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2025-12-31-accounts

St Peter and St Paul, Wadhurst

Registered Charity no. 1132389

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Report of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter and St Paul, Wadhurst, for the year ended 31st December 2025

Incumbent: Revd Dr Paul Ratcliff Correspondence Address: Church Office Carillon Cottage High Street Wadhurst East Sussex TN5 6AA

Website: https://www.wadhurstchurches.org/ Independent Examiner: Lindeyer Francis Ferguson Chartered Accountants North House, 198 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE Bank: NatWest Bank 89-93 Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 1QJ

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

CONTENTS
Page
1 Trustees annual report
11 Report of the independent examiner
12 Statement of financial activities
13 Balance sheet
14 Statement of cashflows
15 Notes to the accounts

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Our aims and purposes as a charity

The PCC works with the Vicar to promote the whole mission of the church – pastoral, evangelical, social, and ecumenical – in the ecclesiastical parish of Wadhurst.

Our Vision: Worshipping God in every part of life

Our Mission Statement :

Using the gifts God gives us, we:

- help bring others to Christ - deepen our faith in Him - develop the life of the church family - serve each other and the wider community and so express our worship to God in every part of life

In furtherance of this mission, during 2025, the PCC:

In setting its objectives and planning for activities, the PCC has given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to ‘public benefit’.

What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives

Evidence of how we achieve our charitable objectives is found in the following pages.

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

The church’s development objectives are set out in its the Mission Action Plan (MAP) which is published on the church website. The four pillars of the plan are: prayer and worship; discipleship; pastoral care; and evangelism (including justice and environment). All depend on being underpinned by the foundations of good governance, robust finances, appropriate buildings and good communications.

Progress on this plan is discussed at each PCC meeting and reported to the congregation at regular intervals and at the annual meeting in May each year.

What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives

Attendance at worship

The church offers different styles of service, to enable as many people as possible from the local community to experience accessible worship that is spiritually fulfilling for them, in their local parish church.

During 2025, these services included a traditional Prayer Book Communion at 8am each Sunday, an All-Age service on the first Sunday of the month, two Parish Holy Communion services each month and a monthly service of Morning Worship. There has also been a monthly mid-week communion service and home communions for those who are sick, or unable to attend the other services.

Evensong services were presented on significant occasions such as the Patronal Festival and Harvest Festival. In addition, special services were presented for Christmas Lessons and Carols, Remembrance Sunday and for ‘Remembering Loved Ones’ which were popular with many who are not regular attenders at Sunday services.

The Wadhurst congregation joined together with those in Tidebrook and Stonegate for ‘3 as 1’ services, usually on the fifth Sunday of the month.

The local C of E primary school held services in the church at Christmas, Easter and Harvest, and for School Leavers in the summer.

The church joined with the local Roman Catholic Church for Churches Together in Wadhurst activities, including the Service of Christian Unity, the Good Friday Walk of Witness and an Advent Carol Service.

In 2025 average attendance at Sunday services was 66 adults and 13 children. This was 3% fewer adults and 1% fewer children than in 2024.

Attendance at Easter was 140 adults and 24 children, a 3% increase in adults and 33% in children. Total attendance at Christmas (Nativity Service, Midnight Communion, Christmas Morning Communion and Festival Service) was 422 adults and 110 children, an increase of 2% in adults but 23% fewer children.

Members of the church family also interact with the church in diverse ways other than ‘normal’ services such as the monthly care home communion, Afternoon Fellowship and homegroups.

The total church family is increasing – those attending services, programmes and events – but people are attending less regularly.

In 2025 a new Electoral Roll was compiled, as it is every six years. There were 150 members on the new Roll, a fall of 30 compared with 2024 due to deaths, people moving away or choosing not to re-enrol.

Teaching, baptising and nurturing new and existing believers

In 2025 there were four weddings and one wedding blessing; five church funerals and eight memorial services; 11 burials of ashes and five baptisms.

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

There is an active network of nine homegroups which meet regularly to study scripture, pray together and offer mutual support to one another. Additonal study groups are offered at Lent and Advent.

Activities and teaching for children and young people in the church family are provided in Carillon Cottage every Sunday during the main service (except on the first Sunday in the month which is an All-Age service).

Prayer meetings are held on Saturday mornings which are open to all. Prayer ministry is available after all 10.30am Sunday services.

The sermons given at Sunday services are also shared more widely by email for study at home.

Evangelism and outreach

The church provides a range of activities for children and young people, (and their families) from across the community, including:

The Vicar and his wife also take weekly assemblies at the local primary school, and the church made donations of bibles to all year 6 school leavers.

Carillon Cottage has established a relationship with Uplands Academy, the local secondary school, and supported its annual open day with the provision of refreshments.

For older members of the community, the church supports the CAMEO club which meets weekly. Under new leadership in 2025, the CAMEO volunteers provide a hot meal and opportunities for crafts, excercises, entertainment and trips out for around 25 elderly people.

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

A monthly ‘Afternoon Fellowship’ offers an informal time of worship for older people, with refreshments and an opportunity to meet each other.

Volunteer drivers and helpers support both these initiatives.

The church is fully embedded in the life of Wadhurst and its many organisations. During 2025 the church building was used for public concerts by the Brass Band and local choirs, and for other fundraising activities such as sales of goods in aid of charity. The church took part in the Wadhurst Warriors Scarecrow Festival.

The church hosted a Christmas Tree festival in December 2025 involving over 30 local groups and businesses. We estimate that over 500 visitors came to enjoy the atmosphere and the refreshments on sale, to contribute to the Prayer Tree and take part in an interactive Nativity scene.

Provision of the church building for people to enjoy

The church continues to be appreciated by our parishoners and many others, as a space where life events are celebrated with joy and thanksgiving. The churchyard too is a place of peace which is appreciated by those who come to walk their dogs or sit and enjoy the views during the day.

It is important that the church is available for private prayer, not just to the church family but to the wider visiting community. To this end the church building is always open and the many entries in the visitors’ book testify to how greatly this is appreciated. Many remark how refreshing it is to find an open church and also the sense of peacefulness the church supplies, and the connection it gives with ancestors who worshipped there.

Spatial reordering of the church building

During 2025 the PCC addressed the issue of a failing heating system in the church and the desire to replace it with one which would meet ambitious net-zero (NZC) goals.

Given the extent of the work that would be needed to install a new system, the opportunity was also taken to evalauate ways to reorder the church building to increase its accessibility, to improve flexibility of the space on offer to community and church groups, and also to perform conservation and restoration of important historical features, including the unique iron grave slabs.

St Peter and St Paul church was granted ‘demonstrator church’ status by the Church of England, which provided a grant to help meet some of the costs of evaluating the feasibility and engaging the requisite professional consultants to design the scheme.

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St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

Extensive work was done during 2025 to consult with the local community and stautory consultees, obtain the requisite planning permission and Diocesan Faculty approvals, and communicate the progress of the project. Various heating options were evaluated, and archaeological and engineering investigations undertaken, to develop a scheme that would enable the 12[th] Century church to be repaired, restored and reordered while honouring and protecting its heritage and ensuring it is fit to serve furture generations.

Alongside this, the PCC ran an intensive programme of fundraising, including grant applications, community events, and requests for donations from church members and the wider community. These were tailored to meet the various interests of reducing the carbon footprint, conserving the nationally important collection of iron grave slabs, providing flexible space for worship and community activities, or enabling independent disabled access for the first time in 300 years.

By the end of 2025 all planning and faculty permissions were in place and sufficient funds had been committed to cover the essential elements of the work. Following an extensive tendering exercise, a contractor was appointed and work started at the end of December 2025 after the Christmas services. Throughout the whole process there has been daily prayer to undergird the project.

During 2025 a total of £330,777 was donated or awarded in grants towards the NCZ reordering project, of which £61,643 was spent in the financial year.

Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish

The Pastoral Care Team, chaired by the Vicar, is responsible for hospital visits and home communions. The team also visits the local care home where monthly communion services are held for those too frail to attend the church. Around 15 people attend these services.

Carillon Cottage, the premises owned by the church in Wadhurst High Street is the location of the church office, as well as a volunteer-led service which provides care and support to all those in the benefice (of all faiths or none) in several ways.

These include a driving service for healthcare appointments, a hearing aid clinic, wheelchair hire, supply of office services such as photocopying, box office services for local community groups, distribution of around 1,000 copies

of Focus (the parish magazine), recycling collections, “..a big ‘thank you’ to you all …people like myself meeting rooms for hire and regular ‘clinics’ for local really do appreciate your kind driving service to help government representatives and charities such as me to attend appointments, especially medical AgeUK. appointments” N.O., service user

All these services are funded through donations and fundraising events.

“It starts the week off with a smile.” Pat “It’s nice to be here with other people, when you live on your own.” Jill

One service that has been particularly appreciated is the weekly ‘Warm Welcome’, offering a time to enjoy coffee, cake and conversation (and the occasional quiz) for those who would otherwise be socially isolated.

Provision of tangible support to those in need

The church family makes collections of food and other necessities at Harvest-time which are distributed around the community.

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

During 2025 the food shelves in the church were kept stocked with basic essentials and were used for emergency supplies by several local families. In addition, supplies were made available to individal families who were identified as being in need.

Carillon Cottage acts as a collection point for the ‘Nourish’ foodbank and receives generous donations from members of all local churches, as well as individuals from the wider community, community clubs and local businesses. These are sent to a central distribution point and distributed across the local area, including Wadhurst.

The church interacts with local charities including the Rose Trust (of which the Vicar is a Trustee) and Mullins Memorial Fund, both of which aim to support those in need in Wadhurst.

The Vicar’s discretionary fund is available to assist with emergency needs.

In December, a collection of new toys and gifts was made for distribution to needy families via the Family Support Work charity.

Financial Review

Incoming and outgoing resources

Total income from general unrestricted funds received were £249,067 and are detailed in the Financial Report.

Thanks to the generous giving by the church community our total unrestricted voluntary income including tax recovered, but excluding legacies came to £82,913. Of this the planned giving and the Parish Giving Scheme contributed just over £65,000. This excludes any donations made towards the NZC re-ordering project due to commence in January 2026.

During the year the church sold St George’s Hall for £123,182, realising a gain on disposal of £103,182, of which £100,000 has been set aside for the NZC re-ordering Project.

The total unrestricted overheads were £174,816, of which these were the three highest costs.

1. Sharing the ministry costs of the Diocese of Chichester

The largest single expenditure of the PCC in 2025 was the sum of £65,482 paid to the diocese for our share of all churches’ Parish Ministry Costs. This year the contribution from St Peter and St Paul increased by 3% on the previous year.

The total relates directly to the housing, support, stipend and pension costs of the clergy of this parish, training of new ordinands in the diocese, a contribution to national church funds and shared costs of the Christian family throughout the whole diocese, including assistance towards the upkeep of churches less able to manage than ourselves.

2.Staff costs

The PCC employs a Church Administrator and a Children, Youth and Families Worker, both on a part-time basis. The total staff costs for 2025 came to £35,635. The work of both employees is greatly valued within the benefice as they make a large contributation to the life of the church. More details about the work of the Youth and Families Worker may be found elsewhere in this report.

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St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

3. C haritable giving

As part of its commitment to tithing, the PCC made the donations totalling £14,500 to a selection of local, national and international charities, out of its unrestricted income.

Also, during the year, the church held special collections during services for a number of charities, including The Royal British Legion, Crisis, and CAN International.

Repairs to the fabric of the church building and churchyard

In addition to these three main overheads, the PCC maintains the fabric of our historic church in line with quinquennial recommendations and with due regard for health and safety requirements. In total in 2025 just over £10,000 was spent on maintenance work. An additional £4,413 was spent maintaining the churchyard in good order for the benefit of the community, and in line with environmental objectives.

The church has a contract for services with an Organist and a Choral Director.

Further details are provided in the notes to the accounts.

Trustee payments and expenses

No payments and expenses were made to the trustees in respect of their position as trustees.

There were no payments to persons related to or connected to, the trustees.

Why we hold some money in reserve

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding property) which equates to approximately 3 months’ worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations.

Management of risks and their mitigation

The PCC has an ongoing task of reviewing the major risks which impact on the work of the church, to ensure that they are mitigated by appropriate policies and procedures. The policies are publically available on the church website.

A health and safety policy is in place and those responsible continually monitor the church premises and act on any issues that arise. A risk register is a dynamic appendix to this policy, which is reviewed annually. The register covers risks associated with the use of church premises including the use and storage of cleaning materials and ladders, hazards from wires or floor coverings, the use of electric appliances, as well as a cycle for maintenance of external footpaths, boundary walls and fences. There is a separate fire risk policy with associated procedures which is also reviewed annually. The usual PAT testing and fire extinguisher checks have been carried out. Carillon Cottage has a lone worker policy.

Risk assessments are also performed on all aspects of the church’s work in the community.

During 2025 the PCC authorised an upgrade to the IT provision for the employees and officers of the PCC. The purchase of new hardware and migration to a Microsoft 356 environment has been undertaken with the aim of improving efficiency of our administrative processes and increasing data security. A new digital telephone system has also been installed.

There are policies in place to cover the handling of data under the GDPR. In terms of technology, a social media policy is in place and an over-arching IT policy is under development.

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Governance policies in place include a finance policy, procurement and tendering policy and a conflict of interest policy.

Employment policies include grievance, disciplinary, and equal opportunities policies.

Safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and the PCC is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all church members and those in the wider community who come into contact with the church and the services it provides.

All policies are reviewed annually and new ones introduced according to need.

The PCC considers that the principal risks and uncertainties are:

The PCC seeks to manage these risks and uncertainties by regularly reviewing its Mission Action Plan objectives and the processes it has in place to achieve them.

Emphasis on God's generosity to the congregation is the subject of teaching from the pulpit from time to time to encourage the congregation to respond to that generosity in their giving through time, talents and money, as they are able. We aim to diversify income by effectively hiring out the church building to external parties once the re-ordering takes place.

Structure, governance and management of the charity

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the Incumbent, Associate Vicar and any Readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens, up to four members of the Deanery Synod and up to 12 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).

All electoral roll members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.

During the year January to December 2025 the following served as members of the Wadhurst PCC:

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Name Position from May 2025
Incumbent
Revd Dr Paul Ratcliff Vicar (Chair)
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St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

----- Start of picture text -----
Churchwardens
Ruth Dunnett Churchwarden
Michael Hardcastle Churchwarden (from 19 May 2025)
Deanery Synod Reps
Heather Ratcliff Deanery Synod Rep
Penny Dobson Deanery Synod Rep
Lead Recruiter
Elected Members
Chris Bithell Member (Deanery Synod rep to 19 May 2025)
Anne Brignell Member
Chair of Carillon Cottage
Mary Burstow Member (Deanery Synod rep from July 2025)
Paul Burstow Member
Anthony Dunnett Member
Fabric Chair and H&S Officer
Theo Farringdon Member
John Fuller Member
Paul Stephens Member
Honorary Treasurer (to 19 May 2025)
Peter Thompson Member
Honorary Treasurer (from 19 May 2025)
Lynda Wight Member
PCC Secretary
Vanessa Sharman Member (to 19 May 2025)
----- End of picture text -----

Revd Andrew Goy, Associate Vicar, is also entitled to attend Wadhurst PCC meetings.

Patrons of the benefice may attend PCC meetings as observers.

The PCC is supported in its work by the Executive (or Standing Committee), a Finance Committee, and various volunteer groups and individuals from the church membership. The PCC aims to involve as many church members as possible in the day to day running of the church and the services it presents, including two Deputy Wardens, over 15 sidespersons of all ages, and around 16 individuals or families involved as ‘welcomers’.

During the Year Dominic Bolas served as Safeguarding Officer. Jean Sermon served as Electoral Roll Officer.

The PCC is aware of the provisions of the Charity Commission Governance Code and has reviewed its activities against them, with the aim of continually improving its practices to meet the recommendations it contains.

New PCC members are informed of their responsibilities as trustee and must read and sign a 'Fit and Proper persons' declaration before being accepted. All PCC members are DBS cleared and must undergo safeguarding training. Prior to their first meeting as trustees, PCC members are provided with copies of previous minutes to enable them to be up to date with the business of the charity. At the first meeting after elections, the PCC reviews all policies in place so that all trustees are aware of the policies of the charity.

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St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Registered Charity no. 1132389

Statement of Trustee’s Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales required the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and applicable of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In conclusion I should like to thank all our volunteers who work so hard to make our church the vibrant community it is.

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by:

The Revd. Dr Paul Ratcliff, PCC Chairman

Date: 28 April 2026

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Registered Charity no. 1132389

St Peter and St Paul Wadhurst Trustees’ Annual Report for 2025

Independent Examiner’s Report to the PCC of St Peter and St Paul, Wadhurst

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Wadhurst (‘the Charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Charity’s trustees 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 Charity’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 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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 charity 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; and

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

James Mathieson FCA

Lindeyer Francis Ferguson Limited

Chartered Accountants North House, 198 High Street Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE

Date 30 April 2026

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 3 82,913 387,462 470,375 221,738
Charitable activities 4 56,414 - 56,414 64,571
Investments 6,558 - 6,558 4,104
Other income
Gain on disposal of St George's Hall 8 103,182 - 103,182 -
Total Income 249,067 387,462 636,529 290,413
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 5 174,816 124,570 299,386 298,720
Total expenditure 174,816 124,570 299,386 298,720
-
Net (loss)/gain on investments ( 3,347) ( 3,347) 2,046
Transfers between funds - - - -
Net movement in funds 70,904 262,892 333,796 ( 6,261)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 446,313 51,724 498,037 504,298
Total funds carried forward 517,217 314,616 831,833 498,037
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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2025 2025 2024 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8 285,586 309,061
Investments 9 70,633 73,981
356,219 383,042
Current assets
Debtors 10 117,522 28,263
Cash at bank and in hand 366,974 108,133
484,496 136,396
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 11 ( 8,882) ( 21,401)
475,614 114,995
Net current assets
Total net assets 831,833 498,037
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 517,217 446,313
Restricted funds 314,616 51,724
Total charity funds 12 831,833 498,037
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These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Parochial Church Council on 28 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Revd Dr Paul Ratcliff Chair

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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2025 2024
£ £
Note
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities A 129,898 ( 12,911)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest received 6,558 4,104
Acquisition of tangible fixed assets ( 798) ( 4,366)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 123,183 -
Net cash provided by investing activities 128,943 ( 262)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 258,841 ( 13,173)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 108,133 121,306
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 366,974 108,133
A. Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow used in operating activities
2025 2024
£ £
Net income / (deficit) for the year 333,796 ( 6,261)
As per the Statement of Financial Activities
Adjustments for:
Net losses / (gains) on investments 3,347 ( 2,046)
Depreciation 4,273 4,906
Interest received ( 6,558) ( 4,104)
-
Gain on disposal of property ( 103,182)
Increase in debtors ( 89,259) ( 22,693)
(Decrease) / increase in creditors ( 12,519) 17,287
( 203,898) ( 6,650)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 129,898 ( 12,911)
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1 Status

Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Wadhurst is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. Its registered address is Church Office, Carillon Cottage, High Street, Wadhurst.

2 Accounting policies

The principle accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments, and in accordance with "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and The Church Accounting Regulations 2006.

Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Wadhurst meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue, and so the going concern basis of accounting has been adopted.

2.2 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. For donations, including related Gift Aid recoverable, this is usually on receipt. Investment income is recognised when it is receivable.

Grants are recognised when communicated to the charity in writing, and are only deferred where there are terms and conditions outside the charity's control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the income, or the funder has specified that the grant is to be used in a future accounting period.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2.2 Income continued

Income from legacies is recognised when the charity is entitled to the income, receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. It is normally considered probable when there has been a grant of probate, the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached are within the control of the charity or have already been met.

Income from church activities and other trading activities is recognised when the related service has been performed or the event has taken place.

2.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be measured or estimated reliably. It is inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered.

Donations payable are recognised when communicated to the recipient without further conditions, or where conditions are outside the control of the charity.

2.4 Tangible fixed assets

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts in accordance with s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011.Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts.

Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided on other tangible fixed assets, at annual rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life as follows:

Freehold buildings - 1% on cost

Equipment, sound systems and furnishings - 25% on the reducing balance

16

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2.5 Investments

Investments are stated at market value. Gains and losses on revaluation are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

2.6 Other financial instruments

Other than investments, the PCC only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as short term basic financial instruments. These financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2.7 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds include general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. Designated funds include monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects. Restricted funds include all money and assets given for a particular purpose e.g. a special appeal or a specific legacy.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Planned giving and parish giving
Collections
Donations
Gift Aid recovered
Grants		 2025
£
66,254
10,900
204,312
41,892
147,017
470,375		 2024
£
91,229
7,559
63,985
9,808
49,157
221,738

In the prior year restricted income from donations and legacies was £108,444.

4 Income from church activities

Fees for weddings, funerals etc.
Carillon Cottage income
Cameo income
Other		 2025
£
15,504
22,066
8,797
10,047
56,414		 2024
£
17,171
29,236
5,172
12,992
64,571

Restricted income from church activities relates to Carillon Cottage and Cameo and amounted to £30,863 (2024: £34,408).

17

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

5
Expenditure on charitable activities
Direct costs:
Staff costs
Donations (see note 6)
Diocesan parish contribution
Other clergy costs
Church running expenses
Church maintenance & repairs
NZC Re-ordering Project
Repairs to roof and north transept
Upkeep of churchyard
Upkeep of services
Training and education
Outreach
Carillon Cottage
Cameo
Stonegate vicarage garden
Depreciation
Support costs:
Staff costs
Governance costs:
Independent examination		 2025
£
24,485
26,788
65,482
10,003
17,786
10,371
61,643
5,793
4,413
16,952
88
4,864
22,317
7,229
1,129
4,273
11,150
4,620
299,386		 2024
£
25,997
23,396
63,370
10,927
27,849
9,003
16,844
39,422
5,834
21,345
1,038
4,506
21,969
5,330
2,424
4,906
10,546
4,014
298,720

In the prior year expenditure of £95,360 was applied to restricted funds.

18

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

6 Charitable giving

The following donations to missions and charities were made in the year:
Local Charities
Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ
Tunbridge Wells Street Pastors
Nourish Community Foodbank
UK Charities
Diocesan Family Support Work
The Children's Society
Church Army
Church Pastoral Aid Society
Bible Society
Ride & Stride
Overseas Charities
Church Mission Society
Crosslinks
Tearfund
Release International
Burundi
School Leavers' Bibles
Christmas vouchers
Christian Vision		 2025
£
1,000
1,000
730
1,400
1,000
2,100
1,400
820
-
1,400
1,750
950
950
14,500
10,470
1,138
560
120
26,788		 2024
£
850
850
625
1,200
850
1,800
1,200
700
1,045
1,200
1,500
800
800
13,420
8,565
711
700
-
23,396

19

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

7
Staff costs
Staff costs comprise:
Gross wages and salaries
Employer's pension contributions		 2025
£
34,130
1,505
35,635		 2024
£
35,180
1,363
36,543

The average number of employees during the year was 2 (2024: 2).

No employees earned more than £60,000 (2024: None).

20

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2025
Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2025
Net book value
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024		 Freehold
property
£
357,493
-
( 20,000)
337,493
56,025
2,375
58,400
279,093
301,468		 Fixtures,
fittings,
equipment
£
14,602
798
-
15,400
7,009
1,898
8,907
6,493
7,593		 Total
£
372,095
798
( 20,000)
352,893
63,034
4,273
67,307
285,586
309,061

The fixed assets of the PCC include one freehold property - Carillon Cottage. St George's Hall was disposed of in the year.

Carillon Cottage was purchased in 1999 and is held for continuing use in the work of the PCC. It was opened as a Church community centre during 2001. The cost of this property includes the historic purchase cost plus the cost of the subsequent building works for its refurbishment.

21

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

9 Investments

Market value at 1 January 2025
Change in market value
Market value at 31 December 2025		 2025
£
73,981
( 3,348)
70,633		 2024
£
71,935
2,046
73,981

All investments are held in CBF Church of England Funds which are managed by CCLA Investment Management Limited. Trust funds are invested through the Diocesan Board of Finance and include the Watson-Smyth Trust and Parish General Fund. They also include the Laurens / Watson-Smyth Churchyard Fund. The capital represented by these holdings is freely available to the PCC and is therefore unrestricted. The PCC’s investment policy is to retain these investments within the control of CCLA who invest ethically.

Other funds (not included in accounts)

Chancel Trusts: The Diocese maintains, as a permanent trust for the Parish under the Tithe Act, a holding of 78.44 CBF Investment Fund - Income Shares with a value at 31 December 2025 of £4,549 (2024: £4,549) accumulated income from which may be used to defray the cost of repairs to the fabric of the chancel and the Church. The Diocese has confirmed that the accumulated income is held by CBF as custodian trustee and is freely available to the PCC.

10
Debtors
Gift Aid Recoverable
Accrued Income
Other Debtors
11
Creditors
Taxation
Accruals
Other Creditors		 2025
£
-
117,000
522
117,522
2025
£
-
8,277
605
8,882		 2024
£
6,871
19,926
1,466
28,263
2024
£
667
19,631
1,103
21,401

22

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

12
Statement of movement in funds
Current year:
Brought
forward
£
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
Capital fund
309,061
Fabric fund
19,366
NZC Re-ordering Project
-
General funds
117,886
446,313
Restricted funds:
Carillon cottage
26,773
Burundi fund
5,883
Communications fund
255
Cameo
3,085
Fabric Fund
10,000
Choir Fund
1,516
North Transept
3,692
NZC Re-ordering Project
-
Young people's ministry
-
Upkeep of church yard
-
Churchyard Project
520
51,724
Total funds
498,037		 £
-
-
-
245,720
245,720
22,066
6,858
-
8,797
-
-
5,753
330,777
10,211
3,000
-
387,462
633,182
Income and
gains on
investments		 Expend-
iture
£
( 4,273)
( 3,659)
-
( 166,884)
( 174,816)
( 22,317)
( 10,470)
( 255)
( 7,229)
-
-
( 9,445)
( 61,643)
( 10,211)
( 3,000)
-
( 124,570)
( 299,386)		 Transfers
£
( 19,202)
-
100,000
( 80,798)
-
-
-
-
-
( 10,000)
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
-		 Carried
forward
£
285,586
15,707
100,000
115,924
517,217
26,522
2,271
-
4,653
-
1,516
-
279,134
-
-
520
314,616
831,833

Designated funds

The fabric fund is for the quinquennial cyclical maintenance of the church premises. This year the electrical survey has been expensed against this fund.

The capital fund represents the net book value of the tangible fixed assets. The transfers relate to additions and disposals in the year.

£100,000 of the proceeds from the sale of St George's Hall has been transferred towards the costs of NZC Re-ordering Project from the General Fund.

23

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

12 Statement of movement in funds (continued)

Restricted funds

Carillon Cottage

The Carillon Cottage fund represents the income and expenditure account for the activities run from Carillon Cottage. This property was purchased by the church in 1999 and in addition to the church administration office and meeting rooms, provides the base for a range of support services for the local community. Income is derived from fund-raising activities and donations made by users of the services.

Burundi fund

The Burundi fund includes donations received for the specific purpose of furthering the aims of the Wadhurst-Burundi link.

Communications fund

The communications fund includes donations towards improvements to church communications and marketing. This has been fully expensed in the year on publication costs.

Cameo

The Cameo fund provides the finances for weekly lunches and other social activities for senior citizens at the Commemoration Hall, High Street, Wadhurst.

Fabric Fund

These relate to specific donations and legacies towards the repair and maintenance of the church. The balance of this fund has been transferred to the NZC Re-ordering Project, as this also relates to the fabric of the Church.

Choir Fund

During previous years payments to choir members who sang for weddings and funerals were collected and donated to the PCC to be used for much needed storage for the choir music archive.

North Transept

The North Transept Fund is to fund two roof repairs and window costs. This includes retiling the North Transept and replacing the flat roof over the North Aisle. Grants have been received from several donors. This work has been fully completed and expensed.

NZC Re-ordering Project

The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Wadhurst is part of the Church Demonstrators Project. Funds have been received to support the improvements needed to achieve Net Zero. This includes Air Source Heat Pumps for underfloor heating, solar roof panels, secondary glazing and draft proofing doors and windows. This project is was in the initial planning stages in 2025 and the works are due to commence in 2026.

24

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

12 Statement of movement in funds continued

Young people's ministry

Grants and donations were received towards young people's ministry which has been utilised by the salary cost of the Children, Youth and Families worker.

Upkeep of church yard

A grant was received from Wadhurst Parish Council in the year towards the upkeep of the churchyard. This was fully expensed.

Churchyard Project

In the previous year £520 was received to improve some aspects of the Churchyard. This will be used once the NZC Re-ordering Project is complete.

Prior year:
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Capital Fund
Fabric Fund
General funds
Restricted funds:
Carillon cottage
Burundi fund
Communications fund
Cameo
Fabric Fund
Choir Fund
Upkeep of church yard
North Transept
NZC Re-ordering Project
Churchyard Project
Total funds		 Brought
forward
£
309,601
23,366
131,665
464,632
22,706
1,946
255
3,243
10,000
1,516
-
-
-
-
39,666
504,298		 £
-
-
184,015
184,015
29,236
12,502
-
5,172
-
-
3,500
43,114
14,400
520
108,444
292,459
Income and
gains on
investments		 Expend-
iture
£
( 4,906)
( 4,000)
( 194,184)
( 203,090)
( 21,969)
( 8,565)
-
( 5,330)
-
-
( 3,500)
( 39,422)
( 16,844)
-
( 95,630)
( 298,720)		 Transfers
£
4,366
-
( 3,610)
756
( 3,200)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,444
-
( 756)
-		 Carried
forward
£
309,061
19,366
117,886
446,313
26,773
5,883
255
3,085
10,000
1,516
-
3,692
-
520
51,724
498,037

25

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

13 Analysis of net assets between funds

£
Current year:
Tangible assets
285,586
Investments
70,633
Current assets
169,880
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
( 8,882)
517,217
£
Prior year:
Tangible assets
309,061
Investments
73,981
Current assets
84,672
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
( 21,401)
446,313
Unrestricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
314,616
-
314,616
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
51,724
-
51,724		 Total
funds
£
285,586
70,633
484,496
( 8,882)
831,833
Total
funds
£
309,061
73,981
136,396
( 21,401)
498,037

14 Funds held as agent

These include special collections received on behalf of other charities totalling £3,400 (2024: £4,870). At the year end the full amount had not been paid over with £344 included in other creditors (2024: £407 included in other creditors).

It also includes receipts received by Carillion Cottage who have acted as a booking office on behalf of other organisations. Receipts totalled £8,090 (2024: £6,209) of which £7,829 were paid over at the year end (2024: £6,012). The final balance of £261 is included in other creditors (2024: £197 other creditors).

15 Related party transactions

Key management personnel are considered to be the PCC members. No PCC members received remuneration or were reimbursed expenses in their capacity as PCC members during the year.

During the year donations amounting to £73,927 were received from 16 trustees (2024: £22,131 from 12 trustees).

There are no other related party transactions to disclose (2024: None).

26

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WADHURST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

16 Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF)

The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Wadhurst participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers. It has a section known as Pension Builder 2014 which is described below.

The Pension Builder Scheme of the Church Workers Pension Fund includes the Pension Builder 2014, which is classed as a defined benefit scheme. There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the 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 therefore the contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable.

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2022.

For the Pension Builder 2014 scheme, the valuation revealed a surplus of £2m on the ongoing assumptions used.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, the Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Wadhurst could become responsible for paying a share of that employer’s pension liabilities.

17 Post balance sheet events

In January 2026 work relating to the NZC Re-ordering project was commenced based on a tender with a value of £725,000 plus VAT. During the year the church received donations, grants and fundraising for this project and continues to do so in 2026. The PCC is confident that its obligations will be met.

27