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2020-12-31-accounts

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH

WATFORD

Mildred Avenue, Watford WD18 7DY

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2020

Incumbent

The Revd Dr Geoffrey Calvert

Bank: Barclays Bank High Street Watford WD17 2BE

Independent Examiner: Karen Pryse 18 Frankland Road Croxley Green WD3 3AU

St Michael and All Angels PCC is a Registered Charity No 1132010

Index

Index
Accounting Policies 8
Annual Report 1
Annual Report for 2020 2
Balance Sheet 10
Children & Young Families Network 16
Churchwardens' Message 1
Committees 4
Deanery Synod 16
Electoral Roll 7
Estates Committee 17
Financial Activities 11
Financial Notes 12
Food Bank 18
Independent Examiners Report 14
Mission Action Plan 5
Mission and Charitable Giving 15
Mission Committee 18
Music 18
Parochial Church Council 3
Review of the Year 6
Treasurer’s Report 9
Welcome and Introduction 1

Dear Friends,

Church life in 2020 has been dominated, except for a few months at the start, by the coronavirus pandemic. During the first lockdown, the only church activities that could take place were online. At the start, clergy were even forbidden from entering the Church to take services, and services were recorded from the Vicarage. Subsequently, we were able to record services in Church, and then livestream. During the summer, we were able to have services with a congregation in Church, socially distanced, and with recorded choral music provided by the choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields. The services continued to be livestreamed. In the latter half of the year, we were affected by a second lockdown, and a period of tiered coronavirus restrictions.

During this time, members of the congregation have engaged in a Zoom coffee morning on Saturdays, which has become an important fixture in many people’s weekly routine, and has given us some chance to meet socially, if virtually. The Food Bank continued to operate from St Michael’s.

A network was established to keep in touch with vulnerable members of the congregation by telephone, and I am very grateful to those who have been organised and taken part in this.

I must also pay tribute to the loyalty shown by the congregation in their financial giving. Due to this loyalty, we ended 2020 in a much better financial position than might otherwise have been expected. We also learned, in 2020 of a substantial legacy from the estate of Marion Craddock Jones, and we thank her most profoundly.

During the year, we welcomed two new members to our Ministry Team. Bridget Russell was licensed to St Michael’s as a reader, and The Revd Stephen Mepham as Associate Priest. Both have already made very valuable contributions to our Church life in many ways.

At the end of the year, our children and young people took part in an online crib service, which was very well received, and viewed widely on YouTube

With my love and prayers

It feels a bit as if we’re in a time warp! We wrote to commend the last Annual Report a year ago, at the start of the Pandemic, which meant that the Report was not actually presented until October.

So much has happened in the last year and we have all had to do many things differently, or not at all. A year ago we were feeling apprehensive - even fearful, yet confident in God’s loving mercy. We feel our faith has been vindicated in so many ways, as this Report testifies with its blend of faith, imagination and commitment.

So, in warmly commending this Report we want to thank you for your encouragement. Our meetings may have been virtual but your support has been very real. Thank you!

Page 1

St Michael and All Angels PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Rev. Dr Geoffrey Calvert, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibilities for the maintenance of the Curate’s House, 57 Whippendell Road, Watford and Littlebury Hall. In addition, it owns and has responsibilities, as defined in the Lease, for the West Watford Multi-Cultural Community Centre formerly known as St. Michael's Hall.

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our Church and become part of our parish community at St Michael's. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

Activities for the year have been undertaken in the light of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

These activities have been seriously affected by the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020, but have taken place in new and different ways, in addition to what has been possible of our regular activities.

We seek to enable members of the community to engage with the Christian faith through:

The Church building at St Michael's and the ancillary buildings are the essential resources for this work to take place, although the ability to livestream services and use the Internet in various ways has been increasingly important in 2020.

The PCC: has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). The House of Bishops' Guidance Documents “Protecting all God's Children” and “Promoting a Safer Church". have been issued to PCC members, and are available from the Vicar on request. Those requiring a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure have received them, and the ongoing programme of Diocesan and Deanery safeguarding training for those who require this has begun.

The Vicar is supported and assisted in ministry by colleagues, both ordained and lay. The Revd Stephen Mepham has joined us as Associate Priest, and Bridget Russell as reader. The Revd George Ochola, Honorary Assistant Priest, has only been able to join us in Church infrequently during 2020, due to his role as Hospital Chaplain during the COVID pandemic, but is still loved and valued as a minister here. Mrs Violet Allen-Smith has had to withdraw from active involvement in ministry, and we pay tribute to her past service and commitment, and look forward to her continued worship with us. Dr Martin Heath, Emeritus Reader, also supports the Church's Mission in a number of ways. Other members of the congregation engage in pastoral care, and there is a Pastoral Care Group which supports the Vicar in this area of the Church's ministry.

Page 2

Members of the PCC 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:

Incumbent: The Revd Dr Geoffrey Calvert (Chairman) Licensed Ministers: The Revd Stephen Mepham (Associate Priest) Mrs Bridget Russell (Reader) Churchwardens: Mrs Gillian Heath Mrs Elizabeth Watkin Representatives on Mr Martin Matthews the Deanery Synod Mrs Victoria Matthews to 2023 (one vacancy) To serve to 2021 Mr Andrew Kiddle, Mr Duncan Turton To serve to 2022 Mr Simon Fowle, Cllr Mark Watkin To serve to 2023 Mrs Marcella Browne, Mrs Sylvia Moring, Mrs Jane Talbot

Honorary Treasurer – Mr Duncan Turton

Electoral Roll Officer – Mr Simon Fowle

Safeguarding Officer – Mrs Marcella Browne

Data Controller – The Revd Geoffrey Calvert

PCC Minutes Secretary – Rotating between Members

PCC Diocesan Liaison Secretary – Mrs Valerie Blacklock

Annual Report Compilation – Mr Henry and Mrs Sylvia Moring

Insurance advisor – Mr Duncan Turton

Mr Rob White

Page 3

The PCC operates through a number of committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. The committees have continued to function during 2020, using video conferencing.

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The Vicar, the Wardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer constitute the Standing Committee.

Oversees the financial dimension of the work of St. Michael and All Angels by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting, and initiating and authorising fundraising activities. (There is a fuller set of terms of reference for the finance committee)

Attends to matters relating to the fabric of the church, halls, grounds and the curate’s house;

Oversees the management of the Littlebury Hall.

Seeks to foster support for the life and mission of the worldwide Church through prayer, publicity, events and visiting speakers;

To make recommendations to the PCC for the annual allocation of mission & charitable giving.

The committee fosters contact with all organisations associated with St. Michael and All Angels, providing catering for parish functions and supports other activities where appropriate.

Fosters Christian growth among young people in the age group 0 – 18 years.

Page 4

Our Diocese of St Albans encourages us in mission through Living God's Love, attending to the three areas of:

The practical method we are encouraged to use is Mission Action Planning, in which practical and achievable goals are set out. The proposals are, in the main, moving forward with work we already do, and aiming to involve more people in it. The plan is one which can involve a wide range of members of the congregation. Members of St Michael's are encouraged to think and pray deeply about the plan, and how they can give their support.

.

– through First Sunday Worship, Children’s Church, and Toddler Church. Encouraging young people to grow into roles such as junior leaders, readers in Church, intercessors, sidespersons, and others.

– by finding and developing opportunities for study and nurture groups.

– for example, through the Watford Inter-Faith Association, Celebration and The Bridge of Peace.

– through active participation in Churches Together and Christians Across Watford.

– through hands-on involvement in the Food Bank, the Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy, the Refugee Partnership and New Hope.

– particularly through hosting a Bishop attending the Lambeth Conference, using this as a springboard for us to learn and receive encouragement in our faith.

Page 5

St Michael & All Angels Church is located in the residential area of West Watford. It is a large building built over 100 years ago to enable the people of West Watford to attend Christian worship. In recent years the local population has become multi-ethnic. There is still a good number of Christians who attend St Michael’s Church for worship on Sundays although half of our Electoral Roll members live outside the Parish.

Our core act of Sunday Worship, at 9.30am, involves many people, who support it as musicians, servers, readers, intercessors, sidespersons, and Children’s Church leaders, by providing weekly leaflets, and in many other ways. People from many different sections of the local and wider community are welcomed. There is a said service of Holy Communion every Sunday at 8.00am. The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 has meant that these services have not always been able to take place with a congregation. Some services have been livestreamed only, whilst others have taken place in church with a congregation, but have been livestreamed to those unable to attend.

We have maintained contact with our children and young families, many of whom took part on the online crib service, which reached many, and for which many were grateful to be included.

During the year, we welcomed two new members to our Ministry Team: the Revd Stephen Mepham as Associate Priest, and Bridget Russell as Reader.

The Toddler Church has not been able to meet since the first lockdown, although we are still in touch with our regular members.

We act as a collection point for the Watford Food Bank, and a distribution point on Wednesday mornings. We have continued to maintain this service to the community throughout the pandemic. Many thanks to the volunteers who enable us to do this.

Unfortunately, services in local care homes have not been possible, nor have school visits. The church building is adaptable, particularly as it does not have pews, and both church members and other local people take advantage of its size for social activities. Church members particularly welcome non churchgoers to this type of activity as it brings them inside our lovely church building.

The Church has been used by the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church on two Sundays a month in some months when the easing of restrictions allowed, and on other occasions.

During the year, St Michael's ministered to the local community through services of Marriage and Funerals.

The church is a member of Churches Together in Central South and West Watford and of Christians Across Watford. During 2020, the Vicar also chaired Watford Celebration, and attended meetings of the Faith Leaders' Forum.

As we were not able to have a Christmas Fair, there was a Gift Day, at which members of the congregation were very generous in their giving.

10% of our Planned Giving is earmarked for Mission Giving (described later in the Annual Report). This was reduced in 2020, but the shortfall will be made up in 2021.

Page 6

As a Christian Church, St Michael's seeks to welcome and minister to a wide variety of people from our local and wider communities, giving them a place to belong and find fellowship and understanding. We aim to do this through a wide variety of worship and other activities on Sundays and during the week so that people can find a place here whatever part of the community they belong to.

We said goodbye this year to Mrs Loretta Lynch, Mrs Marion Craddock Jones, Mr Michael Bowern, Mr David Powell, Mrs Mary Kearns, Mr Leslie Wright and Mr Alex Adjekum, who passed away, and a number of people who moved out of the area.

There was no formal update of the Electoral Roll in 2020 because of the restrictions in attending church imposed as a result of the coronavirus epidemic.

As at 31 December 2019, the Roll stood at 70 (41 Resident, 29 Non-Resident).

By 31 December 2020, there had been 2 additions and no deletions, resulting in an amended total of 72 (43 Resident and 29 Non-Resident).

Page 7

Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels, Watford (Charity Number 1132010).

Introduction

The Parochial Church Council presents the Report and Accounts of St Michael and All Angels, Watford for the year ended 31 December 2020

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of Accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and in Accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for Accounting by charities.

(b) Planned Giving and Tax Recoverable

have been treated as Income when actually received.

(c) Depreciation

Equipment, fixture and fittings are depreciated at between 15% and 25% per annum on a straight line basis. From 1 January 2013, assets have been capitalised only when the initial cost exceeds £3,000

Page 8

Where to begin?

For all churches 2020 was a difficult year to say the least. St Michael’s was no exception.

Our overall funds have decreased during 2020 from £92,466 to £88,398

Total incoming funds in total were £70,352. That is a decrease on last year’s income of £84,489. That difference is largely due to the loss of income from fund-raising activity, hall/building hires and from services held.

Our main sources of income were:

Our total expenditure (“Resources used”), at £75,273 was lower than the 2019 figure of £85,629. Ordinarily as Treasurer I would celebrate less expenditure. Of course the reduction is the wholly unwelcome product of lower costs due to our buildings being closed for some time and so not needing utilities, and our services not operating as normal.

Our biggest item of expenditure remains the Diocesan Quota, which in 2020 was £53,130. This is well over half of the church’s overall spending. For 2021 this will be held at the same level by the Diocese of St Albans.

We had bank and deposit balances of £52,984 at 31 December 2020. It should be remembered however that the church building will have a quinquennial review in 2021 which will likely incur costs. Whilst the loss made by the church is a source of disappointment, overall the church is in a markedly better position as we enter 2021 than I had feared it might be.

During this most difficult of years PCC drew up an emergency budget, worked with those who pay into St Michael’s to ensure that income was minimally disrupted and identified the most important of the payments we needed to make. Parishioners can be assured that in protecting the finances of the church the system worked as well as could reasonably be expected.

On behalf of PCC, I thank all of those who continued to donate to the church throughout 2020 – often whilst their own finances were subject to great uncertainty. On PCC we are always very aware that money with St Michael’s is not our own money as trustees, nor is it money that belongs to the Church of England. Nor even does it necessarily belong to those who donate to us, even if those donors have reasonable expectations of how that money is used. Rather it is God’s money. We at St Michael’s will always treat it as such.

Treasurer

Page 9

Balance Sheet
2020 2019
Note £ £
Tangible Fixed Assets
Equipment,fixtures and fittings 3d and 8 0
0
Functional freeholdproperty- Curate's House
57 Whippendell Road Watford(at cost) 4a 12,575
12,575
LittleburyHall,Mildred Avenue,Watford(at cost) 4a 5,065
5,065
St Michael's Hall,Durban Road,Watford(cost not known)
Investment Assets 4c 13,887
13,033
Debtors and Prepayments 3,888
1,783
Short Term Deposits 36,610
36,455
Cash at Bank and at Hand 16,373
23,555
SundryCreditors and Accruals 0
0
56,871
61,793
11
General Funds 78,451
83,351
Major Works Fund 4,874
4,068
Flower Fund 361
361
Vicar/Churchwardens’ EmergencyFund 916
916
Organ Fund 245
245
Major Works Fund 642
642
General Fund 2,909
2,883
Approved bythe Parochial Church Council on 17th March 2021
Signed
Rev. GeoffreyCalvert,Vicar
Mrs E Watkin, Churchwarden

Page 10

Financial Activities


2019
Total Funds
40,753
4,129
37,960
924
723
0
84,489
3,289
81,064
50
1,226
85,629
(1,140)
1,869
1,869
729
91,737
92,466
92,466
2020
Total Funds
36,506
2,187
31,090
0
569
0
70,352
2,000
72,391
0
882
75,273
(4,921)
853
853
(4,068)
92,466
88,398

Restricted Funds
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
26
26
3,525
3,551

Designated Funds
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
806
806
806
5,590
6,396
Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels Watford Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2020 Unrestricted General Funds 36,506 2,187 31,090 0 569 0 70,352 2,000 72,391 0 882 75,273 (4,921) 21 21 (4,900) 83,351 78,451
Note 2a 2b 2c 2d 2e 2e 3a 3b 3c 3d
Incoming Resources Incoming Resources from Donors Other Voluntary Incoming Resources Income from charitable and ancillary trading Other ordinary incoming resources Income from investments Vicar and Churchwardens fund Total Incoming Resources Resources Used Grants Activities Directly relating to the work of the church Generating Funds and Publicity Church Management and administration Total Resources Used Net Incoming Resources Unrealised Gains/(losses) on investments Net Movements in Investments Net Movements in Funds Balances Brought Forward at 01/01/20 Balances Carried Forward at 31/12/20

Page 11

----- Start of picture text -----
Note Unrestricted Unrestricted 2020 2019
General Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds
3a
Missions at home and abroad and charitable giving
3b
Ministry Diocesan Quota 53,130 53,130 51,277
Ministry Clergy Expenses 301 301 675
Curate house Expenses 1,202 1,202 652
Church Running Expenses inc Cleaning 7,215 7,215 7,831
Insurance - Church 3,783 3,783 3,707
Repairs and Maintenance 1,699 1,699 1,280
Music 1,055 1,055 3,992
Sanctuary Expenses 36 36 472
Pastoral Expenses 0 0 0
Children’s Church and Youth work 51 51 92
Purchase of flowers 0 0 0 20
Littlebury Hall Expenses 2,581 2,581 3,804
Sword Magazine, Messenger and See Round 195 195 785
Organ repairs 0 0 754
Major Church Repairs: Quinquennial 0 0 4,980
Costs of War Memorial 0 0 0
Parochial Fees Payable to DBF 1,143 1,143 743
0 0 50
3d
Printing, copying and stationery inc. maintenance of copier 410 410 459
General Expenses 472 472 767
Depreciation 0 0 0 0
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted 2020 2019
General Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds
4 Fixed Assets for use by the PCC
4a Tangible Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets at cost 17,640 17,640 17,460
Functional freehold properties it is not
considered appropriate to make a
provision of depreciation for these assets
4b Equipment, Fixtures and fittings 0 0 0
see note 8
4c The investments comprise the following: 375 CBF Fixed 610 CBF Investment 461 CBF Fixed
Interest Securities Fund Income Shares. Interest Securities
Fund - Income Fund - Income
shares shares
General Designated Restricted Total Total
Investments (value at 31/12/20) 634 12,472 780 13,887
----- End of picture text -----

Page 12

5
Zero remune ration and expenses in 2020.
6
In December 2020 PCC was informed that a legacyof appro x £56,000 would be donated in early2021.
7
The curate's house is rented out at £865per month. As at 3 1/12/2020 there were 0 months of arrears.
8
Net Balance 1/1/2020 0
Additions 0
Depreciation -
Net Balance 31/12/2020 0
9
There are no contingent liabilities.
10
Properties ar e insured on a replacement basis for the sums indicated: £
St Michael’s Church,Mildred Avenue/Durban Road,Watford 16,240,000
LittleburyHa ll,Mildred Avenue,Watford 318,515
Curate’s Hou se,57 Whippendell Road,Watford 330,988
11
Fixed Assets
Properties 17,640
Investments 13,887
Equipment,f ixtures and 0
CurrentAsse ts 56,871
88,398
less
CurrentLiabi lities -
NetAssets 88,398

Page 13

Independent Examiner's report to the Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels, Watford (Charity Number 1132010).

I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out on the following pages.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: i. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

ii. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Ms Karen Pryse

Croxley, Herts.

February 2021

Page 14

We had a significantly reduced amount to allocate this year, the budget having been reduced by nearly a third and compounded by no Lent Lunch supplement and reduced Lent Box donations.

The allocations below are pragmatic and follow the criterion of balance between local/national and international.

----- Start of picture text -----
USPG - half of this amount to go to Bollobhpur Mission Hospital
and Midwifery training hospital 600..00
Church Army 255. . 00
New Hope 200.00
Watford Schools Trust 200..00
Mercy Ships 200..00
Refugee Partnership 200.00
Town Centre Chaplaincy 200.00
Leprosy Mission 200.00
----- End of picture text -----

The allocation to USPG (including Bollobphur Hospital) represent a diminution of nearly 50% since 2018 and is particularly troubling since it is principally through USPG that we have a share in the life of the Anglican Communion.

No provision for the Children’s Society, even though we had a visiting speaker in March, but Children’s Society Boxes produced £370.

No provision for Christian Aid but the Christmas Greetings Project produced £385; a further £100 was donated in Christian Aid Week (excluding Gift Aid).

The Bike ’n Hike day raised £240 of which half is returned to the Church.

The Lent Boxes produced £55 (added in to the grant for the Church Army as in the table).

Page 15

To say this has been a strange year is an understatement. However, thanks to our very forward thinking and progressive Vicar so much has been achieved. In no small way this is the case with our children and young families. Early on in the restrictions it was obvious that trying to replicate the “usual” on Zoom was not going to work with our young people. Although, it seems that with imagination and lots of lovely creativity, our wonderful family has thrived and grown.

Last September Father Geoff had a thought to produce a virtual Crib Service to show on YouTube on Christmas Eve. The idea was to use knitted Nativity figures, children’s craft and the children’s imagination to tell the Christmas story. As you know we have a small but very successful children and toddler Church and a good number of these children and young people did join in. As it was “virtual” we took the opportunity to “travel” further afield to invite children and grandchildren, who used to attend St Michael’s but have moved away, to take part. Oh my word they and their parents were so eager to join in and the product was.......... well! You might have seen it BUT if not you can still see it on the St Michael’s YouTube channel. So far there have been 407 views, which is really cool.

The momentum from this Christmas fun has carried on with lots of involvement around the country, and indeed in other parts of the world, to create an Easter YouTube presentation. As this report is being written filming is underway. The craft the children, of all ages, have produced is so imaginative and effective and Father Geoff, the animation wizard is working his magic ready for Easter Saturday when it will premier on YouTube. The children have used their gifts, whether it is playing the keyboard, to even composing the music, to the use of a glue stick, to some wonderful reading. I won’t say anymore because as they say “the proof is in the pudding” so please see for yourselves on YouTube.

It might seem on the face of this short report that nothing much has been happening within our network but, au contraire, I think anyone who has seen what the children and young people have achieved, using their gifts, will agree they are growing as Christians sharing, as disciples, the word and love of Christ.

It will come as no surprise that both the May and October meetings were cancelled. At a Zoom meeting in November parishes explained how they were coping during lockdown. A Deanery Synod survey revealed that 10 out of the 13 parishes in the Deanery had been able to stream services and that the Revd Dr Peter Waddell was being commissioned as the incoming Rural Dean.

Page 16

The first meeting of the committee was in January and little did we know how the pandemic of Covid-19 was going to affect the church and the congregation, the halls and 57 Whippendell Road.

At the beginning of the year, at our January meeting, there were just a few general ‘housekeeping’ repairs to sort out (west end doors were not closing properly; the kitchen door was sticking) but the cracks in the Memorial Cross was a matter of concern. We had things to plan and were waiting for the colour samples for carpet to go under the altar in the Lady Chapel and also looking forward to a spring-cleaning session with our Jacobite friends.

In March the church was closed so our April meeting was a series of emails to show that the small repairs had been completed and also, that bulbs had been replaced and also, the roller door on Littlebury Hall had also been repaired. The usual checks for boilers were carried out with repairs where necessary. Drains and gutters had been cleared. Getting a reply from Cliveden (the company that installed the W M Cross) was proving difficult.

By August we had caught up with the rest of the world with Zoom. Everyone agreed that the new, blue carpet in the Lady Chapel looked particularly good. The main hall in Littlebury had not been used since March, nor had the office but the office was cleared and painted. Some cracks in the Cross had been filled and the lettering had been restored. We had several sessions clearing the gardens around the church and hope to plant a Rose Garden on the south side with contributions from anyone who would like to remember a friend or relative in this way.

In November it was reported that a weather-proof ‘bonnet’ had been made for the top of the cross. After much correspondence with the War Memorial Trust, Cliveden Conservation and the Diocesan Advisory Committee we were advised that Mark Battram, our surveyor, would examine the timber and lettering when he made the Quinquennial Inspection in 2021. Unfortunately, the annual inspection of 57 Whippendell Road didn’t happen due to the pandemic but we know that the boiler is temperamental. However, the church boilers passed their annual inspection but are coming to the end of their lives. PAT testing and inspection of the fire extinguishers were scheduled before the end of the year.

Throughout the year we have had updates about trying to restore the letters at the base of the font: the saga will continue into the new year. Policy documents were checked when due and we held regular Covid-19 reviews to be sure that the church was safe for worship when we are allowed to enter the building for services. We also noticed where rain water had come in at the west end of the church after heavy storms; we will wait for the Q.I. report. There had been a leak by a buttress along the south aisle which was repaired very quickly by a roofer (A. Briden) in the autumn. As with every building, there is always some sort of job to be done.

Page 17

At the beginning of the year, our regular Food Bank volunteers continued this valuable service to the community. As many of our regular volunteers were unable to continue in the lockdown, the Food Bank service was maintained through the year by the Vicar, Mrs Jane Talbot, Mrs Valerie Blacklock, Mr Mark Simon, and Mrs Alison Makin, to all of whom we are very grateful. Food Bank has seen increased use over the year due to the effects of the pandemic.

With the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic the Mission Committee has been unable to invite speakers from the agencies we support - the last being from the Children’s Society in March.

Hopefully church members have been able to add their own personal prayer support to the public worship intercessions from The Messenger.

An important part of the Committee’s role is submitting proposals for the allocation of funds under Mission & Charitable Giving. Sadly, the provision in the budget was reduced by a third by the PCC in response to financial pressures, this loss being compounded by the absence of any Lent Lunch supplement and reduced Lent Box donations. A list of the finally agreed allocations appears elsewhere in this Report. It is good to note that the PCC has since agreed to enhance the 2021 budget provision to make good last year’s shortfall.

I record my gratitude to Valerie, Pat, Gillian and Fr Geoff for their support and encouragement.

During most of the year, we have been unable to have congregational singing, a live organist, or a choir. During the early part of the first lockdown, organ backing tracks were downloaded from the Internet for recorded and livestreamed worship. From the mid part of the year onwards, music recorded by the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields was made available via the Church of England website “A Church near you”, and has made a very valuable contribution to our worship. Choir members are looking forward to singing again in 2021!

Page 18