The Parish of Thorpe St Andrew ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of the Parochial Church Council of Thorpe St Andrew for the year ended 31 December 2024 In mrmuryofihvit who lusi lbtrlti￿S due to The Gie4t Thorpe Rallway Dlsaster Ilyih Sepltmbey i nr&mbyfr4 LfoJJlVIlilMSUnryrw 14b lthii Thrn￿lI￿Iry S￿rtI aVlbJl.It C*otl¢ P4se Curnm¢ryroralL'd 81 tlie lJfoih An#lYorJyry 5¢pl¢mbvr RU?..I Incumbent The Revd James Stewart The Rectory, 212 South Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 OEY Telephone 01603 439160 Email rector@thorpeparishchurch.org Bank Barclays plc, Norwich St Stephen's Branch, 5-7 Red Lion Streel Norwich, NR13QH Registered Charity No 1131592 Parochial Church Counci l_(PCC) Background The PCC was Lintil 2009 a Charity exempted from registration with the Charity Commission. It is now a registered charity, No. 1131592, which has the responsibility of co.operatin￿ with the Rector in promoting In the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistTC, social and ecumenical. It also has tnaintenance commltments for the Parish Church, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the St Andrew's Centre complex. Membership Members of the PCC are the Trustee5 and are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year the following served as members of the PCC: Clergy The Revd James Stewart Rector Wardens Dr Andrew Hayden Mr John Ward Elected Mrs Ann Cox Mrs Jenny Fuller Dr Andrew Hayden Mrs Margaret Hope Mrs Pip Jenkinson Secretary Mrs Chrristlne Cutting Treasurers Mr Paul Green Mr Juliall Mogford Mr lan Mackie Mr Jullan Mogford Mrs Linda Olney Mr Graham Rowland {RIP 18 March 2025) Mr V7Ctor Scrivens Mr John Ward hAr Adam Wegg Mrs Nicole King Fabric Officer Safeguardlng Officer Representative on Norwich East Deanery Representative on Norwich East Deanery Representative on Norwich East Deanery Mrs Ann Cox Mr lan Mackie Mr VTCtor 5crfvens Committees The PCC operates through a number of committees. They meet between fLFII meetings of the PCC and, after discussing subjects Within their remit, report and make recommendation5 to that body, The Standing Committee is the only committee required by law. It ha5 power to transact the biisiness of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. It's current membership is the Rector, ChLrrchwardens, PCC Secretary and Treasurers. The PCC appolnts thls group. The Finance Committee oversees the general financial dimension of the work of the PCC by budgetlng, monitoring income and expenditure, considering and recommending investment pollcies. The Property Committee has in the past attended to matters reLaLing to Church buTldlngs and their fixtures and fittTngs, including e. g. their inspection, malntenance and decoration. The committee during 2024 has been included in the brief of the Finance Committee. The Pastoral Care / Bereavement GrDUP attends to the needs of local people for pastoral care by attending to the needs of the familles of those whose loved ones have died in recent years and those who are unw.ell,'irA,'pur pa'rFSEt.' The St Andre￿5 Centre Management Group attends to matters directly concerning the St Andrew's Centre Church Hall, including e.g. the regular tnaintenance, decoratlDll, letting and caretakTng arrangements etc. The Fundraising Committee arranges fundraising activities, social functions and promotes fellowshTp within the parish and community. REVIEWS OF THE YEAR THE RECTOR'S REPORT Introduction Our parish, with its two churche5, church hall and churchyard extension are much loved parts of our community. In 2024 the light of Christ has shone brightly with our worship and many activities done in service of Christ throughout the year. You will find in this report contributions from some very faithful volunteers who give freely of their time in the service of the one true Light which the darkness can never overcome. What a privilege it is to lead this parish as Recior, surrounded by faithful Chrlstians giving of their best to bring hope and light to all who live in this communityl In line with last year's report, l am no longer providing a month-by-month report but instead l am focusing on some of the key moments in the year. Ministry Team l am delighted that, during 2024, Linda Stone, Licensed Lay Minister (with Permission to Officiate) joined our team. She has already rnade a positive impact preaching, leading prayer5 and helping with many fundraising activities. Adam, Nicole and myself very much welcome her to the team. Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2024 Thi5 year we held a Lent Course at the Rectory, following the Church of England's Lent material. In Holy Week we were able to hold most services similar to our pre-pandemic programme wth good congregations and an excellent Easter Fun Day in the St Andrew's Centre. We were able to distribute nearly 60 Easter eggs to our children and young people. It is clear that this is much appreciated. Muslc Recitals Another relatively new addition to our calendar, but something which people often ask about. This serle5 showcases our fabuLous organ and the talents of our recitalists incLuding the series coordinator, our own Andrew Hayden. It took place this year in May and was much appreciated by those who attended. We were also deLighted to welcome back the Bohemian Choir from Liberec in the Czech Republic. The choir 15 made up of students training to be teachers and gave a wonderful concert for us on 24 April. Thank you also to Pip Jenkinson for directing, producing and performing in the fabulous Sumrner Concert and Strawberry Tea - one of our standout events of each year, Plant Sale This initiative, begun in 2020 as something that was possible amidst the difficuLt Covid. 19 restrictions, has rapidly become one of our flagshlp events, which is much enquired about. It continues to raise good funds, and l am very grateful to Margaret Hope and all the gardening team who worked so hard this year, Truckers, Weekend The last weekend of August continues to be a special one for our comrnunity as we greet the East Coast Truckers, Convoy of young people as they came through Thorpe St Andrew on their way to the coast. This year we were featured on BBC TV, thanks to reporter, Jenny Kirk. We then held a super barbecue at the Rectory in the afternoon, with thanks to alL who helped. Harvest Festival and'Lunch Our Harvest Festival took place at the Church of the Good Shepherd and afterwards in the St Andrew's Centre for the Harvest Lunch. A collection was taken for the Foodbank in money and food. My thanks go to Ann Cox, Jenny Fuller, Linda Olney and their team for the excellent lunch and for decorating the Church with Harvest flowers. 150th Anniversary of Tlie Great Thorpe Railway Disaster 10 September 1874 was a sad day_ in_the life of our community since, owing to a breakdown in communications, trains coming in opposite directions collided on a Stormy night on a piece of single line track close to the River Green and near what is now the Rushcutters Pub, Phyllida Scrivens has written an excellent book about the events 150 years ago and with a working group, chaired by myself, she helped coordinate a series th of event5 in the town to mark the 150 anniversary, including a poignant event at the River Green on the actual ann7versary, filmed by ITV Anglia News, and culminating in a servlce at the Parish Church led by the Bishop of Norwich on Sunday 15 September, at which he unveTLed a memorTal plaque, raised through many generous donations. Annual Memorial Service We held our annual seNice was those who have been bereaved during the year on Sunday 3 November at the Parish Church, This was very well attended and it well received by the families whom we serve. My thanks go to the members of the Pastoral Care and Bereavement Group who helped plan this service. Warm and Wellness Fund With thanks to the Thorpe St Andrew Trust we continued to help those who needed it through the Warm and Wellness Fund. This has benefitted several Thorpe St Andrew residents. Christmas We began Advent with the Christmas Tree Festival and welcomed many organisations in our community to display ChrTStmas Trees In the Parish Church. With the help of members of Thorpe St Andrew CounciL the lights were switched on at River Green. We welcomed many into our church, who received a warm welcome and kind hospitality. Father Christmas was a great success! We held Carol Services at both churches, with the Usual services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - crTb services, midnight masse5 and Christmas morning service - all with very good attendances. The Wa(1 This has been ongoing but there was a sense, as we got to the end of 2024, that we are getting cLoser to the completion of this project. It will be a relief to do so with huge thanks to Andrew Hayden who has been liaising with the contractors and w7th grateful thanks to those who have donated generously. Bingo In January 2024 we began monthly afternoons of Bingo. It has been a great succes5 and is much appreciated by the members of our community who attend. It was begun as a community engagement initiative but has already started to provide funds for us. Cafe Church We continue to welcome new young families to our informal worship which takes place once a month at the St Andrew's Centre. We began a trial of the time of 3.00pm on a Sunday afternoon. Many of our Cafe Church family now help with prayers, crafts and refreshments but l am particularly grateful to Nicole, Adam and Linda who have been strong leaders of this, Facebook contlnues... Sadly, our much loved and excellent Facebook page was hacked in 2024. We Set up a new page The Pansh Church of.-.Thorpe.St Andrew. This is once again streaming serrfces which is.a lifeliné for some parishioners. Parish Life Our 'in house, produced parish magazine is saving us a fortune and now makes a smalL profit. We wouLd encourage leaders of organisatlons in Thorpe to provide reports when they are able. General Activitie5 Many of our general activities are reported elsewhere in this report. Koffee and Kotnpany Is still growing and is a very popular place for people to come and..chat once a month with coffee and a lunch. Junior Choir continues - and we have recruited some new members! The Fundraising Cornmittee (Funcom) under the chairrnanship of Victor Scrivens, reported elsewhere, has done a tremendous job in bringing us together and raising vitaL funds for OLJr churches this year and 15 an opportunity not just to raise funds but to come together in fun and fellowship. The Pastoral Care and Bereavement Group has met throughout the year and its work is much appreciated. The Gardening Team, Cleaning Tearn, Flower Team and many more teams have continued to work very hard in 2024. Other involvernent Along with remaining an Honorary Priest Vicar of Norwich Cathedral, which causes me from time to sing as Cantor at Evensong, I continue to sit as a nominee of the Church Urban Fund on the Board of our joint venture between the Diocese and the Church Urban Fund 'Imagine Norfolk Together,, which rnainly manage5 two Development Workers in Great Yarmouth and King'5 Lynn respectively, who help facilitate a number of exciting project5 tackling poverty in thelr locations, l also remain a member of the Diocesan Board of Patronage, and am a Trustee of our local burial trust, now the Thorpe St Andrew Trust. l am Chaplain (Padre) to the Royal British Leglon Thorpe St Andrew Branch. I remain Chair of Governor5 of Hillside Avenue Primary 5chooL and Nursery. l am also a Governor of Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form. l act In an informal capacity in a chaplaincy role for several Other Thorpe St Andrew organisations. In 20241 was appointed as Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers, Union and Chaplaln to the Norwich Branch of the Royal Naval Association. Those whom we love, but see no longer A5 always, we remember In sorrow and thanksglving those who have passed away in 2024. We continue to serve our wider community by helping families remember their Loved ones at funeral services, but particularly record with thanksgiving the contribution rnade by those who were 'living stones, of our body of Chrlst, if they were either on our electoral roLI or contributed to our life together in some other way - Ben Young, Shirley Larn, Rita Ward, John Hurley, Margaret Hawes, Maureen Goodswen, David Mackie, Mandy Wegg, John Turner, Mabel Willimont, Ronnie Mobbs, Nick Olney, June Fisher, Don Buckingham. May they all rest in peace. Thank you to all the team l am very grateful to Nicole, Adam and Linda who with myself form our magnificent Ministry Team. l am very thankful for John Ward and Andrew Hayden for their Invaluable and generous support as churchwardens, Both work very hard, often behind the scenes, supporting the work of this parish. l am al50 very thankful for Christine Cutting who has continued to assist with our administration and has acted as PCC secretary, faithfully coming to church every Saturday morning and being an excellent help. Julian Mogford and Paul Green have worked very hard as Treasurers, and l am very grateful for their attention to details and hours of hard work. l also record my huge gratitude to the Finance Committee which looks in rnore detail at our finances. I record with particuLar fondness Nick Olney who served on that Committ￿ for many years with great distinction. At the Church of the Good Shepherd thanks go to the dedication of Ann Cox and Jenny Fuller in Looking after the Ilfe of the Church of the Good Shepherd. However there are many more to thank because the church only runs because an ever increasing list of peoble. viho offer their time freely to complete our corporate life togethèr'""dfdahiriÈ"- polishing, washing linen, administration, working wfth our young people, acting a5 5ides- persons, making coffee, serving, gardening, acting on our PCC, acting as Caretaker, editlng and contributing to our Parish Life magazine, or contributing food for any of our functions... land much morel) Finally thank you to all of you, who make UP the unique body of ChrisL which we are here in Thorpe St Andrew. May God bless you alll Fr Jomes CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL 2024 The number of persons on the Roll at 31 December 2024 was 120. Every six years the church is asked to renew its electoral roll. It shows a sign of commitment to our life together. If you live in Thorpe St Andrew you are entitled to be on the Electoral Roll and it does not require any attendance at church at all. If you are part of our wider body of Chrlst from further afield you do need to confirm Worship in the last six months. Tliis will be happening in 2025, FINANCIAL RESERVES POLICY Christine Cuttins At the PCC Meeting in January 2012, acting on the advice of the Diocesan Secretary (who was present), it wa5 proposed and agreed that the General Fund Reserve should be reduced to £17,000.00. Neither the PCC nor the Finance Committee have altered this decision so it remains in force. Fr James Chair- Finance Committee CLERGY COVENANT ON WELLBEING This was introduced as an item in our PCCS in 2021. Whilst the Parish have not yet been asked to adopt thi5, the PCC have wholeheartedly welcomed this and are ensurlng through rneetings of the Churchwardens with clergy ensure that the issue of clergy wellbeing is kept on the agenda and addressed where appropriate. John Word and Andrew Haydgn Churchwardens DEANERY SYNOD REPORT We are part of the Norwich East Deanery groLlP of churches, which includes all the city centre churches. The Deanery Synod meets to discuss and share our work as local Church of England communities, and holds 4 {evening) meetings a year, incLuding for worship on Ascension Day, which took place at St Paul's Tuckswood. During 2024 we heard about the '5tate of Norwich, and its needs, debated motions on PaLestine and church funds, and heard about 3 examples of churches serving their local community: through a drop in 'hot spot,, English teaching for refugees and supporting homeless people. Huge thanks to our Deanery Synod representatives - Ann Cox, lan Mackie and Victor Scrivens. THORPE ST ANDREW EPISCOPI 100 CLUB Fr Jomes The 100 Club continues to be a successful fundraising venture within the Church and the wider Parish. The current year WILL run from October 2024 to September 2025, with 2 prizes, 1 of £25, 1 of £15 being awarded on a monthly basis. 103 numbers were allocated this year. Many thanks to David Debenham who has once again examined the accounts; and thank you to all who have supported the cLub meaning that this year £750 has been donated to Church funds. Linda Olney & Ann Cox RISK ASSESSMENT The PCC continues to monitor risks and consequences. Risk assessment documents have been published by the DAC and Ecclesiastical Insurar7ce. A Risk Log has been prepared for both church premises. Fr James- , QUINQUENNNIAL The Quinquennial inspections for both the Parish Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd have been undertaken and the reports are awaited, John Ward & Andrew Hayden Churchworden5 FUND RAISING COMMITTEE (Funcom) 2024 began with a splendid evening, courtesy of our own Matt Green. Under his professional name of Matt Wiseman, he brought a new approach to our events, with his friend Amelia and fellow performers. Andrew Hayden looked after the sound and lighting, providing support and it was a delightful evening enjoyed by us all. Charlie Chaplin was the centre of attention at our February film night, once more provided by Andrew. Special thanks once again to those stalwarts who provided the pizzas and hot dogs. Our thanks yet again to Christine Cutting, who did a sterling job organising our two fairs, one in the Spring and the other in the Autumn. Mixing those stall holders from outside the parish with our own, adds an extra dimension to the prc(eedings. Hard work but lots of fun, bringing local people together. Our Quiz and Chips evenings fjn April and September contlnued to test our teams and proved as popular as ever. And then our Murder Mystery in May ! Complex and confusing as ever, nevertheless, there were some clever and astute members of our audience who managed to unmask the fiendish assaiLant. Will they manage in May this year I Wonder? Pip Jenkinson once again did us proud with her Summer Concert and Strawberry Tea in June. Memories certainLy were Made Of This. The 1920's therned Summer Church Fete brought in many families from alL over Thorpe St Andrew, with lots of activities for young and old, once again demonstrating the support for using the area around the village green. The real centre of the Thorpe St Andrews community. In September we had another film frotn Andrew's collection, "An Appointment with Death" with Peter Ustinov taking the part of Agatha Christie's HercuLe Poirot for the sixth and last tlme. Another splendid year of enjoyment was provided for the people of Thorpe St Andrew, whilst raising essential funds for our Church. Our thanks to those helpers and members of the Funcom team. Victor Scrivens, Cholr Fundralsing Cornmittee (Funcom) TREASURERS REPORT Once agair), we have to report a challenging year with increases in costs from most of our suppliers. We would like to thank, as always, the people who give us f antastic support behind the scenes: Margaret Hope, Robert Chalmers and Chris Seago and the members of the Finance Committee. We also wish to thank Mel Friend for undertaking the independent examination of the accounts. Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Chris who is moving away from the area but wish him well for the future. We have had some major projects, and we have managed to obtaln grants for the majorlty of the expenditure and outlay for items, such as the long overdue replacernent of the water boiler in the Parish Church kitchen, for which we have received donation5. The repairs to our wall continued to be at the forefront of our finances with co,rysiderably more monies needing to be raised. We are most grateful for the continued support of the parishioners, the Funcom (Fundraising Committee) who organise our fund-raising events, Margaret Hope and Alistair Stewart for our PLant sales and donation5 from the Child and Thorpe St Andrew Burial Trusts. Paul Green & Julian Mogford Treasurers THE CHURCHWARDEN'S REPORT John looks after 'Front of House, welcoming visitors on a Sunday morning and ensuring there are always people available for Sidesman Duty. We are very grateful to Liz Martin for doing the Sunday morning catering, and John will step in on the odd Sunday when Liz is not available. We thank Christine Cutting and all those who regularly come to church on Saturday morning5 to clean the church and to all those who look after our churchyard sardens and grounds at both churches, and to tliose who provide the lovely flower displays, Andrew, as well as being Church Organist (also projectionist and organizer of our very popular Heritage Filrn Nights) looks after the property side. The lighting in the Parish Church has recently been upgraded to L.E.D. and I think everybody agrees that it gives us a much brighter church. The Fund.A.Flint Appeal for the collapsed wall continues to grow and we WILI be in a Position for the rebuilding work to get under way in the next few weeks. A new water heater has been purchased for the small kitchen at the rear of the Parish Church, Thls will be fitted shortly and will enable us to provide hot water for coffee without the need of kettles and jug5, Fire Risk Assessments have been completed on all our premises. Paul Green has been appointed as our Flre & Safety Officer and he has produced a comprehensive book of checklists which is just being put into use. Once the Wall has been completed, w- will be looking at the heating in the Parlsh Church. This has long been problematic and advice was received frorD Nonvich Diocesan Advisory Committee in 2022. Based on that, we vllll be getting qUOLes and investTgating possible grants and donation5. We appreciate t.he work of the Parochial Church Council in giving consideration to all the above matters. The wider Thorpe St Andrew Cornmunity continue to enjoy the live stream services and our event5 and special services. Christmas saw a full range of well attended services and events, especially the Christmas Light Switch-on, We WOLJld like to thank our Ministry Team: Fr James, Linda, Nichole, Adam, Graham, Alan, Dominika, Harriet and the choir and others who help out. We also thank our treasurers Julian and Paul and those who assist behind the scenes. Andrew Hayden & John Word Churchwardens Thorpe Sl, Androw Parochlal Church Council Flnan¢lal Statamonts for the yèar &nded 31 DeGemb8r 2024 ote Unrestdcled D8slgnaled R8sMcled Fu Fun Fund Total 20 Toial 2023 Recel ts Voluntary recaipt$ Collection$ 81 Servic6S Planned glvlng Gift Aid Olh8r glvlnglrocelpls Actlvlllas for generating funds Church &cllvlli8s Inveslmgnl income Grants Legacles 17.466 12,254 8,360 7,147 12,144 30,115 3,493 3,000 17,466 12,254 8,360 33,917 12,144 30,115 3,493 3,000 19,963 11,291 7,Q92 20,568 12,079 41.276 1,071 550 26,770 97 114 29LI Total Receipts ments Church activltles Parish Share Clergy and Stsfflng Church running exp&nses Mission giving Building work & r8pairs Cost of generating funds Admin Costs Othor expgnditur& 30,000 2,897 19,712 518 3,551 6,852 8,360 30,000 2,897 20,000 3,610 21,894 298 3,793 5.313 7,611 288 249 3,800 6,855 8.360 2,762 2,762 89 102 033 Total Payments r