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2022-12-31-accounts

30[th] April 2023

Annual Reports and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St. George’s, Jesmond, for the year ending 31[st] December 2022

Parochial Church Council of St. George’s, Jesmond

Registered Charity No. 1132758

Aim and Purpose

St. George’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon Brian Hurst, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church, the Church Hall, Tower House, Close house, and the Green.

Objectives and Activities

St George’s seeks to be an Inclusive Church and has set the following areas of focus for our energies:

PCC Members who served during 2022

Ex Officio

Incumbent: Reverend Brian Hurst

Curates: Reverend Stephanie Keates (to May 2022), Reverend Derek Avery (to November 2022), Reverend Oliver Dempsey

Lay Reader and Anna Chaplain: Joan Grenfell Churchwarden: Graham Hatt (since 2020) General Synod: Canon Izzy McDonald-Booth

Lay Representatives on Deanery Synod: Mike de la Hunt (2020-2023), Kay Plumley (2020-2023) Treasurer: Mike Ranson

Elected Members

Sophie Leach (to February 2022) Paul Taylor (to April 2022) Jon Davies (to August 2022) Donald Gaze (2020-2023) Tom Klenka (2020-2023) Sue Vernon (2021-2024) Hilary Cullingford (2022-2025) Ian Ness (2022-2025) Margaret Vane (2022-2025)

In Attendance

Secretary: Janet Wilson

Contents

Agenda ............................................................................................................................... 2 Electoral Roll Report .......................................................................................................... 3 List of Sidespeople ............................................................................................................. 3 Vicar’s Report .................................................................................................................... 4 Parochial Church Council Report ....................................................................................... 6 Churchwarden’s Report ..................................................................................................... 9 Fixtures and Fittings Report ............................................................................................... 11 Deanery Synod Report ....................................................................................................... 12 Safeguarding Report .......................................................................................................... 13 Safeguarding Policy ............................................................................................................ 14 Inclusive Church Statement ............................................................................................... 15 Children and Young People Report .................................................................................... 15 Eco Group Report ............................................................................................................... 17 Environmental Policy .......................................................................................................... 18 Faith and Nurture Group Report ........................................................................................ 19 Anna Chaplain Report ......................................................................................................... 19 Community Hub Steering Group Report ............................................................................ 20 Music Report ...................................................................................................................... 21 Bellringers’ Report .............................................................................................................. 22 Friends of St George’s Report ............................................................................................. 23 Minutes of the 2022 meetings ........................................................................................... 24 Treasurer’s Report .............................................................................................................. 28 Selected pages from the accounts ...................................................................................... 30

Agenda

1. Annual Meeting of Parishioners

2. Annual Parochial Church Meeting

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Electoral Roll Report

The revision of the Electoral Roll was completed on 16th April 2023.

The roll contains 201 names; 87 are resident in the parish and 114 are non-resident.

In April 2022 the roll contained 197 names - there have been 11 additions and 7 deletions since then.

The secretaries of the Diocesan and Deanery Synod have been duly informed of the current roll numbers.

Margaret Baron, Electoral Roll Officer

List of sidespeople

Lorna & Paul Taylor Barbara Peacock Graham, Caroline & Andrew Field Jon & Jean Davies Hazel Jones-Lee Sue King Margaret Tait Samuel Parker Christine Rowland Leslie Wilkinson Chris & Sylvia Stenton Peter Magnay Jim Lowe Donald Gaze Barbara Gardner Jenny Click Janet Wilson Brent & Ella Swinburne Andrew Swai Julian & Kay Plumley Peter & Vera Friberg-Rodgers Jackie & Ian Spencer Mike & Linsley de la Hunt

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The Vicar’s Report

A worshipping community: inclusive, nurturing, engaged.

At a parochial level, the year 2022 has been very much a year of covid recovery, as we slowly emerged from the pandemic, re-established confidence, and took stock of the cost and impact that covid has had on churches up and down the land. At a national and international level, the year will be remembered as the one in which we lost our most devoted Sovereign Lady, her late Queen Elizabeth II; as a parish we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the Big Friendly Jubilee Gathering and we mourned her loss with a book of remembrance and Requiem Eucharist.

In an ever-changing ministry team, I continue to be grateful for the support and encouragement of colleagues.

Ollie Dempsey slipped into last year’s report, arriving with us in time for Advent ’21. He is now very much a part and parcel of the place as he heads toward the third anniversary of his ordination.

Advent ’22 was the time when Derek Avery’s curacy drew to a close. It has been a great joy having Derek serve his title with us and gain experience of priestly ministry. The Bishop and Derek continue to be in conversation about the shape and place of his future ministry, and in the meantime, we continue to benefit from his presence in the Sunday congregation, and using his skills, gifts, and talents within the parish.

We also said a fond farewell to Stephanie Keates who ended her curacy and headed to the coast to serve the people of St Aidan, Billy Mill and St Hilda, Marden with Preston Grange as priest-in-charge of the benefice.

It was a delight to see so many people from St George’s supporting both Helen Young and Nathanael Hayler at their ordination as deacons at Petertide, and we wish them well in this coming year.

Lest we think ministry is all about the ordained, Malcolm Toft, who had been worshipping with us for a good number of months, a well-established Reader and churchman, was licensed to the parish as Reader during the autumn. And I know many of us are glad of his presence among us.

We also give thanks that Izzy McDonald-Booth, having responded positively to the call to train as a Reader, was selected for training and has begun on Lindisfarne College. We have already benefited from her praying and preaching among us. The downside of her course is that Readers-in-training are asked to sit light to some of their parish responsibilities.

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With so much coming and going, I have been grateful of Joan Grenfell’s constancy, her preaching and teaching ministry, and thankful too for Joan’s ministry as an Anna Chaplain to our Nursing Homes, study groups, and as Pastoral Visitor co-ordinator.

As the year progressed it became much easier, and acceptable, to visit the sick and bereaved at home and on occasion in hospital. There is a good, small, reliable team of visitors who take on this role and they are a great example of shared ministry in this place.

I know that the congregation is immensely grateful, as I am, to Graham Hatt who has inhabited the ancient and honourable office of churchwarden with grace and patience for the past three years and doing so this past year as your sole warden. Graham has approached this role with common sense, and has greatly reduced your expectations of the churchwarden, whilst fulfilling the office with responsibility and seriousness.

In seeking to share the tasks accumulated to the churchwardens, others, including “deputy wardens”, have stepped up to the mark – in part this was a response to the Time and Talents campaign, and I am thankful for all who made offers, and hope that they have by now been taken up.

Despite the work done by the PCC, it remains a huge concern that, at the time of writing, no one is willing to stand as warden for the coming year.

In the autumn Emily Gibson left the employment of St George’s as the Youth and Family Leader.

Our Lenten study included a series of special speakers, talking on a wide range of subjects from art to Bach, from Hadrian’s Wall to Santiago de Compostela, and culminated in a timely introduction to the triduum led by Canon David Kennedy, vicar of Corbridge; our bible studies reflected on ‘Identities around the Cross’; others enjoyed thinking more deeply on the 1988 video version ‘the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’; the introverts enjoyed a weekly time of silent prayer.

We were privileged to have our thoughts during the three great days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day led by Canon Jennifer Cooper (Director of IME and Canon Theologian) on the topic ‘The things that make for peace’… a topic made more relevant by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Easter Day saw a goodly number in church (a 50% increase on the previous year, which shows how cautious we must be with statistics!). While Christmas communicants (at 183) compares well with 2019 figures; however, the 1,015 worshippers on Christmas Eve was well down on the 2019 figure. But it was, as always, good to welcome some 862 pupils and parents for special end of term Christmas carol services this year.

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Throughout the year five candidates were presented for Confirmation – Stephen Dawes was presented to the Bishop of Wakefield at Cullercoats, and Emma, Eve, Shaun, and Will were presented at All Saints’ Gosforth to Bishop Mark Bryant.

The PCC has pressed on with plans for the whole site, and with developing a vision for St George’s Community Hub 2025. It appointed Paul Baird, an experienced Fundraising Consultant with a track record in major funding for projects with listed buildings, to work with it as it launches the funding campaign early in 2023.

During the year a small number of St George’s people have been working in various ways with refugees and asylum seekers, looking for sanctuary within this city. I am immensely grateful to them for their quiet, tough sometimes, campaigning work with these our neighbours. Four families have been housed by the Catherine Cookson Trust and, in partnership with it, the net rental income is being donated to St George’s by the Trust. In the coming year, this will put our finances on a firmer footing as we seek to build on our service in the community.

Elsewhere in this full report we will read of the many and varied ways in which our common life is shaped. It all represents an incredible amount of work, time, and commitment; done willing and in the name Our Lord it is to God’s praise and glory, as we seek to be a worshipping community: inclusive, nurturing, engaged.

The Reverend Canon Brian Hurst

Parochial Church Council Report

This report highlights key points from meetings in 2022. Full, recent PCC minutes are at https://stgeorgesjesmond.org.uk/church-life/who-we-are/the-pcc/ - others are available from the Parish Office.

February

The generous Legacy of Miss Ann Biles – some £28,380 – was gratefully noted. Money would remain in a designated fund and some portion of the money be allocated to the project reflecting her interest in the parish. Nonetheless, in respect of day-to-day spending, the PCC continued to operate with year on year deficits. It was agreed that this was an unsustainable position. Accordingly, the Parish Share offer was £100,000, some £13,000 lower than in 2021, and subject to mid-year review. Completion of the hall roof insulation was approved.

March

The hall roof insulation was complete and the new boiler about to be installed. The ECO group was to commence progress from our current bronze eco-church status towards silver and on to gold status. There was unanimous support for Izzy McDonald-Booth’s application to the demanding 3 year Lay Ministry training programme. The financial reports and outline plans

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for the Platinum Jubilee gathering and summer fête on seventh May were all approved. Modest hall hire charge increases were to be implemented.

May

Arrangements were made for the replacement of the noticeboard which had suffered storm damage, this cost being covered by insurance. Lone Worker, Social Media, and Legacy policies were approved, as were Design Principles for our community space and work to identify a suitable Fundraising Consultant. The quality of sound amplification within the church building was discussed and external assessments pursued. The Rev Stephanie Keats had been appointed to North Shields; she was congratulated and thanked for her PCC contributions over almost 4 years. The Fete had been a notable success.

July

The PCC agreed to support the much needed Organ Restoration Project as presented by the Director of Music. The Big friendly Jubilee gathering had been a considerable success. A pair of smart speakers had been tested within the church. While the sound quality improvement was considerable, cost was regarded as prohibitive and other quotations and solutions were sought.

Following the Annual Meeting, Graham Hatt had been functioning as a lone warden. The role of warden at St George’s had gradually increased over the years, particularly during Covid. This meant it was unmanageable for a single individual and furthermore others were disincentivised from considering the position because of the perception of said workload. Attempts will be made to establish the true core activities of St George’s church warden.

Financial review indicated that we were not in a position to restore the parish share above the existing offer of £100,000, although continuing efforts were being made by a fundraising group to boost external income to the maximum. A scoping exercise had been undertaken to identify a suitable fundraising consultant. The matter was of some urgency due to the potential collapse of hard won planning permissions. One fundraiser had already been excluded on grounds of cost and the final decision was imminent. The PCC approved funds for the initial fundraising phase, essentially a feasibility scoping exercise. The resignation of Ian Ness as quinquennial architect was tendered.

September

PCC accepted Malcolm Toft ministry as a Reader licensed to the parish, having been an experienced reader at St Andrews Newgate Street. Tom Klenka had taken up the post as Health and Safety Officer. Dr Graham Rutt’s request that the parish undertake a Revive and Refresh campaign along the lines or prior Time and Talents initiatives was supported unanimously. The possibility of Assistant Churchwardens was being explored. It remained unclear whether the Garden of Remembrance endowment fund was in fact truly a restricted fund and whether its conditions allowed for some of its funds contribute to the building of a replacement boundary wall between the GoR and the tennis club, following the storm damage to the pre-existing fence. Paul Baird had accepted an appointment as St George’s

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fundraising consultant. The gift of a votive candle stand from a member of the congregation was discussed.

November

There was further discussion around sound solutions (in addition to a valuable training session from Prof Paul Carding on articulation by readers and intercessors). External input was sought from the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Reports were received from the Children and Young People Group; Deanery Synod; Grounds and Gardens and ECO group. The manifest success of Director of Music in a range of activities was gratefully acknowledged. Finances remained problematic. Due to improvements in energy conservation, utility bills had not seen the anticipated dramatic increase unlike insurance costs which had risen considerably. Floodlighting costs were reviewed and potential for a reduced period of illumination to be discussed with Watson Trust.

December

Mr Ian Watson kindly offered to supply the lighting funding shortfall in the form of an additional grant in order to avoid reduced hours during the national energy crisis. The initial strategy of Paul Baird, our Community Hub Fundraising Consultant, was reviewed and PCC agreed to fund the remainder of Paul Baird’s contract. PCC approved applications for Assistant Churchwarden positions from Graham Rutt, Enid Pearson, Chris Stenton, and David Cullingford. The favoured provider of an updated sound system was Clockwork AV solutions, at a cost of £10,656. A potential grant for some or all of this sum would be explored before commissioning the works in 2023. The success of the Christmas market was noted.

Membership

Tom Klenka and Donald Gaze’s terms of office will expire at the Annual Meeting 2023. Jon Davies demitted office in August 2022. There are in total three PCC vacancies available following the APCM April 2023, in addition to one Deanery Synod vacancy.

I wish to thank Jon, Tom and Donald and continuing PCC members for their adaptability and hard work; Tom for taking on the role of Health and Safety officer; Caroline Field for her invaluable financial support of Gift Aid and online giving, Hazel Jones-Lee for supporting publicity and the fabulous but often unsung talents of the Hospitality Network.

Janet A. Wilson, PCC Secretary

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Churchwarden’s Report

For the first time that I can remember, we were unable to find a replacement for an outgoing Churchwarden to replace Louise Chapman, who had already served an extra year in 20212022 to make sure I had a good handover, and therefore I was your sole Churchwarden over the past 12 months. Fortunately for me, most of the ex-wardens were willing to take turns to help me at the back of church on a Sunday morning and I’m very grateful to Louise Chapman, David Cullingford, Mike de La Hunt, Derek Nicholson, Enid Pearson, Hilary Pitkethly, Graham Rutt, Ian Spencer, and Chris Stenton, for stepping in and sharing the responsibilities over the past 12 months. I’ve enjoyed your company and have learnt something from each of you.

Special thanks must go to Graham Rutt who formed a sub-group of ‘assistant wardens’ with Chris Stenton, David Cullingford, and Enid Pearson. Graham Rutt has also helped me to slim down the Churchwarden role to make it more manageable. I’d like to thank everyone on the tea and coffee rota who has taken back setting up the tables on a Sunday morning and Derek Nicholson who has taken over the sourcing and serving of wine after Evensong.

The livestreaming system has now become an important part of the way we operate and it has enabled countless people to keep in touch whilst being unable to be physically with us. This has been particularly important for a number of weddings and funerals over the course of the past 12 months. The team, led by Janet Wilson, welcomed Sylvia Dahabra and Vera Friberg-Rogers this year to join Donald Gaze, Jackie Spencer, Margaret Baron, and Sam Parker. There have been a couple of sketchy moments when technology has let us down, but on the whole the group have managed to deliver a remarkably consistent and high quality service and have made sure to always balance the needs of the virtual audience with our safeguarding obligations.

With the help of Janet Wilson we have an agreed plan to significantly improve the church sound system and we are currently waiting on a grant application to allow this work to proceed.

We have continued collections of food and toiletries donations for refugees and the local foodbanks and for Children North East.

I am grateful to Brian Hurst, Ollie Dempsey, Joan Grenfell and all our clergy team. I thank Bryan Vernon for leading our monthly Taizé service and for continuing to host the weekly virtual coffee morning on Zoom which he established during Covid.

Mike Ranson, our treasurer, has continued to guide us in the proper financial management of the church and has worked hard to ensure we have a plan to bring our reserves back to a suitable level after reducing in each of the past five years. Janet Wilson, our PCC secretary, a role which has much in common with herding cats, has continued to keep the PCC organised and focused. I’m very grateful for their work and for that of Jonathan Richards in the parish

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office who continues to provide cheerful support in the administration and management of so many areas.

Many people have been involved in the development of the vision for our future; The St Georges Community Hub: A safe shared space in the heart of Jesmond during the past year. An external fundraiser, Paul Baird, was appointed in August and he has really helped us to shape our thinking and has helped us with a large number of external grant applications. I am optimistic that this will enable us to begin the construction of the whole site plan soon.

I am grateful for all who have taken part in the sidespersons’ rota this year – you continue to play a vital role in welcoming regular parishioners and visitors, putting them at their ease, and in helping me look out for everyone.

Drew Cantrill-Fenwick, our Director of Music, has made a significant impact to music and to the wider life of the church over the past year. He has established a new junior choir on a Thursday afternoon, Choral and Organ scholarships for young people, expanded and strengthened our fabulous choir and delivered a number of special events including a fantastic silent movie screening of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ accompanied by improvised organ music. Drew has many new events planned for the future in aid of the new organ repair fund.

I would like to recognise the incredibly important work that Barbara Peacock continues to carry out on an almost daily basis in setting up the church for services, and a whole host of related jobs, without which we would cease to operate. Barbara is always there with a funny comment, encouragement, or a word of friendly advice, and will regularly put me straight on a point of church etiquette that I’m unaware of.

I was really hoping that over the course of the past 12 months, a couple of suitable volunteers would be found to take over the role of Churchwarden as I come to the end of my third term. I had been prepared to do an extra year for a handover if necessary, however as I write this, I find myself in a position in which I have no one to hand over to. Balancing the needs of this role, family and work life has been quite a challenge over the past three years and I feel I can’t continue without being able to hand the baton on to somebody new. It has been a great privilege to serve as your Churchwarden and I hope that at some point soon, we are able to re-establish this role.

I would like to thank each of you for your continued contribution and support to our shared life at St George’s and in our communities in Jesmond and beyond.

Graham Hatt, Churchwarden

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Fixtures and Fittings Report

The Terrier and Inventory, which are the formal records of the church buildings, grounds, and contents, were updated in March 2023. All 91 items on the existing inventory were accounted for.

General Maintenance

The volunteer Tuesday Group has continued over the course of the past year, and I am immensely grateful for all their hard work, especially Mike de la Hunt and Brent Swinburne who each take a degree of informal leadership of the group. Much of the work would only be noticed if it wasn’t done and is quite invisible to most people. Ian Spencer continues to carry out all manner of electrical maintenance jobs which saves us considerable expense.

The organ has continued to require a significant amount of maintenance, including rewinding of the main motor earlier in the year which put the organ out of action for a couple of weeks.

Stephanie Keates moved out of Close House earlier in the year and the Tuesday Group helped to clean, paint, and prepare it for our new tenants.

Up until very recently, the replacement of the old noticeboard could have been regarded as a success, but alas the recent high winds have demonstrated that the four support columns (which are connected to steel tubes embedded in a very large concrete foundation) have failed at the ground level joint. I am currently looking at options to sort out a long-term fix but in the meantime I’m afraid we will have to live with just one of the boards.

Very recently the Building and Grounds committee has been re-established by Derek Nicholson (with Ian Spencer, David Cullingford and myself) after lapsing during Covid. This group has been sorely missed in recent years as the maintenance demands of a Victorian grade 1 listed church are never-ending. In the first meeting we reviewed the last quinquennial inspection, which was carried out by Ian Ness in December 2019. We hope to be able to address the issues with the broken speed bumps and uneven paving over the next year.

Church Hall

In March 2022 the church hall loft void was insulated with 300mm of insulation and a new efficient condensing boiler installed, and over the course of the past 12 months, despite increased use as we gradually emerge into a more active and social post-Covid period, we have used roughly 30% less gas.

Garden of Remembrance

The new foundation for the stone wall to the rear of the garden of remembrance was completed a year ago and this has secured our planning approval for the church extension. We had hoped to make progress on the construction of this wall, but things have unfortunately taken longer than anticipated and I hope we will manage to make progress on this over the next 12 months.

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Trees

Dendra have recently carried out a full inspection of every tree on the green to identify any diseased specimens and to recommend any tree surgery work that may be required to keep the area safe.

Graham Hatt, Churchwarden

Deanery Synod Report

There have been 3 Deanery Synod meetings since the last APCM, chaired by Rev. Pauline Pearson, Area Dean.

May 2022, Church of The Ascension, Kenton.

Meeting ran as a rotating small group discussion on a number of topics:

Motion passed: ‘This Central Deanery commits to achieve net zero by 2030’. Each PCC is asked to formally make the same commitment and to sign up for ‘Eco Church’, if not already done. Discussion on status by church, what might be reapplied and barriers to progress. St. George’s has already committed to net zero by 2030 and is a Bronze Eco church.

We discussed building a Deanery Directory and identifying ways to share resources/ expertise. The groups discussed what might be included in such a directory, who should maintain it and how we might share resources and expertise.

Which local needs might we address collaboratively - food poverty; coordinating responses to refugees; homelessness; dementia support; communication opportunities; looking after ourselves.

July 2022, Holy Trinity, Jesmond.

The meeting focused on a review of actions arising from the May meeting; a presentation about preparations for ‘Generosity Week’ in September; table discussions on getting back to ‘normal’ after Covid; the challenges with trying to achieve net zero with our energy hungry buildings and the need to think about other environmental challenges as well as carbon.

20 October St. Thomas the Martyr Church, Haymarket.

The Deanery Plan

Over the next 3 years a plan will be developed to share people, time and resources across the churches and parishes in the Deanery. Including clergy, lay leaders, and retired clergy. Information was shared on screen from a Diocesan Synod about the approach to be taken – outward looking; developing flourishing leaders; creating new Christian communities and new Christians; making disciples who build up the church; always growing younger; flourishing financially. Data sheets from the Deanery churches were shared and there were small group discussions about the information.

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Parish Share: The new Deanery Share calculations are underway and all were urged to help and support this important process.

We continue to work together and support one another in Central Deanery in a positive and constructive way.

Izzy McDonald-Booth, Kay Plumley, and Mike de la Hunt

Safeguarding Report

Safeguarding is integral to all institutions: the previous record of the church demonstrates why it is so important.

We follow the National Guidelines on safeguarding. The church has slowly changed its procedures in line with this. This has meant rapidly embracing guidelines regarding media and internet use as well as practically keeping everyone safe bringing the church into line.

It remains essential to the safety of St Georges that we adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures. There has been one safeguarding incident this year, which by its nature remains confidential, and we have worked closely with other agencies in handling this.

I am thankful to everyone for their co-operation and support in doing this role, the clergy, churchwarden, local police, and church secretaries and the wider congregation. In a digital age where photographs of children can be manipulated to create pornographic images, we face challenges to longstanding practices that none of us would have foreseen last century.

Dr Sue Vernon, Safeguarding Officer

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THE PARISH OF ST GEORGE’S JESMOND SAFEGUARDING POLICY PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 21 March 2023

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

The Parish will:

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Dr Sue Vernon as the Parish Safeguarding Officer

Incumbent ................................................................... Churchwardens ............................................................................................................

Date…………………………………………………………………..

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Inclusive Church Statement

“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.

We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”

https://www.inclusive-church.org/the-ic-statement/

Children and Young People Report

Background: What the PCC has chartered the CYP to do; team members this year

The purpose of the CYP is to ‘Help to deliver the Church Vision for children & young people, especially to meet their spiritual & worshipping needs’. Team members throughout the year were Alison, Brian, Kay, Lorna, and Sarah, with Sue Vernon attending occasionally in an advisory capacity as Safeguarding Officer. Izzy and Sophie resigned during the year, with much gratitude for their valued contributions to the work over many years. Lucy and Ollie joined the team during the year. And Emily Gibson left St. Georges as Family & Youth Leader in November.

Back to normal – thank you to all the volunteers!

After the pandemic years, we were delighted to be ‘Back to normal’ with children’s activities. Smarties had resumed back in 2021 and with Little Saints (led by Christine’s team) back up and running after Easter, the Summer Fete and BFJG, all our regular activities have resumed. We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who run Smarties: Lucy (who organises), Alison, Catherine, Hilary, Jen, Joan, Lana, Sarah, Susan, and Ros.

Residentials

Emily organised 2 residential events during the year, one in January and the other in August. Both events were jointly organised with Morpeth. Very few St. George’s young people attended.

Children in Church

Emily led a piece of work to establish a monthly ‘Children in Church’ service. The idea was to have more accessible music, prayers, sermons etc, while allowing those who prefer to attend

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a quieter service the option to attend the 11:30am instead. These services started in February and ran through to the summer holidays. There were some great highlights (Donald’s readings and Graham Rutt’s teaspoon prayers come to mind), but there was much that needed further work. With Emily’s departure, they have been put on hold.

Easter activities

A ‘Resurrection Trail’ was run around the Green again. Sophie ran Easter Crafts on the Saturday before Palm Sunday and Emily organised Cross Crafts on Good Friday.

Events

The Summer Fete would not be complete without children’s activities. This year Emily ran Cross Crafts for perhaps 100 children and the scouts organised seed bombs. The Big Friendly Jubilee Gathering featured Crown Crafts organised by Emily with help from Morpeth volunteers, as well Eco crafts with bug hotels and bird box assembly. In the summer, Emily and a volunteer Art student worked with a number of community groups to have them decorate ‘Peace Poles’. These should have been varnished and then displayed around Jesmond, but in the absence of a Youth Leader they have not been finalized.

Vision Day

In May, Emily organised a Vision Day at St. Hilda’s, inviting a facilitator from another church to help a group of perhaps 20 from the congregation to select immediate priorities for our children’s and youth work. 3 priorities were chosen: Children in Church (to sort out in the next few months or to drop); Messy Church; Work with Students. While both Children in Church services and work with students have been put on hold since Emily’s departure, there is better news on Messy Church.

Messy Church

In November, Ollie organised Messy Church with the theme of Northern Saints. Many people volunteered to run a craft or serve refreshments and the event was great fun. We would like to run Messy Church one Saturday per school term.

Housekeeping & Maintenance

A group of brave volunteers cleared out the upper room in the Hall, carting a lot of junk away and doing some serious deep cleaning. And the Children’s Corner in church has had a refurbishment after the floor was repaired by Ian.

A consultation process, facilitated by the Diocesan Children & Youth Team Leader, is planned for the spring, to clarify our strategy for children and young people and where an employed person might fit into this. We could also use your help and skills in all sorts of ways - designing Messy Church posters, gathering materials for or running activities, joining the Smarties rota and more - so do contact us!

Kay Plumley, on behalf of the CYP

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Eco Group Report

The Group has met on a regular basis through the year, on the basis of every 4 to 6 weeks.

We continue to work against four key themes, which are:

  1. Achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2030;

  2. Addressing our waste and recycling;

  3. Encouraging biodiversity on our estate, and

  4. Promoting environmental awareness amongst the congregation at large.

Against these objectives, the following activities and projects have been addressed during the past year:

1. Net Zero

We successfully applied for 2 grants for a new Hall boiler and Graham Hatt arranged for its installation. Together with roof insulation and new heating controls, these improvements have reduced our Hall gas use by 33% compared to the same period last year, even while Hall use has increased.

We have completed an Initial appraisal of alternative heating schemes for the Church to provide a lower carbon footprint, including testing of heated pew cushions and a visit to the Cathedral to see their underfloor heating system. Next, an energy audit will be done on the church and we hope that this will result in a recommendation to the PCC on next steps towards net zero in the church.

Implementation of energy monitoring programme to accurately track our gas and electricity usage.

2. Recycling

Recycling facilities are now available in the Hall kitchen. In 2023 we are looking to expand this to the church vestry as well.

3. Biodiversity

A Land Management Scheme is now in place for the green areas around the church. A bird box and bug hotel were installed during the year.

4. Environmental Awareness

3 events were organised during coffee after church: In February there was a presentation about the work of the Eco group and the overall plan; In May, we had a session on recycling, including a game to see how well people know what they can recycle and where; In October we had an Energy themed session with a quiz, tips on how to save energy as well as videos and a presentation.

There was an Eco stall at the Big Friendly Coronation Gathering, especially to younger members of the community, which featured bug hotels, bird box assembly and some colouring in for the children.

Finally, work continues against the Eco-Church scheme to transition from our present bronze level to silver.

John Clark, Chair Eco Group

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Environmental Policy

St. George’s Church accepts responsibility for its effects on the environment and is committed to reduce them. As your local Church of England (Anglican) church, one of our Five Marks of Mission is to strive to safeguard the integrity of Creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

The key points of our strategy to achieve this are:

Signed: Dated: March 2023

Chair of the Parochial Church Council

Review: This policy will be reviewed each year at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

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Faith and Nurture Report

The stated purpose of the Faith and Nurture Group is to set the strategic direction for St George’s chosen priority of ‘Questioning, Nurturing Faith’. We aim to help our church to grow both numerically and spiritually.

The Group, led by Joan Grenfell, met three times in 2022 with much of our discussion and business carried out electronically between these meetings.

The membership and mission of the Group is kept under continuous review. The main other items we discussed related to:

We will always welcome new members and any suggestions to help our community grow spiritually as well as in number.

Joan Grenfell, Michael de la Hunt

Anna Chaplain Report

Restrictions lifted… nearly.

My ministry this year has been a case of working with the three Care Homes I am involved with as they have tried to ‘get back to normal’ as Covid restrictions have gradually been lifted.

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I have been able to take the Sacrament into two of the Care Homes since April but was only allowed to do this in Craghall from September. Mask wearing has been obligatory until the restriction was finally lifted in January 2023.

Taking the Sacrament into Craghall last September, the first time for almost 3 years, was very emotional for everyone.

However, I was still not allowed to mingle freely with residents in the main lounge. This was disappointing for me. Reconnecting with some residents will have to wait until all restrictions are lifted.

I have maintained a close relationship with those residents of Cestria House for whom I was the ‘named visitor’. Sadly, one of those, Fred, died on Christmas morning. He died peacefully. He had been resident in Cestria for 18 years and I had known him for most of those years. He was a man of great faith, so to die on Christmas day seemed very fitting.

During the year I have joined the online training course via Zoom as a ‘guest’ Anna Chaplain on several occasions, sharing my experience with those about to embark on the ministry.

A highlight… if I can call it that… was the week following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth when I was able to offer a short service in each care home, giving the residents the opportunity to give thanks for the life of the Queen and to share their memories of her.

In each of the homes the lounge was full as all the residents, who had grown up with her, wanted to pay their respects.

The ministry of the Anna Chaplain, I hope, enriches the lives of residents and staff in Care homes… as it certainly enriches mine.

Joan Grenfell

Community Hub Steering Group Report

The Group came into existence during 2022 initially meeting as a group of relevant members of the parish who had come together to discuss and formulate the fundraising strategy for the Whole Site Plan (now St Georges Community Hub). This group would form the new focus for the project on behalf of the PCC following the end of Covid restrictions as life returned to normal.

The group incorporated the support and contribution of Paul Baird, who had been appointed in July by the PCC as professional fundraising consultant to the church and the project, based on a phased staging of his time and associated fees.

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The group first met in September (as Fundraising team), which then morphed into the initial Steering Group to take the scheme forward.

Three further meetings were held in October, November, and December which concentrated primarily on structure, support, publicity, and fundraising objectives/timelines.

In December the PCC approved the next stage of the fundraising consultant’s fees, which in turn facilitated the Steering group to plan and undertake an initial pre-launch of the “Community Hub” in January 2023, and at time of writing to formally launch the whole scheme to both Parish and Community during the month of March.

The steering group will be the core committee to the sub-elements of the Project, Fundraising, Publicity, Eco, & Organ Restoration Groups, and report back to the PCC as the scheme progresses.

Derek Nicholson

Music Report

The past year has been an active time for the parish musicians, with ongoing musical building work after the disruption of Covid and a series of new innovations, including the recruitment of a Junior Choir. This informal choral group met for the first time after Easter 2022 and much progress and fun has been had, fuelled by excellent snacks! The choir sang its first Sunday morning service on Advent Sunday last year and will join us for Mothering Sunday 2023. My thanks to Hilary, Sue, Maggie, and Joan for their ongoing help and enthusiasm.

The Parish Choir has welcomed new several new members over the past 12 months, including (thanks to a grant from the Ouseley Trust, donors within the parish and the Northumbrian Organ Scholar Trust) two choral scholars and an organ scholar. The choir continues to enrich our Sunday morning worship with a wide variety of music and sings Choral Evensong on the third Sunday of the month, when we are able to welcome additional singers from across the city. A ‘come and sing’ performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion in April attracted a good number of visitors, including a large group from Hexham Abbey, and we are looking forward to singing the work in Hexham on 2 April 2023. Other new initiatives included a full Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on 18 December. Tiger Lee (organ scholar) has been of invaluable assistance to me over the past year, conducting and playing as necessary whilst making excellent progress. I am hugely grateful to him and all the singers who give so willingly of their time and talent, as well as to those who go the extra mile to help behind the scenes with things like refreshments after Evensong. We are truly fortunate to enjoy such a high level of committed music making in the parish.

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A series of organ recitals was launched in May 2022 and featured 13 very well-supported concerts by local organists and visitors from further afield. Another significant organ event in the autumn, a showing of Phantom of the Opera with a live soundtrack supplied by Darius Battiwalla, enabled us to launch the appeal to restore the parish’s wonderful Lewis/Binns organ. The Organ Restoration Project has gathered considerable momentum following a large number of generous donations to the ‘Sponsor a Pipe Campaign’. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed.

Plans for 2023 include another silent movie screening on 25 March. The organ recital series begins again on 5 May, and various other fundraising events are planned for after Easter. More information will be available on the church website.

Drew Cantrill-Fenwick, Director of Music

Bellringers’ Report

Whereas we are mainly back to pre-lockdown ringing standards, we have not been able to replace the teenagers that we had learning the art in early 2000. This is a priority for us.

Risk assessments are in place as well as maintaining records and sanitiser in appropriate locations as a precaution when we change bells at the start of ringing.

There has often been a shortage of capable ringers to deliver ringing for service in the past but recently as the band progresses, we have at least 8 or 9 ringers for service and for practice night.

Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration and the Jesmond Festival

We rang to open the jubilee festival and to open and close the BFG community celebration on the church green. Chris Clarke, Jesmond Festival organiser, said we were an asset to the community as bellringers. We look forward to reprising this for the coronation in 2023.

Death and State Funeral of Elizabeth II

We had little time to attach the muffles to ring for the death of Queen Elizabeth as this was a formal request by The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers to ring at a certain time the very next day. We all rallied round to assemble and ring half muffled bells as an announcement of her passing. The bells fell silent until the funeral day and then as the King was announced the muffles were taken off and the bells rang out in celebration, as they will for his coronation. All labour intensive but our band rose to the occasion.

Ringers

Commitment of our ringers and their help to keep the bells ringing when possible has been tremendous. A group of 5 of our ringers attended a 5 day ringing course in the Scottish

22

Highlands as well as visiting other towers to ring. This has increased their skill and added to the joyful sound we make. On Sunday morning after ringing at St George’s, a group of ringers help and ring for service at Fenham church where numbers are also short.

Maintenance

The help of Tom, Stuart (Gosforth ringer), and Steve has lightened the responsibility of repairing stays. A stay is one of the safety devices which prevents an accident but can crack and break if bumped by the bell when ringing. We have needed a new rope which has been ordered as some of the ropes are frayed due to wear and tear. It is taking 6 months before we can receive and fit this.

Thank you to all of the congregation who listen for our bells we always remember you in our bell tower prayer said before ringing.

Lorna Taylor (Tower Secretary) and Geoff White (Tower Captain)

Friends of St George’s Report

In 2022 we can report a much more normal run of events. We set off the year with the very popular Quiz run by Sophie, Simon, and Jenny. This is always a well-attended, highly competitive evening with large numbers from both the Jesmond community and the congregation, enjoying not only the searching questions but also the traditional pie and peas supper.

In June we had both the Annual Dinner, a chance to dress up and meet with friends - and, if the sun is shining to start with drinks on the Green - followed the very next day with an entertaining and lively evening listening to the Newcastle Concert Band.

The autumn brought the Heritage Open Days, a wine tasting event, hosted by Sylvia and Chris and later in the month the Felling Male Voice Choir. In December we welcomed the Singers’ Christmas Concert, fortified with Brent’s delicious mulled wine, accompanied by mince pies from an undisclosed source. No advertising here!

We are always looking for new members as the Friends of St George’s is anxious to expand its membership. Regarding this, I wrote an article which appeared in the April Lance and which I have circulated within the community. It says what I believe needs to be heard.

Barbara Peacock, Hon. Secretary of the Friends

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Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 24[th] April 2022 in the Church Hall.

Apologies had been received by Hillary and David Cullingford, Barbara and Frederick Peacock, Sue Melbourne, Kay and Julian Plumley, Barbara and Frederick Peacock, Paul and Lorna Taylor.

Annual Meeting of Parishioners
1.1 Appointment of Secretary
Janet Wilson was proposed by Vera Friberg- Rogers and seconded by Jean Davies.
Her appointment was approved.
1.2 Election of Churchwardens
The Chair had received one nomination:
Graham Hatt, proposed by Louise Chapman, seconded by Barbara Peacock
Graham Hatt’s appointment was approved. The Chairman expressed the hope that a fellow
warden would step forward to support Graham.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The Chairman, Revd. Canon Brian Hurst intimated in respect of the agenda:
a) That eligibility to vote at the APCM was contingent on membership of the Electoral Roll
b) An additional item, the appointment of Sidespersons, 2.2.2.
c) An erratum: the chairperson’s remarks, itemised as 2.10, should be 2.9
2.1 Consideration of Electoral Roll
There were 197 parishioners on the Electoral Roll, a small increase; 91 resident within the bounds
of the parish and 106 non-resident. The Electoral Roll report had been prepared by the Electoral
Roll Officer, Margaret Baron, who explained that anyone present whose name was not on the
Electoral Roll could visit the church website, download and complete the relevant form and hand
it to the Parish Office. Their name would then be added to the Roll in time for the 2023 APCM.
Margaret was thanked for her work.
2.2 1. Election of representatives of the laity to the PCC
There were four vacancies for PCC. Eight nominations had been received. A paper ballot was
distributed to eligible voters and the election held in accordance with Church Representation
Rules. Votes were counted by the Wardens, Louise Chapman and Graham Hatt. The four
successful candidates appointed were Hilary Cullingford, Jon G Davies, Ian Ness, Margaret Vane.
Those who were elected and those who had also stood for election were thanked. Thanks were
also expressed Paul Taylor and Sophie Leach who had demitted office
2. Appointment of Sidespersons
The list compiled by Louise Chapman (Appendix 1) was read out, and all candidates approved.
2.3 Receiving Annual Reports from PCC, Churchwardens and Deanery Synod 2021
1. PCC Report
The report on the activities of the PCC over the last year was received. The list of supported
charities was announced (Appendix 2)
2. Churchwardens Report
The meeting received the Churchwardens Report.
3. Deanery Synod Report

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The meeting received the report of the Deanery Synod, which comprised representatives of the
laity forming a link with the clergy. An acting Bishop was currently in post. Izzy McDonald Booth,
Kay Plumley and Mike Delahunt were thanked for their work following the retirement.
2.4 Annual Treasurer’s Report and Audited Accounts
The Treasurer, Mike L Ranson, Chartered Accountant, was welcomed to the meeting and thanked
by the vicar for choosing to serve St George’s with his time and talents in this position. The
accounts for 2021 were received. The treasurer highlighted key points:
•
Several funds were restricted. Reserve restricted funds for the maintenance of the youth
leader was substantial and held sufficient resource that position to carry on for some
time. Too many restricted funds can result in accumulating money which is difficult to
spend
•
A huge amount of money had been raised for the Tower repairs. The friend of St George’s
had made a very generous donation. Thanks were extended to Mike de la Hunt who had
been instrumental in much fundraising.
•
Trading income was down, but it was hoped that the forthcoming Spring Fete would
boost funds, along with other initiatives from the fundraising committee
•
Unrestricted reserves have been in deficit for two consecutive years – this year’s shortfall
was £11,417. The church should have reserves of around £45,000 and PCC would work
to restore the reserves fund.
•
pages 9 in 10 (the accounting policies) are by convention not circulated with the accounts
– although of course these financial controls are vital to the probity of the PCC
•
Gratitude was expressed to John Oswald our expert independent examiner.
In ensuing discussion, the magnitude of the Parish Share was queried (£113,000), as it was
thought to be larger than that of a close by parish with a larger Electoral Roll. Fundraising
initiatives might be entered into with more enthusiasm were our Parish Share smaller. The
Treasurer explained that a reduction had been negotiated to £100,000, but that the PCC has
committed to make good the shortfall through additional initiatives. While the Parish Share is
substantial, we are one of the wealthiest parishes in the diocese.
The Treasurer was thanked for his achievements. Caroline Field who had given many years of
service in the role and continued to support some financial matters was also recognised for the
magnitude of her contribution to St Georges.
2.5 Appointment of Independent Examiner
John Oswald of Stephenson Coates was proposed to continue in the position of Independent
Examiner by the Treasurer and seconded by Izzy Macdonald-Booth. John was thanked for his
help across the year and during the Treasurer transition.
2.6 Safeguarding report and Affirmation of Safeguarding Policy,
The meeting received a brief report and reaffirmed the Safeguarding policy.
2.7 Committee and group reports were considered:
1. Children and Young People
2. ECO group / Environmental policy
The meeting reaffirmed the adoption of the Environmental Policy.
3. Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCIG) groups
There was a brief update from Izzy Macdonald-Booth on behalf of one of the LYCIG groups, the
Faith and Nurture Group, on the national Church’s Living In Love and Faith initiative in respect of
marriage, gender and sexuality. Feedback from local groups is due by the end of April and the
house of Bishops will deliberate upon the findings in the summer and autumn with an update

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expected in July 2022 at General Synod. St George’s has held remote Living In Love and Faith
groups, and the first face-to-face sessions are to be announced imminently.
4. Anna Chaplain report
It was observed that Joan Grenfell are Anna Chaplin is a great exemplar of living in love and faith
within the community and she was thanked for raising the profile of St George’s throughout the
neighbourhood.
5. Know Your Church Know Your Neighbourhood report
A comment from the floor on the relative lack of free text responses was noted.
6. Bellringers’ report
Thanks was extended to Geoff White and Lorna Taylor for their ongoing commitment
7. Friends of St George’s Report
The huge contribution of the friends to the tower repairs had earlier been acknowledged – the
PCC remains very grateful for the Friends’ support.
The Chair noted that the APCM papers represented a huge amount of work and witness
throughout 2021, and all done for the love of God.
2.8 Reaffirmation of the inclusive church statement
The meeting was happy to reaffirm the Statement of Inclusive Church as not merely a form of
word but as something we all believe in.
2.9 Chairperson’s remarks
The context of this meeting, and what we have faced as a nation, is a time of unparalleled
turmoil. In a spirit of thankfulness we gather in this format for the first time in two years. It has
been a difficult two years from which we should not shy away. Looking to the future, we cannot
say we are out of the woods yet. We may have to live with the Covid virus for five or six more
years. So those wishing for a relaunch may be disappointed.
Yes we have had Easter, yes, we look forward soon to the Spring Fete and the Big Friendly
Jubilee Gathering - so there may be a ‘big bang’ - but it will be a cautious big bang. We still live
in a world of provisionality, which limits planning. At a practical level, the clergy team are
covering each other’s activities, not just for services and funerals, but also the wider impact
across the Deanery and indeed the Diocese as shown by the recent secondment of our curate
Stephanie Keates.
Against this background, we offer thanks to the Wardens, starting with Mike de la Hunt, who
have all put a huge amount of work into the implementation of Covid safe practices, enabling
us to worship as safely as we can. Joan, who heads up Pastoral Visiting has kept links going
through phone calls, What’sApp and Zoom. The Zoom Friday coffee initiative, thanks to the
work of Bryan Vernon, is hugely appreciated, has kept us all as a community together, and still
continues on a monthly basis. Catherine Laidler is thanked for her PCC secretarial work and the
continuity she offered through in PCC secretary transition. As already noted, we cannot thank
Caroline Field enough. Louise Chapman steps down now as churchwarden. This has been a
difficult time - and so her going the extra mile was especially appreciated.
We thank the choir for leading praise, under Helen Young’s guidance initially, and the visiting
organists – Stefan and Paul Ritchie. They managed to lift up our spirits after times without
music. What a joy it has been to welcome Drew. The PCC is very aware that music at St
George’s is about mission and it is a great joy to hear him play and see him encourage the Choir
– quite literally – to new heights.

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Our thanks are also due to Jonathan in the Parish Office, who picks up so many different issues.
We are all especially grateful to many others for support in the difficult times through 2021 –
the bell ringers, flower arrangers, cleaners, Tuesday group – and those independent people
who slip in and out to cut grass and pick up litter. Those who make cheese scones on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Not to mention the continuing presence of Barbara Peacock, without whom so
many aspects of life - and my life - at St George’s would be impossible. Thus - there is much to
be thankful for.
The road to recovery from Covid will, however, be long and slow, so we need to be patient, and
patient with each other. In respect of the Parish Share it is not for the Vicar to defend, because
that is where the Vicar’s stipend comes from. St George’s does have a reputation of generosity.
In addition to other charitable giving, we normally support the Diocese, which in turn supports
the Church of England’s position that there should be a priestly presence in every place within
the Diocese. This is not to say that this is necessarily £113,000 but we are mindful of the Lord’s
words that “of those to whom much is given, much will be required”. Indeed, it is our duty and
our joy to be part of the wider Church of England.
In respect of the Whole Site Plan, the PCC has consistently approved and endorsed the plans
before it. The Know Your Church Know Your Neighbourhood initiative has seen us as a hub for
this community. The plans are expensive, but we aim to be a church for the 21stand the 22nd
Century. The PCC has not, as some have suggested, been at a standstill, but has been
undertaking a process of clarification. The PCC needs now to move quickly to fundraising and to
approach grant giving bodies and to test the water to define the optimum strategy. These are
daunting tasks and some may have been inhibited by circumstances even to test the water.
David, Derek and Graham have done literal spadework on the plans. Now the PCC and the
congregation as a whole need to do some real spadework.
I say all this in the context of the pandemic and what is going on in the United Kingdom. The
threat to peace in Europe that none of us expected to see. So whatever our niggles, we put
them in the context of living through pandemics and witnessing preparation for war - a war
that we pray does not spill into wider Europe.
2.10 Consideration of other matters of parochial or general church interest
Jean Davies drew attention to a paper which had been placed on some of the hall seats, asking
that the Church Council consider alternatives to its agreed plans; the fact that its authors were
among those elected to the Parochial Church Council indicated support from some of those
present. The Vicar agreed that PCC membership would give both the opportunity to share views
in due course.
Joan Grenfell updated the meeting on the activities for the Big Friendly Gathering on Saturday 4
June 2022 to mark HM the Queen’s platinum Jubilee; she then proposed a vote of thanks to the
Vicar.
Hazel Jones Lee reminded those present on the requirements for the Spring Fete 07 05 22.
Graham Hatt updated on the collapsed noticeboard whose replacement had been identified,
costed and designed and for which order placement was imminent.
The meeting closed in prayer.

Signed: Revd Canon Brian Hurst (Chair)______

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Treasurer’s Report

Total unrestricted income for the year was £227,913, compared with £158,553 in 2021. At face value this represents a marked improvement, although the main contributor to this increase was a very welcome substantial legacy of £28,380, plus sizeable grants and insurance claims that were expended on additional costs, particularly relating to replacing the boiler and installing insulation of the Church Hall, plus replacement of the notice board on the Green destroyed by fierce winds. The investment in the boiler and insulation in the Church Hall are already showing savings in energy consumption that partially offset increases in prices.

Planned Giving, which is so important to continuing prosperity of the Church, decreased slightly again, although collections received from services improved (2022: £7,235; 2021: £2,350) and income from trading activities improved substantially (2022: £53,191; 2021: £30,860). The trading income included £21,179 (2021: £22,652) from the rental of our properties, Tower House and Close House, the reduction reflecting a short vacancy after the Curate moved out of Close House. After two years of being severely affected by the National Lockdown brought about by Covid-19, restoration of income from other activities including the summer fete, fundraising and Church Hall letting was very welcome although, on the other hand, the Grant of £12,689 received in 2021 from Newcastle City Council in respect of Covid-19 relief did not continue.

Total unrestricted expenditure for the year was £204,686 compared with £169,970 in the previous year; as mentioned above, some of these additional costs, particularly for Church Hall maintenance and property upkeep, were funded by income from grants and an insurance claim. Church and Church Hall maintenance costs were adversely affected by additional costs for heating and insurance, and these are likely to remain at a high level. Additionally, the increased costs for the Director of Music, Organ and Choir during the year were not matched by donations received. The PCC took steps to alleviate continuing deficits by reducing the payment of the Parish Share to the Diocese by £13,542 but at £100,000 this still represents a sizeable payment which the PCC is keeping under review.

As a result of these many factors there was a net surplus of £22,043 on unrestricted funds, compared to a deficit of £11,417 in 2021. This disguises the many problems that persist and were it not for the most generous legacy received, there would have been an underlying deficit on the activities of the Church for the year of £6,337 which, whilst representing some improvement, is not a situation that can be allowed to continue and must be reversed.

The PCC held free reserves (unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets) of £110,689 at 31 December 2022 (2021: £92,021), including the designated buildings works fund of £50,247. Whilst free reserves for general use at 31 December 2022 stood at £60,442, these included the legacy income that the PCC intends to earmark for specific projects, so the underlying reserves amount to £32,062, which is well below the amount required under the PCC’s Reserves Policy that aims to hold free reserves for general use at a minimum level of

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around £45,000. Accordingly, PCC will endeavour to return to surplus in 2023, and subsequent years.

As reported in the last Annual Report, work on the Church Tower was completed in 2021. Finalisation of the costs and recovery of VAT has been better than anticipated, resulting in an increase in the Restricted Fabric Fund to £36,637. The Organ Restoration project was launched towards the end of the year and donations and the sponsor a pipe initiative resulted in £7,794 being raised by the end of the year.

The other significant restricted fund relates to the Family & Youth Leader project. The Family and Youth Leader left before the end of the year and no further charitable foundation grants will be received until a replacement is found. A balance of £14,776 remains available to fund this project and there is an undertaking to restore the next tranche of grant funding to maintain this project if a new Family & Youth Leader were to be appointed before August 2023.

The only significant movement in the endowment fund in the year was a decrease in valuation of £8,722, reflecting market conditions.

Since the year end, Church income, particularly in the areas of hall lettings and service collections are slowly improving. The unwelcome impact on our reserves of declining income over several years continues, however, which the PCC is committed to restore in ensuing years. In the short term, reduced payments of our Parish Share are making a contribution, which the PCC and the diocese are keeping under review and the PCC will strive to maintain it at an affordable level.

Mike Ranson, Treasurer

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

I report to the members on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. George, Jesmond for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(‘the 2011 Act’). You consider that the audit requirements of section 144 of the 2011 Act do not apply and that an independent examination is required.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts are not required to be audited, I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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.

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:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

John Oswald BA FCA Stephenson Coates Audit Limited Chartered Accountants

16 April 2023

West 2, Asama Court Newcastle Business Park Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YD

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Note
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
1 (a)
Other trading activities
1 (b)
Investments
1 (c)
Church activities
1 (d)
Other income
1 (e)
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
2 (b)
Church activities
2 (a)
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE
INVESTMENT GAINS
GAINS ON INVESTMENTS
- unrealised
- realised
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1 JANUARY 2022
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT
31 DECEMBER 2022		 Unrestricted
Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2022
2021
154,900
21,456
-
176,356
213,472
53,191
80
-
53,271
43,549
1,721
12
1,944
3,677
2,603
15,014
-
-
15,014
7,317
3,087
18,498
-
21,585
-
227,913
40,046
1,944
269,903
266,941

1,184
-
-
1,184
180
204,686
31,959
1,944
238,589
302,864
205,870
31,959
1,944
239,773
303,044

22,043
8,087
-
30,130
(36,103)
(3,375)
-
(8,722)
(12,097)
13,390
-
-
-
-
-
18,668
8,087
(8,722)
18,003
(22,713)
-
-
-
-
-
953,057
59,477
74,100 1,086,634
1,109,347
971,725
67,564
65,378 1,104,667
1,109,347

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

BALANCE SHEET

AT 31 DECEMBER 2022

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
4 (a)
Investments
4 (b)
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
7
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Unrestricted
8,9
Restricted
8,9
Endowment
8,9		 2022
2021
863,374
864,981
88,527
100,624
951,901
965,605
9,842
7,439
147,928
128,419
157,770
135,858
5,004
14,829
152,766
121,029
1,104,667
1,086,634
971,725
953,057
67,564
59,477
65,378
74,100
1,104,667
1,086,634

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 16 April 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

The Rev’d Canon Brian Hurst

The notes on pages 9 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1 INCOME

1 INCOME
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2022 2021
1(a) Donations and legacies
Planned Giving:
Gift Aid donations 80,128 - - 80,128 81,078
Tax recoverable 22,328 1,064 - 23,392 21,052
Collections (open plate) at all services 7,235 1,813 - 9,048 2,350
Sundry donations 5,060 11,579 - 16,639 13,882
Legacies 28,380 - - 28,380 -
Grants 11,769 7,000 - 18,769 95,110
154,900 21,456 - 176,356 213,472
1(b) Other trading activities
Church hall letting 15,100 - - 15,100 2,078
Church hire 688 - - 688 1,225
Property rental income 21,179 - - 21,179 22,652
Fetes and other fund-raising events 16,224 80 - 16,304 4,905
Government Covid grants - - - - 12,689
53,191 80 - 53,271 43,549
1(c) Investments
Dividends 845 - 1,944 2,789 2,530
Interest 876 12 - 888 73
1,721 12 1,944 3,677 2,603
1(d) Church activities
Fees 11,326 - - 11,326 6,125
Youth trip 2,545 - - 2,545 -
Magazines 1,143 - - 1,143 1,192
15,014 - - 15,014 7,317
1(e) Other income
VAT grants 643 17,726 - 18,369 -
Insurance claim 2,123 - - 2,123 -
Sundry 321 772 - 1,093 -
3,087 18,498 - 21,585 -
TOTAL INCOME 227,913 40,046 1,944 269,903 266,941

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

2 EXPENDITURE

2 EXPENDITURE
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2022 2021
2 (a) Church activities
Missionary and charitable giving:
Church overseas:
Relief and development agencies - - - - -
Home Missions and other Church Societies - - - - 2,000
Charitable donations - 972 - 972 -
- 972 - 972 2,000
Ministry:
Parish Share 100,000 - - 100,000 113,542
Clergy expenses 3,125 - - 3,125 1,927
Clergy housing expenses 6,356 - - 6,356 5,092
Fees paid to diocese 5,827 - - 5,827 2,580
Church – running expenses 11,564 - - 11,564 11,765
Church maintenance 2,775 2,509 - 5,284 109,237
Upkeep of services 2,029 - - 2,029 1,047
Parish magazine and publicity 353 170 - 523 433
Church Hall running costs 11,013 - - 11,013 6,154
Church Hall maintenance 15,802 - - 15,802 453
Other property upkeep 8,524 - - 8,524 1,794
Whole site plan development 5,763 301 1,944 8,008 2,064
Flowers - 238 - 238 319
Asset depreciation 438 1,169 - 1,607 1,567
Others 779 1,735 - 2,514 92
Organ and choir 9,909 5,284 - 15,193 6,687
Children and young people 1,247 19,581 - 20,828 20,394
Printing, stationery and office costs 5,148 - - 5,148 3,518
Office administration 11,666 - - 11,666 10,642
Bank charges 438 - - 438 33
Professional fees 342 - - 342 -
Independent examiner’s fees, including payroll 1,588 - - 1,588 1,524
Total Church activities 204,686 31,959 1,944 238,589 302,864
2 (b) Raising funds
Costs of fetes and other fund raising activities 1,184 - - 1,184 180
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 205,870 31,959 1,944 239,773 303,044

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

(continued)

3

STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Pension costs		 2022
2021
£
£
36,239
31,465
887
771
37,126
32,236

During the year the PCC employed an administrator, a Family & Youth Leader and a director of music.

4 FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC

4 (a)
Tangible fixed assets
COST OR VALUATION
At 1 January 2022
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2022
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2022
Charge in year
Disposals
At 31 December 2022
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021		 Freehold
land and
buildings
£
1,161,787
-
-		 Plant and
office
equipment
Total
£
£
34,198
1,195,985
-
-
-
-
34,198
1,195,985
30,253
331,004
1,607
1,607
-
-
31,860
332,611
2,338
863,374
3,945
864,981
1,161,787
300,751
-
-
300,751
861,036
861,036

The freehold land and buildings comprise the Church Hall, Tower House and Close House all located at St. Georges Close in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. The valuation in these accounts is based on the estimates made by the PCC for insurance purposes in 2007. The latest available valuation for insurance purposes amounted to £3,599,000.

4 (b) Investments

At market valuation:
3,164.24 Units in the CBF’s Investment Fund
14,624 Units in the Epworth Investment Fund		 2022
2021
£
£
65,378
74,100
23,149
26,524
88,527
100,624

The historical cost of the investments at 31 December 2022 is £51,916 (2021: £51,916).

The movement in the year comprises:

At 1 January 2022
Purchases
Revaluation of investments
At 31 December 2022

 £
100,624
-
(12,097)

88,527

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

5 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

6

7

8

Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Restricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds
Undesignated Designated Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets - 886,523 - 65,378 951,901
Current Assets 65,446 24,760 67,564 - 157,770
Current liabilities (5,004) - - - (5,004)
60,442 911,283 67,564 65,378 1,104,667
DEBTORS 2022 2021
£ £
Gift aid recoverable 5,412 4,347
Prepayments and accrued income 4,430 3,092
9,842 7,439
LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 2021
£ £
Creditors for goods and services 1,668 1,070
Accruals and deferred income 3,336 13,759
5,004 14,829
FUND DETAILS Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment		 Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £ £
Property, Church Hall, Tower House, Close House 861,036 - - 861,036
Funds designated by the PCC - Buildings fund 50,247 - - 50,247
General fund 60,442 - - 60,442
Bell Ringers fund - 1,389 - 1,389
Donations restricted by donor – access to capital
and interest - 66,175 - 66,175
Donations restricted by donor – access to interest
only - - 65,378 65,378
971,725 67,564 65,378 1,104,667

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

(continued)

9 MOVEMENT OF FUNDS

9 (a)

Unrestricted funds
Property
Buildings fund
General
Total Unrestricted funds		 Balance
Gains
Balance
1 January
Incoming
Outgoing
and
31 December
2022
resources
resources
Transfers
losses
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
861,036
-
-
-
-
861,036
58,540
845
(5,763)
-
(3,375)
50,247
33,481
227,068
(200,107)
-
-
60,442
953,057
227,913
(205,870)
-
(3,375)
971,725

The PCC has designated the Buildings fund for use on property refurbishment projects.

9 (b)
Restricted funds
Bell Ringers fund
Open Churches fund
Fabric fund
Flowers
Family & Youth leader fund
Choral Scholarships
Director of Music
Singing Group
Music
Organ Restoration project
Other donations - garden of remembrance
Other grants and donations
Total Restricted funds		 Balance
Balance
1 January
Movement in resources
31 December
2022
Transfers Incoming
Outgoing
2022
£
£
£
£
£
1,737
-
80
(428)
1,389
120
-
-
-
120
17,234
-
22,738
(3,335)
36,637
671
-
594
(238)
1,027
34,087
-
270
(19,581)
14,776
925
-
2,750
(1,375)
2,300
1,182
-
2,326
(3,508)
-
2,360
-
1,207
(1,650)
1,917
529
-
1,250
(506)
1,273
-
-
7,859
(65)
7,794
301
-
-
(301)
-
331
-
972
(972)
331
59,477
-
40,046
(31,959)
67,564

The Bell Ringers fund was created to generate funds for the maintenance of the Church bells. It is administered by the bell ringers outside of the main PCC accounts.

The Open Churches fund was donated to ensure the Church would be opened to the public for specified periods in the year.

The Fabric fund relates to amounts raised for the purpose of capital repairs and maintenance work for the Church.

The Family & Youth leader and Director of Music funds are sums raised to support the work of those employees.

The Singing Group fund was donated by Jesmond Dementia Action Alliance, to fund a further 40 sessions of the singing group they established.

The Organ Restoration project relates to the full restoration of the St George’s organ which was built in in 1887

The other funds have similarly been restricted by donors so that none may be used for the general running expenses of the Church but are to be applied for the purposes specified.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, JESMOND

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

(continued)

9 MOVEMENT OF FUNDS (continued)

9 (c)
Endowment fund
Garden of Remembrance and
Fabric Fund		 Balance
Balance
1 January
Incoming
Outgoing
31 December
2022
resources
resources
Additions
Revaluation
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
74,100
1,944
(1,944)
-
(8,722)
65,378

The income from the fund is to be used firstly for the Garden of Remembrance if required and thereafter for the upkeep of the fabric of the church.

10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year, Ian Ness was paid £5,000 for professional services in connection with Tower repair work. Except for this and clergy expenses, there were no related party transactions in the year ended 31 December 2022.

16