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← The Parochial Church Council Of St Mary And St Paul Hemel Hempstead

2024-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity 1130644

www.stmaryandstpaulhemel.org.uk

Meeting of Parishioners

and

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday, 11[th] May 2025

1pm at St Paul’s

Agenda, Minutes of 2024 APCM and Parish Reports

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CONTENTS

AGENDA

MINUTES OF 2024 APCM

ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORTS

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT TEAM RECTOR’S REPORT

REPORTS ON PARISH ACTIVITIES FOR 2024

Art in the Nave Baptisms Beer Festival Bell Ringers Catering at St Mary’s Church Opening at St Mary’s Confirmations Dacorum Interfaith Network Easter Workshop Flower Arrangers at St Mary’s Friends of St Mary’s Grass Cutting at St Mary’s Music at St Paul’s Open Doors at St Paul’s Pastoral Group SToMP Magazine Website and Media Presence 100 Club (Emergency Repair Fund)

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Separate document

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AGENDA

for the Meeting of Parishioners and

Annual Parochial Church Meeting to be held at St Paul’s on 11[th] May 2025

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Meeting of Parishioners to elect Churchwardens

Apologies for absence

Approval of minutes of the meeting held on 28[th] April 2024

Election of Churchwardens

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Apologies for absence

Approval of minutes of the meeting held on 28[th] April 2024

Statutory reports:-

Electoral Roll Report

Parochial Church Council Report

Churchwardens’ Reports

Deanery Synod Report

Team Rector’s Report

Financial Report and adoption of Accounts

Reports on Parish Activities

Proposal to amend the election and term of service for PCC members

Election of Lay Members to the Parochial Church Council

Appointment of Independent Examiner

Any Other Business

Date of next Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Clergy ‘Charge’ to the 2025 APCM and Closing Prayer

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Minutes of the Annual Parishioners Meeting

of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead

Held in St Paul’s church on Sunday 28[th] April 2024

Present :- Canon John Williams (Chair), Moji Aguda, Sheila Barton, Jenny Bowes, Martha Cabey, Janice Corcoran, GeoffCotterrell, Brian Crawley, Catherine Crossley, Gordon Gaddes, Rosina Gaddes, Alfred Greenaway, Patricia Hussey,Catherine Irving, Lindsay Kemp, Jenny McDermott, Julie Pollard, Ann Robinson, Rosamund Russell, Norman Spink, LynneSygrave, Roger Sygrave, Malcolm Taylor, Jeff Wallis, Jo Whittington, Penny Williams, Gill Woodd, Robin Woodd, AlanYounger

Apologies :- Michael Boardman, Brian Doran, Yvonne Doran, David Gambling, Su Gambling, Ena Hartland, Michael Kemp, Lisa Kemp, Sue Kemp, Richard Leslie, Norma Podmore, Mark Russell, John Stacey, Yemi Halim Wilde, Andrew Williams.

Canon John welcomed attendees and then opened the meeting with prayer.

A moment of silence took place to remember the listed Parishioners who had died since New Year in 2023.

The Minutes of the Previous meeting were accepted nem. con. proposed by Emmeline Lambert and seconded by Jenny Bowes

Election of Churchwardens :-

For St Mary’s, there being two nominees and two places, the following were accepted as Churchwardens:-

Emmeline Lambert proposed by Sue Kemp and seconded by Lindsay Kemp.

Rosamund Russell also proposed by Sue Kemp and seconded by Lindsay Kemp.

For St Paul’s, there being two nominees and two places, the following were accepted as Churchwardens:-

Rosina Gaddes proposed by Malcolm Taylor and seconded by Ann Robinson.

Gordon Gaddes proposed by Ann Robinson and seconded by Patricia Hussey.

The date for the next Annual meeting was agreed as 11th May 2025 and the meeting was then closed.

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Held in St Paul’s Church on 28th April 2024

Present :- as the earlier meeting recorded above.

Apologies:- as the earlier meeting recorded above.

The Minutes of the previous meeting: these were accepted nem.con. proposed by Lynne Sygrave and seconded by Rosina Gaddes.

Statutory Reports :-

Electoral Roll :- Catherine Lindsay introduced this report and advised that the Electoral Roll now stood at 88 there having been 2 deaths,1 loss and 4 gains during the year.

Parochial Church Council Report :- Canon John introduced this report and thanked Rosina Gaddes for chairing the PCC meetings while he was on Sabbatical leave.

Deanery Synod Report :- this was accepted as tabled.

Churchwardens Reports :- these were accepted as tabled.

Team Rector’s Report :- this was accepted as tabled

Finance Report :- Brian Crawley as treasurer spoke to this report underlining that without investment gains the Parish would have had a £500 deficit for the year. There were no questions and the report was accepted nem. con. Proposed by Brian Crawley and seconded by Robin Woodd.

Reports on Parish Activities :- these were tabled as a single collection and there being no questions were accepted nem. con.

Election of Lay Members of the PCC :- 9 lay members are permitted and only Yvonne Doran is continuing to serve from the 2023 membership. The Chair thanked retiring members for their service and in particular he thanked Jenny Bowes for acting as Secretary for the last 9 years.

There being 8 nominees and 8 spaces the following were appointed as Lay Members:-

Moji Aguda proposed by G Gaddes and seconded by A D Williams

Sheila Barton proposed by E Hartland and seconded by C Lindsay

Brian Crawley proposed by R Woodd and seconded by A Younger

Sue Kemp proposed by L Kemp and seconded by J Wallis

Jane Lynskey proposed by G Gaddes and seconded by G Cotterell

Roger Sygrave proposed by R Woodd and seconded by D Foreman

Malcolm Taylor proposed by R Gaddes and seconded by A Greenaway

Alan Younger proposed by R Woodd and seconded by J Wallis

Appointment of Auditor :- The Chair advised that the PCC had proposed that Melwoods be appointed to continue as Independent Auditor and this was accepted nem. con.

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Any other Business :-

  1. Length of Service in Office:- The Chair proposed that decisions made by previous APCM’s should be confirmed as follows:-

Tenure of Churchwardens:- the removal of the normal limit of 6 years in office before an enforced break should continue to apply in this Parish until an APCM decides otherwise.

Tenure of Lay Members:- the limit of 6 years in office before an enforced break should continue to apply in this Parish until an APCM decides otherwise.

These resolutions were confirmed nem. con. as proposed.

  1. Street Pastors:- Catherine Lindsay reported sadly that the Street Pastors in Hemel would be closing this summer as a result of both less demand and shortage of volunteers. Catherine had felt privileged to serve as a volunteer in this role and believed that it had been a worthwhile service to late night users of the High Street and Marlowes. The Chair thanked Catherine for this service.

  2. Date of Next Meeting:- this was agreed as 11th May 2025

  3. Clergy Charge:- Canon John first thanked all those who helped to keep the parish functioning and especially the Churchwardens and his wife Penny. He then made the following main points:-

• New people were starting to join both congregations bringing numbers back up to pre pandemic levels.

• The buildings were valued by the community.

• Clergy levels will be stretched this year especially as Richard Leslie will be moving away and Luke is having a sabbatical.

• Weddings and funerals did not seem to be reducing in number as expected. In fact the presence of the new Crematorium in Leverstock Green seemed to be increasing the demand for clergy to officiate at non parishioners’ funerals.

• Thanks were due to Lindsay Kemp and Mark Russell for their help with funerals at St Mary’s and to the Wardens for similar help at St Paul’s.

• Music was an important part of worship so thank you to Andrew Darby and Rosina Gaddes for their input to this.

• St Barnabas will be leading an initiative to train more lay volunteers for helping with services and other pastoral roles.

• Canon John has been having challenges so has been in discussion with the Rural Dean and Archdeacon about the need for extra help.

• The MAP will be needing updating this year and Canon John hopes that this will address the need to recruit more people to help share the loads, as we seem to be moving into a risky period of over stretch.

The meeting ended with the Collect at 1.55pm.

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APCM Reports relating to 2024

ELECTORAL ROLL

Following the renewal of the Electoral Roll there are now 71 (seventy-one) people on it.

Numbers on the Roll for previous years were:

2020 - 87

2021 - 87

2022 - 88

2023 – 87

2024 - 88

Catherine Lindsay - Electoral Roll Officer

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT

Five scheduled meetings of the PCC were held during 2024. Five scheduled meetings of the PCC were held during 2024.

During the year the PCC has amongst other things:During the year the PCC has amongst other things:-

The minutes of the meetings are now regularly circulated by email to those who request this service. The minutes of the meetings are now regularly circulated by email to those who request this service.

The Team Rector’s Report – elsewhere in this document – contains a report highlighting some other The Team Rector’s Report — elsewhere in this document — contains a report highlighting some other decisions that the PCC has taken and this is also reflected in other reports incorporated here. decisions that the PCC has taken and this is also reflected in other reports incorporated here.

Statement of PCC Safeguarding compliance Statement of PCC Safeguarding compliance

The PCC affirms that as far as is possible it has fully complied during the past year with its duty The PCC affirms that as far as is possible it has fully complied during the past year with its duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to the under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to the

House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

John Williams John Williams PCC Chairman PCC Chairman

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ST PAUL’S CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

Last year we reported on the first year of the regular use of St Paul’s by the Ordinariate, which involved the St Paul’s Anglican Sunday service being rescheduled for a 11.15 am start. This was a vital time change enabling Canon John to be able to cover both the St Mary’s and St Paul’s services on a Sunday morning. Now the second year of co-operation with the Ordinariate in general has worked smoothly. As reported last year forty years of being together with Catholics at St Paul’s stopped in 2008 but now we have come together again reinforcing and broadening the visible Christian presence in Highfield. Of course, the paradox of the situation continues. St Paul’s unanimously having supported the ordination of women, followed by four lady Vicars, have now welcomed the Ordinariate, a spin off from the C of E on the issue of women clergy. Principle and pragmatism together at St Paul’s facing up to doctrinal differences, and winning!

Our normal Sunday service attendances range from 17 to 24; whilst now into the second year of Thursday Morning Prayer the average attendance is 7. We have become a diverse congregation, with between 30% and 40% on any Sunday drawn from African, Caribbean and Asian backgrounds.

We continue to have local people dropping in for the Sunday services, some intermittently but, as reported last year, some we never see again. There was a funeral in September. On Saturday 16 November Sister Patricia and 43 members of the Zimbabwe Anglicans leaders and intercessor teams held a Day Retreat at St Paul’s, the day starting with Holy Communion celebrated by Canon John.

Our annual Patronal Service was attended by 29 people and was followed by a light buffet. At Christmas with the Ordinariate there was a joint Nine Lessons and Carols Service attended by 37 people followed by mulled wine and mince pies. A Christmas tribute by Yewtree Primary School was attended by 217 children, teachers and relatives, followed the next week by a Jupiter Drive Primary School introduction to St Paul’s led by Canon John and attended by 60.

Most services are available live through YouTube and our large screen, while available and appreciated, could be used more. Our outreach has continued, focussing on the Hemel Hempstead Community Fridge based at the Highfield Community Centre, to which we make a weekly contribution, and the Christian Aid Nicaragua Appeal, last year being the 25th year of giving, £248 being raised. The 14 - year old Langa Township Pre-Schools Trust, launched in St Paul’s Hall on 21 June 2011, continues to be made possible by administration, including design and publicity, from within our Parish and includes some very useful funding through donations and support of the Trust’s events both from some of our parishioners and through The Art in The Nave Exhibition at St Mary’s.

Looking at our continuing investment in the building and grounds we have improved both the safety and the looks in the bin area by laying a concrete path, paid for by an HCCC Local amenities grant, as later was a winter grit container. We replaced a redundant refrigerator and lawn mower, installed LED Lights in the Parish Room, kitchen and foyer, and a water butt, some of which was paid by the Friends of St Paul’s account. Particularly exciting and welcome was the introduction of a beautiful multi-coloured backcloth to the altar, reflecting the Anglican and Catholic seasonal colours, to which a welcome financial contribution was made by the Ordinariate.

Keeping the building and our work going would be impossible without the continuing contribution as a team by congregation members in servicing the building and grounds, manning the kitchen

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and, most important of all, working together on Saturdays and on Sundays to support our services in all sorts of ways, help for which the Wardens continue to be very grateful.

We greatly appreciate being two churches in one parish. It is good to be able to share the joy and interest that is being given by the major events in St Mary’s, which we attend and also help with when possible.

Gordon and Rosina Gaddes, Churchwardens

ST MARY’S CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

Church services have continued throughout the year, with the 8am Service moving to the first Sunday only from the summer. The young people have continued to help with services, and servers’ Albs were purchased for them utilising funds from Ben Neep’s bequest. Easter saw a hardy few rising before dawn for the Easter Vigil service welcoming the new light into the church. At Harvest we welcomed schools into the church for their Harvest Festivals and Brownies and Rainbows at the church service .at Christmas. We also welcomed schools for their Carol services and a full pack of Brownies and Rainbows to the Christingle service.

In November we had a confirmation service followed by a bring and share celebration lunch.

Revd Luke took a three month sabbatical following Easter and so the format of services were slightly different to allow Canon John time to do both services and still see people at St Mary’s and St Paul’s during this period

We had 19 Baptisms, 8 Weddings and 9 funerals during the year .

The audio-visual equipment has been used throughout the year although a new sound deck /mixer unit had to be purchased as the previous one was getting old and had suffered from some misuse due to its exposed position. A new wooden lid to enclose it has been ordered.

Training sessions for those wanting to be more involved with services were held on Monday evenings in October at the churc, including Chalice Assistants, reading, intercessions and lay service leading. These sessions were open to all chu’rches in the team and so there seemed more people from other churches than St Marys, although we may have gained a couple here and there to add to the rotas.

The Old Town Market resumed in April on the first Sunday each month with an extra one added in December for Christmas and we also held 3 Vintage Fairs in the church to raise funds. Thanks to Sheila Barton and her helpers for providing tea and cakes for the punters and stall holders alike.

The clear out within the outer office in the church hall has been successful and we had a regular long term booking for this space from a counselling service for a few months but this changed later on to a more ad hoc basis. Many thanks to Brian Crawley for his help in the clearance of the room.

The building work on the outside of the chancel took place with scaffolding being present there for about 4 weeks during the late spring/early summer. A Faculty for the reordering of the pews in the Nave was submitted and approved.

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The Beer Festival in July was very successful with the intermittent summer weather being very helpful (sunny and warm) over the weekend. It has been reported that it attracted over 1000 visitors over the weekend, the beer and cider virtually ran out. £8000 profit in total was made shared equally with the church and CAMRA. Our thanks go to this committee and all the volunteers as well as our own tuckshop volunteers for helping to make it a successful event.

August bank holiday weekend saw the return of Art in the Nave, filling the church with the wonderful and colourful creations of local artists. The weather got better over the 3 days as Saturday was typical of this summer. Our thanks go to Brian Doran for his organisation and to all the willing (but small band) of volunteers who helped out and to those on the refreshments too. Monies from the event went to the church and nominated charities.

Several concerts have taken place during the year.

The Diocese started the ball rolling for the reordering of the Ministry in the Team. Papers were formally submitted for a statutory consultation period. These were duly considered, and a decision will follow.

The church continues with its contributions to other charities throughout the year including collecting items for DENS, collections for the Cildren’s Society and supporting other local charities

The Church continues to function with the contributions of many, both large and small, seen and unseen and we are grateful to all those who volunteer and participate in any way. but to mention and give thanks to a few here To Sheila Barton for organising refreshments for a lot of events as well as monitoring those after services and providing breakfasts on a number of occasions including after the 5am Easter VIgil service; To Andrew Darby for his organ playing which contributes greatly to the worship at services. His occasional music is always very appropriate and sometimes very moving.. To Lynne Sygrave,for all the flower displays in church and to Tom for keeping the hall and its garden so well in order.

Emmeline Lambert and Rosamund Russell, Churchwardens

REPORT OF DEANERY SYNOD PROCEEDINGS (2024 - 2025)

This report covers the proceedings of the Hemel Hempstead Deanery Synod for the period from March 2024 to February 2025. During the year there were three Deanery Synod meetings, covering a variety

of different topics. The key areas of discussion are reported below:

Tuesday 18[th] June 2024 at The Church of the Resurrection Grove Hill

This meeting started off as an open forum where we welcomed an additional 20 guests from around the Diocese. We had Revd Canon Dr Tim Bull join us where he gave a very interesting talk about “AI & a theological response”. As this was the first synod meeting of the new triennium, there were several changes to the committee. Mike Macey, James McDonald & Austin Janes were elected Diocesan Synod reps. Colin Gage, Job Rombout & Lindsay Kemp were elected as the three Diocesan Synod Laity. Carolyn Andrews became the new Deanery Synod lay chair & Sam Stanbridge became the new Deanery Synod secretary.

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Tuesday 22[nd] October 2024 at St Francis’ Church

Peter Bladon reported on deanery expenditure so far this year. He firstly wanted to thank all of our parishioners for their generous donations throughout the year. Rev. Austin Janes was given a grant by the Deanery to help with the cost’s of printing a book he had written about St Alban. All profits were distributed between Warners End & Grovehill. We used this meeting as a great way to express one positive thing within each parish & a way to get to know each other a little more. The meeting ended with Compline & Benediction.

Tuesday 11[th] February 2025 at St John’s, Boxmoor

We welcomed Glyn Barker – Finance Director for the Diocese, who gave a very in-depth presentation focussed on the diocese’s finances. He explained where our parish share goes, and the income and expenditure of the Diocese. Colin Gage also presented us with a presentation used at Holy Trinity’s 2024 APCM. The concept was incomings & expenditure for the year using a bath diagram. We could clearly see & understand monies coming in (bath filling up) & monies going out (bath emptying).

I have the presentation from Glyn, which has been sent to all Synod members for them to distribute to their PCC members.

Sam Stanbridge Deanery Secretary Sam.swords@hotmail.co.uk

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Team Rector’s Report

For the 2025 Annual Parochial Church Meetings

2024, at first glance, seemed to be a quiet year for the Team Ministry and one of consolidation rather than one of obvious progress. This might simply be a personal impression from one who has been distracted by family illness and has – through necessity – had to stand back from some work and remain rather distant from the good work still going on in all of the churches.

Despite, or perhaps because, of all this, it seems that the collegiality of the clergy and the support we give each other has been more important during the past year.

Sharing of services together has once again resumed with joint services at each of the churches taking place during the year. Although these events, usually around the celebration of the patron saint of each church (The Church of the Resurrection excepted), are joyful joint gatherings usually involving all the available Team clergy, it is perhaps inevitable that lay attendance is confined to the more adventurous die-hards from each community.

Once again in 2025 the cloud of pending reorganisation for the Team has somewhat dampened down our enthusiasm for many things. Much of the year was spent responding to consultations by, and awaiting decisions from, The Church Commissioners. This process has been stressful and disconcerting for all but especially for The Revd Pete Stevenson and his people at St Alban’s Church. It is expected that sometime during 2025 final decisions will be made and implemented but as the timings so far have been rather unpredictable we cannot be certain about anything just yet.

As usual can I record my appreciation for the work and support of my full time ordained colleagues; Reverends Pete, Austin and Matt for their collegiality and share in the leadership that we are jointly called to exercise in this benefice. We are all grateful for the support and dedication of our Churchwardens, members of Team Council and the Treasurers and PCC members who work so hard for the good of all the churches.

The Revd Canon John Williams, Team Rector

A brief summary of the churches activities submitted by each church follows:

St Alban’s Church (Warners End & Gadebridge)

There has been much to be thankful for in the life of the church over the course of the last year, alongside the challenges of the consultation on the pastoral reorganisation.

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Regular activities have been gaining momentum, with a thriving Craft Group now meeting a couple of times a month, and the Brain Fit group well attended and very much enjoying their time together. Our coffee mornings and monthly munches draw in regulars who appreciate coming along, but might not fancy coming to the Sunday services yet.

We continue to have good amounts of children along for our monthly Sunday Schools, with a couple of the older ones now about to embark upon preparation for confirmation. We’ve had a few new adults join us over the last year, with one of them very soon to be confirmed. It’s also been really encouraging this year to have a couple of slightly younger church members join the PCC, injecting new life and energy into our meetings. Additionally there are a couple of people exploring Reader ministry. All good signs of God’s work amongst us. Outside of regular giving, occasional lettings, and quiz nights, our main fund-raising events have been the summer plant and book sale, and the Autumn Fayre. There was a particularly impressive collection of home-grown plants for sale this year in the summer, and The Autumn Fayre once again raised over £1k toward church funds, and towards various quinquennial repairs. There has however been ongoing frustration over potential development of the church grounds, despite an offer on the table from a developer. The hold up on decisions has been due to awaiting a reply from Dacorum Borough Council about costings for releasing a restricted covenant on the land.

In recent years we have sought to leaflet the parish early in October with details of the Autumn Fayre and special upcoming services. This year we managed to leaflet the entire parish, and were delighted to have a full house at our Carol Service.

There’s very much a sense of family and belonging and welcome in the life of the church. I’m especially grateful for the support of excellent wardens in Sue and Beryl, and my fellow team colleagues in making this such an enjoyable and special team to be part of.

The Revd Pete Stevenson.

The Church of the Resurrection (Grovehill and Woodall Farm LEP)

We have had another year of progress and positivity in our church team at The Church of the Resurrection. Highlights have been:

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(Some of these events have raised money only for The COR, but other events have split profits between The COR and the chosen charity for the year (2024 – Cancer Research UK / 2025 – Hospice of St Francis)

We have also participated with the hard journey for St Alban’s Church as the proposed church to share the Vicar with them. The 3 year process is not yet complete, but the Church Commissioners have agreed to the proposed process. We are aware of the traumas of the oncoming changes, and we will do all we can to be a support.

We enjoy being part of the Benefice team and will seek to encourage more support from our congregation for the shared services.

The Revd Austin Janes

St Barnabas Church (Adeyfield)

St Barnabas church continues to be a place for our regular worshipping community and the wider Adeyfield community to gather throughout the week. For a variety of services and activities for people of all ages and stages of life.

Regular worship has continued in this last year, with a pattern of two distinct services on Sundays and our midweek Holy Communion on Wednesdays. Supported by a faithful core who give of their time and talents to help us welcome and gather to share in the Good News of Jesus.

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There has been an introduction of regular joint Sunday services throughout the year, usually focused on a specific festival, i.e. Mothering Sunday, Easter, Christmas, etc. These have been an encouraging way for the whole worshipping community to gather and spend time together.

We have also been encouraged to join in with the semi-regular services and celebrations throughout the wider Hemel Hempstead Team ministry. A time to encourage and support our sister communities and help in the flourishing of the Good News across the whole of Hemel Hempstead.

As a member of Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead, the St Barnabas community has taken part in the monthly prayer meetings and hosted one this year. The church community also supports the Christian café Liberty Tea Rooms, in the town. Several people in the church also help at the café, the Foodbank and the Night Shelter as a part of our corporate life together.

Throughout the week, the church building has been used for a variety of activities by church groups and other organisations. This includes regular use by the St Barnabas Pre-School, AA, Majorettes, Little B’s Baby & Toddler Group, and Craft & Café. Alongside this, there has been ad-hoc use by NHS Blood, Children’s Storehouse, Little City and a variety of life-events celebrations.

St Barnabas continues to reach out to the wider community through regular visits to our local care homes and schools. With regular services, assemblies and classroom sessions being given by Rev’d Matt. Alongside this is the Open the Book Group which termly visits Hobletts Infants to share a story from the Bible that incorporates something of the school’s values. St Barnabas church continues to seek to be God’s people in the Adeyfield community. Looking to welcome one and all by spending time with Jesus, becoming more like Jesus and doing as Jesus did.

The Revd Matt Renyard

St Mary and St Paul (Old Town and Highfield)

2024 proved a challenging year for the parish, when the PCC – being supportive of the very difficult personal circumstances of their Vicar – decided that we should have a time of consolidation and not push the boundaries of a new Mission Action Plan. This might have led to a quiet and uneventful year but in the end things seemed as busy and varied as ever.

Highlights included an extremely successful second Beer Festival where we ran out of beer right at the last knockings, a dream scenario! Bishop Rob Wickham presided at the Beer Festival Mass and blessed the beer and the weather was so much better than the first year

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with everyone relaxed and happy. There was another very successful Art-in-the-Nave event with great art and artists adding to its growing popularity and reputation. We continue to see an increasing group of young people attending St Mary’s with more now involved in serving at the altar. Some were Confirmed, after attending an autumn course, at a wonderful service taken by Bishop Rob in November. We also ran a training course for people across the Team churches looking at administering the chalice, reading and leading prayers and lay leadership of services.

St Paul’s was once again served predominately by The Revd Dr Luke Geoghegan (except on the 1[st] Sunday), to whom we are most grateful, and has a continuing and fruitful ongoing relationship with the Roman Catholic Ordinariate congregation whose priest, Fr Neil, is now resident in Hemel. A joint Carol Service proved successful again as did the Thursday morning lay led service of Morning Prayer. A time of joint refreshments between the two Sunday morning services has also been introduced. St Paul’s church itself was improved - and set up for services simplified - by replacing the changing colours of voile curtains with a very high quality all seasons dorsal behind the altar.

Both churches continued to stream their services to YouTube during the year as well as using the screens in church to show films and host discussion during Lent, although we still need to regularly make the technology work better for us going forward.

Easter and Christmas showed growth in the more traditional services although some of the children’s events were down in numbers reminding us of the amount of constant work needed to grow these gatherings. The regular round of other events continues across both churches and the parish including outreach to the residential homes, schools and our communities.

We are exceedingly grateful to our Churchwardens, sidespeople and the many volunteers who maintain our buildings, run the services and keep both churches clean and beautiful places to worship God and welcome the community in to. We also much appreciate the hard and dedicated work of Tom and Norma (ably assisted by Sheila Neep) in all that they do to keep us going along with Andrew our organist, Rosina at St Paul’s and all those who beautify our services through music and other hard work. 2024 also saw the departure of The Revd Canon Richard and Jenny Leslie who contributed much to parish life over the last 10 years. More challenges lay ahead particularly in the area of lay leadership and we will need to think outside normal ways of doing things to keep everything running smoothly in the longer term.

The Revd Canon John Williams

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REPORTS ON PARISH ACTIVITIES for 2024

Art in the Nave

Seen from one particular perspective, as an initiative to support local artists, bring arts and crafts to local people and in turn bring more people to the Old Town High Street of Hemel Hempstead. The three day art festival in 2024 provided a much needed financial contribution to our parish funds. At the same time we supported local charities. 2024 raised approximately £4000 for the parish and £2,500 for our nominated charities.

We are fortunate that so many talented artists chose to exhibit their work at Art in the Nave. It was a year when the exhibition became firmly embedded as a regular fixture in the three counties (Herts, Beds and Bucks) Arts calendar. This elevated status encouraged more artists to exhibit high quality work with us. Art lovers who have become accustomed to viewing a wide selection of excellent paintings, sculpture, textiles, glass, ceramics, silverware and handmade jewellery, attended in good numbers to contribute to the success of the event.

Each artist brought their own unique perspectives and artistic interpretations to compliment the artistry and craftsmanship of our magnificent Norman building, as it has been expressed down the centuries - our magnificent church is an ideal venue that is greatly admired by artists and visitors alike.

Of course, Art in the Nave simply wouldn't happen without the generous support of the small number of fantastic volunteers, who work so hard to make our marvellous three day festival possible. Our artists and the many visitors who patronise the event really do appreciate the warm welcome and the help that they receive and they are hugely impressed by all who give their time to make the event such a success.

If you haven't been involved as a volunteer for Art in the Nave whether in the planning and organising, setting up, sales processing or stewarding during the festival - then 2025 is your chance - it’s great fun. Your help is actually VITAL as we begin planning what will be our eighth annual festival, which will run over the August bank holiday weekend, 23rd - 25th August with a preview evening on Friday 22nd August. If you would like to help or simply find out more, do let me know by email at artinthenave@gmail.com or give me a call on 07926 027855

Brian Doran

Baptisms

Baptism numbers increased during 2024 with a great variety of babies, children and adults coming to church for this sacrament. I continue to rely on Norma Howie for booking baptisms and Lynne Sygrave for helping with the baptism administration, preparing the godparent cards and Bibles for those involved. My thanks to Lynne and to Yvonne Doran for attending the services when possible and helping greet the worshippers.

Canon John

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Beer Festival at St Mary’s

This year was the second Hemel Old Town Beer Festival. Planning for this started in September 2024 with a review of the feedback that had been collected. This highlighted a number of areas that needed to be improved. Meetings continued monthly after that and we were able to publicise the 2024 event much earlier this time, as we knew what paperwork needed to be produced.

This year we started the festival with 34 cask beers, 1 lager, 1 keg beer and 10 cider pins.

Which sounds a great deal but in the end we need an extra 5 cider pins and extra kegs of both lager and beer.

We were lucky this year in that the sun shone, apart from a light shower Saturday afternoon, and it was warm. This shows in the number of people attending; Friday 334, Saturday 516 and Sunday 235 +54 children. We had made Sunday a more relaxed day by letting families in and it was a great success.

Another big change this year was the approach to sponsorship, we asked people/businesses to sponsor a cask or cider pin, as the cost was much lower than the previous year’s Gold, Silver and Bronze packages. This meant we were able to have over half the casks sponsored and this considerably boosted the financial position.

Beer Festivals run on a token system, rather than cash, or card when buying a beer. This means sometimes people are left with unused tokens for which they can get a refund for or donate to the Festival’s charity. Thus £378.60 was raised in unused tokens for Bishop Rob’s Church Urban Fund charity.

The event raised £8.6k of which the church received half, and the other half went to CAMRA to help them to support and run further festivals.

Brian Crawley

Bellringers at St Mary’s

In February we pick up a recruit, Ben, who had found us from the website.

Sadly, we also lost one of our band, Tim Younger, who died after a short illness having just returned to the UK from working in Dubai. Tim had been part of the band for over 40 years, taking part in our striking competition successes and will be sorely missed.

In early May we entered the Western district Gus Good striking contest, on 6 bells. This year it was held at Aldbury. Once again, we were triumphant once again beating rivals Apsley and Redbourn.

May also saw in arrival and installation of our new set of ropes, which had been expected in March. We need a new set every 10-15 years. Though hopefully as we now have a synthetic ‘top’ we might be able to make these last even longer.

July saw the annual outing going to Essex. This year we went to; Great Dunmow, Bocking, Gosfield, Bures, and Coggeshall. This was organised by Julie, her first, and we were joined by a few friends and old Hemel ringers. Revd Ian Cooper brought some old photo albums, and it was fun trying to spot familiar faces in the pictures.

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September was the Kimpton cup competition, this is the county 6 bell competition, and was held at Weston, just south of Baldock. There was an interesting start as the judges could not hear the bells in their original position and the first team had to be stopped and start again once the judges had moved. Once again, we were successful and won the cup.

Our Christmas meal was once again at the White Horse in Bourne End where 19 of us, ringers and partners sat down to eat.

Brian Crawley, Tower Captain

Catering at St Mary’s

The Sunday tea & coffee team at St. Mary’s continue to serve refreshments after the 9.30 family service. They are gratefully received by everyone and those who donate towards costs, Thank you.

We have had to replace a couple of teams this year who have moved on or retired. Thank you for your support. Thankfully we have replaced these teams which makes the rota easier to manage over a 2 month cycle. Welcome.

We are becoming increasingly involved with providing refreshments for other events in church too. The monthly Saturday Vintage fairs, Beer festival, Art in the Nave, Holocaust Memorial service as well as special ecclesiastical celebrations such as our Patronal, Christmas & Easter festivals. It is very rewarding to be able to call upon the teams to help out on these occasions, Thank you If anyone would like to join our catering team or offer help at any time, please contact me.

Sheila Barton

Church Opening at St Mary’s

We are now in our 5[th] year of having the church open every day and mostly it works like clockwork.

There are volunteers who open and close on a regular basis each weekday and there is a separate rota of volunteers – with some overlap - who open and close at weekends. We all swap amongst ourselves when a need arises.

We said goodbye to one regular member of the team last year and would be delighted to welcome new team members should you feel that you could help in this way.

My experience is that, when open, the church is seldom visitor free for very long, but at the same time people are still surprised and delighted to find it open. The years of being closed still have a long shadow so thank you to everyone who helps with this service.

Robin Woodd

Confirmations

For the second year in a row we had a special Confirmation service at St Mary’s. This year Bishop Rob Wickham came along for the Feast of Christ the King to Confirm one adult and five young people who had completed a training course and wanted to be Confirmed. A lovely service concluded with a lunch in St Mary’s Hall which gave our Confirmation candidates and the Bishop the opportunity to meet parishioners and have a wonderful celebration meal together with family and friends.

Canon John

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Dacorum Interfaith Network April 2025

A core group of about 12 people of different faiths has continued to meet on the second Monday of each month, normally at the Friends (Quaker) meeting House near the Old Town. We encourage understanding of our different faiths, how much we have in common and have developed friendship. Particular topics have attracted up to 25 people that month. We remind everyone that our meetings are open to anyone who is open minded, including those who have no conventional religious faith.

Some of our topics in 2024:

Norman Spink

Easter Workshop

In 2024 Catherine Irving gave up the reins of this regular and popular activity and Penny Williams organised it. There were some practical changes but a very successful event once again saw over 20 children plus carers and helpers make Easter gardens, bonnets and decorated eggs amongst other things. They all came into St Mary’s to help decorate the Easter Garden and see an Easter film on the big screen. This year, once again, we ‘rolled’ eggs down the grassy bank outside the west door of the church, which is always a popular part of the day. Many thanks to Penny and an increasing variety of new and familiar volunteers who run this wonderful community event and to Sheila Barton who provides the much needed refreshments.

Canon John

Flower Arranging at St Mary's

Flowers are a way of praising God and bringing a church to life, but it is all too easy to take them for granted when they are just there every week. So thank you to Lynne Sygrave and her team who keep them fresh and seasonal and so beautifully arranged.

If you would like to join in with the flower arranging do talk to Lynne.

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Friends of St Mary’s

For a number of reasons this has been a quiet year. However the main activity of supporting the church in maintaining its buildings has continued. During the year the Friends financed the improvement to the render of the inside of the South Porch and a programme of repairs to stonework and pointing around the church including in the clock chamber and upper spiral stairs. The Friends also paid the Parish’s 7.6% share of the cost of the work carried out to the Chancel earlier in the year. During the year the Friends received around £5,500 in income from subscriptions donations and interest and spent around £23.56k, the funds remaining is around £67.5k. All good news and something to be really grateful for.

Grass cutting and gardening at St Mary’s

If you enjoy lawn mowing with a motor mower do come and join us. It takes about an hour to mow the Hall grass and the three Garden of Remembrance areas around the church and the finished product usually looks great and makes it all worthwhile. We each mow either two or three times in a year unless your turn comes during a hot dry spell when you are let off!

This year we said goodbye to one volunteer and welcomed another. A volunteer also joined the group to look after the garden area adjacent the South Porch which has been very welcome. Tom, our Hall cleaner, looks after the Hall shrubs which is a great bonus.

Robin Woodd

Music at St Paul’s

We continue to use the Hymnal Plus to provide the music for our services, although the Ordinariate who meet at St Paul’s at 9.15am on Sundays do use our faithful organ, which pleases us.

I am grateful to Ann Robinson for taking on the task of hymn choosing so I just need to programme the choices into playlists for the coming weeks ahead. However, during our Saturday morning singalongs we have discovered new hymns when browsing the hymn book and are planning to increase our repertoire over the coming months! We have three other members of the congregation who know how to use the Hymnal, so if I am away the music can still be played. Thank you to Jane Lynskey, Julie Pollard and Andrew Williams for helping me with this. Also thank you Andrew for being my right-hand man most Sundays and looking after the live streaming of our service.

Rosina Gaddes

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Open Doors at St Paul’s

Every Saturday morning a small group of our congregation meet to carry out a range of tasks to ensure our building is well presented and prepared for the following day’s service. These include vacuuming if needed, polishing brass, flower arranging, checking on paper supplies in the toilets, gardening, trimming/replacing of candles and preparing for communion. Of course, tea, coffee, cake and biscuits are always enjoyed with plenty of camaraderie and laughter. This is usually followed by a run through of our hymns for Sunday. Once refreshed we return to tackle any other jobs needing to be done – in the summer months we can be found clearing out cupboards etc and in Advent we are putting up and decorating the tree and setting out the nativity.

Every Thursday morning at 9.30am we have a Morning Prayer service in the church that is regularly attended by an average of 7 people including one or two from St Mary’s and one from the Ordinariate. The said service is 30 minutes long and is followed by refreshments and much discussion in the parish room. Anybody wishing to drop by and join us on either morning would be most welcome, even if just for the chat and a cuppa!

Rosina Gaddes

Pastoral Group

A small Pastoral Group of clergy and lay people meet once a month – usually via Zoom - to review the needs of people who are sick or housebound and to spend some time in prayer for them. The group also discusses a confidential ‘in need’ group and considers the recently departed to pray for them and the bereaved.

RIP

Amongst those who have died since the last APCM we remember:

Old Town

Enid King Joyce Green Susan Margaret Hoare Mavis Elizabeth Cox William John England Beryl Alexander Raymond John Claridge Joyce Eileen Young Peter Norman Sawyer Roger Milton Sygrave

Highfield

Elsie Beatrice McGahey June Rosalie Ginger Jean Baskerville

Canon John

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Stomp

In 2024 there were four issues, each one reflecting the season of the year, Issues 61-64.

The overall editorial policy continues to be to proclaim the Christian message, but in the context that God is for all people; to focus on goodness in action through contemporary people stories, both local, national and international; and to bring Parish and wider issues of interest and/or concern to our readers. The size of SToMP depends very much on the stories that are around each time, and it varied last year the sequence being 28,28, 36 and 28 pages in length.

Repeating as written last year, I see my role to be forward thinking about content, trying to ensure that there is variety and interest, encouraging others to contribute and contributing some personal pieces, which I enjoy doing. Jeff covers everything that I cannot do, which is a lot. He designs the cover, explaining his choice. He allocates the space, a tricky task. For most pieces he finds or produces appropriate photos, drawings and images. He searches out pieces linking especially with the Society of Church Editors. In short Jeff is artistic and he is a design smith, whilst I am a wordsmith. We work well together with trust, and never a smidgen of friction between us.

Recently, after careful consideration and then discussion with Canon John, we decided from2025 to reduce the number of issues from four to three each year, namely Spring, Summer and Autumn/Winter. The reasons are the workload that each of us has, and also the difficulty of finding sufficient copy. The latter often involves us at short notice having to scramble to find worthwhile material.

Gordon Gaddes

Sunday School (work with children & young people) Sunday School (work with children & young people)

During 2024 we have once again had regular and new faces attend our monthly First Sunday During 2024 we have once again had regular and new faces attend our monthly First Sunday services and other events. At St Mary’s and occasionally at St Pauls children have participated in services and other events. At St Mary’s and occasionally at St Pauls children have participated in many activities to do with the theme for the season or the Gospel of that week. We have made use many activities to do with the theme for the season or the Gospel of that week. We have made use of the large screens at both churches to show short films or illustrate talks at some of the family of the large screens at both churches to show short films or illustrate talks at some of the family services. services.

Many resources have been given out to children who visit our churches at other times especially to Many resources have been given out to children who visit our churches at other times especially to the many children who have popped by after school to sit in St Mary’s and complete some of the the many children who have popped by after school to sit in St Mary’s and complete some of the activities that we have left out for them. activities that we have left out for them.

Our First Sunday services are designed to include the children and our uniformed groups where Our First Sunday services are designed to include the children and our uniformed groups where possible. The regular parade services included Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Christingle during possible. The regular parade services included Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Christingle during 2024. These groups also visit church with their leaders at other times and Canon John regularly 2024. These groups also visit church with their leaders at other times and Canon John regularly

pops in to their sessions. Every few months the leaders have a planning meeting at the Rectory to pops in to their sessions. Every few months the leaders have a planning meeting at the Rectory to discuss how things are going and to plan the next event. discuss how things are going and to plan the next event.

Some of our young people continue to be committed to serving at the altar, reading in church and Some of our young people continue to be committed to serving at the altar, reading in church and helping with the audio-visual system. These important ministries are highly valued by the church helping with the audio-visual system. These important ministries are highly valued by the church

and encourage and engage with the skills of our children and young people. and encourage and engage with the skills of our children and young people.

Our work amongst children can be time consuming and demanding for those involved but very Our work amongst children can be time consuming and demanding for those involved but very worthwhile and rewarding. Our thanks to all involved. worthwhile and rewarding. Our thanks to all involved.

Penny Williams Penny Williams

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Website and Media Presence 2024

2024 has been a year of maintenance, though perhaps not always outwardly visible.

The website builder introduced a new calendar format, and whilst it still has the same features they were implemented in a slightly different way.

We added notable events to our pin at St Marys? There has always been a way to tag events in Google so that you can just search for what's on locally and see events. This we can now do by updating our ‘pin’ on Google maps, and we did this for the; Hemel Old Town Beer Festival, Art in the Nave and all the Vintage & New Table-Top Bazaars.

This year saw an annoying buzz from the sound system. After numerous calls, emails and discussions with the people who installed it we were at last able to identify the issue, the mixer desk. We had extracted a necklace from one of the sliders and this might have been the cause. In any case we had a new desk installed in early December and have not had a problem since. We have also replaced the radio mics receiving antenna and have seen an improvement in the second radio mic.

Brian Crawley

100 club

Only a few numbers unsold this time, pretty satisfactory although we’d love 100! There were 50 subscribers from St Mary’s, 46 from St Paul’s. Rosina does a magic job in looking after St Paul’s members and chasing when necessary. The subscription is now £20 and monthly prizes are £60 which leaves a potential £1280 to go into the funds which of course is vital money towards the upkeep of both churches. We hope it’s an almost painless way of improving the churches’ funds, with the excitement every month of possibly winning£60.

Since August up to the time of writing there have been 7 draws, four winners from St Mary’s and three from St Paul’s. With some subscribers dropping out for various reasons – illness, death, hardship, moving away, we lose some every year, and more subscribers are really needed, so please send me your name now if you’d like to join for the 2025-26 season starting in August. It’s only £20 for the whole year, and there are £720 in prizes.

David Gambling, 100-club administrator dgambling@gmail.com

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Registered Charity No: 1130644

The Parish of St Магу and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead

Annual Report and Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Contents

The Annual Report

Structure, Governance and Management

Independent Examiner's Report

Income and Expenditure Account

Balance Sheet

Notes to the Accounts

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Annual Report

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of St Mary and St Paul is chaired by the Team Rector of the Benefice, the Revd Canon John Williams, (inducted on 30th March 2017). He is supported by the three Team Vicars in the wider benefice and in the parish by self-supporting (The Revd Luke Geoghegan) and retired clergy (The Revd Canon Richard Leslie, until October 2024).

Aims and Purposes

The PCC understands that the purpose of the church in this parish is to promote within the ecclesiastical parish - and the church congregations - the pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical mission of the Christian Faith as set out by the Church of England and reflected in the catholic creeds. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Mary’s Church and Hall in the Old Town centre of Hemel Hempstead and St Paul’s building complex in Highfield. The buildings are viewed as a resource to be used by the congregations for public worship, baptisms, weddings, thanksgivings and funerals, parish organised activities and also extensively by the local community.

Objectives and Activities

During 2024 the PCC decided not to update the parish Mission Action Plan but rather to concentrate on core activities particularly working to reduce the deficit in our budget by: maximising the community use of our buildings, hiring out the downstairs office space in St Mary’s Hall (now redesignated as the ‘Meeting Room’), ensuring the continued success of Art-in-the-Nave and the Beer Festival and starting a Vintage Fair inside St Mary’s Church. Some items from our last MAP remain a priority including improving our notice boards inside and outside our buildings, keeping the website up to date and relevant, supporting Highfield Fridge and other local charities, developing our work with children and young people and building upon our recent eco-audit. These goals will be reviewed and revised during 2025.

Focus and Meaning of our Activities

The regular Sunday and weekday services give a focus and meaning for everything else that happens in parish life. The worship of Almighty God is central to the way the Christian functions and the parish seeks to nurture and encourage this and to draw the whole community into this expression of God’s love and forgiveness. Remembering our historic status as the Established Church and our responsibility to welcome everyone - with or without a faith – into buildings which speak of God’s unconditional love, we seek to keep our buildings open and welcoming as much as possible.

The church tries to foster and encourage outreach and charitable works both from individual members of the church community and by PCC initiatives. The Clergy support Church and community by carrying out baptisms, weddings, funerals and special blessings for those who, regardless of their connection with the local worshipping community, feel at these important times a church service and the human contact that surround this is important. The connections with our local

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

schools and the Uniformed (Scouting) Organisations within the parish continue to grow with regular engagement and special events throughout the year. The buildings we care for are greatly valued by these groups and this is very encouraging.

Pastoral Care

The Church seeks to offer pastoral support and care to church members and people within the community especially our schools, shops, businesses and residential homes. The monthly Pastoral Group continues to meet on the first Monday of each month to discuss current pastoral needs and to pray for the sick and departed, to discuss ministry to others on the margins and in need and to pray for them. This reflects the pastoral care exercised by everyone in the Body of Christ, not just licensed ministers. The Team Clergy also meet most Tuesday mornings to encourage one another and look at wider pastoral care issues.

Mission and Community Support

Within the Parish there continues to be a strong sense of the need to support the under privileged here and abroad. The Parish was one of the main drivers to establish DENS (Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter) in the early 90’s and continues to support it through gifts of food and occasional donations. St Paul’s support of the Highfield Fridge and Community Café increased during 2024 and this remains an important charity and focus for the parish. The parish has also continued support for Liberty Tea Rooms in the town and used their voucher scheme to help the increasing number of homeless who come to church seeking help.

The parish seeks to support local charities that help in defined ways like the Foodbanks, Liberty Tea Rooms, Christians Against Poverty, chaplaincy to the waterways, the local Hospices and Dacorum Community Trust.

Since 1998 St Paul’s has supported Christian Aid’s initiatives in Nicaragua and other donations from the whole parish included: The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, the Children’s Society and other charities.

Members of the Parish established the UK Langa Pre-School Trust (LTPT) in 2011 and this independent trust is run on a voluntary basis in support of 500 children in Cape Town, South Africa. The Trust is supported in many ways by the Parish and each year sees some wonderful new and regular events to raise money and awareness for this important cause.

The Buildings

The Parish are custodians of buildings that need to be looked after and in particular one of these is Grade 1 listed, which needs maintaining and to be available to the public for church services, community & school events as well as for the general visitor. The Parish provides the framework that allows the maintenance of these historic buildings and the opening to the public to happen, so that the buildings are available to be visited by the public without charge as well as allowing them to be passed on to future generations. Work has continued both at St Mary’s and St Paul’s to improve the condition of all our buildings so that they are better able to serve

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

community and parish. The PCC is grateful to the Friends of St Mary’s and all who make repair and maintenance possible.

Reaching out and coming in

In 2023 our new audio-visual systems allowed us to stream services from both churches on YouTube and this ministry has continued and seen a growing interest. Funeral and wedding services that have been recorded have proved particularly popular and we remain grateful to our technical team for making all this happen. The Diocese of St Albans recognises this ‘Church at Home’ ministry as increasingly significant and people who are house bound, sick, away from Hemel, former parishioners, family and friends and others report the continuing value of this service.

The fourth year of ‘Open Church’ at St Mary’s, with people able to visit every day between 10 and 5, has seen a great number of people visit, more candles lit and more personal prayers posted than ever before. This has become a key, important ministry of the parish and the PCC is very grateful to all those who have made this possible especially by opening, closing and cleaning and maintaining the building.

Our engagement with the Old Town market and businesses within the High Street commercial community has continued to develop despite the economic downturn caused by the energy crisis and increased cost of living. This link brings a great variety of different people in to St Mary’s and increases our opportunity for pastoral conversations.

St Paul’s have continued to maximise the use of their hall and parish room, seeing increased use by community focussed groups during the year. The second full year of the church sharing arrangement with the local Roman Catholic Ordinariate Group has continued to build upon a solid ecumenical relationship with us all trying to live out and fulfil the desire of Jesus that ‘we may all be one’.

Financial Review

This has been an extraordinary year as regards the finances. At the end of last year, the approved Budget showed a projected deficit for the year of around £13,000. The PCC’s approval of this without any requirement for remedial action was probably based on the fact that previous deficit budgets had usually turned out OK, although they had never been as large as £13k. There was however a hope that the second year of the beer festival would show a significantly better profit than the first year, and the need for improved income was also taken on board as a driver for action where ever appropriate.

At the end of the year the PCC’s confidence has proved to be well founded as the year ended showing a surplus of around £8,400. This can be seen in several different ways, an example of poor budgeting, a reward for the efforts of concerned and motivated individuals, or God’s providence.

In fact, probably all three came into play. Our Budgeting turned out to be unnecessarily pessimistic as regards wedding fees and energy use, encouragement considerably improved the weekly giving of the St Paul’s congregation, the Rector

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

initiated profitable monthly table top sales and God made the sun shine for the Beer Festival, encouraged more visitors to St Mary’s to donate using the boxes and card machine, and encouraged increased use – and so rental income – for our halls.

The main drivers for changing the deficit to a surplus were: - Wedding and funeral fees up £3,100 (much as the previous year), non PGS Pledged Giving up £1,450, Hall rental income up £7,000 (in excess of the good previous year that had been discounted), Visitor donations up £1,800, Fund raising (Art in the Nave, Beer Festival and Table top sales) up £5700 and reduced expenditure on energy and external clergy gave a £4,300 saving. A total improvement of around £23,000 showing a surplus for the year after other minor adjustments of just under £8,400.

This variation from budget that turns a significant deficit budget into a significant surplus can sometimes happen, but is dangerous if it encourages complacency: and so, for 2025 there has been a definite decision not to budget based on worst case scenarios for income, and to revisit usage figures for heating energy which seem to be decreasing, recognising, perhaps, that the winters are getting warmer.

However, the situation also illustrates how exposed the Parish Income is to the ups and downs associated with fundraising and hall rental as compared to the comfortable certainty of Stewardship pledged income. Less than half of our income comes from planned giving.

Sadly, our pledged giving income received via the Parish Giving scheme reduced by over £1000 despite the inflationary increases that our PGS members continue to generously honour.

Art in the Nave was once again a tremendous success contributing around £4,100 to our funds.

The Beer festival was lucky with the weather and is hopefully becoming better known so contributed £4,300 instead of the £1,000 budgeted.

The Fee income from Weddings and Funerals again surprised us by bringing in much the same as last year despite the poor outlook at the time of budgeting. This is in part due to not being able to judge the number of funerals.

Hall letting income has again improved on the previous year by more than inflation which has to be really encouraging, especially as the Budget had been based on a more pessimistic estimate.

So, the accounts this year are again a good news event, but with the underlying story being that the Parish finances are becoming ever more dependent on income that comes from sources other than our membership giving.

The PCC has again agreed a Budget for 2025 which has a significant deficit, despite being drawn up using the out turn figures from 2024 as the guide. We shall see whether the confidence/optimism of the PCC will be proved right yet again.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

We remain grateful to the Friends of St Mary’s and the Church Commissioners who have funded significant maintenance work at St Mary’s.

The planned pew re-ordering has been tendered during the year and it is hoped that work will be carried out in 2025.

St Mary’s has continued to open between 10am and 5 pm every day and by the number of candles lit and prayer notes posted, as well as the comments in the Visitors Book, this continues to be appreciated in the community.

Both churches and St Mary’s Hall continue to have ongoing maintenance budgets and these seem to help to keep all three buildings in reasonable shape.

Reserves Policy

At the November 2024 PCC the reserves for 2025 were set to a range from 14k (the minimum needed to pay a month’s outgoings) and 30k (three months average budget expenditure). The actual position to be discussed at each PCC.

Volunteers

We would like to thank all the volunteers, including members of the PCC, who work so hard to support our church, both within itself and through its outreach. We are particularly grateful to our Churchwardens; Gordon and Rosina Gaddes at St Paul’s and Emmeline Lambert and Rosamund Russell at St Mary’s, along with their deputies; Malcolm Taylor, and Norma Podmore, whose hard work and commitment throughout the year is much appreciated. The financial value of such work is incalculable and without it our church could not operate.

We also want to thank the full time, non-stipendiary and retired clergy who have continued to serve us lovingly and dependably. Their leadership, service and loving care are appreciated by both parishioners and by those outside the congregation who, through bereavement, marriage or just a life situation, come into contact with them.

The Parish was represented on the Hemel Hempstead Deanery Synod by Yemi Wilde-Halim and Lindsay Kemp. We thank them all for maintaining this important link. The Parish has active membership of the local Interfaith Network and personal links are forged through this forum. Thanks, are also due to the Finance Committee, the Treasury Team of volunteers and also Norma Howie – along with Sheila Neep - in the Team Office for their dedicated work during the last year. It is only with their highly relevant, uncomplaining and systematic work, that necessary but challenging tasks are completed.

Public Benefit

Under the Charity Commission registration, the Parish is described as an ‘established church providing regular public worship open to all; pastoral work including visiting the sick and the bereaved and promoting the whole mission of the church through the provision of activities for senior citizens, parents, toddlers and

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

other groups.

This is a challenging mission statement but in all their decision making the Parochial Church Council have the Mission aims in mind, and the Parish remains clear that the church, as an organisation, is there for the benefit of the whole community and not just the gathered worshipping church and wider supporters. Whilst it is often tempting for the parish to act in a way which is building centred, we should remember that much of the undocumented work of the parish takes place away from our buildings and is not widely known to anyone other than the recipients.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Reference and administration details of the Church, its trustees, and advisers for the Year ended 31st December 2024

Team Rector

The Revd Canon John Williams The Rectory High Street Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Address for Correspondence

The Parish office High Street Hemel Hempstead Herts НР1 ЗАF

Bankers

Lloyds Marlowes Hemel Hempstead Herts HP1 1BH

Accountants

Melwoods - Chartered Certified Accountants Imex Building 575-599 Maxted Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 7DX

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity that was exempted (until January 2009) from the requirements to register with the Charity Commission. It is now registered with number 1130644.

The members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity during the year 2024 membership of the PCC was as follows

Churchwardens

St Mary’s: Emmeline Lambert Rosamund Russell St Paul’s: Gordon Gaddes Rosina Gaddes (Lay Co-Chair)

Elected Lay Deanery Synod Representatives

Lindsay Kemp Yemi Wilde-Halim

Elected Lay Members of the PCC

Brian Crawley Yvonne Doran Moji Agunda Sheila Barton Susan Kemp Jane Lynskey Malcolm Taylor Alan Younger Roger Sygrave

elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM

Michael Boardman Jenny Bowes Andrew Williams Norma Podmore

tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM

Clergy

The Revd Canon John Williams Team Rector in the Hemel Hempstead Team Ministry The Revd Luke Geoghegan Self Supporting Associate Minister Ex-officio member of PCC The Revd Canon Richard Leslie Permission to Officiate Clergy Member but not a member of the PCC (to October 2024, when he moved away)

9 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 10 to 21

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility

to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement:

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement:

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect:

  1. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charity Act: or

  2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

  3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

Martin F M Eynaud FCCA Melwoods Chartered Certified Accountants Imex Building 575-599 Maxted Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 7DX Date: 06 March 2025

10 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities 31 December 2024

Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
Funds Funds TOTAL TOTAL
FUNDS FUNDS
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary Income 2(a) 73,929 34,094 108,023 87,383
Activities for generating funds 2(b) 10,624 14,178 24,802 12,085
Income from investments 2(c) 1,185 1,263 2,448 1,405
Income from church activities 2(d) 40,808 448 41,256 38,609
Other incoming resources 2(e) 1,566 1,200 2,766 15,520
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 128,112 51,183 179,295 155,002
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Generation of voluntary income 3(a) 81 9,638 9,719 9,085
Fundraising costs 3(b) 2,026 3,105 5,131 3,136
Church activities 3(c) 116,759 37,367 154,126 165,416
Church Governance costs 3(d) 1,500 1,500 1,500
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 120,366 50,110 170,476 179,137
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) 7,746 1,073 8,819 (24,135)
RESOURCES
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS (GF/RF)
Gross Transfers between funds - in 33 2,507 2,540 3,897
Gross Transfers between funds - out (55) (2,485) (2,540) (3,897)
Net incoming / outgoing before other gains / losses 7,724 1,095 8,819 (24,135)
GAIN ON CCLA INVESTMENT BOND 645 645 2,441
Net movement in funds 8,369 1,095 9,464 (21,694)
Balances carried forward 1st January 2023 29,697 45,994 75,691 97,385
Balances carried forward 31st December 2024 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691

11 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Balance Sheet 31 December 2024

Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2024 TOTAL 2023 TOTAL
Funds Funds FUNDS FUNDS
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
CCLA Bond 6 17,882 10,926 28,808 28,163
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 11,888 11,888 5,655
Short term 4,032 4,032 3,985
deposits
CCLA deposit 6 32,131 32,131 30,512
Cash at bank and in hand 21,562 21,562 19,072
33,450 36,163 69,613 59,224
LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS
FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors 7 13,266 13,266 11,696
13,266 0 13,266 11,696
NET ASSETS 5 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691
FUNDS
Unrestricted 38,066 38,066 29,697
Restricted 9 47,089 47,089 45,994
TOTAL FUNDS 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691

Approved on behalf of the Parish

The notes on subsequent pages form part of these accounts

12 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Notes to Financial Statements for year ended 31[st] December 2024

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 as amended by the Church Accounting (Amendment) Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP (2005).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Funds

General 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 а particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds represent funds of the PCC which are donated for а purpose which is specified by the donor.

The accounts 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 or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Income

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

Planned giving is recognised only when received.

Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised.

Grant and legacies are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its receipt certain.

Other income

Hall rent is recognised when received.

Resources

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over or when awarded if that award creates а binding obligation on the PCC.

13 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan share is accounted for when paid.

Payment for utilities and other services is accounted for when an invoice is paid or а direct debit/standing order mandate is recorded in the bank statement.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings.

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by section.10 of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Church wardens on special trust for the PCC which require а faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church Inventory. There have been no such acquisitions since 1 January 2001 and therefore no depreciations charges have been made.

All minor items are written off when purchased.

Other fixtures fittings and office equipment

Items costing less than £1,000 are written off when the asset is acquired. There are no items over this value that are less than four years old.

Fixtures and fittings are depreciated at 20% per annum on the straight-line basis.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, or other income are shown as debtors where their receipt is assured.

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

14 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Not
e
*
expanded in Note Subsections
2
INCOMING RESOURCES
2(a)
Voluntary Income
Planned giving:
Gift Aid donations
Income tax recoverable
Gift Aided Gifts
Loose Plate at all services
GASDS recovered
Church gift boxes

Grants

Donations
Legacies
2(b)
Activities for generating funds

Events
100 Club Receipts
2(c)
Income from investments
Interest
2(d)
Income from church activities
Halls rent and key Deposits
Fees weddings and funerals
2(e)
Other incoming resources

Surplus Receipts
"Stomp" Magazine
Cost recovery: Supplies
Cost recovery: Refunds
Team Office Copying
Quinquennial fund
Donations from CBF Fund
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024 Total
Funds
2023 Total
Funds
£
£
£
£
49,260
0
49,260
47,907
11,165
969
12,134
10,697
1,957
3,711
5,668
972
960
536
1,496
1,145
3,692
0
3,692
3,428
6,064
151
6,215
10,792
200
25,216
25,416
7,612
631
3,511
4,142
3,199
0
0
0
1,631
73,929
34,094
108,023
87,383
10,624
12,283
22,907
10,735
0
1,895
1,895
1,350
10,624
14,178
24,802
12,085
1,185
1,263
2,448
1,405
1,185
1,263
2,448
1,405
35,014
288
35,302
31,468
5,794
160
5,954
7,141
40,808
448
41,256
38,609
210
0
210
492
69
0
69
97
704
0
704
461
4
0
4
803
579
0
579
867
0
1,200
1,200
800
0
0
0
12,000
1,566
1,200
2,766
15,520
128,112
51,183
179,295
155,002

15 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note

expanded in Note Subsections
3
RESOURCES EXPENDED
3(a)
Generation of voluntary income
Cost of Stewardship campaign
Fees to Fundraisers
3(b)
Fundraising costs
Events
100 club payments

Surplus Payments
3(c)
Church activities
Ministry: diocesan parish share
Clergy expenses
Churches running costs
Churches maintenance - routine
 Churches maintenance - major
Upkeep of services
Upkeep of services Clergy
StM Hall costs
StP Hall costs
Organ and piano tuning
Children and Young people
Organist fee
Team Administrator
 Administration
Reprographics
Stationery
Later Recovered
Team Office Costs
Return of Hall Deposits and Prepayments
Security measures

Payments from special collections
Quinquennial Fund
3(d)
Church Governance costs
Accountant's fees
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED*		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
TOTAL
FUNDS
£
£
£
£
81
0
81
0
0
9,638
9,638
9,085
81
9,638
9,719
9,085
249
2,455
2,704
705
0
650
650
650
1,777
0
1,777
1,781
2,026
3,105
5,131
3,136
57,117
0
57,117
56,133
1,695
0
1,695
2,175
18,171
0
18,171
18,356
7,319
3,846
11,165
6,511
0
29,501
29,501
41,599
2,561
976
3,537
3,415
178
0
178
1,008
8,079
420
8,499
8,712
2,610
493
3,103
2,104
882
0
882
996
200
0
200
1,297
2,600
0
2,600
2,250
8,799
0
8,799
8,446
2,835
0
2,835
2,691
1,233
0
1,233
1,391
875
0
875
384
116
0
116
386.00
61
0
61
352.00
18
438
456
128.00
210
0
210
111.00
0
1,693
1,693
6,171.00
1,200
0
1,200
800.00
116,759
37,367
154,126
165,416
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
0
1,500
1,500
120,366
50,110
170,476
179,137

16 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note 4 to Staff Costs

During 2024 we had two direct employees. Other cleaning and organ-playing services were bought from self-employed people.

Mrs Norma Howie continues to be employed as Team Administrator. Mr T McDougall continues to be employed as the cleaner at St Mary’s Hall.

The Parish continues to pay the Living Wage as its minimum hourly rate.

Mr L Kemp, Mr M Taylor, and Mr M Russell received fees from either the Team Benefice Fees account in connection with services and or weddings and funerals or from the Parish account in connection with Hall lettings.

Mr Kemp was elected to the PCC in October 2020, Mr Taylor was elected to the PCC in April 2024. Mr M Russell is the son of Mrs R Russell who was elected as Churchwarden in April 2021 and continues in office.

No other Officer or PCC member received any money except by way of reimbursement of monies expended on the Church’s behalf and against receipts.

As required by legislation, the PCC continues to be registered with NEST as their pension provider in the event of any employee wishing to take up the required offer to start a pension fund. Both of our employees are in the categories where starting a pension fund is optional rather than compulsory and, after consultation, both have decided against taking out a pension.

Not
e
4
STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
5
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
CCLA investment bond
Fund balance
6
CCLA Investments
CCLA deposit
CCLA Bond		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
TOTAL
FUNDS
11,962
11,962
11,337
11,962
0
11,962
11,337
33,450
36,163
69,613
59,224
(13,266)
0
(13,266)
(11,696)
17,882
10,926
28,808
28,163
38,066
47,089
85,155
75,691
2,024
2,023
32,131
30,512
28,808
28,163
60,939
58,675

17 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

7
Accounts Payable
StP electric
StP insurance
StM gas
StM electric
StM insurance
StM Hall gas
StM Hall electric
StM Hall insurance
Accountancy Fee
Administrator Q4 PAYE
StM cleaner Q4 PAYE
Organist
Incumbent expenses (JW)
Incumbent Expenses (LG)
Children's Expenses
StP Cleaning
Ian Pankhurst (Service Fee)
RF Groom (Church maintenance)
DM Music (Sound desk)
KCS copier charges
Organ Tuning
Admin expenses
StM Hall Maintenance
Upkeep of services
GASDS correction (2023)
GASDS correction (2024)
Total
8
Accounts Receivable
St Marys hall lettings
St Paul's weekly collections
St Mary's weekly collections
PCC Fees
Grant from Children's Trust
StM Alms boxes
Loose plate Christmas
Stewardship S/O
Gift Aid (from HMRC)
Gift Aid (from HMRC)
GASDS (from HMRC 2023)
GASDS (from HMRC)
Total		 2,024
2,023
524
822
771
750
864
390
337
369
2,387
2,322
366
290
119
130
369
360
1,500
1,500
466
420
4
0
450
500
0
1,495
170
170
0
150
120
87
69
0
58
0
1,835
0
0
76
0
360
0
4
0
136
0
75
1,290
1,290
1,567
0
13,266
11,696
2,024
2,023
1,380
1,821
0
239
55
490
0
54
0
700
107
103
516
0
765
0
4,404
885
969
54
1,567
0
2,125
1,309
11,888
5,655

18 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

9
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Capital Works
Repairs
St Paul's Fabric Fund
St Mary's Net Zero
Quinquennial
Legacy Fund
Bursary to fund spiritual journeys
Community Outreach
Youth Support (ex Ruth Milbank)
Ben Neep Bequest Re StM Altar Fabrics
Jonas Bequest (Bells)
Christmas Collections
Other Restricted Collections
Nicaragua
Hundred Club
Art in the Nave
St Mary's Flowers
Hall Key Deposits
HMRC Gift Aid buffer
WEGB Hall Hire		 Opening
Balance
Income
Outgoings
Transfers
2024 FUND
TOTAL
26,815
28,173
28,332
(382)
26,274
3,688
40
0
1,135
4,863
3,443
3,313
4,084
993
3,665
0
600
0
150
750
(976)
1,200
857
0
(633)
2,312
0
0
0
2,312
1,427
0
0
0
1,427
577
0
0
0
577
4,951
0
0
0
4,951
1,220
0
0
0
1,220
1,193
535
1,789
61
0
673
687
673
0
687
0
680
760
80
0
0
476
260
32
248
350
1,855
650
(1,135)
420
0
12,092
12,092
0
0
126
274
172
0
228
250
0
150
0
100
(55)
970
0
(915)
0
0
288
288
0
0
45,994
51,183
50,107
19
47,089
Note for information on the Various Funds: 2024 2023
Salisbury Trust
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 27,766 27,144
Funds held in CCLA Deposit 1,102 297
Funds transferred to Parish Accounts Nil 12,000
Buckley Benevolent Fund
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,076 14,713
Funds held in Deposit 439 1
Funds used for Charitable aims Nil 1,050
Buckley Fabric Fund
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,353 14,984
Funds held in Deposit Account 766 1,030
Funds used for charitable aims 715 935
Children’s Training
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,099 14,736
Funds held in Deposit Account 567 327
Funds used for charitable aims 200 700

** The value of all these Funds is subject to Market fluctuations

There are 2 Benefice Trust. These are the Children’s Trust (£2,960 Cap +£197 accrued interest, £450 used for charitable aims) and the Benevolent Trust (£4,440 Cap + £176 accrued interest, Nil used for charitable aims)

19 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note Subsections

Grants (2a)
Children's Trust
Friends of StM - Roof Lead
DCMS VAT Recovery
Friends of StM - South Porch
Herts CC - St Paul's
VAT recovery - Roof Lead
Friends of StM - Quinquennial work
Friends of StM - Gutters/Down pipes
VAT Recovery - Window guards
Total
Donations (2a)
PGS One-Off donations
EIG Trust130 Fund
In memory Mr & Mrs Casimir-Mrowczyn
Light of Bethlehem
St Paul's Nicaragua
Old Town Market
Buckingham Organists Association
In Memory of Marion Smith
One-off Donations PGS
Ron Tindall - Salt Bin
Other
Total
the above are the major donations
Events (2b)
Easy Fundraising
Beer Festival
Beer Festival snacks
Sale of Lead
Amazon Smile
Art in the Nave
Vintage & Table Top Bazaar
Other
Total
Church Running Costs (3c)
StM Church Gas
StM Church Electric
StM Church Water
StM Church Insurance
StP Electric
StP Water
StP Insurance
Total		 2024
2023
200
700
433
954
1,750
700
132
21,812
1,711
2,275
2,361
25,416
7,612
2024
2023
148
260
2,500
80
186
1,140
40
299
148
200
968
1,720
4,142
3,199
2024
2023
0
17
4,307
269
267
0
65
0
0
13
4,117
4,033
1,561
0
14,151
6,403
22,907
10,735
2024
2023
3,175
2,110
3,997
4,756
89
5
4,775
4,643
4,463
5,337
130
5
1,542
1,500
18,171
18,356

20 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Church Maintenance Major (3c)
StM Lead Roof
StM AV electrical
StM North Aisle reordering
StP Landscaping
StM Gutters/Down pipes painting
StM South Porch
StM Quinquennial tasks
StM Quinquennial tasks
other
Total
StM Hall Costs (3c)
StM Hall Cleaner
StM Hall Gas
StM Hall Electric
StM Hall Water
StM Hall Insurance
StM Hall Upkeep
Total
Administration (3c)
Team Office Telephone/Internet
Website
CRB Checks - Children's Work
Annual subscriptions
Copyright Licences
Other
Total
Payments from Special Collections (3c)
Children's Society
Dacorum Community Trust
Christian Aid : Nicaragua
Zimbabwe Chappel
DENS
Others
Total
Surplus Receipts (2e)/Surplus Payments (3b)
TransferIn
TransferOut
Transient Income is money paid in by accident or
The items were		 2024
2023
520
20,255
2,980
1,588
2,275
2,100
144
1,719
15,288
21,114
1,889
0
1,228
29,501
41,599
2024
2023
3,163
2,892
1,250
756
1,411
1,365
203
58
738
720
1,314
2,921
8,079
8,712
2024
2023
1,763
1,665
233
215
27
18
142
130
656
512
14
151
2,835
2,691
2024
73
300
260
460
300
300
1,693
2024
2023
210
491
1776
1,781
design

1) £10 AIN paid in and out due to overpayment

21 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Registered Charity No: 1130644

The Parish of St Магу and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead

Annual Report and Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Contents

The Annual Report

Structure, Governance and Management

Independent Examiner's Report

Income and Expenditure Account

Balance Sheet

Notes to the Accounts

1 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Annual Report

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of St Mary and St Paul is chaired by the Team Rector of the Benefice, the Revd Canon John Williams, (inducted on 30th March 2017). He is supported by the three Team Vicars in the wider benefice and in the parish by self-supporting (The Revd Luke Geoghegan) and retired clergy (The Revd Canon Richard Leslie, until October 2024).

Aims and Purposes

The PCC understands that the purpose of the church in this parish is to promote within the ecclesiastical parish - and the church congregations - the pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical mission of the Christian Faith as set out by the Church of England and reflected in the catholic creeds. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Mary’s Church and Hall in the Old Town centre of Hemel Hempstead and St Paul’s building complex in Highfield. The buildings are viewed as a resource to be used by the congregations for public worship, baptisms, weddings, thanksgivings and funerals, parish organised activities and also extensively by the local community.

Objectives and Activities

During 2024 the PCC decided not to update the parish Mission Action Plan but rather to concentrate on core activities particularly working to reduce the deficit in our budget by: maximising the community use of our buildings, hiring out the downstairs office space in St Mary’s Hall (now redesignated as the ‘Meeting Room’), ensuring the continued success of Art-in-the-Nave and the Beer Festival and starting a Vintage Fair inside St Mary’s Church. Some items from our last MAP remain a priority including improving our notice boards inside and outside our buildings, keeping the website up to date and relevant, supporting Highfield Fridge and other local charities, developing our work with children and young people and building upon our recent eco-audit. These goals will be reviewed and revised during 2025.

Focus and Meaning of our Activities

The regular Sunday and weekday services give a focus and meaning for everything else that happens in parish life. The worship of Almighty God is central to the way the Christian functions and the parish seeks to nurture and encourage this and to draw the whole community into this expression of God’s love and forgiveness. Remembering our historic status as the Established Church and our responsibility to welcome everyone - with or without a faith – into buildings which speak of God’s unconditional love, we seek to keep our buildings open and welcoming as much as possible.

The church tries to foster and encourage outreach and charitable works both from individual members of the church community and by PCC initiatives. The Clergy support Church and community by carrying out baptisms, weddings, funerals and special blessings for those who, regardless of their connection with the local worshipping community, feel at these important times a church service and the human contact that surround this is important. The connections with our local

2 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

schools and the Uniformed (Scouting) Organisations within the parish continue to grow with regular engagement and special events throughout the year. The buildings we care for are greatly valued by these groups and this is very encouraging.

Pastoral Care

The Church seeks to offer pastoral support and care to church members and people within the community especially our schools, shops, businesses and residential homes. The monthly Pastoral Group continues to meet on the first Monday of each month to discuss current pastoral needs and to pray for the sick and departed, to discuss ministry to others on the margins and in need and to pray for them. This reflects the pastoral care exercised by everyone in the Body of Christ, not just licensed ministers. The Team Clergy also meet most Tuesday mornings to encourage one another and look at wider pastoral care issues.

Mission and Community Support

Within the Parish there continues to be a strong sense of the need to support the under privileged here and abroad. The Parish was one of the main drivers to establish DENS (Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter) in the early 90’s and continues to support it through gifts of food and occasional donations. St Paul’s support of the Highfield Fridge and Community Café increased during 2024 and this remains an important charity and focus for the parish. The parish has also continued support for Liberty Tea Rooms in the town and used their voucher scheme to help the increasing number of homeless who come to church seeking help.

The parish seeks to support local charities that help in defined ways like the Foodbanks, Liberty Tea Rooms, Christians Against Poverty, chaplaincy to the waterways, the local Hospices and Dacorum Community Trust.

Since 1998 St Paul’s has supported Christian Aid’s initiatives in Nicaragua and other donations from the whole parish included: The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, the Children’s Society and other charities.

Members of the Parish established the UK Langa Pre-School Trust (LTPT) in 2011 and this independent trust is run on a voluntary basis in support of 500 children in Cape Town, South Africa. The Trust is supported in many ways by the Parish and each year sees some wonderful new and regular events to raise money and awareness for this important cause.

The Buildings

The Parish are custodians of buildings that need to be looked after and in particular one of these is Grade 1 listed, which needs maintaining and to be available to the public for church services, community & school events as well as for the general visitor. The Parish provides the framework that allows the maintenance of these historic buildings and the opening to the public to happen, so that the buildings are available to be visited by the public without charge as well as allowing them to be passed on to future generations. Work has continued both at St Mary’s and St Paul’s to improve the condition of all our buildings so that they are better able to serve

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

community and parish. The PCC is grateful to the Friends of St Mary’s and all who make repair and maintenance possible.

Reaching out and coming in

In 2023 our new audio-visual systems allowed us to stream services from both churches on YouTube and this ministry has continued and seen a growing interest. Funeral and wedding services that have been recorded have proved particularly popular and we remain grateful to our technical team for making all this happen. The Diocese of St Albans recognises this ‘Church at Home’ ministry as increasingly significant and people who are house bound, sick, away from Hemel, former parishioners, family and friends and others report the continuing value of this service.

The fourth year of ‘Open Church’ at St Mary’s, with people able to visit every day between 10 and 5, has seen a great number of people visit, more candles lit and more personal prayers posted than ever before. This has become a key, important ministry of the parish and the PCC is very grateful to all those who have made this possible especially by opening, closing and cleaning and maintaining the building.

Our engagement with the Old Town market and businesses within the High Street commercial community has continued to develop despite the economic downturn caused by the energy crisis and increased cost of living. This link brings a great variety of different people in to St Mary’s and increases our opportunity for pastoral conversations.

St Paul’s have continued to maximise the use of their hall and parish room, seeing increased use by community focussed groups during the year. The second full year of the church sharing arrangement with the local Roman Catholic Ordinariate Group has continued to build upon a solid ecumenical relationship with us all trying to live out and fulfil the desire of Jesus that ‘we may all be one’.

Financial Review

This has been an extraordinary year as regards the finances. At the end of last year, the approved Budget showed a projected deficit for the year of around £13,000. The PCC’s approval of this without any requirement for remedial action was probably based on the fact that previous deficit budgets had usually turned out OK, although they had never been as large as £13k. There was however a hope that the second year of the beer festival would show a significantly better profit than the first year, and the need for improved income was also taken on board as a driver for action where ever appropriate.

At the end of the year the PCC’s confidence has proved to be well founded as the year ended showing a surplus of around £8,400. This can be seen in several different ways, an example of poor budgeting, a reward for the efforts of concerned and motivated individuals, or God’s providence.

In fact, probably all three came into play. Our Budgeting turned out to be unnecessarily pessimistic as regards wedding fees and energy use, encouragement considerably improved the weekly giving of the St Paul’s congregation, the Rector

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

initiated profitable monthly table top sales and God made the sun shine for the Beer Festival, encouraged more visitors to St Mary’s to donate using the boxes and card machine, and encouraged increased use – and so rental income – for our halls.

The main drivers for changing the deficit to a surplus were: - Wedding and funeral fees up £3,100 (much as the previous year), non PGS Pledged Giving up £1,450, Hall rental income up £7,000 (in excess of the good previous year that had been discounted), Visitor donations up £1,800, Fund raising (Art in the Nave, Beer Festival and Table top sales) up £5700 and reduced expenditure on energy and external clergy gave a £4,300 saving. A total improvement of around £23,000 showing a surplus for the year after other minor adjustments of just under £8,400.

This variation from budget that turns a significant deficit budget into a significant surplus can sometimes happen, but is dangerous if it encourages complacency: and so, for 2025 there has been a definite decision not to budget based on worst case scenarios for income, and to revisit usage figures for heating energy which seem to be decreasing, recognising, perhaps, that the winters are getting warmer.

However, the situation also illustrates how exposed the Parish Income is to the ups and downs associated with fundraising and hall rental as compared to the comfortable certainty of Stewardship pledged income. Less than half of our income comes from planned giving.

Sadly, our pledged giving income received via the Parish Giving scheme reduced by over £1000 despite the inflationary increases that our PGS members continue to generously honour.

Art in the Nave was once again a tremendous success contributing around £4,100 to our funds.

The Beer festival was lucky with the weather and is hopefully becoming better known so contributed £4,300 instead of the £1,000 budgeted.

The Fee income from Weddings and Funerals again surprised us by bringing in much the same as last year despite the poor outlook at the time of budgeting. This is in part due to not being able to judge the number of funerals.

Hall letting income has again improved on the previous year by more than inflation which has to be really encouraging, especially as the Budget had been based on a more pessimistic estimate.

So, the accounts this year are again a good news event, but with the underlying story being that the Parish finances are becoming ever more dependent on income that comes from sources other than our membership giving.

The PCC has again agreed a Budget for 2025 which has a significant deficit, despite being drawn up using the out turn figures from 2024 as the guide. We shall see whether the confidence/optimism of the PCC will be proved right yet again.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

We remain grateful to the Friends of St Mary’s and the Church Commissioners who have funded significant maintenance work at St Mary’s.

The planned pew re-ordering has been tendered during the year and it is hoped that work will be carried out in 2025.

St Mary’s has continued to open between 10am and 5 pm every day and by the number of candles lit and prayer notes posted, as well as the comments in the Visitors Book, this continues to be appreciated in the community.

Both churches and St Mary’s Hall continue to have ongoing maintenance budgets and these seem to help to keep all three buildings in reasonable shape.

Reserves Policy

At the November 2024 PCC the reserves for 2025 were set to a range from 14k (the minimum needed to pay a month’s outgoings) and 30k (three months average budget expenditure). The actual position to be discussed at each PCC.

Volunteers

We would like to thank all the volunteers, including members of the PCC, who work so hard to support our church, both within itself and through its outreach. We are particularly grateful to our Churchwardens; Gordon and Rosina Gaddes at St Paul’s and Emmeline Lambert and Rosamund Russell at St Mary’s, along with their deputies; Malcolm Taylor, and Norma Podmore, whose hard work and commitment throughout the year is much appreciated. The financial value of such work is incalculable and without it our church could not operate.

We also want to thank the full time, non-stipendiary and retired clergy who have continued to serve us lovingly and dependably. Their leadership, service and loving care are appreciated by both parishioners and by those outside the congregation who, through bereavement, marriage or just a life situation, come into contact with them.

The Parish was represented on the Hemel Hempstead Deanery Synod by Yemi Wilde-Halim and Lindsay Kemp. We thank them all for maintaining this important link. The Parish has active membership of the local Interfaith Network and personal links are forged through this forum. Thanks, are also due to the Finance Committee, the Treasury Team of volunteers and also Norma Howie – along with Sheila Neep - in the Team Office for their dedicated work during the last year. It is only with their highly relevant, uncomplaining and systematic work, that necessary but challenging tasks are completed.

Public Benefit

Under the Charity Commission registration, the Parish is described as an ‘established church providing regular public worship open to all; pastoral work including visiting the sick and the bereaved and promoting the whole mission of the church through the provision of activities for senior citizens, parents, toddlers and

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

other groups.

This is a challenging mission statement but in all their decision making the Parochial Church Council have the Mission aims in mind, and the Parish remains clear that the church, as an organisation, is there for the benefit of the whole community and not just the gathered worshipping church and wider supporters. Whilst it is often tempting for the parish to act in a way which is building centred, we should remember that much of the undocumented work of the parish takes place away from our buildings and is not widely known to anyone other than the recipients.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Reference and administration details of the Church, its trustees, and advisers for the Year ended 31st December 2024

Team Rector

The Revd Canon John Williams The Rectory High Street Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Address for Correspondence

The Parish office High Street Hemel Hempstead Herts НР1 ЗАF

Bankers

Lloyds Marlowes Hemel Hempstead Herts HP1 1BH

Accountants

Melwoods - Chartered Certified Accountants Imex Building 575-599 Maxted Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 7DX

8 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity that was exempted (until January 2009) from the requirements to register with the Charity Commission. It is now registered with number 1130644.

The members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity during the year 2024 membership of the PCC was as follows

Churchwardens

St Mary’s: Emmeline Lambert Rosamund Russell St Paul’s: Gordon Gaddes Rosina Gaddes (Lay Co-Chair)

Elected Lay Deanery Synod Representatives

Lindsay Kemp Yemi Wilde-Halim

Elected Lay Members of the PCC

Brian Crawley Yvonne Doran Moji Agunda Sheila Barton Susan Kemp Jane Lynskey Malcolm Taylor Alan Younger Roger Sygrave

elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM elected at 28[th] April 2024 APCM

Michael Boardman Jenny Bowes Andrew Williams Norma Podmore

tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM tenure ceased at 28[th] April 2024 APCM

Clergy

The Revd Canon John Williams Team Rector in the Hemel Hempstead Team Ministry The Revd Luke Geoghegan Self Supporting Associate Minister Ex-officio member of PCC The Revd Canon Richard Leslie Permission to Officiate Clergy Member but not a member of the PCC (to October 2024, when he moved away)

9 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 10 to 21

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility

to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement:

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement:

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect:

  1. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charity Act: or

  2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

  3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

Martin F M Eynaud FCCA Melwoods Chartered Certified Accountants Imex Building 575-599 Maxted Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 7DX Date: 06 March 2025

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities 31 December 2024

Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
Funds Funds TOTAL TOTAL
FUNDS FUNDS
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary Income 2(a) 73,929 34,094 108,023 87,383
Activities for generating funds 2(b) 10,624 14,178 24,802 12,085
Income from investments 2(c) 1,185 1,263 2,448 1,405
Income from church activities 2(d) 40,808 448 41,256 38,609
Other incoming resources 2(e) 1,566 1,200 2,766 15,520
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 128,112 51,183 179,295 155,002
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Generation of voluntary income 3(a) 81 9,638 9,719 9,085
Fundraising costs 3(b) 2,026 3,105 5,131 3,136
Church activities 3(c) 116,759 37,367 154,126 165,416
Church Governance costs 3(d) 1,500 1,500 1,500
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 120,366 50,110 170,476 179,137
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) 7,746 1,073 8,819 (24,135)
RESOURCES
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS (GF/RF)
Gross Transfers between funds - in 33 2,507 2,540 3,897
Gross Transfers between funds - out (55) (2,485) (2,540) (3,897)
Net incoming / outgoing before other gains / losses 7,724 1,095 8,819 (24,135)
GAIN ON CCLA INVESTMENT BOND 645 645 2,441
Net movement in funds 8,369 1,095 9,464 (21,694)
Balances carried forward 1st January 2023 29,697 45,994 75,691 97,385
Balances carried forward 31st December 2024 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Balance Sheet 31 December 2024

Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2024 TOTAL 2023 TOTAL
Funds Funds FUNDS FUNDS
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
CCLA Bond 6 17,882 10,926 28,808 28,163
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 11,888 11,888 5,655
Short term 4,032 4,032 3,985
deposits
CCLA deposit 6 32,131 32,131 30,512
Cash at bank and in hand 21,562 21,562 19,072
33,450 36,163 69,613 59,224
LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS
FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors 7 13,266 13,266 11,696
13,266 0 13,266 11,696
NET ASSETS 5 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691
FUNDS
Unrestricted 38,066 38,066 29,697
Restricted 9 47,089 47,089 45,994
TOTAL FUNDS 38,066 47,089 85,155 75,691

Approved on behalf of the Parish

The notes on subsequent pages form part of these accounts

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Notes to Financial Statements for year ended 31[st] December 2024

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 as amended by the Church Accounting (Amendment) Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP (2005).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Funds

General 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 а particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds represent funds of the PCC which are donated for а purpose which is specified by the donor.

The accounts 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 or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Income

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

Planned giving is recognised only when received.

Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised.

Grant and legacies are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its receipt certain.

Other income

Hall rent is recognised when received.

Resources

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over or when awarded if that award creates а binding obligation on the PCC.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan share is accounted for when paid.

Payment for utilities and other services is accounted for when an invoice is paid or а direct debit/standing order mandate is recorded in the bank statement.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings.

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by section.10 of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Church wardens on special trust for the PCC which require а faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church Inventory. There have been no such acquisitions since 1 January 2001 and therefore no depreciations charges have been made.

All minor items are written off when purchased.

Other fixtures fittings and office equipment

Items costing less than £1,000 are written off when the asset is acquired. There are no items over this value that are less than four years old.

Fixtures and fittings are depreciated at 20% per annum on the straight-line basis.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, or other income are shown as debtors where their receipt is assured.

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Not
e
*
expanded in Note Subsections
2
INCOMING RESOURCES
2(a)
Voluntary Income
Planned giving:
Gift Aid donations
Income tax recoverable
Gift Aided Gifts
Loose Plate at all services
GASDS recovered
Church gift boxes

Grants

Donations
Legacies
2(b)
Activities for generating funds

Events
100 Club Receipts
2(c)
Income from investments
Interest
2(d)
Income from church activities
Halls rent and key Deposits
Fees weddings and funerals
2(e)
Other incoming resources

Surplus Receipts
"Stomp" Magazine
Cost recovery: Supplies
Cost recovery: Refunds
Team Office Copying
Quinquennial fund
Donations from CBF Fund
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024 Total
Funds
2023 Total
Funds
£
£
£
£
49,260
0
49,260
47,907
11,165
969
12,134
10,697
1,957
3,711
5,668
972
960
536
1,496
1,145
3,692
0
3,692
3,428
6,064
151
6,215
10,792
200
25,216
25,416
7,612
631
3,511
4,142
3,199
0
0
0
1,631
73,929
34,094
108,023
87,383
10,624
12,283
22,907
10,735
0
1,895
1,895
1,350
10,624
14,178
24,802
12,085
1,185
1,263
2,448
1,405
1,185
1,263
2,448
1,405
35,014
288
35,302
31,468
5,794
160
5,954
7,141
40,808
448
41,256
38,609
210
0
210
492
69
0
69
97
704
0
704
461
4
0
4
803
579
0
579
867
0
1,200
1,200
800
0
0
0
12,000
1,566
1,200
2,766
15,520
128,112
51,183
179,295
155,002

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note

expanded in Note Subsections
3
RESOURCES EXPENDED
3(a)
Generation of voluntary income
Cost of Stewardship campaign
Fees to Fundraisers
3(b)
Fundraising costs
Events
100 club payments

Surplus Payments
3(c)
Church activities
Ministry: diocesan parish share
Clergy expenses
Churches running costs
Churches maintenance - routine
 Churches maintenance - major
Upkeep of services
Upkeep of services Clergy
StM Hall costs
StP Hall costs
Organ and piano tuning
Children and Young people
Organist fee
Team Administrator
 Administration
Reprographics
Stationery
Later Recovered
Team Office Costs
Return of Hall Deposits and Prepayments
Security measures

Payments from special collections
Quinquennial Fund
3(d)
Church Governance costs
Accountant's fees
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED*		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
TOTAL
FUNDS
£
£
£
£
81
0
81
0
0
9,638
9,638
9,085
81
9,638
9,719
9,085
249
2,455
2,704
705
0
650
650
650
1,777
0
1,777
1,781
2,026
3,105
5,131
3,136
57,117
0
57,117
56,133
1,695
0
1,695
2,175
18,171
0
18,171
18,356
7,319
3,846
11,165
6,511
0
29,501
29,501
41,599
2,561
976
3,537
3,415
178
0
178
1,008
8,079
420
8,499
8,712
2,610
493
3,103
2,104
882
0
882
996
200
0
200
1,297
2,600
0
2,600
2,250
8,799
0
8,799
8,446
2,835
0
2,835
2,691
1,233
0
1,233
1,391
875
0
875
384
116
0
116
386.00
61
0
61
352.00
18
438
456
128.00
210
0
210
111.00
0
1,693
1,693
6,171.00
1,200
0
1,200
800.00
116,759
37,367
154,126
165,416
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
0
1,500
1,500
120,366
50,110
170,476
179,137

16 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note 4 to Staff Costs

During 2024 we had two direct employees. Other cleaning and organ-playing services were bought from self-employed people.

Mrs Norma Howie continues to be employed as Team Administrator. Mr T McDougall continues to be employed as the cleaner at St Mary’s Hall.

The Parish continues to pay the Living Wage as its minimum hourly rate.

Mr L Kemp, Mr M Taylor, and Mr M Russell received fees from either the Team Benefice Fees account in connection with services and or weddings and funerals or from the Parish account in connection with Hall lettings.

Mr Kemp was elected to the PCC in October 2020, Mr Taylor was elected to the PCC in April 2024. Mr M Russell is the son of Mrs R Russell who was elected as Churchwarden in April 2021 and continues in office.

No other Officer or PCC member received any money except by way of reimbursement of monies expended on the Church’s behalf and against receipts.

As required by legislation, the PCC continues to be registered with NEST as their pension provider in the event of any employee wishing to take up the required offer to start a pension fund. Both of our employees are in the categories where starting a pension fund is optional rather than compulsory and, after consultation, both have decided against taking out a pension.

Not
e
4
STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
5
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
CCLA investment bond
Fund balance
6
CCLA Investments
CCLA deposit
CCLA Bond		 Unrestricte
d Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
TOTAL
FUNDS
11,962
11,962
11,337
11,962
0
11,962
11,337
33,450
36,163
69,613
59,224
(13,266)
0
(13,266)
(11,696)
17,882
10,926
28,808
28,163
38,066
47,089
85,155
75,691
2,024
2,023
32,131
30,512
28,808
28,163
60,939
58,675

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

7
Accounts Payable
StP electric
StP insurance
StM gas
StM electric
StM insurance
StM Hall gas
StM Hall electric
StM Hall insurance
Accountancy Fee
Administrator Q4 PAYE
StM cleaner Q4 PAYE
Organist
Incumbent expenses (JW)
Incumbent Expenses (LG)
Children's Expenses
StP Cleaning
Ian Pankhurst (Service Fee)
RF Groom (Church maintenance)
DM Music (Sound desk)
KCS copier charges
Organ Tuning
Admin expenses
StM Hall Maintenance
Upkeep of services
GASDS correction (2023)
GASDS correction (2024)
Total
8
Accounts Receivable
St Marys hall lettings
St Paul's weekly collections
St Mary's weekly collections
PCC Fees
Grant from Children's Trust
StM Alms boxes
Loose plate Christmas
Stewardship S/O
Gift Aid (from HMRC)
Gift Aid (from HMRC)
GASDS (from HMRC 2023)
GASDS (from HMRC)
Total		 2,024
2,023
524
822
771
750
864
390
337
369
2,387
2,322
366
290
119
130
369
360
1,500
1,500
466
420
4
0
450
500
0
1,495
170
170
0
150
120
87
69
0
58
0
1,835
0
0
76
0
360
0
4
0
136
0
75
1,290
1,290
1,567
0
13,266
11,696
2,024
2,023
1,380
1,821
0
239
55
490
0
54
0
700
107
103
516
0
765
0
4,404
885
969
54
1,567
0
2,125
1,309
11,888
5,655

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The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

9
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Capital Works
Repairs
St Paul's Fabric Fund
St Mary's Net Zero
Quinquennial
Legacy Fund
Bursary to fund spiritual journeys
Community Outreach
Youth Support (ex Ruth Milbank)
Ben Neep Bequest Re StM Altar Fabrics
Jonas Bequest (Bells)
Christmas Collections
Other Restricted Collections
Nicaragua
Hundred Club
Art in the Nave
St Mary's Flowers
Hall Key Deposits
HMRC Gift Aid buffer
WEGB Hall Hire		 Opening
Balance
Income
Outgoings
Transfers
2024 FUND
TOTAL
26,815
28,173
28,332
(382)
26,274
3,688
40
0
1,135
4,863
3,443
3,313
4,084
993
3,665
0
600
0
150
750
(976)
1,200
857
0
(633)
2,312
0
0
0
2,312
1,427
0
0
0
1,427
577
0
0
0
577
4,951
0
0
0
4,951
1,220
0
0
0
1,220
1,193
535
1,789
61
0
673
687
673
0
687
0
680
760
80
0
0
476
260
32
248
350
1,855
650
(1,135)
420
0
12,092
12,092
0
0
126
274
172
0
228
250
0
150
0
100
(55)
970
0
(915)
0
0
288
288
0
0
45,994
51,183
50,107
19
47,089
Note for information on the Various Funds: 2024 2023
Salisbury Trust
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 27,766 27,144
Funds held in CCLA Deposit 1,102 297
Funds transferred to Parish Accounts Nil 12,000
Buckley Benevolent Fund
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,076 14,713
Funds held in Deposit 439 1
Funds used for Charitable aims Nil 1,050
Buckley Fabric Fund
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,353 14,984
Funds held in Deposit Account 766 1,030
Funds used for charitable aims 715 935
Children’s Training
Funds held in CCLA CBF Investment Fund ** 15,099 14,736
Funds held in Deposit Account 567 327
Funds used for charitable aims 200 700

** The value of all these Funds is subject to Market fluctuations

There are 2 Benefice Trust. These are the Children’s Trust (£2,960 Cap +£197 accrued interest, £450 used for charitable aims) and the Benevolent Trust (£4,440 Cap + £176 accrued interest, Nil used for charitable aims)

19 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Note Subsections

Grants (2a)
Children's Trust
Friends of StM - Roof Lead
DCMS VAT Recovery
Friends of StM - South Porch
Herts CC - St Paul's
VAT recovery - Roof Lead
Friends of StM - Quinquennial work
Friends of StM - Gutters/Down pipes
VAT Recovery - Window guards
Total
Donations (2a)
PGS One-Off donations
EIG Trust130 Fund
In memory Mr & Mrs Casimir-Mrowczyn
Light of Bethlehem
St Paul's Nicaragua
Old Town Market
Buckingham Organists Association
In Memory of Marion Smith
One-off Donations PGS
Ron Tindall - Salt Bin
Other
Total
the above are the major donations
Events (2b)
Easy Fundraising
Beer Festival
Beer Festival snacks
Sale of Lead
Amazon Smile
Art in the Nave
Vintage & Table Top Bazaar
Other
Total
Church Running Costs (3c)
StM Church Gas
StM Church Electric
StM Church Water
StM Church Insurance
StP Electric
StP Water
StP Insurance
Total		 2024
2023
200
700
433
954
1,750
700
132
21,812
1,711
2,275
2,361
25,416
7,612
2024
2023
148
260
2,500
80
186
1,140
40
299
148
200
968
1,720
4,142
3,199
2024
2023
0
17
4,307
269
267
0
65
0
0
13
4,117
4,033
1,561
0
14,151
6,403
22,907
10,735
2024
2023
3,175
2,110
3,997
4,756
89
5
4,775
4,643
4,463
5,337
130
5
1,542
1,500
18,171
18,356

20 of 21

The Parish of St Mary and St Paul, Hemel Hempstead Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2024

Church Maintenance Major (3c)
StM Lead Roof
StM AV electrical
StM North Aisle reordering
StP Landscaping
StM Gutters/Down pipes painting
StM South Porch
StM Quinquennial tasks
StM Quinquennial tasks
other
Total
StM Hall Costs (3c)
StM Hall Cleaner
StM Hall Gas
StM Hall Electric
StM Hall Water
StM Hall Insurance
StM Hall Upkeep
Total
Administration (3c)
Team Office Telephone/Internet
Website
CRB Checks - Children's Work
Annual subscriptions
Copyright Licences
Other
Total
Payments from Special Collections (3c)
Children's Society
Dacorum Community Trust
Christian Aid : Nicaragua
Zimbabwe Chappel
DENS
Others
Total
Surplus Receipts (2e)/Surplus Payments (3b)
TransferIn
TransferOut
Transient Income is money paid in by accident or
The items were		 2024
2023
520
20,255
2,980
1,588
2,275
2,100
144
1,719
15,288
21,114
1,889
0
1,228
29,501
41,599
2024
2023
3,163
2,892
1,250
756
1,411
1,365
203
58
738
720
1,314
2,921
8,079
8,712
2024
2023
1,763
1,665
233
215
27
18
142
130
656
512
14
151
2,835
2,691
2024
73
300
260
460
300
300
1,693
2024
2023
210
491
1776
1,781
design

1) £10 AIN paid in and out due to overpayment

21 of 21