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2025-12-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report

of

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of

St Saviour and St Peter, Eastbourne

St Saviour’s Church, South Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UT

Registered Charity no. 1131420

For the year ended 31st December 2025

CONTENTS

Page

17 Report of the independent examiner

Website: stsaviourseastbourne.org.uk Incumbent:[The Revd Fr Mark McAulay SSC ] The Vicarage, Spencer Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4PA John Caladine FCCA Independent Caladine Limited, Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road, examiner: Eastbourne, BN22 1BF Bankers:[Barclays Bank plc ] 63 Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 4TD

St Saviour’s Eastbourne

Trustees Annual Re ort for 2025 p

“I have found this a very welcoming church. The last time I was there, four or five separate people spotted I was a visitor and invited me into the hall for coffee…“

- a ‘Facebook’ reviewer

Our aims and purposes as a charity

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd Fr Mark McAulay SSC, in:

What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives

When planning our activities for the year, our incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’. Our Mission Action Plan is regularly reviewed, and we also regularly ensure our activities are in sympathy with the Diocesan Vision for Growth 2020-2025.

For 2025 we discussed and planned the following objectives and activities to fulfil our aims:

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What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives

Worship

We are pleased to welcome visitors from outside as well as inside the parish boundary. Mass is offered daily on every day of the year, including Bank Holidays, and the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer are also

“It is inspiring to see how the attendance at Sunday Mass has increased incredibly... I am sure this is due to the level and quality of worship at St. Saviour’s…” – a member of the congregation

celebrated on behalf of the entire parish. As Eastbourne is a popular holiday destination some visitors seek out St Saviour’s for its traditional Anglo-Catholic worship, many of whom return to us year after year. Visitors attend by personal choice, and it is our great pleasure to welcome anyone from all walks of life to take part in the life of the church. We contend that being open to all people, and voluntary attendance to worship the Lord Jesus Christ is a major demonstration of the public benefit of our activities.

Our average regular weekly attendance, counted during October 2025, was 193 adults and children ( 205 in 2025 and by way of context, an “average” Church of England parish church had a total average of 50 adults and children attending each week in 2024 (the latest available statistics)).

It has been a great encouragement to welcome many new worshippers to St. Saviour’s. At the time of writing this Report (April 2026), average attendance at the main Sunday Mass at 10.30am is 141 (an increase from 124 in 2025 and, by way of context, an “average” Church of England parish church had a total Sunday average attendance of only 41 adults and children in 2024 (the latest available statistics): (see p.10 at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/statisticsformission2024.pdf). At the time of writing average attendance at the earlier said Sunday Mass at 9am is 12 (down on 15 in 2024). Also at the time of writing our average attendance at weekly services excluding Sundays is 65.

Weekly Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and guided prayer before the noon Mass on Tuesdays continued throughout 2025 and continues to be much appreciated. The healing ministries of laying on of hands and anointing at the Mass on every 3rd Sunday continued and are well valued and used by the congregation, and those visiting for Mass. In January 2024 we introduced the recitation of the Holy Rosary after the 10.30am Mass on Wednesdays, which has been much appreciated since then by those who attend (this also livestreamed for those unable to attend, and for those who like to “catch up” at another time at their convenience).

The daily Mass and the main Sunday Mass at 10.30am also continued to be live streamed for the benefit of those who were housebound and/or ill, together with many people across the UK (and, indeed, beyond). We take this “online” ministry seriously and know that it is much valued and appreciated by those who engage with it. In 2025, our online ‘reach’ on Facebook increased by almost 2% to over 1,200 people. The total number of Facebook visits (i.e., where people have deliberately sought us) was 30,000, which is an increase of some 46% from the previous year and we now have a group of over 1,200 dedicated followers (up 10%). The audience for our posts and videos includes people from as far afield as the US & Canada, Australia and Europe – as well as other parts of the UK besides Eastbourne. Our daily Masses were always watched live by at least some people, whilst Mass on Sundays usually had a live audience in double figures. These services also enjoyed – and continue to enjoy – substantial engagement after their broadcast and are available online to watch at a later date as well both on Facebook and YouTube.

Numbers attending on Ash Wednesday were similar to the previous year with 83 attending, with an average weekly attendance at 15 for Stations of the Cross throughout Lent. Attendances throughout Holy Week were

again incredibly encouraging and increased

“I know there is a lot of time spent by the clergy preparing for these services and it does not go unnoticed by us your flock. Thank you.” – a member of the congregation

considerably on the previous year (from Palm Sunday to Easter Day no less than 704 people attended our services (618 in 2024)).

The Easter Vigil and Easter Day Masses were attended by 275 people ( 278 in 2024, and by way of context, an “average” Church of England parish church had a total

average of 68 adults and children attending Easter Services in 2024).

Christmas is obviously a very special time of celebration where many sections of the community come together to join in our services, particularly Nine Lessons & Carols – which was attended by 270 people (strangely exactly

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the same as the year before! Were they exactly the same people!?). The Midnight Mass of Christmas, and Mass of Christmas morning were attended by 199 people (not a huge difference from the 202 who attended in 2024 and, by way of context, an “average” Church of England parish church had a total average of 134 adults and children attending Christmas Services in 2024).

A greater number of our church family have been involved in leading various aspects of worship, reading the lessons, leading intercessions and serving at the altar. During 2025 new servers were identified, trained and are now deployed at the altar. In this latter respect, our thanks go to Canon Richard Harper SSC who has done sterling work training the serving team and generally improving the standard of our liturgy. We are also grateful for the dedication and hard work of our volunteer Sacristan, Bruno Da Silva and his mother Maria Pontes who faithfully launders and irons all of our small linens.

We have continued to try to improve the quality of our welcome to, and engagement with, visiting worshippers by deliberately deploying clergy at the back of church to engage with them and guide them towards refreshments and fellowship after the main Sunday Mass, which is much appreciated. This engagement also helps the clergy to be more aware of, and responsive to, the pastoral needs of our congregation and visitors.

At St. Saviour’s we take seriously our duty to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9), and our programme of restoration and renewal in this respect continued throughout 2025. In February our ever-talented Paul Fella carried out remedial work to the Paschal candlestand to ensure it stood level and repaired a broken hand on the plaster statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The Vicar sourced more appropriate stoppered glass bottles to act as reservation Holy Oil stocks which were suitably engraved by a local business in Grove Road; Paul Fella then made a bespoke wooden case for the bottles which certainly aided in their transporting to and from Chichester Cathedral to be filled at the Chrism Mass.

In March we were delighted to take delivery of a beautiful new reversible purple and green High Altar frontal which we had commissioned from Genevieve Gomi of Stella Maris Vestments. It is pleasing that the fabric used in these commissions, “Jay” by Comper, is a modern pressing of a fabric in which we have always had Victorian era vestments at St. Saviour’s. The funding for the High Altar frontal again came from the generous legacy of the late Alan Langridge; we are confident that, as a faithful servant of the sanctuary, Alan would have approved of what we have commissioned, and we continue to pray that he may rest in peace.

Through Lent 2025 Paul Fella made a new wooden Calvary to be incorporated into the Easter Garden.

In March Paul fixed the Blessed Sacrament Chapel lectern so that it could stand without wobbling and without the aid of folded paper underneath it and also restored some superficial damage to the painting on the front of the nave altar.

In May the PCC commissioned extra sets of concelebration chasubles and a purple Comper Jay tabernacle veil for use in Advent and Lent from Stella Maris Vestments.

In July the Vicar acquired a French 19th Century Missal Stand/Tabor at auction which was subsequently sent to local firm Collier Webb for restoration. Upon its return it has been used each week for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and is a beautiful and fitting addition to our worship.

In August the PCC commissioned a rose Low Mass set from Stella Maris Vestments in memory of the late Carole Hamilton.

In September, Richard Crook and the PCC began to look at the possibility of introducing two cast iron Ebenezer Morris heritage lamp posts which Richard had acquired into the churchyard. These lamp posts were, for many years, a unique feature of the town.

In October, Paul Fella (in close consultation with the Vicar, Canon Richard Harper SSC and Richard Crook) began work on plans for a new reredos on the East wall of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in keeping with the reredos in the church.

In November, Tony Sharley returned a pair of large Pugin-style brass candlesticks which had been found under the stairs of the “choir gallery” in a dreadful (and completely oxidised) condition. He had spent 14 months’ cleaning and restoring them and presented them in an “as new” condition. We were immensely grateful to him for his hard work and looked forward to their use (with new nylon candle stocks commissioned for them).

During most of November we honoured our war dead through our Festival of Remembrance which included again a large carpet of hundreds of hand-knitted poppies in the porch – our thanks to those who knitted the poppies. Paul Fella also designed and produced another visually effective display for the education of parishioners and visitors in the baptistery.

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We were delighted to be joined by our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Revd. Dr. Martin Warner SSC, for our “Feast of Title” on Christ the King Sunday (23 November) when he formally blessed and dedicated the Blessed Sacrament Chapel glass screens, the new glass entrance doors and the lighting scheme.

During Advent we used the set of oil filled Advent candles, which had been donated by Fr Tom Mendel SSC, which were adapted by Paul Fella. In December the PCC also decided to move forward with a project proposed by Richard Crook to illuminate the spire of the church tower so it would act as a “beacon of hope” across Eastbourne, and we were delighted that it could be seen from afar.

Over the course of the year the beauty of the church is significantly enhanced by the wonderful flower arrangements put together by our dedicated team of arrangers. Our thanks to Judy Grundy, Krys Breeze, Pauline and Paul Fella and the rest of the team.

A significant amount of the work we have carried out to enhance both the use (both for worship and to be enjoyed by visitors) and the appearance of the church has been funded through using the generous legacies of those who worshipped here. As we honour their memory in this way, and express our immense gratitude for their generosity, we hope those who currently enjoy their legacy will consider perhaps following their example.

Teaching, baptising and nurturing new and existing believers

Since becoming parish priest in 2018 Fr Mark has put a “I’ve never experienced a church before with deliberate emphasis on teaching and catechesis, which is both such an emphasis on teaching and learning as noted and valued. A short teaching homily is preached at this...” every daily Mass (sadly, an unusual practice these days in most churches), short explanations of the Sunday readings are “Your sermons are often very direct and ‘non- provided in the Sunday service booklet, and daily teaching fluffy’ with a strong, bold core that you explain and devotional materials have been introduced for the use of very clearly...” the congregation in Advent and Lent. - two members of the congregation

In January and February, one of our associate clergy, Canon Tom Mendel SSC, presented two very well received teaching

sessions on the significance of the Old Testament entitled “The Old Testament – change or continuity?” . On 22 March our Assistant Curate, Fr Richard Keeble SSC, led a day visit to Pusey House and Keble College, Oxford. Fr Richard also wrote and delivered a course on the Psalms and their relevance entitled “Exploring the Psalms as the People of God” which was attended by 25 people and delivered over two sessions in late May and early June. A further, very successful, two-session course on the theology of the Book of Revelation was written and delivered by Canon Mendel at the end of October and beginning of November.

Our attractive, and high quality, parish magazine (“Logos”) also has regular teaching articles in it, including the Vicar’s monthly theological reflection and a similar appropriately entitled article from our assistant curate, “The Curate’s Egg”. Throughout 2025 via the “Art of St. Saviour’s” column readers have also been educated about the meaning behind the many Salviati mosaics in the church (particularly the Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan, the Master and Three Servants, the Pharisee and Tax Collector praying in the Synagogue, and the Flight Out of Egypt). We also learned about S. Michael the Archangel (depicted on the west wall in the baptistery), the coins of Caesar and the church at Berwick (S. Michael). There were also teaching articles on vessels and vestments and the Holy Oils, and we ran meditations on the Lord’s Prayer which had been written by the Archbishop of York. These articles have been highly regarded and our sincere thanks to all our contributors and particularly to Paul Fella for his hard work in editing and producing such a high-quality magazine.

On Epiphany Sunday we were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Lewes, the Rt. Revd. Will Hazlewood SSC, to celebrate Mass and confirm three of our congregation (2 adults and a young person). We celebrated with them with drinks and cake in their honour after Mass.

During Lent there was a full programme of events, including weekly Stations of the Cross, a Lent Course, three charity Lent lunches (which raised £620 for the Beachy Head Chaplaincy and Family Support Work). The Lent

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course, based on the Nicene Creed (in its 1700 anniversary year) was both well attended and incredibly well received. Those attending clearly deepened in their faith and in their sacramental lives.

Walk with Me Lent prayer booklets were made available, as was a pamphlet explaining the significance of Holy Week and the times of the services which was widely distributed.

“For the first time for a few years I came to every Holy Week service (nine in all!), and I found the whole journey exhilarating, sometimes emotional and harrowing, but making the celebrations of Easter Day very special…” – a member of the congregation

During the year we were privileged to welcome guest preachers to St. Saviour’s. These included: the Rt. Revd. Dr. Martin Warner SSC (Bishop of Chichester); the Rt. Revd. Will Hazlewood (Bishop of Lewes), and; (the now Fr) Ben Almond (at the time an ordinand at S. Stephen’s House, Oxford).

On 16 June (the Feast of S. Richard of Chichester) the

Vicar led a pilgrimage of 14 people to Chichester Cathedral where we were given a short tour by the Dean (and longstanding friend of S. Saviour’s) the Very Revd. Dr. Edward Dowler. The very enjoyable day, which we hope to undertake again, finished with us attending Choral Evensong in the choir.

16 people went on pilgrimage, led by the Assistant Curate & Canon Richard Harper SSC to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham from 22-26 September. As well as an opportunity for prayer, quiet reflection and spiritual “There was an overwhelming air of peace and serenity refreshment, there was an opportunity for fellowship with pervading all parts of the Shrine...” old friends from the Vicar’s previous parish in North – a first time pilgrim to Walsingham London.

The new lectionary came into general use on Advent Sunday 2024, and hardback Holy Week Passion Books were procured once published in 2025. We are grateful to those who supported this project and to Paul Fella for designing and producing bookplates for each of the three volumes. We are also grateful to the donor of two Daily Missals for use in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and to the donors of the three “ring” Holy Oil stocks which are used on every third Sunday when the Ministry of Healing is offered at the Solemn Mass.

Throughout Advent, our Assistant Curate successfully delivered an Advent course he had adapted from the Diocesan Course – Advent through Art: The Unfolding of Revelation - which was well attended and well received. Walk with Me Advent prayer booklets were also made available.

Building up the Body of Christ together

“You and the associate clergy have created a wonderfully welcoming, accepting, joyful community full of inspiring and comforting worship. A place so many of us call “home”.” – a member of the congregation

As well as worshipping together, we continue to be deliberate in our attempts to build up relationships and social cohesion amongst our members, our visitors and all those who wish to join us. In addition to our weekly time of fellowship together after the Solemn Mass on Sunday (our thanks go to Alan Fairs, Noel Thompson and the rest of the team who provide us – and, more importantly, those visiting us - with that

important ministry), we were pleased to offer an extensive programme of social activities (some of which are outlined later in this Report).

We also build relationships and cohesion as a church family by supporting each other in times of difficulty and in celebrating happy occasions together. We gave thanks at the altar for the lives of Robert Devey in March, Martin Tardif (greatly respected Churchwarden Emeritus of S. Saviour’s) in April, Brian Knight and Trevor Moore in August, and the much-loved Canon Anthony Delves SSC in December. On 9 December the Vicar dedicated and blessed a new bench in the church garden in memory of the late Helen Burford. May they all rest in peace.

We continued our tradition of regularly celebrating the significant birthdays of our members with cake and wine after Mass on Sunday (including the 80th birthdays of Stephanie Bishop, David Horne, Keith Metcalfe, Noel Thompson and Jean Whale, the 85th birthdays of Tony Sharley and Martin Stone and the 98th birthday of Barbara Fisher OBE). In May we celebrated the 63rd Wedding Anniversary of Tricia and Chris Sneath in similar fashion.

On 9 August in celebration of his 80th year, David Horne and friends put on a very entertaining concert in church – Life begins at 80! - which was incredibly well-attended and raised £700 for our outreach activity ChatStop .

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Evangelism and outreach

During 2025 we ran two primary outreach ministries: ChatStop (a monthly coffee morning for those who would benefit from companionship and conversation), and the Wellbeing Café (a weekly café for those with mental health challenges) – all of which are greatly valued by those who use them, and the local community.

ChatStop is an invitation to anybody and everybody to come along to the church hall every second Saturday of the month (10 a.m. to 12 noon) and enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or cold drink with a slice of cake and/or a biscuit while having a chat to friends and/or meeting new people in a safe and friendly atmosphere. ChatStop is not restricted to churchgoers and there are always volunteers handy to make an introduction or kick off a conversation. There is also a quiz every month called the Baffler to have a go at. We are delighted that ChatStop, under the leadership of Alan and Francesca Fairs, has gone from strength to strength in 2025. Those who attend (an average attendance of 19 people in 2025) value what is offered and we are finding that there is some overlap in guests attending who are regulars at our Wellbeing Café.

“I believe that it’s a fabulous place for people to come to, whether they’re lonely or they’ve got issues. I would say it’s incredibly friendly and welcoming and is thriving.”

“Jesus said in Matthew 25 “When I was poor and sick you visited me and that whatever you did for others you did for me”. The Wellbeing Café shows love and friendship. There’s a welcoming atmosphere and we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s creating a community.”

“I feel like everyone accepts one another. And the pancakes were nice!” (on Shrove Tuesday)

- from a February 2025 survey of Wellbeing Café guests

The weekly Wellbeing Café (the first of its kind in a church in Eastbourne) has also gone from strength to strength and now has between 30 and 45 guests every week (on average 35) plus 7-11 volunteers (including 3 clergy). It runs every Tuesday from 2pm-4pm throughout the year. People are often referred to it and we, in turn, can refer people on if necessary, by way of “signposting” other services. In this sense it functions very much as a hub in the centre of town. People can chat with people, including several priests, in confidence if they want to. They are also able play a wide variety of board games, eat cakes and enjoy plenty of tea and coffee. Those attending have varied needs and some want to talk about ongoing problems (e.g. health or housing issues) but the conversations vary from politics and current affairs to cooking, films and music, TV programmes, shopping and of course the weather!

A lot of the guests are single and lonely and just want

the company of other people for a couple of hours. There are more men than women but no-one is violent or aggressive, so people do not feel threatened or uncomfortable; there is always a lot of laughter. There is a wide selection of food and games available, as well as jigsaws, magazines, colouring books, puzzles and other reading material. In 2025 one of our guests donated a Yamaha Clavinova - some guests enjoy playing it and others enjoy the live music – there is normally an hour of live music at the café each week from 2pm-3pm. Regular attendees greatly value what is on offer, and the conducive and safe environment in which this weekly support structure takes place. Over 2025 there has been a steadily building stream of people from the café to the church’s services. This has also resulted in more people from the café community becoming involved in extra church events and outreach. This synergy is to be welcomed.

Our guests particularly enjoyed pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and our Christmas Party on 9 December when they were entertained by Marco the Magician. We are pleased to continue to be supported by a financial grant from East Sussex County Council for the café and we are grateful to Beverley Thorp, our Treasurer, for her work in continuing to secure this funding. We are also grateful to Tricia Sneath, Noel Thompson the many other volunteers for keeping this valuable weekly resource operating for the benefit of vulnerable members of the community. The café brings joy to a lot of people – including the volunteers – and we are delighted to see it flourish. We were delighted that café was the topic of an article in the May edition of the Diocesan magazine, Faith in Sussex , following a visit to the café from Molly Reuter (Diocesan Parish Advisor) at the end of February.

On our Feast of Title, the Solemnity of Christ the King (Sunday 23 November) we enjoyed an “in house” Patronal Festival “fizz and canapés” reception organised by our Events Group. This dynamic group comprises of enthusiastic volunteers led by Paul Fella. The group meets regularly to plan our social calendar and is responsible for the delivery of our programme of social events.

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“We had a wonderful time at the Assumptiontide Garden Party yesterday. Over the years we have attended many similar events but never one that was so well planned, organised and executed as this one was… it was a total delight.” – a member of the congregation

There were also a number of other social events held throughout the year including a Burns Night Supper (which raised £780 towards on on-going refurbishment of the hall kitchen facilities), Shrove Tuesday pancakes, the Assumptiontide Vicarage Garden Party (with the very popular local Jazz band, and friends of St. Saviour’s, Con Brio – attended by 85 people and raising £1,300), and a Harold Lloyd Silent Movie Night. Although a modest charge is made to

attend most of these events to cover costs and to raise funds for the upkeep of the church, members of the congregation are encouraged to bring friends and family. They are fun events, open to members of the community and are a useful means of outreach, fellowship and networking for the people attending each event. Our thanks to Paul Fella and all the Events Group for their dynamism, enthusiasm and hard work.

Another dimension of our evangelism and outreach is via our “digital presence”. We continue to improve our website which includes links to The List (list.co.uk - a national events listing site) Visit Eastbourne , Trip Advisor and Google Business to promote the church and the many events we hold. During 2025 there was a massive increase in traffic to our site (a total of over 59,000 visits, which represents an increase of over .7%). Most traffic was generated either directly although some came via search engines Bing or Google. A very large percentage of our site visitors were new and the average visitor stayed for more than five and a half minutes!

As already noted at the beginning of this Report, we also have a significant Facebook presence with some posts being viewed by over 1,200 people. We know, from comments received, that this has increased the number of visitors to the church many of whom join in our worship.

Contributing to, and joining in with, the life of the wider church and community

Throughout 2025 this church, and our clergy, continued to support the life and work of the wider church and community.

The Vicar continued to act as a training incumbent, and as Bishop’s Surrogate for Common Licences. The Assistant Curate remained on the list as a Liturgical Chaplain to the Bishop of Chichester, which involves the planning and advance rehearsal of episcopal liturgies in the local parishes (such as Confirmation and Ordination).

At the beginning of the year our Assistant Curate was on placement with the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team.

Throughout 2025 he continued to deliver collective worship for the children at St. John’s Primary School, Meads.

In February he helped deliver the Diocesan Pastoral Training Module for the laity.

On 3 February both of our Churchwardens attended the celebration of the 950th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Chichester at a service at St. John’s, Meads.

To encourage vocations to the priesthood, and to encourage those already in formation, we again invited an ordinand from St. Stephen’s House, Oxford, to preach at St. Saviour’s at a Sunday Mass in March 2025. We are pleased to have developed a link with St. Stephen’s House and hope that this link can be further strengthened in the future.

On 27 March our Assistant Curate delivered a Lent Quiet Day at S. Mary’s, Buxted.

On 10 April the Vicar and Canon Richard Harper SSC attended Confession training and are now on the Diocesan list of public confessors (as is Canon Tom Mendel SSC).

On 1 June our Assistant Curate and members of the congregation led the Eastbourne DGH Hospital Service.

On 21 June the Vicar and Canon Tom Mendel SSC attended an event at Chichester Cathedral to welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church.

We hosted the Chapter Mass for the brethren of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC) – a fraternal society of priests with a common rule of life, of which the Vicar and all of our associate priests are brothers – in February and September.

The Vicar and Assistant Curate attended the residential Diocesan Clergy Conference held at the University of Kent at Canterbury from 22-26 September.

We hosted the Diocesan Walsingham Festival on 4 October which was attended by 112 people. Particular thanks are due to Canon Richard Harper SSC for his smooth and efficient organising of such a major event.

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St. Saviour’s clergy have continued to be deployed in helping other churches by taking services on an occasional basis, including St. John’s, Crowborough, and our Assistant Curate preached at the patronal festival of All Saints’, Sidley on 2 November. He also attended to represent St. Saviour’s at the Licensing by the Bishop of Chichester of the new parish priest of St. John’s Meads on 6 November.

On 11 November the Vicar officiated at the Sovereign Harbour Community Armistice Service.

Provision of the church building for people to enjoy

The fact that the church is open every day from 8.30am to 5pm to the public is much valued, and the church is visited extensively by people from all around the world, many who value the peacefulness and the opportunity to pray and light a candle. It is important to

us that the church is available for private prayer not just

to the church family but to the wider visiting community. We are very grateful to Tricia Sneath and our faithful “Open Church” volunteers who provide a valuable ministry of welcome to these many visitors on some weekdays to guide them around the church and answer

”My visit allowed me to find some internal peace and calmness at a very low point...” – a ‘Google’ reviewer

any questions. This too is greatly appreciated by locals and visitors alike and the many comments we receive in person, entries in our Visitors’ Book, and online reviews testify to this. Many remark not only how refreshing it is to find the church open but also the sense of peacefulness and spirituality the church pervades. Other remarks include the sense of history within, and comment on the appreciation of the architectural beauty of the building.

The building is large and has a very lively (and natural) acoustic which means that it is very popular as a concert venue for local choirs, choral societies and orchestras, many of which raise funds for local charities. During 2025 we put on our usual series of free lunchtime recitals each of which attracted up to 50 visitors. Both the church and the local community should be grateful to Paul Collins, our Director of Music, for continuing to put together this popular concert series, and to the church volunteers who kindly steward and provide refreshments.

We were pleased to welcome the Renaissance Singers again for their Epiphany Meditation Concert in January, Lent Meditation in March, and Advent Meditation in November – these significantly high-quality choral concerts are well-supported, and we very much value the link between the church and the Renaissance Singers.

During the year we hosted the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s three annual concerts. The relationship between St. Saviour’s and the ESO goes back many years and we also very much value this.

Throughout 2025 we continued to support the charitable work of Concentus (one of Eastbourne’s largest amateur choirs) primarily by providing rehearsal time in both the church and the church hall, on-going annual storage for their staging, and in hosting their two major concerts during the Summer and at Christmas (“ Concentus sings ..”).

In April we hosted the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague who presented Hollywood in Eastbourne , “a night of world movie melodies”.

In November we hosted the Hailsham Choral Society for Mozart's Solemn Vespers and Haydn's Little Organ Mass.

We are pleased that our partnership with Lumos Live has continued through 2025 with them using us regularly as a venue for their atmospheric candle-lit concerts of popular music played by string quartet.

The church has always been popular as a venue with local schools (particularly Eastbourne College and Bede’s) and we hosted the Bede’s School Christmas Carol Concerts on 9 and 12 December.

The church hall is very popular with local organisations, charity and community groups and individuals and is fully accessible. As already noted, it is used extensively for activities which benefit the community which included, in 2025, Eastbourne Foodbank (every Friday), the Say Aphasia Charity, as a venue for a local councillor’s surgery, and acting as the venue for the AGMs of many local blocks of flats and for the AGM of the Ramblers’ Society. The church hall is managed on an entirely voluntary basis by one of our Churchwardens, Pauline Fella, who is extremely busy and works hard enough as Churchwarden without this added responsibility – our immense thanks continue to go to Pauline for her “above and beyond” work both for the church but also on behalf of the many groups who use the hall. Whilst she is assisted by Noel

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Thompson (to whom we are also grateful), we continue to hope that in 2026 Pauline can be relieved of this burden.

Maintenance of the church building, grounds and future projects

St. Saviour’s church is a significant Grade II* listed building which requires a huge amount of ongoing daily maintenance. It is officially designated as a Church of England “Major Parish Church” (Major Parish Churches represent some of the most special, significant and well-loved places of worship in England, and are designated as such for a number of reasons including having “a role or roles beyond those of a typical parish church, and make a considerable civic, cultural and economic contribution to their communities” ).

Our church is kept clean and tidy by a dedicated team of volunteers who spend a significant amount of time each week caring for the interior of the building. Ross Piper, our volunteer verger, spends a lot of time cleaning the building

“Stunning, highly-decorated Victorian church, conserved and in excellent condition...” - a ‘Google’ reviewer “Red brick, blue skies, and 176 feet of pure history – St. Saviour’s spire looked absolutely iconic against Eastbourne clouds… G.E. Street really knew how to build a masterpiece!” - a ‘Facebook’ reviewer

and we are very grateful to him for his dedication and hard work. Ross and the team are complemented by a small but highly dedicated team who work outside in the gardens and car park. We are most grateful to all those who give up their time to keep St Saviour’s inside and out in such good condition. The cleanliness and good order of the church and the tidiness and beauty of the garden are often remarked upon by our visitors.

On Palm Sunday we made a presentation to Peter Pritchett, our architect, on the occasion of his retirement and on 4 December appointed his successor, Jonathan Cerowski.

As well continuing this ever-ongoing general maintenance, and

cleaning, of the church, hall and the gardening of the grounds – the following specific items were carried out:

15 January inner glass doors signed off

15 January CCTV annual service

17 January new PIR lights fitted outside hall door fire escape (into front Vicarage garden)

27 January new microwave/air fryer for hall kitchen, also teapots, jugs and cutting boards. Glass items removed in order to comply with Food Safety Regulations

1 February 8 volunteers receive Level 2 Food Safety Hygiene training

12 February ProPress purchased to keep vestments etc. clean and in good order

10 March WiFi routers changed in hall and church

31 March Flower Room tidied out and cleaned

29 April (and 27 May) full asbestos survey carried out

May lock fitted to Flower Room

10 June new electricity meter fitted in the hall

21 July fire & safety risk assessment carried out

August – we began to explore AV offering in the hall

11 August portable appliances tested

18 August lightning conductor inspected

10 September boilers serviced

20 October fire extinguishers serviced

November extra Gopak folding tables purchased for hall use and two trolleys

Throughout 2025 we also have continued to review the recommendations of the Quinquennial Survey of the fabric, and have carried out such works as have been possible, and planned how the other works may be viable. A lot of maintenance is carried out “in house” by volunteers and we immensely grateful to them for this.

Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish

Members of the congregation, and indeed anybody seeking help, are regularly supported by the clergy and many of our lay people. This help can be simply a listening ear, or by praying, or of a more practical nature such as buying shopping, collecting prescriptions, or offering a lift in a car. A lot of the clergy support given is often on an individual and long-term, on-going basis and by its confidential nature it obviously “goes unseen” but is, nevertheless, both

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important and valued by those supported. This support is also given to members of the public who may not be members of the congregation as such; the important factor for us is trying to respond to need when it is encountered.

During 2025 some members of the congregation have particularly valued the end-of-life care offered to their relatives by clergy at St. Saviour’s. The Vicar also supports various callers, some of whom are regulars, who knock at the door of the Vicarage. During 2025, hospital visits and home communions were undertaken by the Vicar, the Assistant Curate and some of the associate clergy.

“The pastoral care I have received has been so understanding, following the death of my husband, and many other parishioners have mentioned the help they have received from the clergy during difficult times in their own lives...”

“Thank you so much for your visits during my postoperation times, giving me Communion and anointing me with Holy Oil. Thank you for your many conversations, which helped me forget my pain and count my blessings…“

– two members of the congregation

Pastoral support is also given by the clergy through funeral and bereavement ministry. The clergy officiated at a number of funerals both at St Saviour’s and elsewhere, whilst also providing follow-up bereavement ministry. Both funeral services and Requiem Masses were offered over the year for members of the congregation and for those living in or near the parish. On 16 November Tory Mendel and our Assistant Curate led a half day bereavement workshop called “Good Grief” which those attending found positive and valuable. This will be followed up in 2026.

We are grateful for the ministry of our loyal associate clergy who support our incumbent in delivering pastoral and sacramental ministry at St. Saviour’s.

Provision of tangible support to the poor and needy

We continue to have a formal partnership with the Eastbourne Foodbank, meaning that as well as being a collection point for donations (which is well supported by members of the congregation and others), we host the Foodbank every Friday in the hall (free of charge). The Eastbourne Foodbank is one of the busiest Foodbanks in the

“The church feeds a lot of homeless people in its church hall next door, which is admirable.” - a ‘Tripadvisor’ reviewer

UK, and our satellite of it (being in the centre of town) is in a key location and extensively used by a large number of the local community. We also offer support to the Sussex Family Support Work charity throughout the year both through the collection of Christmas toys and presents and Easter eggs for families in need, but also through providing a venue for FSW committee meetings free of charge in our Hall. At Harvest our members donated over 30 bags of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essential items to the Matthew 25 Homeless Mission, together with £250 raised from an auction of the perishable harvest gifts.

Other charitable giving and support

Three Lent lunches were held and the money raised (£720) went to the Beachy Head Chaplaincy and Family Support Work; our thanks to Paul Fella and members of the Events Group for organising them.

Over 2025 the church family has also supported The Children’s Society, The Additional Curates Society, the Mission for Seafarers and Let the Children Live.

On 13 September Canon Richard Harper SSC participated in the Ride & Stride event, a sponsored walk, visiting churches in the Eastbourne area, with £711 raised going to The Sussex Historic Churches Trust.

Towards the end of the year, Andrew Geoghan (a member of the congregation) raised over £500 in sponsorship for a swimming marathon from the congregation to support the Wounded Veterans charity. On 1 December we hosted the Eastbourne Masonic Charity Carol Service.

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2025 Financial Review - forming the annual report of the Finance Committee.

It gives me great pleasure to present the financial review of the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025. The accounts were reported to the PCC following examination by John Caladine FCCA, Chartered Certified Accountant.

In the report it was highlighted that the accounts for 2024 were prepared on an accruals basis. The comparative figures for 2024 have been restated to a cash receipts and payments basis and the funds brought forward represent cash funds rather than net assets.

The total cash funds as of 31/12/2024 was £504,901 and at the end of 2025 the amount was £546,495 an increase of £41,594.

At the start of 2025 cash funds in the Unrestricted Funds (general funds used by the PCC for ordinary purposes) was £37,343 and at the close the year £36,629 a deficit of £714.00.

At the start of 2025 cash funds in the Restricted Funds (income from trusts, endowments, bequests or legacies received which can only be expended on a specific object) was £467,558 and at the close of the year £509,866 of an increase of £42,308.

Income

Total income for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 amounted to £201,151 this includes £78,548 due to donations and grants e.g. £10,587 VAT reclaim and legacies of £51,000. We also received £5,742 in recoverable income tax.

Attendance at Sunday Mass continued to increase in 2025, with Giving/Cash amounting to £8,986 and £8,208 from the yellow Gift Aid envelopes and £31,632 from the Parish Giving Scheme. Events and fundraising raised £15,204 and Sumup (card payments) £6,872.

Hire of the Church Hall increased, and rental income raised was £20,491 we also raised £19,698 from the car parking fees and £3,365 from baptisms, weddings and funerals.

Expenditure

Total expenditure for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 amounted to £159,557 of which £113,523 was from unrestricted funds and £46,034 from restricted funds.

The Parish Ministry Costs (PMC) increased to £66,000 compared to £64,633 in 2024. Clergy costs totalled £7,951 compared with £6,175 the previous year, of which we paid £5,882 in council tax.

Church running expenses totalled £49,532 compared with £30,973 in 2024 this increase was due to a number of factors. Utilities for the church, church hall and vicarage; Gas £6,667, Electricity £4,615 and Water £1,136. Payment to Ecclesiastical for our insurance increased to £11,320 compared with £9,973 in 2024 and cost of service £5,969 compared with £4,848 in 2024. Church hall running costs decreased to £5,194 compared with £7,075 in 2024 and we paid £1,014 for our music and streaming licence. Church maintenance we paid £2,569 to Walco Electric for new spotlights, alteration to the power circuit and improvements to external lighting and £790 to Robert Firth ASS Ltd who carried out an asbestos survey.

From the restricted funds £19,848 was paid to J H Payne & Sons the final bill for the works carried out in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and for the new lighting which was money from the Jane Pinching and Barbara Drew legacies. A sum of £3,210 was also paid to Maria Stella Vestments for the “Comper Jay” purple altar frontal which is used for Lent and Advent, and which matches the ivory one we already use.

Thank You

On behalf of the PCC, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued generous donations throughout the year. We are indebted to all those who give to the Church and we do not underestimate the difference your donations make to St Saviour’s, and we are honoured that you bless us with your continued generosity and support.

Mrs Beverley Thorp Treasurer

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Structure, governance and management of the charity

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All who attend church are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll, so that they can vote for candidates for the PCC and the Deanery Synod, at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Communicant members who are 16 or over, and whose names are on the Roll, are entitled to stand for election to the PCC. This PCC does not have any sub-committees, but it does have a standing committee of four members: the Vicar, the two Churchwardens and Chair of the Finance Committee.

Throughout 2025 the PCC has complied with its duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2017, in relation to having due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding arrangements are clearly stated on the front page of the parish website: www.stsaviourseastbourne.org.uk. The Parish was last fully audited for safeguarding (“SQP”) by the Diocese on 16th October 2019 and was found to be “fully compliant”. St Saviour’s has signed up to the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard scheme and is working towards completing Level 2.

During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council:

Ex Officio members

Incumbent: The Revd Fr Mark McAulay Chairman Churchwardens: Mrs Pauline Fella Vice Chairman Mr Noel Thompson Assistant Curate: The Revd Fr Richard Keeble Elected Members Elected Members Dr Simon Thorp PCC Secretary Mrs Judy Grundy (to 9[th] July 2025 Mr Richard Crook Mrs Gill Goff (to 25 Feb 2026) Mrs Krystyne Breeze Mrs Beverley Thorp Hon. Treasurer Mrs Ruth Figgest Mr Alan Fairs Mr Keith Metcalfe (to 25[th] Feb 2026) Mr Paul Fella Mrs Marilyn Benzing Deanery Synod Mr Tony Sharley

Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and 12 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Revd Fr Mark McAulay, PCC Chairman

M. J. S. McAULAY

Date: 29 April 2026

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Annual Financial Report

of

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of

St Saviour and St Peter, Eastbourne

St Saviour’s Church, South Street, Eastbourne, BN21 4UT

Registered Charity no. 1131420

For the year ended 31st December 2025

CONTENTS

Page
14 Statement of receipts and payments
15 Statement of assets and liabilities
16 Notes to the financial statements
17 Report of the independent examiner

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST SAVIOUR & ST PETER, EASTBOURNE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Statement of Receipts and Payments

Receipts
Donations and grants
Income tax recoverable
Legacies
Car parking fees
Church hall lettings etc
Church outings
Sales and events
Fees from weddings/funerals etc
Other income
Interest
Total receipts
Payments
Diocesan parish contribution
Other clergy costs
Church running expenses
Church maintenance
VAT reclaim
Upkeep of services
Upkeep of churchyard
Church hall running costs
Legacy Fund Payments
Outings & events
Missionary and charitable giving
Independent examination
Total payments
Net movement in cash funds
Cash funds at 1 January 2025
Cash funds at 31 December 2025		 Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
78,548
94,111
5,742
6,455
51,000
115,050
19,698
19,118
20,491
19,919
6,612
6,744
15,204
-
3,365
2,281
-
642
491
925
201,151
265,245
66,000
64,633
1,541
6,176
49,532
40,191
27,651
9,967
(10,587)
-
11,805
12,863
1,982
2,473
5,194
8,789
-
21,897
6,029
11,601
110
315
300
300
159,557
179,205
41,594
86,040
504,901
418,861
546,495
504,901
£
65,404
5,742
-
19,698
20,491
983
-
-
-
491
112,809
66,000
1,541
38,143
4,605
(10,587)
6,235
1,982
5,194
-
-
110
300
113,523
(714)
37,343
36,629		 £
13,144
-
51,000
-
-
5,629
15,204
3,365
-
-
88,342
-
-
11,389
23,046
-
5,570
-
-
-
6,029
-
-
46,034
42,308
467,558
509,866

The previous years accounts were prepared on an accruals basis. The comparative figures for 2024 have been restated to a cash receipts and payments basis. The funds brought forward and carried forward now represent cash funds rather than net assets.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST SAVIOUR & ST PETER, EASTBOURNE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £ £ £
ASSETS
Cash funds
PCC current and savings account 18,215 17,359
Finance committee account 522,516 481,778
Church of England Deposit Fund 5,764 5,764
546,495 504,901
Other monetary assets
Income tax recoverable 13,200 5,609
LIABILITIES
Creditors and accruals 1,920 5,112
----- End of picture text -----

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 29 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by

M. J. S. McAULAY

Fr Mark McAulay (Chairman)

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST SAVIOUR & ST PETER, EASTBOURNE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared as a Receipts and Payments account in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.

The previous years accounts were prepared on an accruals basis. The comparative figures for 2024 have been restated to a cash receipts and payments basis and the funds brought forward represent cash funds rather than net assets.

2. Funds

Unrestricted funds represent monies received that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for applications on the general purposes of the church. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the church are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

The cash funds of the charity comprising the following funds:

Unrestricted Funds
General fund
Contingency fund
Restricted Funds
Finance Committee		 Balance at
Cash
Cash
Balance at
1 Jan 2025
receipts
payments
Transfers
31 Dec 2025
£
£
£
£
£
-
34,343
112,809
(113,523)
-
33,629
3,000
-
-
-
3,000
37,343
112,809
(113,523)
-
36,629
-
-
467,558
88,342
(46,034)
-
509,866
467,558
88,342
(46,034)
-
509,866
504,901
201,151
(159,557)
-
546,495
Movements in funds

Finance Committee Fund

The money held in the Finance Committee Account is restricted to a number of specific activities, for example, funding for the Well Being Cafe. The fund includes money which has been left to St Saviour and St Peter's Church either as a legacy, bequest or a donation - these funds are restricted and are not to be used to pay for the day-to-day running of the Church.

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST SAVIOUR & ST PETER, EASTBOURNE

I report to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on my examination of the accounts of St Saviour & St Peter, Eastbourne ("the church") for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on the foregoing pages.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

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

Independent examiner’s statement

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

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

John Caladine FCCA

Chartered Certified Accountant Caladine Limited Chantry House 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1BF

Date: 14 April 2026

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Eastbourne, St Saviour's TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT