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Amesbury Parish Church Annual Report 2025
Church Warden's Report
This has been quite a challenging year where the Parish Profile has been compiled, reviewed a few times until finally completion. The appointment of Revd.Canon Kelvin Inglis, presently Rector of St. Thomas's Church, Salisbury, was announced after the Sung Eucharist in Amesbury Abbey Church on Sunday 4th May.
We have been plagued by a roof leak near the organ which we are still in process of chasing both the contractor and Architect as well as trying to source a roofer who can clean the gutters of leaves and debris between the nave and parallel roof near the leak.
The Payaz machine is proving to be amazing in collecting donations from visitors both during services and visitors who come during the day.
Last year we were very fortunate in providing several weddings and baptisms. We have also had a large number of funerals too of which we have had to say farewell to several stalwarts of our church.
Both the PCC and the quarterly meeting of church folk helping with decisions and actions in the running of the church has proved how well we work as a community together. I do thank you all for your sterling support.
I have put an appeal out for the search of a Treasurer as being Church Warden, without a Priest and Acting Treasurer is a very large commitment. I pray someone will feel comfortable to come forward into the Treasurer role as fresh input would be a significant help though I do want to thank some PCC members who have taken aspects of the Treasurer role to help spread the load.
I feel very blest that despite the interregnum we have successfully carried on seeking to provide not only the ordinary services but to provide evening and special services. With Janet Darg - Forsyth as a Lay Worship Leader we have been able to provide these services as well as a huge thank you to the various visiting Priests.
This coming year has its own challenges which we are looking forward to especially with both the National celebrations and that of the Antrobus House of 100 years. There are a few projects being developed to help with these celebrations.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Sophia Moody Church Warden.
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PCC Secretary's Report
The PCC held ten regular meetings during the year since the last APCM in May 2024. There were also two Parish Meetings: on Sunday October 27th to approve and adopt the accounts for 2023, and on Sunday 6th April to discuss and approve the appointment of Mr. Andrew Radice as Independent Examiner of the PCC accounts.
During the year the PCC discussed matters including: The advertisement of the vacancy and the recruitment procedure The Parish Profile A Person Specification for the new incumbent A Role Description for the new incumbent The Payaz machine for donations; to confirm that it was fully operational. The Fire and Security Inspection The Ringing Chamber Access grab handle A PCC Media Policy The North Transept door PCC Bookkeeping and the services of Sandra Silk A church response to a potential major emergency The water ingress at the west end of the south aisle The clearance of the valley gutter to address the seasonal build-up of leaf litter. Dogs in church during services The architectural services of Emma Mullen, of the ELM Architects Practice of Winterslow. The stone outbuilding The (now filled) hole in the churchyard, north of the Quire. The attendance of the Churchwarden and PCC Secretary at the Scout Group AGM. The raising and payment of invoices. The Royal British Legion Parade and Ceremony of Remembrance. Repairs to the lighting in the Quire. Provision of a Christmas tree The provision of portable heaters Servicing and repairs to the church clock The Parish Share The new status of the Friends of Amesbury Abbey Church Consultation on the renewal of the suspension of the benefice Decayed trees in the churchyard and a churchyard spring cleaning initiative The storage of PCC documents
Fund-raising and social events including Open Saturdays, coffee mornings and associated activities The Lent Programme. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2. The matter of the presence of mice in church and the work of the pest control company. The need for toilets in church
The maintenance of the website, social media presence and the associated workload Visiting clergy .
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Andrew Robson PCC Secretary.
| PCC members | Role | Term of Ofce |
|---|---|---|
| Shaula Crabtree | Deanery Synod Representative | 2024-2027 |
| Ruth Davies | Parish Safeguarding Ofcer | 2023-2026 |
| Rosemary Eaton | 2023-2026 | |
| Graham Millard | 2024-2027 | |
| Sophie Moody | Churchwarden (& Treasurer) | 2022-2025 |
| Katie Newham | 2022-2025 | |
| Andrew Robson | PCC Secretary | 2022-2025 |
| Paul Stewart-Gillam | 2024 | |
| John Swindlehurst | 2023-2026 | |
| Wendy Wood | 2024-2027 |
The following reports, in random order, tell of the many and varied activities of the parishioners of Amesbury Parish Church, all contributing to the community of Faith in this place.
The church finances
This has been a good year for team work dealing with the finances
It would be preferable to have a lead Treasurer rather than myself as lead however all areas have been covered. Wendy is dealing with the invoices from the various funerals, weddings and other services. I am dealing with the bills and other issues in general . Katie is dealing effectively and efficiently with the gift aid, hugely important. Another is dealing with claiming on the tax on build work. The Sandra Silk bookkeeper company has successfully provided a fantastic service dealing with the background organising in readiness for the annual report in Diocesan and Charity Commission approved format. Finally we have now successfully secured the services of an outstanding independent auditor to complete the financial audit. Our finances are remaining steady in that we can pay the general bills but we, as a church really need to work together to build on the finances to be in a better position to pay towards the Diocesan Share. This then will secure the ability to retain a tenure to keep a Priest in future.
Sophia Moody Acting Treasurer
The accounts are published as a separate pdf.
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The Altar Team
We have a dedicated Altar Team here at St Mary and St Melor Church. There are only five of us at present, but we are hoping more people will be called to join us.
There are usually two Servers - Deacon and Sub-Deacon - who assist the Priest at the 10am Eucharist, every Sunday. They stand to the left and right, respectively, of the Priest at the Nave altar, facing the Congregation.
The Nave Altar has to be prepared before the start of the Service. The Deacon and SubDeacon are responsible for this. The Chalice, Ciborium (Host/wafer pot) Pyx (for consecrated wafers) are placed on the Altar, and covered by the Altar cloths, which vary in colour according to the church season.
The jugs with wine and water, and the Ablutions bowl are placed on the Credence table.
It is also important to check that the Gospel reading is the correct one for that Sunday as the Sermon is often based on it.
The Deacon and Sub-Deacon have different roles. At the start of the Service, everyone processes around the church, following the Crucifer, Choir and Verger. The Sub-Deacon holds the Gospel high. When the Gospel is to be read it is held by the Sub-Deacon for the Deacon to read. They also assist with handing the small jugs of wine and water to the Deacon/Priest for the Chalice to be charged. The Deacon then prepares the altar ready for the Eucharist, and the Sub-deacon assists the Priest with the Ablutions.(hand washing)
When the Altar team process to the high Altar they take the Bread and Wine with them. The Deacon follows the Priest with the Chalice and Holy Communion is offered to the Congregation. Occasionally the Sub-Deacon will assist with a second Chalice, depending on congregation numbers.
After Communion, the Altar team process back to the Nave Altar. The Deacon tidies the Altar and replaces the cloths. After the Blessing, they walk to the front of the Altar, bow, and then follow the Crucifer, Choir, and Verger back to the Vestry.
Gerry Scott Altar Team Co-ordinator
The Flower Team
We have the same members of the group running the flowers for Christmas, Easter and Harvest Festival as last year with Carol Nicholls and me doing any change of seasonal flowers. Two things we’d be interested to know is can there be any investment in buying
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more flowers in the future as some of our flowers are beginning to look a little tired. Secondly has any advertising for new recruits been done to see if we can boost numbers (or even better hand over the flower team to a new leader!!)
Liz Barnes
Flower team Co-ordinator
Safeguarding
During the year the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) has reported to each PCC meeting and has managed the procedures necessary for ensuring that the PCC complies with diocesan guidelines and regulations. PCC members and others routinely undertake Safeguarding training and the submission of DBS forms.
Ruth Davies
Parish Safeguarding Officer.
The Bellringing Team
Our band of ringers has now increased to five but remains too small to ring on a regular basis for Sunday services. We continue to try to ring for services at important festivals.
We are holding regular practices on the second Monday of the month which are very well attended. There are usually between twelve and fifteen ringers from as far afield as Pewsey and Downton. Our Salisbury Branch Ringing Master has been a great support, encouraging many of us to improve our 'striking' and to learn new methods. It is lovely to be able to give ringers the opportunity to ring on eight bells.
Regular bell maintenance has been carried out for us by Mike Tizzard, for which we are very grateful. Although he is not a bell ringer, he is an engineer and has undertaken a 'steeple keeping' course and supports several local towers.
On May 8th we are planning to ring to celebrate VE Day with help from our friends from local towers. It is our intention to mark VJ Day on August 15th as well.
At the end of July, on Saturday 26th, we will be hosting a 'bells and picnic' event. This is one of Salisbury Branch's regular summer events for members. There will be ringing for about an hour in the late morning with a picnic afterwards.. A local walk is planned for non-ringing family and friends.
We will continue to ring for weddings and other events with the support of local ringers from nearby towers and to welcome visiting bands, who are always complimentary about our lovely bells.
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As usual I would like to thank my fellow Amesbury ringers and our local friends for their continued support over the year.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning to ring so that we can have regular service ringing in Amesbury again, please let us know and we'll arrange to show you what's involved.
Liz Wrighton and Albert Spreadbury , Tower Captains.
Deanery Synod Annual Report for year May 2024 – May 2025
As your Deanery Synod Representative, I have attended the three meetings that have been held during the year.
The first meeting was held at Chitterne on June 27[th] , 2025. Its main theme was ‘The cost of being Church Together as we pursue our vision to make Jesus Known’. This related to ‘Share’ paid by the parishes, which sparked very lively discussion, acknowledging we are all in the same situation, with mature congregations, falling numbers and old buildings. We were told there will be a four-year transition to smooth the changes.
The second was held on October 17[th] , 2025, in Middle Woodford. The main discussion points following the ‘Cress’ presentation were how we could support this across the Deanery, followed by the ever-pressing matters of Share in the parishes, with the message that PCC’s need to ‘Get their heads around Finance and link it to Mission’.
Our latest meeting was held at Sarum College in Salisbury, where several Deaneries came together for an evening of Questions and Answers with Bishop Andrew. It was an interesting evening with many of the questions asked relating to every parish and Andrew’s answers giving us ideas to consider in our own. Whilst the questions did not specifically relate to ‘Share’, it was obvious that most Deaneries are dealing with this same problem, and ways to solve it.
Shaula Crabtree
Deanery Synod Representative
Notes from the Joint Deanery Synod Meeting Held on April 8[th] , 2025, at Sarum College.
Following the success of a similar meeting held last year, it was decided that holding joint larger meetings for the deaneries was a more profitable was forward.
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This year, the attending Bishop was Bishop Andrew, who has recently taken services in Amesbury. He began by suggesting how we need to work across the parish/deanery boundaries. It was explained that there would be time for questions at the end, and that questions needed to be short and succinct. Bishop Andrew then introduced the new Archdeacon to take up the post in May. The lady concerned will replace Alan Jeans and is currently placed in Lilliput in the south of the diocese.
Andrew’s theme 3/4 challenges that Christians in the Modern World face. This will vary depending on where we are in the world, whether that be physical survival, our fears for the future, the unpredictability of everything.
The first challenge – Jesus to Peter ‘Peter, do you love me? Then feed my sheep, tend my lambs.’
We have become too comfortable!
The second challenge – ‘How to belong?’ A Question of the World to the Church. One body globally? A Spiders web OR body across the world? We perhaps don’t want to be lumped in with everyone else. Not fully committed to? Linking Local with Global and the person with the world? Trump is declaring war on globalisation.
At one time, our choices were limited, with paths handed down to us and our task was to find breadth. Now, however, the opposite is true, with universal choice and ‘How do we choose one partner or one faith?’ The reason for Religious decline in the Church? Not so ‘to inherit the faith’?
The third challenge – How do I choose? (We have gone from little choice to lots of choice.) The Church membership has declined from 1950’s/1960’s to the present and the big question is ‘Where have they gone?’ What Faith has replaced? What happens when links are broken? We have gone from This is your Life, now find the World – to – This is your World, now find the life.
We have a crisis of place. Our difference and the need for boundaries. Jesus was from Nazareth. Our Global Reach begins in and through Him. We Seek the Kingdom of God, but who will lead?
The fourth challenge – How to connect? The Church of England in our time? There is a crisis in our organisation. We create a World of our own, with no connections with anyone else. Our fear – we are seeking a kingdom!! BUT drift towards disconnection. Bishop Andrew recommended ‘Forgotten Churches’ (book) “Church grows from the local” ending with He chose us long before we chose him!!
Questions were then taken with Bishop Andrew answering .
Q . What is truth? (Alderbury)
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A . Truth is not abstract. We must be courageous that truth exists. Be confident in truth. ‘Do not bear false witness’
Q . Crisis of place? (Alderbury)
A . How porous should local boundaries be? Church talks to create’ new place’ – this doesn’t deny difference but holds it together. We create the community that speaks common tongue.
Q . Balance between telling the truth and telling the truth with confidence? (Chalke Valley)
A . Truth is the 5[th] point of the compass.
Q . Trump demonstrates Christian commitment – is this good or bad? (St Leonards Bulford)
A . He likes the challenge of naming Jesus in the USA. Christian faith is always cooperative in the UK. The church should not reset owning Faith in the States.
Q . Invasion of other Cultures that would want to rid the UK of the Christian Faith?
A. I don’t believe it’s an ‘invasion’ of any religious faith. There is huge diversity in Islam and what we need to do is work to find a mid-ground by working with the Catholic church. As citizens of the UK, we have no other way, but to find common good between Islamic Faith and Christianity.
Q . Young people and the Christian Faith? The importance of ground roots in Christian teaching. (New Forest)
A . We must make sure that Christian teaching in schools continues. RE is taught in Primary schools.
Q . What would you say about the lack of School Governors and ‘believers’ in teaching staff in schools? (Harnham)
A . I agree. Christian Values expressed and shared gives ways to teach ‘Values’ rooted in personal GOD.
The Diocesan approach towards teaching staff and teachers’ assistants is that they can be passed on to pupils by showing a personal god – what He means to me, rather than imposing it. The new Archdeacon, Louise, who will replace Alan Jeans in May expressed concern that this is what makes it difficult, finding Church Governors rooted in Church.
Q . Fasting – respecting one another’s Faiths and stay true to our own? (St Johns – River Avon Benefice)
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A . There is no substitute for building a relationship/interfaith dialogue and clarity is essential. It’s all about forming relationships of trust.
Q . How do we connect with youth and young people to let them know that Christ is there for them? (Street pastor)
A. Are these effects of lockdown? They are reaching out for help. Young people are in crisis and realise the need for a Faith. Examples are where some are just turning up for baptism at a Baptist Church.
Q . What is the Truth? (Salisbury)
A . We need fresh expressions of Christian Truth. The Church is called upon to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation. This needs to remain – Can we belong with one another with all our differences? ‘Andrew would say WE MUST!!’
Q . Small parishes – belonging at benefice level? What does it mean? (Heytesbury)
A . This will be different in each place, but I think there is a priority to do more at ‘root’ level – connectedness! In order to continue we may have to see some churches to ‘lie held’/ follow where they rebuild their congregation.
Q . Archbishop of Canterbury? What change would you make to bring you personal pleasure? (Bowerchalke)
A . NO!! I don’t want to be!! Bringing Englishness to my calling. The archbishop’s role is at least 4 jobs, no surprise that it collapsed!! Would love the Christian Faith to be revived, together with the Village Churches. We must not dispose of our Churches in England, unlike Wales and Scotland!
Q. Happiness Classes? To connect young people in school and ways of connecting.
A. Thank you for this question – very important.
Q. People in Schools not knowing about Christianity and Church? Just Prayers, a hymn and notices? Assemblies no longer happen.
A. This tends to vary from school to school. ‘Collective worship’ – hymn/prayer/story? This again depends on the schools. Generalising - We “hold back” from teaching and telling the story. There is a Loss of Cultural Christianity.
The meeting concluded with prayer…. followed by many conversations!!
The importance of the contents of Shaula's report is the reason it is included in full in the APCM report: to maximise the potential readership. /Editor
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Electoral Officer Report for Year Ended April 2025
As the elected PCC Electoral Roll Officer, I have maintained the Electoral Roll over the past year. This year it was necessary to completely review the Electoral Roll and with this in mind it was necessary for those who wished to complete new forms to enable them to be entered onto the Roll. Our Roll in the year April 2024 – March 2025 was 92 members. After the complete revision of the Electoral Roll in April 2025, the number stands at 55 members.
Shaula Crabtree Electoral Roll Officer
Supporting Clergy during our Vacancy
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the clergy who have supported our worship during the vacancy since December 2023: Bishop Andrew Rumsey, Archdeacon Alan Jeans, Archdeacon Antony Macrow-Wood, Revd. Jonathan Plows, Rural Dean of Stonehenge Deanery, Revd. Mike Perry, Revd. Patricia Powell, Canon John Corbyn, Revd. Susan Drewett, Revd Sandra Williams, Revd Errol Williams, Revd. Daniel Njuguna, and Canon Anthony Hawley.
Amesbury Abbey Church Choir
Membership of the choir has remained stable over the year, and in October we were pleased to welcome Heidi Kinch, who has joined us to sing in the alto line. We hope she will enjoy being a choir member, and taking part in the various services.
We have continued to lead the singing at the regular services and at the major festivals. At the Advent Service we started and finished with the fine Responsory composed for us by our previous Choir Director, Alison Malcolm, between which we performed music dating as far back as the 8th century. The Christmas Carol Service was again very well attended, and we introduced a number of more modern carols as well as the traditional favourites. Rehearsing for these winter services, and for the rest of the Epiphany Season, and beyond, is not very comfortable when the temperature in the church is around 5C, so we very much appreciate our social events in early January. The adult choir enjoyed a splendid lunch at the Wheatsheaf, Lower Woodford, and the Youth Choir had a great time at the Playhouse in Salisbury where the pantomime this year was Sleeping Beauty.
Recently, on each Sunday in Lent, we have sung the Lent Prose, a form of worship traced back 1000 years, in Spain, and on Mothering Sunday we again enjoyed singing the lovely anthem ‘As a mother cradles her child’, for which the parts for the lower voices were specially written for us by the composer, David Ogden.
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As I have said previously, we need more members on the tenor and bass lines, and I hope we can encourage people to join us, and so increase the range of music we can perform.
We are one of very few parish church choirs left in our Deanery. The choir is a joy to work with, and we are able to maintain choral worship because of the loyalty and dedication of our membership, and I am most grateful to them all, particularly those who travel some distance to attend.
Michael Nottage Acting Director of Music
The Companions of Amesbury Abbey Church
The Companions group was inaugurated on Advent Sunday 2023 as a group of parishioners that undertakes to focus on spiritual aspects of the church, as distinct from the fabric. We aim to fulfil together and individually the commitments described below:
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To include in our daily prayer intentions on the parish prayer list and monthly prayers for the various parts of the Amesbury community.
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To participate regularly in the Holy Eucharist
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To say the Daily Office on a regular basis, privately, in our homes, and on a corporate basis in church at a frequency to be agreed.
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To ‘ look out for’ and support each other
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To be as approachable as we can to others, to accompany them on their faith journeys.
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To encourage the ‘ saying a prayer and lighting a candle ’ as a personal devotional act.
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To meet up on a regular basis
Parishioners interested in joining us would be most welcome.
Janet Darg-Forsyth, Geraldine Scott, Andrew Robson.
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The Friends of Amesbury Parish Church
The Friends have grown from strength to strength since becoming an independent organisation, we have a fully functioning committee and plans are ongoing for more fundraising events in the near future, as well as longer term. We have recently been able to assist the church with a donation to cover the costs of the repair and renovation of the mausoleum and the ancient clock on the bell tower, as both fall within the remit of our constitution. We are hopeful of more membership from our renewed congregation, and look forward to the future of our reborn church.
Jan Swindlehurst Chairperson
The Thursday Friends
The Thursday Friends, formally called the Cleaning Team. Name changed by the PCC in February. We are four friends who meet every Thursday 1000 to 1200 to clean the church. We have a break at 1100 for a drink and we talk and support one another if we are feeling out of sorts. Since Covid 19 we have learnt the value of talking about what’s worrying us. Good for our Mental health. We now invite anybody who wants company to join us for a chat and a drink any Thursday. Use the church as a safe place. No cleaning required.
The cleaning of the church started a year ago when we were upset by its unloved state. The team of Ann May, Janet Rymer, Janet Wells and myself set to. Week by week by sweeping, polishing, vacuuming, brass cleaning and lots of dusting we have brought the church back to life. It’s, clean and welcoming. A better prospect for a new incumbent. Like our homes the church needs cleaning every week so the Thursday Friends wiil meet till November. From November to March cleaning will take place on Open Saturdays or the Saturday before a Feast Sunday.
Rosemary Eaton,
The Verger
The Sunday Coffee Team
Since we lost the Wyndham Hall, which had all kitchen facilities plus toilets, most interactions and general socialising between the congregation takes place in the North transept of the church after Sunday morning service. Unfortunately without kitchen facilities ,refreshments are not now so easy. With a sadly depleted congregation, almost all able bodied members are involved in one way or another in running the church. The two Janet's do refreshments. Janet Wells has the harder task as she brings several gallons of water from home plus buying all tea , coffee, biscuits and cleaning agents. Adding to expenses was the purchase of disposable cups. Regular members bring their own cups. We are now very lucky because two new valuable members of our
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congregation are taking home the church cups and putting them through their dishwasher. The two Janet's are octogenarians and have been very happy doing the coffee. We are still happy but are hoping that wit h a new vicar our numbers will swell to include some coffee makers.
Janet Rymer
Open Mornings and Coffee Mornings
Our Coffee Mornings now regularly take place on the second Saturday morning of the month between 10 o'clock and 12 noon. Coffee, cake, and companionship, and various polishings, hooverings, and candle maintenance takes place too for anyone who would like to be involved in that way. This has grown to become a valued part of the church's calendar and we thank Rosemary, Janet, and Janet, for their cheerful and dedicated leadership of these times. The lack of a water supply in church means that the team bring the water from home and take the cups away to be washed. Janet's shopping trolley gives sterling service.
Readers on Sundays
The team of regular readers: - Katie, Graham, Rosemary, Liz, Andrew, Ruth, Catherine, Shaula, Wendy E, Wendy W, Jan S, David and Daniel, together with Lay-Worship Leader – Janet, have all read at our services. We are very grateful for their continued support and commitment helping to enrich our services.
Intercessions on Sundays
Our intercessors contribute to our Sunday worship each week bringing prayers in their own unique ways. We thank them for their dedication, enriching our Worship. Our team this past year included Andrew, Janet D-F, Graham, Rosemary, Catherine, Daniel and Shaula.If you feel able and would like to become a Reader or Intercessor, please come forward and let Shaula know.
Shaula Crabtree
Co-ordinator of the Readers and Intercessors
Lay Worship Leader's Report
During the Interregnum we have been blessed with a selection of Priests to lead us in our regular 10am Sunday Eucharist services. It has been wonderful to experience a variety of preaching styles, meeting with visiting priests, and sharing worship. We have welcomed priests from around Salisbury Diocese, including Archdeacon Alan, Archdeacon Anthony, and Bishop Andrew. This will mostly continue until the new Vicar of Amesbury is installed later this summer.
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There have been two non-Eucharist services at the 10am Sunday service slot. The first one was on Harvest Sunday, with a second one on Mothering Sunday. Both of these were very well received with a slightly different format. I have been able to use my Lay Worship Leader skills to enrich our Sunday morning services, with support from Andrew and Michael.
We have also been able to explore a series of rich and varied extra services held at other days and times, using different music styles such as traditional hymns, Plainsong, modern hymns, and Taize. One of the popular Sunday evening services has been BCP Evening Prayer including the singing of a hymn or two. We have also held Compline services, a beautiful ancient sung evening service, particularly suited to our church building. A moving and thought provoking “Stations of the Cross” was held towards the end of Lent. We also held a Midday service followed by a Lent lunch. This was opened to the other churches in Amesbury using the hall at the Methodist Church.
Lent Groups
During Lent we held two Lent groups following the Church of England book, Living Hope . The books were available to all, from church to enable people to follow at home or to join one of our groups. There was also a book for the children, also called Living Hope, which was designed for children to work through at home. The weekly meetings took place at The George, with one in the afternoons, and the other in the evenings to enable all who wished to attend the chance to join a group. The meetings were well attended with some very interesting discussions. We were all encouraged in our Lent journey. It is hoped that we can continue with discussion groups on a fortnightly or monthly basis.
Janet Darg-Forsyth
Lay Worship Leader
The Welcoming Team
The Welcoming Team was re-established in December 2023. We began in earnest from 2024, and are still a well established working team. Where possible we swop duties with each other as necessary , without causing any upheaval to the running of Sunday worship. There is always room for extra people willing to join our team, and we would welcome some extra helpers to stand in or replace any of the regular team where a swap is impossible. With news of a newly appointed vicar, coming to join us in the near future, we are hopeful of an increasing congregation and therefore more help will probably be needed.
Jan Swindlehurst Welcomers Co-ordinator
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Openers and Lockers
The Openers and Lockers are a small team of Janet Darg-Forsyth, Michael Nottage and Graham Millard. We open the Church every morning making it accessible to all those who are wanting to have a quiet moment with their Lord. Therefore providing the Community with a space for prayer and contemplation. This Church has a lot of history and it attracts many visitors from around the world, it is nice to see that some take their time and write encouraging words in the Visitor's Book. The locking up during the Winter is around 4pm and the Summer is 6pm.
Fund Raising
Glenys Millard has formed a small Fund Raising Group and is looking to put on events throughout the year to raise vital funds for the everyday running of the Church.
Parish Planning Meetings
We hold informal meetings in the George Hotel three times a year to plan many of the practical aspects of our church life. These are very well supported and often we have a gathering of eighteen or twenty parishioners.
Liturgy Meetings
During the interregnum we have been holding liturgy and worship planning meetings three times a year in the George Hotel to plan the Sunday by Sunday worship as well as the festival services at Christmas, and Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Participants include the Lay Worship Leader, the Altar Party Co-Ordinator, the Acting Director of Music, and the Children's Activity Leader at the monthly All Age Eucharists.
The History of Amesbury Abbey Church
The church history project continues to move forward with research into published sources and community involvement. Local historians have been contacted for insights into previous research. A tea/coffee morning was held on 25th January 2025 with members of the congregation and public invited to submit historical references for the project. PCC member and historian Ruth Davies gave a talk of 1,000 years of history relating to the Parish Church focussing on published sources and explaining the development of architectural styles over the centuries leading to what is seen in the current structure. Research continues with an interim pamphlet to be printed in June and a book to be published in the coming year. Chapters of the book are currently being compiled/written by members of the congregation and public who have an interest in specific aspects of Amesbury Parish Church, its community life, and architecture.
Ruth Davies.
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Income & Expenditure
Amesbury Parish Church For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Candles/Books Income | 238.96 | - |
| Cash Collections | 3,342.08 | 3,860.79 |
| Gift Aid Donations | 21,614.08 | 26,401.89 |
| Interest Income | 187.67 | 154.75 |
| Other Revenue | 65.00 | 10,000.00 |
| Special Collections - In | 766.14 | 2,832.27 |
| Fundraising Income | 814.72 | 1,818.06 |
| Fees Received for Services | 5,315.00 | 7,401.00 |
| Legacies Received | 10,000.00 | 50,500.00 |
| Income Tax Recovered - Gift Aid | 7,376.02 | - |
| General Donations | 2,604.05 | - |
| Total Income | 52,323.72 | 102,968.76 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Diocesan Share | 20,000.00 | 31,687.75 |
| Special Collections - Out | 402.60 | 1,919.14 |
| Cost of Services | 5,571.61 | 9,248.99 |
| Clergy Expenses | 2,067.94 | 1,334.98 |
| Church Admin | ||
| Advertising & Marketing | - | 26.40 |
| Audit & Accountancy Fees | 2,399.00 | 942.00 |
| Bank Fees | 60.00 | 60.00 |
| Books & Stationery | 468.80 | 473.78 |
| Card Machine Costs | 29.68 | 400.50 |
| Cleaning | 29.94 | - |
| IT Software And Consumables | 685.11 | 287.17 |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 15.70 | 52.35 |
| Subscriptions | 22.00 | 22.00 |
| Total Church Admin | 3,710.23 | 2,264.20 |
| Running Expenses | ||
| Insurance | 5,331.75 | 5,419.06 |
| Light, Power, Heating | 3,475.00 | 2,734.00 |
| Water Rates | 129.09 | 126.22 |
| Total Running Expenses | 8,935.84 | 8,279.28 |
| Fabric Repairs & Maintenance | 13,703.32 | 293,948.56 |
| Charitable And Political Donations | 20.00 | 5,684.25 |
| Total Expenditure | 54,411.54 | 354,367.15 |
| Surplus/Deficit | (2,087.82) | (251,398.39) |
Management Reports - Amesbury PCC Amesbury Parish Church
24 Apr 2025
Balance Sheet
Amesbury Parish Church As at 31 December 2024
| Balance Sheet Amesbury Parish Church As at 31 December 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 31 DEC 2024 | |
| Assets | |
| Bank | |
| CAF Current Account | 32,012.54 |
| Lloyds Fundraising Account | 44.85 |
| Lloyds Treasurers Account - Church | 260.85 |
| Lloyds Treasurers Account - Wyndham Hall | 50.00 |
| Cash Account | 767.64 |
| Total Bank | 33,135.88 |
| Current Assets | |
| Accounts Receivable | 382.00 |
| CBF Deposit Funds - Antrobus Trust | 1,584.27 |
| CBF Deposit Funds - Contingency | 149.97 |
| CBF Deposit Funds - Fundraising | 218.93 |
| CBF Deposit Funds - General | 15.95 |
| CBF Deposit Funds - Wyndham Hall | 1.07 |
| Funds from Sale of Wyndham Hall | 1,967.17 |
| Former Friends Funds | 23,040.65 |
| Accrued Income | 735.00 |
| Total Current Assets | 28,095.01 |
| Total Assets | 61,230.89 |
| Liabilities | |
| Current Liabilities | |
| Accounts Payable | 222.63 |
| Accruals | 447.00 |
| Farewell Gift Collection | 105.00 |
| Choir Fund | 1,616.38 |
| Youth Choir Fund | (78.95) |
| Fees Payable to the Diocese | 676.52 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 2,988.58 |
| Total Liabilities | 2,988.58 |
| Net Assets | 58,242.31 |
| PCC Funds | |
| Funds | |
| Current Year Earnings | (2,087.82) |
| Funds Brought Forward | 60,330.13 |
| Total | 58,242.31 |
Management Reports - Amesbury PCC Amesbury Parish Church
24 Apr 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report
to the PCC of St Mary & St Melor, Amesbury
I report to the trustees on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 1 and 2.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
It is my responsibility to:
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e examine the financial statements under section 145 of the 2011 Act; e follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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e state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
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I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matter has come to my attention: e which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: o to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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© to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records
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have not been met; or
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e to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
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