2025-12-31-accounts

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St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham Parochial Church Council

Annual Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS
AIM AND PURPOSES	1
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES	1
PEOPLE	1
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE	4
FINANCIAL REVIEW	38
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT	40
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION	43
ACCOUNTS	45
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS	47
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT	55

AIM AND PURPOSES

St Wulfram’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of Grantham the whole mission of the Church, in daily worship of God, in matters pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical to serve the people of the town and all who come to the church building.

The detail of this programme of mission is managed severally by the sub-groups (equivalent of sub-committees) of the PCC on its behalf. Their minutes and resolutions are available. From time to time, ad hoc working groups may be established to report to the PCC.

Full details of the PCC membership and officers are listed under ‘Administrative Information’ below.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The PCC has the overall responsibility to make available to as many people as possible the ministry offered by the living Church based at St Wulfram’s, and to welcome the same people to the church building. We communicate the Christian faith and exercise Christian ministry in the worship of the church through the ministry of word and sacrament. We seek to meet the needs of a variety of people in the wide range of worship and activities offered. Our church building is sufficiently flexible that we can manage occasions sacred and secular on a large or modest scale.

When undertaking their programme of activities, the staff and PCC have taken seriously the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance for charities for the advancement of religion. It is our express aim to be a community of

in the town and, according to the Anglican understanding, to be available to every single person in the town and parish. We seek to help the people of the town to live out their Christian faith through:

Participation in the worship of the church and the practice of their own prayers at home, growing in confidence in their grasp of their faith through preaching, teaching and study together of scripture and Christian writings;
Provision of pastoral care for the people of the parish and town; and
Initiatives and ongoing work that express the love of God towards all people and reach those who are not regularly in touch with the life of the church.

To make all this possible the PCC has a prime responsibility to maintain the fabric of St Wulfram’s.

PEOPLE

Staff

Father Stuart Cradduck, Rector of Grantham. Fr Stuart was installed as a nonresidentiary Canon of Lincoln Cathedral on Monday 17 November at a Festal Evensong to celebrate the Feast of St Hugh of Lincoln.
Until 30 September, Father James Clabern (Clay) Roundtree, Associate Rector of Grantham, Associate Priest of St John’s Spitalgate, Grantham, Partnership Dean of South Kesteven, and Assistant Archdeacon in the Boston Archdeaconry.

Until 31 May, Mother Hannah Grivell, Assistant Curate.
Until 31 May, Mother Kate Hough, Assistant Curate.
St Wulfram’s benefits greatly from the active support of local retired clergy: the Revd Stuart Hadley and the Revd Francis Mason. This was especially the case after the departure of our curates and then Fr Clay.
We benefit also from the ministry of:
Two Readers: Katy Castañeda and Nick Kerry (who has now served in this capacity for 29 years). At its meeting in September, the PCC resolved to nominate Nick to the Bishop to consider granting him permission to officiate (PTO) as a reader beyond his 80[th] birthday.
Five Authorised Lay Ministers: Elaine Chambers, Helen Dawkins, Barbara Kime, Sheila Knight, and Val York. Val was re-authorised by the diocese this year when her three-year certification expired. Barbara stepped down from lay ministry towards the end of 2025 and was thanked for her service in this capacity by the diocesan Warden of Lay Ministry. ALMs meet quarterly with colleagues throughout the diocese to exchange ideas and discuss concerns.
Ms Elizabeth Betts, Music Department Intern (from 1 October).
Mrs Elaine Chambers, Parish Administrator.
Mr Malcolm Dixon, Grantham House Gardener (until 31 March, when he transferred to the employment of the National Trust).
Ms Lily Hills, Music Department Intern (until 31 August).
Dr Judith Muskett, Mission Facilitator (until 31 May, when the five-year Strategic Development Programme funding expired); Administrator to the South Kesteven Partnership Dean (until 30 September).
Mr Steve Prendergast, Church and Grantham House Cleaner.
Ms Lucy Ribierre, Music Department Intern[1] (from 1 October).
Mx Holly Riordan, Music Department Intern (until 31 August).
Mrs Frances Roundtree, Project Co-ordinator, St John’s Spitalgate Community Fridge (until 30 September).
Mrs Linda Dawes, Choir Administrator (self-employed) (from 10 February).
Ms Charlotte Whysall, Music Department Intern (until 31 August).

1 An Order dated 14 October 2025 from the Charity Commission authorised Lucy Ribierre (former PCC member and trustee) to receive and retain remuneration in respect of her employment by the charity until 31 August 2026 under the power given in section 105 of the Charities Act 2011. The Order is a legal document and is kept as part of the charity’s records.

Dr Tim Williams, Organist and Director of Music.

Holders of the Bishop’s Licence

Those licensed by the Bishop to assist in the administration of the elements at Holy Communion in the parish (some within church and others within and outside church) are listed below. The asterisk denotes the persons who did not administer the elements at all in the church during 2025. Two asterisks denote the persons who did not administer the elements within or outside church at all during 2025. The dagger denotes the persons whose permission was renewed in 2025.

Permission to Administer in church: Clare Arthur, Heather Arthur, Shaun Ashley, Daniel Castañeda, Paul Davie, †Dorothy Gaughan, †Michael Gaughan, †Elizabeth Hill, Trevor Johnston, Philip Joyce, Ese Oduyoye, Sue Redmile, Marcin Salachna, Matthew Simons, Ian Stewart, †David West.

Permission to Administer in church and out of church: Rachel Davie, Helen Dawkins, Barbara Kime, Sheila Knight, *Joanna Swinbourne, †Eileen West, Valerie York.

Katy Castañeda and Nick Kerry have authority to administer Communion by virtue of their Reader licence.

Guild of Servers

Once again, 2025 saw movement in the number of Servers with some stepping away for health-related reasons. This affected the rota with additional duties for our servers during the reporting period.
The issue of laundering the Altar Cloths was raised during the past year, as several of the cloths were badly stained or with holes. The Verger took several cloths to ‘The Smoothing Iron’ for cleaning with limited success. Longer term, a discussion will be had as a church on how we can facilitate a process of new cloths and regular laundering.
In the summer, Mthr Kate, the Chaplain to the Servers, departed for pastures new within the diocese to take up her new incumbent position.
There is still a need to facilitate bespoke C1 Foundation safeguarding training for two of our servers, who do not have access to IT.
Role development training continues, with some servers starting to learn other roles or taking part in different types of services that have different requirements.
The Head Server had proposed to draft a guide for Holy Communion Assistants – with the blessing of our Clergy, this will ensure we have some basic guidelines to encourage good practice within our church. This is still ongoing.
We are keen to keep recruiting so that the team becomes more diverse, and stronger.
The Guild has retained sufficient members to provide support for regular worship, but we would still welcome more volunteers to enable duties to be more evenly distributed amongst the members. The Guild is not exclusive and is open to all members of the parish, of any age and experience. The Head Server will continue to explore

opportunities to advertise for new servers, especially younger members of our congregation, although a direct approach may be more fruitful.

We look forward to welcoming new members.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

St Wulfram’s as an SDF Urban Resource Church

In 2020, St Wulfram’s was designated an ‘urban resource church’, a strategic development, funded in part by the Church Commissioners and in part by the Diocese of Lincoln. We are one of three urban resource churches in the diocese, the other two being St George’s, Stamford (which planted into St Anne’s New Somerby in Grantham in 2023) and St Swithin’s, Lincoln.
As well as continuing to serve the people of Grantham, St Wulfram’s has a wider responsibility to the whole diocese. This necessitated a change in the Rector’s role. In recognition of this, St Wulfram’s was able to appoint a new Associate Rector from May 2021, who worked in partnership with the Rector in leading St Wulfram’s mission, ministry, and pastoral care. Fr Clay Roundtree held the post of Associate Rector until 30 September: he took up the post of Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations on 1 October and moved from the Vicarage on Station Road East to Metheringham in December. The Bishop has granted permission to the Rector to seek a replacement Associate Rector; and it is hoped that one will be recruited by Easter 2026.
In June 2022, we welcomed three new ‘planting curates’ to train with us for three years in readiness to ‘plant’ (revitalise) an urban church elsewhere in the diocese. One of the three (Fr Yuce Kabakci) moved in 2024 to the parish of Holy Cross, Boultham, Lincoln to develop his priestly ministry for the next phase of his curacy. It was announced in April that Fr Yuce was to be appointed Vicar of Washingborough with Heighington and Canwick; the licensing service took place on Tuesday 1 July. We bade farewell to Mthr Hannah and Mthr Kate at a ‘bring and share’ party in the Walled Garden of Grantham House on Saturday afternoon, 24 May. We then marked Mthr Hannah’s final Sunday at St Wulfram’s on 25 May, and Mthr Kate’s on 1 June: each celebrated and preached at their final morning services, and Mthr Hannah officiated at her final Choral Evensong.
The Institution and Induction of Mthr Kate as Vicar of Crosby and Priest in Charge of the Resurrection, Scunthorpe, took place at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday 25 June. The service was attended by several members of our congregation. Mthr Hannah moved to Lincoln in June to take up placements in St Swithin’s Church Lincoln and Lincoln Cathedral, prior to her institution and induction as Vicar of the benefice of Lincoln St Nicholas with St John, Newport on Thursday 6 November. Again, several members of our congregation were pleased to attend the service.
The Rector was granted permission to recruit a curate for July 2025, but none was available.
2025 marked the end of the five-year SDF grant for our 0.6FTE Mission Facilitator. Judith Muskett’s time in this post was invaluable in so many ways (for various projects and securing external funding). While she is a significant loss in this role, Judith continues to serve as PCC Secretary in a voluntary capacity.

Along with other resource church leaders, our Rector (or Associate Rector) participates in bi-monthly SDF Board meetings at the diocesan office in Lincoln.
Successes are measured according to agreed metrics set out at the beginning of the project, being Sunday attendance figures; but the project is about lives and individual stories that cannot be quantified. Progress at St John’s Spitalgate, our local church plant has been taken into account by the SDF Board when measuring St Wulfram’s successes. Our incoming Associate Rector will become the first Vicar of the new parish of Grantham, St John the Evangelist, Spitalgate with Earlesfield[2] . It is anticipated that, together with St Wulfram’s and St John the Evangelist Manthorpe, St John the Evangelist Spitalgate with Earlesfield will form a new ‘central group’ of churches within the Grantham Deanery / Local Mission Partnership in due course.

St Wulfram’s: Worship and Prayer

Regular and special services

The PCC is committed to offering a range of worship that reflects the breadth of the Anglican tradition.
The Parish Eucharist is the central act of worship, giving opportunity to include good choral and congregational music. Children from the Sunday Club (which includes those aged 0 to 11) are actively included in this service and lay people read the lessons, lead the intercessions, and assist in the administration of the Sacrament. All are welcome to participate in this service; and welcome stewards are at the door each Sunday. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed and contacted in due course at home.
The service pattern differs on the first Sunday of the month. A more relaxed All-Age Worship, or Parade Service for the scout and guide groups, take place at 9.30 a.m., supported by the St Wulfram’s band of instrumentalists. These continue to attract a cross-section of people young and old in the congregation; and children and young people lead aspects of the service. The All-Age Worship or Parade Service is followed at 11.00 a.m. by a traditional Choral Eucharist, the style of which attracts regular members of the congregation, as well as worshippers from other churches and newcomers.
A Said Eucharist is held at 8.00 a.m. each Sunday, the liturgy alternating between Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer.
Choral Evensong is sung at 6.30 p.m. most Sundays during school term times. Outside school term and on the first Sunday of each month, Evening Prayer is said at 6.30 p.m. During the winter months, on the occasions that we hold Evening Prayer at 6.30 p.m. on Sundays, the service is followed 15 minutes later by Said Compline (finishing at 7.30 p.m.). In the quiet 15 minutes between the services, we have a warming drink as we prepare spiritually for the hours ahead.
In contrast to the Parish Communion and Choral Evensong, the evening and midweek services are quieter and more reflective. Morning Prayer is said daily in the Crypt (Tuesday to Friday) at 9.00 a.m. Members of the congregation attend on an occasional basis. A midweek Eucharist is held on a Tuesday at 12.00 noon in St Michael’s Chapel (or at Grantham House if there is a major event in the church). Compline is held at 8.45 p.m. on Wednesdays (Sung Compline on the third Wednesday of the month). The

2 The new parish was created on 1 October upon the dissolution of the South Grantham, Trinity Parish. See the section on Grantham Deanery below.

weekly Exposition & Benediction held at 12.00 noon on Fridays was discontinued after 1 August due to the reduction in clergy numbers and low attendance.

The Sunday Parish Eucharist, and Sunday Evening Prayer / Evensong and special services continue to be livestreamed to reach those who are unable to attend church in person, both locally and further afield. Broadcasting services via Facebook is part of our strategy for offering encouragement and welcome and for sharing the good news of the Christian faith more widely. Livestreaming is here to stay, but how and when services go online continues to change. Due to the sensitive nature of certain acts of worship (such as a Healing Eucharist, or service to mark Suicide Prevention Week), we choose not to livestream. Notwithstanding this, we do on occasion livestream funerals at the specific request of the families concerned.
The Youth Choir sing Choral Evensong in the Lady Chapel at 5.15 p.m. on Fridays during term time.
On 6 December, we started a Service of Prayer in church each Saturday at 1.00 p.m. This is a short, informal service, and anyone is welcome to submit a prayer request to the Rector or through the parish office.
We celebrated Epiphany with a Nativity at the 9.30 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday 5 January. All children and young people from our church family were invited to tell the story, in costumes, of the Wise Men visiting Jesus. The ‘bring and share’ Epiphany Tea Party celebrating the arrival of the Magi took place on Saturday 4 January from 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in the church (following a rehearsal for the Nativity).
This year, we honoured 30 years of Racial Justice Sunday. The Diocese of Lincoln invited us to a special service of Evensong, organised by the Global Majority Heritage church leaders across the diocese, at the Cathedral on Sunday 9 February, at 3.45 p.m. Such events bring people together from all over the diocese to celebrate our shared identity as Christians and reflect on issues of racial justice and unity. English, Nigerian, and Afro-Caribbean food was served in the Chapter House after the service.
Following successes in 2023 and 2024, we teamed up once again with the local sports and education charity Inspire+ to hold the ‘Pancake Race & Giveaway’ in the church on Shrove Tuesday (4 March, 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.).
Special services for St Wulfram’s, and St John’s Church Manthorpe marked Ash Wednesday (14 February), the beginning of Lent. Our Lent booklet (available in printed form and online) detailed all the Lent, Holy Week and Easter services, Lent groups/courses, Confirmation and First Communion preparations.
In preparation for Palm Sunday, palm crosses were made at Grantham House (Tuesday evening 25 March). Those who gathered for this dexterous task enjoyed some social time together over refreshments. Posies of flowers for distribution on Mothering Sunday were prepared in the church on Saturday morning 29 March.
We marked Mothering Sunday (30 March) at the Parish Eucharist when we distributed posies of flowers (prepared in the church the previous morning).
We marked the anniversary of St Wulfram’s death at Morning Prayer on Thursday 20 March, with a special intention for our parish, the other Wulfram churches, and the Abbey of St Wandrille.

On three Sunday afternoons in Lent (16 and 23 March, 13 April) we welcomed people to the tranquil surroundings of the Walled Garden at Grantham House for ‘Stations of the Cross’, a self-guided prayerful walk recalling the last journey our Lord took on his way to his crucifixion. With the help of a specially prepared booklet (available online or from clergy upon entering the site), we stopped at each cross to read the story, offer prayer, and meditate on the themes.
As we approached Easter Day, aspects of our Lenten journey moved beyond the safety of the walls of St Wulfram’s into the public square for a Holy Week Parish Mission. We encouraged the issuing of invitations to friends and family members to the following:
Procession from Little Gonerby School (9.30 a.m.) to church for a 10.00 a.m. Parish Eucharist on Palm Sunday (13 April), when members of the congregation were invited to bring garden greenery to wave along the way and musical instruments/drums.
Holy Monday (14 April, 8.00 p.m.) – Quiz Night at Cinco Lounge.
Holy Tuesday (15 April, 2.30 p.m.) – Roast the Rector (and others) at Finkins Café, followed by Healing Mass (7.30 p.m.).
Holy Wednesday (16 April, 7.30 p.m.) – Parsons Pints at the Nobody Inn.

We then continued with the following:

Maundy Thursday (17 April, 7.30 p.m.) – Choral Eucharist with foot-washing and Vigil until midnight.
Good Friday (18 April) – Workshop (10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.), a morning of creativity and reflection with our children and young people, focusing on the story of Easter.
Good Friday (18 April) – Walk of Witness from St John’s Church Spitalgate (1.15 p.m.) to St Wulfram’s Church for The Liturgy (2.00 p.m.).
Holy Saturday (19 April) – Blessing of Easter Baskets (5.45 p.m.); The Family Meal[3] (6.00 p.m.). The New Fire of Easter (8.00 p.m.), a service of light, joy and fun celebrating the resurrection.

Placing ourselves in the day-to-day activities of others during Holy Week presented some challenges; but it was important to open ourselves to encountering God within the secular and to allow God to move in the discussions we shared.

On Easter Day (20 April) we celebrated the risen Christ with a Said Eucharist (8.00 a.m.); a joyful, colourful procession from the Market Place to church (starting at 9.30 a.m.); Festal Eucharist (10.00 a.m.) and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt in the Rectory Garden.
The Grantham Scout and Guide St George’s Day Parade through town took place on Sunday 20 April (2.00 p.m.), culminating in a service at St Wulfram’s at 3.00 p.m., following which the parade moved back onto St Peter’s Hill for a salute, and then onto the bus station car park to be dismissed.
On Sunday 4 May (11.00 a.m.), we marked Victory in Europe Day (VE80) with a service of thanksgiving and remembrance. VE80 was marked throughout the day at Grantham House, where there were WW2 military vehicles, re-enactors, wartime archaeology finds and militaria exhibitions, with visitors encouraged to sip tea on the lawn and dress in 1940s finery.

3 A slight change from previous years – a Family Meal rather than a Seder Meal. An opportunity for the whole church to come together to anticipate the resurrection.

On Trinity Sunday (15 June), Bishop Stephen presided and preached at the parish Eucharist (9.30 a.m.). Marcin Salachna was admitted by the Bishop to the Guild of Servers.
On Thursday 19 June (7.30 p.m.), we held a Choral Eucharist for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, to celebrate Corpus Christi, the Day of Thanksgiving for the sacramental gifts of Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion.
At services on Sunday 22 June, we celebrated St Alban, the first British Christian martyr.
Ahead of the start of the new academic year, back-packs and shoes were blessed at the All-Age Eucharist on Sunday 7 September. This was a blessing for anyone changing schools or jobs or moving on for new adventures in the coming year. For this service, we wore name badges and were encouraged to speak to members of the congregation who we didn’t already know.
Later in the morning on Sunday 7 September, we held a Civic Service for the Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Ian Selby.
In line with our aim to mark certain ‘awareness days’ in the national calendar, we held a service in church on Wednesday 10 September (7.30 p.m.), World Suicide Prevention Day. This service of contemplation was an opportunity to remember those who have died by suicide, those who are affected by suicide, and those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. All were invited to light a candle of hope. Fr Clay was available after the service for anyone who wished to talk or to receive a blessing. The Order of Service contained details of resources available to help anyone struggling with mental health issues.
Fr Clay officiated at his final services on Sunday 28 September (Michaelmas). During his sermon at the Parish Eucharist, Fr Clay listed all his happy memories from St Wulfram’s. Among these was the Festival of Angels (2021), which made a significant impression on lots of visitors and gave him the opportunity to talk to them about the story of Christianity. Fr Clay said there were also times at the Beer Festivals or at the Discos for Grown-Ups, when being spotted as the vicar behind the bar, he had the chance to engage in conversations and share the good news. The sermon concluded with the following words to us:

‘Our goodbyes are an act of trust, that God will continue to work for the furtherance of his kingdom in this place, as he wills.

May you continue to fill this place with casks of ale, with Christmas trees, with dancers.

May you continue to fill this place with revellers, sinners, saints and angels. May you continue to minister to each other, to strangers, to pilgrims, to seekers and tourists. And as you do so remember that you might be ministering to angels in disguise.’

Our Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations took place on Sunday 5 October. Our Harvest Appeal was for WaterAid, and we shared colourful cards on which were printed cubes to cut out and stick together to form collection boxes, for return to church by Sunday 26 October.
We marked our Patronal Festival at the Parish Eucharist on Sunday morning, 12 October and a Choral Evensong the same day.

On Wednesday 15 October at 6.30 p.m., we held a service to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. This was an opportunity to gather as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space, and to feel that they are not alone.
The All Souls Mass, including Fauré’s Requiem , was held in church and broadcast on Facebook from 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 2 November. Email invitations were issued to all our contacts. The names of departed loved ones were read aloud during the prayers (an online form was available to register names beforehand).
Grantham paid its respects as the annual Remembrance Parade took place through the town centre on Sunday 9 November. Residents, members of the armed forces and supporters lined the streets to pay their respects and watch the parade, which made its way to St Wulfram’s Church, where the usual Service of Remembrance was held at 10.55 a.m. The service (including the Last Post and two-minute silence) was followed by the laying of wreaths at the war memorial in the churchyard, before the parade made its way back to St Peter’s Hill for the salute. The collection for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal taken during the service amounted to £981.83, contributing to a district total of over £49,000.
St Wulfram’s hosted a carol service (Thursday 11 December) organised by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, featuring performances by the children of St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy. The service was a way for hospital staff, supporters and anyone who has been a patient to come together and enjoy an evening of festive cheer.
On Tuesday 16 December (6.00 p.m.), the Lights of Love Service of carols and prayers was attended by almost 50 people. As the world readied itself for the joy of Christmas celebrations and festivities in the coming days, we paused to remember those we have celebrated Christmas with in the past and who are no longer with us. In this service of carols and prayers, we lit candles in their memory.
We dedicated a new statue of the Madonna and Child at the Parish Eucharist on Sunday 21 December. In so doing, we gave thanks to God for Mary’s part in the salvation of humanity in the birth of Jesus. The statue, created by renowned sculptor Peter Eugene Ball, was given to the church by The Friends of St Wulfram’s in memory of Mrs Jean Parker (Honorary Secretary for many years). This important work of art stands in the Lady Chapel, replacing the previous plaster figure of Mary.
On the morning of Tuesday 23 December, hundreds of Christingles were prepared by volunteers for the Christingle Crib service at 4.00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, where we followed Mary and Joseph’s journey to the stable in Bethlehem. Young people were encouraged to come to the service dressed as a character from the nativity story. We thank the volunteers who support this very popular service by lighting Christingles and keeping everyone safe.
We held the candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on the evening of Sunday 21 December. Attendance was very high. Midnight Mass was held at 11.30 p.m. on 24 December. On Christmas Day, there was a Said Eucharist according to the Book of Common Prayer at 8.00 a.m. (in the Chancel); the Parish Mass was held at 10.00 a.m., when congregants were encouraged to bring along an unopened present to open during the service.

Preparation to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and Confirmation

Since January 2014 the PCC has allowed children from the age of those in school Year 3 to receive the bread and wine as part of our communion services, following a short

period of preparation undertaken in Lent, with the young people receiving the Sacrament for the first time, with their family, on Easter Day. Communion before Confirmation is now a common practice across the whole of the Church of England and among our ecumenical partners. Communion Club (as the period of preparation is known) is led by Fr Stuart and Mrs Laura Cradduck and aimed at those in Yr 3-7 who wish to explore receiving Communion before Confirmation. This year, sessions were held after the 9.30 a.m. Sunday service on 9, 16, 23 and 30 March, ending on Saturday 19 April (10.00 a.m. to 11.15 a.m.).

Confirmation is an important life event in the church; and we welcome any young people who are in school Year 8 upwards to join the Youth Confirmation Group, which is an intensive programme of preparation for confirmation (led by clergy). Adult confirmation preparation is open to all who wish to recognise their personal development in faith. The usual format is meetings held on six consecutive Sundays, where we introduce what the Anglican Church believes and explore the essentials of the Christian faith. This year, we did not present any youth or adult candidates for confirmation. The next confirmation service will take place on Sunday 5 July.

Occasional Offices

The occasional offices continue to be an important point of contact and ministry within the wider community.
In 2025 there were 5 marriages. We conducted 16 baptisms: 16 children and 0 adults (9 under one year of age, 4 aged between one and four years old, 1 aged between five and ten years old, 2 aged between 11 and 17 years old, zero aged 18+). We have an open baptism policy and do our best to keep in touch with the families involved.
A total of 27 funerals for people in the parish were conducted during the year, of which 16 took place in church. On 5 occasions, ashes were interred in the churchyard.

Mission and Social Responsibility

St Wulfram’s continues to take seriously its calling to be a living witness to the gospel at the heart of the town. In many of the activities detailed in this report there is effective contact with a substantial number of people of all ages beyond the congregation.
The church’s work in this area is overseen by a Mission & Social Responsibility committee (a sub-group of the PCC). After a hiatus following Mike Knight’s resignation as chair, we were delighted that Tom Stockwell was appointed by the PCC to take on the role in May.
St Wulfram’s supports a range of mission and charitable organisations, setting aside 4% of its pledged income for these each year. The sub-group continues to support The Passage. In addition, this year, the Mission Fund met the cost of a giant ‘Jesus’ puppet for use during the Holy Week and Easter Mission processions. It also funded the balance of the cost of a set of Nativity figures after a donation by the Friends of St Wulfram’s. A donation was made towards the cost of the diocesan pilgrimage to Taizé organised by Fr Clay Roundtree and Mthr Kate Hough. Finally, mindful of its membership of Inclusive Church, the PCC agreed in November to make a donation to support the work of a new organisation called ‘Together for the Church of England’ (Registered Charity number 1209277), formed by members of General Synod who are aware of the need to organise for greater equality and inclusion in the life of the Church.

There were envelopes in church to donate during Christian Aid Week (11 to 17 May). St Wulfram’s collections raised £127.50 this year, part of the collection for the Grantham Christian Aid Group.
2025 continued to be very busy at The Passage, the number on a Thursday reaching 35 at its highest, but more usually 25. St Wulfram’s covers the 1st 2nd 3rd and the 5th Thursdays serving soup, hotdogs, sandwiches, and cakes. On occasion there has also been a hot pudding, such as crumble. We were running short of soup but thanks to the Harvest Festival and Andrew Gregory’s soup run we are now fully stocked up for a few months. We also have £90 in reserve for more if needed. Sheila Knight continues to represent St Wulfram’s at the Grantham Poverty Concern meetings and has this year become a Trustee of Grantham Poverty Concern. Watkins continues to generously supply 48 cobs, 24 hot dog rolls, 500gms of ham, and 20 cakes every week. A letter has recently been sent thanking them for this generous donation. We thank all who give their valuable time supporting this valuable service which can be challenging at times due to the complex needs of the clients who come. Grantham Poverty Concern has for the first time found the need to fundraise as, with every charity, funds and income have fallen.
We continue to support Grantham Foodbank, striving to restore dignity and revive hope for the vulnerable in the local community. Dorothy Gaughan (a member of our congregation and Guild of Servers) is the part-time Coordinator, and Mthr Hannah Grivell chaired the Trustees until the summer. Tins, packets, jars and bottles of food/drink and household toiletries are donated regularly to the Foodbank through collection boxes located in church. From time to time, we issue useful ‘shopping lists’ encouraging members of our congregation and community to donate the items of food and toiletries that are most needed. We collected new toys, toiletries, and other gifts for the Grantham Foodbank at our Advent Sunday All-Age Eucharist on ‘the ice’ of the Christmas Tree Festival. These gifts were distributed with food to ease the crisis faced by families this Christmas.
Mthr Hannah was invited to bless the National Grief Advice Service on Wharf Road, Grantham, which opened on Friday 14 February in the presence of special guests. The centre provides a counselling service tailored to individuals and families, family group sessions at weekends, creative workshops and mindfulness sessions. St Wulfram’s will signpost people in need of grief services to the centre.
We held a Macmillan Coffee Morning after the 9.30 a.m. service in the church on Sunday 12 October, which raised £260 for the cancer charity.
Under the banner ‘Christmas Cheer’, we raised money once again to assist families needing extra help around Christmas time, which can be a burden leading to debt, stress, and unhappiness. A total of £750 worth of supermarket vouchers was given to several vulnerable families identified through contact with local schools.
Over and above the charitable giving organised by the church community, approximately £7,690 (excluding monies raised for Grantham Ark) was raised for charity through school services, funerals and other events held within the building. As usual, the collection at the Christingle Crib Service on Christmas Eve was donated to the Children’s Society.
In 2022, the Mission & Social Responsibility Sub-group set aside a grant of £1,260 towards the cost of Mental Health First Aid training for church staff and volunteers. A grant of £2,100 was subsequently secured from the Benefact Trust under its ‘Brighter Lives’ programme. A grand total of 21 staff and volunteers have been trained in Mental

Health First Aid over the last four years, although some have subsequently moved to roles elsewhere. As part of the Benefact Trust funded project, we regularly invite MHFAiders[©] to gather to reflect on the challenges faced by the people we support; the impact of the training; and how we move forward. We are indebted to Ian Tomlinson (Shine Lincolnshire) for continuing to support our learning. MHFA England certification expires after three years. Two MHFAiders[© ] refreshed their training through Shine Lincolnshire this year; and we have plans for Ian to visit Grantham House in May 2026 to run a refresher course for seven MHFAiders[©] .

Grantham Ark (Registered Charity number 1190668), formed out of an initiative spearheaded by Fr Stuart Cradduck through Churches Together in 2019, protects and supports local people who are experiencing homelessness. Every year, with the support of local businesses, Grantham Ark organises a ‘Sleep-Out’ event, sleeping outside to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the homeless and to raise funds, so that a homeless person does not have to do the same. This year, the event was held in the grounds of Grantham House from 9.00 p.m. on Friday 21 November to 7.00 a.m. on Saturday 22 November.
The Lincolnshire County Council Grantham Adult Disability Service continues to use the church Coffee Shop as a pop-up café on the first and third Tuesday of every month (10.15 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.). Everyone is welcome for a hot drink and to meet new people.

Safeguarding

The PCC continues to take extremely seriously the safeguarding of young people and adults at risk of harm. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (that is, the duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm).
This year, following a proposal by the Rector, the PCC set up a new Safeguarding Subgroup to support the vital work of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and Assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer, and to address areas requiring attention in relation to policies and procedures. Terms of reference were agreed by the PCC in March, and the new sub-group was formally established from the start of the new PCC year (18 May). The sub-group met for the first time in September and has met several times since, reporting to the PCC in the same manner as other sub-groups.
Regular reports are made to the PCC by the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) or Assistant Safeguarding Officer (ASO – our Parish Administrator); and the PSO is invited to attend PCC meetings to report in person when necessary.
In her February 2025 report, the PSO explained that she had been invited by St Wulfram’s Tower Captain to address bellringers from St Wulfram’s Church and Belton at their AGM. On this occasion, she outlined what ‘safeguarding’ means, making a clear distinction with ‘health and safety’ (where there is a common confusion); she also outlined who the processes apply to, emphasising that in the Church of England setting, ‘children’ are people under the age of 18, and listing the types of adults who might be classed as vulnerable. She detailed the training required for all volunteers, and the higher levels for leaders; and she then took questions.
This year, Di Hale signalled her intention to stand down as the Parish Safeguarding Officer at the APCM. We thank Di for her dedication over several years in this role. She was replaced at the APCM by Jeremy Lloyd, who is a safeguarding professional in a further/higher educational setting.

At the first PCC after each Annual Meeting (when changes to PCC membership have been made), the revised annual Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ is adopted for signature by the Rector and display in the church. At its meeting on 25 September, the PCC reviewed and approved procedures for dealing with and reporting any safeguarding concern or allegation; and relevant documentation was subsequently displayed prominently in the church. At the end of September, we removed Fr Clay Roundtree’s name from the list of contact details on this document.
The ASO continues to process applications for DBS clearance. In line with recruitment practices set out in the Church of England’s Guidance Safer Recruitment and diocesan policy, our Churchwardens and all PCC members are DBS checked upon appointment/election. All other staff and volunteers (e.g., in the music department, and lay pastoral team) are also DBS checked upon taking up roles. We carefully monitor periods for which clearance is granted and apply for renewal, as appropriate.
The ASO oversees a system to ensure that all individuals with DBS clearance complete online courses relevant to their role within the church (as specified by the Church of England). All PCC members undertake ‘Basic Awareness’ training (level C0), the ‘Foundation Module’ (C1) and Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse. All are available online through the Church of England training portal. When PCC membership changes at the APCM, steps are taken to ensure that new members undertake the necessary training as quickly as possible. In January this year, the PSO reported that all PCC members had successfully completed the mandatory training.
Pastoral assistants, leaders of groups for young people or adults at risk, the Bell Tower Captain, church administrative staff, and servers also undertake C0 and C1. Licensed clergy and readers, clergy with the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate, PSOs, ASOs, and Authorised Lay Ministers are required to undertake the Leadership Module (C2). Completion certificates are sent to the ASO to update the parish records. By the September PCC meeting, Jeremy Lloyd was able to report that he had completed the safeguarding training courses required for a new Parish Safeguarding Officer (Basic Awareness, Foundation, and Leadership).
The House of Bishops introduced new and expanded ‘Safer Recruitment and People Management’ guidance in January 2022. Under this guidance, there is a requirement for all those working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults to have a role description and person specification, to have DBS renewals every 3 years (rather than every 5 years) and for there to be an annual review meeting. The PCC continues to implement these changes, in consultation with the Diocese of Lincoln.
The Safeguarding Sub-group now oversees our records on the Safeguarding Dashboard, progress on which continues to be monitored by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. The sub-group is updating the Level 2 mini-dashboards for church activities, the list of which is kept under review by the PCC. At the request of the new PSO, this list was updated at the PCC meeting in July. Activity leaders are being supported to devise risk assessments; and templates are available for group member role descriptions and person specifications.
The PCC uses a step-by-step process (adopted in 2018) for approval of all off-site activities (e.g., by the Choir and Youth Groups), delegating certain powers to the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). A more streamlined process for approval of off-site visits for insurance purposes was adopted in 2024. The PCC upheld the current agreement (dating from 19 November 2019) regarding off-site activities up to three miles away during regular activity time; and agreed that venues where parents’ own transport is used or where the local venue is within walking distance of St Wulfram’s should have

general annual consent (subject then to risk assessment and safeguarding procedures being fully complete in line with the flowchart for the approval of off-site activities). Routine reports are made to the PCC on off-site activities made within the November 2019 and March 2024 parameters. The streamlining of the approval process for offsite activities has meant that the Director of Music can respond in a timelier fashion to outreach opportunities and other invitations. Accordingly, fewer requests for off-site activities now come to the PCC for approval for insurance purposes.

Our resource centre at Grantham House

For many years since the sale of the old Church Hall in the Rectory Garden by the diocesan Properties Department, we have been through a series of option appraisals thinking how best we might equip our ministry and mission. Since December 2020, St Wulfram’s benefitted from a lease arrangement from the National Trust for the Grantham House site (opposite the church, on Castlegate). This venture brought about many benefits to our life. As our ‘church hall’, space there was utilised on a regular basis for a range of daytime and evening meetings (PCC and several sub-groups; learning opportunities; youth groups; Deanery Chapter, Synod and committees; Friends of St Wulfram’s; Almshouses Trustees; Grantham Ark Trustees; flower arrangers; Philip Lank Trustees). The weekly Coffee Morning and monthly Art Group took place in the Hall when space in the church has been unavailable. The Hall was used for choir rehearsals after school three days a week. The Hall and garden were popular for social events.
However, during 2024, we recognised that the past arrangement had become unsustainable due to the lack of income generated from the site; therefore, the PCC made the uncomfortable decision to withdraw from the Grantham House site. This began yet another process of options appraisal for other sites close to St Wulfram’s where we might continue to resource our life together. The PCC was led through this process by Mr Gareth Dawkins, MRICS, and were brought to the conclusion that we could not afford a ‘normal’ market rent plus set-up costs to make a different site work for us.
Yet further negotiations began with the National Trust about how we might exist at Grantham House (arguably the closest and most versatile site from which we could benefit). In November 2024, the PCC decided to accept a lease arrangement leading to a partnership agreement with the National Trust sharing the site. The benefits, in terms of a fixed cost for St Wulfram’s and the chance to work in partnership with a significant national body, were seen by the PCC as an opportunity not to be missed. Following discussions in the Standing Committee, the PCC decided that the Parish Office should remain in Grantham House.
During the first four months of 2025, the St Wulfram’s staff and some of our activities remained on the site while the National Trust carried out significant renovations. The local council gave £105K towards the work from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the National Trust putting in the same level of investment to restore and update the house, and carry out essential works in the garden. We are grateful to our staff and volunteers for their forbearance during this time of upheaval.
The Trust opened Grantham House to visitors on 30 April. It is a ‘free to enter’ site with a café, second-hand bookshop and the beautiful five-acre gardens. In the summer months, the site is open seven days a week from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.; from October, opening hours reduced to 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (initially for seven days a week).

One of the expected benefits of the partnership at Grantham House was an increase in footfall in the area; and there has indeed been a notable growth in the number of visitors to St Wulfram’s Church. We are grateful to the National Trust staff and volunteers for directing people to the church after their visit to Grantham House.
The exclusive space that St Wulfram’s now inhabits is upstairs in the west wing of the house, which includes four rooms, a WC, and a kitchenette. At no extra cost, we have additional use of extra rooms upstairs, and the main hall outside of café opening hours, as required. This necessarily changed the way St Wulfram’s works on site; but offices, small-scale music work, meetings, small group sessions, committee meetings, youth groups and socials can continue at Grantham House. The Parish Office is located in shared office space on the ground floor.
The church’s lease began on 1 August 2025. Later, under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (the details of which have yet to be settled), St Wulfram’s and the NT will run some joint fundraising events on site. A licence for use of the shared space on the ground floor remains under discussion.
Along with the changes at Grantham House came a revision of the opening hours for the Parish Office on the ground floor. From June, the usual hours became: Monday 10.00 a.m. until 12.00 noon; and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. The National Trust keeps the gates to the Grantham House site closed each day until the House and grounds open to the public at 10.00 a.m., which would have made it difficult for casual callers to pop into the office earlier in the morning. However, the Parish Administrator (Elaine Chambers) is available from 8.00 a.m., and can take telephone calls from that time. The PCC Standing Committee offered Elaine the opportunity to work from home for part of the week and she now does that on Monday afternoons and on Thursdays (subject to events within the church’s life).

Music

Introduction

Over the past 18 years, Organist and Director of Music Dr Tim Williams, FRCO (DipCHD) has achieved notable success in the recruiting and training of young members of the choir, drawing on relationships with local schools and other music contacts. Choristers are not auditioned, and all members share a remarkable commitment and professionalism in their approach to music. The standard of the children’s sections of St Wulfram’s Church Choir is one of the success stories of the church music programme. The children’s choirs continue to be a very significant part of our outreach through schools, drawing in many young people and their families, who would otherwise not have been part of our church community. Across the week, more than 50 children and young people sing in the choirs of St Wulfram’s with most having access to between 6 and 12 hours of music teaching and activity per week.
St Wulfram’s has increasingly become a recognised centre for the training of church musicians; and some of our choristers go on to high level careers in music.
Choir club takes place on Wednesday afternoon after school. Choristers join from the age of 7 upwards. New recruits are given their own introductory sessions. A strength of the choir lies in its diversity and inclusivity, with young people being drawn from many different backgrounds.
We held a free ‘Come and be a Chorister at St Wulfram’s’ workshop for children in school years 2 to 8 on Saturday afternoon, 27 September. This offered the chance to

experience the excitement of being a chorister with the choir, and the chance to make new friends, to explore the church, to have a go at playing the organ, to dress up in choir robes and to put on a fantastic performance for parents.

We have steadily continued recruitment to all sections of the choir and have been delighted to welcome several new families.
The youth choir (SATB ensemble), which meets on Monday afternoon, responds to the choristers as they graduate from the boys’ and girls’ choirs. In the 2023-24 school year, there were four ‘choral scholars’ supported by the Philip Lank Trust, and three senior choral scholars supported by St Wulfram’s (through the endowment gifted in 2019 by the Friends of Cathedral Music). Most Fridays during term time, the youth choir sings Choral Evensong in the Lady Chapel at 5.15 p.m., supported by our portable box organ; a regular congregation attends.
At the end of 2024, we bade farewell to Laura van Boven, our first Choir Administrator, and wished her well as she prepared to open a bookshop in The George Centre. Using the balance of the grant from the Philip Lank Trust, we were able to advertise and interview for a replacement in January. Linda Dawes took up the post (6 hours a week, over 42 weeks a year) in February.
In June, St Wulfram’s was among 20 choral foundations (15 cathedrals and 5 major churches) to gain a grant from the Cathedral Music Trust under their Cathedral Music Support Programme. In our case, this resulted in the award of £29,500 to develop further our work in training, educating, and providing experience for early career professional church musicians, including an internship scheme under the supervision of the Director of Music, facilitated by a professional administrator, with further liturgical support from freelance organists. The CMT funding enabled us to increase the weekly hours of the Choir Administrator from six to nine in September and to lengthen her contract to August 2027. We were also able to recruit a CMT-funded Music Intern 2025-26; and, using the remainder of the diocesan Transformation Fund grant, we recruited a second Music Intern for 2025-26. Next year, we shall have the opportunity to recruit a CMT-funded Music Intern for 2026-27. The generous funding from which St Wulfram’s Music Department has benefitted over recent years continues to present significant growth opportunities for our way of working.
Groups led by the Music Interns are:
String Ensemble. Fortnightly on Tuesdays (7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) in the church. For Grantham based players at Grade 3 and above.
Community Choir. Initially on Thursdays, now weekly on Mondays (7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.) in the church or at Grantham House. Open to all ages, no previous singing experience is needed. Participants enjoy meeting new people, learning some new songs and singing some old favourites.
Before handing over to successors, the 2024-25 Interns led a ‘Community Showcase’ in the gardens of Grantham House (Sunday 24 August, 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.), giving the opportunity for local musicians to perform. There was no charge, but we welcomed donations (split between St Wulfram’s Church and the National Trust). We were grateful to those who responded to the appeal for volunteers to support the event (carrying and arranging equipment, running a Pimms Bar, organising performers, greeting guests, hosting, and running the PA system).

Highlights in the early part of the year included a mini-tour by the Youth Choir (15-17 February) singing Evensong in Selwyn College Chapel, Cambridge, two services at Greater St Mary’s, the University Church in Cambridge, and Evensong at Ely Cathedral; a day trip to sing Evensong in Durham Cathedral, and a chorister trip to Planet Bounce, Nottingham.
Fundraising this year started with the regular choir cake sale after the 9.30 a.m. AllAge Eucharist for Mothering Sunday (30 March). Other fundraising events included:
A series of 45-minute vocal recitals by the Choral Scholars and the Youth Choir at St Mary & St Peter’s Church, Harlaxton: Tom Fletcher (28 June, 4.00 p.m.); Rose Tomlinson (5 July, 4.00 p.m.); the Youth Choir (12 July, 6.00 p.m.); Elizabeth Cradduck (19 July, 4.00 p.m.).
A combined concert in the church by the choristers of St Wulfram’s Church Choir and the pupils of three local primary schools – the St Wulfram’s National Church of England Primary School, Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England School, and Grantham Preparatory International School (Wednesday 2 July, 6.00 p.m.).
Alongside such special fundraising events, we run a ‘Sponsor a Chorister’ fund to support the weekly musical education of our choristers and to allow us to subsidise day and weekend trips for the children and young people in our choir community. We are grateful for all the donations.
We were delighted to celebrate the achievements of our choristers in their Autumn RSCM exams. We secured three Gold awards - representing the 26th, 27th, and 28th St Wulfram’s choristers to reach this prestigious milestone - and three Bronze awards. Of these, two candidates were "Commended" and one was "Highly Commended."
Our Light and Dark Blue Ribbon training led to a series of successful assessments in December; consequently, we were proud to present 10 Light Blue and four Dark Blue Ribbons in January 2026. Training continues at all levels as we prepare for our next round of exams in July 2026.
The choristers were excited to have the opportunity to sing Sunday services at Holy Trinity, Shakespeare’s church in Stratford Upon Avon (3 August). Choristers also gave a free lunchtime recital ‘Hark, hark the lark’ in St Gregory’s RC Church, Welcombe Road, Stratford (Saturday 2 August). Such a residential trip is an amazing opportunity for our choristers to grow as musicians and develop as a team, with further activities beyond music (including a Shakespeare related sight-seeing trip and a cruise on the River Avon).
Taking choristers away for such residentials is an organisational challenge and relies heavily on volunteer chaperones, who give freely of their time. It is also a significant financial commitment. To ensure the opportunity is as accessible as possible, St Wulfram’s subsidises the contribution families make per chorister, although the amount was not substantial this time.
Choral Evensong and Benediction on Sunday 20 July included the Valediction of the Choir as they broke up for their summer holidays.
Highlights in the latter part of the year included singing Evensong at Westminster Abbey (Tuesday 26 August), singing Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral (Thursday 30 October), major services from All Souls (a liturgical offering of Fauré’s Requiem ), through Remembrance, to Advent Carols, An Advent Liturgy with Britten’s Ceremony

of Carols with Thea Butterworth, harp (Sunday 7 December), and the traditional Nine Lessons & Carols (Sunday 21 December). In the month before Christmas, sections of the choir sang carols at the Grantham House Christmas Market, at Harlaxton Manor, at the Royal Windsor Care Home, and at the ASDA superstore.

There was a happy moment on 22 December, when several past choristers came back to sing ‘Carols in the Courtyard’ of Grantham House with the youth choir – singers from many different eras of youth ensembles taught by Dr Williams at St Wulfram’s. Gratitude is expressed to Charlotte Whysall (Music Intern, 2024-25) for returning to conduct several of the pieces and helping to lead the audience in singing well-known carols.
Outreach activities during the year included:
16 choir members sang at the wedding of Lady Violet Manners at St Mary’s Church, Bottesford (Saturday 21 June).
Evensong at St Denys Church, Goadby Marwood, Melton Mowbray (Saturday 20 September).
Harvest Evensong at St Andrew’s Church, Coston, Melton Mowbray (Sunday 26 October).
We look forward to the full choir singing all services at Ely Cathedral for a week in the summer 2026 (27 July to 2 August). In a repeat of the trip taken in 2022, one day will be spent in Cambridge.
The ministry and dedication that the choir offers brings beauty to many people’s lives and helps change their perceptions and experiences of the world. The choristers (broadly defined, meaning all ages) should never underestimate the lasting value of everything they bring to the choir, day in, day out. This would not be possible without the support of a wonderful team. The Director of Music pays tribute to:
The support of the Choir Administrator, whose role continues to ease the significant administrative burden on the Director of Music.
The Music Interns, who help the Director of Music target his work within contracted hours at St Wulfram’s (alongside his career in academia and music education).
Deputising Organists, including Ian Bevell, Michael Dutton, Peter Davis, Rosemary Field, David Humphreys, Tim Selman, Benedict Todd, Darren Williams, and Andrew Wyatt for their ongoing contributions to the music at St Wulfram’s.
The team of administrative volunteers for the assistance they provide, especially with communication of schedules and paperwork.
The dedicated choir chaperoning team, which takes care of the choristers and helps with so many logistical and administrative tasks.
The commitment and dedication of choir parents. Despite all the wonderful opportunities the choristers have together, it requires a huge amount of time and care to get the choristers to all the places we require.
Everyone who dedicates so much of their life to singing in the choir.

In September, Roger Sleigh announced that he was publishing (privately) a book about the St Wulfram’s Church Choir, covering the history of the choir and of the music it sings. A copy of the book was due to be lodged in the Trigge Library, and interested individuals were able to join a subscription list to own a copy too.

Organ teaching school

The musical training of young people at St Wulfram’s includes a highly active organ teaching school. Currently, five young scholars are learning to play the organ under the tutelage of Dr Tim Williams FRCO, with some supported by the Dr Martin Clarke Young Organ Scholars’ Trust (YOST). Our portable box organ (housed in the Lady Chapel) is also a valuable resource for the organ scholars. The digital organs gifted to the King’s School and KGGS by the Royal College of Organists support the Grantham organ teaching school and enable both practice and teaching provisions in school time. Dr Williams teaches several pupils in KGGS via this resource.
The organ scholars have achieved notable success in ABRSM examinations this year, and four are now working at or above Grade 5 level.

Wider music programme

The recital series continues the third Saturday morning of the month, organised by Music Interns. Entry is free and there is a retiring collection for St Wulfram’s Church. In 2025, we welcomed organists (William Campbell, Shanna Hart, Tom Stockwell), a violinist (Amelia Whitfield) and singers (Elaine Bishop and Caroline Sharpe accompanied by Tim Williams; Elaine Bishop accompanied by Rosemary Field; Tom Fletcher, Lwandi Gama and Rose Tomlinson accompanied by Tim Williams); and performances were given by various choirs (our own choristers, Global Harmony Community Choir, InVoice Singers).
Among the other musical highlights in the church were:
A concert ‘Songs of the Early Years’ performed by James Gaughan (baritone) and David Hammond (piano), in aid of Grantham Foodbank (Saturday 10 May).
William Jewell College Choir concert, part of their 40[th] anniversary tour of England and Scotland (Wednesday 21 May).
Organ recital by Hector Olivera (one of the world’s leading organists), with supporting programme by Rod Pooley (Monday 4 August).
Two staged performances by Grantham Operatic Society of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe (Saturday 30 August, 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.).
’Tis the Season , a sparkling concert of festive favourites featuring the Band of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell (Saturday 6 December, 3.00 p.m.).

Church Community

(a) Children, Young People and Families

Children are welcomed at St Wulfram’s and involved in the life of the congregation at every opportunity. This key aspect of our work is overseen by the PCC’s Children & Youth Sub-group. The sub-group meets regularly and includes in its membership several individuals who do not serve on the PCC. It hears reviews on each aspect of the church’s work with children and young people (including safeguarding); and it also discusses the church’s involvement with church schools in the parish. It celebrates achievements and discusses challenges and points for action.

The Sunday Club meets every Sunday during term time at the same time as the Parish Eucharist. Participants enjoy a full programme of teaching, prayer, music, and activities (using the ‘Roots’ resources). They re-join parents/carers at the Parish Eucharist during the Lord’s Prayer and then at the end of the service they show and tell the congregation what they have been doing. There is a very dedicated team of volunteers, including a teenager.
Our Children’s Area continues to be well used during services and throughout the week as a welcome ‘Stay and Play’ resource for families with young children who want a safe place ‘to be’ with their children.
The ever-popular Wulfram Wednesdays take place during school holidays when primary aged children and families are invited to participate in art/craft activities in church. The Wednesday workshops were co-ordinated this year by Laura Cradduck (Chair of the PCC’s Children & Youth Sub-group). Themes were printing (19 February), stone heads and gargoyles (17 May), printing (30 July), clay gargoyles (6 August), paper luminaries (13 August), junk modelling (20 August), stained glass (31 August) and Autumn crafts (29 October).
Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, their parents/carers, meet at Wulfram Tots, in the church at 9.30 a.m. every Friday in school term-time. The aim is to have fun and share the Christian faith in an informal way through play, singing (with guitar accompaniment), Bible stories and craft activities, hopefully building some new friendships for the adults as well as the children. Early in the year, the sessions were clergy-led; from the late Spring, they became lay led. After the sessions, participants stay for refreshments and to enjoy the children’s play area. Details are shared on the Wulfram Tots noticeboard and through Facebook. The group is growing again, after several regulars moved on to school. Through this group, we have seen the baptism of both children and adults, and a few of the adults have been confirmed as well.
Wulfram Bear’s Baby Clothes Carousel runs on the second Saturday morning of the month. Parents can go along to donate and pick up items completely free of charge. The baby clothes ‘swap’ (coats, blankets, sleep sacks, socks, shoes, hats, nappies, (ages 0-24 months) is advertised regularly on social media.
We run three age-related groups for our youth work. Children in school years 5 to 8 meet on a Friday evening at Grantham House and this group consists of around 30 members with a normal attendance of around 24 each week. Our two other groups meet on alternate Sunday evenings at Grantham House or at the Rectory. The middle age group is aimed at those in years 9 to 11. There are around 25 members of this group with session attendance usually being around 15/16. This group represents a 50:50 mixture of choir and non-choir members. Our oldest group is well established, many of whom were confirmed together, and draws upon members of youth choir and beyond. This group consists of around 15 young people in years 12 to 13+. The age break-down and frequency works well. After the February half-term, we usually invite the Year 8s and Year 11s to try out the next age group once a month as well as their regular group. The young people in all groups have been instrumental in designing the programme for this year and members enjoy a range of activities. They are encouraged to invite their friends to join, and our older two groups are also encouraged to volunteer for wider church events. We have success in encouraging youth involvement and volunteering for events and services: and there are many multigenerational social events.
Three Scout groups are associated with the church. They attend church for their St George’s Day Parade. Clergy and other members of the church speak to the groups

when invited. The groups also visit the church from time to time as part of their badge work and spiritual development. Fr Stuart is Chaplain to the Scouts and led their Carol Service at ChristChurch in December this year.

Members of the ministry team lead weekly collective worship for two church schools, Little Gonerby Primary Academy and St Wulfram’s National Church of England Primary School.
Two members of our clergy team and one PCC member have represented St Wulfram’s as governors of local schools this year.
The diocesan Board of Education drew our PCC’s attention to vacancies for foundation governors at the St Wulfram’s National Church of England Primary School and at the West Grantham Primary and Secondary Academies. The PCC was invited to advertise the vacancies and to pass to the Board of Education names of people interested in becoming a foundation governor. James Osborn (PCC member) offered to serve as a governor of the St Wulfram’s National C of E Primary School.
Local schools, especially the church schools and the local state nursery school, make regular visits to learn about the church building, about Christianity and about the church’s role in the community. Several schools also use the church for services throughout the year, including the St Wulfram’s National C of E Junior School (Leavers’ Service, Thursday 17 July), Little Gonerby School (Christingle Service, Wednesday 3 December), the West Grantham Secondary Academy (Carol Service, Friday 19 December), Grantham Preparatory International School (Christingle Service, Tuesday 9 December). The neighbouring boys’ grammar school uses the church building for its annual Founder’s Day Service (Friday 18 July), Speech Night (Thursday 16 October) and a Carol Service (Thursday 18 December).

(b) Pastoral Care

The clergy and lay pastoral support team (led by Fr Clay until the autumn) are available to any person in the parish who asks for their support or help. Training and ongoing support is available for team members.
Those who are new to the congregation are made welcome and visited as soon as convenient, and a welcome card captures contact details as well as requests for prayer. Those who are ill, housebound, or too frail to attend church are visited regularly. Likewise, residential/nursing homes and a local sheltered housing development are visited monthly, and the reserved sacrament is taken by members of the team. Visits to the care homes in the parish are a source of blessing for the team as well as for residents.
Opportunities to invite bereaved families to memorial services continue to grow. All Souls’ Day, Lights of Love services, and a Service on World Suicide Prevention Day were well attended.

(c) Community groups

We have a popular Sunday lunch group for people of any age who have a connection with St Wulfram’s and would otherwise eat alone. Members of the group (who number more than 20) visit a local restaurant or pub on the second Sunday of each month. The lunches continue to be a valuable opportunity for fellowship for congregation members and those with other links to St Wulfram’s. We are most grateful to Jane Sharp who co-ordinates the gatherings.

The popular weekly Coffee Morning (which began online during the pandemic lockdowns) continues on Wednesdays in the church (or at Grantham House if there is a church diary clash). The gathering provides valuable fellowship for members of the St Wulfram's community. In December, more than 20 of the Coffee Morning attendees enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Recruiting Sargeant pub in Great Gonerby, organised by Mike and Sheila Knight.
A simple lunch of homemade soup and bread is served in church at 12.30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, following the 12 noon Eucharist. The lunch is open to all, irrespective of whether they worship at St Wulfram’s. Up to 24 attend each time. There is no charge, but donations are welcome. The lunch is friendly and the fellowship there can provide a lifeline for newcomers to the local community and those who are lonely and/or feel isolated. Mike and Sheila Knight organised the soup lunch for the past three years but felt it was time to hand the role over to another willing volunteer this year. We are indebted to Yvette Caddle for taking on the role of Soup Lunch Coordinator and to the volunteers who continue to prepare the soup.
The Men’s Breakfast meets monthly on Saturdays. Venues have included Café Nirvana in the George Shopping Centre and King’s Walk Café. Co-ordinated by Mike Knight, the breakfast continues to be a positive social space for men to come together for a leisurely start to the weekend and connect with each other.

Church and Fabric

The past year has again been busy with the completion of four major projects, namely the installation of solar PV panels on the church roof, more low energy internal lighting, leadwork repairs on the roof ridges and the conservation of ten monuments in the South Aisle, in addition to several smaller projects and other routine maintenance work. The Fabric Fund started 2025 with a balance of some £246,854 but closed the year with a balance of some £157,000. Net expenditure of some £89,000 was mitigated by receipt of grants and donations (£33,947) plus recovered VAT (£12,587) and the final portion (£2,938) of a legacy from the late Alan Geeson.
Solar UV panels . After what seems like an incredibly long journey of some two and a half years, the system is now up and running. The first phase of installation was the fabrication and installation of the 123 lead upstands to secure the framework for the panels to the roof, and this was carried out by H.A. Blain Ltd, based in Denton. The upstands were installed between 6 January and 7 February. The first fix electrical work was undertaken on 27 January, and the main installation of the 78 Solar PV panels and all necessary connections and monitoring equipment was carried out between 10 and 14 February by Ace Solar Ltd, based near Nottingham. All test certificates, warranties, confirmation of compliance with Building Regulations and documentation were provided by Ace Solar Ltd in w/c 17 February. We are grateful to Karl Kelk of Ace Solar and Harry Blain and their colleagues for their hard work in the planning and installation of this project. In just over ten months of operation to 31 December 2025, the 78 panels have generated 12,840 kWh, of which 2,940 kWh were consumed in church and 9,900 kWh were exported to the National Grid. During this period, this represents a saving of CO2 emissions of some 12.86 tonnes. A considerable proportion of our day-time use is thus being generated on site and the income from exported electricity (at 12p per kWh) is now reducing our utility costs as well as reducing our carbon emissions.
Low Energy Lighting . The PCC approved a project to replace up to 115 existing halogen lamps with low energy LED lamps and associated factory modifications in response to the Energy & Net Zero Carbon Audit report; applications for two grants,

one under the Lincoln Diocesan Quick Wins scheme (up to £3,000) and the other under the national Church Decarbonisation Fund Net Zero Carbon 2030 initiative (£3,000) with up to £3,000 on each to be met from the Fabric Fund; and an application for List B approval for all 115 existing Halogen lamps to be changed to LED. The List B application was approved in February. The Quick Wins grant was approved at £4,500 and the Church Decarbonisation Fund grant of £3,000 was also approved. The first phase of modifications to 59 fittings was completed at the end of June. The remaining batch (actually, 44 halogen fittings) was completed in July. The grants are expected to cover approximately 50% of the total costs with the balance being met from the Fabric Fund. The LED lamps use about a third of the electricity used by the Halogen lamps, so we will see a payback over the next few years. Thanks are noted to A.F. Electrical for their part in the successful completion of this project.

Grantham Journal Business Awards Environmental Champion . These two aspects of the Solar Panel project and the low energy lighting and our other work as part of the Creation Care agenda formed the basis of the Church’s submission to the Grantham Journal Business Awards Environmental Champion competition held in November 2025; and St Wulfram’s Church was recognised as the Winner at the ceremony held at the Arena in Allington. Speaking at the ceremony, a judge from ENVA (category sponsors) said: ‘The church has got an amazing presence in the community, they really support everybody, and the fact they have managed to turn around a really difficult situation with the energy crisis is just wonderful’.
Monument Cleaning and Conservation . The conservation of ten monuments along the south aisle wall of the church was approved by the Chancellor in December 2024. The total cost of this work (including scaffolding) by conservator Alexandra Carrington, ACR, was £10,620 including £120 VAT which has been reclaimed. The work by Alex Carrington began on 7 January and she had successfully completed work on all ten monuments by 26 March with the required conservation reports received in early April. Funding for this project has been received from The Friends of St Wulfram’s, £3,600; The Leche Trust, £3,000; Grantham Civic Society, £500; The Cleary Fund of the Georgian Group, £500 (specifically for the William Thorold monument); and The Francis Coales Charitable Trust, £2,900. The work revealed previously unknown information about the sculptors involved and Alex Carrington gave a short talk to the Friends in appreciation of their support and generosity towards this work.
Repair of the table tomb to the Holt family adjacent to the South Porch. In February it was noted that the eastern face of this had fractured, possibly through frost damage. SKDC made the area safe by erecting a Heras fence; and Weldon Stone Ltd completed repair work in May on behalf of SKDC which is responsible for the maintenance of the churchyard and have paid the cost.
Damaged coping stones at east end of Chancel. During routine checking of the roof, it was noted that the lowest coping stones at the east end of the north side of the Chancel had spalled and cracked through frost damage. The PCC, as business by correspondence, agreed in June to accept Weldon Stone’s quotation for £6,000 (plus VAT) for repair of the coping stones and re-pointing of adjacent joints. This work was completed in late July.
Repainting of the North Porch doors and roof access doors . Work to the North Porch doors was completed by Elson James. The Friends of St Wulfram’s have kindly contributed £2,000 to this project. Elson James has also repainted the access door from the church tower to the roof, the doors to the turret and to the North Porch roof, and the door above the Trigge library.

Gutters and leadwork repairs . Work by H.A. Blain Ltd to repair cracks along the ridges of the North and Nave Aisles was completed in October at a total cost of £10,432.40 plus VAT. The old, cracked bitumen upstands in the walkways on the four sides of the tower parapet were removed and replaced with new lead flashings, and the lead sumps in the corners have been repaired where there were splits in the sumps, and blocked outlets have been cleared. This was an item outstanding from the last Quinquennial Report but had not been implemented largely owing to inaccessibility because of the nesting falcons. This cost £2,670 plus VAT. The Trigge Library roof was also patched at a cost of £786 plus VAT. VAT has been reclaimed on all these repairs under the Listed Places of Worship (LPOW) scheme, and it was important to undertake these urgent repairs in this financial year, as the LPOW scheme is not available after March 2026.
Madonna holding Child. This striking statue carved in wood by Peter Eugene Ball was installed on a temporary plinth in the Lady Chapel on 21 December. The statue was generously paid for by the Friends of St Wulfram’s Church. It has been added to the Church’s insurance inventory at no additional cost. A more permanent, and slightly lower, plinth will be installed in due course.
External drainage . Following the digging of test pits and percolation tests in various parts of the churchyard during April 2023, Inspecting Architect Peter Rogan has proposed an initial design for a modified drainage system around the church which, with SKDC, were begun in 2025; but, partly on account of other Fabric priorities, the Chair of the Fabric Sub-group has yet to meet with representatives of Anglian Water. It is hoped this meeting will take place early in the spring of 2026.
The work on repair and maintenance of the fabric of St Wulfram’s Church, which has a surface area exceeding one acre, has been constant but very successful. We should like to thank members of the Fabric Sub-group for their input and attendance. Thanks are recorded to everyone who helps with routine weekly cleaning and with the arrangement of flowers. Additional volunteers are most welcome. All help to make St Wulfram’s a warm and welcoming church. We are again greatly indebted to John Manterfield for his dedication in chairing the PCC’s Fabric Sub-group and overseeing all its work.

Caring for Creation

As Christians, we embrace our responsibility as stewards of God’s good creation to tend and serve the flourishing of life, now and for future generations. At its meeting in July 2019, the Lincoln Diocesan Synod adopted a new environmental policy entitled ‘Cherishing Creation’. This was shared with parishes shortly afterwards; and St Wulfram’s PCC carried out sustained work on this through our various sub-groups during the second half of 2019 and into 2020. As a result, the remit of all our PCC committees (sub-groups) includes a requirement to be mindful at all times of the diocesan environmental policy.
Since 2020, the church’s work in this area has been overseen by a Creation Care committee (a sub-group of the PCC). Much of the work carried out by the Creation Care Sub-group involves liaison with the Fabric Sub-group, and there is a degree of overlapping membership. The Creation Care group is responsible for ensuring that St Wulfram’s Church and its community embed creation care in everyday faith and activities, in line with the vision and goals of ‘Cherishing Creation’. At all times, the sub-group is mindful of the importance of doing all we can to live out all the ‘Marks of Mission’ (adopted by the General Synod of the Church of England in 1996), paying

particular attention to the mark that speaks of striving to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustaining and renewing the life of the earth.

In February 2020 General Synod set the Church of England an ambitious challenge: to reach net zero carbon across our parish, cathedral, diocesan, and school estates by 2030, asking for a plan of action to reach the 2030 target. In response, the Church of England produced its Routemap to Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and established a national Net Zero Programme. Church decarbonisation is a key workstream within the programme and funding has been allocated to help the largest emitting church communities undertake energy audits of their buildings. The audits are a first step for PCCs to establish a measured baseline for CO2 emissions to support and promote the NZC objectives in parishes. An energy audit and decarbonisation survey of St Wulfram’s Church (including the Vestry, office, kitchen and Crypt) was undertaken on 29 October to provide advice to the church community on how it/they can be more energy efficient, provide a sustainable and comfortable environment, and move towards net zero carbon. The comprehensive report was considered by the Fabric Subgroup and PCC this year.
Once again, we planted bulbs in the churchyard. A lot of the focus in 2025 was on the church building, striving to make it more eco-friendly. The installation of the solar panels this year was a major achievement. St Wulfram’s is registered with Eco Church (an A Rocha UK project) and achieved the Bronze Award in 2023. We are grateful to Mthr Hannah for taking significant responsibility for this work. With the solar panels bringing down our carbon footprint, we are now on a journey to attain the Silver Award. To this end, the Creation Care Sub-group launched a short survey in June to help better understand how St Wulfram’s can encourage everyone in our community to be good stewards of creation.
Frances Roundtree (our Creation Care Chair until 30 September) was heavily involved in the Community Fridge project at our ‘plant church’, St John’s Spitalgate. The Fridge ‘rescues’ food and other items from supermarkets, allotments and the community, and redistributes them to anyone who wants them. This means less waste is destined for landfill, where it would rot and give off methane (a more potent greenhouse gas than even carbon dioxide).
The Creation Care Sub-group would love more people to join and become involved in embedding care for God’s creation in everyday life and action; and we would welcome someone to take responsibility for the EcoChurch work now that Mthr Hannah has moved on from St Wulfram’s.
We thank Frances Roundtree for her stewardship of the sub-group over several years and we look forward to the valuable work to be carried out under the leadership of John Manterfield (Chair of Fabric), who was appointed sub-group Chair from October.

Church flowers

Throughout the year and especially at liturgical festivals, we benefit from the dedication of our band of flower arrangers (led by Val York), whose skills enhance the beauty of our church. We express gratitude to all those who contribute towards the costs of flower arrangements throughout the year: many such donations are in memory of loved ones and an ‘In Memoriam’ list is displayed at the west end of the church at Easter and Christmas. An arrangement can also be for celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary: a note is usually included in the Community newssheet for such celebrations.

Instead of fresh flowers at the high altar in ordinary times, we are increasingly using plants, or we display flowers in a vase. This cuts down on the amount of oasis that our flower arrangers use; this makes what we do more environmentally friendly and reduces costs. At Christmas this year there were many more arrangements and displays without using oasis: something we continue to strive for. The team is now very small, so new recruits will be most welcome: contact can be made with Val York through the Parish Office.

Ringing at St Wulfram’s

The bell ringing group continues to grow in numbers, with eight new learners and returning former ringers joining over the course of 2025. Thanks to the training of members of the band to teach (undertaken in the past), we have the numbers of teachers to be able cope with such an influx of new recruits. We are now regularly ringing all 12 bells for service ringing and practices; this is a first since the augmentation back in 2013. While we still lack learners from a slightly younger age range, the average age of the band has fallen with the new recruits.
With the increase in numbers comes the difficulty of enough time on ropes for people at different stages of their bell ringing journeys. We are trying a new venture with Focus Group learning once a month (in conjunction with Harlaxton Tower and Liz Carter), to specialise on a topic with the aim to speed up the learning process and develop the band more quickly. This is very much a case of trial and error, and we the teachers are learning just as much as the ‘pupils’. Special thanks to Ann Haughton for driving this and to Michael Coney for use of his simulator ring, and facilities at Beltone in Belton.
With our Social Secretary, Helen Parkin, we continue to have a multitude of activities where bell ringing is sometimes included – a day trip to Northampton for a tower grab this year, various social get-togethers, and a grow the tallest sunflower, which the Tower Captain won with a 12’ 4” monster.
In May, the funeral for Brian Buttery, member of this Society of Ringers, and former Verger at the Church, was held at St Wulfram’s Church. A half-muffled quarter was rung before the service and in the afternoon a peal was successfully completed.
Quarter peals for the local band have proved more elusive this year, we hope for better in 2026.
In May and August, the local band ensured that the bells in the local area were heard at most of the local churches, with bells rung to mark the 80[th] Anniversary of both VE and VJ Days.
2026 and 2027 look likely to be busy years for the Society. In 2026, the Society is 245 years old; and, in the Autumn, the old ten bells will celebrate being 80 years old. Spring 2027 marks the 80[th] anniversary of the back ten bells being rung in the tower. We have a few ideas in store to celebrate these milestones.

Hospitality for Pilgrims and Visitors

St Wulfram’s, a landmark medieval parish church restored by Gilbert Scott (1866-75), is Grade I Listed (1062501) and of nationally recognised significance. Set back from main roads and surrounded by old buildings, the area has the feel of a cathedral close. The chained Trigge Library (established in the church in 1598) is of exceptional significance as the earliest in England for public use, and attracts local, national, and international visitors and scholars. The church plays a dynamic role in attracting

visitors to the town and district. The church and churchyard are a focal point of South Kesteven District Council’s (SKDC’s) Grantham Town Conservation Area. They lie within the ‘Grantham High Street Heritage Action Zone’, which celebrates the town’s built, social, cultural and natural heritage and is funded by Historic England to restore historic properties and regenerate public realm areas.

Consistent with our ‘sacred space, common ground’ strategy, we encourage everyone in the community to see St Wulfram’s as their parish church. The building is open for private prayer or to sit in quiet reflection, from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Sundays.
The Coffee Shop opens for Saturday morning recitals, during the Heritage Open Day, the Beer Festival, and the Christmas Tree Festival, and for interval drinks at concerts (when alcohol and soft drinks are also on sale). We are grateful to Di Hale and colleagues for providing refreshments at recitals, to members of the Licence Management Committee for organising interval drinks, and to Di Hale for the significant work in overseeing the provision of refreshments (including recruitment of volunteers from organisations beyond St Wulfram’s) for major festivals.
We have volunteer stewards on hand to offer a generous welcome to visitors on Saturday mornings and on weekdays during the ‘visitor season’ (from the end of March to the end of September). This is always an important aspect of our ministry at St Wulfram’s. A training morning for stewards was held on Saturday 14 June.
With fewer stewards since 2017, it has been necessary to leave the church open unattended at certain times (this is in line with advice from the diocese and Ecclesiastical, our insurers). Although this strategy continues to be largely unproblematic, we continued to experience some antisocial behaviour and vandalism in the church this year, about which we are in discussion with relevant authorities. Sadly, this sometimes necessitates earlier closure of the church on weekday afternoons.
The number of visitors to St Wulfram’s continued to increase this year, partly in consequence of the National Trust’s decision to refurbish and open Grantham House daily. Organised visits included groups from the University of Evansville (Harlaxton campus), two groups from Grantham College, the Ropsley WI, the Greetham WI (near Oakham), pilgrims from Halewood, Liverpool. Individual visitors this year included Lord Birt (former Director-General of the BBC) and Lady Birt, and former Minister and MP, Edwina Currie.
Large numbers of visitors (believers and non-believers alike) were welcomed to the church for an exhibition of the Knights Templar Replica of the Turin Shroud, which was opened by the Bishop of Lincoln on Thursday evening 27 February and ran until Monday 3 March. The 4.4m replica (made about 20 years ago) is an exact 1:1 scale copy of the famous linen cloth venerated for centuries as the burial shroud used to wrap the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. The replica shroud, previously on show in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, was first displayed in England in 2024. We thank Brother Michael of Templars Today and his colleagues for introducing visitors to the replica shroud. The exhibition was free, but donations were welcome.
Inscriptions in our Visitors’ Book are overwhelmingly favourable. Visitors appreciate the fact that the church building is open, and that well behaved dogs are welcome, for example:
❖ So pleased the door was open.
❖ Thank you for being open.

❖ So glad it’s open!
❖ Stunning church and so peaceful. Thank you for the dog bowl of water.

Some are glad to make return visits, while others are pleased to be in a place that was special to their ancestors, for example:

❖ Wonderful to be here again. We feel welcome.
❖ Amazing – proud to be a ‘Lincolnshire Yellowbelly’ and return to see this masterpiece. ❖ Beautiful St Wulfram’s. So happy to revisit it after so many years. Much love to Grantham (my Mum’s home).
❖ Nostalgic visit to Grantham. Married in St Wulfram’s 61 years ago.
❖ Stunning church. My Mum & Dad married here.
❖ My great gran was baptised and married here.

They enjoy the history and architecture, for example:

❖ A wonderful piece of history. Enjoyed every moment.
❖ Lovely! I can feel the history … magical.
❖ I was very impressed by the architecture. Amazing.
❖ Marvellous architecture throughout. Wow.
❖ One of the best churches I have ever seen.
❖ Beautiful church – love the 15th century font. And the radiators are the most ornate I’ve ever seen. Don’t get rid!
❖ Very nice church, full of interest, especially the Shrine.

Visitors also appreciate the welcome offered by stewards and the hard work of those who keep the building in good order, for example:

❖ A great symbol of the faith. Well kept.
❖ Thank you for caring for this church – for us to visit and admire.
❖ Thank you for maintaining for future generations. Xxx
❖ Having recently found God I’m so grateful to witness such a beautifully kept place of worship. Amen.
❖ The gentleman volunteering was really helpful and informative. Stunning church and delighted to have it on our doorstep!
❖ Lovely helpful guides.

While one visitor thought St Wulfram’s is cathedral-like, others were under the impression that St Wulfram’s is a cathedral:

❖ What a beautiful church. More like a cathedral!
❖ Gorgeous cathedral.
❖ My favourite cathedral – lovely singing – just wonderful & welcoming!

One visitor appreciated the building, but recognised one of the challenges we face in keeping it open:

❖ Stunning, but something must be done about the antisocial behaviour!

Our facilities for and our work with children is appreciated, for example:

❖ Lovely children’s play area and beautiful singing practice by the choir! Thank you. ❖ A beautiful church, filled with young people and energy!

There is enjoyment when a visit coincides with the organ being played, for example:

❖ Lovely as always. Loved the organ music as well.
❖ Iconic church. Great atmosphere. Enjoyed organ music.

And visitors are glad to discover that the building is well used for events, for example:

❖ Great to see a large building re-purposing its space, making church accessible to all.

Visitors are also grateful for the peace they find in our church, for example:

❖ Just beautiful. A tranquil, peaceful setting.
❖ Lovely to be able to spend some time in prayer with St Wulfram.
❖ Beautiful, peaceful church. A little bit of Heaven here on earth.
❖ A beautiful church, so peaceful, calm. Just what was needed.

There was special praise for the exhibition of the Turin Shroud replica, for example:

❖ A peaceful, beautiful place to be with God & excited to see the Turin Shroud.
❖ Viewed the Turin Shroud exhibition/talk. Fascinating. So fortunate to have it here.
❖ We came to see the shroud. Very pleased I’ve seen it. Stunning church. xx
For the Heritage Open Days, the church was open from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 13 September and from 12.00 noon to 4.00 p.m. on Sunday 14 September. Visitors were welcomed to enjoy refreshments and look round the building including the Trigge Library and the tower and ringing chamber. In addition, there were displays and information about various aspects of our congregational life, and the Civic Society and the Friends of St Wulfram’s each ran stalls over the two days (the Civic Society selling new and used books, whereas the Friends’ merchandise included their popular tea-towels and tote bags). On Sunday 14 September, the former parish graveyard on Manthorpe Road was open and had a very busy afternoon.
Near the west door of the church, we have a sales unit that displays postcards, guides, and souvenirs of the church, together with the popular Friends of St Wulfram’s Christmas cards.
Peregrines first nested at St Wulfram’s in 2007 with the last successful fledging in 2012. Surveillance cameras were installed in December 2020, funded by the Lincolnshire Bird Club. The peregrines are sighted around St Wulfram’s all year. During the spring of 2024 there was a great deal of activity around the nesting trays on the church tower walkway, with at least 9 different birds seen on the cameras during March and April. Unfortunately, with there being such competition for the nest site, and there not being an already well bonded pairing, we had another unsuccessful year and no eggs were laid. A male and female bird, however, continued to maintain a presence around the church and in the spring of 2025 were successful in rearing 3 healthy chicks. A TV monitor was placed in church and people were able to come in and view the live action from the nest tray. The same pairing has been seen around the church during the autumn and winter, so we are hopeful for another successful fledging in 2026.

Trigge Library

2025 saw 991 visitors to the Francis Trigge Chained Library representing a growth of over 40% in recorded visitor numbers from 2024, which itself was an increase of 37% on 2023. This was the highest number of visitors ever recorded since records were kept systematically in 2016, and higher than that recorded in 2019 (834) prior to the Covid19 pandemic. Covid-19 resulted in just 83 visitors in 2020, 413 in 2021, and 434 in 2022. The growth in numbers during 2025 was a fantastic achievement and thanks must be expressed to the group of volunteers who have ensured that that the library is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from April to the end of September between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon and on the second Saturday each month in the rest

of the year. We have also opened on the second Wednesday in the months of October through to December and are reviewing the response to those Wednesday morning openings.

Some changes are apparent in the pattern of the distribution of the origins of visitors. The number visiting from Grantham itself increased slightly by 8.5% from 177 in 2024 to 192 in 2025. Visitors from elsewhere in Lincolnshire increased from 64 to 126; and the number of visitors from the rest of England (excluding Grantham and Lincolnshire) increased from 200 in 2024 to 392 in 2025. Many of these had come to St Wulfram’s for the first time as a result of combining their visit with the newly opened Grantham House, managed by the National Trust.
In 2025, the Library received 80 visitors on the 13 & 14 September Heritage Open Days, which represents a notable increase on the 23 visitors to the Trigge on the HOD in 2024.
Numbers were also boosted by visits of groups including the Ropsley WI, the Greetham WI (near Oakham), pilgrims from Halewood, Liverpool, two groups from Grantham College and several groups from the University of Evansville. Individual visitors this year included Lord Birt (former Director-General of the BBC) and Lady Birt, and former Minister and MP, Edwina Currie.
The number of visitors for whom no place of origin was given, or it was undecipherable in the Visitor Book has risen slightly from 26 in 2024 to 40 in 2025; and we encourage our stewards to be more diligent in asking visitors to sign the Visitor Book and give their place of origin.
The number of visitors from the USA fell slightly from 152 in 2024 to 129 in 2025. This is due to slightly fewer groups of visitors from the University of Evansville campus at Harlaxton, not only comprising their regular students and staff but also for those groups of alumni and short-stay groups of visitors at Harlaxton. We are delighted to arrange tours of the Church and the Trigge Library and are grateful for all donations received towards ongoing conservation work. There were also a larger number of single visitors and couples from the USA throughout the year.
Overall, the number of overseas countries from whom visitors have been recorded was 20 in 2025 slightly down on the 23 in 2024. European visitors came from Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany (including a group from Sankt Augustin during a twinning visit), Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden. Additionally, from further afield, we welcomed visitors from Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa. Australian visitor numbers increased from 12 in 2024 to 18 in 2025. The increased visitor numbers and diversity of countries represented, show that the Trigge Library continues to punch above its weight as a visitor attraction in Lincolnshire.
2025 saw conservation work completed on the second volume of Conrad Gesner’s Historia Animalium , which was financed by a combination of grants from ChurchCare and the Friends of St Wulfram’s Church. Our conservator, Bridget Warrington ACR, returned the conserved volume on 28 July. Bridget has now started work on the conservation of the English translation of John Calvin’s Sermons on the Book of Job : this work is generously being paid for by the Aurelius Trust which has donated £3,000 towards the work that will include a short video of the conservation work. In December, ChurchCare confirmed that a grant of £12,000 had been agreed for the conservation of six further volumes during 2026-27. We are most grateful to those organisations and individuals who have contributed towards the upkeep of the Library.

The successful Trigge Library Symposium held in 2024 was not repeated in 2025 owing to the difficulty in finding keynote speakers; but it is hoped that a symposium can be held in 2026.
Grateful thanks are recorded to Dr Brian Stagg who stood down as Custos of the Library in February 2025; and to Dr John Manterfield whom the PCC appointed as Brian’s replacement as Custos on 12 March 2025. As ever, thanks are due to John who kindly undertook analysis of visitor statistics for 2025.

Learning opportunities

The Women’s Bible Study Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month (7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) at St John’s Spitalgate. The group welcomes women from all stages of the faith journey and provides a relaxed and friendly environment in which to explore Holy Scripture. Learning is facilitated through group discussion on the Bible, its context and techniques Christians have developed over time to better understand God's word. All this is surrounded by prayer and our faith in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We welcome new members.
Lent groups and courses (advertised in our online and printed Lent, Holy Week, and Easter booklet) included: ‘An Introduction to Christian Meditation’ (Mondays, 7.00 p.m., St John’s Spitalgate); ‘I believe…’ (Tuesdays, 10.30 a.m., Grantham House followed by the Eucharist at 12.00 noon in the church; and Wednesdays, 10.45 a.m. at St John’s Church, Manthorpe); ‘Creative Lent’ (Wednesdays, 7.00 p.m., followed by Compline, St Wulfram’s Church or Grantham House); ‘The Rosary in Lent’, based on Fr Clay’s 2011 Canterbury Press book (Saturdays, 5.30 p.m., St John’s Spitalgate); ‘Teach us to Pray’ (the diocesan Lent course, Sundays, 4.00 p.m. at St John’s Spitalgate).
We regularly encourage our church community to use the Church of England resources including booklets for Lent, and the Daily Prayer app and podcasts.

Ministry training

Tom Stockwell, an ordinand on a contextual training course, continues to study parttime at St Wulfram’s, initially under the guidance of Fr Clay and now Fr Stuart. Tom expects to move to a curacy in another diocese in the summer of 2026.
Marcin Salachna, a server with the Bishop’s permission to administer the elements of Holy Communion in church, moved from Grantham to spend a year on the Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme discerning more clearly God’s call. The congregation said farewell and made a small gift to Marcin at his final Sunday service at St Wulfram’s on 14 September.

Members of the congregation continue to take a full part in the licensed ministry of the church and new volunteers are trained and introduced on a regular basis to share in leading worship and exercising pastoral ministry.
Our ministry team takes advantage of resources, courses, and events (online and inperson) offered by the Diocese of Lincoln and advertised or accessed through their ‘Learn, Grow, Share’ platform.
Some of our ALMs wish to deepen or broaden the scope of their ministry by studying one of the new diocesan Practice Modules (Assisting in Public Worship, Mission & Evangelism, Pastoral Care, and Working with Children & Young People). No modules could be offered by the deanery in 2025, so the ALMs await news of delivery plans.

Major Churches Network

St Wulfram’s is a member of the Major Churches Network; and we are in regular contact with other large churches to benefit from information about good practice in areas of administration, fabric, mission, outreach, and how to best engage in service to the community.

Inclusive Church

St Wulfram’s continues as a member of the Inclusive Church Network endorsing the statement of belief:

We believe in inclusive Church - church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

In the autumn, we drew attention to the Network’s open letter for members of the Church of England on ‘Living in Love and Faith’.

Diocese of Lincoln

Diocesan Synod

St Wulfram’s is currently represented on Diocesan Synod by Fr Stuart, by Fr Clay Roundtree (until 30 September), and by Paul Davie. Paul also serves on the Bishop’s Council of Diocesan Trustees as lay representative of the Archdeaconry of Boston, and as a representative of the House of Laity on the Vacancy in See Committee. Fr Stuart continues to serve on General Synod, as a representative of the diocesan House of Clergy.

Diocesan Synod meets on three occasions per year (usually April, July, November). After each Diocesan Synod meeting, the PCC receives a Digest of Proceedings, as published on the diocesan website, and from time-to-time PCC officers and clergy and lay ministers receive communications from the Diocese.

In November, Diocesan Synod debated a motion proposed by Fr Stuart to call on the House of Bishops to proceed at pace to implement stand-alone blessing services for same-sex couples. Speaking to the Church Times , Fr Stuart said the motion was born out of frustration with the House of Bishops’ decisions on aspects of the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ process. The motion at Diocesan Synod was carried by the bishop present, and by both houses. A diocesan spokesperson said the debate had been respectful, with a wide range of

lay and ordained voices speaking with integrity and sensitivity: they said, ‘It is a testament to our commitment to collaborative ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln’.

• ‘Time to Grow Together’

Over recent years, a great deal has been achieved by the Diocese through progress on Resourcing Sustainable Church , moving into Time To Change Together , including scaling back central costs, self-definition of churches (using different ‘types’ to discern and reflect vocations), and the work of Covenant Pastors and improved Covenant Pledges. Phase Two of the diocesan vision and plan involves moving from Time To Change Together to Time To Grow Together . Approaching the second phase, the diocesan Bishop’s key phrase was ‘Raising the Spiritual Temperature’, an idea and activity that he sees as the seedbed for our Christian life. When he was appointed, the Bishop knew that because of his age he would not be with the Diocese in person for a long ministry. His task is to help shape and affirm positive culture in the Diocese – and ‘Raising the Spiritual Temperature’ is part of this culture.

Looking to the future of mission and ministry, the Diocese set out on a journey of discernment this year: it was about walking together in faith, asking where the Spirit is leading us – listening to the people and listening to God’s call to become the Church we are called to be. Rooted in prayer, theology and local wisdom, the aim of the journey was to shape a new decade-long Diocesan strategy, building on the foundation of Time to Change Together and responding to the national Church of England’s call to become:

A church of missionary disciples.
A church of mixed expressions and ways of being (ecology).
A church which is younger and more diverse.

At the centre of this journey was Lord, Show Us The Way – a year of shared reflection, prayer and honest conversation across the Diocese. A number of groups walked alongside – listening, reflecting, and helping shape the way forward: a Strategy Working Group (steering the journey), a Theological Reflection Group (grounding the journey in scripture and prayer), and five Lever Groups (exploring key areas of growth and mission).

Three members of our own parish served on Lever Groups. Fr Stuart served on the Buildings Lever Group. Paul Davie served on the Resources Lever Group, which invited members of all worshipping communities (including our own) in July to complete a short questionnaire to help gain an insight into how the Church contributes to local life and what might help or hinder such work. Together with Mrs Jane Chard (Washingborough with Heighington), Fr Clay co-chaired the Lever Group on Discipleship, supported by Judith Muskett in an administrative capacity.

As part of Lord Show Us the Way , a series of Strategy Engagement Events was run across Lincolnshire in the latter part of 2025. One of these events took place in St Wulfram’s Church on the evening of Monday 1 December. This was an opportunity to join in the conversation with the diocesan central team and learn how far the diocese had progressed on its journey.

• South Kesteven Deanery Partnership

Fr Clay Roundtree continued as the Partnership Dean overseeing the South Kesteven Deanery Partnership (DP) comprising the deaneries of Beltisloe, Grantham, Loveden, and Stamford. He met regularly with the Lay Co-Lead and the four rural deans, to develop short-term plans and formulate long-term strategy.

• Diocesan pilgrimage to Taizé

Fr Clay and Mthr Kate organised a diocesan pilgrimage to Taizé for young adults (aged 18 to 30) from Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 August. The pilgrimage, led by Bishop Nicholas of Grantham, helped participants to step back from daily life, and set aside time to search for communion with God through community, prayer, song, silence, personal reflection and sharing.

Grantham Deanery

Our four elected lay representatives on Deanery Synod are Paul Davie, Cherry Edwards, Chris Impey, and John Manterfield. Together with the ex officio representatives, St Wulfram’s continues to play its part in shaping and implementing deanery policy.
The Rural Dean, the Revd Samantha Parsons (Vicar of the Benefice of Harrowby with Londonthorpe), ensures that all deanery PCCs are provided with regular written reports on Synod business and that a summary of business is provided for Annual Parochial Church Meetings.
Deanery churchwardens gathered on 25 March, when Andy Wright (Diocesan Generous Living Adviser) provided an overview on responsibilities of PCC members as trustees and the charity registration process. Wardens gathered again on 23 September to exchange ideas and share concerns. They exchanged contact details and shared contact information about tradespeople.
Schemes for pastoral reorganisation, in line with the agreed Deanery Plan, had been with the Church Commissioners for consultation for a considerable period. On 1 September, the Revd Sarah Tierney became the incumbent of the West Grantham Group of Villages, comprising the united benefice of All Saints, Barrowby and St Sebastian’s, Great Gonerby and the Harlaxton Group of Parishes (Denton, Harlaxton, Stroxton, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, and Wyville with Hungerton). As mentioned earlier, the scheme to dissolve the Trinity Parish, South Grantham and create two separate parishes, styled St John’s Spitalgate with Earlesfield (where there ceased to be a place of worship several years ago) and St Anne’s New Somerby (into which St George’s Church Stamford planted in August 2023 as part of the Strategic Development Programme), came into effect on 1 October. Informal talks have begun to form a central grouping within Grantham Deanery, to hold in plurality the benefices of St John’s Manthorpe, St Wulfram’s Grantham, and St John’s Spitalgate with Earlesfield.
At the July meeting, Deanery Synod passed a motion recognising the importance of the LInC (Lowest Income Communities) Funding to enable dioceses to provide additional support for ministry and mission in low-income parishes, in line with the Church of England’s Vision and Strategy. Synod pledged its commitment to ensure that the funding for a 0.5FTE post designated to Spitalgate with Earlesfield should be preserved irrespective of any future parish reorganisation.
Discussions continue with the Loveden Deanery about a possible merger.
Deanery Synod usually invites a local or diocesan speaker to talk on a chosen subject at each meeting. At the 27 February meeting, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, gave an inspiring talk on ‘raising the spiritual temperature’. At the 3 July meeting, Jack Redeyoff, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, gave an informative presentation on safeguarding and procedures for easier compliance. Then, at the

meeting on 9 October, a presentation was made by four ALMs from All Saints Church, Barrowby on the pre-requisites, roles and challenges for authorised lay ministry.

A support group for those who work with children and young people in deanery churches meets termly under the leadership of Rhys Nicholls (Children’s & Families Worker, St Anne’s Church) to share ideas and resources. Any churches that wish to engage in children’s work but are unsure where to start are encouraged to attend meetings. Deanery parishes are also supported with a monthly newsletter forwarded by the diocesan Children & Youth Mission Enabler.
As usual, members of the congregation of St Wulfram’s Church joined fellow Christians from around the deanery for a Deanery Ascension Day service at the Church of the Ascension, Edinburgh Road, Grantham at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday 29 May. The service was followed by a buffet in the church hall.

Ecumenical relations

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ran from Saturday 18 to Saturday 25 January. Members of our congregation were invited to a service to mark the week which took place at ChristChurch, Finkin Street on Sunday 19 January at 6.00 p.m.

Communication

The Parish website[4] is a prime contact point for people wishing to know more about the parish church, its people, and activities. Regular postings of information by the Parish Administrator keep it up to date. The home page offers the opportunity to sign up to our mailing list. Contacts and requests continue to increase in number. We make full use of social media (Facebook, Instagram) to involve members of our church community and of the wider community in the life of the church; social media is especially valuable in attracting visitors and audience members to our special events and engaging them in online conversations at those times. The Church of England ‘A Church Near You’ website[5] directs those who view, to our own website and social media. Details of services and events along with the Community News are also posted to ‘A Church Near You’.
The ChurchDesk software is used daily in the Parish Office and enables us to send out fortnightly newsletters and information on forthcoming services and events. Our website and calendar information are also powered by ChurchDesk. Via ChurchDesk we can produce forms and donation projects where we can take bookings and payments for events and collections. By the end of 2025, we had accumulated 5,501 contacts, an increase of more than 500 on the 2024 figure, and ten times the number recorded pre-Covid (i.e., at the end of 2019). This total includes members of the community of St John the Evangelist, Manthorpe, our sister church. ChurchDesk (based in Denmark) offers online and email support. The software package is a great asset to how we work and our outreach to our parish and wider community.
The fortnightly Sunday Community sheet updates the congregation, with news of services and activities. It is shared on alternate Fridays with an email from the Parish Office. Printed copies are available in church on Sundays and throughout the week. The sheet includes reviews of events and photographs, as well as announcing forthcoming services and events.

4 https://www.stwulframs.org.uk

5 https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14634/

A colour ‘What’s on’ guide, listing services, regular groups and events. was produced in early September for distribution at Heritage Open Days and at the National Trust’s Community Festival at the Belton Estate (13 and 14 September).
We have good relations with the Grantham Journal and articles about our community life and outreach activities are included in the newspaper on a regular basis. We no longer pay to advertise regular services in the Journal , relying instead on our website, the Community News , social media, and word-of-mouth etc. We also have good relations with the monthly Grantham Link magazine and are grateful for the free advertising the Link provides for church events.
Notice boards outside the church are well used. Our two chalk A-boards display daily information outside the west door and welcome visitors.
The churchwardens encourage members of the congregation to contact them by email or telephone with any comments or questions. The ‘churchwardens@stwulframs.com’ email address is advertised through the weekly Community news-sheet.

Special Events (including those for fund raising)

Over recent years, we have enhanced our engagement with people in the town. We strongly believe that the sacred space of St Wulfram’s is common ground for all – a place where we can challenge each other, celebrate all that is good in our community, and a place we can call home where we can gather as a community – and God is amid this, in the everyday. Community use of the building is essential to our sustainability and recaptures the medieval use of the space in ways that celebrate the joy of day-today life. Our challenging events (Christmas Tree Festivals, Flower Festivals, Beer Festivals, etc.) underpin our ‘sacred space, common ground’ strategy. Each event attracts significant numbers and at the same time raises useful funds for the church.
With its flexible space and seating, the church is a well-used venue in normal times for large and smaller events and concerts, attracting regular bookings from local groups and schools, and county organisations. The local U3A holds monthly coffee mornings and a Christmas Party in St Wulfram’s Church; a Tai-Chi group meets weekly in the church; and the local homecare provider ‘Right at Home’ runs a free monthly Chair Yoga Group, which regularly attracts more than 20 people.
The St Wulfram’s community began a year of social events with our popular annual Quiz Night including fish and chip supper in the church on Saturday 8 February. Teams of up to 8 people gathered for a fun-filled evening with rounds of questions set by the clergy. An equally popular Bingo and Pizza evening was held on Saturday evening, 14 June. An enjoyable Harvest Barn Dance with Ploughman’s Supper took place on Saturday evening, 4 October.

The following events also took place during the year:

The King’s School held a Jazz Nite in the church on Friday 7 February. This is the most popular event in the calendar of the school’s music department; and it includes performances from the school’s big band, soul band and many student-led ensembles.
In early April, Fr Stuart led a short service at the opening of Grantham’s Mid-Lent Fair.
After successes in 2023 and 2024, we hosted Artisan Brocante Fairs in the church twice this year. The organisers have built up a selection of extremely talented artisan stall-

holders and professional vintage dealers who select beautiful and interesting items to sell on their stalls.

A Late Spring fair was held in church on Saturday 31 May (10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.).
The Christmas Fair took place on Saturday 1 November in church (10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.), when the Coffee Shop was open selling mince pies, mulled wine, soup, savoury rolls, and a selection of homemade cakes and scones.
At ‘Three Free Fridays’ in the garden at Grantham House from 7.30 p.m. (27 June, 4 July, 11 July), we embraced some of the French ‘je ne sais quoi’ with live music, a bar, and a picnic. About 1,200 people attended over the three evenings, with the highest attendance on the second evening when our own ‘Castlegate Quintet’ (including Fr Clay on guitar) provided the live music.
MJH Productions staged The Wizard of Oz in St Wulfram’s Church over Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 April.
Parishioners from St Wulfram’s, St John’s Spitalgate, and St John’s Manthorpe gathered in St Wulfram’s on the afternoon of Sunday 28 September to say farewell to Fr Clay Roundtree who was marking the end of a four-year tenure that saw significant contributions to both parish and community life. We wished Fr Clay, Frances and their family well, before their move to Metheringham. Speaking to the Grantham Journal , Fr Clay’s message for his successor was ‘to maintain stamina, humour, prayerful focus and flexibility’. He said: ‘Being in public ministry requires the ability not to take yourself too seriously, and to trust entirely in God for where you may be led.’ He commented that working with Fr Stuart had been great, calling him ‘a local treasure with a big heart’.
We hosted a Harvest Barn Dance (Saturday 4 October, 6.00 p.m.), guided by The Falling Apple Ceilidh Band. Tickets included a ploughman’s supper, and there was a bar serving wine, beer, and soft and hot drinks.
The Beer Festival ‘Land of Hops and Glory’ (run jointly with the Grantham branch of CAMRA) opened on Thursday 23 October and ran until Saturday 25 October, with the bars open from 12.00 noon to 11.00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 12.00 noon to 10.00 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors praised the festival’s wide selection including, 72 cask ales, 10 keg beers, 28 ciders, mead, cocktails and a selection of alcohol-free drinks. The opening day was a great success with attendance higher than in previous years. In total, more than 2,000 people visited from the town and from far and wide for the community event, which is a permanent feature in the Grantham calendar. Many guests commented on the historic surroundings, creating a relaxed atmosphere for catching up with family and friends. Live evening entertainment was offered from Groove Cartell, Melody Flyte, Talk of the Village and Just Rex. Visitors were also entertained by local Morris sides. We extend thanks to all who helped to make the festival such a wonderful and safe event. It is a great opportunity to share the church with people who wouldn’t normally visit, and to raise much needed funds.
There were several Parish Walks during the year: a 5-mile walk starting from The Duck at Woolsthorpe (Bank Holiday Monday 26 May); a 9-mile walk starting on the Manthorpe estate (Saturday 12 July); a 5-mile walk starting at The Reindeer Inn, Long Bennington (Bank Holiday Monday 25 August); and a 9-mile walk starting at The Green, Exton, via Greetham back to Exton, and visiting the Coffee Shop at Hambleton’s Bakery afterwards (Saturday 27 September). We are grateful to Di and Doug Hale for organising the parish walks.

Pop-up disco parties, produced by the company ‘Discos for Grown Ups’, took place in the church on Friday evenings 2 May and 14 November. Such events are enjoyed by those who attend and are good fundraisers for the church. Staging them (with a bar provided by our own Licence Committee) is hard work; but we spread the workload by paying some young people to collect empty glasses during the evening, and others to help at the end with the clear up, to avoid the volunteers present throughout the disco staying late. The dates of two further discos are already booked for 2026.
The eighth Christmas Tree Festival with skating rink ran from Wednesday 26 November to Advent Sunday, 30 November. The festival has gone from strength to strength during the 10 years since its launch, reaching the maximum capacity of 200 trees this year. The variety of trees was excellent, and many showed wonderful creativity. Wednesday’s opening ceremony began with a torchlit procession from the Market Place at 6.00 p.m. and the formal switching on of the lights in the church followed. The festival opened from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 12 noon to 4.00 p.m. on Advent Sunday (last entry 3.30 p.m.). Refreshments were served daily by a large band of volunteers organised by Di Hale, who calculated that we sold 22 dozen mince pies, 19 sliced stollen, 220 sausage rolls, 70 pork pies, together with quiche and filled rolls, and used 45 bottles of mulled wine, and 70 pints of milk! As usual, a large Prayer Tree was set up at the foot of the Lady Chapel steps, to remain in position until Candlemas. As in previous years, many hundreds of prayers were hung during the festival.
Following successes in 2022, 2023, and 2024 two Christmas wreath-making workshops were held (this time in the church rather than at Grantham House) for members of the public, on Saturday 13 December (10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon, and 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.). Materials were provided. Coffee, mince pies and mulled wine were served. A total of 60 tickets were available, and almost all were sold. We express grateful thanks to Lynn Ferguson, the tutor on these occasions, and to Val York who supported Lynn.
Almost 150 people were invited to our second ‘Volunteers Thank You evening’, which took place on Tuesday evening, 25 February. This was an opportunity for the clergy and staff team to show our deep appreciation to all the volunteers who enrich our community life in so many ways. We celebrated and gave thanks for all the time and talents our volunteers bring to enable St Wulfram’s to flourish. A delicious array of food was on the supper menu, prepared and served by our clergy. Many of those present were astonished at the numbers representing so many aspects of our church life.
In July, Lithuanian-born singer Dzulie-S (the stage name of Julie Podvorska) released a new music video filmed inside St Wulfram’s Church. The video paired haunting vocals with the church’s serene atmosphere and architectural detail.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Summary

The General Fund budget was set at a deficit of £20,375 for 2025, the actual outturn for 2025 being a net deficit of £17,451, a small improvement on budget. However, it needs to be noted that with a General Fund deficit balance of £19,111 at the start of 2025, this means that the General Fund ended the year in deficit of £36,562.

Taking into account all designated and restricted funds, the overall balance sheet commenced the year at £361,239 and stood at £259,704 at 31 December 2025, a decrease of £101,535 in the year, a large part of which was spending from the Fabric Fund on installation of the solar panels and other repairs to the roof of the church.

Commentary

Heating and lighting costs remain a significant burden which can clearly be seen in Note 3a, where half of the gas bill has been covered by the Fabric Fund. The Fabric Fund has continued to cover half of the cost of insurance of the church building, in line with previous years’ practice. Since the installation of the solar panels, the reduction in electricity used and excess sold back to the grid began to be seen later in 2025, but the full benefit will not be apparent until 2026.
St Wulfram’s Church encourages giving to support not only the church, but also the wider community, and will continue to make local, national and international donations via the Mission & Social Responsibility Sub-Group for as long as it is financially able to do so. The Mission & Social Responsibility Sub-Group donations for 2025 are outlined in the section beginning on p. 10 of the Annual Report. In addition, donations for and expenses incurred by St Wulfram’s Passage (which provides meals for the homeless and others in need) were also managed by the Mission & Social Responsibility Sub-Group. Details of collections for other charities can be seen in Note 13.
Income for the church continues to depend heavily on Planned Giving, with income of £62,778 to compare to £61,319 in 2024. The Stewardship campaign held in spring 2025 boosted income, but this uplift has been offset by other reductions in Planned Giving through the year due to changes in personal circumstances.
Fundraising income totalled £86,412 in 2025, a significant increase on the budgeted income of £60,140. This is a welcome boost to the church’s finances, but shows that limited reliance can be placed on fundraising events to achieve a surplus as the associated costs also rose by c.£10,000 against budget.
Following the National Trust’s decision to open Grantham House to the public, the General Fund has taken the lease cost for the space we now occupy. This is significantly less than the full responsibility for utilities that we previously incurred. The partnership with the NT is developing, and a focus during 2026 will be to develop joint events to maximise the income generating potential of Grantham House.
Total incoming resources to the General Fund amounted to £201,415 (2024: £186,474), and total resources expended amounted to £222,946 (2024: £202,446), resulting in a deficit for the year before transfers of £21,531 (2024: £15,972 deficit). Following transfer from restricted grant funding have been made, and General Fund is now in deficit by £36,562.
The PCC continues to develop fuller plans to rebalance income and expenditure to a level that will restore the General Fund to St Wulfram’s policy, in line with Charity Commission guidance, of being in surplus with 3 months of predicted expenditure.
The balance sheet position had decreased by £101,535 as at 31 December 2025. A major contributor to this decrease in the balance sheet was significant spending from the Restricted Fabric Fund on church maintenance. There was an unrealised gain in the overall value of financial investment assets of £718 (2023: £1,513 loss). No investment securities were sold during the year. Overall, our financial investment portfolio made

a capital gain of 0.31% (i.e. excluding income received) in 2025 (2024: 0.75% loss), and the overall value increased by 0.35% to £200,721 (2024: 0.50% decrease to £200,004). Cash on deposit and with the bank decreased by £94,424 (2024: £25,565 increase during the year).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2020 (as amended). At St Wulfram’s the membership of the PCC consists of the Incumbent, Associate Rector, Assistant Curates, retired clergy with permission to officiate, a Reader, lay Deanery Synod representatives, churchwardens, and lay members elected by those who are on the electoral roll of the church. The numbers of elected lay representatives serving on the PCC and annual co-options are governed by the number on the Electoral Roll.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including decisions on how PCC funds will be spent.
The full PCC conducted business on eight occasions during the year. The Church Representation Rules 2020, as amended allow for business to be conducted by correspondence (M29); and the PCC conducted business in this manner on four occasions in 2025. The average level of attendance for the eight in-person meetings in 2025 was 75% (as compared with an average attendance of 78% in 2024).

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

The APCM was conducted in the church on Sunday 18 May.

Electoral Roll

The Electoral Roll is the basic list in every parish of all those entitled to vote in Church of England elections. Those entitled to have their names on this roll must be 16 years of age or more and reside in the parish or be regular worshippers in the church whose Roll they wish to join. In accordance with the Church Representation Rules , the Electoral Roll is renewed every six years. By this means, the continuing validity of the roll is maintained. Joining the Roll opens the way for greater involvement in the life of our church, at deanery, diocesan and national levels, as well as being entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
Regular invitations to join our Electoral Roll are included in the weekly Community news sheet. At least six months before our annual meeting, we encourage members of our community to register on the Roll, so they can play a full part in our governance and are eligible to stand for election to the PCC, as a churchwarden, or to Deanery Synod.
A renewal of the Electoral Roll was conducted in 2025, at which point all members had to re-apply for membership or else their names were deleted. The number on roll as reported to the APCM 2025 (18 May) was 97.
Based on the size of the Roll reported to the APCM 2025, the number of places for elected lay representatives on the PCC will reduce from 15 to 9 at the APCM 2026. The

transition will be managed carefully. The triennial elections to Deanery Synod will take place at the APCM 2026, and St Wulfram’s will be invited to elect two (rather than four) lay representatives on that occasion.

The number on roll rose above 100 shortly after the APCM 2025. If the number on our roll remains at 100 or more at the APCM 2026, there will be places for a total of 12 elected lay representatives on the PCC at the APCM 2027.

PCC Standing Committee

The rules governing the PCC Standing Committee changed with the introduction of the revised Church Representation Rules 2020. Although the Standing Committee has power to transact the PCC’s business between meetings, it may not discharge a duty of the PCC, nor exercise a power of the PCC which is subject to the passing of a resolution by the PCC. The committee comprises the Rector, Associate Rector, and Churchwardens ( ex officio ) and two further members (elected by the PCC). John Manterfield and Paul Davie served on the committee throughout 2025. The Treasurer and PCC Secretary are attendees. Written reports from the committee are submitted to the PCC at the subsequent meeting.
The Standing Committee met twice this year to discuss the partnership with the National Trust at Grantham House.

PCC Sub-groups (committees)

Given its wide responsibilities, the PCC has several sub-groups (Children & Youth, Creation Care, Fabric, Finance, Licence Management [to meet obligations under the Premises Licence granted from 2018], Mission & Social Responsibility, and Social), each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. Roles and responsibilities are set out in the Terms of Reference adopted first in 2020. A new Safeguarding Sub-group was established this year to support the Parish Safeguarding Officer and the Assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer in their work. New terms of reference were adopted by the PCC in March, and members were appointed after the APCM 2025. The new sub-group held its first meeting in September.
PCC members are expected to sit on at least one sub-group. Members of the congregation are also invited to join sub-groups. Each sub-group includes at least one member of the clergy team and either one or both Churchwardens.
In the weeks leading up to the Annual Meeting (18 May), our fortnightly Community news-sheet carried a series of articles about each of the PCC’s sub-groups, to help members of the congregation understand and appreciate the significant work undertaken.
We are immensely grateful to those who chair our sub-groups for the time they devote to their role and for the dedication and knowledge that they bring to our governance. The chairs in 2025 were: Laura Cradduck (Children & Youth); Frances Roundtree (Creation Care until 30 September); John Manterfield (Fabric and, from 1 October, Creation Care); Paul Davie (Finance); Mel Fletcher (Licence Management); Tom Stockwell (Mission & Social Responsibility from 18 May, after a vacancy following the resignation of Mike Knight in 2024); Cherry Edwards (Social).
Minutes or written/oral reports of sub-group deliberations are received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.

Greater Team Days

From time to time, the Rector may gather Sub-group Chairs and Heads of Department (Director of Music, Head Server, Verger, Parish Administrator, PCC Officers) to discuss strategy concerning St Wulfram’s mission. Such a ‘Greater Team Day’ is due to take place on 10 January 2026 and will include all PCC members on that occasion.

PCC Officers: Churchwardens, Treasurer, and Secretary

Grateful thanks are expressed to Mel Fletcher and Jan Burrows who serve as churchwardens, and to Mike Knight who stood down from this role at the APCM 2025, after three years’ service.
The Bishop invites all churchwardens to attend an annual Visitation Service at which they make a formal declaration and are legally admitted to office. This year, a Visitation Service for wardens of the Boston Archdeaconry was held in St Wulfram’s Church (Tuesday 8 July), led by the Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman.
We are grateful to Ray Davie for the expertise she has brought to the role of Interim Treasurer. We are grateful also to Anna James, a PCC member, for her service as Assistant Treasurer to support the Treasurer with day-to-day book-keeping.
During the autumn, the Finance Sub-group gave thought to succession planning and agreed a job description for the PCC Treasurer, a position that was subsequently advertised on the Community news-sheet. Informal discussions took place with a potential candidate. The Finance Sub-group was due to report the outcome to the PCC in January 2026.
We also thank our Secretary (Judith Muskett) for the time she devotes to this role and for the knowledge she brings to the governance of St Wulfram’s Church.

Governance Review, August to November 2024

With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from Heritage Lincolnshire, St Wulfram’s commissioned Almond Tree Strategic Consulting Limited to conduct a light-touch review of its governance in 2024. The aim of the review (carried out between August and November 2024) was to ensure that the church’s governance was fit for purpose, given the scale and scope of its charitable activities and in the context of the emerging partnership with NT. The PCC gave initial consideration to the review report at its meeting on 21 November 2024 and considered the report in detail in January 2025 when it set up an ad hoc task group to move forward on the recommendations.
The ad hoc working group met on five occasions this year (6 May, 24 June, 22 July, 2 September, 4 November), and members were joined by one or both churchwardens from the second meeting onwards. The group worked through the report’s recommendations, paying special attention to the policy framework. By the end of 2025, six new policies had been adopted by the PCC upon the recommendation of the group: Lone Working, PCC Code of Conduct, Conflicts of Interest, Financial Controls, Donations Acceptance, and Risk Management. We are grateful to individuals on the group who worked on initial drafts. The roll-out of these policies to all our various groups will begin in 2026. There is more to be done to implement the report’s recommendations; but the group decided to take a well-earned break before resuming its business on 3 March 2026.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

St Wulfram’s Church is situated in Grantham, Lincolnshire and is part of the Diocese of Lincoln within the Church of England. The address for correspondence is: The Rectory, Church Street, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6RR.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, charity registration number 1131575, as “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Wulfram, Grantham”.
The PCC Treasurer is Rachel (Ray) Davie. The PCC Secretary is Judith Muskett (who undertook this role on a voluntary basis alongside the salaried post of Mission Facilitator until 31 May 2025). Neither the Treasurer nor the Secretary is an elected member of the PCC.
PCC members who served at any time from 1 January 2025 until the date this report was approved are set out overleaf. Six vacancies for elected members were unfilled at the APCM on 18 May 2025.

Name	Post Date if part year	Post Date if part year
Ex officio members
Father Stuart Cradduck	Incumbent, PCC Chair, Diocesan Synod, General Synod
Father Clay Roundtree	Associate Rector, Diocesan Synod	(until 30.9.25)
Mother Hannah Grivell	Assistant Curate	(until 1.6.25)
Mother Kate Hough	Assistant Curate	(until 25.5.25)
Katy Castañeda	Reader
Nick Kerry	Reader	(from 18.5.25)
Melanie Fletcher	Warden and Vice Chair
Mike Knight	Warden	(until 18.5.25)
Jan Burrows	Warden	(from 18.5.25)
Paul Davie	Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod
Cherry Edwards	Deanery Synod	(until 22.2.26)
Chris Impey	Deanery Synod
Elected members
Jan Burrows
Helen Dawkins
Tom Fletcher		(until 18.5.25)
Anna James
Philip Joyce
John Manterfield	Deanery Synod
Ese Oduyoye
James Osborn		(from 18.5.25)
Lucille Pritchard		(until 18.5.25)
Lucy Ribierre (formerly Scott)		(until 19.8.25)
Eileen West		(until 18.5.25)
Val York
Co-opted members
Mark Bates		(from 18.5.25)
Yvette Caddle		(from 18.5.25)
James Osborn		(until 18.5.25)

BankersTnvestment Managers TheCCLACo-operativeInvestment Bank,Management1 Balloon Limited,Street, Manchester Mg 4BE. 84 Queen Victoria Street, London. IndependentInsurers Examiners StreetsEcclesiasticalLLP, WindsorInsuranceHouse,Group,A1 BusinessGloucester.Park, Long Bennington.

Approved by the PCC on and signed on their behalf, pe Revd Canon Father Stuart Cradduck

26 April 2026

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ending 31st December 2025

Note INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income 2(a) Activities for generating funds 2(b) Income from investments 2(c) Church activities 2(d) TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Church activities 3(a) Fund-raising costs 3(b) Investment management costs 3(c) Governance costs 3(d) TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING RESOURCES/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS Transfers between funds 11 NET INCOMING RESOURCES/(OUTGOING RESOURCES) BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS & LOSSES Gains/(losses) on investment assets: 6(b) on sale on revaluation NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD 1st JANUARY BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 31st DECEMBER	General Designated £ 104,049 2,394 86,412 - 95 161 10,859 - 201,415 2,555 181,023 4,375 39,943 - - - 1,980 - 222,946 4,375 (21,531) (1,820) 4,080 (17,451) (1,820) 77 (17,451) (1,743) (19,111) 11,220 (36,562) 9,477 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ 80,542 6,067 7,657 8,883 103,149 182,051 - - - 182,051 (78,902) (4,080) (82,982) 2,807 (80,175) 302,265 222,090	Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - (2,166) (2,166) 66,865 64,699	2025 2024 £ £ 186,985 204,235 92,479 99,092 7,913 6,793 19,742 28,764 307,119 338,884 367,449 408,211 39,943 36,101 - - 1,980 1,920 409,372 446,232 (102,253) (107,348) - - (102,253) (107,348) - (4,241) 718 (1,513) (101,535) (113,102) 361,239 474,341 259,704 361,239 TOTAL FUNDS	2025 2024 £ £ 186,985 204,235 92,479 99,092 7,913 6,793 19,742 28,764 307,119 338,884 367,449 408,211 39,943 36,101 - - 1,980 1,920 409,372 446,232 (102,253) (107,348) - - (102,253) (107,348) - (4,241) 718 (1,513) (101,535) (113,102) 361,239 474,341 259,704 361,239 TOTAL FUNDS
					2024 £ 204,235 99,092 6,793 28,764
					338,884
					408,211 36,101 - 1,920
					446,232
					(107,348) - (107,348) (4,241) (1,513)
					(113,102) 474,341
					361,239

The notes on pages 47 to 54 form part of these accounts

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

BALANCE SHEET

As at 31st December 2025

		2025	2024
	Notes	£	£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets Investments	6(a) 6(b)	- 200,721	684 200,004
		200,721	200,688
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors	7
Short term deposits & cash at bank and inhand	8
LIABILITIES
Creditors -amounts falling due in oneyear	9	22,787	31,256
NET CURRENT ASSETS		58,983	160,551
TOTAL NETASSETS		250,704
PARISHFUNDS
Unrestricted
GeneralFund Designated Funds	10	(36,562) 9.477	(19,111) 11,220
		7,085)	(7.891)
Restricted Endowment	10 10	222,090 64,609	302,265 66,865
		59,704	361,239

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 26 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by

Father Stuart Cradduck

(PCC Chairman)

“The notes on pages 4710 54 form part of these accounts.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

2 INCOMING RESOURCES 2(a) Voluntary Income Planned giving: Gift Aid donations Tax recoverable Other Collections (open plate) Grants Other donations and appeals Choir Trips Donations box Other donations, appeals, etc. Tax recoverable Legacy income 2(b) Activities for generating funds Coffee shop Hire of church /Grantham House Sales Unit Lottery Events Bar Beer Festival Christmas Tree Festival Choir Trips Other fund-raising 2(c) Income from investments Rent from land & buildings Dividends and interest 2(d) Income from church activities Pilgrimage trip Choir Trips Other income from church activities Fees paid to PCC for weddings & funerals Income from utilities companies Insurance claim TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES	General Designated £ £ 45,835 11,459 3,984 8,483 202 8,990 17,189 2,192 3,109 5,000 104,049 2,394 6,173 8,215 577 1,030 21,136 22,729 21,230 5,322 86,412 - 95 161 95 161 2,775 4,833 3,251 10,859 - 201,415 2,555 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ 1,200 300 167 51,278 43 24,264 352 2,938 80,542 58 5,393 616 6,067 7,657 7,657 7,620 1,263 8,883 103,149	Endowment Funds £ - - - - - - -	2025 2024 £ £ 47,035 45,676 11,759 11,659 3,984 3,984 8,852 11,026 51,278 81,930 - 1,377 9,033 4,934 43,645 40,762 3,461 2,887 7,938 - 186,985 204,235 6,173 7,095 8,215 15,052 635 568 1,030 1,040 21,136 20,182 22,729 17,603 21,230 19,535 5,393 11,105 5,938 6,912 92,479 99,092 - - 7,913 6,793 7,913 6,793 - 3,788 7,620 9,198 4,038 6,027 4,833 7,371 3,251 - - 2,380 19,742 28,764 307,119 338,884 TOTAL FUNDS	2025 2024 £ £ 47,035 45,676 11,759 11,659 3,984 3,984 8,852 11,026 51,278 81,930 - 1,377 9,033 4,934 43,645 40,762 3,461 2,887 7,938 - 186,985 204,235 6,173 7,095 8,215 15,052 635 568 1,030 1,040 21,136 20,182 22,729 17,603 21,230 19,535 5,393 11,105 5,938 6,912 92,479 99,092 - - 7,913 6,793 7,913 6,793 - 3,788 7,620 9,198 4,038 6,027 4,833 7,371 3,251 - - 2,380 19,742 28,764 307,119 338,884 TOTAL FUNDS
					2024 £ 45,676 11,659 3,984 11,026 81,930 1,377 4,934 40,762 2,887 -
					204,235
					7,095 15,052 568 1,040 20,182 17,603 19,535 11,105 6,912
					99,092
					- 6,793
					6,793
					3,788 9,198 6,027 7,371 - 2,380
					28,764

					338,884

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

3 RESOURCES EXPENDED 3(a) Church activities Missionary and charitable giving (note 13) Ministry Diocesan Covenant Pledge Other ministry costs Church/Grantham House running & maintenance Heating, lighting & water Insurance Grantham House Service charge Maintenance and other costs Upkeep of services Music & choir Choir Trips Children and young people Printing, stationery & other office costs Parish magazine costs Legal & professional fees Bank charges Training & Development Other sundry expenses Pilgrimage trip Other church activities costs Wulfram Centre for Wholeness & Wellbeing activities Administration and support costs 3(b) Fund-raising costs Coffee Shop Sales Unit stock Events Bar Beer Festival Christmas Tree Festival Choir Trips Other fund-raising 3(c) Investment management costs Investment property insurance and repairs Investment property management fees 3(d) Governance costs TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	General Designated £ £ 2,000 36,667 11,698 19,859 12,393 6,937 7,861 6,643 2,672 6,681 1,486 10,135 561 875 1,294 3,467 1,703 52,466 181,023 4,375 2,448 34 7,190 16,832 10,917 2,522 39,943 - - - 1,980 - 222,946 4,375 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ 7,814 12,393 111,499 1,753 7,351 10,991 792 3,063 11 2,507 23,877 182,051 - - - 182,051	Endowment Funds £ - - - - -	2025 2024 £ £ 2,000 2,750 36,667 36,667 11,698 11,787 27,673 31,429 24,786 24,482 6,937 - 119,360 131,267 11,068 5,976 14,032 29,514 10,991 21,077 1,486 864 10,927 9,997 - 280 3,624 11,326 886 663 - 1,154 1,294 8,229 - 4,504 7,677 11,506 - 150 76,343 64,589 367,449 408,211 2,448 2,590 34 4 7,190 9,920 16,832 10,260 10,917 10,372 - 847 2,522 2,108 39,943 36,101 - - - - - - 1,980 1,920 409,372 446,232 TOTAL FUNDS	2025 2024 £ £ 2,000 2,750 36,667 36,667 11,698 11,787 27,673 31,429 24,786 24,482 6,937 - 119,360 131,267 11,068 5,976 14,032 29,514 10,991 21,077 1,486 864 10,927 9,997 - 280 3,624 11,326 886 663 - 1,154 1,294 8,229 - 4,504 7,677 11,506 - 150 76,343 64,589 367,449 408,211 2,448 2,590 34 4 7,190 9,920 16,832 10,260 10,917 10,372 - 847 2,522 2,108 39,943 36,101 - - - - - - 1,980 1,920 409,372 446,232 TOTAL FUNDS
					2024 £ 2,750 36,667 11,787 31,429 24,482 - 131,267 5,976 29,514 21,077 864 9,997 280 11,326 663 1,154 8,229 4,504 11,506 150 64,589
					408,211
					2,590 4 9,920 10,260 10,372 847 2,108
					36,101
					- -
					-

					1,920

					446,232

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

4 STAFF COSTS & EXPENSE PAYMENTS 4(a) Staff costs Wages and salaries: Gross pay Employer's NI and Pension Contributions*	2025 £ 72,666 3,990 76,656	2024 £ 104283 12,456
		116,739

*After Employment Allowance

The full-time equivalent number of staff was 2.6 (2024- 3.7) and no employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000. No wages or salaries were paid to PCC members during the year.

Grantham St Wulfram PCC participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

the Defined Benefits Scheme
the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;

a. , a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

b. , a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Pension Builder Scheme

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on the investment returns and other factors.

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared, is payable, unreduced, from age 65.

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year are the contributions payable (2025: £2,523; 2024: £3,814).

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, Grantham St Wulfram PCC could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

4(b) Payments to PCC members

4 members of the PCC were reimbursed a total of £4,520 expenses in relation to their work at St Wulfram's that was unrelated to their additional duties as PCC members. These were for travel/mileage (£3,765), phone costs (£427), meals/subsistence (£328) . A small immaterial portion of the expenses paid to the Rector may have related to his services as chairman of the PCC.

AF Electrical Installations was paid a total of £2,045 during 2025 for repair work done. Melanie Fletcher is married to the owner of the firm, but although a member of the PCC Fabric sub-group does not play a part the selection of contractors to undertake repair & maintenance work. James Maintenance Services was paid £3,967 during 2025 for maintenance work. Anna James is married to the owner of the firm but plays no part in the selection of contractors.

No other expenses, except those listed above, were paid to any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties.

5 NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

2025 Net incoming resources for the year are after charging: £ 684 1,980 FIXED ASSETS a) Tangible assets Gardening Office Equipment Photocopier £ £ Cost or deemed cost At 1st January 2025 1,950 3,990 Additions - - Disposals - - At 31st December 2025 1,950 3,990 Depreciation At 1st January 2025 1,950 3,990 Charge for the year - Disposals - - At 31st December 2025 1,950 3,990 Net book value At 31st December 2025 - - At 31st December 2024 - - Depreciation of computers & garden equipment Independent Examination of the Annual Report & Financial Statements GENERAL FUNDS	2024 £ 1,611 1,920 DESIGNATED FUNDS Office Computers £ 7,245 - - 7,245 6,561 684 - 7,245 - 684	TOTAL FUNDS £ 13,185 - -
		13,185
		12,501 684 -
		13,185

		-

		684

6 FIXED ASSETS

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

6 b) Investments Market value 1 January 2025 Additions Disposals Revaluation (loss)/gain At 31 December 2025 The market value at 31st December 2025 represents investments for: General funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds	Investment securities £ 200,004 - - 717
	200,721
	£ - - 136,022 64,699 Investment securities
	200,721

The allocation of the assets to the funds above reflects how the income is currently apportioned, the asset actually used by a particular fund is ultimately dictated by liquidity needs. Total fixed asset investment securities are within the United Kingdom and are all unlisted. They are intended to be held for longer than one year although can be sold at short notice, thereby ensuring sufficient liquidity.

8

DEBTORS Prepayments: Less than 1 year More than 1 year Tax recoverable Other debtors CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND Short term deposits Cash at bank and on hand Other	2025 £ 3,821 - 901 22,066 26,788 2025 £ 10,080 44,902 - 54,982	2024 £ 7,442 558 869 33,532
		42,401

		2024 £ 30,080 119,326 -
		149,406

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

9 LIABILITIES Amounts falling due in one year Accruals for utility costs Accruals for other costs Deferred income*	2025 £ 4,023 9,516 9,248 22,787	2024 £ 8,871 15,261 7,124
		31,256

*Deferred income is made up of fundraising & contributions for fututre choir trips

The movement in deferred income is analysed below:

Balance as at 1st January Amounts added in current period Amounts released to income from previous periods Balance as at 31st December	2025 £ 7,124 9,248 (7,124) 9,248	2024 £ 3,960 7,124 (3,960)
		7,124

9b OPERATING LEASE

The charity has future liabilities under non-cancellable operating leases as follows

Office Equipment (photocopier)	< 1yr 388	1-5 yrs -	> 5 yrs -

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

10 FUNDS Designated Funds Funeral collections "in memoriam" Mission & Social Responsibility Funeral collections "in memoriam" Restricted Income Funds 5050 booklet appeal A Pinchbeck fund AG Hardy fund books for lay readers Book of Remembrance Cathedral Music Trust & Transformation Fund Music Chained (Trigge) library Choir Fund Clarkes Charity Downton bequest Grantham House Grant Fund Fabric fund Flowers Friends of Cathedral Music Grant Langwith Charity Mental Health First Aid Training - The Benefact Trust Organ Fund P Burdett bequest South Porch & Garden of Remembrance Strategic Development Funding (SDF) / LDT&BoF	As at 1st Jan 25 £ 5,103 6,116 11,219 Collections at funeral As at 1st Jan 25 £ 1,146 2,154 2,756 301 16,676 1,460 3,521 1,143 10,333 2,720 246,854 1,783 1,766 6,242 2,083 119 977 228 - 302,262	Incoming Resources £ 509 3,036 3,545 services for the benefi Incoming Resources £ 34 93 163 9 15,950 8,715 20,067 115 287 54,726 1,922 875 1,101 3 29 7 11,641 115,737	Resources Investment Expended Gains/(Losses) £ £ 77 (5,364) (5,364) 77 t of St Wulfram designated for use to purchase fixtu Resources Investment Expended Gains/(Losses) £ £ 16 31 40 4 (15,505) (7,190) 41 (15,593) 111 17 (640) 137 (2,720) (137,596) 2,255 (1,765) 27 (1,225) 19 (762) 91 2 14 3 (11,641) (194,637) 2,808	Transfers £ - res, fittings and oth Transfers £ (4,080) (4,080)	As at 31st Dec 25 £ 5,689 3,788 9,477 er items 'in memoriam'. As at 31st Dec 25 £ 1,196 2,278 2,959 314 13,041 3,026 8,106 1,275 10,117 - 166,239 1,967 1,435 6,672 2,083 124 1,020 238 - 222,090

5050 booklet appeal Funds for the colour guide to the church. A Pinchbeck fund Income to be applied for use by the servers. AG Hardy fund books for lay readers Income to be applied to reader ministry.

A Pinchbeck fund AG Hardy fund books for lay readers Book of Remembrance Cathedral Music Trust & Transformation Fund Music grants Chained (Trigge) library Choir Fund Clarkes Charity Downton bequest Grantham House Grant Funding Fabric fund Flowers Friends of Cathedral Music Grant Langwith Charity Mental Health First Aid Training - The Benefact Trust Organ Fund P Burdett bequest South Porch & Garden of Remembrance Strategic Development Funding (SDF)

Donation from the Machine Gun Corp for preservation of the Book of Remembrance.

Grants from CMT and Lincoln Diocesan Trust & Board of Finance for additional staffing of the music department, repurposed in 2024 with the agreement of the donors. Book restoration and upkeep of Trigge Library funded by donations for the purpose. Donations & fund raising for choir and music expenditure.

Beautifying the church.

Rector & churchwardens discretionary fund. Grants relating to the formation of the National Trust partnership on Grantham House Income from bequests, legacies and other donations for preservation of the church fabric. Purchase of flowers funded by donations for the purpose. Income from endowment for St.Wulfram's Music for Choral Scholarships. Discretionary fund for distribution to poor. Benefact Trust grant for Mental Health First Aid training Donations to meet the running costs of the organ. Vestments for servers and clergy. Donations for upkeep of the South Porch and Garden of Remembrance. Strategic Development Funding from Lincoln Diocesan Trust & Board of Finance.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

10 FUNDS (continued) Endowment Funds A Pinchbeck fund A G Hardy fund Clarkes Charity (REGISTERED) Donal charity (REGISTERED) Fabric fund Friends of Cathedral Music Endowment Grant Hodds bequest Langwith Charity (REGISTERED) Miss Harrison bequest P Barnes Fund A Pinchbeck fund A G Hardy fund Clarkes Charity (REGISTERED) Donal charity (REGISTERED) Fabric fund Friends of Cathedral Music Endowment Grant Hodds bequest Langwith Charity (REGISTERED) Miss Harrison bequest P Barnes Fund	As at Incoming Resources Investment Transfers 1st Jan 25 Resources Expended Gains/(Losses) £ £ £ £ £ 1,013 - - 14 - 2,760 - - 38 - 2,737 - - 38 134 - - 2 - 19,885 - - (795) - 28,815 - - (1,100) - 2,419 - - 34 - 8,462 - - (405) - 461 - - 6 - 179 - - 2 - 66,865 - - (2,166) - Income to be applied for use by the servers. Income to be applied to reader ministry. Income to be applied one third to orphans and two thirds to beautifying the church. Discretionary fund for distribution to the poor - income transferred to the general fund. Income to be applied for church fabric - income transferred to the fabric restricted income fund Income for St.Wulfram's Music for Choral Scholarships allocated to restricted income fund of s Income transferred to general funds to set against cost of verger, bellringers, servers and choir. Discretionary fund for distribution to poor. Income transferred to general funds to set against cost of choir, music etc Income to be applied for the children of parish - transferred to general funds to set against cost	As at 31st Dec 25 £ 1,027 2,798 2,775 136 19,090 27,715 2,453 8,057 467 181 64,699 . ame name. of Sunday Club & other children's ministry expenses.

11 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

Transfers between general and restricted funds normally represent a one-off transfer of incoming resources applied to restricted funds where resources expended for the same purpose have previously been met from general funds. Within year remission was given for a grant previously given for the employent of an Assistant Director of Music to be used to meet the cost of occassional organists totalling £2,015. Amounts of £1843 donated for providing support to the poor & prevoiusly allocated to the designated Mission Fund were decided to be better kept within the Langwith Fund until needed.

12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS by fund General funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 13 MISSIONARY & CHARITABLE GIVING Mission & Social Responsibility Other charitable giving The Children's Society Macmillan Wateraid Christian Aid Samaritans Grantham Foodbank Vouchers for families	Fixed Assets £ - - 136,022 64,699 200,721 General £ 2,000 2,000 Unrestrict	Current Assets £ (27,223) 11,528 97,465 - 81,770 Designated £ - ed Funds	Liabilities £ (9,339) (2,051) (11,397) - (22,787) Restricted Funds £ 619 270 65 127 750 1,831	Total £ (36,562) 9,477 222,090 64,699 259,704 Endowment Funds £ -	TOTAL FUND 2025 £ 2,000 619 270 65 127 - - 750 3,831	S
						2024 £ 2,750 581 374 - 150 84 34 20
						3,993

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

To the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Wulfram, Grantham

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Wulfram, Grantham (the Trust), for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 45 & 46.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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:

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

24 April 2026

Chris Hubbard, FCA

Streets LLP Windsor House A1 Business Park at Long Bennington Nottingham NG23 5JR

St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham Parochial Church Council

Annual Report & Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

AIM AND PURPOSES

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

PEOPLE

Staff

Holders of the Bishop’s Licence

Guild of Servers

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

St Wulfram’s as an SDF Urban Resource Church

St Wulfram’s: Worship and Prayer

Occasional Offices

Mission and Social Responsibility

Safeguarding

Our resource centre at Grantham House

Music

Organ teaching school

Wider music programme

Church Community

(a) Children, Young People and Families

(b) Pastoral Care

(c) Community groups

Church and Fabric

Caring for Creation

Church flowers

Ringing at St Wulfram’s

Hospitality for Pilgrims and Visitors

Trigge Library

Archive

Learning opportunities

Ministry training

Major Churches Network

Inclusive Church

Diocese of Lincoln

• ‘Time to Grow Together’

• South Kesteven Deanery Partnership

• Diocesan pilgrimage to Taizé

Grantham Deanery

Ecumenical relations

Communication

Special Events (including those for fund raising)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Summary

Commentary

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

Electoral Roll

PCC Standing Committee

PCC Sub-groups (committees)

Greater Team Days

PCC Officers: Churchwardens, Treasurer, and Secretary

Governance Review, August to November 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

BALANCE SHEET

Father Stuart Cradduck

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pension Builder Scheme

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at 31st December 2025

4(b) Payments to PCC members

5 NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

6 FIXED ASSETS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9b OPERATING LEASE

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST WULFRAM, GRANTHAM

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT