**ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST ANDREW, SERVING CHARVIL, SONNING AND SONNING EYE SUNDAY 25 MAY 2025 Written Reports for the year ended 31 December 2024** ## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting** ## **St. Andrews Church, Sonning 25th May 2025 at 11.30am** ## **A G E N D A** 1. Opening prayers 2. Appointment of Secretary 3. Election of Churchwardens and Deputy Church Wardens 4. Apologies 5. Minutes of 2024 Annual Parochial Church Meeting 6. Matters arising from Minutes 7. Vicar’s Report 8. Treasurer’s Report and PCC Financial Statements 9. Churchwardens' Report and presentation of Terrier 10. Safeguarding Report 11. Election of members to the PCC 12. Electoral Roll 13. PCC Committee Reports - a) Buildings and Maintenance Committee - b) Social Committee 14. Other Reports - a) Messy Church - b) Sunday Club - c) Alpha Course - d) Sunday at Six - e) STAY on Sunday - f) STAY on Monday - g) Wednesday at 8 - i) STAY on Friday - j) Music at St. Andrew's - k) Rendezvous Lunch Club - l) Bell ringers - m) Friends of St. Andrew's Church - n) Stewardship - o) Giving outside the Parish - h) Thursday at 8 15. Appointment of independent examiner 16. Any other business 17. Closing prayers ## **ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SONNING For the year ended 31st December 2024 Incumbent: The Revd. Jamie Taylor, The Vicarage, Thames Street, Sonning, RG4 6UR** **Independent Examiner: Banks & Co, Newbury, Berkshire** Aim and Purpose To provide: - Regular public worship that is open to all - Sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation - Pastoral work which includes visiting the sick and the bereaved - The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups - The leadership of religious assemblies in schools - The promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and meetings, and in the distribution of literature - Promotion of the mission of the Church through provision of activities for all ages in our Parish - Support of other charities in the UK and overseas ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our parish and to become part of our parish community within Sonning, Sonning Eye and Charvil. The PCC vision is to: - Serve better those who choose to worship with us and share a journey in faith - Reach out and draw others to the knowledge and love of God - Attend to the pastoral needs of those around us (As individuals and as an organisation) - Preserve our Anglican heritage - Engage with our local community and find new ways to serve it When planning our activities for the year, the Incumbent and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: - Worship – Learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus - Mission and pastoral care – Giving to others and the provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish - Buildings and Maintenance - To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of our church - Social – Arranging social events throughout the year ## **Administrative Information** The Parish of Sonning encompasses the thriving communities of Sonning, Sonning Eye and Charvil, located between Reading and Henley-onThames in a beautiful section of the Thames Valley. We have a growing congregation and are welcoming and uplifting, embracing the broad Anglican tradition. The correspondence address is: St Andrew’s Church Office Thames Street Sonning READING Berkshire RG4 6UR The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission. (Registered Charity Number: 1130763) During the year to 31 December 2024, the following served the Parish: Incumbent (and Chair) Revd Jamie Taylor Licensed Lay Minister Bob Peters Youth Minister Chris West Youth and Children’s Corinne Robertson (appointed to PCC 19th May 2024) Minister Churchwardens Liz Nelson Stuart Bowman (resigned 19th May 2024) Ruth Jeffery (appointed 19th May 2024) Deputy Churchwardens Sue Peters Kevin Wilson (appointed 19th May 2024) Treasurer Jerry Wood Secretary Hilary Rennie (re-appointed 19th May 2024) Other PCC Members (normally 3 year term) Indra Biddulph (resigned 19th May 2024) Helen Craig Heather Hexter Terry Hunt (resigned 19th May 2024) Katherine Karalus (appointed 19th May 2024) Nicola Riley Jenny Sawyer Alison Smyly The PCC met on 6 occasions during the year and the average attendance at these meetings was 84%. ## **COMMITTEES** The PCC operates through a number of committees, which meet between the full meetings of the PCC. These are: ## Standing and Finance This is the only committee required by law and has power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. Members are the Incumbent, the Churchwardens, the Treasurer and the Secretary. ## Buildings and Maintenance This committee attends to matters relating to stewardship of the church buildings and fabric. Chair: Mrs Liz Nelson. ## Mission and Pastoral This committee attends to matters concerning external giving from the Parish. Chair: Revd Jamie Taylor. ## Social This committee is responsible for arranging social events. Chair: Mrs Sue Peters. The Parish Magazine Delivered free to every house in the parish. Editor: Bob Peters Advertising and Distribution: Harriet Nelson _(until 31 December 2024)_ ## Electoral Roll At the APCM on 28th May 2024 there were 241 people on the Electoral Roll. The total number on the 2025 Electoral Roll is 226. Despite an increase in new individuals and families joining St. Andrew's, there has been a net decrease of the 15 in the 2025 Electoral Roll caused by deaths, members moving away from the area and regular worshippers who haven't completed their Electoral Roll forms. ## **THE VICAR’S REPORT** I look back on 2024 as a season of consolidation. We have seen steady growth, across all age groups, and the latest national church statistics place us in the 95th percentile of all churches for weekly attendance. This is encouraging but there is no room for complacency. The “Why I am a Christian” sermon series during Lent was much appreciated and I am grateful to those who were willing to stand up and be counted! It was uplifting and inspiring to hear about their various faith journeys, all culminating in Lord Carey’s Easter Day conclusion to the series. Our home groups go from strength to strength and adult and youth Alpha courses continue to contribute so much to our common life. It was good to see 8 Confirmed in November and to baptise young candidates in the Thames earlier in the year. In my early years in the parish I set myself a goal, after a discussion with the bishop, to bring about new developments in the ministry of music and to work towards becoming a beacon for what can be achieved in a parish church. I especially wanted to involve young people, on the organ and in the choir. I pay tribute to the last two Directors of Music who have done so much to get us to where we are today. The appointment of Richard Meehan has been the culmination of all their efforts, and it is a joy for me to witness what is now being achieved in this important ministry. Although an aspiration for some years, the four Choral scholarships only came into existence under his leadership, and this is proving to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Interestingly a parishioner has funded these scholarships and part of the organ scholarship in the last twelve months but wishes to remain anonymous. We now have three former choristers serving as choral scholars in Cathedral choirs, with Noah Toogood at Portsmouth and Joseph May and Celeste Hexter at Llandaff Cathedral. Thanks be to God! The Parish Office, with Hilary at the helm, is a literal God send to me personally, and to the whole parish. I look back with some amazement at how we managed before having the office, and then I am reminded of the stress of the vicarage phone going at all hours of the day, and of my less than efficient paperwork. Sonia Boyles did her best to keep things on track from her house in Woodley, but this is a much more efficient way of running a busy church. The Ark continues to facilitate excellent outreach and hospitality. The Rendezvous lunches are flourishing and growing in the numbers attending, and our partnership with Kathy Wright at the Village Hamper is proving to be a very beneficial arrangement. Our two excellent youth ministers continue to make a significant difference in the lives of so many young people and children, and much of their work is behind the scenes, mentoring pupils in local schools. The front of house work in the Ark on Sundays and Fridays is a wonderful testimony to what God is doing in the lives of young people. Indeed, STAY on Friday recently welcomed 86 of them! There was an encouraging response to my letter about financial giving to God’s work in the parish, but we still have some way to go to encourage more committed and realistic giving to fund all that we are now committed to. However, under God, I feel we shall achieve this as we move forward as a church. ## **Jamie** ## **TREASURER'S REPORT** ## **Financial Review** The PCC ended the year with a total net expenditure (deficit) of £117,595, compared to a total net expenditure (deficit) of £54,668 for the previous year. This deficit included an element of catch up in expenditure and was met from cash funds accumulated during the pandemic and shortly thereafter when maintenance was delayed. Total income for the year was £343,301. There were grants received of £140,025, which included £113,000 from The Bull Inn Ecclesiastical Trust. Planned donations to the PCC increased over the prior year and the number of planned givers rose slightly. One-off giving in 2024 was £15,287 including specific gifts for Youth work. Investment income of £12,499 was received, mostly from endowments and interest on deposits which declined slightly with less cash on deposit. During the year, the Youth Minister moved and his former house is now let commercially, increasing lettings income. Expenditure relating to services, mission and running costs increased to £467,152 including £61,465 on repairs to the church building and the churchyard wall, although these repairs were offset by some specific grants. The Parish Share contribution to the Oxford Diocese was £93,972. The cost of producing the Parish Magazine was not fully covered by the revenue from advertising. Efforts are in train to increase advertising revenue. The cost of distribution continues to be funded from General Funds. £4,862 was spent on noise reduction panels for the Ark. Depreciation for the Ark, the Youth Minister’s House and Equipment was £32,750. ## **Reserves policy** It is PCC policy to maintain a Reserves balance, which equates to at least three months normal Unrestricted payments (if possible) to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. Approximately £60,000 has been held in a Designated General Reserve Fund for this. The Reserve increased in 2023 to £61,869, mainly due to an increase in the value of underlying investments. With the increase in expenditure in 2023, albeit including exceptional items for repairs, the Reserves figure is under review. ## **Jerry Wood - Honorary Treasurer** ## **CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT** Once again, the process of writing the annual report gives us the opportunity to reflect on the previous year, realising what has been achieved, and to look to the future. Our Music Director Richard has continued to develop both junior and senior choirs, despite saying farewell to our two senior choristers Noah and Amelia. Our Christmas and Easter services were outstanding, and a real testimony to the hard work of the choral team. Corinne Robertson has taken the families ministry to new heights with record numbers of families coming to Messy Church, the Crib service and to the Easter fun day. Westy and Corinne introduced “give back” days into the school holiday activities and it is great to see the young people litter picking in the village or serving at a charity. STAY, Sunday Club, Sunday at Six, Messy Church, Rendezvous, Wednesday at Eight, Thursday at Eight and Alpha all continue to be reasons for celebration, with them serving both congregation and the wider community. We want to thank Jamie, Bob, Westy, Corinne and Hilary our amazing staff team, but also the many other people who volunteer at St Andrews: the Welcome Team, Deputy Wardens, Servers, Bell Ringers, Coffee Makers, PCC and Youth Club Volunteers, making St Andrew's the very special place it is. **Ruth Jeffery and Liz Nelson – Churchwardens** ## **SAFEGUARDING REPORT** As I am sure many of you are aware the last year has been a particularly challenging time for the wider Church of England, as it acknowledges real failures in safeguarding practice in the past. The last year has been a time when the Church and particularly those in the most senior roles of safeguarding seek to listen openly and carefully to the experiences of victims and survivors and commit to learning the lessons that have arisen. I know that press reports surrounding these failures have been painful to follow, and that many of us working so hard in safeguarding have felt dispirited and let down as I am sure many of you also do. The Wider Church of England is currently setting up a programme of work, to work on the future of Church Safeguarding. This work will include putting in place a single complaints policy which will be used by all dioceses and a shared independent end-stage complaints capacity. There are also plans to develop as soon as possible detailed proposals for an independent scrutiny body, and ensure these are tested robustly with the Church, with victims and survivors and with professionals. In the Oxford diocesan an independent audit has been completed which considered safeguarding in the diocese to be robust. The audit recognised the significant work that has gone into improving our safeguarding provision over the last few years and was clear that the diocese is taking safeguarding seriously, not simply around compliance but also in relation to prevention and culture change. Across the diocese we aim for a culture that understands safeguarding to be our Christian imperative where we are called to take care of the young, the vulnerable, and most in need. We will continue to listen to and learn from those who have experienced abuse, ensuring that their voices shape our practices and continue to share the message that this is a shared mission, and we will strive to do all we can to bring about positive safeguarding cultures across the diocese. Here at St Andrews, we continue to take the safeguarding of children, vulnerable adults and all those who visit and worship at St. Andrew’s extremely seriously. Safeguarding is an essential part of our core faith and an integral feature of Christian life in our parish. It remains a standing discussion item at all PCC meetings. At St Andrews we follow safer recruitment practices for employing staff, and all helpers with our children’s and youth activities need to submit to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and undertake safeguarding training (appropriate to the position) before they can join our teams. As a church St Andrews works within Oxford Diocesan Safeguarding practice and policy guidelines. Regular training is attended by all key staff as well as volunteers. The PCC remains committed to enabling all staff, visitors and congregation to feel safe with safeguarding being everyone’s responsibility. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to prompting a safer culture and building good safeguarding practices in St Andrews. The Parish Safeguarding Officer and the PCC continues to look at and work on developing areas in St Andrews and the local context and parish for improving safeguarding. There have been no safeguarding allegations or concerns reported since the last AGM. ## **Nicola Riley St Andrew's Safeguarding Officer, Senior Social Worker & Childrens Court Guardian.** ## **BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE** A great deal has been achieved during the last year to keep our beautiful church and other buildings well maintained and fit for purpose. The 2024 Quinquennial Report on the condition of the church ran to 150 pages of detailed review and was positive overall. However, there is some essential and very costly work that needs to be undertaken during the next few years. Over the past year new lighting has been installed in the bell tower, including much needed improvements to the spiral staircase lights. The ancient wall leading down from Sonning Lane has been repaired and repointed. The roof gulley on the north side of the church and the wall at the east end of the church have both been repaired and we hope that this will sort out the damp issues in the vicar’s vestry. In addition, the east side of the north porch wall was also repointed and made secure. Our wonderful brasses in the floor between the choir stalls have been restored and work to repair the ceramic floor tiles in the church aisles has been completed. We are very grateful as always for the financial help provided by FoStAC in funding projects such as sorting out the damp issues in the vestry. I would like to thank both Terry Hunt and Keith Nichols for their hard work and great patience in helping with these projects. Without their experience, help and advice our buildings maintenance programme would be far less effective. The house in Park View Drive, Charvil was refurbished, bringing it up to standard to enable Westy and his family to move in last spring. The West’s old home in Elm Drive, Woodley, also required some redecoration and maintenance before it could be tenanted. I would like to thank Charles Hubbard and Mike Judd, whose work on these properties helped me immensely. ## **Liz Nelson** ## **SOCIAL COMMITTEE** We are proud of the hospitable welcome we offer as a church, this is made possible by many volunteers from the congregation. Thank you to all who help to serve refreshments every Sunday after the 10.30 services, and the monthly Choral Evensong service. A special thank you also goes to the bakers of the delicious home-made cakes served after Choral Evensong. During the year we catered for several events including the Easter Fun Day BBQ, which was a great success, and we are extremely grateful to all those who shopped, cooked, served, set up and helped to clear away. Wine was served after both the All Souls Service and Nine Lessons and Carols, the latter being served with traditional mince pies. ## **Sue Peters** ## **MESSY CHURCH** On the third Sunday of each month, we welcome families to join us for fun activities and learning, including craft making, teaching and songs, followed by a meal for the children and sometimes for the adults too! We have been blessed by our helpers at Messy Church this year, including young people and adults, alike. Each one of them helps to create the welcoming, creative, and energised space for children and their families to learn about Jesus. With this gentle welcoming and fun, we are seeing a huge influx in numbers, some months we had upwards of 40 children attending, with very similar numbers of adults. We have joked a few times that we may need to build a bigger Ark! The community overall has been engaging, lively, and caring, which is a wonderful reason for continued prayer and thanksgiving. ## **Corinne Robertson** ## **SUNDAY CLUB** During Sunday Club, we have been following the church lectionary; hearing and responding to the same readings that those sat in the church hear on any given 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sunday. Numbers have been steadily increasing, and we have had, on average, about 8-10 children at each session and 2-4 parents and caregivers, in addition to our Sunday Club leaders. We have been using an online resource called "Lesson Plans that Work," created from the Episcopal Church, to help root and guide our lessons. Christmas and Easter are special points in the year, marked by the Crib Service and making the Easter Garden. We had a record attendance at the Crib Service, with 96 children and 265 adults, making this service the most well-attended of our Christmas services. This year, we had readers (and audience members!) read passages from Bob Hartman's rhyming bible, and watched the "no rehearsal" style Christmas story unfold with the children dressed up in fancy dress. All of the gifts and time that is put into and received from Sunday Club could not be done without the volunteers who so willingly give their attention and care to this ministry. I am continually grateful to them and to God for their helping hands, generous hearts, and willingness to be vulnerable in their Faith. They set a beautiful example for the children and to me, and without them, Sunday Club could not function. ## **Corinne Robertson** ## **ALPHA COURSE** The Alpha Team ran the fourth successful Alpha course in 2024. We met every Tuesday on zoom for 12 weeks to watch the insightful and interesting alpha videos together. We then discussed some questions afterwards. It is the perfect combination of comfort, ease and a relaxed environment for people to be in their own homes, ask any questions and not feel judged. We saw several people come to faith or renew their faith in Jesus and we baptised new Christians in the Thames. It has also meant people have made new friends and felt more at home in St Andrews church. ## **Chris West** ## **SUNDAY AT SIX** Sunday at Six meets in the Ark on the last Sunday of each month and in December of 2024 we continued the new tradition of ‘Beers & Carols’ at the Bull Pub. (Also we don’t meet in August as so many people are away). We’ve worshipped with Gem and the band, we’ve had guest worship leader Pete Wilmot. We’ve seen new leaders grow in hosting and preaching skills. We’ve had guest preachers including Lindz West of the band LZ7, Debbie Bruwer who is a former Olympic rower and Louise Sheedy share her powerful testimony of loss, heartache and the goodness of God. The Sunday at Six service is a relaxed environment with modern worship songs, biblical teaching and space for prayer. All ages are welcome. ## **Chris West** ## **STAY ON SUNDAY** Our weekly Sunday Youth Group meets every Sunday (apart from the 1st Sunday of each month) at 10.30am. It is a highlight for many young people where we meet in the upper room of the Ark twice a month, we play big games in the Ark hall once a month and we meet in the bull for small games and hot chocolate once a month. Each time we have fun, share stories and spend time focussing on our Christian faith. We also watch videos, play games, read scripture, eat snacks and pray. ## **Chris West** ## **STAY ON MONDAY** Our fortnightly small group on Monday nights meets in the young peoples homes. We get to hang out, play games, watch videos and read stories of how people connect with God across the world. We have continued to use the STIR cards in 2024/25 and these have been so useful in creating a safe space for the young people to explore the Christian faith. ## **Chris West** ## **WEDNESDAY AT EIGHT** Following on from our second Alpha course, Wednesday at 8 is a fortnightly bible study type group. It meets every other Wednesday on zoom from 8-9pm. Previously we have watched the Bible Project videos on ‘Books of the Bible,’ we’ve completed the ‘prayer course’ by Pete Grieg and we’ve had socials in each others homes. These sessions have been really enjoyable, packed with fantastic insight, discussion points and angles on things that offer helpful guidance for discussion. We then discuss what’s come up then pray to finish. It is another great way to deepen friendships and feel part of the St Andrews church family. ## **Chris West** ## **THURSDAY AT EIGHT** Thursday @ 8 is open to anyone who is a part of St Andrews Church. We meet weekly in members homes (currently Charvil, Woodley and Sonning) depending on who is available to host. We regularly have between 8 and 12 people. You don’t need to know lots about the Bible to come along - the purpose is to explore God’s word and think about how it applies to our daily lives. Over the last year we have studied The Lord's Prayer and are working our way through Paul's letters. We have great discussions, learning from one other and really encouraging each other in our Faith. We continue to share prayer requests and pray together (silently or out loud), and we have seen many answered prayers over the last 12 months. Our WhatsApp group is a way to be there for each other practically and emotionally when needed during the week. We have seen a few members move away to pastures new, Cornwall, Didcot and Chippenham over the last year. We miss them, but feel privileged to have been able to support them through the moving process. If you would like more information please speak to either Ruth Jeffery or Helen Craig or you can email Helen on helen.craig50@gmail.com ## **Helen Craig and Ruth Jeffery** ## **STAY ON FRIDAY** Our weekly youth club in the Ark grew in popularity in 2024/25 with a record number of 86 young people one week. Each week we spend time playing a mixture of basketball, football, kubb, skipping, volleyball, wide games, frisbee, cricket, indoor games, pool table, foosball, consoles, baking and more. STAY on Friday also feeds into our STAY Holiday Activities, where we take groups of young people out on trips to trampoline parks, paintballing, theme parks, cinemas, ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, paddleboarding lakes and pottery painting workshops…to name just a few. ## **Chris West** ## **MUSIC AT ST. ANDREW'S** This year has been a time of flourishing for the choir as we support the various types of worship in the church. We continue to sing five regular services a month, supporting and enhancing worship of the church, as well as adding festive flair to the special services, such as the Carol Service and Remembrance. We have also been able to continue to make links with young instrumentalists, and developing the organ playing and experience our organ scholar, achieved a merit in his Grade VIII organ, in spite of sustaining a broken leg. He has also been regularly supporting our service music from this time last year. The brass groups, established to lend a festive air in our Carol Service and Easter Day service continue to provide a suitably festive lift. ## **Richard Meehan - Director of Music** ## **RENDEZVOUS LUNCH CLUB** We have had a wonderful year of fabulous lunches provided by Kathy and her team from The Village Hamper. There has been so much conversation, laughter and fun had by everyone who attends the twice monthly lunches on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Our numbers for each lunch are now averaging at about 38 people which makes for lively sessions and ensures the lunches remain economic to run. I would particularly like to thank Ian and Thelma Hutton-Penman for their tireless help in setting up the tables and generally helping out with the running of the lunches over the past few years; they will be greatly missed by us all, when they move away to be nearer their family in Somerset this summer. ## **Liz Nelson** ## **BELL RINGERS** We now have 11 members of the Oxford Diocesan Guild. We ring regularly for the 10.30am Sunday morning service and try to ring a quarter peal after the monthly choral evensong. Some of us continue to support Wargrave who are short of ringers and Shiplake who ring for their monthly Sunday afternoon service. On Easter Saturday afternoon we again opened the tower for tours to see the ringing room and view from the roof. We rang rounds and call changes on 6th June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. We had redesigned our ringing banner to remember D-Day and hung it from the top of the tower during Scarecrow weekend at the end of May. Some of our ringers helped with the mobile belfry at the Hurst show at the end of June. In December we hosted the Sonning Deanery Branch of Ringers. We provided welcome hot drinks and mince pies after the practice. We are grateful to ringers from other towers who support our weekly ringing practice and Sunday morning ringing. ## **Pam Elliston - Tower Captain** ## **THE FRIENDS OF ST ANDREW’S CHURCH (FoStAC)** THE FRIENDS OF ST ANDREW’S CHURCH (FoStAC) exists as a separate Registered Charity (Number 1101944) to support the fabric of our beautiful St. Andrew’s Church building by making grants to St. Andrew’s Church PCC for specific projects. Since our founding in 2003, we have raised over £536k. In 2024 we granted nearly £9k to fund the continued work on the vestry wall repairs, including re-leading the gully on the roof above – as covered in the March 2024 edition of The Parish Magazine. Our total income for 2024 was nearly £22k and after event expenses, grants to the PCC and administration costs, we made a surplus of over £8k, helping to restore our depleted reserves. FoStAC raises these funds primarily through a combination of (1) regular donations – a big thank you to all those who donated during 2024, and (2) fundraising community events, often working in partnership with local organisations. Additionally, we (3) receive legacies and gifts in memory and in some years although not in 2024, we (4) receive grants from other local charities for specific fabric projects. FoStAC events in 2024 kept its Trustees (Keith Nichols, Sally Wilson, Bob Hine, Keith Hawkins, Rosemarie Rixon, Ian McCann and myself) very busy – I continue to be very grateful on our collective behalf for all their hard work throughout the year in bringing together and delivering such a successful programme of enjoyable events. In 2024 these included a successful Race Night in Pearson Hall using Sonning Club’s bar, an AGM and accompanying Quiz Night in The Ark, a Grand Musical Evening involving Ascot Brass Band, the Choir of Sonning CoE Primary School and former Head Chorister Celeste Hexter in St. Andrew’s Church, Sonning Scarecrow Trail refreshments in The Ark, a Garden Tea Party in the Parish kindly hosted by Jill & Richard Brighton, a stall at the 2024 Sonning Show held at Sonning CoE Primary School and our second annual Curry Night at The Village Hamper. We also sold Christmas Cards and Trustee Ian and his son took on the challenge of cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for FoStAC (nearly £1.5k) alongside other deserving charities – thank you Ian. We continue to offer a varied programme of events year to year working with our partnering organisations in the community, with details on our FoStAC website – www.fostac.org – allied ‘QR Code’ on the right. If you would like a copy of 2024 Annual Report providing more detail and pictures of our events, please do contact us via the website or speak with one of the Trustees. Thank you to all those who supported FoStAC in any way during 2024 and I conclude with the words of Phil Sherwood, Head of Sonning CoE Primary School following our Musical Evening, which sums up the wider spirit of what we try and achieve alongside raising money with our events – “For many of the pupils, they had never heard classical music performed by a live brass band, so the experience was a special one for them.” ## **Magnus Smyly - Chairman** ## **STEWARDSHIP REPORT** Planned giving increased over the prior year. Cash giving at services has declined as givers switch to standing orders or use the contactless terminal, which, despite some issues from time to time, has proved a worthwhile addition to our ways of giving. We continue to encourage people to use standing order as the preferred method of giving as this provides the treasurer with a better level of certainty when forecasting our income and involves less work for those doing the weekly bankings. Also if you are able to give under Gift Aid as a UK tax payer this increases the value of your gift by 25% as we are able to claim the relevant tax from HMRC. If anyone would like a standing order form or a gift aid form to complete please e-mail me at treasurer@sonningparish.org . Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. **Jerry Wood - Treasurer and Stewardship Co-ordinator** ## **THE PARISH OF SONNING - Giving outside the Parish 2024** It was agreed at the PCC on 18 March 2024 that the list of recipients presented to that meeting would be supported for up to five years. A range of areas are covered, including Christian outreach, children and families and homelessness. The PCC is also committed to supporting the worldwide church and in view of the continuing situation in the Middle East we are supporting Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME), a UK based Christian charity which aims to rebuild lives and restore hope in the Middle East. We are also supporting for the first time a charity in Sierra Leone which helps street children in Free Town and provides medical facilities in this politically unstable country. At the same time, it was agreed to maintain a small reserve, from which specific requests might be met during the year. Donations made during 2024 were as follows: |nations made during 2024 were as follows:|| |---|---| |**Parish and local**|**£**| |Woodley Food bank|1,000| |Yeldall Christian Centre|1,000| |Sonning School and School House Trust|1,500| |**Wider/local**|| |Berkshire Clergy Charity|1,000| |Salvation Army|750| |Faith Christian Group|750| |Parents & Children Together (PACT)|750| |Christian Community Action (CCA)|750| |**International**|| |Karun Orphanage|2,000| |St George’s Foundation, Sierra Leone|1,500| |Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation|| |in the Middle East (FRRME)|1,500| |**TOTAL**|**12,500**| the church of st andrew, SERVING CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye Sonning Parochial Church Council Réglstered Charfty No 1130763 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of t￿8 Parochial Church Council for th8 year ended 31 December 2024 INGUMBENT The Revd. J8m e Ta￿or The Vl¢arago Thames Street Sonning INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Bank5 & Co. I Cameg',a Road Newbury The Parochlal Church Counc11 {PCC) of the Ecclèslastlcal Parlgh of Sonnlng During the year to 31 December 2024, the followtng soNed the Part8h-. Incumbent (and Ch8lrJ LIGensed Lay Mlnlster Youth Mlnlsler Youth and Chl,:dren's Mlr.1818r Revd Jami6 Taylor Bob Peters Ghrfs West Corlnne Roljetson lappoinled to PCC 19Tr May 2024) Churohwardens Lk NeLson Sttt8rt Bowman 'reslgned 19th v.ay 2024) Ruth Jeffery (appolnlgc May 2024) Deputy Chur¢hwar¢ens SUB Peters Kevin Wllson (appolntod 1V May 2024) Tr8asurer J8rry Wood Secrgtary Hilary Rennle {rtrappolnted 1* May 2024) Olhor PCC Members (normally 3 year term) Indra B':ddulph (resign￿ 19th May 2024) HCA en Cratg Heather Y￿[er T8rry Hunt 'r&8igned 19th May 2024) Kalherine Karalus (appointed 19th May 2024) NIGol& Riley J8nry Sawyer Allson Smyly The method of appolntment of PCC members 5s set OLrt in tne Church R9presenl8llon Rules. Al Sl Andr8Ws the membershlp of the PCC cons18ts of the In¢unbent lour vlcar), chur¢hwardens, the licensed Say mIn￿tar and memb6r8 glected by those members of th8 Gongregallon who are on the elettloral role of the church. The PCC metnbers aro rospoislbl8 for m8king d￿lS7O7S on all rr.atters of g&n8ral con¢&rn ond importanc8 to Ihe parlsh, Including deciding on how th8 fvnds of the PCC are to be s?8nl. New m8mbers recglvg Initial Iralning Inlo the worklAgs of the PCC. Th& PCC met on 6 ¢)c¢aslons Gurfng the year and the average attendance at thgse meetings was 84Y.. Admlnl8tratlve Infomiatlon The Parlsh of Sonnlng 6ncompasses the Ihrfvlng CommUn￿e8 of Sonning, Sonning Eyo and Charvll, located between Rgadlng and Henley-on-Thames In a beaU￿fUl secyon of the Tham88 Valley. We have a growing congrogauon and are welcomlng and uplwting, 8mbraclng th8 broad Anglican tradition. The corre$pondonGe address Is: St Andrew's Church Office Thamas Street Sonnlng READING Berkshire RG4 6UR Th8 PCC Is a bo(iy co-, parale (PCC Powus MeasLTr 1956, Church Representallon Rules 20061 and a charlty reglslered wlth the Charfty Commlssion IR8glslered Chadty Number.. 11307631. Alm and Purpo88 To provlda; Regular publlG W0￿￿1p that L8 open to 811 Sacred space for p8rsonal Frayor and conlgfflplallon Pastoral work wl.'ch In¢lude8 visiting th8 s]ck ond the bereavod The tea¢hlng of Chrlsllanlty through semions, courses and snall group8 The leadgrship of religious 8ssèmblies in s¢hoois The promouon of Chrlstlantty through the sl8giThJ of events and meellngs. and In the d151rlbutlon of Ilterature Promotion of the mission of th8 ChurGh through provision of aGI￿ltieS for 811 ages in our Parish Sullport of other charilies In Ib.e UK arKI overseas Objgctlvos and ActSvltl83 The PCC '.s ￿Mmitted lo enabllng as many peop".e GS posslble ;o worship in our parlsh and lo b8GDme part of our parlsh ¢ommuntty wlthjn Sonnlng, Sonnlng Eye and C￿,arvI1. The PCC vision18 10.. Serve better those who ohoose to worshlp wll4 us ane shere a Joumey in falth R88ch out and draw olhers to the knowledge and love of God Attond lo th8 pastora n8eds o., thr￿e around us la8 IndWidual$ and as an organlsatlDnl Pr05eNe our Aigllcan herilage Engage wlth our Iwal Gommunlty and find new ways 10 88rve11 When plannlng our E*clfvilles for the y8ar, the Incumbent and the PGC have considered the Comml8sion's guidanc8 on publlG beneflt and the specrflc guldanGe on chariues for the adva4cement of religlon. We try to enable ordln8ry people to lfve out their faSth as part cf our parlsh community through,. Worshlp- Lsarning about the Gosp818nd dev6loplig their kiowl8dge and trust In Jesus MIs8ion and pa8lorai care- Glvlng lo othèrs and the provlsion of pasloral care for people I￿Ing in the parish Bulldlngs and MalnlenanGe- To facllllate thls work rt18 Importanl that we maintaln the fabrio of our church Soclal - Arraiiglng s￿la1 8v8nls throughout the year Commlttees The PGC operates through a number of commlttees. whith meet b&￿een thè full meeUng8 of th8 PCC. Th88e are: standlng and Financts This Is the onty CDmmTlle8 requlred by law and h8s powor to transact the buslness of the PCC between meellngs, subj￿1 lo any direGllons glven by thB CourKil. Mèmbers Rre the Incumbgnl, the Churchwardons, the Tr8asur6r and the SeGrelary. Bulldlngs and Maintenancè Thls Gommittee attends to matter8 relatiThJ to stewardship of th8 church bulldlngs and fabrlc. Chair: Mrs Llz Nelson. MIssKin and PaslcKal Thls comrnlttee att8nds to matters concernlng axtornal givlng from lh8 Parlsh. Chalr: R6vd J8ml8 Taylor. 8oGial rhls ccmmltt8e is reswnslble for affanglng soclal events. Chalr: Mrs Sue Pe19rs. The Parfsh Magazlne Dolivered free to every hDU8e In the parfsh. Edltor.. Bob Pe'lers Advertlsing and D.'stribuUon: Harriet Ne150n Electoral Roll At the APCM on 2811 May 2024 therg ww8 241 people on the Electoral Roll. Approvgd by the ParcKhial Chur¢h Councll on 21F 2025 and 81gnod on Its behalf by: j&L.wlcO Revd. Jamle Taylor IPCC Chalr} Jerry Wood (Treasurar) TREASURER'S REPORT Flnan¢lal Rovlew Tfr.e PCC ended th6 yea", wllh a total net expendVur8 (defl¢lt) of £117,595, wmpared lo a total nat 8xpendllur8 (deffcitl of £54,668 for the provlous year. Thls def.'o11 Included element of catch up In &xpendllur8 and was met from cash funds accurnulated durlng the pand8mlc and shorty theroaftor whgn malntellanoe was dglay8d. Total Income for the year was £343,301. Thgre wBre grants reoefved of £140.025, which Included £113,000 from The Bull Inn Eccle8iastioal Trust. Planp.ed donallpns to the PCC Incre8sed over the prlor year and th9 number of planned glvers rose slightly. On￿ff gtving In 2024 was £15,287 Including speclflc glfjs for Youth work. Snv8Stment Inoomo of £12,499 was received, mosuy from endowments and Inter9sI on deposlls which declined sllghtly wllh lass cash Oli d6FX)8lt. Durlng the year. the Youth Minisler moved and hts former hoL¢se 18 now let commèrcially, InGreaslro18tting8 Income. Expendlture relating to servlces, mFssion and runnlng costs Incre8sed to £467,152 Includlng £61,465 on repairs to Ihe ¢hurch bulldlng and Ihe churchyard wall. although these -.epairs were offsgt by som8 specific grants. The Paritsh Share conlribullon to Ihe OKford DloGes8 was £93,972. The c081 of produclng the Parfsh Magazlne was not fully Govered by the rèvenue from advertlslng. Efforts are In Iralr. lo Increase advorusing revende. The Gost o! dislrfbution condnu85 lo be fundod from General Funds. Depr8cl8tlon for the Ark. the Youth Mlnlsterfs (former} House and Equlpmenl was £31,926. Reserves pollcy It18 PCC pollcy to malnlaln a Resewe8 balaiGe. Wh￿.7 0¢￿aleS lo al laa5t three rnonths normal Unreslrfcled Pgyments IW possible) 'iO COV8r emergency stiuations tiat may arise from t Th lo tlme. Approxlmat8ly £60,000 h88 be8n hgld in a Desl9nated G8n8r21 Reservo Fund for thls. In March 2024, th8 PCC agreed lo In¢rease resorves loward5 & ngure of £85,000. The Reserve fjnd 8too(l at £61.018 at the end of 2024 and wlll be in¢reased as and when funds arè availaJle to the lorget level. Jerry Wood - Honor8ryTreasurer Parfsh of Sonnlng Statement of FinanGial AGtlvitle$ For the p8rfod from 1 January 2024 to 31 DeGembèr 2024 Nol88 Unre¥trlGted fund8 ReolwSBlod Endowment funds funds Total fvnd8 Prforyenr tvtsl tundg 1￿comE ￿nd￿dowMe￿ts hDm.' Voluntary Inox)me A¢U¥￿88 G￿l￿g Fu￿5 ITrcoTll8 from Invè$lmen18 Church ￿￿¥1￿0S othor Incomo 278216 14,567 6203 4.881 282.897 14,5S7 12.499 33.338 261,651 24,Y84 12,813 15214 274 10,750 TDl¥l Incoma 321,574 15.705 Q022 343,301 314,242 Expendlture on.. Church act1￿110$ R*￿Ing Funds 284￿19 582 ,681 466,522 030 392,192 Total expgndllure 365,401 022 487,152 392,336 N8t lnoomellEXp￿dKUrfrl bèfore Inw8tm•nt GBlns {43,82YI 180.0241 1123,8511 178,0941 Nal GalnsllLoo$961 on'.nvesbn8nts Not In¢offlollExpgndlfur81 Transfers bètsvegn Fund8 6,674 5.674 6256 1117,595) 23,426 (43.4711 127A54 (79,7981 27,450 1&4,8681 Not movement In fund8 (70.W20) 152H431 5,674 1117,SYSI 154.6681 R8concINotlon olFunds Total fw)ds brought forward 2TrJW8 1,187.379 247,979 1,635,946 1,890.614 Toial fuftd8 c￿rrIed foNord 129.662 1,135,036 2￿,653 f,518,3¥1 1,638,946 P8gg P3rl8h of Sonnlng Balance sheet As at 31 Decernbor 2024 Unrestrtotgd Re8￿Ct¢d Endtswmènt Thls Ybar Funds Funds Funds Total Last Y?ar rotal Not¢8 Flxgd88s&Is T8nglb16 8858ts Invèslma)ts 65,661 26.105 1,1￿1,2?4 10,101 1.128,88S 289,8e 1,416,745 1,156.074 283.804 253,654 91,768 1,071,325 253,654 D8bt(Ys pryyments Cash bank and In hand 137 52.9.2 1.673 64,787 1,810 117,699 8.543 22D.380 119J09 228.923 Ll8blllll85 Crod11ots'. ANK)unls fdllnu due %sthn on? year 15.154 1749 17, 33.155 Ngt curionl 8¥Sets I IllabllJtlBsl To¢al ?8sets1889 Gurr&nt Ilaljllltles 37,895 63,711 1D1,606 198,768 129,661 1,136.036 253.654 1,518,351 1,633,946 Total net ass 129 664 R•prns￿lédbY 11 General Organ Chjral F￿ndelIon Mlsslon & Devdomwnt P8r18h mag￿ne G8ngr41 Fte5 Extèmal Glvfng 9.4TI 57,301 9,477 6T.361 27,612 81.030 25.7QO 4.012 15.934 61.889 4.425 11,3241 2.762 61,018 2.762 61.018 New Hall Youth Frnncgs CoopBr Jacquelln8 Hoclda EcLbslastic81 Fund 21.(r20 534 621.020 636.317 3.185 6.889 536,688 8,843 03,381 503,381 prtce Oevles ¢m￿chY8[d T￿￿t Dk*son ThTSt hfilchdl Tru* Palmer Chzrfiy w￿h￿ngton TrL8t WIIVgm Pay 4.671 118.29) 4,824 123,799 4,671 118,250 4,624 123,799 115,604 4.521 21.0 1.198 157 161 161 Funds of the church 1.135.038 1 518381 1,63S ￿8 Approved l)y Ihe P&rochl81 Clnw¢h Cwnoal on m(￿th 2025 atKI ￿g[￿d Its behalf by Revd. J•rd8 IPCC Chalr) Jéry Wood (Tre08werl The Note5 on p46$ 8 10 12 form part ufllE59 ￿)UnIS Page 6 Parfsh of Sonnlng Cash Flow Statement for the ygar endgd 31 Llecgmbor 2024 2024 2023 Ngt Cash gporallng artlvltlao (112,9431 IBI,1781 CaBh Flowg I￿rn Invèstlng a¢tlvltles dands and Inlw881 frL¥Tr IDv851men16 Equlprnenl Costs euldlros Coyt 12,499 12,23 12.813 14,B621 N81 Caah prthdd8d by I In}Inv05Ur¥ #¢tWes 10 7.751 Change In cwsh and ¢a8h ¢qulvalants In reportlng p?rfod 1102.881 IS3,42YI Cash and ¢aBh 9qU￿￿￿15 Ot 1 Jenu&ry 273.807 C&$h gnd e88h o ufvalarrts at 31 DB¢¢mber 117,699 22Q.380 R¢eonclll4tlon of n9t Incom8lwBndltu N81 Inwme b6tore Invoslment g8ln81(losse81311)e¢ Adlu$trnenls lor. Dar*￿￿48￿0n Gharges DI￿dends, Interest ond R8p.I fr￿Th Inv88im8nts D8cie88¢1 Ilncreasel In debl(Ks IDeoreasg1 I In¢xwe In G•dllc*E 1123.851} (78,0941 31.tr26 112.4991 8.733 115.2521 32,750 112,8131 13,1761 Nat Cash rowded b I Iu8ed In erBtI aetivittOS 1111943 61,178 naly818 of Gash and ¢*8h equlvalents Ca8h Bank Short twm d8poslts (less th8D 3 nwtPHI 111449 216,244 4.036 117,699 220.380 P•Jè 7 Notes to tho tlnanclal statements For the year ended 31 December 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The PCC b a publkn i￿nefit entltywthln Ihe megnlwof FRS 101 The fl￿￿al 8taletnents have been propared undertho Charlb88 Art 2011 Ejnd In a¢rordatK& fhe ChwGtr Ac￿ltIng Re5fv+io￿ 2096 wvemlw th8 lYJvldu81 acwunLs Df Pccts. ond wlth tho RegiilaUon5' Irua and fal￿ pro￿￿on5. 10fv￿h FR8".02 8s th8 ap￿IcaN8 8c(x>uniln9 $13nO¥ds anO:hg 2019 verslon of the Sl&l6rn8nl of Ru¢orr.merthl Pra¢UGe. Ac(xM￿..l1WJ 8t¥J ReffjryJ ty Ch*lUes ISORPIFRS IV211. The flnan(I818lal8m9nis.78Va t>e8n undsr ttr.8 hhlorfr4 ￿st co￿11￿ except forlnvesimenl a55elg, bthlch arg Shown al markel valJo. rhe financ￿ stal&i)enls all tranS￿￿lIk9. assalg and 11a￿11￿6$ forwhlth thfr PCC1s respowlNe In law. They d rol It￿l￿e th8 a(*wnls of Chulthw￿S tha:. oweth&" ¥naln 8ffI8VoTr to txxty. nor t￿￿e that are Informal gahsdngs of church m￿)b£r8. Funds Endowmontrund8 are knds. th8 (aFdl81 of*ith r*i4ned wltw P8rn￿nanllYQr 8t the PCG$ d18¢r8tlon', the Inccth¥ derfv *roff. Ihe 8ncO￿n￿l Is lo b8 [￿£d e.'Iher as r88tFbAfrJ or unre8ttk4￿I Inr<4ne funds ￿e￿Ing UFon the PLwe whlch th& en¢ovm)wl wa8 88tabll8h1￿ In the firs[ Fla￿. Reslri¢tfjdfund8 r&pr8S9nl lal InuTh8 frotn lo bu exp￿￿￿ Mly ￿ Ihe r¢61rfct￿ pJi wès Inle￿￿￿ tythe -'Ivty.nteNJed bythg donor. Wn016 thes6 fund8 have dowr and Ibl r￿6￿u8 don8Uons or gran18 FCC a￿. unspènt balanc85, thdr poolEd 1nveslrr.enis ￿ &pW-UOr.￿ to the tsYv.(lJal thds Dn en £v9r￿ge balarKe ?8918. Unrgslncle(ffunds Undudlro rtb￿gnat￿d furKlsl a,'e gon￿91 fiJtKS8 th areta on lh8 PCC'8 g8nsral PLW588. In¢omlng r¥sources Pl&nTred gfvl',Ig, collactlons and 1kn31iorB aw reccgr.W vrt*r. rec*iYsd. Tax refutKts are recojrtted Iha Incovnlw rè80urca to whlch th&y rel81a Is [￿e1¥￿, If t￿cessary by eslknalÉA a￿.￿$, so al SL(*. eXI￿n(￿ture h88 bean whli8n off Incurr6d. Eqthptn8nt Used wfhh the ts defft81gd on a slraWI-Ilr,e b9515 ov8r8n 8Fwopris18 rdwnbgr of ygar8. ITkllvldu81 118ms of ewlwent ￿th a puft*ase wlc4 of£lOLAI or less are w11ten off lh8 a)set ts wi•T&l. Inve3trnon￿ are va￿e￿ Ht y￿u9 at 31 Dwnber. Pao6 8 INW4IMG RE8OURce8 UThreslrfthd Fund EndowTh•ni Funds Yotal 2024 Tol&l 23 FLknd 2181 Voluntary IncLwn9 an￿ RwJver8b18 Co112cUons IOr*n P*lol Oth￿Don￿llCffiS Gr8nL8 9S.345 22.428 6,831 12,587 9e.830 23.924 8.831 15.287 140.025 282,89Y s5,￿9 14,416 S,828 22,739 133,019 1 J96 278216 4,651 21bl ACtI￿tIO¥ lorO8noralTng Fund Magg￿n&A￿Ve￿19Ir SurKtyAcllvHIQ5 14.567 14.$67 24,784 14,567 14.$67 24,764 21cl In¢ornfj frgjn dptMl$ Ènd trd8re81 274 74 6.C.22 12,499 12.499 12.613 6.203 Idl Inrorne fram Clturch A6￿￿118? LBllltyE Fges 8un(ty thomtr 10,750 12.850 12,201 8.487 33.338 1,443 7,789 5,082 16,21 8,487 22.58 10.YSD Toldl In¢orng 321,574 1J,YO 8,022 3.301 314,242 RESOURCES EXPENTrE 4a) Ch4rh8bl• AolfvN ry & Church(*pF5W'. hurCh(￿ar$o86". R81of8ThY Dev8WiertP49 om& V4$￿￿ OtharChLwth So¢18U $￿archarli1& DIOCe￿ P2thkn Sharg VW¥ltyTtt&m Cos15 Upkeèp olSWY￿Ès Partsh Tf£In5￿ll￿ CIX sI￿rew.$ RiJnrEng Crists Organ, Of9&r.bL cfKlr. Upkeep ofC>u'.thyarfd Sl S8ilk Floorn Ruwlr¥ PABTntenErtè The Arft Rullnlro Co$'s M&inwnaK8 Athilstrgll g8ilng Pilnllw EryIQthgrc￿ 2,000 3,00 3,750 1,7SD 93,972 124,643 8,4e4 21,￿6 09,298 23,372 48,145 312 22.812 29,913 27,7S2 1,083 17 1,750 750 96.79 76.982 fj,￿2 16,432 48207 71436 17,783 .846 &073 19,922 11,999 43.301 312 2.658 14720 572 21211 36,899 26,074 1S13 26.S41 27.702 New BulklwglQlwrcWd .819 .681 466,522 91192 4bl CtrFt uf {￿*r4t]ng Fund6 FurN1tdng Ti¥lno C051 GfG(fKts W & QihwG06 582 630 fj30 144 Totsl ft9•o#r￿ Expenil•d 366.401 95,72 022 417,152 Pags 9 riAFF COSTS Tha P(LlwJ fodromplos*85 81lEw Lrf¥*)**. of¢osL%*ègS 8ry &fj.523 2896 4,293 91512 ¢￿tr*Ll0Th Th& $re Include¢ Tn h•D￿tyTe6rn C<*ts aTrYAtsp.h￿lr8lkn￿ Cosis kn Nol&3 ab Ch.1$ W9gL B trusleè. was 88Yotrth trJ5 renxm¥eW. L8 41x￿e￿I9. Hllary RoNIè, A I￿51e￿. etnpw th8 Rbo¥•&rntyJnt8. Corfnn4 Rr￿fjrt￿ as *J CWrer8 kth'.$l£r*KI th6 atQV& 8mwnt8 PAYMEFifs TO MEPIBERS E¥por￿S pald io ￿lergy. ￿181¥. cFekkOJkg V[*9￿.. S￿l￿L￿MbMS1￿m&ykKlJde 8 gmaYlrnm91ertg1 wthlch 18lÉte$ to ih&tr ￿¢11￿ as oreArer65¥ tsth8rPCC Dr￿1 FIXED ASSET8 IÈ) Tan4b FT•8hold Land B￿lId1￿ re EqvSprnBnt Totsl AQTUAUDEEMED COST At16tJ&vry3)24 1230.551 145.882 1,382.439 2,237 19 2,237 1,384,e76 DEPREcwT￿N A11$1Jkrthry2024 151.5y2 74.333 225.886 l*rg8 Yeor 24.TJ1 .76.263 7.19S 81,52 31.926 91 NETV*LUES At 13tJawy21)24 gl Cthi 1,118&025 71.519 2537 ,195 66.591 1.1S6.¥f4 2237 31.92B 23 Ibl IrNe8IM￿1¥ Bt 1¥iJuv 26&804 0.178 S25 289,860 B1318ID8c 2￿.8￿4 Th¥ mwkelv8kjD￿￿￿s8￿tsInV$9kn￿ft1• Unteslthc F'J Reslrw Furth 2&1D5 10.101 L53,t 289,860 26,750 9.8Y5 2£7.9T9 283, DEOTQRSAND PREPAYIIENTS 1B10 8.Y3 CASAAT BANKAND IN HPt4D CAF LY*ry 108.993 4.163 4.250 Z73 17.B99 19P.018 21220 4.038 3.078 CUICBi Bhth LIA91UTIES 910 18,993 5.288 27,W 33.155 Py40 COmP￿TIVE VOFiTHE sfATEh1ENTOF HNfvXCIILACTivmtS I￿RGuRE8) fuod• VdutyltKon• 11713 2al.851 Inwm@liom lThe*mw ¢hurthdctr*liSS Clher irK0￿8 0.74T 12.053 294*12 747 act￿ Rg1W￿ FLYth Totpl •xp•ndkuY¢ 34B.54e 144 747 4192 144 s￿850 O,Bg9 ¢747 Imf 12J.9151 P40941 Ng1 21.4 Zl.495 N•1 Inoon 154, YraMfèr6 b&iw4gn hnd Nglin¢vernent In1w￿l 4,e62 21,49B FUNDS Fu Inwmtry B•lanFg$ ¢ardgd Forw*wd Forw¥d r9BtrfGt￿ FuThd8 Ggrwo1.-LJAI OrgB 27,612 61.( 87251 247.048 3,676 9861 TI 4.012 16.9>1 14x8 .196 19 le.U9} 8.075 11,¥241 &792 S.OJ8 tO(al 5.452 #A 321.574 .317 t&345 Yo 2TAD7 Iqd) 1&5 163 1117 14705 [1>3.881 EndowThAryt 10(¢l (*LY¢W Tmi 4.071 118,250 1(40} 115.6N 24fD MNohelTn PaknÈrc￿ty wmhéth9lc￿yl￿ 103 1xm9 1,198 1&799 Pa Pgkner 247*79 6,V4 SLTrdryFLh I,#Y5,916 10(cl IrKxxiib &Trlwtth9fa¥ iO(b} r(￿y￿￿w( P￿￿1 FUNDS Iconllnvgd) ¢omparntlve8 for mov•mBnt In lund812023 ftguros) Fund Not89 B21an¢es Brouuht Forward Incomlng Outgolnv RosL>ur¢e8 R•$our¢o9 Trnnsfor8 Galns and Balancès Carrled Forward Unr8Btrfotsd Funda Gen￿81 Fu Organ Choral Fo￿dau0￿ m￿S,,0n & D8veioJxnent Pw18h M8gazlwi Gg1)wo1 Res4 Ext8mal GI￿ng 253.650 277.769 3,875 300 40,92D 2S.115 161 750 341890 (30,4921 27.612 61,036 25.7(K) 4,0fj2 15,934 81,869 4,425 200,588 64,7.. 1 4.272 16224 S9.948 8,175 26B.553 15,036 24.819 1,007 25,624 1frfo .075 294.512 14.8621 1,075 R08tdcted Funds New Hall Youth Franees Cwper Jacqudlne Hadlda Ec(4esla8t￿a Fwd 14.879 10,337 8Y 183 11,413 4.862 836,317 2,500 3,186 8,890 538,687 1,187 379 10(b} 10ldl 10IGI 124 12,713 87 183 276 6.110 120&577 11983 48e2 Endowment Funds Prke Churchya￿ Trwl Dlckson Twsl M11c￿lI T￿￿1 Pdmer Charfty WllherfDglon fw8t Wllllam Payno 10lcl 10(¢1 11X¢l 78 397 10,020 392 10,491 104 13 21,495 23,426 04 4,566 115.604 4,521 121,029 1.198 157 247,gT9 1,635.948 4.169 105.584 3,160 124 3.307 3.160 124 3.307 10( 1Q(cl 110,538 144 6,747 314.242 6,747 352,336 1,690,614 Iolal Resgrvo of 3 rnonths expgtKfjtwg Iolbl Funds for Ylyjth 101¢) Ioldl I￿e tc be app￿%{1 lo upkegp of gTrveyfjrd arKI Egrtgln grav65 Inc*m8 to b& to Repatrs and AWnlgnanGo of St thlre¥V8 12 RELATEP PARTIES The Wcar And churCh¥vErd￿￿, vtho are tntslees of the PCC. 8',S0 tDJ9Lo89 of Tho 8ull Inn E¢(Jes188lW Twl, Ir(th whl¢h tha PC¢ rocalv8d gronts ￿£11s.lNj0d￿Illll th8 yew12022-£113.(M)01 to Dfthè PCC In th8 Padsh. The Vlcar and Chur(*wMth arg ajso Irud8es ofThe Trust, to PCC msdg paym8nls of£19.8(M) dumng the year 20YJ- £12.IX)01 far thè u5- Dra forts Y¢xth mr￿ler. fw. PCC &so settl￿ c8rtalTh Irbvolc88 on b&hdl ofThe Ranmu8 TruBt Ythlth wBr8 dlr• relmbur6fjd ty the Tn¢t tho yo8r. VIc8T and Chw¢hward8DS *0 trust805 ofThg SonNryJ S(*vS and S(lth TrLrt tt) Iho PCC made & donatbn of£1,500(lJrtw Ihe y8Hr (2m- £1,5(KJi io Mp t￿ eupmthèkn of SonnDia Pfimary Schocd. Page 12 Independont Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Sonning Parochial Church Council I report to th8 chaiity Iruste8s on my examination of the aox)unts of the charity for the year ended 31 Decemb8r 2024 whlch are set out on pages 5 to 12 Responslbllllles and basis of report A£ the chartty's trustees yfjj are respcnsible for the Prepa￿tIOn ofthe accounts in ac0)rdar￿e Knih the raqulremgnts oftho Charilles Art 1011 (kn ACY). I report in respect of rny examinalFon ofthe tharity's accoi In￿ caried cut under section 145 ofth$ Act in carying out my examination I have followgc all the app.,,,,￿ble Direc:.ions given by the Charlty Commlssion under section 145(5Mb) Dfthe Ad. Independent examinerfs statement Slnce the charws gross In￿Me exce&d@d £250,oIKJ your examiner must be a memb6r of a body listed in sectlon 145 of the Act. I conf.nn thal l am qual￿e¢ to undert£ke Ihe eXamIna￿On becauso l am a memL£r of th9 Asswation of Chartered Gertffied Acrnunlants. whith is one of the listed bodigs. I have wmplel6d my examlnatlon. I confinll that no malertal matt8rs have cory8 to my att8nilon in connectlon with the examination gfvlng me causa to belleve that In any rnaterfal respert accounting records were not kept in respec* of Ihe tharlty as rgauired by seCt￿n 130 of th8 ACL or 2. the accounts do not aciJ)rd wtth those records,. 3. the accounts do nL* ox)mpW wlth the applicable requirements con¢eming the fcmi ￿ content of accounts set out In the Charities !Accounts aid Rep￿} Wulations 2008 olherlhan any requirement that tre accounts give a 1nJe 8nd fair VI￿ whith is not a matter considered as part of an Ind6pendenl 6xaminalion, I have no ￿ncernS and have come a￿0$$ no other matters in wnnection the examinatbn to which att&ntlon should be drawn In th￿ rewrt In order to enable a proper understandiro ofth& accounts to be reach8d. RML Tayl￿ FCCA Banks & Co Umlted Ghartered Certffjied Accountants 1 Camegle Road NO￿bUry Berkshlre RG14 5DJ 11. 13 Independent ExaminÈrfs Report to the Trustees of Sonning Parochial Church Councll I r8POrt to the charity truste&s on my examln8tK)n ofthe aox)unts of the charity for the year end￿1 31 Dec8mber 2024 which ar8 set out on pages 5 to 12. Responsibllltles and basis of report As the charltls trustees you Ère responslble forth8 preparation of the ac(xyJnts In accordanc8 with the r8qulrement8 of thg Chaiities Act 2011 (Ihe Art'l. I report in respert of my Gxarninatlon of the charivs accounts cathed OLrt under sedK)n 145 of th8 Act and In carylng out my exemination I have followed all the applkxble Diretlions glvan by the Chartty Commission under Se(*￿ 145151{b) ofthe A( Independent examinerfs statement Since the charftys gr08s Inc>Jne exceeded £250,0(K) y￿r examiner musi be a member of a boty Ilsled in setstion 145 01 the ACL l o)nfirm that l am qu8ltled D undertake the examination b￿uSe l am a membar of the Assodakn'on of C,iartered Certifie(i Accountants, is on8 of the listed booles. I have COrnFlel8d my examination. l ￿nfim7 thal no materfal matters have oNn8 to my attention in connectlon the examinatlon gfvtng me cause to beli8ve that n any material rgspgot ac(x)untlng rewrds were not keFrt in respecl of the thatfjty as required by section 130 of th& Act; or the accounts do not accord with tFDse recc*th' or 3. the awunls do not ojmpty wlth the appllcable requlrements 0)nG￿1ng the form contont of accounts set out in the Charlties (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 21Ki8 other than any requirem8nt that the aouunts gwe a Inje fdr vlew ￿1C*] Is not a matter considered as part of an IndeperKlent examInatI￿. I have no conctrns and have come auoss no other m8tters In o)nnectton W:.tti, the examlnatlon to whlch attèntlon should be drawn In thls report In orderto enabb a proper understanding of the aCc￿nts to be reached. RML Taylor FCCA Bank8 & Co Limlted Charterèd Certlfled Accountants 1 Camegle Road Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DJ 11. rt-PA¢L 13