Parish of Lanchester and Burnhope
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
FOR 2023
At the start of 2023 the PCC Looked forward to continuing its work throughout the coming year. Under the leadership and chairmanship of our Priest in Charge, Revd Lesley, it was able during the year to make significant progress with the agreed priorities for the year, set out in its previous Annual Report; These were the further development of ministry to families and children, including regular intergenerational worship, laying the foundations for closer working with the parish of Harelaw and Annfield Plain, facilitating spiritual growth and day to day discipleship by the provision of bible studies, small groups and working together in mission, and continuing to support and encourage the various organisations within the churches. The careful management of decreasing financial resources during the year had also been agreed to be a matter of high priority.
These activities were all practical expressions of the PCC’s primary purpose for every year, that is to promote the Gospel according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England, seeking God in prayer and showing his love to those amongst whom we work.
During 2023 the PCC met on eight occasions. One meeting immediately followed the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on 24[th] May and was for the appointment of officers, and the remaining seven were for the conduct of regular business.
At the end of 2023 the PCC, chaired by our Priest in Charge, had 19 members; during the year 22 different people had served in various capacities and at various times. The PCC was pleased that Curate Revd Stephen continued to play a valuable part in its discussions and work and, from April, to welcome Revd Abbey to its meetings.
At most meetings reports were received on finance, from the Churchwardens, from the Social and Fundraising Committee and on safeguarding issues. A report of each meeting of the Deanery Synod was also provided. Many of these reports were in written form and distributed to members several days before the meeting at which they were to be discussed. Regular ‘clergy reports’ were also received from Revd Lesley in which she outlined her current and planned
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initiatives for ministry, many of which were amongst children, including children at Lanchester EP School and Burnhope School; the reconstituted Messy Church held at All Saints’ Church continued to prove hugely popular and to attract the support of a number of new helpers.
The PCC throughout the year was well aware that careful financial management was essential to the life and work of the parish and was very appreciative of Michael Horsley’s continuing work in the role of Treasurer and his attendance at every PCC meeting to present the latest accounting reports. At the March meeting the accounts for the previous financial year were accepted and were, in due course, examined and approved by the Independent Examiner.. An important financial decision was made at the September meeting when the Diocese’s recommended Guided Pledge contribution for the parish for 2024 was considered. After detailed discussion the PCC agreed to pledge £60,000, a little less than the Diocese’s recommendation. This decision was made in the light of the increasing difficulty being experienced in meeting other financial obligations. At the same meeting discussion took place on a wide range of other possible methods of cost reduction. Each year the PCC agrees the payment of a sum of approximately £500 to each of two charities. At its November meeting it was agreed this year to support Lanchester Village Bus and Willow Burn Hospice.
During the year the PCC was very pleased to support Revd Lesley as, with Revd Stephen and Revd Abbey, she continued, and continues, with a significant number of initiatives within the community, particularly in the schools,.
Safeguarding remains a priority for the PCC and arrangements are made on its behalf to ensure that all necessary training is up to date and that any issues which arise are handled sensitively and effectively. At its November meeting it approved and adopted the latest version of the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy.
The work of the Social and Fundraising Committee continued and thanks to the efforts of its chair and members raised in various imaginative and innovative ways considerable sums for charities and for church funds. The PCC was delighted at its meetings to support these activities and hear of their outcomes. Particular thanks were given to Margaret Walters as she relinquished the Committee’s chair at the end of the year.
An important part of each meeting was to receive a report from the churchwardens part of whose work enables the PCC to continue to exercise its responsibility for the fabric of the two church buildings and churchyards. Issues which required the attention of the churchwardens during 2023 included
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organising and supporting the Warm Space initiative at the beginning of the year, developing plans to restore the chimes to All Saints’ clock, rearrangement of storage within All Saints’, various issues relating to the churchyard at St John’s Church, arranging inspections of the premises by statutory bodies and, at the end of the year, by the Archdeacon and responding to any recommendations. Managing the heating system at All Saints in a cost effective way was a significant part the churchwardens’ role. Through the year the churchwardens in many different ways supported the clergy in their ministries.
The PCC in October responded to the Deanery Synod’s invitation to parishes to comment on possible future arrangements between parishes in the light of the severe shortage of clergy within the Deanery.
The PCC looks forward in hope and faith to the opportunities and challenges which 2024 will bring. Its priorities for 2024 are,
first, the continuation of support to Revd Lesley and other clergy in their ministries, including the further development of ministry to families and children, a commitment to move to intergenerational worship and some more contemporary services;
second, a renewed discernment of our outreach and mission to those on the margins, including an examination of whether we might look to employ a parish nurse and
thirdly, the support and encouragement of the various organisations within the churches. A high priority will once again be the careful management of decreasing financial resources.
David Baggott PCC Secretary
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They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ Mark 9:30-37
We are a lively and inclusive community of Christians seeking to know the love of God more deeply for ourselves and to share it with others.
Our vision is to be a community of prayer, friendship and active compassion, celebrating Jesus’ call to life in all its fullness .
In 2023 our website died. Sadly we couldn’t save it; not only was it difficult to access for editing, it was also costly, and so we now use the free facility of A Church Near You as our main point of contact online, together with our very well-used Facebook pages. But we have one very important takeaway from it, and that’s the strapline above. It’s literally our vision statement, the vision we’ve aspired to and have been working towards, since my licensing in 2019.
I repeat it now because, in one of those God-incidences in which we discern the action of the Holy Spirit, the reading for the Eucharist which precedes our APCM for 2023 is the passage from St Mark’s Gospel also quoted above. We are to be disciples, those who learn from Jesus; we are to be servants of all, a community of love reaching out to those in need and those on the margins; and we are to welcome everyone, adults and children alike. Jesus commissions us to service, just as surely as he does when he sends out the twelve and the seventy, and gives us an understanding of what it means to follow him.
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And our vision statement is a direct echo of the Gospel. We aspire to be a community - united by the bonds of love. We wish to be disciples , learning to know God better. We know that we are sent out as apostles to share the most precious gift we have, the gift of Good News. When we pray to have active compassion, we know that we are not the greatest, but last of all and servant of all, putting others first. And when Jesus reminds his followers that God’s welcome is for everyone, from the tiniest child to the oldest and most venerable adult, we use the word inclusive to describe our church family.
I hope that, reading this report, you will see the outworking of this statement, and will recognise your part in it. There is no retirement for the committed Christian, no end to the call to transformation, as individuals, as families, as church, and as the body of Christ in our villages. Following faithfully is hard work, and often change is difficult to bear; but if we are to grow and to assure the future of the church in Lanchester and in Burnhope, this is our calling. I hope you will, too, be heartened by the obvious shoots of new growth around us, and by the joy of sharing the life of Christ, in all its fullness.
Worship and discipleship
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In 2023 we completely resumed a pattern of worship that includes an 8am Sunday Eucharist, a 9.15 service at Burnhope and a 10.30 Eucharist at All Saints, as well as the Wednesday 9.45 service. Attendance at all of our services is steady, and we also offer a monthly service at Lynwood House and a monthly midweek Café Church at Burnhope community centre which are well attended;
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Our ministry team grew with the addition of Anne Lipscombe, who came to us on placement and decided to stay! Anne was a reader in training, but re-entered the discernment process during 2023 and has been selected for ordination training. Anne has a heart for mission and teaching, and has already made huge contributions to the life of the church, including re-invigorating our Bible and Bait group at St Thomas’, at which all are welcome, and delivering inventive and well-received Lent and Advent courses;
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Sadly, Peter Jackson retired as reader in 2023. We thank him for the huge role he has played in preaching, teaching and as a member of our PCC, and we are grateful that he remains a well-loved member of our congregations;
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Music continues to be an area of excellence under Craig’s direction;
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We continue to offer meditation, led beautifully by Sue;
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The prayer of the Julian group continues to underpin our worship.
Occasional Offices
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We continue to be a resource to the wider community for significant life events, and have a busy funeral and baptismal ministry.
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The few weddings we hold are wonderful, but we are in competition with the numerous one-stop wedding venues along the Beamish valley;
Pastoral Work
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The demand for pastoral visits is large and still growing. It is impossible for clergy to carry out all of the pastoral visiting work, and we could not manage without the considerable assistance of the pastoral visiting team. We are always looking for new volunteers, to whom training will be given. The work is vital as we have an increasing number of congregation members who can no longer get to church, and it is deeply rewarding for both volunteers and those who are visited. Please do consider whether you are called to this ministry, particularly as Stephen prepares to leave us;
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Clergy still provide chaplaincy services to Willowburn, and visit those in hospital in liaison with our hospital chaplains.
Schools and Children
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Building on foundations established in 2022, we regularly visit and deliver collective worship in four schools of the six across our two parishes. Both the EP and Burnhope Primary schools bring KS 1 and 2 children to church as part of the RE curriculum, and for the great feasts of the church.
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We ran a confirmation course in the EP school prior to Deanery Confirmations in September, and presented 14 candidates to be confirmed, who have gone on to become part of the school’s worship team.
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I continue to be ex officio and vice-chair of the governors of the Ep School, and together with Rev’d Abbey and Margaret Matthews, we are a strong Christian presence on the school’s governing body. The recent finding of OFSTED that the school’s Christian ethos ‘shines through’ is
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founded in our work and witness, and in the relationship of church with school;
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I delivered an after school club and Forest church in school in summer term 2023;
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There is a growing collaborative relationship between the church, Burnhope school and the community centre, and a small but mighty team of volunteers from both parishes often works in the kitchen on the community centre’s holiday club days.
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The same cross-border team- with a couple of additions- now delivers our Open the Book sessions in four schools, and is much appreciated by the children.
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Messy Church continued to experiment in 2023. We used our outdoor space for activities, visited the Community Orchard for Apple Day, and in the first week of Advent we turned All Saints into Narnia, as we invited Messy Church and the whole of the EP school to step through the wardrobe. Over 500 children enjoyed our 7 prayer stations, and met Mr Tumnus, Lucy, The White Witch and Father Christmas. Huge thanks go to Hannah, Caroline, Ann-marie, Rob and Eric, Hazel, Liz, Linda, Sophie, Joel and Ian for the enormous amount of work and planning that made it such a success. Reflection and planning continues as there are undoubtedly areas for growth upon which we can build.
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2023 saw the launch of our Sunday School, led by Caroline and Janet. Sunday school numbers are regularly between 10 and 16, bucking the national trend which is still for declining attendance of children in church. We are thankful that our Sundays are enlivened by the laughter of children, and look forward to building on the success of the Sunday School as part of our PCC objectives.
Missional Projects
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Our Warm Space in collaboration with Burnhope community centre was successful and has grown into a regular Wednesday lunch club, led by Pauline Hall and our combined volunteer team;
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At Christmas 2023 we took part in the Big Christmas Lunch at Burnhope, feeding and entertaining 50 people who would otherwise have been alone for Christmas;
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Anne led the Burnhope Supper Club in conjunction with school, community centre and Feeding families, teaching disadvantaged families the basics of cooking with ingredients from the Foodbank;
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Publicity is more and more important in engaging those who do not normally come to church. We have been blessed in 2023 by Ann, who has taken over the editing of our magazine, Trinity, and who also manages our ACNY pages. Many thanks to Rob, who stepped down after years of faithfully chasing contributors for content!
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding is of vital importance to us as a community engaged in living out our faith; we are called to love our neighbour as ourselves, to serve the last and the least, and to protect those who are the most vulnerable. We have rigorous structures in place to ensure the safety of all, and place the highest priority on acting appropriately should a safeguarding incident take place.
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The PCC has adopted the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding is a regular agenda item at PCC meetings. Training is up to date; the PCC engages in Safer Recruitment processes; we are engaging with the Safeguarding Parish Dashboards. There were no incidents in 2023 but there were occasions on which we took the advice of the DSO and Social Services and acted upon such advice.
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Sue Smith has been an outstanding PSO, who has given faithful service to the parishes and their people. As she steps down from the role we extend our heartfelt thanks to her
Ecumenical Working
- We continue to discern a new understanding of ecumenical working in our contexts, having collaborated on a cohesive Warm Spaces offering.
Stewardship and Finance
- We continue to feel the bite of the cost of living crisis. Energy is low, families have disproportionately less disposable income and costs have risen in line with or over the inflation rate. The economic climate for churches and charities in general in now very challenging, and in 2023 we took steps to avoid running at a deficit.
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It is sobering to note that, as in 2022, and after running a month-long Stewardship campaign we were unable to meet our full pledge to the Diocese.
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We are monitoring expenditure as we move forward, are actively applying for (and securing) grants for mission, and the events staged by the Social and Fundraising group and the 100 Club continue to make a much-needed contribution to our finances.
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We made a successful application for a subsidised digital giving device in late 2023, and are grateful to the team who have been trained in its use and who now monitor it. Installation was not without its problems! We are hopeful that it will be a source of reasonably substantial donations as society relies less and less on cash.
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We are indebted to our treasurer, Michael, who dealt with significant financial and administrative difficulties in 2023 with persistence, humour and grace.
Deanery Synod and Deanery Plan
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Work on the Deanery plan was intensive in 2023, taking us on 3 Away Days. The support of our deanery Synod representatives was invaluable, and we were deeply saddened by the death of Brenda Craddock, our representative on Diocesan Synod.
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Early 2024 saw agreement on a new Deanery Plan involving the separation of Burnhope and Lanchester from St Thomas’, and the inception of a new Derwentside East Group ministry involving St Thomas’, St James Burnopfield and Stanley. Plans are currently being scrutinised by the Church Commissioners;
The Life of The Church
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All Saints and Saint Johns’ remain vibrant communities with much to offer.
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Both churches have active MU branches, with St John celebrating its centenary in 2022 with a special evensong.
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All Saints Church Wives group continues to meet and enjoy fellowship.
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Floral decorations contribute to our sacred spaces.
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The music of the bells calls us to prayer and is much appreciated by the village, and we have new ringers in the tower learning their craft.
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- We have a generous heart for those in need, and still collect items for the Consett Foodbank; we support local charities including the Village Bus.
ELECTORAL ROLL
Numbers on the Electoral Roll reported to APCM 5[th] May 2023
Resident 165 Non-resident 30 Total 195
Since the 2023 APCM:
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The names of six people have been added, all of whom live within the parish.
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four people have died, all of whom lived within the parish.
Numbers on the Electoral Roll as at 3[rd] May 2024
Resident 169 Non-resident 30 Total 199 David Baggott Electoral Roll Officer
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Treasurer’s Report for 2023
Total receipts for the year were £101,149 and payments £92,865 resulting in a surplus of £8284.
Parish share was not paid in full. At the PCC meeting in September it was agreed to limit payments to £60,000 to avoid drawing on designated funds. At this meeting it was also decided not to increase the pledge for 2024. There was no further PCC meeting when the share could be adjusted although income did increase without a compensating increase in costs.
The restricted funds where appropriate were used for some payments amounting to £1592. This was more than covered by improved fund income for the year. Due to a change by CCLA that administers some of our funds only 9 months interest has been included. The final 3 months interest due to these accounts will be added to the accounts early January 2024.
The PCC nominated secular charities for 2023 were Daft as a Brush and the Village Bus. For 2024 they are Willowburn Hospice and the Village Bus with £500 for each.
St John’s church receipts and payments were again recorded separately as a designated fund.
The PCC has a reserves policy to maintain a balance of three months running costs in the General Fund. At the year end the balance was £18,122 when £24,000 was required.
2023 has been a year with high inflation allowing little scope for increasing income or containing costs. Fixed price energy contracts negotiated by Steve Bailey helped significantly. These end in March 2024 and new contracts will result in much higher energy costs. It is looking increasingly likely that contracts negotiated in Steve’s name by the broker Bionic will follow.
Work has been carried out on the Chapter House heating system to allow better control.
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A card machine has been installed with the aim of providing an additional income stream. The only income so far is the small amount added by Church Wardens on the training day in November. These do no cover the costs incurred to date.
Michael Horsley
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Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year funds funds funds funds total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Energy Fund Mission/social Action Pallister legacy fund St Johns Burnhope Restricted Canon Chase Bequest fund Clock HP Thompson Tower fund Hedley stone Oliver Bequest endowment Ruth Shotton Choir hymnal and organ fund St Johns church yard Sunday School Sunday School endowment Tithe Act 1936 endowment Warm spaces Wheldon endowment Endowment Oliver Bequest endowment Sunday School endowment Tithe Act 1936 endowment Wheldon endowment |
78,433 1,560 — 79,994 82,095 1,967 — — 1,967 2,875 11,017 661 — 11,678 9,015 1,052 6,023 433 7,509 1,939 |
| 92,470 8,245 433 101,149 95,925 150 293 — 444 476 89,744 2,676 — 92,421 96,663 — — — — 78 |
|
| 89,895 2,969 — 92,865 97,219 |
|
| 2,574 5,275 433 8,283 (1,293) 87 364 — 451 104,179 (87) (364) — (451) (104,179) |
|
| 2,574 5,275 433 8,283 (1,293) |
|
| 55,654 88,804 66,283 210,743 212,036 |
|
| 58,229 94,080 66,716 219,026 210,743 18,122 — — 18,122 18,149 4,069 — — 4,069 5,372 339 — — 339 — 28,266 — — 28,266 27,388 7,431 — — 7,431 4,744 — 37,087 — 37,087 36,784 — 500 — 500 500 — 9,577 — 9,577 9,279 — 862 — 862 862 — 27,007 — 27,007 23,168 — 4,639 — 4,639 5,262 — 700 — 700 700 — 1,464 — 1,464 1,500 — 4,146 — 4,146 3,942 — 217 — 217 217 — 956 — 956 — — 6,921 — 6,921 6,585 — — 60,494 60,494 60,494 — — 509 509 509 — — 4,995 4,995 4,562 — — 717 717 717 |
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Balance sheet
Total funds Prior
year funds
| year funds | Total funds Prior |
|---|---|
| Current assets Investments Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Energy Fund Mission/social Action St Johns Burnhope Pallister legacy fund Restricted Clock Ruth Shotton Choir hymnal and organ fund Canon Chase Bequest fund Sunday School Agency collection Hedley stone Oliver Bequest endowment St Johns church yard Sunday School endowment Tithe Act 1936 endowment Warm spaces Wheldon endowment HP Thompson Tower fund Endowment Oliver Bequest endowment Sunday School endowment Tithe Act 1936 endowment Wheldon endowment Funds of the church |
184,945 179,203 37,917 31,540 |
| 222,863 210,743 3,836 — |
|
| 3,836 — |
|
| 219,026 210,743 |
|
| 219,026 210,743 |
|
| 219,026 210,743 18,122 18,149 4,069 5,372 339 — 7,431 4,744 28,266 27,388 500 500 4,639 5,262 37,087 36,784 1,464 1,500 — — 862 862 27,007 23,168 700 700 4,146 3,942 217 217 956 — 6,921 6,585 9,577 9,279 60,494 60,494 509 509 4,995 4,562 717 717 |
|
| 219,026 210,743 |
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Fund movement by type
| Opening Incoming Outgoing TransfersGains/losses Journals Closing |
Opening Incoming Outgoing TransfersGains/losses Journals Closing |
|---|---|
| Clock - Clock Restricted Sub-total for Clock Energy - Energy Fund Designated Sub-total for Energy Hedley - Hedley stone Restricted Sub-total for Hedley OilverE - Oliver Bequest endow Restricted Endowment Sub-total for OilverE SJChYard - St Johns church yard Restricted Sub-total for SJChYard SchoolE - Sunday School endowm Restricted Endowment Sub-total for SchoolE SocialA - Mission/social Actio Designated Sub-total for SocialA TitheE - Tithe Act 1936 endow Restricted Endowment Sub-total for TitheE Warm - Warm spaces Restricted Sub-total for Warm WheldonEnd - Wheldon endowment Restricted Endowment Sub-total for WheldonEnd Youth - Youth work Restricted Sub-total for Youth General - General fund Unrestricted Sub-total for General John - St Johns Burnhope Designated Sub-total for John Pal - Pallister legacy fun Designated Sub-total for Pal Tower - HP Thompson Tower fu Restricted Sub-total for Tower Music - Ruth Shotton Choir h Restricted Sub-total for Music |
500 — — — — — 500 |
| 500 — — — — — 500 5,372 — 1,302 — — — 4,069 |
|
| 5,372 — 1,302 — — — 4,069 862 — — — — — 862 |
|
| 862 — — — — — 862 23,168 3,839 — — — — 27,007 60,494 — — — — — 60,494 |
|
| 83,662 3,839 — — — — 87,501 700 — — — — — 700 |
|
| 700 — — — — — 700 3,942 923 354 (364) — — 4,146 509 — — — — — 509 |
|
| 4,451 923 354 (364) — — 4,655 — 500 160 — — — 339 |
|
| — 500 160 — — — 339 217 — — — — — 217 4,562 433 — — — — 4,995 |
|
| 4,780 433 — — — — 5,213 — 1,470 513 — — — 956 |
|
| — 1,470 513 — — — 956 6,585 335 — — — — 6,921 717 — — — — — 717 |
|
| 7,303 335 — — — — 7,638 — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — 18,149 84,944 84,884 (87) — — 18,122 |
|
| 18,149 84,944 84,884 (87) — — 18,122 4,744 6,148 3,547 87 — — 7,431 |
|
| 4,744 6,148 3,547 87 — — 7,431 27,388 877 — — — — 28,266 |
|
| 27,388 877 — — — — 28,266 9,279 297 — — — — 9,577 |
|
| 9,279 297 — — — — 9,577 5,262 168 792 — — — 4,639 |
|
| 5,262 168 792 — — — 4,639 |
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| Chase - Canon Chase Bequest Restricted Sub-total for Chase Wheldon - Wheldon Restricted Sub-total for Wheldon Tithe - Tithe act 1936 Restricted Sub-total for Tithe School - Sunday School Restricted Sub-total for School Oliver - Oliver Bequest fund Restricted Sub-total for Oliver Grand total |
36,784 1,178 876 — — — 37,087 |
|---|---|
| 36,784 1,178 876 — — — 37,087 — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — 1,500 32 433 364 — — 1,464 |
|
| 1,500 32 433 364 — — 1,464 — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — |
|
| 210,743 101,149 92,865 — — — 219,026 |
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Analysis of income and expenditure
Total
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 0101 - Gift Aided - Bank 21,628 0110 - Gift Aided - Envelopes — 0111 - Parish giving Scheme 22,327 0201 - Other planned giving 1,874 0301 - Loose plate collections 7,809 0302 - Coffee donations 930 0303 - Credit card 7 0410 - Wall safe giving 18 0501 - Gift Aided one-off 3,705 0550 - Donations appeals etc 1,645 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 13,735 0701 - Legacies — 0801 - Recurring grants 100 08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants 300 0901 - Other funds generated — Total 74,081 Income from charitable activities 0802 - Vicarage - St Thomas share — 0803 - Curate - St Thomas share — 0804 - Expenses from St Thomas — 1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals 1,719 1102 - Heating for weddings/funerals 50 Total 1,769 Other trading activities 0910 - Fundraising - combined 7,085 1211 - Traidcraft sales 177 1220 - Fund raising - diary sales — 1250 - Magazine income - advertising 280 1260 - Magazine sales 1,375 Total 8,919 Investments 1001 - Fund gain/loss — 1020 - Fund interest 144 1030 - Rent from lands or buildings 30 Total 174 |
21,628 — 22,327 1,874 7,809 930 7 18 3,705 1,645 13,735 — 100 300 — |
— 80 1,122 312 1,955 — — — — 236 96 — 50 500 — |
— — — — 90 — — — — 45 — — — 1,425 — |
| 4,352 — — — 198 — |
1,560 — — — — — |
||
| 1,769 7,085 177 — 280 1,375 |
198 2,098 — — — — |
— 661 — — — — |
|
| 8,919 — 144 30 |
2,098 — 877 — |
661 — 6,023 — |
|
| 174 | 877 | 6,023 | |
| INCOME TOTAL | 84,944 | 7,526 | 8,245 |
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EXPENDITURE
Raising funds
| 1721 - Traidcraft costs — 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events 46 1750 - Credit card machine 104 Total 150 Expenditure on charitable activities 1731 - Rent of Burnhope Community Centre — 1850 - Home mission 351 1870 - Secular charities 1,000 1910 - Parish share 60,000 2001 - Organist / staff costs 3,000 2002 - Organist fee 240 2101 - Working expenses incumbent 139 2102 - Working expenses of Curate 961 2140 - Vicarage water rates 332 2145 - Curate water rates 430 2150 - Vicar's telephone 356 2170 - Education — 2171 - Childrens education/activities — 2201 - Parish training and mission 28 2301 - Church running - insurance 4,987 2310 - Church office - telephone 367 2320 - Organ / piano tuning 436 2330 - Church maintenance 2,925 2340 - Upkeep of services 1,899 2350 - Upkeep of churchyard 96 2360 - Parish review, CCLI 260 2361 - Stationary 35 2362 - Photocopying 1,274 2370 - Visiting speakers / locums 56 2401 - Church running - electric 978 2410 - Church running - gas 2,373 2420 - Church running - water 107 2501 - Magazine expenses 1,649 2601 - Governance costs examination/audit fee 390 2840 - Other PCC property upkeep 55 Total 84,733 Other expenditure 2502 - Miscellaneous — Total — |
— 46 104 |
— — — |
— 293 — |
|---|---|---|---|
| — — 40 — — — — — — — — — — 160 — 2,061 — — 1,560 172 78 — — — — 189 664 84 — — — |
293 — 219 — — — — — — — — — 236 552 — — — — 876 792 — — — — — — — — — — — |
||
| 84,733 — |
5,011 — |
2,676 — |
|
| — | — | — | |
| EXPENDITURE TOTAL | 84,884 | 5,011 | 2,969 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 59 | 2,514 | 5,275 |
Note £3,836 shown as an amount falling due in one year is the money being held for flowers and bell ringing.
This report dated:
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ChiiriiiL'% ALI 21111 (Ihc 2011 Aci)) and Ihdt an Indendei examine the accounts (under.Ee£tion 145 of the 2011 Aci). lo follow rlie pryK¢dures Igid do>wn in the General Dirtttion.% given by the Charity Commission (under 5ecLiOll 14515llb) of the 2011 Aci),. and to %lai¢ wh¢theT particular matte15 have come lo my B&si5 ofindEpendent exthminer's Slatemfttt My examinarion was carried out in &ccoidance wilh General DirL'ciions given by the Chariiy Coinmibsioners. An examination incliides d Eview ol the aocouDiing records kepi by (he chaTiIy and a cumpariwn of Ihe accounts presented 'ith Ihase records. IE also includeg con.Eideration of an} unusual items or disc105ureE in the accounis. seeking explanaiions from the Irusiees conceming any such maiierb. The praLedure.% undertakcn do not provide all the ¢iidenLe thaL Ii'ould be required iJ] an audit. and consequently no opinioii is gii'en as to whether the aLCUllllts present i? 'ItUE and tair vi¢w' and ihe repon is limtied lo those marreFS sei Qui in Lhe slaienieni klow. Indeppndettt examiner's slHtement In conneciion with iny examinaiion. no tnar*r has cume lo my .hich gives rne reasonable cause 10 klieve that. in any niaierial respect. the niemb¢ts have not met th¢ requireiiJeni.%'. lo keep accountin8 teeord% in 4LColde wtih Scciion IJD of Ihe ?01 I Aci.. and 10 prepdre accoLini% ¥%,hi¢h accord w'ith rhe aiLouniing Tec()ril.% and if) comply 'Ith the aCCOLiiiiing rcquirenieni of the 2011 Aci have nvl k'en mei.. or Signed Nam¢ Jl) 11(Jlloway J.('A l)('IiA 19
Churchwardens Report for APCM May 21[st] 2024
Our Churches started 2023 not as in the previous two years with the consequences of COVID but in response to the high cost of energy prices experienced by all but especially older and vulnerable families. Both All Saints and St John’s responded by offering Warm Spaces providing warmth, hot drinks and snacks and welcome, several days a week between January and April. A rota was formed with people kindly giving up their time to serve those who turned up. All Saints hub was in the Chapter House and St John’s in the Burnhope Community Centre. St John’s has flourished into a regular and still running Lunch Club which is still going strong.
As ever the Wardens continue to support Lesley as she balances her duties between the parishes and beyond, and all of our Clergy in the carrying out of their ministries.
At the APCM of 2023 on the 24[th] May, Doreen Park, Pauline Hall, Eric Gaskill and Rob Matthews were duly elected as Churchwardens for 2023/24 and were sworn in by Archdeacon Libby at All Saints on 29[th] June.
All of our regular servicing and maintenance work have been carried out during the year. In addition, in June, the Chapter House heating system has been drained, flushed out and refilled with all valves changed and a new thermostat controlling Chapter House and Vestries. In July the loft was cleaned and surplus items removed, junk to the tip and some items to charity organisations. Build up of ‘Stuff’ remains a constant problem due to lack of serious storage space. Also, in July EIG, our insurers, requested a telephone audit which took over an hour but satisfied their requirement regarding our insurance. Items which came to light was the fact that our Electrical Safety inspection and Lightning Conductor certificates were due to be carried out during 2023. Both inspections have been done, certificates issued and copies sent to EIG and acknowledged.
August saw our Archdeacon’s visit and inspection which went well and all requirements have been met.
Sunday October 29[th] saw heavy rain and the flooding of parts of the village and All Saints opened sadly not for services, but as one of the village’s emergency response centres where hot coffees and tea and biscuits and especially a warm retreat were provided for members of the emergency services and some residents who had been affected by the flooding.
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November saw the usual (sadly now diminishing slightly) band of volunteers to clear the churchyard of leaves at our Annual Churchyard Clean, St Johns saw the same event the following week. We do thank all those volunteers who do turn up every year, but would be pleased to welcome new ‘members’ to the group.
Advent was welcomed by the Narnia Event where the Church was transformed by volunteers into the mystical world of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) which coincided deliberately with the village lighting of the Christmas Tree and carols on the green, preceded in Church by a Christingle service.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone in our churches for the support we have received throughout another year without which we could not have managed.
Rob Matthews for the Churchwardens May 2024
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