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2025-12-31-accounts

Annual Parochial Church Meeting, 2026

For the Year to 31[st] December 2025

The Parish of Wilmslow

St. Anne’s – St Bartholomew’s

Two worshipping communities

Two big things in common

learning how to love God with all our hearts,

trying to love our neighbours at least as much as ourselves

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting, 2026

Agenda

1. Annual Meeting of Parishioners (Vestry Meeting)

To elect Churchwardens

Agenda for the Annual Meeting of Parishioners (Vestry Meeting)

  1. Welcome and introduction

  2. Appointment of clerk to the meeting

  3. Apologies for absence

  4. Minutes of the 2025 Meeting of Parishioners:

  5. (a) approval (b) matters arising

  6. Election of church wardens

2. Annual General Meeting of the ‘Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow’

To review the activities and finances of the ‘Friends’

Agenda for the AGM of the Friends of the Parish

  1. Apologies for absence

  2. Minutes of the AGM held on 11[th] May 2025

  3. Chair’s Report

  4. Treasurer’s Report

  5. Acceptance of Accounts for year ended 31st December 2025

  6. Election of Committee Members and Officers

  7. Any Other Business

3. Annual Report of the Parish

To report on the aims activities and achievements of the Parish, and to meet mandatory reporting requirements.

Agenda for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

  1. Introduction

  2. Aims and Purpose

  3. Minutes of APCM 2025 and matters arising

  4. Proceedings of the PCC

  5. Warden’s Report

  6. Electoral Roll Officer’s Report

  7. Annual Report of Activities and Achievements

  8. Financial Report and Review and Appointment of Independent Examiner

  9. Safeguarding Policy Statement and Report.

  10. Fabric Report

  11. Deanery synod report

  12. Elections and appointments

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting, 2026

Reports

Contents

Minutes of the last year’s Vestry Meeting, the AGM of ‘Friends of the Parish’ and the Annual Parochial Church Meetings, and matters arising........................................................................................................................................... 4 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARISH FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2025. .................................................................... 8 Minutes of the APCM of 2025 and matters arising. .......................................................................................................... 8 Proceedings of the PCC 2025 ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Rector’s Report................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Warden’s Report ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Electoral Roll Officer’s Report ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Activities and Achievements ........................................................................................................................................... 14 FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2025 ......................................................................................................................................... 21 SAFEGUARDING REPORT AND STATEMENT..................................................................................................................... 31 FABRIC REPORT ............................................................................................................................................................... 33 DEANERY SYNOD REPORT ............................................................................................................................................... 34 ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 34 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................... 34

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Minutes of the last year’s Vestry Meeting, the AGM of ‘Friends of the Parish’ and the Annual Parochial Church Meetings, and matters arising.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING SUNDAY 11[th] May 2025 at 12 noon St Bartholomew’s Parish Church

Present: Eddie Roberts, Jackie Watts, Caroline Lucas, Isobel Chetwood, Phil Gaskell, Wendy and Roger Yates, Heather and Stuart Martin, Andy Watts, Patrick Tyrrell, Jean Parker, Diana and Richard Smith, Rod and Janet Franks, Jill and Christopher Dodson, Martin Kinsey, Ray Oates, Sheila and Geoffrey Barton, George Johnston, Jon and Lynda Horne, Ian Dalgleish, Ann and Alan Brown, Audrey Taylor, Marion Nellies, Pam Radford, John Knowles, Jill Palmer, Barbara Leader, Phil Hardy, Susan Cooper, Eileen MacCauley, Pam Radford, Dalene and Rob Moore, David Robinson, Ann Hodson, Sheena Hatton, Angela Philpott, Pamela Sanford, Christine Little, Glenis Butterworth, Jonathan Meadmore, Sue Page, Nicky Cathery, Rosemary Smart, Julian and Penny Bowker, Oliver and Clare Ramsden, Stephanie Byars, Yvonne Warren, Elaine Walker, Chris Stubbs, Susan Brown, Grace Read and Shirley Baulkwill.

, Pamela Oakes,

Apologies: Teresa Allinson, Joan Orton, Val Hollis, Philip and Melanie Charnley and Georgina Lewis.

Annual Meeting of Parishioners (Vestry Meeting):

  1. Eddie welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened with prayer.

  2. Clerk for the meeting: Isobel Chetwood was appointed.

  3. Minutes of the last Vestry Meeting: The minutes were accepted as a true record.

Proposed: Ann Hodson Seconded: Martin Kinsey Agreed Unanimously

  1. Matters arising: None.

  2. Election of Churchwardens:

There were 2 nominations; Jackie Watts and Patrick Tyrrell and they were both therefore duly appointed.

Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Parish:

The Friends of the Parish, whilst they have their own constitution, come under the auspices of the Parish of Wilmslow. Last year, in a change to the pattern of previous years, the Friends AGM has been included in the APCM as they seek to develop a sharper focus for the future. The membership of the Friends has tailed off over the years and therefore it is hoped to broaden the appeal and their reach with less emphasis on fund raising but rather taking advantage of the historic interest, in St Bart’s particularly, thereby creating a missional and evangelistic opportunity which links to the wider church growth strategy.

The minutes of the last AGM, the Chair’s Report, Financial Summary and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 were noted and accepted.

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Appointment of Committee - Isobel Chetwood is willing to continue as Chair and Richard Smith as Treasurer. The committee members were agreed as follows:

Revd Eddie Roberts - President of the Friends. Isobel Chetwood – Chair Richard Smith – Treasurer

Committee: Ann Hodson, Jill Palmer, Jean Parker, Joel Millett, Phil Gaskell, Shirley Baulkwill and Ray Oates were therefore duly elected.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM):

  1. Eddie welcomed everyone to the APCM as an opportunity to reflect on the past year as well as looking ahead.

  2. The minutes of the APCM 2024 were noted. The minutes were approved as a correct record.

Proposed: Janet Franks Seconded: Ann Hodson

Agreed unanimously, none against and no abstentions

  1. Annual Report for the year ended December 2024:

  2. a. Electoral Roll Officer’s Report

The Electoral Roll is renewed every six years and this was completed in 2025. There are 161 on the Electoral Roll of which 112 live in the Parish and 49 outside it.

The Reports were accepted and there were no questions or comments.

The Financial Report was noted and accepted. Andy said we have received three very generous bequests and the stewardship campaign had provided a large boost to the regular income. The turnover was just under £250K, thankfully avoiding the charity commission limit whereby a professional audit would have been required. The increased halls income was noted although expenditure will be needed to upgrade the parish hall in particular. The cost of running St Bart’s is about £200K. There are no paid employees. Andy explained the basis on which the parish share is calculated.

d. Buildings and Fabric Report

The SSS team report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

g. Food Friend Report

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

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h. Neighbourhood Network Report

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

i. Magazine Team Report

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

j. Friends of the Parish Report and Financial Summary

Previously discussed in the Friends AGM. There were no questions or comments.

The report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

Acceptance of all reports:

Proposed: Isobel Chetwood Seconded: Jackie Watts

  1. Safeguarding Policy Statement and Report

The Safeguarding Report was noted. There were no questions or comments.

  1. Elections and Appointments

  2. a. Deanery Synod Election

Isobel Chetwood and Angela Philpott continue as Deanery Synod representatives. There are 2 remaining vacancies.

b. Parochial Church Council Elections (14 members)

As proposed last year, PCC members step down each year and may then stand again if they wish. This will provide greater flexibility. Eddie thanked those who had served in the past and welcomed the new members who have stepped forward this year.

Caroline Lucas, Andy Watts, Ann Hodson, Martin Kinsey, Teresa Allinson, Nicky Cathery, Jon Horne, Heather Martin, Oliver Ramsden, Diana Smith, Barbara Leader, Debs Simpson, George Johnston and Chris Stubbs.

Ex-Officio Members – Clergy, Jackie Watts, Patrick Tyrrell, Isobel Chetwood and Angela Philpott.

Ian Smallwood has agreed to act as Independent Examiner.

  1. Incumbent’s Address

Eddie had particularly chosen Acts 6 and 8 for the morning service readings to highlight the church’s role in spreading the gospel.

Eddie continues to be grateful for the welcome he and his family have received in Wilmslow. He outlined the decision regarding the future of Food Friend and thanked everyone involved for the significant difference they have made in the parish of Wilmslow over the past 260430 Wilmslow Parish APCM agenda and Annual Report. May 18, 2026 Page 6

decade. We plan to become a natural partner with Hope Central and that something new will emerge which will include Wilmslow parish. Letters will be sent to donors and steps taken to ensure that all communication is clear for everyone involved in the project.

Eddie gives thanks daily that he has been called to the Vicar of this parish but stressed that this our church and he is just “along for the ride.” He has concerns about the best way to lead the parish in worship and evangelism balancing the tension between honouring tradition at the same time as responding to the needs of Wilmslow with limited resources to grow the church younger. The welcome needs to extend beyond the “front door” by creating additional routes in the worship life of the church as the same time as balancing old and new liturgies.

  1. Any other business

Clare Ramsden raised the question mission giving to the wider community. It was agreed the PCC would take this forward.

The meeting closed with the Grace at 1.20 pm

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARISH FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2025.

Aims and Purpose

Wilmslow Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Eddie Roberts, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the four Wilmslow Parish church buildings: St Bartholomew’s Church, St Anne’s Church, the Parish Hall and St Anne’s Church Hall.

The general functions of the PCC are stated with Section 2 of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

During 2025 Wilmslow Parish continued to pursue the five marks of mission in line with Chester Diocesan policy:

These aims are encapsulated in our objectives:-

Two worshipping communities

Two big things in common

- learning how to love God with all our hearts,

- trying to love our neighbours at least as much as ourselves

In providing leadership to Wilmslow Parish, the incumbent and PCC give consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of religion.

The activities of the PCC are outlined in the next sections of this Annual Report. It is difficult to estimate the total volunteering time offered by many members of Wilmslow Parish but it amounts to well in excess of 150 hours in a typical month. We are grateful to all who do so much to contribute to the life of the church: the Churchwardens, PCC Secretary and Treasurer, the Friend of the Parish and Food Friend; those who help lead services, carry out children’s work, play music, do readings, intercessions, flowers, lay assist, act as sidespeople, count the money, garden, clean and provide welcome, hospitality and church sitting – and much more besides.

Minutes of the APCM of 2025 and matters arising.

Report included above.

Proceedings of the PCC 2025

The PCC met 5 times during 2025.

Safeguarding remained a standing item on the PCC Agenda. The Safeguarding action plan is subject to regular review during the year. All PCC members completed the training modules. We are at Level 3 on the dashboard with some amber and red flags to be addressed. It was agreed to use Safeguarding Sunday as an opportunity to teach on this. At the March meeting Diana presented a full report to the PCC. This was circulated prior to the meeting in view of the number of documents and detail involved. She highlighted several matters the PCC need to be aware of or which require specific approval. The PCC approved the Safeguarding Report of 6[th] March 2025 and specifically approved all uses of social media for its activities. The PCC confirmed the list of church and non-church activities is complete and

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in the case of non-church activities the PCC confirmed its authorisation of these activities on church premises. At the June meeting the new PCC members were advised of the DBS and training requirements as Trustees. At the September meeting the Safeguarding report and response flowchart were noted. The PCC reviewed and formally agreed to adopt the procedure for dealing with safeguarding concerns and the list of church and non church activities.

The gathered community, worship and discipleship were discussed at each meeting. The congregation numbers were noted for both St Anne’s and St Bart’s. The numbers have plateaued a bit but are above pre-Covid attendance. There are a lot of new faces as well as irregular worshippers. The midweek services are well attended although often with a “repeat” of attendees from Sundays and in the older bracket. Christmas services were well attended at both churches. In particular the Christmas Eve service with light sticks was well received. At the June meeting Eddie discussed changes to the worship patterns with a mix of services; family and blended worship, non-Eucharistic services, intergenerational and traditional services. He stressed the need to go gently bearing in mind that there are risks but doing nothing is not an option. There was further discussion at the September meeting of the proposed changes to worship patterns. Intergenerational worship at St Bart’s is making slow progress with one non-Eucharistic service a month. There have been 3 young family get-together sessions with Life Church where 20 to 30 people eat and worship together. There was agreement that the collection plate will no longer be brought up to the altar just before communion.

A small group of church members attended the OWLs training (occasional worship leaders) with a view to members of the team leading some of the non-Eucharistic parts of the service on Sunday and at midweek services. The course was available both online and in person.

The Connect Groups have continued to meet and spent time looking at Romans with the help of Andrew Ollerton’s book A letter that makes sense of life. The Passion Play was performed in Wilmslow by Saltmine Theatre on Holy Saturday. This was incredibly powerful and large numbers of people followed the story through the streets of Wilmslow to St Bart’s for the Resurrection.

The PCC approved various fabric matters during the year. The Fabric Committee continued to meet regularly to consider any issues with regard to both churches, the halls and the grounds. The PCC approved the addition of a memorial bench at St Bart’s. It was noted that the memorial stone is cleaned annually when further names are added. Projects which were agreed during the year were the solar panels on the parish hall which are proving to generate savings during the year, AV screens at St Bart’s and modifications at St Anne’s. There are issues with the parish hall car park with ongoing discussions between ourselves and East Cheshire Council. Refurbishment of the parish hall kitchen facilities was discussed and approved. This work is now complete. The PCC approved the purchase and installation of a speaker system in St Bart’s and the purchase and installation of automated fire protection in the Parish Hall. During the year the boiler at St Anne’s was condemned and so services were moved to the hall. Electric heaters were used for some events to good effect. More recently following recommendations from a heating engineer services have returned to the church building.

The Finance Report was presented and reviewed at each meeting. The Parish Share was noted, the insurance costs and the DBF fees approved for 2025. The year end accounts were approved by the PCC to go forward to the APCM. Further detail with regard to the finances are available in the Treasurer’s accounts and report.

The Friends of the Parish committee met 3 times during 2025. Andy Watts was invited to the January meeting to explain the intention to consolidate the Friends of the Parish accounts with those of the PCC. He stressed there would be no change in the way the funds were used. This will allow Andy to invest money and so the Friends account would be gaining interest. We reviewed the success of the Christmas Market in 2024, looked at the 200 club and general membership numbers. The Friends paid some of the cost of the refurbishment of the clappers for the bells. At the September meeting there was a full discussion regarding the newly consolidated accounts and it was agreed to cease the annual collection of membership fees (due in January 2026 for those who are not life members) and so Isobel emailed all members advising of this as well as the new account details should they wish to make a donation instead. The Christmas Market took place on Saturday 6[th] December with a number of different stalls, musical entertainment and refreshments. There was agreement to change the day of the 200 club draw from the first Sunday in the month (after worship) to the Saturday morning coffee as this was felt to be more appropriate.

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Weddings, baptisms and funerals have regularly taken place. There was an increase in families requesting church involvement in funerals and we have hosted some very large funerals with 250+ attendees. The PCC agreed to there being a communal space available for the cremated remains of babies lost mid-term.

The work with schools continued with good relationships with St Anne’s School, Lacey Green, Pownall Hall and Wilmslow Prep.

After a great deal of careful thought and prayer Wilmslow Parish withdrew from the formal Churches Together in Wilmslow group. We felt that it was confusing for us to be part of a network which did not hold Trinitarian beliefs as an important criterion for membership. If any church members wish to understand a little more about our decision please refer to Eddie’s article in the February Parish Magazine. We had however stressed that we wished to continue to support the Lent Lunches and the Harvest Appeals and we have done this in 2025. We intend to foster and strengthen the past relationships by working closely together in this way.

Isobel Chetwood is the Knutsford Deanery Lay Chair and reports back from the regular meetings that take place in the Diocese.

Isobel Chetwood PCC Secretary

Rector’s Report

Introduction

As I begin to write these notes for the annual meeting in May 2026, giving thanks to God for our place in the church family here as we approach our third anniversary, Peter reminds us (1 Peter 4:10–11) that all ministry is a gift for the purpose of giving glory to God, and that is something that I want to begin with. I am grateful for the many ways that, together, we have been given that opportunity.

A bishop might install, license or induct a rector (I forget which is the correct verb!), but it is a church family which makes ministry possible.

Giving thanks for making that ministry possible (for me personally) is important for me to record. What I am not going to do is list individuals and groups. I would miss people out, and there are too many to list.

Parish ministry and our shared lives are part of the story God is telling through his image-bearers in creation, and so an annual report is nothing like a school report and certainly nothing like a shareholder report at the AGM of a PLC. We are reflecting on our experience of a shared story told for the glory of God.

So, in my few paragraphs here (and elsewhere in the pack), we will reflect on the year just completed, name something of the ‘where we are now’, and peek into the future laid out before us.

The year behind us

Attempting to report on everything that happened only up to and including 31st December 2025 is extremely difficult, and so if I slip into describing the early part of 2026, please accept my apologies.

Since the last annual church meeting, I think we’ve seen many positive changes which have brought both joy and hope to the parish and the leadership team. Early in 2025 we committed to play our part in the Wilmslow Passion, which was an incredible success. As I write these notes, we’ve just had another memorable Easter with hundreds of people in our churches between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

We might delve into numbers a little bit further down the page, but generally we have seen congregational growth, with some young families and individuals coming and finding a place to worship.

Overall, a positive and hopeful picture.

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Worship and spiritual life

I have described to you previously a position we are trying to hold between valuing everything that we have received from our worshipping traditions down the decades, and trying to steer a course towards a more contemporary form of worship. This can be a place for people of all ages and stages to belong and hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

The lifting of congregation numbers over the past three years, anecdotal feedback, and the results of a strategic exercise that we did with the PCC recently would indicate that this has been a sensible strategy, and one which you will see the value in.

That’s not to say that you will like everything that we do, say, and sing. That’s not the point at all. If we are going to question a strategy (and I think we should), then we need to be asking: does it give glory to God? Are new people coming to experience an authentic Christian worshipping community? And is it in keeping with what we learn from scripture?

We have changed very little in the past 12 months. We will be introducing some more non-eucharistic worship which leans towards informality. We have added a second monthly Book of Common Prayer communion service. Those adjustments are true to the strategy we touched on earlier.

The Connect discipleship groups have been an encouraging part of our ministry in the past year, and 2026 sees us launch our first Alpha course for many years. There are still things to do here in integrating new people into small group settings. We have a sense that people attend on Sundays, but making that transition towards the centre of the church in a more meaningful way is a difficult one.

That steady and deliberate work of encouraging people to walk with Jesus is extremely time-consuming, and finding people with the right combination of gifts and time remains a challenge.

Mission and outreach

Work with schools, care homes, baptism families and funeral directors continues. Funeral ministry has increased year on year, and we can see that we are developing good relationships not just with funeral directors, but with funeral families and the wider community. A time-consuming ministry, but one which will bear much fruit in the years to come.

As far as partnerships go, we have developed good relationships with Life Church over the past year or two and continue to explore how we might serve Wilmslow together for the sake of the gospel. I know that our withdrawal from the Churches Together group in Wilmslow has been well documented, and probably too well talked about, but that has been disappointing and a minor setback.

Major points of engagement with the wider community continue to be around the festivals, mostly Remembrance and Christmas. Again, we broke (recent) records in my time here. Those events have grown year on year.

Most things we do now seem to be better attended than even pre-Covid times.

Pastoral life

The ongoing, often unseen work of caring goes on quietly and unnoticed by many. Pastoral visits and support do happen, but if someone were to ask whether that provision is comprehensive, I would have to say that I am not 100% sure.

People right at the centre of church life often have a very different experience of pastoral care than those who are newer to us. That is natural, as more people know more about you the longer you have been around. The challenge for us is how we extend that care so that everyone in the community experiences it more equally.

Since the last annual meeting, we made the decision to give thanks to God and bring an end to the neighbourhood network system, for exactly the reasons laid out above. There were people who belonged to it and people who didn’t, and the approach to it was inconsistent. So far it has not been replaced with anything systematic, and that is something which, if we had the capacity, we would have addressed by now.

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Children, young people, and families

With friends from Life Church, we have hosted several Young Families events, most of them at tea time on a Friday or Saturday. Attendance has been patchy, and we are not sure they were as effective as we had hoped, but we are not in a position to offer much else at present.

We are managing to retain a few young families without offering very much at all for young people. We are grateful for them, but developing a ministry for children, young people and their parents feels out of reach right now.

Volunteers and lay leadership

I began with thanksgiving, and of course this is a particular area where gratitude is especially important. There is so much unseen work that goes on in so many different ways. It is led by your churchwardens, facilitated by your PCC, but it is the steady and loving service of volunteers, with and without titles, that really makes a church what it is.

I want to note the commitment of so many people, their faithfulness, and their service in the name of Christ. Thank you, all of you. There are not enough of you, and sometimes the load falls on too few people, but thank you.

A new element of volunteer ministry developed over the past few months is the role of occasional worship leaders. I am grateful to those who attended the training course with officers from Church House, and you will increasingly see individual people leading parts of our worship as the months go by. Please pray for them and encourage them. It is a bold move, standing at the front of a church you may have belonged to for many years. I remember my own knees knocking many years ago.

Looking ahead

In the early months of 2026, your PCC undertook a piece of work, discerning together the underlying values of the parish, our hopes and dreams, and what might emerge as strategic objectives as we seek to engage with the wider community while also developing discipleship within the existing congregation.

I have listed some emerging themes and desires. They were not adopted as a formal strategy, but they give a sense of the direction the last PCC was heading in. If you are thinking about standing for election at the APCM, they might serve as a kind of shared role description.

A. Strengthen welcome, inclusion and everyday hospitality

B. Developing worship that balances traditon and accessibility

C. Rebuild ministry with children, families and young people

D. Build confdence in sharing faith

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E. Strengthen capacity: volunteers, leadership and resources

In closing

Much to give thanks for, much to hope for and some things to discern. All done in prayer!

Faithful God,

we give you thanks for calling us into this church family, for the story that you are undoubtedly telling among us, and for every gift of service, care, worship and welcome that has made life in you possible and life-giving.

We thank you for growth where we see it, for faithfulness where things feel fragile and pressured, and for your quiet work in the people and the places we might not even spot.

Give us grateful hearts for all that has been,

and steadfast trust in you for what is next for us.

As we look ahead, we want you to shape the church you’d have in Wilmslow…

A people who exhibit your radical hospitality.

A people who worships you in spirit, truth and joyfully.

A people with wisdom, humility and confidence who share the hope we have in Jesus.

Help us to steward and care for all that you have entrusted us with.

Above all, keep us centred on Christ, faithful to your word, and open to the work of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eddie Roberts - Rector

Warden’s Report

This report covers our activities in the year of 2025 during which our churches have been a hive of activity!

We are thankful for Eddie’s continuing ministry with us and value the support from Roger and John with assisting at and leading services. More recently, six people have completed a Chester Diocese led course called ‘Owls’ (occasional worship leaders) and they are beginning to assist with services.

There have been a number of study groups through the year – usually three a week to enable most people to find a suitable time – covering various topics and these have been very worthwhile and thought-provoking. Life Church began using the Parish Hall for Sunday mornings in September and we join together for a number of activities and collaborate on the family provision by holding monthly get togethers with food, activities and praise all included.

Easter, Christmas and Remembrance Day services were busy. St. Anne’s School come weekly for a service and there are several other schools who visit especially at Christmas time. We have held many funeral services, several of them with significant congregations, and recently these included those for Alastair King and Barbara Foster (a former church warden) - and some baptisms and weddings through the year. We visited the local care homes at Easter and Christmas and occasionally at other times on request.

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We continue monthly evensong services with a loyal band of attendees and alternated the early service between the two churches. (More recently the time has changed to 8.30am and will revert to being just at St. Anne’s)

The audio-visual system at St. Bart’s was enhanced.

The heating system at St. Anne’s failed before Christmas so we had to get the Bishop’s permission to hold services in St. Anne’s Hall. A temporary fix was made in January 2026 but it was a warning that we also needed to look at the St. Bart’s heating system which has been very unreliable. Consequently, with the advice of a heating engineer, In March 2026 we submitted faculty applications to replace our failing boilers. Obviously we have a reprieve with the summer weather approaching and we hope we can make timely progress with this. We are very pleased with the solar panels fitted to the Parish hall roof and (more recently) with the refitted kitchen. We had a successful quinquennial inspection at St. Bart’s and this year will be St. Anne’s turn.

Huge thanks are offered again to our band of volunteers but we are all ageing and will soon need replacements! What can YOU offer?!

We look forward to the coming year.

Jackie Watts and Patrick Tyrrell - Churchwardens

Electoral Roll Officer’s Report

There are currently 162 on the Electoral Roll of which 115 live within the parish and 48 live outside the Parish.

Please continue to encourage any new regular members of the congregation to join the Electoral Roll so that they can be eligible to vote and to be members of the PCC and Sidespersons.

Please also notify me of any alterations to your details which may occur during the year.

Jill Dodson - Electoral Roll Officer

Activities and Achievements

Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow

FRIENDS OF THE PARISH OF WILMSLOW CHAIR’S REPORT 2025

The Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow have held 3 meetings during the year as we continue to look at our approach with a view to raising the profile of the church as a notable historic landmark in the town of Wilmslow. It is our hope that we can broaden the appeal, membership and reach with less emphasis on fund raising but rather to make more of the historic interest in St Bart’s thereby creating a missional and evangelistic opportunity which links to the wider church growth strategy.

Andy Watts, the PCC Treasurer, attended our meeting in February to explain that he wished to consolidate the Friends of the Parish accounts with those of the PCC. He stressed there would be no change to the way we use our funds. The new CofE finance system software is very user friendly in that it is accessible to multi-users and so Richard Smith is able to view and manage our account within the software. It has the ability to ring-fence funds so they are still separate and available for our use. The added benefit however is that this account now attracts interest. Richard’s accounts demonstrate the interest that has been credited to our new account following the change over.

The change in accounts prompted us to consider membership fees which have remained at £10 per year for those who do not hold life membership. It was agreed to cease collecting these and all members were advised of the new bank account details should they wish to make a donation instead.

The 200 club continues to be a fun way of raising funds for the Friends with the monthly draw and prize of £60.00. Following discussion it was agreed to change the day of the draw from the 1[st] Sunday in the month, after worship in

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St Bart’s, to the Saturday morning coffee group. This has been popular with a whole new set of people being available to be photographed for the monthly magazine!

The Christmas Market was held on Saturday 6[th] December in St Bart’s. The fair was scaled down from previous years in the interests of not making too much work for volunteers. We were grateful to everyone who helped or supported us in any way at all. The church was looking lovely and Christmassy and we were fortunate to receive donations for all the different stalls; cakes, bottles, beautiful Christmas wreaths and floral decorations, jams and chutneys, handicrafts and gifts. There was a raffle and ‘posh dogs’ were served along with tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cakes and mulled wine. Ian and the Choir for sang carols for us to help to get us all into the Christmas spirit. The net sum raised, after deduction of expenses, was £749.97. This was a lower sum than in previous years but I think it is fair to say that as it was a more relaxed affair we were better able to enjoy ourselves. I’m not sure those lovely people in the kitchen would agree.

During the year, as the Treasurer’s report outlines, our expenses have been associated with our fund raising efforts and the 200 club draw payouts. We did however pay £2,599.20 contribution towards the refurbishment of the clappers for the bells. We continue to work closely with the PCC to identify expenditure that falls within the remit of the Friends.

The committee are always happy to welcome new members; there is still plenty of room on the sofas in Eddie’s front room for more committee members! He makes a great cup of swanky coffee too! My thanks go to the committee for all their hard work and commitment which will ensure that we preserve the heritage of our beautiful churches for many years to come.

Isobel Chetwood, Chair – Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow

Committee:- Rev Eddie Roberts (President), Richard Smith (Treasurer), Jean Parker, Jill Palmer, Ann Hodson, Phil Gaskell, Joel Millett, Ray Oates, Shirley Baulkwill

THE FRIENDS OF THE PARISH OF WILMSLOW - FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR 2025

This report should be read in conjunction with the Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2025 and the Chair`s Report for 2025. This summary contains further explanation of the figures set out in that Account by reference to the notes which appear below.

General

In previous years, the financial information was set out in a traditional Income and Expenditure Account. For this year, and in future years, this account is replaced by the Receipts and Payments Account mentioned above which is in a different format. The main reason for the change is that the PCC Accounts, of which Friends of the Parish are a part now use new finance system software, specifically designed for use by churches and charities, known as My Fund Accounting. This has allowed the Friends accounts to be consolidated with those of the PCC and for the Friends funds and donations to be ringfenced within the PCC accounts so they can continue to be expended in the sympathetic maintenance of the fabric of the church. A further advantage is that the Friends funds can be invested with those of the PCC and the interest allocated and credited.

Overview

The membership subscriptions to the Friends and to 200 Club have continued in 2025 and 200 Club draw has continued each month.

On 6th December, a Christmas Market was held at St,Bart`s Church which raised a gross sum of £810.73. The net sum raised for the Friends was £749.97 after deduction of expenses.

THE FRIENDS OF THE PARISH OF WILMSLOW - BANK ACCOUNTS AND FUNDS

The Friends have two separate bank accounts with NatWest Bank. They are:

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Receipts

Receipts are divided into those on which a claim for Gift Aid(GA) can be made and those which do not satisfy the required conditions(non-GA) and comprise donations and legacies detailed in the Receipts and Payments Account. By way of further explanation –

The total receipts for the year were £3,579.73

Payments

The total payments for the year were £3,468.93

Transfers

£195.00 for the General fund was paid into Friends accounts in error and was transferred out.

Overall

There was an excess of expenditure over income of £110.80 less transfers of £195.00 for 2025. The overall funds held by the Friends thus decreased by £84.20. The closing balance was £19,884.06 on 31 December,2025

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Food Friend

With the PCC decision to close our Food Friend project our activity was scaled down during the year. We continued to provide food parcels until around mid-year. Regular donors were asked to stop their standing orders, and purchase of food during the year was from existing funds. We developed a migration programme jointly with Hope Central to ensure that any of our clients who had become dependent on us were properly and sympathetically directed to Hope Central for food, and also other services as provided by that organization. Our operations had virtually ceased during the third quarter of 2025, and the remaining funds transferred to Hope Central at the end of the year.

We continue to work closely with Hope Central and have a food collection point in St Bartholomew’s church.

Neighbourhood Network

We had two Neighbourhood Network tea parties in the Parish Hall, just before Easter and just before Christmas, which were enjoyed by those who came, and it was a good time to chat to other members of our congregations.

Neighbourhood Network has been a valuable contribution to our lives at church for many years but our needs have changed. We had a meeting of some of the team with Eddie and concluded that there were better ways of meeting the requirements now with many leaders no longer able to fulfil the role. It was decided to wind the formal group down but to encourage everyone to be a friendly face to people in our churches. Indeed the welcome people receive as they come through our doors, maybe for the first time, is really important and it is pleasing that many visitors remark positively on this. Keep up the good work!

Jackie was really happy to receive a garden centre voucher marking the end of her tenure of the NN group – thank you.

Jackie Watts

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Parish Magazine Team

The Parish Magazine continues to be published digitally and this enables us to use much more colour in the magazine so making it more attractive for our readers as well as widening our readership.

There are still those who prefer a printed copy or who cannot access the online issue. Accordingly, we continue to print a number of copies - currently around 125 per month - for them and for visitors to the churches. The Magazine is also published on our Parish website. As the Magazine is a form of Outreach it is freely available to

all. Accordingly, there is no charge made for the printed copy of the magazine. The online version, which has more colour than the printed one, will continue to be sent out to everyone as now. Magazine donations are always very welcome.

We thank those who deliver copies of the magazine to members of the congregation who do not have access to the online magazine.

During 2025, in addition to the Clergy Comment and our regular features, we published a series of articles on Religious Pictures and their Artists. There were special articles commemorating the 80[th] anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day. There were also informative and varied articles received on events, places and churches visited by our readers both in this country and abroad. We featured regular updates from our Churchwardens, music updates and reports from St Anne’s School as well as reports and photographs from both our Churches, special Church services, church activity groups, Church events and the Friends. In addition, we printed interesting occasional articles, poems and photographs all generously written or provided by members of the congregations.

Thank you to all our contributors. We love to receive your articles, reports, photographs and drawings and we are lucky to have so many talented artists, photographers and writers in our parish. Do please keep sending us your contributions.

Thank you to Jean Parker who kindly sends out the timely reminders for articles.

Advertising

Isobel Chetwood looks after the ads for us. Having done this job for many years it is a job she will be handing over in 2026. We thank Isobel for her work with the adverts for many years.

Please do support the local businesses who advertise with us.

Distribution

Thanks to Wendy and Roger Yates for co-ordinating the distribution of the magazines.

We would love to hear from you with ideas and suggestions for future magazines – and, of course, articles and pictures too. In particular if you have any Questions for Eddie or any Church officer please do submit these. These can be on any church or church related topic.

Magazine Team - Wendy Yates, Diana Smith, Jill Dodson, Isobel Chetwood, Jean Parker, Ann Hodson

Home Communion Team

In 2025 the Team continued to visit The Hawthorns, Long Stone Manor, Wilmslow Manor and Hazelmere House on a regular basis, once a month. We also went to Carrs Court to celebrate a resident’s birthday, and he played hymns for us on their keyboard. Eddie took the service and there were members form St Barts present and former members of St Bart’s congregation to share the service with us. Eddie has joined us several times during the year. We also have taken Communion to people who have not been able to get to church for whatever reason.

However, continuous changes of their Well Being Staff at all the Homes, made our visits difficult and after careful thought the decision was decided to stop our monthly visits and only go if a resident asked for Holy Communion or we knew of someone from the Church who was in one of the Homes. We will continue to visit people in their own homes.

Janet Franks and The Home Communion Team

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St Anne’s Church Ladies Group

We had 23 members this year, a few less than last year. Through the year we had talks on various topics including Wild Life in the North West, The Titanic, POWs in Handforth, Making Chutney and Scam Awareness. The majority of the speakers’ fees were donated to charities - NW Wildlife, Marie Curie, East Cheshire Hospice, Stroke Association and Age UK.

We had two meals out, in June we went to the Plough and Flail and in December The Stanneylands. Both were well attended.

Our finances remain stable, thank you to Tricia for her excellent book keeping and to Julian for checking the balance sheet.

Thank you to our members for their help and support through the year. For the future we are changing our meetings from Monday evening to Friday afternoon, this was voted for by our members and we are hoping it will encourage more members and visitors.

Ray Oates

The Choir and Music Report

The past year has been a vibrant and fulfilling one for music at St Bartholomew’s, where it continues to play a central role in both worship and the wider life of the parish. The church’s musical tradition remains a source of inspiration and enrichment, supporting the liturgy with dignity, beauty, and a strong sense of continuity with the Anglican heritage.

Regular services have been consistently well supported, with the choir maintaining a high standard across Sunday worship and Choral Evensong. The Evensong repertoire this year has been particularly rich and varied, ranging from Renaissance masters such as William Byrd and Thomas Morley through to later composers including Herbert Brewer and Charles Villiers Stanford. This breadth of repertoire reflects both the choir’s versatility and its commitment to exploring the depth of the choral tradition.

Several musical moments during the year stand out as particular highlights. The Christmas Carol Service was especially memorable, featuring music spanning the 16th to the 20th century, and drawing a large and appreciative congregation. The choir’s visit to Blackburn Cathedral in August was another significant occasion. Despite the challenges of a very hot day, the choir sang Choral Evensong with great commitment, joined by a number of excellent supporting singers and accompanied by organist Richard Brocklehurst, whose contribution was greatly valued.

Within the regular round of services, several anthems made a strong impression. Notable among these were a movement from the Vespers by Sergei Rachmaninoff, the much-loved Evening Hymn by Henry Balfour Gardiner, and a deeply moving performance of And I saw a new heaven by Edgar Bainton on Remembrance Sunday. These works demonstrated the choir’s growing confidence and expressive range, and contributed powerfully to the atmosphere of worship.

The church has also continued to establish itself as an attractive venue for a wide range of musical events. Organ recitals by visiting artists have been a particular success, including performances by Dr Michal Szostak from Warsaw and Simon Mercer, a highly regarded local organist and teacher. These recitals have added an important dimension to the musical life of the parish and have been well supported.

We have also been delighted to host excellent performances by the Lindow Singers, including a fine account of The Crucifixion by John Stainer. In addition, visits from Prestbury Choral Society have further enriched the programme, strengthening links with the local musical community.

St Bartholomew’s continues to thrive as a welcoming and attractive musical venue, supported by a strong and appreciative community. Audiences and congregations alike have responded warmly to the quality and variety of music on offer, and this encouragement remains vital to sustaining and developing our work.

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As always, sincere thanks are due to all who contribute to music at St Bart’s - the enthusiastic and indefatigable members of the choir, supporting singers, organists, visiting musicians, and those who support concerts and services. Their dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm ensure that music continues to flourish at the heart of parish life.

Looking ahead, there is every reason to be optimistic. With continued commitment and support, we aim to build on this year’s achievements, further develop the choir’s work, and expand the range of musical opportunities offered within the church.

Ian Dalgleish

Halls Committee

Hall management

The Halls Management Committee met approximately quarterly in 2025. Jackie took charge of most of the booking arrangements for both halls, and kept in contact with our customers. A group of ‘Hall Helpers’ was called on frequently to let potential customers in to the Parish hall, either to show them the facilities or to open and close for parties. Martin did sterling work in regularly programming the heating for parties and once-off events, and Oliver took the lead with 2 major projects.

The resources of the group were stretched to keep pace with the requirements of a large community building. Some initial work was carried out to define a ‘Cleaner/Caretaker’ role, to be presented to the PCC in 2026. This should allow us to achieve a higher standard of maintenance and provide some fall-back capacity when urgent action is needed.

Hall lettings

The halls both continued to be well-used during 2025, with usage of the Parish Hall at around 26% for the large hall and 73% for the small hall. Use of the large hall is mostly regular hirers, while once-off bookings for a wide variety of occasions amounts to about 20% of usage time. Small hall usage is mostly by Wilmslow Town Council, who rent this space during the working day, as well as the suite of offices.

Usage of St Anne’s hall amounts to 35%, due in large part to the Little Bird’s Nest pre-school who now use the hall every weekday during term time. There are also several other long-term hirers.

Development and improvements

Two major projects were carried out in 2025.

We were fortunate to obtain 2 grants, from Cheshire East Council and The Benefact Trust, to substantially support the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Parish Hall. This now works well, making the hall self-sufficient in electricity during the Summer months. In future, when a feed-in tariff can be negotiated, we are confident that solar electricity will also generate some income for the parish.

The condition of the Parish Hall kitchen had deteriorated to give a poor impression to hirers, and some of the equipment had failed. We undertook a complete kitchen renovation, including new cupboards and flooring, and replacement of an extractor fan which no longer worked- this was completed in February this year, managed by Oliver. The kitchen now has a clean functional appearance and is a positive benefit to hall users.

Andy Watts

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FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2025

The summary financial results for the year, for all funds combined, are as follows:-

2025
£’000		 2024
£’000
Income and Expenditure
Income 240 250
Expenditure 260 200
Net surplus / (defcit) (20) 50
Balance Sheet
Net current assets 415 444
Of which - Cash 37 139

During 2025 our income from most sources was sustained or increased, though we did not benefit from the very generous gifts that we enjoyed in 2024. Our spending on normal running of the Parish increased overall, and we devoted major expenditure to renovation and new equipment. The investment portfolio was revised to reduce the cash balance and move more of our resources into term investments at good interest rates.

Unrestricted funds

Income

Total unrestricted income was £215,974 (2024 £241,848). This represents an increase in most categories of income with the exception of bequests and legacies, for which 2024 was an exceptional year.

Our income from both Parish Halls reduced slightly, offset by increases in service fees (mostly from funerals), ticket sales for our major events, and bank interest.

Expenditure

Unrestricted costs in 2025 were £216,095 (2024 £181,497). Most of the difference reflects the major expenditure on renovation of St Anne’s transept and kitchen, and on refurbishment of the Parish Hall kitchen. Excluding the project work the basic cost of running the parish was £187,578, a slight increase on the 2024 figure of £181,497. This increase arose in the spending on major events and an increase in the Parish Share (paid to the diocese).

Restricted funds

Food Friend

At the start of the year the Food Friend fund stood at £14,828. With the PCC decision to close the project donors were asked to stop their regular giving, and the income during the year amounted to £2,468 including bank interest and Gift Aid reclaimed. Stocks were run down and any remaining on closure given to Hope Central. The fund was closed at the end of the year, and the balance of £5,220 was donated to Hope Central early in 2026.

Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow

The Friends raised £3,580 in 2025, from donations and receipts at the Fair, including refunds of Gift Aid, bank interest and a generous donation of £750 towards refurbishment of the St Bart’s bells

External expenditure of £3,469 included payments to 200 Club winners and some expenses from the Fair but mostly consists of a donation to Parish funds of £2,599 to meet the cost of refurbishment of the St Bart’s bells. Additionally £196 was transferred from the Friends fund to the General fund as a means of making direct payment from Friends to the Parish (for instance when 200 Club winnings were directly donated to the Parish).

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Wilmslow on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2025

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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

Signed

Address Highfield Crescent, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 2JL.

Date 23[rd] April 2026

PCC approval

This Annual Report and Accounts was presented to the PCC at the meeting of 23[rd] April 2025 and was approved as an accurate record of the year’s activity.

Signed

Name Patrick Tyrell Role Churchwarden Date 23[rd] April 2026

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Statement of Financial Activities (‘SoFA’)

For the year ended 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year
funds funds funds all funds total funds
Notes £ £ £ £ £
Income 2
Donations and legacies 129,505 22,879 0 152,384 166,459
Income from charitable activities 8,215 0 0 8,215 3,969
Other trading activities 66,003 811 0 66,814 68,311
Investments 12,251 370 0 12,621 11,205
Total income 215,974 24,060 0 240,034 249,944
Expenditure 3
Raising funds 5,420 849 0 6,269 2,207
Expenditure on charitable activities 210,675 43,394 0 254,069 197,703
Total expenditure 216,095 44,243 0 260,338 199,910
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer (121) (20,183) 0 (20,304) 50,034
Transfers:
Gross transfers between funds - in 937 6,207 0 7,144 0
Gross transfers between funds - out (6,207) (937) 0 (7,144) 0
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of investments 0 0 (63) (63) 31
Net movement in funds (5,391) (15,077) (63) (20,366) 50,065
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 931,128 34,797 1,319 967,244
Total funds carried forward 925,737 19,884 1,256 946,877 967,244
----- End of picture text -----

Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year
funds funds funds all funds total funds
Notes £ £ £ £ £
Fixed assets 5.1
Investment Assets 0 0 1,256 1,256 1,319
Heritage Assets 530,497 0 0 530,497 521,554
530,497 0 1,256 531,753 522,873
Current assets
Debtors 5.2 13,413 194 0 13,607 11,432
Investments 5.3 373,012 95 0 373,107 298,602
Cash At Bank And In Hand 5.4 11,977 25,463 0 37,440 139,427
398,402 25,752 0 424,154 449,461
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year 5.5 3,162 5,868 0 9,030 5,090
3,162 5,868 0 9,030 5,090
Net current assets less current liabilities 395,240 19,884 0 415,124 444,371
Total net assets less liabilities 925,737 19,884 1,256 946,877 967,244
----- End of picture text -----

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Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes Total all funds
Statement of Cash flows £
Cash flows from operating activities
Deficit for the year (cash and non-cash transactions) (20,366)
Adjustment for non cash items
Add back: Depreciation of furniture and fittings 215
Add back: Loss on revaluation of endowment shares 63
Add; Increase in Creditors 5.5 3,940
Less: Decrease in Debtors 5.2 (2,175)
2,043
Adjustment for investing activities
Less: Investment income (12,621)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (30,944)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment income 12,621
Capital expenditure 5.1 (9,158)
Additional bank funds invested in term deposit accounts 5.3 (74,505)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (71,042)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (101,986)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 139,427
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 37,441
----- End of picture text -----

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

a. Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

b. Recognition of income

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

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c. Offsetting

There is no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102

d. Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met

e. Legacies

Legacies are included in the SoFA when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been grant of probate, the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate and any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been met.

f. Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.

g. Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

h. Income from interest and dividends

Interest and dividends are included in the accounts when receipt is probable, and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.

i. Investment gains and losses

Any realised or unrealised gains or losses on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value are recognised at the end of the year.

j. Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

k. Fixed Assets

Investment Assets

Our policy is not to invest in stock markets, bonds or other tradable assets, however we have some permanent endowment investments which were bequeathed to us, and are managed for us by the Churches, Charities and Local Authorities (CCLA) Investment Management Limited. These are shown in the Accounts under the heading Fixed Assets (Investment Assets). These investments are revalued to market value at the end of each year. The increase/ decrease in value is shown as Gain/Loss on investment in the SoFA.

Heritage Assets

• Consecrated and benefice property.

In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of “charity” by Section 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements. This includes the Parish church buildings (St Bartholomew’s and St Anne’s). The PCC is responsible for the upkeep of church buildings but does not own them.

• Heritage Fixed Assets for use by the charity.

Furniture and office equipment is recognised as a tangible fixed asset when the items have lasting value and cost over £5,000. They are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life.

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l. Current Assets

Debtors

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

Investments

These are the cash amounts held in various deposit accounts and at the bank and shown in the Accounts as Current Assets – Investments and Current Assets – Cash at Bank and In Hand. These monies are held according to the following rules:

m. Funds

Restricted funds

These are income funds that can only be spent on the restricted purposes for which they were raised. Our restricted funds during the year were:-

Unrestricted funds

These represent the income funds of the PCC that are available for spending fully at the discretion of the PCC. Our Heritage Assets (our church halls) are also classified as Unrestricted. General funds are not allocated to specific purposes, while Designated funds are Unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustees for specific purposes. All gifts and other income was regarded as General (not Designated). During 2025 we had two Designated funds, St Anne’s and St Bart’s. These were used to be able to analyse certain expenditure, such as church or hall outgoings, to distinguish costs incurred at each location. Expenditure which did not relate solely to one or other Designated fund was regarded as General.

Endowment fund

This is used to hold the asset value of our permanent endowments, in the form of shares. Use of the dividend income is unrestricted (General fund).

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n. Reserves

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted reserves which are available to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time and to ensure that we can continue to honour commitments to staff and necessary church running costs. Although the current reserves level is higher than this, the PCC is aware that given the expected major maintenance costs, increased fuel charges, inflation etc having a higher reserves level is a very helpful as a safeguard to ensure we can continue our activities even when income is reduced.

2. Income

For the year to 31 December 2025.

----- Start of picture text -----
Income Unrestricted Friends Food Friend Other Endowment Total Prior Year
funds funds funds Restricted funds funds all funds total funds
Note £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Voluntary Income 2.1
Planned -Gift Aided 77,055 967 1,819 0 0 79,841 83,499
Planned Not Gift Aided 13,720 64 226 0 0 14,010 13,920
Planned - Tax Recovered 22,568 225 125 0 0 22,918 22,623
Collections 14,829 1,318 123 0 0 16,270 15,417
Donations And Appeals 500 0 0 4,555 0 5,055
Legacies Bequests And Grants 833 0 0 13,457 0 14,290 31,000
Total for Voluntary Income 129,505 2,574 2,293 18,012 0 152,384 166,459
Charitable Activities
Service Fees 7,935 0 0 0 0 7,935 3,969
Church+Hall Hire Objectives 280 0 0 0 0 280
Total for Charitable Activities 8,215 0 0 0 0 8,215 3,969
Other Trading
Events 2,712 811 0 0 0 3,523 1,971
Magazine Adverts 548 0 0 0 0 548 1,252
Church Hire 2,680 0 0 0 0 2,680 1,160
Hall Hire 60,063 0 0 0 0 60,063 63,928
Total for Other Trading 66,003 811 0 0 0 66,814 68,311
Investments
Dividends 37 0 0 0 0 37 35
Deposit Interest 12,214 195 175 0 0 12,584 11,170
Total for Investments 12,251 195 175 0 0 12,621 11,205
Total for Income 215,974 3,580 2,468 18,012 0 240,034 249,944
----- End of picture text -----

Note 2.1.

Donations and Appeals for ‘Other Restricted funds’ relates to money collected from Churches Together in Wilmslow. We agreed to hold the various contributions centrally and make a single donation to the selected Harvest charity. Legacies Bequests and Grants for ‘Other Restricted funds’ relates to the grants from Cheshire East Council and The Benefact Trust towards the installation of solar panels.

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3. Expenditure

For the year to 31 December 2025.

For the year to 31 December 2025. For the year to 31 December 2025.
Expenditure **Unrestricted ** **Friends ** Food Friend Other Total Prioryear
funds funds funds Restricted funds all funds total funds
Note £ £ £ £ £ £
Cost Of Raising Funds 3.1
Costs Of Fetes&Other Events 5,420 69 0 0 5,489 1,487
Friends 200 Club Payouts 0 780 0 0 780 720
5,420 849 0 0 6,269 2,207
Church Activities
Mission GivingAnd Donations 610 0 5,520 5,157 11,287 7,587
Diocesan Parish Share 95,810 0 0 0 95,810 88,986
Salaries,Wages And Honoraria 8,643 0 8,168 0 16,811 21,969
ClergyAnd Staff Expenses 6,894 0 0 0 6,894 6,496
Church RunningExpenses 48,899 21 3,599 0 52,519 45,198
Hall RunningExpenses 19,913 0 0 0 19,913 26,400
180,769 21 17,287 5,157 203,234 196,636
Material Items Of Expense 3.2
Major Repairs And Installations -
Churches		 14,809 2,599 0 0 17,408 0
Major Repairs And Installations -
Halls		 13,708 0 0 18,330 32,038 0
28,517 2,599 0 18,330 49,446 0
Other Expenditure
Bank, Card And E/Payment
Charges And Fees		 1,173 0 0 0 1,173 852
Depreciation of Equipment 215 0 0 0 215 215
1,388 0 0 0 1,388 1,067
Total for Expenditure 216,094 3,469 17,287 23,487 260,337 199,910

Note 3.1.

More events were held in 2025, including the Passion Play and a theatrical performance of the Book of Ruth.

Note 3.2

The high expenditure on Material Items of Expense reflects a number of refurbishment projects started in 2025.

Note 3.3

The movement of the Restricted Funds during the year was as follows:-

Fund Value at end of year £ Value at start of year £
Solar 0 0
Charity Appeal 0 0
Food Friend 0 14,828
The Friends 19,884 19,969
TOTALS 19,884 34,797

4. Staff Costs

At the start of 2025 the PCC employed two people on a part-time basis. One left employment during the year, leaving us with one employee. No analysis of Gross Pay, Pension Contributions or National Insurance costs are presented as this represents sensitive information, given the low number of employees.

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5. Balance Sheet (Assets and Liabilities)

Note 5.1

Fixed Assets as at 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Fixed Assets - Investments 2025 2024
£ £
Opening 1,319 1,288
Increase/ (decrease) in market value (63) 31
Closing 1,256 1,319
Fixed Assets - Heritage Assets Property Furniture AV System Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
Opening 518,549 57,045 0 575,594
Additions 0 0 9,158 9,158
Closing 518,549 57,045 9,158 584,752
Depreciation
Opening 0 54,040 0 54,040
Charge 0 215 0 215
Closing 0 54,255 0 54,255
Net Book Value
Opening 518,549 3,005 0 521,554
Closing 518,549 2,790 9,158 530,497
----- End of picture text -----

Our Investment Assets are shares bequeathed to us in perpetuity, and consists of 65 shares in the Charities Investment Fund. They are managed on our behalf by the Churches, Charities and Local Authorities (CCLA) Investment Management Limited as part of the COIF (Charities Investment Fund).. The shares are revalued to market value at each year end as shown in the Balance Sheet, and we benefit from annual ‘Unrestricted’ dividends.

Our Heritage Assets comprise our two halls, and some furniture, fittings and office equipment. A purchase of audiovisual equipment for St Bart’s was made during 2025, and the Fixed Asset value increased by £9,158.

Note 5.2

Debtors included Gift Aid claims outstanding (£8,218), hall rental owing (£2,340) and cash, cheques and e-commerce settlements not yet banked at the end of the year (£2,450).

Note 5.3

Our investments are held in a number of bank term deposit accounts, with maturity or minimum withdrawal periods ranging from 30 days to two years. We increased the amount invested during the year by £74,505.

Note 5.4

During 2025 we systematically reduced the balance in current accounts paying little or no interest, and moved the funds to term investment accounts at good interest rates.

Note 5.5

The largest ‘Liability’ is £5,220 representing the balance of the Food Friend fund, which will be paid to Hope Central. The balance includes energy bills invoiced in December (£1,848), hall rentals paid in advance (£930) and other invoices not paid at the end of the year.

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6. Related Parties and Trustees

The Trustees of the PCC are involved in other local community organisations which may have transactions with the PCC. These transactions are conducted at “arm's length”.

In 2025 a number of payments were made to Trustees, in all cases to reimburse payments made from personal accounts on PCC business, and in all cases properly authorised and supported by receipts. Those payments were as follows:-

Patrick Tyrrell was reimbursed £1,950 for purchases of refreshment and minor items for the church, and verger fees Jackie Watts was reimbursed £1,767 for minor items and verger fees.

Rev Eddie Roberts was reimbursed £279 for refreshments and office consumables. Angela Philpott was reimbursed £171 for expenses and verger fees.

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SAFEGUARDING REPORT AND STATEMENT

Safeguarding Report for 2025

The PCC has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

Safeguarding means the steps that the Church takes to create and maintain a safe environment for all and, in particular, for children, young people and vulnerable adults. As a Parish we are committed to encouraging an environment where all people, but especially those who may be at risk for any reason, are able to worship and follow their faith journey in safety. A copy of our Parish Safeguarding Policy which was accepted at last year’s APCM on 11th May 2025 and adopted by the PCC on 11[th] June 2025 is attached. This Policy is reviewed on at least an annual basis.

During the year all our activities and procedures were reviewed from a safeguarding point of view to ensure that all documentation and processes are kept up to date in line with guidelines set out by The Church of England and Diocese of Chester. This review is an ongoing process and particularly relevant as new activities may begin.

The Parish Safeguarding Dashboard introduced by Chester Diocese last year has proved to be a useful tool helping us in the way information around safeguarding is collected, monitored and stored. This covers all areas from policies and action plans, necessary training key roles and who holds them to learning and development. Their purpose is to provide a unified approach to safeguarding across the churches and to support the Safeguarding Officer in understanding what actions are required and when these should take place.

There is a good system of communication in place between the Rector and Safeguarding Officer regarding safeguarding matters where information is shared and passed on as appropriate. During the course of the year there have been several safeguarding matters or concerns referred to or requests for advice sought from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

All PCC members have completed the required Safeguarding Training modules provided by the Diocese. Others have completed Leadership and Safer Recruitment and People Management courses as required. Details have been collated of all members of the Church community who are required to undertake safeguarding training, and an assessment of the level of training required for each individual is being undertaken. This training will then be monitored to ensure that the correct training is undertaken in a timely manner. People in visible roles within the church are encouraged to increase their awareness of Safeguarding matters and procedures by undertaking Basic Safeguarding Training and as a matter of good practice Basic DBS checks may be obtained.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) documentation and processes are under ongoing review to ensure that all checks have been made as required and procedures are kept up to date.

Our Safeguarding contact details and safeguarding information is reviewed regularly to ensure that up to date information is displayed on our Parish website and in Parish buildings.

Diana Smith - Parish Safeguarding Officer

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The Parish of Wilmslow

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 11[th] May 2025 and adopted by the PCC on 11[th] June 2025.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

The Parish will:

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church has appointed Diana Smith as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Incumbent: Revd Eddie Roberts; Churchwardens: Jackie Watts & Patrick Tyrrell

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FABRIC REPORT

2025 was a busy year for fabric related activities, most significantly:

St Anne’s Church

  1. Removal of partitioning from the North Transept. This included fitting of a larger radiator, redecorating and carpet replacement. Most significantly this was to provide a comfortable area for socialising after church services.

  2. Refurbishment of the church kitchen, including replacement of worktops, flooring and the inclusion of a refrigerator and microwave oven.

  3. Boiler problems, confirmed that the church boiler is reaching the end of its life. Work put in hand for suitable replacement, taking into consideration the drive to lower carbon emissions.

  4. Improvements to the audiovisual systems in church.

  5. Replacement of the wooden gates.

  6. Electrical Inspections and Fire Risk Assessments carried out (Church and Hall).

St Bartholomew’s Church

  1. Improvements to the audiovisual systems in church

  2. Quinquennial Inspection carried out, report pending.

  3. Servicing of the bells.

  4. Boiler problems, confirmed that the church boilers are reaching the end of their lives. Work put in hand for suitable replacement, taking into consideration the drive to lower carbon emissions.

  5. Electrical Inspection and Fire Risk Assessment carried out.

Parish Hall

  1. Solar panels with battery storage installed and fully operational. Deal being arranged for Utility provider to buy back surplus electricity.

  2. Kitchen refurbishment complete including worktops, cupboard doors, redecorating, replacement lighting and replacement floor.

  3. Quotations obtained for fireproofing boiler room and installation of fire detection system.

  4. Electrical Inspection and Fire Risk Assessment carried out.

St Anne’s Hall

  1. Main gates replaced

  2. Electrical Inspection and Fire Risk Assessment carried out.

Second Saturday Squad

This program has worked well on several occasions during the year at St Anne’s, providing hedge cutting and general churchyard tidying, together with extra cleaning and general repairs.

Implementation of the scheme at St Bart’s has become more and more difficult due to the number of on-going activities in church and at the hall on Saturday mornings. For the future we may need to consider alternative smaller groups to tackle specific activities such as extra cleaning and running repairs, scheduled for times when the hall/ church isn’t occupied.

See “Second Saturday Squad Task Tracker” document for a summary of the general maintenance/ repair activities carried out during the year by our dedicated supporters.

Overall condition of the Fabric

A Quinquennial Inspection was carried out for St Bart’s in July 2025. The overall outcome was favourable. The Surveyor noted “ The church’s condition is generally good, but there are a number of smaller defects which, if left unattended, are likely to become sources of more significant repair liability ”. These smaller defects mostly relate to pointing, which in some areas is in need of repair and in others has been badly carried out and should be replaced.

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A major feature of 2025 was the increasing unreliability and cost of maintenance of the main heating boiler. We are fortunate at the moment to have a competent service engineer who has been able to source obsolete parts so far, but clearly this is one area where renewal is vital.

St Anne’s church benefitted from several improvement projects. The Quinquennial Inspection will take place in 2026, but we believe the building to be in generally good condition. The boiler in St Anne’s is also very old and replacement will be required in the near future.

Both church halls are also in generally good condition.

Jon Horne

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

There were 3 Deanery Synod Meetings in April, June and November. The Rural Dean Rev Paul Deakin provided updates at each of the meetings noting Bishop Mark’s visit during holy week and attendance at the Wilmslow Passion Play. He was pleased to report that Loveday Alexander celebrated her 25[th] Anniversary as a priest in Alderley Edge on 6[th] July. The statement from the house of Bishops on Gaza was noted and the launch of Speak Out Stay Safe initiative from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Jon Pocock was the invited speaker in April and provided an update on the Diocesan Vision Process with 4 key streams, the next step in establishing working groups and explained that the outcome of these discussions would go forward to the national church to bid for funding. The key question for each stream will be what difference does this make the 1.6 million? This is the estimated number of people in Cheshire who do not know God. Robin Pye gave a short presentation on the Café Church which is growing in Lily and Rosie Café in Alderley Edge. Revd David Twomey from Manchester Airport Chaplaincy attended the June meeting and gave an inspirational talk about the partnership working of the team which includes Manchester Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance, GM police, the Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Government and Home Office/Border Force. Alistair Johnson, The Church Engagement Officer from Christian Aid attended the November meeting and gave an interesting talk about how faith is put into action encouraging generous giving, campaigning to make longer term chance and prayer underlying everything they do.

The Treasurer’s report is presented at each meeting with the large balance being noted in the account so parishes were given a pro rata reimbursement keeping a working balance of £2,000 (including £500 to cover the restricted children’s fund).

The Deanery Lay Chair, Isobel Chetwood, reports at each meeting. The Deanery lay chairs from the local area meet twice a year at +Sam’s. We are able to share ideas. Initiatives and suggestions for speakers. The Start to Stir organisation will be coming to the April meeting next year acknowledging the growing trend of young people being increasingly interested in the Christian faith and thus exploring church.

News is received from each of the parishes prior to the meeting and it is good to learn of all the activities that are taking place across the Knutsford Deanery.

Isobel Chetwood Knutsford Deanery Lay Chair Deanery Synod Representative Angela Philpott Deanery Synod Representative

ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Wilmslow Parish PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules (2011 and 2022). The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church

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Representation Rules. All church members are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC. Risk assessments are carried out as and when required and recorded in the PCC’s Risk Register.

Administrative Information

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Wilmslow is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity Registration Number: 1131056). It is part of the Diocese of Chester within the Church of England.

The correspondence address is

Wilmslow Parish, Wilmslow Parish Hall, Cliff Road, Wilmslow SK9 4AA

Incumbent: Revd. Eddie Roberts

PTO: Revd. Canon Professor Roger Yates, Revd. John Knowles

Churchwardens: Jackie Watts, Patrick Tyrrell

Deanery Synod Representatives : Isobel Chetwood (also PCC Secretary), Angela Philpott.

Parish Church Council Membership

Patrick Tyrrell (Chair), Teresa Allinson, Nicky Cathery, Isobel Chetwood, Ann Hodson, Jon Horne, Martin Kinsey, John Knowles, Barbara Leader, Caroline Lucas, Heather Martin, Angela Philpott, Oliver Ramsden, Deborah Simpson, Diana Smith, Chris Stubbs, Andy Watts, Jackie Watts, Roger Yates, Revd Eddie Roberts (ex-officio).

The Standing Committee

The Standing Committee is a sub-committee of the PCC as required by the Church of England. The Rector and Churchwardens are ex-officio. The additional members, elected by the PCC are Nicky Cathery, Isobel Chetwood, Diana Smith and Andy Watts.

Parish Safeguarding Coordinator

Diana Smith

Independent Examiner

Ian Smallwood

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