2023-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council

of the Ecclesiastical Parish

of St Eustachius, Tavistock

Registered Charity No. 1130516

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ending 31 December 2023

Incumbent: The Reverend Matthew Godfrey

Bank: TSB Bank plc, Bedford Square, Tavistock

Independent Examiner: Simon Hirst, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

tavistockparishchurch.org.uk

SUNDAY 28[th] APRIL 2024

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

AGENDA

• 1 Appointment of chairman for the meeting 2 Appointment of secretary for the meeting 3 Apologies for absence 4 Election of churchwardens

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

AGENDA

• 1 Apologies for absence

• 2 Minutes of APCM meeting 23rd April 2023 and any matters arising 3 Elections to the PCC

• 4 Elections to Deanery Synod 5 Electoral roll report 6 The annual report

• i. to receive the accounts and to appoint independent examiners

• ii. reference to reports of the groups and the Diocesan and Deanery synods

• 7 Any other business

• 8 Date of next annual meeting

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BACKGROUND

Saint Eustachius’ Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is governed by the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended, and by Church Representation Rules. It has maintenance responsibilities for the church building and the parish church centre, Plymouth Road, Tavistock.

MEMBERSHIP

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).

Incumbent: Reverend Matthew Godfrey Assistant Curate: Assistant Priest: The Reverend Judith Blowey Churchwardens: Mrs Catherine Stoate elected 23/4/23 Deanery Synod members: Mrs Catherine Stoate elected 23/4/23 Mr Charles Herbert elected 23/04/23 Mr Matthew Hibbert 2023 Elected members: Mrs Christine Everitt elected 23/4/23 Miss Nichola Heathman elected 23/4/23 Mrs Roma Keogh elected 23/4/23 Mrs Ann Townsend 23/4/23 Mrs Pam Hunter 23/4/23 Mrs Cathy Sherlock 23/4/23 Mrs Julia Hurle 23/4/23 Mrs Hilary Johnson elected 2022 Mrs Joy Loader elected 2022 Mr Martin Pendle elected 2022 Mr Peter Rowan elected 2022 Mrs Elizabeth Bastin elected 2021 Mrs Catherine Barrow elected 2021 Mr Brian Routledge elected 2021 Co-opted members: Mr James Teague 17/05/23 Mrs Wendy Roderick 17/05/23 Mrs Alison Boulter 17/05/23

MEETINGS

The PCC met 6 times during 2023.

STANDING COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee met 7 times during 2023.

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. Its members are the Vicar (chair), the churchwardens, finance chair, fabric chair , Project 700 chair, the secretary, and the vice-chair.

SAFEGUARDING

Following a review of the processes and procedures of the PCC and the implementation of appropriate changes, the PCC is satisfied that it has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

DATA PROTECTION

We are conscious that personal information which we as a parish hold on church members must be kept securely and that we must comply with Data Protection legislation. Personal information, mainly in the form of the Electoral Roll, is held securely on the Parish computer system, with access only by password. A printed copy of the Electoral Roll is held securely by the Electoral Roll Officer.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The PCC has considered the Charity Commission’s guidance and public benefit. It considers that it meets this guidance through the following activities:

1. Making available facilities for any member of the public to worship God in the Christian context.

2. Making available the church for funeral services for any resident of the parish.

3. Supporting the pastoral care work of the incumbent

4. Making available the church and parish centre for hire by public groups.

Contact details of the PCC: Telephone No. 01822 616673 Email: [e-mail]

ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT

There are 211 parishioners on the church electoral roll.

Report from the Incumbent

The Reverend Matthew F. Godfrey, Priest in Charge

It is my privilege to introduce the Annual Report on the life of Tavistock Parish Church during 2023, following my first full year as Incumbent. In doing so, I remind you of the Diocesan Vision, which must be the litmus test for all our endeavours. This is summed up in the three key tasks – to grow in prayer, to make disciples and to serve the people of Devon with joy.

This is a busy parish and there has been a lot to celebrate, to give thanks for and to be encouraged by over the last year. The church building continues to be a place that people are drawn to for a host of reasons seeking peace, quietness and, in many cases, to encounter the Lord. At the same time, the living, breathing church, that Scripture calls the Body of Christ, continues to be a dynamic presence in the life of the town and surrounding area. Thus, in a huge variety of ways in through countless individual encounters, the Good News of Jesus Christ is lived out day by day. Referring to the work of the Holy Spirit, Our Lord said that we can feel the wind blowing but we don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is that the following reports give but an indication of the ways in which the mission of the Church continues here.

Perhaps most importantly, given the state our finances had been in, the year began with the PCC having approved a balanced budget that was focussed on redressing the deficit. This was due to the tremendous hard work of James Teague, Ann Townsend and the Finance Committee. It is a ministry that goes on week by week, largely unnoticed, yet without which we would not be able to do any of the things we feel called to do. By the grace of God, who, as ever is generous and faithful, I am happy to report that, by the end of the year, we were in a far healthier position, as the accounts herein demonstrate.

The year also began with us welcoming Mary Mazur-Park as our new Organist. Mary’s arrival, along with Andrew Lundie kindly offering to take on the role of de facto Director of Music, enabled the Choir to flourish musically and to begin to grow numerically during the course of the year. Our thanks go to both of them and to Rita Bilverstone, who not only acts as ‘music librarian’ but has joined the group that meets, together with me as Incumbent, to choose our music.

At the APCM we elected just one Churchwarden, Mrs Catherine Stoate, but, at the next PCC meeting, appointed Mrs Pam Hunter as Acting Churchwarden. We also stood up a team of three ‘Deputy Churchwardens’, comprised of Ali Boulter, Cathy Sherlock and Hilary Johnson, to create a team that has worked hard to help shape and guide the life of the Parish, particularly in terms of the day-to-day practicalities.

This year also saw our two Curates, The Rev’d Rosie Illingworth and The Rev’d Dr Hazel Butland, complete their training and be signed-off by Bishop Robert. Rev’d Rosie departed in

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July to take up her first post, as Chaplain at St Alban’s High School for Girls, while Rev’d Hazel joined the Ministers Team here in the Benefice as a Self-Supporting Minister (SSM). We are hugely grateful to them both for all they contributed to the life of the Parish and Benefice during their Curacies.

We were also blessed with more new arrivals in the shape of Bob and Patti Owens, who were licensed as LLMs (Licensed Lay Ministers) in June. Although they had been worshipping at St Eustachius for about a year and, indeed, ran a well-received Lent Course for us, it was great to finally have them become formally part of the team. Their teaching gifts are a real asset and they also ran an Advent course towards the end of the calendar year.

Worship continues to be the bedrock of our life together. There were three services every Sunday (0800, 0945 and 1800) and the Daily Offices were said Monday to Saturday. The only change to our pattern of worship during the year was that choral evensong now only takes place on Principal Feasts and one or two other occasions, e.g. harvest. This decision was taken after discussion with the Choir.

In talking about our worship, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Peter Rowan, who, assisted by Bethan Godfrey, has live-streamed so many of our services during the course of the year. This ministry, with the allied responsibility of looking after the sound system, enables people who are unable to get to church to watch the services and thus maintain that connection. It has been invaluable for a number of funerals, too, where family members are spread around the world.

As well as our regular worship, there were many additional services at St Eustachius during the course of the year. In February we welcomed the cadets and staff of the Plymouth & Cornwall Wing of the Air Training Corps for their annual parade service. In June we hosted the licensing of the new Archdeacon of Plymouth and the Archdeacon’s Visitation service. The Exon Festival in July featured a Choral Evensong that was recorded by the BBC and was broadcast on Radio 3. Spectacularly, we also had our first ever ‘Messy Baptism’ in the summer, too, featuring Rev’d Rosie and a paddling pool! In October more than 100 people attended the All Souls’ service. Over the course of the year, there were almost 20 schools’ services at which we welcomed not only the children and staff, but also the families of hundreds of young people. Lastly, but importantly, on Low Sunday (i.e. the Sunday after Easter), St Eustachius hosted a Benefice Service at which we came together with our brothers and sisters from Brent Tor and Gulworthy to celebrate Our Lord’s resurrection as one body. This joint approach will be increasingly important as we look towards a future that will include Pastoral Reorganisation, as we seek to become a Mission Community in fact as well as name.

The number of occasional offices (i.e. baptisms, weddings and funerals) increased noticeably during 2023 by comparison to the previous few years, when numbers were affected by the Covid pandemic. Our thanks go to the Ministers Team and to everyone who, whether as verger or organist, ably assisted them in providing those pastoral services so beautifully. It is an overlooked fact that the Occasional Offices are not only opportunities to minister God’s love but are also opportunities for mission and growth.

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In fact, there are many areas of our Parish life which provide those twin opportunities of ministry and mission. Our ministry to children, young people and their families, which includes Vestry Group, Little Deers and Messy Church, is one example, run so brilliantly by Sarah Pendle and her team. Allied to this is the Open the Book Team, led by Mary Jane Traber. Another example would be the Bereavement Group run so deftly by Rev’d Sue Tucker. Our Pastoral Care Team, led now by Diana McDowell, is yet another area where people are not only cared for (and listened to) but are drawn closer to the Lord. In this area we have taken big strides this year to reengage with the care homes, a ministry that had become neglected. Our Warm Welcome ministry on Mondays, led by Sue Eve, has provided a wonderful space for people to come and be cared for. Meanwhile, the Breaking Bread initiative started this year has begun to offer an opportunity for us to eat together as a church community and to deepen those bonds of love which are so important for our flourishing as Christians.

Maintaining our buildings is, of course, fundamental to the ongoing life of the church. I would like, therefore, to thank in particular Nick Clark, Martin Pendle and the Fabric Team for all their hard work during the course of 2023. A lot of the work is not glamourous (e.g. clearing out the gutters and drains, digesting the findings of October’s Quinquennial Inspection), but it is essential. One of the big ticket items last year was the renovation of the Parish Centre floor after the parquet flooring suffered irreparable damage in early September. Thanks to the diligent work of James Teague, we were able to cover most of the cost of replacing the flooring via an insurance claim, while the Friends of St Eustachius generously covering the shortfall.

Another big step forward in terms of fabric is that, thanks to the assiduous work of the fabric team along with the Finance Team, the PCC was able in November to take the decision to reactivate the Galley & Toilets project. This had been put on hold in 2022 due to our financial situation.

Finally, a huge debt of thanks to Martin and Sarah Pendle for their hard work in fundraising for and refurbishing the Vestry to make it into a shared space for the use of both the Choir and our Sunday children’s ministry. Not only did they put together the grant application, but Martin single-handedly delivered the renovation from start to finish. The ‘East Room’ is now a fabulous, welcoming space.

Our schools ministry has flourished this year. In the Church Schools, St Rumon’s and St Peter’s, we have some new Foundation Governors, a Christian Ethos Group that meets termly and there has been clergy and lay led worship every week. Lastly, members of the Ministry Team have also been in roughly once a term to help with RE lessons. At Tavistock Primary School, I was invited in on a termly basis to lead an assembly and help with an RE lesson. Meanwhile, our ministry at Mount Kelly College was led for the first half of the year by Rev’d Rosie Illingworth. After she left, I assembled a team of our LLMs – Wendy Roderick, plus Bob and Patti Owens – to help lead their weekly Chapel Services through the autumn term. This has been well-received and is developing into a good way of working.

Trying to cover every aspect of the life of this Parish in a report runs the risk of missing out vital areas of our ministry. If I have omitted something, please accept my sincere apology; it certainly was not on purpose. Whether it is Friendly Friday, such a key part of our outreach,

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the quiet work of the Holy Dusters, our regular Fair Trade stall, our fantastic team of bell ringers, the opening of the church on Goose Fair day as a quiet space for those exhausted by the hustle and bustle outside, the diligent work of Nichola Heathman, our Sacristan, the crucial ministry of welcome provided Sunday by Sunday as people come into church, the work of Rachel Toms, our Cleaner, and Jo Barton, our Administrator, those who have helped move tables, chairs and staging (and then move it all back again!), our Flower Arrangers whose skill beautifies our church, whether it is those who lead our intercessions, read the Scriptures for us, our servers and chalice assistants, those who contribute to the pew-sheet or who put up notices, all of this – and more – is what makes up the life of the church in this place.

Last, but by no means least, this report would not be complete without mention of the work of The Friends of St Eustachius. Over the course of the last year, once again the Friends have supported the church financially and done a fabulous amount of fundraising. Equally importantly, many of the events they have put on have contributed hugely to our common life and brought a lot of fun and laughter: The quiz night, the summer fête and, of course, the Christmas Tree Festival are highlights of our calendar.

In summary, there is a huge amount to celebrate and be thankful for. There is more to do, of course, as we seek to respond faithfully and attentively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and look to the future. We want to be a church characterised by love, where the worship has a noble simplicity, where the Scriptures are broken open and read with eager anticipation, where all find a hospitality, welcome and a place where they can flourish. Administration, safeguarding and the long-anticipated Pastoral Reorganisation are areas that will require our attention and effort in the months and years ahead. However, those are ‘internal’ things and we must soon start to get our heads up and start looking beyond the boundaries we are comfortable with. I still believe home groups will be vital if we are to grow and to ‘make new disciples’. Likewise we need to think about having some way for people who want to learn more about the Christian faith to do so. Along with that, we need an alternative slot somewhere in the week for a service featuring more contemporary worship. Finally, we need to pluck up the courage to get out and engage with the young people of our town. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that the church exists for the benefit of those who are not its members and that seems like a good note to finish on, that and the motto of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), Ad maiorem Dei gloriam – to the greater glory of God.

Your brother in Christ,

Father Matt

Parochial Church Council of St Eustachius' Tavistock - 1130516

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

1. Accounting framework and accounting policies

Accounting framework

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102) as amended by Bulletin 1), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Advantage has been taken of disclosure exemptions as set out in FRS102.1.12 and FRS101 1A.7 from the requirement to produce a cash flow on the grounds it qualifies as a small charity.

Basis of preparation

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, which are described in this note, the PCC is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historically known factors and experience. Therefore, the PCC does not perceive there to be any critical areas of Judgement or key sources of estimation uncertainty in the formulation of the financial statements.

Going concern

Based on the monetary assets and human resource available on 31 December 2023, the PCC believes that it is a going concern.

Funds

Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Income

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the income to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when received, interest is accrued. All other income is recognized when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Expenditure

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s. 10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church's inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time).

Individual items of equipment costing £2,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. The Millennium Bells are being depreciated at the rate of 1% per annum.

Financial Instruments

Classification: The company holds the following financial instruments:

• Short term trade and other debtors and creditors, and

• Cash and bank balances. Al financial instruments are classified as basic.

Recognition and measurement

The charity has chosen to apply the recognition and measurement principles in FRS102. Financial instruments are recognised when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument and derecognised when in the case of assets, the contractual rights to cash flows from the assets expire or substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to another party, or in the case of liabilities, when the charity's obligations are discharged, expire or are cancelled. These instruments are initially measured at transaction price, including transaction costs, and are subsequently carried at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received, after taking account of impairment adjustments.

Reserves Policy

It is the current PCC policy to maintain unrestricted/undesignated funds which equate to two months' unrestricted expenditure, to have adequate cash flow.

It is PCC policy to invest surplus funds to achieve a return. This with the TSB Business Deposit Account and CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

2. (a) Staff costs

Wages and salaries	Unrestricted 2023 2022 £ £ £ 10,829 10,829 12,190

The charity employed four members of staff including the newly appointed Office Administrator. No employees received employee benefits over £60,000.

2. (b) Payments to PCC Members and related party transactions

No payments or expenses were paid to any PCC members, persons closely connected or related parties. No transactions with related parties were undertaken during the year.

3. Fixed Assets

As at 31[st] Dec 2023 all fixed assets have a book value of 0 except for the Millennium Bells whose net book value is £34,431.

4. Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their uses and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds represent income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

The main restricted funds are as follows:

Millennium Bell Appeal: An appeal to assist with the purchase of two new bells in 1998. This is a non-cash fund as is being depreciated at 1% per annum.

Friends’ Fabric Fund: A fund to “ beautify and maintain ” the church provided by the Friends’ of St Eustachius’. Galley & Toilets Fund: A fund from the Friends of St Eustachius’ towards the cost of the Galley & Toilets Project. The project remains on hold but should resume in the Spring of 2024.

5. Unrestricted Planned Giving by PCC Members (Trustees)

During 2022 Tavistock PCC received £12,187 in donations from trustees (PCC members) and their close relatives. The donors did not attach any conditions to their gifts which required the charity (PCC) to significantly alter the nature of its existing activities.

Tavistock PCC

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

	Total General Designated Restricted This year Last year
Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds 0101 - Standing Orders 0102 - Parish Giving Scheme 0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes 0201 - Other Planned Giving - not Gift Aided 0301 - Loose plate / service collections 0401 - Mount Kelly (Chaplaincy) 0402 - Vicar's Mission 0403 - Donations for Bibles 0410 - Church Boxes 0501 - One-off gifts 0504 - Card Machine Receipts 0505 - Vestry Refurbishment 0506 - Vestry Group 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 0701 - Legacies 0801 - Grants 0806 - Messy Church 08A1 - Youth Worker Grant 1224 - 700 - Galley & Toilets 0502 - Redecoration of Vicarage 0902 - Coffee & Social 0903 - Friendly Fridays 0904 - Choir 0910 - Bazaar & Other Fundraising 0911 - Live Streaming 1230 - Concerts 1240 - Church Centre Lettings 1020 - Bank Interest Incoming resources from generated funds Totals Incoming resources from charitable activities 0802 - Holiday Lunch Club Income 0803 - Warm Welcome Donations & Grants 0804 - Litte Deers Donations 1101 - Fees for weddings 1102 - Fees for Funerals Incoming resources from charitable activities Totals Other incoming resources 0805 - Rural Churches Grant - For Dora's Cupboard 1304 - Contribution to Clergy Exp - Gulworthy 1305 - Contribution to Clergy Exp - Brentor 1306 - Friends of St Eustachius	12,983 - - 12,983 14,417 46,179 - - 46,179 38,248 7,641 - - 7,641 7,756 70 - - 70 - 6,978 - 213 7,191 5,052 4,500 - - 4,500 4,500 - 1,200 - 1,200 - - - 833 833 - 5,915 - - 5,915 5,799 11,144 - - 11,144 - 4,004 20 10 4,034 5,226 - - 9,625 9,625 - - - 863 863 - 17,167 - 5 17,172 17,023 - - - - 24,988 9,136 - 2,000 11,136 85 - - 538 538 - - - - - 4,000 - - - - 629 - - - - 5,208 643 - - 643 143 1,647 3,833 - 5,480 5,093 225 - - 225 3 447 - - 447 134 1,250 - - 1,250 500 2,639 - - 2,639 1,623 4,213 - - 4,213 4,968 3,528 - - 3,528 687
	140,311 5,053 14,086 159,451 146,081 - 141 - 141 629 - 100 - 100 - - 271 - 271 674 2,443 - - 2,443 1,774 6,461 - - 6,461 5,368
	8,904 513 - 9,417 8,445 - - 2,265 2,265 - 957 - - 957 1,170 957 - - 957 1,170 - - 26,377 26,377 23,018

(15 February 2024 1:45 pm) Page 1 of 3

	Total General Designated Restricted This year Last year
Other incoming resources Totals Incoming resources Grand totals
	1,914 - 28,642 30,556 25,358
	151,128 5,566 42,728 199,423 179,884
Resources used Cost of generating funds 1730 - Bazaar & Other Fundraising Costs 1731 - Social Costs 1734 - BMI Fundraising Costs 1735 - Sound & Vision 1736 - Sum Up Fees Cost of generating funds Totals Charitable activities 1801 - Missionary Giving 1803 - School Bibles 1910 - Common Fund 2001 - Cleaner Salary 2004 - Organist Salary 2050 - Office Administrator Salary 2052 - Youth Worker Salary 2053 - Holiday Lunch Club 2054 - Warm Welcome 2055 - Litte Deers Expenses 2056 - Vestry Group 2101 - Ministers' Expenses 2102 - Vicar's Mission Fund 2145 - Redecoration of Vicarage 2202 - Passion Play 2203 - TACT Subscription 2270 - Messy Church 2301 - Insurance 2311 - Office Costs - Stationery 2313 - Office Sundry Costs 2314 - Office Costs - Phone and Broadband 2315 - Bank Charges 2320 - Choir Expenses 2330 - Church Maintenance 2332 - Church Fabric Maintenance 2333 - Organ & Piano Tuning 2340 - Candles, Santiflex & Hosts 2341 - Lectionaries 2343 - Church Music Licences (CCLI) 2344 - Rememberance Wreath 2345 - Church Broadband 2401 - Church Running - Electricity 2430 - Church Running - Gas 2440 - Church Running - Water 2520 - Church Centre Running - Gas 2530 - Church Centre - Electricity	20 - - 20 502 107 - - 107 - - - - - 23 1,708 - - 1,708 691 160 - - 160 -
	1,995 - - 1,995 1,215 2,664 - - 2,664 6,036 - - 765 765 - 81,853 - - 81,853 98,758 1,325 - - 1,325 1,210 2,926 - - 2,926 4,890 5,578 - - 5,578 5,200 - - - - 4,695 - 232 - 232 474 - 393 - 393 146 (20) 181 - 161 286 - - 203 203 - 4,851 - - 4,851 5,033 - 1,487 - 1,487 - - - - - 10,392 - - - - 2,450 200 - - 200 - - - 948 948 121 7,012 - - 7,012 6,913 304 - - 304 184 143 - - 143 339 500 - - 500 644 111 - - 111 79 362 - - 362 273 - - 500 500 33 (540) - 3,171 2,631 3,555 342 - - 342 613 1,974 - - 1,974 2,027 36 - - 36 - 291 - - 291 - 19 - - 19 - 415 - - 415 - 7,744 - - 7,744 4,977 14,067 - - 14,067 4,739 316 - - 316 274 3,810 - - 3,810 1,311 1,131 - - 1,131 760

(15 February 2024 1:45 pm) Page 2 of 3

	Total General Designated Restricted This year Last year
2550 - Church Centre - Insurance 2560 - Church Centre - Maintenance 2561 - Church Centre Maintenance - Fabric Fund 2580 - Church Centre Consumables 2703 - 700 Phase 0 - Roof Leak S.valley-E.end 3001 - Depreciation of Millenium Bells Charitable activities Totals Governance costs 2130 - Vacancy Costs Governance costs Totals Other resources used 2351 - Doras' Cupboard Refurbishment 2352 - Vestry Refurbishment 2600 - Friends of St Eustachius 2707 - 700 - Galley & Toilets Expenditure Other resources used Totals Resources used Grand totals	- - - - 660 - - 1,560 1,560 - - - 435 435 355 338 - - 338 370 - - - - 5,338 - - 459 459 459
	137,752 2,292 8,040 148,085 173,591 - - - - 1,253
	- - - - 1,253 - - 2,719 2,719 - - - 11,584 11,584 - - - 4,351 4,351 3,477 - - 2,239 2,239 22,986
	- - 20,893 20,893 26,463
	139,748 2,292 28,933 170,973 202,522

(15 February 2024 1:45 pm) Page 3 of 3

Tavistock PCC

Balance Sheet detailed

			As at 31/12/2023 As at 31/12/2022
Fixed assets 6430: Millenium Bells 45,877 45,877 6431: Millenium Bells Depreciation (11,446) (10,987) 6432: Church Centre 11,407 11,407 6433: Church Centre Depreciation (11,407) (11,407) 6434: Fixtures & Fittings 83,327 83,327 6435: Fixtures & Fittings Depreciation (83,327) (83,327) Total Fixed assets 34,431 34,890 Current assets 6501: Bank current account 3,136 11,574 6502: Bank book account - - 6503: 700th Anniversary Bank Account 6 6 6505: Bank deposit account TSB 3,098 135,033 6510: CCLA (CBF) deposit account 152,987 186 6511: CCLA 700th Anniversary Appeal 8 7 6515: Friends 36,868 25,657 6520: Cash in hand - - 6555: Other Debtors 8,612 5,550 655O: Income Tax Recoverable - - Z05: Accounts Receivable 1,592 - Total Current assets 206,307 178,013 Liabilities 6650: Income Received in Advance (100) 858 6655: Current Creditors 2,977 4,423 6699: Agency collections - 1,658 Z04: Accounts Payable 4,358 910 Total Liabilities 7,235 7,850 Net Asset surplus (deficit) 233,503 205,053 Reserves Excess/(deficit) to date 28,450 (149,406) Z01: Starting balances 205,053 354,459 Total Reserves 233,503 205,053 Represented by Funds General (Unrestricted) 54,539 35,175 Designated 42,626 40,072 Restricted 136,338 129,807 Total 233,503 205,053			45,877 45,877 (11,446) (10,987) 11,407 11,407 (11,407) (11,407) 83,327 83,327 (83,327) (83,327)
			34,431 34,890 3,136 11,574 - - 6 6 3,098 135,033 152,987 186 8 7 36,868 25,657 - - 8,612 5,550 - - 1,592 -
			206,307 178,013 (100) 858 2,977 4,423 - 1,658 4,358 910
			7,235 7,850
			233,503 205,053
			28,450 (149,406) 205,053 354,459
			233,503 205,053
		Represented by Funds General (Unrestricted) 54,539 35,175 Designated 42,626 40,072 Restricted 136,338 129,807 Total 233,503 205,053

(15 February 2024 1:49 pm) Page 1 of 1

Tavistock PCC

Fund movement summary

Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Fund	Fund balances brought forward	Incoming Resources	Outgoing Resources	Transfers	Gains and Losses	Journal Entries	Fund balances Carried forward
Unrestricted
General - General fund	35,175	151,128	139,748	7,983	-	-	54,539
Sub-totals	35,175	151,128	139,748	7,983	-	-	54,539
Designated
2 - PEGGY SALMON LEGACY (DEVELOPMENT)	8,511	-	-	-	-	-	8,511
2a - PEGGY SALMON LEGACY (WORSHIP)	4,008	-	-	-	-	-	4,008
4 - GALLEY & TOILETS (Designated)	24,373	20	-	-	-	-	24,393
7 - VESTRY GROUP	(205)	-	-	205	-	-	0
9 - WARM WELCOME (Designated)	2,792	100	393	(1,250)	-	-	1,250
15 - VICAR'S MISSION FUND - Designated	-	1,200	1,487	500	-	-	213
16 - LITTLE DEERS	388	271	181	-	-	-	478
18 - FRIENDLY FRIDAY	-	3,833	-	(219)	-	-	3,614
19 - FAMILY LUNCH CLUB	205	141	232	250	-	-	364
Sub-totals	40,072	5,566	2,292	(514)	-	-	42,831
Restricted
3 - FABRIC FUND (Restricted)	4,113	-	5,166	1,560	-	-	507
5 - GALLEY & TOILETS (Restricted)	49,252	-	2,239	-	-	-	47,013
6 - FRIENDS' FABRIC FUND (Restricted)	38,345	26,377	4,851	(14,560)	-	-	45,311
7 - VESTRY GROUP	205	863	203	295	-	-	1,159
8 - MELANESIAN BROTHERS (Restricted)	44	-	-	-	-	-	44
10 - FLOWER FESTIVAL FUND (Restricted)	256	-	-	-	-	-	256
11 - BELLS (Restricted)	518	-	-	-	-	-	518
12 - ORGAN RESTORATION FUND (Restricted)	1,030	-	-	-	-	-	1,030
14 - MESSY CHURCH FUND	1,070	548	948	-	-	-	670
17. - Dora's Cupboard	-	2,483	2,719	236	-	-	-
20 - VESTRY & SACRISTRY REFURBISHMENT	-	11,625	11,584	5,000	-	-	5,041
21 - Bible Fund	85	833	765	-	-	-	154
Bell - Bell Appeal	34,890	-	459	-	-	-	34,431
Sub-totals	129,807	42,728	28,933	(7,469)	-	-	136,133
Totals	205,053	199,423	170,973	-	-	-	233,503

(15 February 2024 2:00 pm) Page 1 of 1

Tavistock PCC

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) As at: 31 December 2023

Class and nominal code

General (Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Endowment Total Last year

Fixed Asset - Heritage assets 6430: Millenium Bells 2,986 (60) 42,951 - 45,877 45,877 6431: Millenium Bells Depreciation (918) - (10,528) - (11,446) (10,987) Total 2,068 (60) 32,423 - 34,431 34,890 Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets 6432: Church Centre - 11,407 - - 11,407 11,407 6433: Church Centre Depreciation (1,603) (9,804) - - (11,407) (11,407) 6434: Fixtures & Fittings 2,467 65,035 15,825 - 83,327 83,327 6435: Fixtures & Fittings Depreciation (19,639) (50,799) (12,889) - (83,327) (83,327) Total (18,775) 15,839 2,936 - - - Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In Hand 6501: Bank current account 19,200 (116,040) 99,976 - 3,136 11,574 6503: 700th Anniversary Bank Account - - 6 - 6 6 6505: Bank deposit account TSB 70,048 2,274 (69,224) - 3,098 135,033 6510: CCLA (CBF) deposit account 30,149 110,839 12,000 - 152,987 186 6511: CCLA 700th Anniversary Appeal 1 - 7 - 8 7 6515: Friends (43,765) 20,674 59,959 - 36,868 25,657 Total 75,632 17,747 102,724 - 196,103 172,463 Current Asset - Debtors 6555: Other Debtors 8,526 - 86 - 8,612 5,550 Z05: Accounts Receivable 572 - 1,020 - 1,592 - Total 9,097 - 1,106 - 10,204 5,550 Liability - Agency Accounts 6699: Agency collections 20 - (20) - - 1,658 Total 20 - (20) - - 1,658 Liability - Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year 6650: Income Received in Advance (100) - - - (100) 858 6655: Current Creditors 2,958 20 - - 2,977 4,423 Z04: Accounts Payable 11,742 (9,120) 1,736 - 4,358 910 Total 14,600 (9,100) 1,736 - 7,235 6,192 Net total assets 53,403 42,626 137,473 - 233,503 205,053

2,986 (60) 42,951 - 45,877 45,877 (918) - (10,528) - (11,446) (10,987)

(15 February 2024 1:48 pm) Page 1 of 1

Independent Examinerfs Report to the PCC of the Ecdesia5tital Parftsh of St Eugta¢hiu8. Tavi5t￿k I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts of St Eustachius for the year ended 31 DecemL*r 2023, whxch are set out on pages I to 6. ReJponsibi]ities and basis of report A8 members of the Ffc, you are resporLsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 21ni {~the Acf). I rewrt in respect of my examination of the church's accounts carried out undeT sertion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission uNdeT section 145(5)Ib) of the A¢L Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confiTm thatm material matters havecome to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause ts) Wieve that in any Ma￿Tial re5Pe l. accounting recoTds were not kept In respert of the Tntst Is requiTed by section 130 of the Actr, or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable reyuiTements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in theCharitie5 (A¢counts and Reports) Regulations 2(X18 other than any requirement that the accounts give a'true and faif view which is not a matter considered as partofan independent I have no COTKerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attentton should ￿ drawn in this reprt in order to enabIe a proper underslanding of the accounts to be reached. Sigml: Simon Hirst. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants ID England and Waks. 4 Ordulf Road, Tav￿tock Devon PL19 8NE. Date

FABRIC REPORT

1. The 2023 End of Year Fabric account is shown below. The following significant tasks were completed:

2. Made a new hardwood Tower roof access door.

3. The top hinge pivot pin of the Essery glass south door severed and was replaced by contractors.

4. From April to July inclusive we caught four rats in the traps laid in the Church under-floor heating ducts, then nothing throughout the summer. During November and December we caught another five rats and one mouse.

5. The parquet floor of the Parish Centre hall bubbled up and fractured; the wooden tiles had absorbed moisture and expanded, and the bituminous adhesive layer beneath binding them to the concrete base had dried out and turned to dust. It was replaced with a vinyl laminate equivalent.

6. A Monuments Condition Survey was carried out, which had been recommended in 2007 but never actioned. There are nil urgent issues; one small monument is recommended to have its cramps replaced within five years and two within ten years. The rest are fine, including all the large monuments.

7. The mandatory Quinquennial Inspection was carried out. The only novel issue is the churchyard trees, which is being addressed as a potential project by the P700 Steering Group:

8. The roots of some are pushing the churchyard perimeter walls out into the footpaths.

9. In the north churchyard they’re encroaching onto the north transept gable end wall, causing potential damp issues by restricting natural ventilation.

All the other issues raised are already addressed in the extant Projects Programme, put together from the recommendations of the previous 2018 QI report, or feature on the Fabric Team To-Do list.

Nick Clark

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St Eustachius’ Fabric Account 2023

End of year account

Prices include VAT

Priority		Actual Spent	Actual Committed	Estimate
1	Statutory Obligations, Contractual Commitments, Health and Safety Reqmts
	Gas appliances annual svc - Church	336
	Gas appliances annual svc - Parish Centre	215
	Quinquennial Inspection	1,364
	Vacuum flters - cleaningout the Church heatingfoor ducts	20
	Rat catching- trapsqty3,disposablegloves	37
	PAT testing- extension leads	Friends
2	Maintenance and Repair
	Light bulbs andglass lens	55
	New P/C Gents toiiet door closer	70
	Miscellaneous(batteries,dust sheets,epoxy)	25
	New Tower roof door	142
	Timberpreservative oil - roof access doors and ventilation louvres	36
	Glass south door tophinge repair	1,025
	- Friends’ ex-gratia contribution	-500
	Weedkiller &pressure vessel	63
	Noticeboards refurbishment	103
3	Capital Investment - Spend to Save
4	Facilities Improvements
	Hot water supplyto the Sacristysink	Donation
	P/C hot water urn	75
	Totals	3,066	0	0
		3,066
		3,066			Budget £ 3,000
Projects
2002	Church lights	32,125
2014	Glass South Door	30,600
2016	Church roof ventilation louvresqty18	5,025
2018	VestryRoof	95,921
2018/19	Church Heating	35,597
2019	Drains clearing,surveyand manholes construction	1,969
2019-22	Church roof repairs	8,326
2023	Monuments condition survey	816
2023	Parish Centre vinyl foor	8,900			Friends and insurance
2019-23	Galleyand Toilets - Fees	11,453
	Galleyand Toilets - Expenses & sundries	525
	Galleyand Toilets - QS fee	1,800
	Galleyand Toilets - Drains survey	120
	Galleyand Toilets - Facultyapplication fee	263
	Galleyand Toilets - ReorderingWks - Four wall-mounted monuments	12,720
	Galleyand Toilets - ReorderingWks - Architect’s fees	1,621
	Galleyand Toilets - ReorderingWks - Remove heatingconvector	1,001
	Galleyand Toilets - ReorderingWks - Self-helptasks	207
	Total Galley and Toilets Project 2019/20/21/22/23	29,710
2025	Galleyand Toilets - ReorderingWks - War Memorial wreaths shelf			293
	Galleyand Toilets - Facilityconstruction			194,235
	Galleyand Toilets - Facilityconstruction - Unforeseen risks			2,000
	Galleyand Toilets - Facilityconstruction - BuildingControl Insp’s fee			310
	Galleyand Toilets - Facilityconstruction - Archaeologist’s fee			2,520
	Galleyand Toilets - Facilityconstruction - Architect’s fee			12,315
	Galleyand Toilets - Expenses,sundries & contingency			75
	Totals 2025	0	0	211,748

ST EUSTACHIUS PROGRAMME 700 REPORT TO APCM COVERING 2023

How it Works:

A scheme of work for this programme, now in its sixth year, is used by the Standing Committee and PCC, in which all of the prioritised findings from Quinquennial Inspections which require fixing have been merged into a programme with other major maintenance projects and projects for the modernisation of the church. Recognising the resource limitations that we have, the categorisation of the projects in the programme are divided into:

• Active Projects – those currently being worked on

• Potential Projects – those to be prioritised and turned into active projects when required

• Future Big Bid Project – this comprises major cost items, such as updating the church lighting system, major roof repairs and painting the church ceiling, which could form the basis of a future major project, requiring funding from something like the National Lottery Heritage Fund

The programme is agreed as an overall plan by the Standing Committee and PCC, but the individual projects within it all need to go through pricing, funding and a tendering process before gaining full approval by the PCC, and subsequent placement of contracts. Martin Pendle acts as the overall programme manager and coordinates the funding of Active Projects. He also writes and submits the bids for external funding. The larger individual projects have dedicated project managers – all volunteers.

Funding for the projects within the programme comes from a variety of sources: private donations, PCC, Friends of St Eustachius, grants from external trusts and direct local fundraising.

Projects Completed in 2023:

Parish Centre new flooring: Work completed in November 2023.

Active Projects at the end of 2023:

Provision of Galley and Toilets: Due to an improvement in church finances the PCC decided to re-activate this project in November 2023, with a condition that it will be necessary to give a presentation to the congregation to ensure there is an understanding of the design of the project and what has been done so far, before proceeding with fundraising to cover the remaining shortfall in the project estimated cost and subsequently, with PCC approval, running a bidding competition to find a suitable contractor to do the work. Refurbishment of the Choir Vestry: This project was mostly carried out in the autumn of 2023, with the intention of not only refurbishing the space but also making it suitable for shared use both for the choir and for young children. Funding was achieved through donations from the Friends of St Eustachius, the Diocese and some generous personal donations. The work is nearly finished and expected to complete in early 2024. Potential Projects Expected to be approved as the next Active Projects:

Installation of a Safety Rail: behind the main altar to enable chalice bearers to safely descend the steps from the altar to the communion rail. Refurbishment of the Sacristy

Tree and Shrubbery Management in the Churchyard: Trimming work on trees and shrubs as recommended by the 2023 Quinquennial Inspection.

Martin Pendle P700 Programme Manager

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Friendly Friday

The Friendly Friday event remains a very lively and important part of the church outreach. Each week people from Tavistock, Plymouth and the surrounding districts come to meet with friends and to help welcome visitors and newcomers into the church. We are extremely grateful to all those who provide the cakes and savouries each week and for helping man the kitchen and help with the setting up of the tables and chairs.

The money we raise each Friday, and at the fund-raising events which take place throughout the year, helps to pay for various projects and items for the benefit of the church. We have been able to renovate the kitchen, purchase the Gospel for the altar as well as other items required.

Monies raised this year have been used to buy new hymn books, which will be dedicated in the memory of our dear friend Hilary. Hilary was always very proactive each Friday and our lead organiser for all the fund-raising events we did for the church. She is sadly missed. We will be holding a tea party in her memory during April, the proceeds will help towards our next project, which is to purchase a new cooker for the kitchen

This year we have held a very happy and successful Candlemas tea, in March we are having a fashion show to raise funds for the church at Gulworthy. There will be various fund-raising activities throughout the year to which everyone is invited. Barbara Miller

Bellringers

The Year started with Tavistock hosting the Guild of Devonshire Bellringers South West Branch AGM. In February "The Clangers" team entered the Friends of St Eustachius’ quiz night and had an enjoyable evening. During the year, there were several groups of visiting ringers both local and from further afield which included several Quarter Peals. There have been few weddings to ring for during 2023 but all arrangements went well and smoothly.

One of the highlights of 2023 was the ringing that took place for the Coronation of King Charles III. On the morning of Saturday 7th May 2023, the Tavistock 20 ringers gathered to ring in celebration before the Coronation. This was the culmination of the "Ring for the King" recruitment campaign and included our very own "Ring for the King" recruits, Emma, Mark and Sam. It was really great to be present when Donna became our very own ‘Double Coronation’ ringer. We also rang handbells in the Vicarage garden before the barbecue lunch. A Quarter Peal of Grandsire Caters was also rung.

At Christmas we rang handbells at the Crib Service and also rang carols at the residential care home at Bridestowe.

We would like to thank Donna for continuing to write the ‘Tales from the Tower’ and articles for the Tavi times, doing such a good job publicising and promoting ringing.

Sarah Hinton

BEREAVEMENT GROUP

The bereavement group meets on the third Thursday of every month at two pm in the Parish centre. It is a group which numbers fluctuate from month to month, the newly bereaved coming to find solace and friendship when life has changed and that heaviness of the heart overwhelms them, to life gradually becoming easier but different, some move on and take up new ventures, whilst others value very much the time when after a short homily spoken by Jesus himself leads us into conversation. We can express how we are feeling; we laugh and cry about all sorts of things. It is a safe confidential place where no one says “surely you must be feeling better by now”

There is no right or wrong about how we deal with grief but over a cup of tea or coffee and good cake we care share how we are feeling as we tread a new path together.

We end in prayer, remembering a loved one’s anniversary, praying for those we know who are sick, the recently departed and other areas we would wish to pray for. There are no expectations just being with others who are experiencing being bereaved can be of enormous help. Please do join us, Every Blessing,

Revd Sue Tucker 01822 860177

CHURCHWARDENS

This year we have established a dedicated, united and hardworking team of Churchwardens and deputies, consisting of Catherine Stoate, Pam Hunter, Alison Boulter, Hilary Johnson and Cathy Sherlock. Our main role is to share in the leadership of our church and to support Rev Matt as much as possible. We have met with him on a regular basis to pray, plan and discuss forthcoming events. During the year we have created teams to welcome people to services. This role is hugely important. We have also created various rotas to enable our services to run smoothly. We have supported Rev Matt in the planning and improvement of Harvest, Goose Fair, All Souls, Christmas, Civic and school services. We have encouraged the congregation to participate and liaised with other church groups to enable the smooth operation of these services. In particular, we have provided a friendly welcome to staff, pupils and parents from our local schools. Christmas time was particularly busy when hundreds of children came to church.

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We have regularly attended Friendly Friday Coffee Mornings, where there has often been the opportunity to talk to visitors and members of the congregation over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

We are especially grateful to the congregation for their support. We have tried to be friendly, approachable, caring and willing to listen.

We have worked together to produce a draft Mission Action Plan which, with God’s guidance and blessing, will enable our church community to move forward in mission and ministry. We ask for your prayers as we look forward to an exciting future at St Eustachius.

Catherine Stoate and Pam Hunter

CHOIR AND MUSIC

What a wonderful year of choral singing! All made possible because St. Eustachius has a talented, dedicated, friendly and animated group of singers. The choir has helped to bring choral beauty through words and music every Sunday morning and for Festival Evensongs with only a short break in August.

Beautiful anthems and settings of mass and canticles were heard in every service with a particular fantastic abundance for the Archdeacon’s Visitation, King’s Coronation Commemoration, Tavistock Civic Service, and Advent and Christmas Carol Services. St. Eustachius Choir was booked to sing hymns and anthems at several funerals and Memorial Services this year. The choir took part in the Christmas Tree Festival, attended workshops and external events such as Evensong at Colyton and Advent Carol Service at Buckfast Abbey, sang in residential homes and for Christmas Celebrations (Horn of Plenty) and I will always treasure their attendance as a choir at our Wedding anniversary celebrations in Lifton St, Mary’s. The choir premiered a few works written by our composer-in-residence Leslie Mazur-Park.

We are most grateful to Andrew Lundie. He has enhanced the singing as conductor and choirmaster and with his amazing tenor voice both as soloist, cantor and choral singer. Mary Mazur Park

DEANERY SYNOD

The Deanery Synod meets three times a year. Since the last AGPM we have discussed how we see God working in our parishes and mission communities, and considered what we do well and where can we improve.

At our June meeting, Sharon Blythe, the Diocesan Children`s and Families Mission Enabler gave us an interactive presentation on how we could spread the Gospel to children and young people. She suggested that schools are the biggest ‘mission field’ and that the best way to approach children was through their parents. Education was the best way of empowering children.

At the October meeting, the Rural Dean, Andy Atkins, gave a presentation entitled “Engaging with our Rural Farming Community”. He highlighted that the farming community is in crisis and that farmers are asking for help. The Farming Community Network (FCN) provides support and churches are urged to consider donations to them. The support needs to be where the farmers are comfortable so chaplaincy at cattle markets and other places is needed, as well as positive invitations to the farming community to join our services and festivals.

Archdeacon Jane invited questions from the representatives at the meeting in February 2024. She answered questions about how the Diocese uses the Parish Common Fund. We had to repeat to each other, “We are the Diocese.” Archdeacon Jane spoke about the serious Diocesan deficit of £2.5 million: if this deficit is not reduced, we will have to cut down the number of clergy. This fact needs to be communicated to all our congregations; if every participant gave just an extra £5 per week, this deficit could be virtually paid. Giving is an expression of our faith.

Archdeacon Jane then answered questions about our mission to those who do not come to church. She gave us a challenge to be open to change and new ways of church expression. It is not enough to think, “Well, we have always done things this way.” Our challenge is to pray that we will begin

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to see our church through the eyes of the “unchurched”, mentioning children, young people and families in particular. Catherine Stoate

FLOWER ARRANGERS

This will be my final report as I will be hanging up my secateurs and watering can on 31 March. During the year the Flower Arrangers have continued to put flowers in key places in the church. Along with most flower arrangers we are trying to do without the use of oasis for most of the time, using vases with lots of foliage to support the flowers, hopefully this will encourage some new people.

I am particularly grateful to Liz Bastin for her wonderful and creative designs for each of the main festivals. They have attracted a great many favourable comments. I also thank Ruth Glanville and Alison Watt for their help. I must pay tribute to Pat Alexander who is also retiring after doing the church flowers for 30 years. She will be greatly missed. We will also miss Hilary Sanders.

I am hoping to find 2 people to work together to take over from me. Please let me know if you are interested.

Pam Hunter

THE FRIENDS OF ST EUSTACHIUS’

Our first event of the year was the annual Friends’ Quiz, postponed from 2022. I am delighted to report that the Parish Centre was absolutely packed with keen quizzers. They were confronted with a wide range of questions, under the beady eye of quiz master Hugh Walkington, and a great evening was had by all. I am delighted to be able to report that we also managed to raise over £600 on the night – a record for this enjoyable event.

It was a great pleasure to be able to hold our annual Summer Fete on the church green in early July. We now deliberately choose the Saturday that coincides with the farmers’ market in the town square as well as the annual “Tavi Fringe” music and performance event, as this means that the town is thronged with happy people. We were once again blessed with good weather, which had certainly not been guaranteed according to weather forecasts earlier in the week. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those who put in many hours of work to ensure that the event was such a success – the tent-erectors, the stall holders and the “gophers” who willingly ferried tables and chairs in all directions, both at the setting-up and dismantling of the Fete. The Friends are extremely grateful to the support of the Lions Club whose members were simply invaluable in ensuring that the event was a great success. I am delighted to say that the event raised just over £4,000, smashing the previous record.

The Christmas Tree Festival, as ever masterminded by the indefatigable Pat Morrison, was another triumphant success. With the maximum number of 62 trees, the church was a blaze of colour and excitement throughout the festival. Dickensian Evening was particularly busy. As ever, the Friends are sincerely grateful to the many volunteers who put in many hours of selfless work to ensure that the Festival runs so seamlessly and is so valued by the local community. I know Pat Morrison would like me to highlight the contribution of John Collacott, without whose electrical wizardry the lights would not shine. Nick Clark and his team of helpers ensure that trestles and stands and trees are put in place every year, and magically disappear again at the end of the festival. My thanks go to the Handicraft Group along with Pam Hunter and her team at Vintage Green who produce an astonishing range of beautiful items for sale every year – and every year they deservedly sell like hot cakes. On the subject of cakes, I am also grateful to all those who made and brought jams and marmalades for sale, and who made soup and cakes for our refreshments stall. I am most grateful to Mount Kelly and St Peter’s for providing musicians at the private view

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and opening ceremony respectively, and also enormous thanks to the many musicians, groups and choirs who offered their services to provide live music throughout the ten days. Everyone remarked on the extremely positive and warm atmosphere in the church, and I am delighted to be able to confirm that we raised around £14,500, another wonderful total.

The PCC have confirmed that the Galley & Toilets project is once again “live”, and there will be a parish meeting in February to explain the current situation. The funds that we have already committed to this project remain ring-fenced for that purpose, but costs sadly have continued to escalate, so there remain hurdles to be crossed in order to bring this vital project to a successful conclusion.

We have continued to commit funds for the church building insurance as this is clearly a vital aspect of protecting the fabric of the building. We continue to liaise closely with the PCC and the Project 700 steering group, who oversee plans for refurbishment of the church, and have contributed to the very successful refurbishment of the church vestry, as well as the replacement of the Parish Centre floor.

We are very grateful to the support, both financial and practical of our sponsors, and to the wider membership. I am very grateful to the committee of the Friends for their support during the year. It has been a pleasure to welcome Judy Hirst back to the committee – her experience, know-how and enthusiasm for the work of the Friends is an enormous asset to us all.

It would be remiss indeed not to single out Tony Sherlock, who after 18 years’ service to the Friends as Treasurer is stepping down at the AGM. I cannot think of any individual who has given more to the work of the committee, or indeed the whole organisation of the Friends, than Tony, and to say that he will be missed is a massive understatement. Thank you Tony for what you have done on our behalf.

Finally I would like to thank the church wardens, ministry team, and in particular Father Matt for their support over the past year. Matt has worked tirelessly in support of all of our events, particularly at the Christmas Tree Festival, and his active support is hugely appreciated by all of us.

Chairman of the Friends of St. Eustachius’

HANDICRAFT GROUP

We have had a good year, meeting Wednesdays 2 – 4pm every fortnight, selling our craft every Friday at coffee mornings and at the Friends Summer Fete and Tree Festival. We are pleased to say we have made nearly £2000 over the year. Also, we knitted poppies for a display for remembrance in church. We are always happy for new members to join us. Ruth Glanville

HOLY DUSTERS

The little team of Holy Dusters continues to meet, usually on the first Friday of every month, at about 10am.We enjoy getting together plus the wonderful refreshments at Friendly Friday. Some find it more convenient to do their bit at other times, which is also welcome. If you would like to find out what is involved, please pop along to church on the first Friday of the month or contact Hilary Johnson on 01822 614791.

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INTERCESSORS’ PRAYER GROUP

We continue to meet in church on the second Saturday of most months at 10am. We have warmly welcomed new intercessors and thank all who provide such a valued ministry. Please contact [e-mail] if you feel called become an intercessor. Sarah Pendle

Ladies House Group

Thankfulness has been a theme throughout the year as we have been blessed with real miracles of healing and have been given perseverance, patience and joy when times have been hard. We share our challenges, knowing the group will support us with honesty and with confidentiality. We have grappled with scripture contending for the truth without being contentious! It has been noted that it is important to us that we are an ecumenical bunch bridging and keeping the wider church together.

Topics from the Scriptures we have looked at this year include the Lord’s prayer, hope, the first part of the book of Acts, forgiveness, and since praying is such a vital part of our hour and half together we asked what the Bible teaches us about prayer. We are now studying the Gospel of John. Our grateful thanks go to those that host us week by week especially Eunice Weemys. She very kindly organized social events for us too including a super Christmas lunch at the Peter Tavy Inn. Group contacts Penelope Rowan & Catherine Stoate

Penny Rowan

Little Deers

Our delightfully named baby and toddler group meets every Tuesday during term time for play, snacks and singing, ending with a short interactive Bible story and prayer. Little Deers was established by Rosie and we really miss her joyful leadership, as she loved the little ones so much. However, it is definitely flourishing with an average attendance of 22. If you would like to join our friendly team please contact [e-mail]

Recording and Live Streaming of Services

Since March 2020 we have recorded and put on YouTube and the Church websites all our services on a Sunday morning together with weddings and funerals

From the feedback I am getting from various people who have watched the services, they are well received and value the opportunity of listening to our services when they have not been able to physically attend Church. It is surprising who listens and watches and where they live. I know there are people who live in South Wales, the Midlands, islands of Scotland and even Australia who regularly listen and watch our services. The ability for family, who cannot attend funerals, to watch the service remotely is greatly appreciated and in a funeral this week, we had live connections to Australia, Canada and Central Africa.

The present system requires the cameras to be set up on the Saturday evening and taken down immediately after the service. As I have said in earlier reports, in the short term this is sustainable but in the long term there needs to be a built-in system which will also enable services to be livestreamed and when I am not at Church. However, that is for the future and while I am able to do so and in Tavistock, livestreaming will continue.

I am assisted on Sundays by Bethan Godfrey. She is responsible for all vision mixing and is very good at it!!. Without her help it would be difficult to manage sound mixing as well. I repeat, it would be good for others who are slightly technically minded to get involved in the process. Also, we need others to help us to deal with the sound at Church on a Sunday and other services and I am very happy to train them to use this system.

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I am again indebted to Martin Pendle who looks after the website and the YouTube platform for facilitating livestreaming at the end of the process and our prayers are that those who watch these services will be blessed by the worship they see and, in some way, can take part in it. Peter Rowan

MESSY CHURCH

Messy Church is still going strong, with an average of 50 each month, generally meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. Many families have come to Messy Church from Little Deers and the Family Lunch Club we held during the summer holidays. We have an amazing Messy Team of cooks, meeters and greeters and crafty helpers. We share unique and dynamic worship, with Rosie’s paddling pool baptism being a highlight in 2023. Messy Church values are about being Christcentred, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. It’s a very different type of ministry: it’s challenging, messy, busy and joyful – just like any family life! Contact [e-mail] to find out more.

PASTORAL CARE

This year has seen the re-establishing of Pastoral Care links with local care homes; these broke down during Covid

Holy Communion Services are held on a regular basis at Chollacott, Abbotsfield, Blackdown in Mary Tavy and Spring House in Peter Tavy.

Crelake and Parkwood Court are soon to be added.

The Choir visited Crelake and Chollacott for carol singing in the week leading up to Christmas. Elizabeth has stepped aside from the organisation of the PCT leaving this to Diana. She is in telephone contact with many people.

Diana and Elizabeth try to meet every couple of weeks to catch-up and support each other. We continue to hold a bi-monthly meeting for the whole team, Matt makes it a priority to be there. Attendance is not as good as it should be. We are highlighting the importance of coming to meetings to evaluate what we are doing and to be there for each other.

We need to recruit more members to the team.

We are looking into holding a training program for people who are interested.

This will be based on the Anna Chaplaincy Training developed by BRF that Diana and Josie have completed and are qualified to deliver.

We have more than 150 people who we maintain contact with,

many by phone, some through visits, some who receive Home Communion. Two more members of the team are going to start taking Home Communion to people. We aim to reach out to all those who may benefit from our support and are always grateful when members of the congregation let us know of those who are unwell or bereaved or supporting others who are ill.

As always, we would stress that we take confidentiality very seriously, and we constantly remind ourselves of our priorities as a listening ministry;

We keep in close touch with the Derriford chaplaincy and the Live Well chaplaincy, when we have people who are in any of the local hospitals. Diana McDowell

PRAYER AND STILLNESS

The Prayer and Stillness Group met eleven times during 2023, on the second Monday of each month except August. Meetings were held in the Parish Centre. Attendance ranged from about six to twelve people each time. It is an ecumenical Group, with attendees from other local faith communities.

Up until the summer, the Group was led by Elizabeth Watkins. Having been in this leadership role for about thirty years, Liz felt that the time had come for her to hand over to others. After discussion in the Group, Patti and Bob Owens became joint leaders. At the meeting in September, Liz was thanked most warmly for her amazing commitment to the Group over so many years.

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For anyone who may not know about the Prayer and Stillness Group, each hour-long session includes prayers, some music, and—at the centre of it all—two periods of silence for meditation, following short readings. These periods of silence and stillness offer a special way of being together with God. The session ends with refreshments and a time of fellowship. Everyone is welcome to come to the Group. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Patti and Bob on 01822 762078, who will be able to tell you more.

Patti and Bob Owens

St Rumon’s and St Peter’s CE Schools – Spring 2024 Reflections

Over the last year in St Rumon’s and St Peter’s schools, our Christian Ethos work has very much focused on continuing to make sure that all our pupils flourish by securing best possible access to their curriculum and a wide range of enrichment activities. The methods we use for this are wide ranging. From securing day to day scaffolds that support children to learn a concept e.g. a concrete resource for base 10 in a maths lesson through to more complex provision to support a social or emotional need. Embodied in all of this and of huge importance is the concept of spirituality which permeates all we do as humans.

Over the last year in our schools, we have really focused on the idea of spirituality because for us to get the most out of what we do we need to be able to develop our spiritual understanding of the world around us. We began with some questions:

What is spirituality?

How do we talk about spirituality? Do we understand spirituality?

It quickly became apparent that understanding in the majority of our staff and children was shaky at best – after all it is quite a tricky concept! We started working with members of the diocese education team, Rev Rosie Illingworth and our governors to build a definition that would allow growth in understanding of spirituality for all in school – from our reception pupils to our leaders. And so was born our Relational Approach to Spirituality which Catherine Stoate fully explained in our last PCC piece. (Such was the strength of this that the model was also tailored and adopted for the wider St Christopher’s Trust).

The focus of our work then shifted to how we embed this into day to day life in school – Worship, lessons, classrooms, behaviour discussions, relationship development. We began in September with some launch Worship and lessons and the work is ongoing to constantly review, share best practice that is emerging and therefore develop understanding and awareness of spirituality through all we do in school.

It was not long after this that the effectiveness of this work was put to the test...

The work that is done in all the Church of England Schools in England, as well as being at the direction of the Department for Education, is also very much guided by the Church of England vision for education of ‘ promoting education... that allows children and young people to flourish in the widest sense’.

The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) is the Church of England and Methodist Church’s outworking of the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005. It is a key element of the life of all Church of England and Methodist schools in England. SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s theologically rooted Christian vision drives its work and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a Church school. It does so by seeking to answer a set of seven questions which can be read here:

https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/church-schools-andacademies/siams-inspections

At St Rumon’s and St Peter’s schools, as we go about our work, these questions are never far from our minds and heavily influence the way we choose to provide for our children. Our work on spirituality and other development foci in our schools were put to the test when a SIAMs team completed a full inspection of St Peter’s in December 2023.

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During the day, the inspectors interrogated every aspect of school life, probing and triangulating, asking questions, visiting lessons and Worship, looking at books and interviewing clergy, parents, trust directors, governors and children! As the analysis unfolded so emerged the inspectors’ perspective and judgements of the school and we are delighted this led to secure and positive outcomes with particular praise for our work on spirituality.

• The full inspection report can be read here: https://www.stpetersjunior.co.uk/key - information/item/28/inspection reports

But the following is the inspector’s summary of St Peter’s strengths:

• The vision is at the heart of this community, pupils articulate a significant understanding of its importance and where it makes a difference for them. It creates a loving family, where all are valued and show one another a high degree of dignity and respect.

• The importance of spirituality is rising rapidly, where it permeates and shapes pupils ’thinking and actions. Pupils become reflective thinkers, curious to learn, enabling each to fulfil the vision.

• Enthusiastic religious education (RE) leaders introduce new approaches enhancing the impact the subject makes. ‘Big questions’ challenge and deepen pupils’ thinking, whilst teaching and learning is at least good with examples of high-quality practice.

• The vision inspires leaders to provide effective support to nurture pupils’ diverse needs. Staff reach out to families, walking alongside them through challenging times, making a significant difference.

• Leaders give clear direction to improvements in this Church school, shaped by its vision, creating a dedicated staff team. The trust provides substantial support, effectively enriching through sharing best practice.

As with any inspection process it is essential that it leads to further progress for the school. This will be driven over the coming terms and years by the following areas for development identified:

• Deepen pupils’ understanding of injustice and develop the skills they need to become independent agents for change, both locally and globally.

• Enable pupils to take a greater role in planning and leading collective worship, so they develop greater ownership and contribute to evaluations and lead improvements.

• Refine approaches to assessment in RE so that pupils’ progress can be readily monitored leading to further support for vulnerable pupils so they can flourish.

Of course, the beauty of St Rumon’s and St Peter’s working tightly with the same vision, values, policies and curriculum is that this learning can and will be applied to both settings. With this positive outcome for our schools, we know that the work we do is leading to pupils flourishing but also, we have faith in our direction and focus for our ongoing development of our schools. Headteacher

St Peter's and St Rumon's School

VESTRY GROUP

There have been some great changes to Vestry Group, as we now share a wonderfully refurbished space with the choir! Prayers were requested last year as we contemplated a move from the tower and they certainly have been answered, with the vestry having had a complete makeover, with carpets and specially made storage for choir and children. Money was raised from a diocesan grant, very generous donations from the congregation and the Friends of St. Eustachius, plus Vestry Group also doing their own fund raising. Huge thanks go to Martin for all his hard work in planning, building, decorating and renovating. It’s now a warm and welcoming place to meet, play and learn together about God. We love it and you are welcome to pop in and have a look. Sarah Pendle

Vintage Green

This been a very sad and difficult year for Vintage Green. Sadly we lost one of most lovely, generous and talented members, Hilary Sanders. Her loss has affected us hugely but we were

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS AND THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT EUSTACHIUS, TAVISTOCK HELD IN THE PARISH CHURCH ON WEDNESDAY, 23[rd] April 2023

Present 60 parishioners were present

Opening Prayers The meeting was preceded by a service of Holy Communion and then opened with prayer.

Apologies : Simon Hirst, Judy Hannaford Hirst, Rita Bilverstone, Joy and Mike Loader, Lesley Morris

Chairman The Reverend Matthew Godfrey was appointed to chair the meeting. He was proposed by Christine Everitt and seconded by Nichola Heathman.

Secretary It was agreed that Christine Everitt be appointed Secretary. This was proposed by Pamela Hunter and seconded by Elizabeth Bastin.

Election of Churchwardens One nomination had been received for the position of Churchwarden

– Catherine Stoate was proposed by Penny Rowan and seconded by Pamela Hunter. There were 54 votes in favour and 5 abstentions. She was declared elected.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Apologies for the Meeting to Elect Churchwardens were carried forward.

Minutes The Minutes of May 18th 2022 Annual Parochial Church Meeting were approved as a true reflection of the meeting. Acceptance was proposed by Brian Routledge and seconded by Martin Pendle. There were no matters arising.

Election to Tavistock Deanery Synod The Reverend Matthew Godfrey thanked John Rea and Penny Rowan, who were standing down. There were two nominations to fill the 4 vacancies. Charles Herbert and Catherine Stoate were elected, proposed by Nichola Heathman and seconded by Ann Townsend.

Elections to the Parochial Church Council The Reverend Matthew Godfrey thanked Pat Knock and John Rea, who were standing down, for their service on the PCC. There were 7 vacancies and 7 nominees. The nominees were Nichola Heathman, Christine Everitt, Roma Keough, Cathy Sherlock, Pam Hunter, Ann Townsend and Mary Jane Traber. Penny Rowan proposed the election of all 7 and James Teague seconded this. They were elected by the meeting.

Electoral Roll It was reported that there were 204 currently on the electoral roll.

The Annual Report

The financial statements were received by the meeting, proposed by the Catherine Stoate and seconded by Ann Johnson.

Group Reports These were received by the meeting. Acceptance was proposed by Nichola Heathman and seconded by Felicity Barnaby.

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AOB

• a) The Reverend Matthew Godfrey thanked Mary and Graham Whalley for their hard work as churchwardens.

• He also thanked all those involved in the work of the church and specially thanked John Rea as he stepped down.

• b) James Teague gave a vote of thanks to John Rea for over 15 years of service to the church and the Friends of St Eustachius. He also thanked Rosemary Rea for her support over those years.

Date of Next Meeting Sunday 28[th] April 2024