THE PARISH OF WINCHELSEA
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
“We are an open welcoming church, which exists for the community as a whole and where everyone is valued and respected. We are called to serve Christ in the world, sharing the joy of God’s unconditional love in faith and action. We commit ourselves to praying and working for a world where love, reconciliation, equality and peace can prevail.”
INTRODUCTION
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Within the Diocese of Chichester, the Parish of Winchelsea (served by the Church of St Thomas the Martyr) forms a Joint Benefice with the Parish of Icklesham (served by the Church of St Nicholas with All Saints). Since 2023, the Parish of Pett (served by the Church of St Mary and St Peter) has been linked in that the Rector of Winchelsea has also acted as Priestin-Charge of Pett. Each of these Parishes is governed by its own Parochial Church Council (PCC).
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At the beginning of February, the Reverend Jonathan Meyer retired having ministered here for seven years. The Parish was thus in Interregnum for the rest of the year, although the process of finding a new incumbent priest commenced in August and a selection was announced in November. It is worth recording, at the outset, our thanks to the Reverend Meyer for all that he achieved in his Ministry and, particularly, for keeping the Church alive through all the difficulties associated with the pandemic.
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In October 2025, the Diocese launched a consultation process to establish a new Joint Benefice comprising all three Parishes. However, this report deals only with the Parish of Winchelsea.
PCC WINCHELSEA — MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
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Members of the PCC are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Churchwardens are elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, which precedes the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, for a one-year term. Deanery Synod representatives are elected for a three-year term.
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The following served on the Parochial Church Council during 20285:
| Chairman | The Reverend Jonathan Meyer (until February 2025) |
|---|---|
| Churchwardens | Celia King |
| NigelAshton (until May 2025) | |
| John Rodley (from June 2025) | |
| Deanery Synod | Angela Hill |
| Representatives | Marion Lovell |
| Deborah Rodley | |
| Elected Office Holders | David Harris (Hon. Treasurerand Vice Chairfrom February |
| 2025) | |
| MaryParker(Hon.Secretary) |
Elected Members
David Jefferies (until April 2025) Pamela Jefferies (until April 2025) Alice Bolton (Safeguarding Officer) Jeremy Naylor Susan Wood Gavin McFadyean Martin Lew-Gor (from April 2025) Catherine Burnett (from April to November 2025)
- Electoral Roll. There were 81 on the Electoral Roll at the end of 2025, 65 resident and 16 non-resident.
CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
Registered charity number: 1132555 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Thomas Winchelsea
Principal address: St Thomas’ Church Winchelsea East Sussex TN36 4EB
Website: www.winchelsea-icklesham-churches.org.uk
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The PCC Members are all Trustees of the above charity and have complied with their duty in Part 9 of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission. They have also been guided by the following charitable objects this year:
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e To maintain a building appropriate for collective or private worship, prayer and reflection.
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e To support selected local and national charities throughout the year, including making regular monthly cash and food collections.
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e To ensure that church buildings are open daily and are available for use by the community as a whole.
RISK MANAGEMENT and SAFEGUARDING
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During the year, the PCC has continued to monitor the various risks applicable to the Church and has reviewed its published Health and Safety policy. No accidents were reported this year.
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The PCC has also reviewed and reissued its Safeguarding policy. The PCC is a member of the Church’s Child Protection Advisory Service. Appropriate clearances are held and updated and cleared people are present in a supervisory capacity whenever children attend Church.
DELIVERING THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
- In seeking to meet its charitable objects, the PCC has had due regard to carrying out its purpose for the public benefit. Throughout the year the Church has been open every day, a service has taken place every Sunday, along with weekly prayer meetings. The support of retired and visiting clergy has been essential in maintaining this pattern. In addition, all the major festivals were celebrated, a monthly Bible study group met in the New Inn and the
Church provided the venue for the Easter Monday Mayoring ceremony.
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The Register of Services and the Visitors’ Book demonstrate the regular use of the Church, not just as a place of worship, but in meeting a need for private reflection. The monthly Church Market has been a successful fundraiser and a key element of outreach and community engagement, as has been the regular Fellowship Lunches at Winchelsea Beach. The Mothers’ Prayers group also met monthly at Winchelsea Beach. A community Harvest Barn Dance was held in the New Hall.
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Supported Charities. Charities supported this year were Family Support, Demelza, Pett Level Rescue Boat, Rye Food Bank, ‘You Raise Me Up,’ Rye Hospital, Surviving Christmas, the Royal British Legion, Baby Basics and Farm Africa.
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Events. Musical Events this year featured nine concerts, seven of which were sponsored by Winchelsea Arts and one by the Rye Festival
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Special Offices. During the year there were three Baptisms, four Weddings and sixteen Burials or Interments.
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Churchyard. The PCC has sought to maintain the churchyard as place to be enjoyed by residents and visitors. Community support of this has included a grant from Icklesham Parish Council and private sponsorship of the wildflower circles.
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Our School. With 148 pupils, St Thomas’s Primary School has made considerable use of the Church for services and educational visits. It also led on the production of the Christmas Crib service. A group of congregation members has also been engaged with the ‘Open the Book’ initiative in the School.
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New Rector. Following an interview on 2 September, the Revd Nathanael Hayler was appointed Rector of the newly-formed Benefice of Winchelsea, Icklesham and Pett. He was inducted on 28 January 2026.
FABRIC
- Routine care and maintenance and appropriate statutory inspections have been conducted as hasa full review of insurance requirements. The major structural work this year was the renovation of the north chancel window and vestry roof. The cost of this work was £12,000, which was supported by grants and by the Friends of Winchelsea Church. Minor repairs were carried out on the organ, the porch floor and gutter and the west door. The War Memorial and surrounds were cleaned, and repair and repointing work was undertaken on the churchyard paths. Discussion on a new lighting system continued and a new sound system was installed.
FINANCE
- The Statements of Financial Affairs attached to this report shows the existing investments and reserves. The PCC had planned a small surplus for the year on the general unrestricted fund and the receipts and payments for the year demonstrate that this was achieved. Receipts include a generous legacy from the Estate of the late Reverend Paddy Buxton. A grant to the Winchelsea Beach Community Association towards building improvements was funded from proceeds of the sale of St Richard’s Church. The PCC has sought to manage the Church for the benefit of all, but pressure on the operating budget, particularly in terms of utility costs and general inflation, has been a considerable challenge. For similar reasons donations have been harder to attract, both from individuals and grant givers. In this context, we remain grateful for the support that has been given by the Friends of Winchelsea Church, by the Sussex Historic Churches Trust, by Icklesham Parish Council
and by the National Churches Trust.
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The PCC maintains sufficient operating funds in a current account at Lloyds Bank. All surplus funds are held in deposit accounts held by the CCLA (Churches, Charities and Local Authorities). Funds relating to the Blanesburgh Bequest are held in a separate CCLA Investment Fund for which the Diocese is Custodian Trustee. The Diocese reports performance annually, which is reflected in the PCC’s Annual Accounts.
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In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, the PCC maintains a reserve equivalent to six months’ budgeted expenditure. For 2026, this equates to £62,229. This policy is reviewed by the PCC annually. Funds above this sum and which are not restricted are available to match fund projects or to finance future projects such as the delivery of major fabric expenditure following periodic structure reports by the Diocesan Architect.
The financial statements for the year follow.
| Statement | ofAssets and | Liabilities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at: 31 December2025 | 2025 | |||||
| General (Unrestricted) |
. Designated “Fund |
. Restricted Funds |
Tl | Prior Year |
||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| ) | ||||||
| CurrentAssets - Investments | ||||||
| CCLA Blanesburgh Bequest (Diocese) | 22,703 | 22,703 | 23,648 | |||
| Current Assets- Cash At BankAnd | In Hand | |||||
| Lloyds - CurrentAccount | 20,457 | 20,457 | 6,080 | |||
| CCLA Guide Book - DepositAccount | 3,681 | 43 | 3,724 | 3,562 | ||
| CCLA PCC - General DepositAccount | 7,505 | 315,679 | 2,750 | 325,934 | 325,628 | |
| CCLA Lighting & Sound Appeal - Deposit |
||||||
| Account | 1,562 | 1,562 | 20,649 | |||
| CCLAJoseph McCrindle - DepositAccount | 12,019 | 12,019 | 11,499 | |||
| Total CurrentAssets | 31,643 | 315,679 | 39,077 | 386,399 | 391,066 | |
| Current Liabilities | ||||||
| Funds Due to Diocese | 145 | 145 | 1,090 | |||
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 31,643 | 315,679 | 38,932 | 386,254 | 389,976 | |
| Represented by | ||||||
| General (Unrestricted) | 31,643 | - | 43 | 31,686 | 5,784 | |
| Designated - Sale ofSt Richards | 315,679 | - | 315,679 | 315,373 | ||
| Restricted - Blanesburgh | 22,703 | 22,703 | 23,648 | |||
| Restricted - Choir | 700 | 700 | 700 | |||
| Restricted - Churchyard | 1,218 | 1,218 | 1,401 | |||
| Restricted - Joseph | 12,019 | 12,019 | 11,499 | |||
| Restricted - Lighting & Sound |
2,249 | 2,249 | 21,014 | |||
| Restricted - Special Giving | - | - | 7,169 | |||
| Restricted - Wild Flower | - | - | 3,388 | |||
| Total | 31,643 | 315,679 | 38,932 | 386,254 | 389,976 |
Summary of Receipts and Payments 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unnectriteg|Designated|Restricted|Total|Prior|
|Fund|Fund|Funds|2025|Year|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Tax|Efficient|Giving|19,350|19,350|21,007|
|Collections|at|Services|6,019|6,019|4,153|
|Appeals|7,950|7,950|27,414|
|Black|Box|8,339|8,339|8,862|
|Digital|Machine|13,931|838|14,769|11,447|
|Ride|&|Stride|-|Sussex|Historic|Churches|
|Trust|412|412|
|Other|Donations|7367|10|7377|6,677|
|Gift Aid|Recovered|6,572|§,312|11,884|6,744|
|Legacies|20,151|20,151|
|Grants|-|National|Churches Trust|5,000|5,000|0|
|Grants|-|Sussex|Historic|Churches|Trust &|
|Listed|Building VAT|4,804|4,804|22,127|
|Grants|-|Friends of Winchelsea|Church|16,340|16,340|4,505|
|Church|Markets|3,202|3,202|3,337|
|Harvest|Supper|175|175|1,115|
|Church|Lettings|2,430|2,430|2,193|
|Fees ex DBF Wedding,|Funerals &|Burials|10,376|10,376|7,680|
|Bank & CCLA|Interest|161|14,342|1,434|15,937|18,478|
|CBF|Investment|Fund|Dividend|657|657|642|
|Total|Receipts|125,286|14,342|18,544|155,172|146,381|
|Payments|
|Donations|to|External|Mission|&|Charities|23,560|23,560|3,977|
|Parish|Share|60,000|60,000|||66,000|
|Costs|ex DBF|re|- Weddings,|Funerals|Etc.|2,010|2,010|1,191|
|Insurance|5,231|§,231|5,093|
|Salaries,|Wage and|Honoraria|5,355|5,355|4,254|
|Recruitment|of New|Incumbent|641|641|-|
|Clergy|Expenses|-322|:|-322|1,989|
|Rectory|Running|Costs|587|587|4,857|
|Staff Expenses|-|Choir &|Music|679|679|543|
|Mission|&|Evangelism|Costs|207|207|1,691|
|Church|Running|Costs|2,942|2,942|11,952|
|Service|Costs,|Candles,|Wine,|etc|1,176|1,176|1,183|
|Printing,|Stationery & Sundries|1,767|1,767|1,824|
|Church|Utilities|6,753|6,753|§,080|
|Cost Of Church|Activities/Trading|eg|
|Magazine,|Bookstall|1,110|1,110|1,889|
|Churchyard|Maintenance|Cost|3,963|3,963|4,018|
|Minor Church|Repairs &|Maintenace|1,826|1,826|14,661|
|Major Church|Repairs &|Maintenace|9,638|9,638|3,235|
----- End of picture text -----
| New Building Projects (Light& Sound) | New Building Projects (Light& Sound) | 30,009 | 30,009 | 30,009 | 3,473 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Software Subscription | 180 | 180 | 204 | ||||||
| Bank Charges | 638 | 638 | 525 | ||||||
| Total Payments | 123,978 | 0 | 33,972 | 157,950 | 137,636 | ||||
| Difference in Receipts and Payments | 1,308 | 14,342 | -18,428 | -2,778 | 8,745 | ||||
| Summary ofFunds Movement | |||||||||
| 1 January 2025 to 31 | December2025 | 2025 | |||||||
| Incoming | Outgoing | Gains and | |||||||
| Fund | Brought Forward |
Resources | Resources | Transfers | Losses | Carried Forward |
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| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Blanesburgh Bequest - Restricted | 23,648 | -945 | 22,703 | ||||||
| Choir - Restricted | 700 | 700 | |||||||
| Churchyard Maintenance - Restricted | 1,401 | 3,780 | 3,963 | 1,218 | |||||
| General Unrestricted | 5,741 | 125,286 | 123,978 | 24,593 | 31,642 | ||||
| Joseph McCrindle - Restricted | 11,499 | 520 | 12,019 | ||||||
| Light&Sound - Restricted | 21,014 | 11,244 | 30,009 | 2,249 | |||||
| Sale ofStRichards -Designated | 315,373 | 14,342 | -14,036 | 315,679 | |||||
| Special Giving - Restricted | 7,169 | -7,169 | |||||||
| Wildflower - Restricted | 3,388 | -3,388 | |||||||
| Totals | 389,933 | 155,172 | 157,950 | 0 | -945 | 386,210 |
Note to the Financial Reports
The financial reports have been prepared on a cashbook accounting basis, i.e. receipts and payments for the year have not been adjusted to reflect creditors; accruals; stock debtors and prepayments. The reports have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the current Church Accounting regulations.
The Blanesburgh Bequest is a restricted fund for the repair and maintenance of the organ using interest and capital.
The Choir Fund is a restricted fund solely for the monies received following the closure of the Winchelsea Singers in 2020.
The Churchyard Maintenance Fund is a restricted fund comprising donations from the congregation and Winchelsea residents specifically for the maintaining the churchyard. There is an annual appeal and an application is made each year to Icklesham Parish Council for a grant..
The Joseph McCrindle Legacy is a restricted fund for the general beautification of the church and its fixtures and fittings.
The Light and Sound Appeal is a restricted fund for donations towards the installation of new sound and lighting systems in the church. The fund was created following the launch of the
appeal in November 2024.
The Sale of St Richard’s Fund is a designated fund, agreed by the PCC in 2023 to monitor the use of the proceeds from the sale of the church at Winchelsea Beach in the summer of 2023.
LOOKING AHEAD
22. Our priorities for 2026 will be:
e To work with the new Rector to achieve tangible, spiritual and measurable spiritual and material development across the joint Benefice, as it is developed.
e To examine with the new Rector how income streams might be enhanced, particularly encouraging stewardship and generosity in regular giving and in accessing potential grant givers.
° To work towards resolving outstanding matters regarding organ sustainability and the lighting project.
- | am pleased to acknowledge and thank all those who have voluntarily given so much time to maintaining the life of the Church and its service to the whole community throughout the year. Many of these have already been mentioned in this report. It is too easy to take for granted the vital contribution of so many people within and beyond the regular congregation. The fact is that we could not manage without you all. Lastly, we fully appreciate the help of the Diocese, Archdeaconry and Deanery in so many ways that often go unnoticed, but upon which we sometimes depend.
David Harris Vice-Chair (to 28 January 2026) For and on behalf of the PCC
The Parish of Winchelsea
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Parish of Winchelsea
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parish of Winchelsea for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of The Parish of Winchelsea you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of The Parish of Winchelsea's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination. | 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of The Parish of Winchelsea as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
(James Moreno FCCA
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
39 Leigh Road
Cobham Surrey
KT11 2LF