblies; Christmas and Easter school services; services in nursing homes and sheltered accommodation; special community events such as A Christmas Experience and Journey to the Cross; Friendly Faces; and hosting and supporting Guiding groups, Church

Lads & Church Girls Brigade and other community groups. All of these took place during the year.

We have also undertaken financial giving and prayer support for Mission and Christian organisations and activities locally and around the world, promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church.

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity.

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

The main achievements and performance of the charity during the year.

We estimate typical Sunday attendance in church during the year as approx. 215 adults & children. In addition to this, we estimate approximately 45 ‘at home’ worshippers on a typical Sunday, by livestream, cd or dvd, though this number is hard to assess accurately.

As for most churches, this still represents a reduction from pre=pandemic figures (our 2019 total was approximately 324). It shows a marginal reduction on 2023 (220 in church plus 50-55 ‘at home’ worshippers). Our best estimates are that there were 19 who left the congregations (7 by death), and approximately 5 who joined (adults and children). Some of those whom we have classed as left are people who have not returned since the pandemic.

During the year the parish conducted 20 funerals, 4 weddings, and 12 baptisms.

The difference the charity's performance during the year has made to the beneficiaries of the charity.

Benefits from the activities listed above have included faith development, spiritual and pastoral support, personal encouragement, development of gifts and experience, friendship and companionship, and meeting a range of needs for all ages.

The degree to which the achievements and performance during the year have benefited wider society.

The activities listed above have provided a wide range of public benefit including faith exploration, spiritual support, pastoral care, provision of services and care for needs at key life moments, and services to local schools.

Structure, governance and management of the charity

The methods used to recruit and appoint new charity trustees.

Decisions are made by the PCC in collaboration with the Clergy and Staff team, and working through subcommittees and together with volunteer leaders for groups and activities. The PCC meets at least 6 times a year in formal meetings of the Council, with additional meetings as necessary. In order to organise its affairs effectively during 2023, the PCC operated the following subcommittees and working groups: St Andrew’s Church; Townfield Church; Standing; Finance & Fabric; Youth Hub; Children & Families Hub; Evangelism; Missionary; Poverty Action Group; Environmental Working Group; Maintenance Team. The Seniors Hub still exists but did not need to meet during the year.

Bankers	HSBC Bank plc - 58 Bromborough Village Road, Bromborough, Wirral, CH62
	7ET
Architects	Bryan Martin BA, Dip Arch, RIBA, AABC, Architect, 36 Banbury Lane, Byfield,
	Northamptonshire, NN11 6UX
Surveyors	Gordon Cain, Coach House, Villa Rosa, St Lukes Rd South, Torquay, TQ25NZ
Accountants (payroll) (Independent examiner)	KBH Accountants Ltd. 255 Poulton Road, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 4BT Haines Watts Chartered Accountants, 3rd Floor, Pacific Chambers, Victoria St,
	Liverpool, L2 5QQ

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Financial review

The charity's financial position at the end of the year ended 31 December 2024

The financial position of the charity at 31 December 2024 and comparatives for the prior period, as more fully detailed in the accounts, can be summarised as follows:-

Total Funds Net income Unrestricted Revenue Funds available for the general purposes of the charity	2024 £ (27,790) 1,101,778 1,101,778	2023 £ (134,658) 1,129,189 1,129,568

Financial review of the position at the reporting date, 31 December 2024 .

Our total income for the year was £375,404 and our total expenditure £403,194 giving an accounting deficit of £27,790.

During 2024 our financial position has indicated that normal running costs were not quite met by our regular income, resulting in reliance on the general reserves.

The pandemic has had a lasting influence on our general income and additionally affected by the general cost of living challenges, deaths of parishioners and a number of families moving away. The trustees consider the financial performance of the charity to be satisfactory.

Policies on reserves.

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to approximately two months' unrestricted payments in addition to £20,000 to cover emergency situations which may arise from time to time. At 31 December 2024 unrestricted reserves amounted £1,101,778 (2023 - £1,129,568) of which £125,000 of general cash balances were held to meet this policy.

Availability and adequacy of assets of each of the funds

The board of trustees is satisfied that the charity's assets in each fund are available and adequate to fulfil its obligations in respect of each fund.

Details of The Independent Examiner

Mr Michael Forshaw FCA

Haines Watts Chartered Accountants

3rd Floor, Pacific Chambers Victoria Street Liverpool Merseyside L2 5QQ

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Beblngton

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the terms of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations.the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements In accordance with the SORP 2005, In view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), .

In particular, charity law requires the Trustees, if they prepare accounts on an accruals basis, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to :-

• to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;

• state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.

The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees' report, and the statutory responsibility of the Independent Examiner in relation to the Trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no material inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.

This report was approved by the board of trustees on 18 March 2024.

MR BRYAN HIGGINS Trustee

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the charity on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity on pages 9 to 29 for the year ended 31 December 2024 which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) adapted to meet the needs of unincorporated organisations, as modified by FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 14.

The historical cost of the property was amended by the revaluation.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner and the basis of the report

As described on page 6, you, the charity's Trustees, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and all other applicable law and with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, applicable to smaller entities, and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view.

The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply, and that there is no requirement in the Governing Document for the conducting of an audit. As a consequence, the Trustees have elected that the financial statements be subject to independent examination.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements are not required to be audited under any legal provision, or otherwise, and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-

a) examine the financial statements of the charity under Section 145 of the Act;

b) follow the applicable procedures in the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement and scope of work undertaken

Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000, the charity's examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am an authorised member of Chartered Accountants , which is one of the listed bodies.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under s145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act setting out the duties of an independent examiner in relation to the conducting of an independent examination. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and of the accounting systems employed by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you, as Trustees, concerning such matters. The purpose of the examination is to establish as far as possible that there have been no breaches of charity legislation and that, on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures made, the financial statements comply with the SORP.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and information supplied by the Trustees in the course of the examination is not subjected to audit tests or enquiries and does not cover all the matters that an auditor would consider in arriving at an opinion. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide

Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements, and in particular, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity, and my report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.

I planned and performed my examination so as to satisfy myself that the objectives of the independent examination are achieved and before finalising the report I obtained written assurances from the Trustees of all material matters.

7

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion

Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, I have completed my examination: and can confirm that:-

This is a report in respect of an examination carried out under 145 of the Act and in accordance with Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act which may be applicable;

and that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:-

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by with Section 130 of The Charities Act 2011;

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

the financial statements 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;

have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st Januc:iry 2019), (The SORP).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

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Signed:•
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Mr Michael Forshaw FCA - Independent Examiner

Haines Watts Chartered Accountants

3rd Floor, Pacific Chambers

Victoria Street Liverpool Merseyside L2 5QQ

This report was signed on 17 April 2025

8

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies A1 333,939 Charitable activities A2 19,122 Investments A4 22,343 Total income A 375,404 Expenditure on: Charitable activities B2 402,815 Total expenditure B 402,815 Net income for the year (27,411) Net income after transfers A-B-C (27,411) (27,411) Reconciliation of funds:- E Total funds brought forward 1,129,189 Total funds carried forward 1,101,778 SORP Ref Net movement in funds	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - 379 379 (379) (379) (379) 379 -	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 333,939 19,122 22,343 375,404 403,194 403,194 (27,790) (27,790) (27,790) 1,129,568 1,101,778	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 590,541 12,061 27,990 630,592 765,250 765,250 (134,658) (134,658) (134,658) 1,264,226 1,129,568

The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of income set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the Balance Sheet.

A separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as this statement includes all recognised gains and losses.

All activities derive from continuing operations

The notes attached on pages 14 to 29 form an integral part of these accounts.

9

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies A1 Charitable activities A2 Investments A4 Total income A Expenditure on: Charitable activities B2 Total expenditure B Net income for the year Net income after transfers Reconciliation of funds:- E Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward SORP Ref Net movement in funds	Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 559,191 12,061 27,990 599,242 734,279 734,279 (135,037) (135,037) (135,037) 1,264,226 1,129,189	Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ 31,350 - - 31,350 30,971 30,971 379 379 379 - 379	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 590,541 12,061 27,990 630,592 765,250 765,250 (134,658) (134,658) (134,658) 1,264,226 1,129,568

All activities derive from continuing operations

The notes attached on pages 14 to 29 form an integral part of these accounts.

10

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Movements in revenue and capital funds for the year ended 31 December 2024

Revenue accumulated funds

Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Accumulated funds brought forward 1,129,189 (27,411) 1,101,778 Closing revenue funds 1,101,778 Summary of funds Unrestricted and Designated funds 2024 £ Revenue accumulated funds 1,101,778 Recognised gains and losses before transfers	Restricted Funds 2024 £ 379 (379) - - Restricted Funds 2024 £ -	Total Funds 2024 £ 1,129,568 (27,790) 1,101,778 1,101,778 Total Funds 2024 £ 1,101,778	Last year Total Funds 2023 £ 1,264,226 (134,658) 1,129,568 1,129,568 Last Year Total Funds 2023 £ 1,129,568

The notes attached on pages 14 to 29 form an integral part of these accounts.

11

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the Companies Act 2006

Income Income from operations Refunds from HMRC on gift aided donations Income from investments, other than interest receivable Interest receivable Gross income in the year before exceptional items Gross income in the year including exceptional items Expenditure Charitable expenditure, excluding depreciation and amortisation Governance costs Realised losses on disposals of social investments which are programme related Total expenditure in the year Tax on surplus on ordinary activities Retained surplus for the financial year Net income after tax in the financial year Net income before tax in the financial year Investment income	2024 £ 303,530 49,531 12,761 9,582 375,404 375,404 402,414 780 - 403,194 (27,790) - (27,790) (27,790)	2023 £ 558,357 44,245 16,351 11,639 630,592 630,592 764,530 720 - 765,250 (134,658) - (134,658) (134,658)

All activities derive from continuing operations

In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the headings and subheadings used in the Income and Expenditure account have been adapted to reflect the special nature of the charity's activities.

The notes attached on pages 14 to 29 form an integral part of these accounts.

12

:

eee

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington - Balance

|

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|||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |SORP| |Note|Ref|2024|2023| |£|£| |Fixed|assets|A| |Tangible|assets|10|A2|655,132|655,132| |Current|assets|B| |Debtors|11|B2|26,190|24,909| |investments|held|as|current|assets|12|B3|109,424|106,976| |Cash|at|bank|and|in|hand|B4|319,632|351,442| |Total|current assets|455,246|483,|327| |Creditors:|amounts|falling|due|within|:| |one year|13|C1|(8,600)|(8,891)| |Net|current|assets|446,646|474,436| |The|total|net|assets|of the|charity|1,101,778|1,129,568| |The|total|net assets|of the|charity|are funded|by the funds|of the|charity,|as|follows:-| |Restricted|funds| |~|379| |Unrestricted|Funds| |Unrestricted|Revenue|Funds|16|D3|1,101,778|1,129,189| |1,101,778|1,129,189| |Total|charity funds|1,101,778|1,129,568|

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The 'SORP Ref indicated above is the classification of Balance Sheet items as set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the SOFA..

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of charity legislation with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The charity is subject to Independent Examination under charity legislation, and the report of the Independent Examiner is on page 8.

The Trustees are satisfied that, although the charity is not registered under the Companies Acts, if it were so registered, it would be eligible to prepare accounts in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

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REV DAVID VESTERGAARD
Trustee
Approved by the board of trustees on _ | 0 2024
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The notes attached on pages 14 to 29 form an integral part of these accounts.

13

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies

Policies relating to the production of the accounts.

Basis of preparation and accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis, under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) and 'FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and in accordance with all applicable law in the charity's jurisdiction of registration, except that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), in preference to the previous SORP, the SORP 2005, which has been withdrawn, notwithstanding the fact that the extant statutory regulations, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 refer explicitly to the SORP 2005. This has been done to accord with current best practice.

Going Concern

Under 3.38 and to comply with 3.14, if there are no uncertainties about going concern this MUST be stated. Under 3.39, if there are uncertainties details must be given. Enter text here to comply

Suggested normal text (whioch may require modification to meet the circumstances):-

The charitable activities are entirely dependent on continuing grant aid and voluntary donations as well as trading revenues. As a consequence, the going concern basis is dependent on the future flow of these uncertain funding streams. Accordingly, the Trustees have obtained forecasts and, after reviewing the financial forecasts for future periods to 31 December 2024, the Trustees are satisfied that, at the time of approving the financial statements, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Other than these matters, the Trustees are not aware of any material uncertainites about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Risks and future assumptions

The charity is a public benefit entity. "Major risks for the PCC are curently either financial or property related. Key risks:

• Income fails to keep pace with increases in Parish Share and public utility charges and ministry is compromised

• Funds are not available to pay staff salaries

• Funds are not available to meet the costs of essential repairs and refurbishment Actions to mitigate risks:

• Provide periodic explanation to congregation how our funds are used and the need to increase regular giving.

• Regular promotion of regular giving and tax efficient giving schemes

• Special appeals to be lauched to meet these costs."

14

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

Policies relating to categories of income and income recognition.

Nature of income

Gross income represents the value, net of value added tax and discounts, of goods provided to customers and work carried out in respect of services provided to customers.

Categories of Income

Income is categorised as income from exchange transactions (contract income) and income from non-exchange transactions (gifts), investment income and other income.

Income from exchange transactions is received by the charity for goods or services supplied under contract or where entitlement is subject to fulfilling performance related conditions. The income the charity receives is approximately equal in value to the goods or services supplied by the charity to the purchaser.

Income from a non-exchange transaction is where the charity receives value from the donor without providing equal value in exchange, and includes donations of money, goods and services freely given without giving equal value in exchange.

Income recognition

Income, whether from exchange or non exchange transactions, is recognised in the statement of financial activities (SOFA) on a receivable basis, when a transaction or other event results in an increase in the charity’s assets or a reduction in its liabilities and only when the charity has legal entitlement, the income is probable and can be measured reliably.

Dividends are accrued when the shareholder’s right to receive payment is established.

Income subject to terms and conditions which must be met before the charity is entitled to the resources is not recognised until the conditions have been met.

All income is accounted for gross, before deducting any related fees or costs.

Accounting for deferred income and income received in advance

Where terms and conditions relating to income have not been met or uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet any terms or conditions otherwise within its control, income is not recognised but is deferred as a liability until it is probable that the terms or conditions imposed can be met.

Any grant that is subject to performance-related conditions received in advance of delivering the goods and services required by that condition, or is subject to unmet conditions wholly outside the control of the recipient charity, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. Deferred income is released to income in the reporting period in which the performance-related or other conditions that limit recognition are met.

When income from a grant or donation has not been recognised due to the conditions applying to the gift not being wholly within the control of the recipient charity, it is disclosed as a contingent asset if receipt of the grant or donation is probable once those conditions are met.

Where time related conditions are imposed or implied by a funder, then the income is apportioned to the time periods concerned,and, where applicable, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. When grants are received in advance of the expenditure on the activity funded by them, but there are no specific time related conditions, then the income is not deferred.

Any condition that allows for the recovery by the donor of any unexpended part of a grant does not prevent recognition of the income concerned, but a liability to any repayment is recognised when repayment becomes probable.

15

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

Income from legacies

Income from legacies is recognised when the charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them, that where required, probate has been granted, the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate, that it is probable that the amount will be received by the charity, and the amount to be received can be estimated with sufficient accuracy, and that any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been met.

Where a payment is received from an estate or is notified as receivable by the executors after the reporting date and before the accounts are authorised for issue but it is clear that the payment had been agreed by the executors prior to the end of the reporting period, then the amount concerned is treated as an adjusting event and accrued as income in the accounting period if receipt is probable.

Where the charity has established entitlement to a legacy but there is uncertainty as to the amount of the payment, details of the legacy aredisclosed as a contingent asset until the criteria for income recognition are met. Where a legacy is subject to the interest of a life tenant, the legacy is not recognised as income until the death of the life tenant.

If it is doubtful that full settlement of a legacy debtor will be received, then an adjustment is made to reduce the amount of the legacy debtor and legacy income rather than charging the adjustment as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities

Donated goods, facilities and services

Donated fixed assets are recognised at the current fair value. All such donations are recognised as donation income, and debited to fixed assets.

Donated goods that are not fixed assets are accounted for at a fair value, unless it is impractical to reliably measure the value of the donated items.

In the absence of any direct evidence of fair value of donated goods, then a value is derived from the cost of the item to the donor or, in the case of goods that are expected to be sold, the estimated resale value after deducting any anticipated costs of sales.

If it is impracticable to measure the fair value of goods donated for resale, or the costs of valuation outweigh the benefits, the donated goods are recognised as income when sold, with an equivalent amount being recognised as an expense.

The costs of goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries is deemed to be the fair value of those goods upon receipt. When the goods are distributed freely or for a nominal consideration, then the carrying amount is adjusted at the time of sale, to the value at the point of distribution and the adjustment is shown as a cost of donations made.

The carrying amount of any stock held for distribution is assessed for impairment at the reporting date. All donated goods are recognised as donation income, and debited to trading stock.When trading stock is subsequently sold, or appropriated to meet an expense, then the carrying value of the stock is recognised as an expense. In accordance with the SORP, goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries, or for consumption by the charity are included in 'legacies and donations '. Goods donated for resale are included in 'Income from other trading activities'

The cost of any stock of goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries is deemed to be the fair value of those gifts at the time of their receipt. If the goods held are to be distributed freely or for a nominal consideration, then the carrying amount is subsequently adjusted to reflect the lower of deemed cost adjusted for any loss of service potential and replacement cost. Replacement cost is the economic cost incurred if the charity was to replace the service potential of the donated goods at its own expense in the most economic manner.

Donated services and facilities (including seconded staff and use of property) are included in the accounts on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity.

All donated services and facilities are recognised as donation income when received,(provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably) and recognised as an expense with an equivalent value.

16

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

Policies relating to expenditure on goods and services provided to the charity.

Recognition of liabilities and expenditure

A liability, and the related expenditure, is recognised when a legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event, and when it is more likely than not that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and when the amount of the obligation can be measured or reliably estimated..

Liabilities arising from future funding commitments and constructive obligations, including performance related grants, where the timing or the amount of the future expenditure required to settle the obligation are uncertain, give rise to a provision in the accounts, which is reviewed at the accounting year end. The provision is increased to reflect any increases in liabilities, and is decreased by the utilisation of any provision within the period, and reversed if any provision is no longer required. These movements are charged or credited to the respective funds and activities to which the provision relates.

Volunteers

In accordance with the SORP, and in recognition of the difficulties in placing a monetary value on the contribution from volunteers, the contribution of volunteers is not included within the income of the charity. However, the trustees value the significant contribution made to the activities of the charity by unpaid volunteers and this is described more fully in Note5.

Policies relating to assets, liabilities and provisions and other matters.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are measured at their original cost value, or subsequent revaluation, or if donated, as described above. Cost value includes all costs expended in bringing the asset into its intended working condition.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors are measured at their recoverable amounts at the balance sheet date.

Pensions - defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the profit and loss account as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal or as implied by law.

Endowment funds are funds donated to the charity, where the funds shall be invested and the charity shall enjoy the benefit of the income from the capital fund, but where restrictions are placed on the use of the capital.

2 Liability to taxation

The Trustees consider that the charity satisfies the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by chapter 3 part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively on the specific charitable objects of the charity and for no other purpose. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.

17

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

3 Winding up or dissolution of the charity

If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remain any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.

4 Net surplus before tax in the financial year

Net surplus before tax in the financial year
	2024	2023
	£	£
The net surplus before tax in the financial year is stated after charging:-
Pension costs	1,263	974

5 The contribution of volunteers

We depend heavily on the support of volunteers. Almost every event and activity we have undertaken has been carried out either entirely by them or with their help. Over 200 volunteers committed countless hours to our activities during the year. Their support is valued enormously. The arrangements with volunteers are difficult to value in monetary terms and have not been recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. The volunteers and the charity accept and agree that no contract of employment is created by these arrangements.

6 Staff costs and emoluments

Salary costs 2024 £ Gross Salaries excluding trustees and key management personnel 68,731 Employer's operating costs of defined contribution pension schemes 1,263 Total salaries, wages and related costs 69,994 The average number of part time staff employed in the year was 3 The average number of full time staff employed in the year was 1 The estimated full time equivalent number of all staff employed in the year was 3 The estimated equivalent number of full time staff deployed in different activities in the year was:- Engaged on charitable activities 3 The estimated full time equivalent number of all staff employed as above 3

2023 £ 51,174 974 52,148 2 1 3 3 3

Neither the trustees nor any persons connected with them have received any remuneration from the charity or any related entity, either in the current or prior year.

No employees received emoluments (excluding pension costs) in excess of £60,000 per annum.

7 Defined contribution pension schemes

Any liabilites and assets associated with the scheme are shown under debtors and creditors.

18

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

8 Remuneration and payments to Trustees and persons connected with them

No trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration from the charity, or any related entity.

9 Deferred income - Unrestricted and Designated funds

Current Year Sundry items under £1000 Messy Church (Townfield) Sylvia Walkey legacy Total These deferrals are included in creditors Prior Year Sundry items under £1000 Donations for Iglesia Anglicana M Blake (Townfield) B Fletcher (Curtains) Messy Church (Townfield) Sylvia Walkey legacy Total These deferrals are included in creditors	Opening Deferrals £ - 385 2,240 2,626 Opening Deferrals £ - 580 1,494 500 385 2,240 5,199	Released from prior years £ - 1,938 1,938 Released from prior years £ - 580 1,494 500 - - 2,574	Received less released in year £ - 27 - 27 2024 £ 714 Received less released in year £ - - - - - - 2023 £ 2,626	Deferred at year end £ - 412 302 714 2023 £ 2,626 Deferred at year end £ - - - - 385 2,240 2,626 2022 £ 5,199

19

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

10 Tangible fixed assets

Current Year Cost At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 Prior Year Cost 01 January 2023 01 January 2024 Depreciation 01 January 2024 Net book value 01 January 2024 01 January 2023 Debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors	Land and Buildings £ 655,132 655,132 - 655,132 655,132 Land and Buildings £ 655,132 655,132 - 655,132 655,132	Plant & Machinery £ - - - - - Plant & Machinery £ - - - - -	Motor Vehicles £ - - - - - Motor Vehicles £ - - - - - 2024 £ 971 25,219 26,190	Total £ 655,132 655,132 - 655,132 655,132 Total £ 655,132 655,132 - 655,132 655,132 2023 £ 1,853 23,056 24,909

11 Debtors

20

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

12 Investments held as current assets at market value at 31 December 2024

Other investments 13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred Income - Unrestricted & designated funds PAYE, NIC VAT and other taxes Other creditors 14 Income and Expenditure account summary At 1 January 2024 Surplus after tax for the year At 31 December 2024 15 Particulars of how particular funds are represented by assets and liabilities At 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Designated funds funds £ £ Tangible Fixed Assets 655,132 - Current Assets 455,246 Current Liabilities (8,600) - 1,101,778 - At 1 January 2024 Unrestricted Designated funds funds £ £ Tangible Fixed Assets 655,132 - Current Assets 482,948 - Current Liabilities (8,891) - 1,129,189 -	2024 £ 109,424 2024 £ 6,092 714 1,524 270 8,600 2024 £ 1,129,568 (27,790) 1,101,778 Restricted funds £ - - - - Restricted funds £ - 379 - 379	2023 £ 106,976 - 2023 £ 6,060 2,626 - 205 8,891 2023 £ 1,264,226 (134,658) 1,129,568 Total Funds £ 655,132 455,246 (8,600) 1,101,778 Total Funds £ 655,132 483,327 (8,891) 1,129,568

21

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

16 Change in total funds over the year as shown in Note 15 , analysed by individual funds

Funds brought forward from 2023 £ Unrestricted and designated funds:- Unrestricted Revenue Funds 848,761 Designated Revenue Funds: Church School - Church windows - Mission/Staff Designated fund 39,703 Afternoon tea 161 Flowers fund - Flourish - Hindley Legacy 2,970 Heritage fund 1,235 Descretionary fund 200 Rolleston Drive 5,903 J Brock legacy - Knit & Natter 150 Margaret Baker Legacy 230,106 Children and Family Worker Total unrestricted and designated funds 1,129,189 Restricted funds:- Total private sector revenue grants 379 Total restricted funds 379 Total charity funds 1,129,568 Analysis of movements in funds over the year as shown in Note Income 2024 £ Unrestricted and designated funds:- Unrestricted Revenue Funds 375,404 Restricted funds:- Total private sector revenue grants - 375,404	Movement in funds in 2024 See note 17 £ (40,457) 42,300 50,000 (39,703) 219 7,666 305 (100) (4,794) 20,000 (230,106) 167,259 (27,411) (379) (379) (27,790) 16 Expenditure 2024 £ (402,815) (379) (403,194)	£ - - - - - Other Gains & Losses 2024 £ - - - Transfers between funds in 2024	Funds carried forward to 2025 £ 808,304 42,300 50,000 - 161 219 7,666 2,970 1,540 100 1,109 20,000 150 - 167,259 1,101,778 - - 1,101,778 Movement in funds 2024 £ (27,411) (379) (27,790)

17 Analysis of movements in funds over the year as shown in Note 16

22

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

18 The purposes for which the funds as

Unrestricted and designated funds:-

Unrestricted Revenue Funds

These funds are held for the meeting the objectives of the charity, and to provide reserves for future activities, and , subject to charity legislation, are free from all restrictions on their use.

This fund represents the unrestricted funds donated, but where the funds have been allocated for a purpose. This year funds have been ringfenced for Designated Revenue Funds the new roof, and also for improved lighting and other small projects.

Restricted funds:-

Warm Spaces- grants were received from Wirral Borough Council to support a nationwide initiative of promoting warm spaces for individuals to meet who were suffering hardship during economic difficult times. The grant monies Total private sector revenue grants were provided solely to cover some of the expenses incurred by the providers of Warm Spaces , and covered the cost of heat and light and refreshments.

19 Ultimate controlling party

The charity is under the control of its legal members. Every member of the charity has unlimited joint and several liability for the debts of the charity.

23

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

This analysis is classsified by conventional nominal descriptions and not by activity.

20 Donations, Grants and Legacies

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----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Current year|Current year|Current year|Prior Year| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds| |2024|2024|2024|2023| |£|£|£|£| |Donations and gifts from individuals| |-| |Small donations individually less than £1000|243,420|243,420|284,706| |Refunds from HMRC on gift aided donations|49,531|-|49,531|44,245| |Large donations individually over £1,000|-| |9,700|9,700|1,000| |Conroy Trust|-|-|-|4,000| |Total donations and gifts from|302,651|-|302,651|333,951| |individuals|

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Donations and gifts from individuals (Include HMRC refunds on gift aided donations) - Prior Year analysis

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----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Prior Year|Prior Year|Prior Year| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds| |Funds|Funds| |2023|2023|2023| |£|£|£| |Prior year|333,951|-|333,951|

----- End of picture text -----

24

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

Legacies receivable Legacies receivable - Prior Year analysis Prior year M Baker legacy M Blake Sylvia Walker legacy J Brock Small legacies individually less than £1000 Total legacies receivable	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ - 1,938 - - 20,000 21,938 Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 61,341	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ -	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ - 1,938 - - 20,000 21,938 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 61,341	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ - - 59,847 1,494 - 61,341

25

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

	Current year	Current year	Current	year	Prior Year
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total Funds		Total Funds
	Funds	Funds
	2024	2024	2024		2023
	£	£	£		£
Revenue grants and donations from non
public bodies
Small grants individually less than £1000	600	-		600	-
Wirral BC - Warm Spaces	-	-		-	5,050
Chester Diocese	8,750	-	8,750		163,899
Benefact Trust	-	-		-	6,300
Garfield Weston	-	-		-	20,000
Total private sector revenue grants	9,350	-	9,350		195,249
All the grants in the prior year were unrestricted.
Revenue grants and donations from non public bodies (Include Gift Aid		donations from subsidiaries)			- Prior
Year analysis

Year analysis
Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ Prior Year 163,899 Total Donations, Grants and Legacies Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Total Donations, Grants and Legacies A1 333,939 All the donations and gifts in the prior year were unrestricted. Prior year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ Total Donations, Grants and Legacies A1 559,191	Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 163,899	Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ 31,350	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 195,249	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 590,541
		Restricted Funds 2024 £ - Restricted Funds 2023 £ 31,350	Current Year Total Funds 2024 £ 333,939 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 590,541

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The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

21 Income from charitable activities - Trading Activities

Current year Primary purpose and ancillary trading 22 Total income from charitable trading Total from charitable activities A2 Income from charitable activities - Prior Year analysis Prior year Total income from charitable trading 23 Investment income Property Rental Income Dividend Income Bank Interest Receivable Other Investment Income Total investment income A4 Investment income - Prior Year analysis Prior Year Total Income from charitable activities Total Primary purpose and ancillary trading Sale of goods and services in accordance with the charity's objects Income from church activities	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 10,542 8,580 19,122 19,122 19,122 Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 12,061 12,061 Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 7,343 2,969 9,582 2,449 22,343 Unrestricted Funds 27,990	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - Restricted Funds -	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 10,542 8,580 19,122 19,122 19,122 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 12,061 12,061 Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 7,343 2,969 9,582 2,449 22,343 Total Funds 27,990	Prior Year Total funds 2023 £ 2,395 9,666 12,061 12,061 12,061 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 6,451 2,924 11,639 6,976 27,990

27

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

24 Expenditure on charitable activities - Direct spending

Current Year Total direct spending B2a All the expenditure in the prior year was unrestricted. Prior Year Total direct spending B2a Church office & general running Temporary Staff - Charitable Activities Parish share Parish share Church office & general running Giving outside the parish Church buildings expenses Gross wages and salaries - charitable activities Gifts and presentations Defined contribution pension costs - charitable activities Giving outside the parish Church mission (incl youth, weekend & Gifts and presentations Gross wages and salaries - charitable activities Church mission (incl youth, weekend & Defined contribution pension costs - charitable activities Church buildings expenses Roof project expenditure	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 68,731 1,263 - 36,171 29,409 27,544 143,154 95,618 118 27 402,035 Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 51,174 974 25,222 10,534 20,499 141,406 483,570 180 733,559	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - 379 - - - - - 379 Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - 4,671 - - - 26,300 - 30,971	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 68,731 1,263 - 36,171 29,788 27,544 143,154 95,618 118 27 402,414 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 51,174 974 29,893 10,534 20,499 141,406 509,870 180 764,530	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 51,174 974 - 29,893 10,534 20,499 141,406 509,870 180 - 764,530

25 Other Expenditure - Governance costs

Current Year Independent Examiner's fees Total Governance costs	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 780 780	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - -	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 780 780	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 720 720

28

The Parochial Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bebington

Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the SORP 2015

All the expenditure in the prior year was unrestricted. 26 Total Charitable expenditure Current Year Total direct spending B2a Total Governance costs B2e Total charitable expenditure B2 Prior Year Total direct spending B2a Total Governance costs B2e Total charitable expenditure B2	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 402,035 780 402,815 Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 733,559 720 734,279	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ 379 - 379 Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ 30,971 - 30,971	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 402,414 780 403,194 Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 764,530 720 765,250	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 764,530 720 765,250

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