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2021-12-31-accounts

Page of 1 12 Amesbury PCC April 2022

Amesbury Parish Church Annual Report April 2022.

Vicar’s Report

Dear Parishioners

Inevitably the year has again been overshadowed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, though with some signs of easing in the restrictions required that have enabled us to resume some of our usual pattern of services and activities as the year has progressed. The COVID-19 situation is monitored alongside national Church of England and diocesan guidance and protective measures in our church are adjusted in careful steps.

As in previous years this report, highlighting some of the key developments and activities of the year, follows the Diocesan ‘Renewing Hope’ framework of three inter-connected themes: Pray, Serve, Grow.

PRAY

This ceremony was live-streamed.

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SERVE

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GROW

This is a brief overview of the main developments for our parish during the year. We have faced, and continue to face, both unexpected and more predictable challenges, not least in terms of Xinance and the impact of the pandemic on our resources. However, there are exciting plans for the future of our church building in development and we can look forward to the coming year in faith and hope.

With every blessing

Fr Darren A’Court Priest-in-Charge April 2022

Churchwarden’s Report

Much has happened since the last APCM. For all, that was a challenging meeting and many months of challenge and emotion followed. The PCC, after much soul searching and prayer, made the decision to sell the Wyndham Hall. A year on, the Hall is sold, being managed and looked after, to continue to serve the community. The proceeds of the sale are being held by the Diocese until such times that our Xit for the future project, whatever that may end up looking like, begins. What we do know is that all the proceeds will be used for the fabric of the church, not for running costs.

Due to the pandemic and other factors, we missed the opportunity to celebrate the completion of the Nave roof repair. It was a huge achievement and is comforting to know it is secure for many years to come. This coming year, we are in the position to repair the Tower roof along with removal of vegetation from walls near the tower and repair of roof tiles on the Chancel. Once complete, a celebration will be due.

Since joining St Mary and St Melor in 1984, toilets have been on the church wish list! They still form part of our Xit for the future project, along with heating, sound system and lighting, as

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well as how best to use the space in church which may involve removing the pews and replacing them with chairs that can be easily moved. This will, I know, evoke all kinds of emotion. Before any reordering happens there will be a public consultation so all views can be heard.

We have been privileged to be supported in any building repairs and Xit for the future planning by Diocese architect, Emma Mullen, she has amazing talent.

It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve as churchwarden at St Mary and St Melor, a church I have considered as my second home since moving to Amesbury in 1984 and one that held fond memories for me since my conXirmation held there in 1975. Throughout trials and tribulations, when the challenges I have endured in life that has tested my faith, love and hope, our church has been my constant, a place where I know and feel I am loved unconditionally by God.

The rest of my report acknowledges individuals and groups who support our church. I have put them in alphabetical order in the area they cover as each is as important to us.

In our church, purple, green, white and red, referred to as ‘liturgical colours’, are used for altar frontals, pulpit and lectern hangings. We are hugely grateful to John and Dawn Williamson who, for many years now, have and continue to ensure these are changed as and when the church seasons change

Unfortunately., Covid impacted on the ringing of bells due to being in an enclosed space with little ventilation and the availability of ringers. Bells were rung for weddings which was greatly appreciated. It is hoped that ringing will commence is the near future.

Thanks go to Bawden’s for maintaining our churchyard . Grass cutting and tree maintenance is funded by the council. Church funds an annual contract to clear gutters and maintain hedges.

Thank you to our small, dedicated team who clean our church. Being such a large space we would welcome more offers of willing volunteers to help us.

During the pandemic we all missed the chiming of the church clock . Up to the date it ceased to chime, for many years, Brian Johnson had maintained the clock, climbing the 48 steps of the tower at least once a week, often more, to keep the clock ticking and keeping time within seconds. Thank you Brian for your dedication and enthusiasm which you willingly shared. John Finley now looks after our clock with the same dedication, thank you John.

Thank you to our congregation who I look forward to seeing each week.

Each year the Electoral Roll is reviewed to make sure the details we hold are correct. Every sixth year a completely new Roll has to be prepared. This will happen in 2025. However, new members can join at any time. Thank you to Jill Rees who has just stepped down from managing the Roll, handing over to Shaula Crabtree.

Have you ever wondered how the 5lag appears on the tower roof on special days in the year? To reach the Xlag pole you have to climb to the ringing chamber, up a very steep ladder to step round the bells, up another steep ladder, through a trap door and Xinally onto the tower roof. For those of you who were in Amesbury Junior School choir may remember this from singing from the tower roof on Ascension Day! The Xlag, for many years, was put up (and taken down) in all weathers by Don Evans, then Colin Maddocks and now Phil Dale. Thank you to them.

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We are very fortunate to have a team of 5lower arrangers who work behind the scenes to ensure our church has beautiful Xlower displays throughout the year. Their beauty does not go unnoticed, are often commented upon and our grateful thanks go to the Xlower team.

Every Sunday, without fail, we are blessed at the 10am service (and festivals and occasional evensong) to be led in music played by our musical director, Michael Nottage, and harmonious hymns sung by our choir . The post communion anthem is always a joy to listen to. Michael prepares the hymns and anthems which is very much appreciated. These are practiced each Thursday during choir practice. Thank you to Michael and the choir for your dedication.

Thank you to all members of the PCC , past and present, who give freely of their time to meet for church business.

Thank you to everyone who is on our reader and intercessor rota, enhancing our services with a variety of voices and prayers. There is always room for more if there is anyone who wishes to join.

We continue to enjoy having a link with 1[st] Amesbury (St Mary and St Melor) Scout Group. They have worked hard to improve the area outside their hut and look after the building as well as provide exciting and engaging activities for each section. Until the time when we have facilities in church, they are kindly allowing us access to their hut for water and toilets when needed.

Looking after our church Xinances is no easy feat. Thanks go to Lisa Courtney for another year as treasurer . Also, as they hand over to Katie Newham, thank you to Gerry Southwell and Jerry Curnow for looking after gift aid claims over several years.

When considering the role of churchwarden I read, ‘Clergy look to their churchwardens to be dependable colleagues and (hopefully) supportive friends in their shared responsibility for the life of the parish. ‘Cooperating with the incumbent’ is required of wardens. Lay people will often follow the example and lead of their churchwarden both in the PCC and more generally in the parish. They will sometimes come to a churchwarden with their concerns about the church. A churchwarden’s wisdom and common sense are great assets for a church. I hope in my time as churchwarden I have managed to fulXil this, it has certainly been my intention.

Barbara Maddocks.

Electoral Roll Report

There are 99 electors on the Church Electoral Roll dated April 6th 2022. The Notice is signed by Barbara Maddocks as Churchwarden and Acting Electoral Roll Officer, and posted on the church notice board.

PCC Secretary’s Report

There have been nine meetings of the PCC since the last annual meeting. These took place on May 26th by Zoom, June 16th, July 21st, September 1st, October 4th, November 17th, January 19th (2022), February 16th by Zoom, and March 16th. In addition the PCC met on November 9th for a presentation from Ms. Emma Mullen of St. Anne’s Gate Architects, and twice, informally, on February 9th and February 23rd, to reflect on her suggested developments and to identify priorities.

During the year matters discussed included:

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Andrew Robson.

Members of the Amesbury PCC at March 2022:

PCC Members Role Term of ofce
Father Darren A’Court Priest-in-Charge from 2015
Barbara Maddocks Churchwarden 2019- 2022
Sophie Moody Deanery Synod Representative 2019-2022
Lisa Courtney Treasurer from 2020
John Swindlehurst 2020-2023
Ruth Davies 2020-2023
Julie Lewis 2020-2023
(Andrew Robson) (Hon Secretary) (from November) 2021

Church flower team

The past two years have inevitably seen changes. Most crucially, Anne Bush stood down from running the Flower Team though we’re very happy to say she still continues to be part of the team. We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to her; she did a wonderful job organising the fortnightly rotas, annual festivals including Christmas and Easter plus all the weddings for many years.

Carol Nicholls and I now run the team. We have 7 volunteers which we all agreed was not sufficient to do fortnightly stints so it was decided that, if the church could cover the expense, we could invest in silk flowers and greenery which would hugely reduces the pressure on the small team and also massively cuts the fresh flower expenses. The church council gave us £200 and Carol and I bought a lovely selection, the new system works well with the whole team gathering for the big festivals and we are all on a monthly rota instead of a fortnightly one. We have stopped using oasis on environmental grounds.

We would welcome move volunteers!!!

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Lizzie Barnes

Church Music

At the end of 2020 the church was unable to celebrate Christmas with any of the usual services, and early in 2021 Covid restrictions meant that no congregational singing was permitted. The choir was able to sing for a couple of funeral services, but was limited to six singers.

Members were very eager to start singing again, and restrictions were lifted to allow practices to resume on Thursday 26 August, and the choir resumed singing for regular services on the following Sunday, 29 August. Hymns only were sung, by the choir, as congregational singing was still not permitted. Full congregational sung services resumed on the Patronal Festival, 12 September.

Since the final service before the first lockdown in March 2020, seventeen months had elapsed, and during that time our previous Director of Music, Alison Malcolm, had left to live in Scotland, and some members had moved away. It is a matter of regret that while choir members were able to say their farewells to Alison, we were unable to mark her departure as a congregation in church. As we resumed, membership stood at 23, and that stands today. During the rest of 2021 the choir maintained the regular Sunday services, and sang for Harvest Festival, Remembrance Sunday, and the Advent and Christmas services.

The early part of this year has been difficult at times; Covid and the usual seasonal illnesses as well as other commitments have occasionally reduced our numbers, but even a small choir has always led the service and performed the anthem as advertised. While maintaining much of our previous repertoire of music, it was a pleasure recently to sing in our own church the anthem ‘Hear us, O Lord’, commissioned for us to sing in Salisbury Cathedral in 2019, by Barry Ferguson; more recently David Ogden wrote an arrangement specially for us of his anthem ‘As a Mother cradles her child’, which we performed on Mothering Sunday. After Easter we will be rehearsing music to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Parish Eucharist is, of course, our main Sunday service. In addition, the service of Evensong is very much part of the English choral tradition, and as a choir we are keen to maintain it. The service is congregational and we have tried a 4.00pm start. We hope that with warmer weather more of the congregation will be encouraged to attend and take part. The service will be advertised in the pew leaflet a couple of weeks in advance.

We will always welcome new members, and in particular we need tenor singers. We intend to advertise in the hope of attracting more members. Practices take place every Thursday from 7.00pm to 8.00pm in the Jesus Chapel.

Finally, I wish to thank all members of the choir for their continued support, particularly during the winter months. Rehearsing for an hour on Thursday nights in church can be very cold, but the singing is enthusiastic and the dedication very encouraging. I am grateful to all, particularly those who travel some distance to attend.

Michael Nottage, Acting Director of Music

Safeguarding Report

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Safeguarding has continued to be monitored with monthly reports given at the PCC meetings. No concerns were raised during the year which required reporting to the Diocese. The Diocesan Lone Working Policy has been adopted by the PCC and posted so that it is visible for everyone to read. Salisbury Diocese DBS Safeguarding Microsite is up-to-date with the DBS checks for the people with current roles within the church. The updated version of the Parish Safeguarding Policy is ready and will be posted on the notice board at the church and on the church website once the AGM has taken place.

Ruth Davies

Safeguarding Officer

Amesbury Parish Church of St Mary and St Melor 07908 860220 ms.ergo@mac.com

The Amesbury Parish Church of St Mary and St Melor SAFEGUARDING POLICY: PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy, scheduled to be reviewed annually, is proposed for adoption at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting to be held on 20.4.2022.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to: Promoting a safer environment and culture.

Safely recruitng and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.

Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

Create a safe and caring place for all.

Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all ac:vi:es involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.

Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

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Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

This church appoints Ms. Ruth Davies (07908860220, ms.ergo@mac.com) as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

The Safeguarding Policy document is to be signed by the Vicar and Churchwarden once approved at the meeting.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team Contact Details: 07469 857888 (working hours), 0303 0031111 (outside of working hours), safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org

Amesbury Church of England Primary School Foundation Governor’s Report

It’s been another turbulent year at Amesbury Primary but we have a strong belief that we are over the worst and are excited about some future changes which will lead us into a period of stability and in time, growth back to where we know we can, and should be.

We started of the academic year with a new Interim Head and Deputy Head who, despite inheriting some serious challenges, both really hit the ground running and it felt we were finally moving in the right direction. Unfortunately our optimism was short lived when in January, for health reasons both the HT & DHT went off sick and have since both resigned. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future. We have had enormous support from the Local Authority and the Diocese and from January have had Sandra Miller (Interim Executive Head) and Simon Wilkins (Interim Deputy) ensuring the Leadership continuity and building on the momentum from Term 1.

We knew there was a likelihood of an Ofsted inspection this academic year and with 24 hours notice we had one the 29th March. It has helped us to really focus on what is important for the children. The outcome will be published in due course but it didn’t really highlight anything we were not already aware of and already working to improve.

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While we have had our statutory number of six Full Governing Body meetings this academic year, there have been many wider and focused meetings, formal and informal to maintain momentum. We have two foundation governors, Fr Darren as ex-officio and myself and we begin all Full Governing Body meetings with a suitable prayer which is most welcome. While we have been in some respects ‘firefighting’ over the past few years we have been very mindful of our policies, especially on Safeguarding and Behaviour, both from a statutory and a practical perspective, ensuring they are not just tick box exercises but constructed and implemented with our children kept front and centre of everything we do.

A regular Ethos committee was set up with Fr Darren, Anna Meads, myself & Jo Pegman from the staff to work through the strands, with support from Steve Cowdery from the Diocese to give us guidance on our SIAMS progress.

As Covid restrictions began to lift we were relieved and overjoyed we could restart “live” Collective Worship and have had a number of successful church visits by the pupils.

With the retirement of our previous permanent Head in September we were in a position to recruit a new substantive head and after a lengthy but diligent recruitment process we are pleased to have appointed a new headteacher subject to the usual checks and procedures.

The number of children on roll has been dropping slowly but steadily over the past few years, for a number of reasons many of which are outside our control (such as military family movements, dropping birth rates and Covid perhaps triggering a rethink in some parents decision making). We currently stand at 288 with some key figures as follows:

Finally, our Christian ethos and core values of Dignity, Kindness and Endurance have remained strong throughout this turmoil which proves the inner strength of our children, staff, church, parents and wider community with such a solid foundation we will continue building to become the school we should be.

Ben Cook

(Foundation Governor and acting Chair of Governors)

EAL: English as an additional language LAC: Looked-after children SEND: Special Ed uc ational Needs and Disabilities SIAMS: Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools.

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The Living History Project

The Amesbury Parish Church Living History Project started from the need for reviewing the history of the church for the Fit for the Future planning. Many people have had momentous occasions at the church including but not limited to baptisms, marriages, and funerals. There are many stories and wonderful events that need to be captured before the people are no longer around to tell others about it. This project will help to capture the many events in the community which have happened in the church building but also give the community a chance to reflect on the importance of Amesbury Parish Church in their lives. It is hoped that a book can be published with the submissions of the project or that a video timeline of remembrance can showcase the different stories connected with the church. The church has been witness to many events throughout its thousand year old history and many of those moments have been lost because first hand recording of the events are not possible. To preserve this moment in time the Amesbury Parish Church Living History Project is seeking submissions from anyone who would like to share a story of their event in 500 words or less, indicating dates, and attaching no more than two photos of the event. Multiple entries are permitted although the project coordinators reserve the right to edit content. By submitting stories the author gives permission to have the words reproduced without any compensation. If submitting photos, it is requested that permission is obtained from all the people in the photo before submitting the image. Submissions are to be emailed to LivingHistoryAmesbury@gmail.com before 31 December 2022. A postcard sized flyer was reproduced to help inform of the project and extra flyers for distribution are available at the church.

Ruth Davies. ( Living History Project Co-ordinator ).

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Ame�b��� Pa�i�h Ch��ch Li�ing Hi����� P��jec�

Submissions are no� open for �ou to tell �our stor�! Did �ou have a significant moment in �our life �here the Amesbur� Parish Church of St Mar� and St Melor �as the location?

Please share �our stor� in 500 �ords or less, indicating dates, and attaching no more than t�o photos of the event. Email LivingHistor�Amesbur�@gmail.com �ith �our submission.

M���i��e e���ie� a�e �e��i��ed a��h��gh �he ���jec� c���di�a���� �e�e��e �he �igh� �� edi� c���e��. B� ��b�i��i�g ���� ����� ��� a�e gi�i�g �e��i��i�� �� ha�e ���� ���d� �e���d�ced �i�h��� a�� c���e��a�i��. P�� �he �a�e �f �he e�e�� a�d �he da�e i� ���� ��ace i� �he ��bjec� �i�e �f �he e�ai�, a�d �e�e�be� �� add ���� �a�e �� �he c���e�� �� ���� ����� ca� be c�edi�ed. P�ea�e �a�e ���e ��� ha�e �he �e��i��i�� f��� a�� �he �e���e i� �he �h���� bef��e ��b�i��i�g �he i�age�.

Deadline for submissions is December 31, 2022.

Table 1

Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021 Abbey Church of St.Mary & St. Melor, Amesbury Income and expenditure account for the period ended 31st December 2021
INCOME 2020 2021 Movement EXPENDITURE 2020 2021 Movement
£ £ £ % £ £ £ %
Cash Collections 756.03 4,073.34 3,317.31 539% Diocesan Share 44,152.74 50,534.61 6,381.87 114%
Roof Fund 132,656.83 0 -132,656.83 0% Running Expenses 7,816.36 5,191.87 -2,624.49 66%
(formerly Planned Giving)
Gift Aided 32,363.38 29,390.00 -2,973.38 91% Clergy Expenses 737.7 699.44 -38.26 95%
Candles / Books 404 97.5 -306.5 24% Church Admin 2,069.86 174.94 -1,894.92 8%
Invest Income 26,501.90 0 -26,501.90 0% Cost of Services 5,041.28 7,003.39 1,962.11 139%
Mission 715 637 -78 89% Mission 874.85 0 -874.85 0%
Donations 3,084.56 36,032.02 32,947.46 1168% Donations 0 75 75
Special Collections 972.14 584.5 -387.64 60% Special Collections 902.84 0 -902.84 0%
Gift Aid Tax Refunds 12,123.00 0 -12,123.00 0% Gift Aid Tax Refunds 0 0 0
Fees 3,094.00 8,324.87 5,230.87 269% Fees 45 118 73 262%
Grounds 0 0 0 Grounds 0 0 0
Church Maintenance 24,310.00 0 -24,310.00 0% Fabric Repairs 312,443.92 113,625.58 -198,818.34 36%
Friends Maintenance 0 Training 0 0 0
Fundraising 8,136.61 8,791.39 654.78 108% Fundraising 180 0 -180 0%
(formerly Soulstice Singers) (formerly Soulstice Singers)
TOTALS 245,117.45 87,930.62 -157,186.83 36% TOTALS 374,264.55 177,422.83 -196,841.72 47%
Surplus /Deficit in Year -£129,147.10 -£89,492.21 £39,654.89
TOTALS £245,117.45 £87,930.62 -£157,186.83 TOTALS £245,117.45 £87,930.62 -£157,186.83
Fabric Exceptional Income -140,793.44 -8,791.39 132,002.05 Fabric Excep Expenditur -24,075.71 -59,521.78 -35,446.07
Other Exceptional Income Other Excep Expenditure
Underlying Income £104,324.01 £79,139.23 -£25,184.78 76% Underlying Expenditure £350,188.84 £117,901.05 -£232,287.79 34%
"True" Surplus /Deficit -£245,864.83 -£38,761.82 £207,103.01 16%
TOTALS £104,324.01 £79,139.23 -£25,184.78 TOTALS £104,324.01 £79,139.23 -£25,184.78
SUMMARY
Balance as at 1st January 2020 86,828.57 Balance as at 1st January 2021 -42,318.53
Surplus /Deficit in Year -129,147.10 Surplus /Deficit in Year -89,492.21
Balance as at 31st December 2018 -42,318.53 Balance as at 31st December 2018 -131,810.74
Registered Charity Number
1131218

1

Inde ndent E￿nIne￿5 Re un(?1 of St Ma and SL Melor Clwrth Amesbu Wiltshire This report on the accounts for the vear ended 31° December 2021 is in respect of an examination Girried oui in accordance with th¢ Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and Section 43 of the Charities Aa 199). eetive res nsibilitios of PCC and ¢xsmiDer As members of the PCC you are resy)nsible for the pr¢pardtion of the Financial SLqtements" vou consider that the audit tequirements of the Regulations and S43 (2) of the Aci do not appl!. li is my resp)nsibiliry to issue this retM)n on those Financial Statements in accordance ith the tenns ofthe Regul&ions. Basis of tbis Re My examination w&s carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission under s4J (7)(b) of th¢ Act and to be found in the Church guidance 2006 edition. Thai ¢xatnination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of th¢ accounts with those records. It also includes anv Un￿$ual items or disclosures in the Financial Statements. The procedures undenaken do noi provide all the eN'idencc that would be required in an audiL and consequendy I do not express an audil opinion on the view given by these accounts. Inde endent er4miner's Ststement In connection with my examination. no matter h&$ come to my attention: which gives me r¢&wnable cause to believe thal in any material respect th¢ requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with the Act:: and to pr¢pare fll]an¢ial statements. which accord with the accountino records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Acl: have not been met: or 2. to whiclL in my opiniow attention should drawn in order to enable a proper understandiD8 of accounts to be reached. John Reid 27 Old Down Road ANDOVER Ha￿Psh1re SPIO 3JR th 27 May 2022