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Wheathampstead

Parochial Church Council

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2025

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Helen’s Wheathampstead and St. Peter’s Gustard Wood Registered Charity No: 1132924

Introduction from the Vacancy Leadership Team

2025 has been a year of challenge and opportunity and we have been aware of God’s guidance and inspiration as we travel through the Vacancy. But we ended the year in the most uplifting way with the announcement of the name of the 53rd Rector of Wheathampstead and with the Bishop of Hertford generously leading our Christmas services.

March brought the news, sad for us, that Revd Canon Richard Banham was moving to St Mary’s Watford. We had valued greatly Richard’s 15 years of ministry here, along with the contributions that Claire made to parish life and worship, and developing her own work amongst young people. We enjoyed seeing Lauren and Sam grow into young adults. Our love and prayers went with them to Watford after an emotional farewell service and pizza picnic in July.

We have so much to be thankful for as we work through our vacancy. Before leaving, Richard Banham prepared us for vacancy as well as he could, encouraging many of us into the roles that would be needed if we were to continue to thrive and lining up clergy to lead our Sunday services for the balance of the year.

We in the Leadership Team feel blessed to have the support of each other and so many volunteers around the parish, helping to maintain our mission of Living God’s Love in our Community. We are thrilled to have welcomed a number of new faces into our congregations through the Vacancy. We have particularly been grateful to our retired clergy - Bishop John, Rev Brian Gwinn and Rev Geoff Barter, and our Readers Linda, Pippa, John and Carol, who have ensured we have been able to continue our pattern of worship. We rejoiced with Barbara Doye as she joined the team after her licensing as a Reader in September.

Our Diocese has given us great support, notwithstanding that it also has a vacancy for a diocesan bishop. Bishop Jane and Archdeacon Charles moved us quickly through the early formal processes and led our interviews in December, as well as presiding at services for us. We would like also to mention Mike and Victoria Bryant at St Albans High School for Girls Prep in the village, who designed an impressive Parish Profile to give to those interested in our vacancy, and Sara Harnett who assisted the Leadership team with editing.

We have kept the parish moving forward within the framework of our Vision. Highlights included involving members of our Youth Group in an inspiring Pentecost service; our continuing service to the wider village, not least through the summer holidays larder and other seasonal food support as well as the congregation’s donations to the Foodbank; the ongoing vibrancy of Coffee in the Chancel; and some important progress towards the proposed re-ordering of St Helen’s.

We look forward eagerly to welcoming Rev Andy Jefferson, his wife Liz and their two young children when Andy is inducted as Rector in May 2026, taking over the baton in a relay of incumbents that has spanned more than 800 years. We are excited by the opportunities ahead of us and pray that God’s love and guidance will continue to inspire the parish of Wheathampstead and each of us in the years to come.

David Hartley & Hilary Hollick (Wardens), Keith Andrews & Correen Boothroyd (Deputy Wardens), Pippa Legg (interim leader of the ministerial team), Linda Thomas (Children and Families Minister), Simon Best (interim PCC Chair), Christine Anstice (pastoral care), Mel Tay (administrator)

The Parish Vision: Bringing our strategic planning to life

The Parish’s Vision and Mission Action Plan is a framework for the parish’s development. Our Mission statement and Vision are reviewed each five years, most recently in early 2022.

Our Mission is that we are Living God’s Love in Our Community.

Our Vision for St Helen’s and St Peter’s is that we will:

Make St Helen’s and St Peter’s a vibrant hub
at the heart of the community with buildings fit for God’s mission in 21[st] century Wheathampstead

----- Start of picture text -----
A vibrant hub at
the heart of our
community
Being a church Helping people
for all encounter God's
generations love
----- End of picture text -----

Be a church for all generations
Provide opportunities for people to encounter God’s love

LIVING GOD’S LOVE IN OUR

Across all of these is a wish also to lighten the parish’s environmental footprint.

The PCC is responsible for driving the Vision forward and its meetings typically begin with a working session in groups linked to each of the Vision’s three priorities, making progress towards the current goals for each group and planning the next steps within the Vision framework.

The fourth year of the current Vision has seen good progress in all three priority areas. Some items, such as the Buildings Working Group, Children and Families, Youth Work and Environmental Activities are covered more fully elsewhere in this Report.

We are delighted with the new children’s library and the greater involvement of our Youth Group in worship and social activities. We also welcome the evolution of our relationship with the schools in the village.

Work began later in the year on refreshing and redesigning the parish website to make it more effective. We are grateful for the continuing progress with the major project for a re-ordering of St Helen’s Church to support our Mission in our community.

A new format for the summer school holidays Community Larder in St Helen’s Church proved successful in 2025 and was again supported by providing Easter and Christmas Lunch parcels to a number of families in the village. We have also connected more with secular lines of communication in the village, including via Facebook and the Parish Pump .

The PCC has kept moving forward with the Vision during the parish vacancy, laying good foundations for further progress in 2026 and towards the scheduled review of the Vision in early 2027 with the involvement of our new Rector.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The combination of mission, vision and strategic priorities provides a framework within which the PCC evaluates our progress and promotes new initiatives for growth.

Role

In accordance with the PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended, the Wheathampstead PCC (The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Helen’s Wheathampstead and St. Peter’s Gustard Wood) shares with the Rector and other Ministers the work of promotion in the Parish of “the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical”. It is responsible for the churches of St. Helen’s and St. Peter’s, Gustard Wood. The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England and is registered as Wheathampstead PCC with the Charity Commission (charity number 1132924) and can be contacted at the Parish Office, St Helen’s Church, High Street, Wheathampstead, AL4 8AA. In planning the activities for the year, the PCC has considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

PCC Activities in 2025

Our Annual Report and Financial Statements look back at a calendar year: this Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025 looks back at the calendar year 2025.

During its year of office, the PCC has met on ten occasions. With the departure for St. Mary’s Watford of our Rector Richard Banham in July, the chairmanship of the PCC was assumed by Simon Best as our elected Lay Vice Chair in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the Vacancy considerable responsibility has resided with our team of Wardens (2 elected Churchwardens and 2 Deputies). We are grateful to them and to countless others in our congregation who have ensured that worship and service to the community have continued to flourish at St. Helen’s and St. Peter’s. PCC meetings regularly begin with a period dedicated to the Parish Vision; in group and plenary sessions PCC Members set short and long-term goals, consider initiatives and their implementation and evaluate progress. Our meetings continue to include devotions, discussions and decision-taking. A great deal of work was involved in creating our Parish Profile and preparing for the appointment of our new Rector, and many individuals have made their contribution. A summary of PCC meetings continues to be shared with our mailing list, and announcements in church and via the Parish email sought to keep everyone informed about the steps taken towards the new appointment. The PCC receives annual reports from many areas of church life and our policies are regularly reviewed. In addition, the Ministerial Team, sub-

committees and other groups continue to meet and report to the PCC during the year reflecting the many aspects of Church life.

Membership

Members of the PCC are ex officio, co-opted or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). There are up to twelve elected lay members. The list of members who served in 2025 is below. The PCC wishes to record our gratitude to all who have tirelessly assisted in maintaining the momentum of the progress of our Vision for Wheathampstead, Gustard Wood and beyond. We thank all those individuals and groups who have contributed so readily to our worship, pastoral care and activities – especially in the challenging time of Vacancy.

Our grateful thanks go to all who have contributed to the governance and decisionmaking of the church through their service on the PCC. Barbara Doye reaches the end of her term as a co-opted member and will now be eligible for nomination to the PCC ex officio as a Lay Reader. Several other members will also reach the end of their term and be eligible for re-election. The APCM 2026 will also involve the triennial election of our 3 Deanery Synod Representatives who serve as ex officio PCC members. Vacancies will exist for lay members to be elected either as Churchwardens at the Meeting of Parishioners or to the PCC/Deanery Synod at the APCM.

List of PCC Members

The following members served on the PCC following the APCM on 6[th] May 2025.

Name	Capacity	Serving from	Serving to
Rev Richard Banham	Rector & PCC Chair	April 2010	July 2025
Simon Best	Elected Lay Member Lay Vice Chair/Acting Chair	Elected APCM 2024	APCM 2027 *
David Hartley	Elected Churchwarden	Elected APCM 2025	APCM 2026 *
Hilary Hollick	Elected Churchwarden	Elected APCM 2025	APCM 2026 *
Keith Andrews	Elected Lay Member Deputy Warden from Oct. 21	Elected APCM 2024	APCM 2027 *
Madeleine Bigmore	Elected Lay Member	Elected APCM 2023	APCM 2026 *
Correen Boothroyd	Co-opted Member Elected Lay Member Deputy Warden from May25	Co-opted May 2025 Elected October 2025	APCM 2026 *
HelenCaldwell	ElectedLayMember	Elected APCM	APCM 2026

		2023	*
Barbara Doye	Co-opted Member	Co-opted Oct. 2025	APCM 2026 *
Sara Harnett	Elected Lay Member	Elected Oct. 2025	APCM 2026 *
Michael Hollick	Elected Lay Member	Elected APCM 2025	APCM 2028 *
Richard Mowbray	Co-opted Member	Co-opted May 2025	APCM 2026 *
David Pangbourne	Elected Lay Member	Elected APCM 2023	APCM 2026 *
Stephen Rider	Deanery Synod Member Hon. Treasurer	Elected APCM 2025	APCM 2026 *
Linda Thomas	Lay Reader (ex ofcio)	Elected APCM 2025	While in ofce *
Martin Thomas	Elected Lay Member	Elected APCM 2025	APCM 2028 *
Ales Vrbas	Elected Lay Member	Elected APCM 2023	APCM 2026 *
Stephen Wilson	Deanery Synod Member Hon.Secretary	Elected APCM 2023	APCM 2026 *

*Member serving on 31[st] December 2025 (end of Report and Accounts year).

Team of Ministers

As with so many areas of church life, we are fortunate to have such a capable and committed team of Ministers who lead our worship and do so much good work away from the spotlight of Sunday Services. During the Vacancy we have depended on them even more and gratefully record our appreciation.

Minister	Role	Minister	Role
Rev Richard Banham	Rector until July 2025	Claire Banham	Reader until July 2025
Rt Rev John Gladwin	Retired Bishop	Carol Hopper	Reader
Rev BrianGwinn	RetiredMinister	PippaLegg	Reader
Rev Tom Purchas	Ret. Minister until July 2025	John Grace	Reader
Rev Geof Barter	Retired Minister	Barbara Doye	Reader from Sept. 2025
LindaThomas	Children&FamiliesMinisterandReader

Working Groups, Committees and Sub-committees

The PCC appointed the following officers: Simon Best as Lay Vice Chair, Stephen Wilson as Honorary Secretary, Stephen Rider as Honorary Treasurer , Britt Dahle and Sabrina Shafer as Parish Safeguarding Officers, Jez Hirst as Parish Safeguarding Adviser, Helen Caldwell as Lead Recruiter, DBS Administrator and PCC Safeguarding Officer , Judith Lambert as Electoral Roll Officer and Michael Hollick as Health & Safety Officer . David Pangbourne is serving as Interim Data Protection Officer .

The PCC elects a “Standing Committee” with power, subject to the directions of the PCC, to transact business between PCC meetings. Its members are Richard Banham (until July 2025), Simon Best, David Hartley, Hilary Hollick, Keith Andrews, Correen Boothroyd, Stephen Rider and Stephen Wilson.

The overall co-ordination of our Vision is led by Simon Best as Chairman.

The PCC is advised by a “Fabric Committee” which is chaired by Stephen Scowcroft.

The Rector, Ruth Jeavons, Rev Tom Purchas and Isobel Poole have served as our appointees to Wheathampstead Churches Together in whose activities we regularly participate together with St. Thomas More RC Church and Wheathampstead United Church. These include the Good Friday Walk of Witness, special services like the Advent Carol Service, occasions for joint prayer and our ecumenical Lent courses.

Financial Review

The Financial Statements of the PCC are attached, see pages 13 to 19. The Statement of Financial Activities shows our income and expenditure for the year on our General (Unrestricted) Fund; on the Designated Funds we have set aside for major Fabric costs, Reserves and the Development Fund; and the Restricted Funds which we have been given for particular purposes, and our Endowment Fund. The Balance Sheet shows the state of our finances at the year end, and both these statements are supported by notes.

In 2025 our planned giving increased slightly on the previous year, even though there was a net reduction of two regular donors to the Parish Giving Scheme, compared to an increase of three in the previous year. We were pleased that many were able to increase their donation in line with inflation. This continuous support is much appreciated and represents 74% (2024, 73%) of our unrestricted income. The Unrestricted Funds initially show a deficit for the year of £14,956 (2024, +£7,044). This figure consists of our income for general purposes, from which is deducted our normal annual outgoings on the church and its activities, together with our contribution to the Diocese (the Parish Share), and the Parish’s own giving. The deficit was expected in 2025 as the PCC agreed to pay exceptional planning costs for the reordering project through general funds.

It is the PCC’s aim to ensure that normal expenditure is, at least, covered by our annual income, and this was not achieved this year, but it was expected and budgeted for due to exceptional expenditure on planning costs for the reordering project, reflected in church development costs. It should also be noted that a planned transfer from unrestricted funds to the designated funds of £10,000 for the Roof Fund did result in a further fall in unrestricted general funds.

In addition to these normal running costs there were expenses from our designated funds on fabric and church development. Our total funds, being unrestricted, designated and restricted, at the end of the year stand at £312,137 (2024, £313,110). This is a decrease of £973 (2024, +£10,975) from the previous year.

Reserves Policy

The PCC follows the general recommendations for Church of England parishes and sets aside funds via its Designated Fund to provide cover against a sudden loss of income and unforeseen capital expenditure. Designated reserves of £223,133 (2024,

£209,326) are shown in note 9 to the annual accounts. Within our designated reserves there is £57,290 (2024, £55,049) set aside for loss of income, £85,948 (2024, £82,587) for capital expenditure, and £77,753 (2024, £64,908) for the Roof Fund. As at 31st December 2025 the amount in the General Fund which was not Restricted or Designated amounted to £44,929 (2024, £69,885). Total free reserves, being Unrestricted and Designated cash and short-term deposit funds, came to £277,276 (2024, £285,483).

Charity Partnerships

We are delighted that we were able to maintain our committed financial support throughout this last year – the 8th year when our focus has been on Vulnerable Children.

Overview of Charity Partnerships

Local

Azalea Luton reaches out to those suffering the injustice of sex trafficking, supporting them to build new lives because of the love of God, through Outreach, Drop-In and Befriending and also works as a key partner in Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation (FACES) – which is a local coalition of faith leaders working to prevent Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). There is active involvement and support by individual members of the congregation and one of our house groups.

National

The Children’s Society is committed to fighting child poverty and neglect and helping all children to have a better chance in life. From their early history in the vision and actions of a young Sunday School teacher at the end of the nineteenth century, their work has been grounded in the churches at local and national levels. Churches constitute their core partners and they work very closely with the Church of England. Unfortunately with the loss of a Regional Representative post, we report that our link has become less active.

International

CCT Kimbilio is overseen by a group of experienced Trustees who share a passion for the Congo and work with street children. In simple terms, Kimbilio is a project supported by the Congo Children Trust. Kimbilio supports street children in Lubumbashi, Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have been working alongside the Anglican Church of Congo since 2007. There are active links with British schools.

There is ongoing discussion about identifying a further International Charity and reviewing our current partnerships: the advice and experience of the congregation will be sought. As our current expenditure on Charity Partners has been below budget, the PCC approved a one-off payment of £1,000 to each of our three Charity Partners in addition to the regular Giving detailed in the box below. It was also possible to transfer to Kimbilio £4,000 from an endowment fund created at the time when two of our ministers visited Lubumbashi in 2019.

Giving 2025 (paid quarterly)

Charity	Annual Total
Azalea	£3,000
The Children’s Society	£3,000
CCT & Kimbilio	£3,500

Additional Support for Charities :

During 2025 we provided support and additional fund-raising activities for our Charity Partners and several other charities. The Wheathampstead Churches Together Christian Aid Week appeal raised £2,438. The Children’s Society received a total of £343 from the donation box collection and a further sum of £230 from the Christingle Service collection. Our congregation donated in excess of £1,400 to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal “Rewrite their Future” supporting education in Kenya and Uganda in partnership with Mission Direct. The summer-holiday project “The Community Larder”, the “Christmas Lunch on Jesus” project and a new initiative of Easter Hampers received strong financial backing. Significant donations have continued to be received into our Community Fund with which it is possible to assist local people in difficulties. The figures in this report remind us of the remarkable continuing generosity of our congregation in funding charitable work.

Safeguarding

The PCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults who attend church or church activities. We have in place – and regularly review – a policy for Safeguarding which is the Church of England Statement “Promoting a Safer Church”. Our Safeguarding Procedures are contained in the Church of England’s “Parish Safeguarding Handbook”. The PCC receives regular reports on Safeguarding which is on the agenda for every meeting. All relevant volunteers are DBS-checked and issued with appropriate guidance for their role; safer recruitment standards are followed. We are committed to having role descriptions and training for all our volunteers. All activities and events have risk assessments. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

Risk & Statutory Policies

As required by law, the PCC has considered the major risks within its responsibility and the systems designed to minimise those risks; this has included annual Health and Safety Inspections with recommendations reported to the PCC. We have undertaken risk assessments for all areas of activity. We have an appropriate fire risk assessment. We hold a register to log any accidents. We take out adequate insurance cover against fire, theft, employers’ and public liability and other insurable risks. Clear procedures are in place for the authorisation of expenditure and secure receipt and recording of income.

The PCC has in place statutory policies in the following areas:

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults;
Domestic Abuse;
Data Protection;
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion;
Health and Safety;
GDPR/Privacy.

Where appropriate, these are in line with Diocesan guidance and all are reviewed regularly by the PCC for any changes in activities and developments in statutory requirements or recommended practice.

Goods Fabric and Ornaments

The annual inventory of Church Goods, Fabric and Ornaments was completed during the year and all essential items found to be present and correctly accounted for (and the absence of a few minor items duly noted). The Fabric Committee has taken further the programme of redecoration and repairs at St. Helen’s and St. Peter’s which has included work on the buildings, churchyard and car parks.

The PCC records thanks to the Fabric Committee for many other alterations and improvements. At St. Helen’s these have included urgent repairs to the north wall/ceiling of the Lady Chapel and repairs to the Lych Gate roof in the churchyard. There are ongoing discussions and architectural consultation about repairs to the vestry roof. The tower clock chime motor has been repaired as has the stagebox on the sound system with a new laptop provided for the desk. A new filter coffee machine has been acquired, and a new desktop computer has been provided for the Parish Administrator. A new trail camera has been fitted internally to improve security and the metal theft roof alarm has been upgraded. The church bells and bell ropes have been inspected. 12 chairs with damaged upholstery have been replaced. An EIG risk management survey was conducted and the report received; a CofE Energy Action Plan survey was conducted and the report received.

A number of work parties throughout the year have kept the churchyard tidy. Following a special service of blessing, the new Garden of Remembrance has been available.

Environmental Activities

At St. Helen’s and St. Peter’s we believe that human beings are called to be faithful stewards and to enjoy a relationship with and a responsibility for God’s creation. We seek to serve the earth, not enslave it.

Caring for our environment plays an increasingly important part in the life of the Parish, as we acknowledge the stress that human activities have caused for the world around us and pray for those affected by the increasing incidence of extreme weather events.

We repeated a creation-centred service at St Peter’s during the Churches Count on Nature week in June, engaging the congregation after the service in identifying 32 species of flowers and shrubs, seven insect species, six tree species, six species of birds, four of snails and millipede and centipede in the small St Peter’s churchyard.

Twenty four pupils in four year groups from St Helen’s School visited the churchyard for a morning of nature-based activities, which were again well-received.

The Hertford Swift Group observed activity around St Helen’s during the summer and we are excited that they concluded that at least four swifts were nesting under the eaves of the church roof. That Group is also guiding us in preparing to insert wooden swift slots into some of the gaps in the eaves to allow swifts in to nest, while preventing larger, sometimes noisy birds from bothering the swifts.

The parish again collected used printer ink cartridges for recycling, making a modest contribution to parish funds. We also continue to offer a limited facility for recycling pharmaceutical blister packs.

The Fabric Committee seeks to keep in mind how it can lighten the Parish’s environmental footprint, subject to the constraints of a heritage-listed building and a limited budget. The parish council lent equipment to allow us to conduct a heat-loss survey during the autumn.

Buildings Working Group

Good progress has been made in the last year as we strive to address our needs to render our St. Helen’s church building a truly vibrant hub at the heart of our community with buildings fit for God’s mission in 21st century Wheathampstead.

All the congregational, statutory 3rd party and Village consultation over the last two years has culminated in a design that would deliver, amongst other things, new toilets and new west door with level access (Phase 1), a new kitchen, an enclosed space in the south transept, welcome areas and flexible seating in the nave/north and south aisles.

The design team completed the Scheme Design, and following pre-planning application public consultation, a planning application and full faculty submission for Phase 1 were submitted for approval in December 2025. We await the outcome of these applications at the time of going to press.

In parallel, our retained quantity surveyors have updated their project cost estimate and advised that the overall project is still on budget (including allowance for inflation) at £721,000 + VAT (ie £865,000), based on being delivered in phases at Q2 2025 prices. The project costs by phase are set out below. This is to aid congregational understanding of the fundraising effort required:-

Design costs funded by the PCC - £32,400

Phase 1 – North door extension (incl two toilets & cleaners/flower cupboard) and new west door and landscaping to create an accessible main entrance - £300,000

New enlarged kitchen, chancel servery, chancel ramp and chancel storage units - £134,400

Formation of flexible space/discrete room in Lady Chapel (incl glazed screen and floor repairs) - £116,400

Formation of flexible space in the nave and aisles with flexible seating, welcoming area, new west door internal lobby and additional storage - £282,000

Total Project Cost - £865,000

All figures include VAT.

The immediate focus is Phase 1 – funds allocated by the PCC and/or raised to date are £60,000, leaving £240,000 to be raised.

The parish is grateful to a number of its members who have formed a small fundraising group for the project. This Group began preparing applications to a wide range of appropriate grant-making bodies under the project title Renewing St. Helen’s Church – Preserving the Past, Serving the Future. It proposes to complement those applications with a public appeal to our congregation and the wider community, after planning and DAC faculty approvals have been granted.

Keith Andrews, Richard Mowbray and Simon Best

Friends of St. Helen’s Church

The Friends have had another positive year supporting the church – giving money for the renovation of the church chiming mechanism and the bell frame, repairs to the roof over the vestry with a possible second donation to the stonework on the south side of the church.

To raise funds this year we had a very successful cabaret “Afternoon with Noel Coward” in the beautifully decorated Marford Hall in June with over 90 people. A wonderful afternoon tea followed the cabaret with a raffle.

In October the church was the venue for a fascinating display and talk on “The Tentmakers of Old Cairo” by John Fisher. The Church looked gorgeous with all the tent hangings and the lecture showed how these beautiful objects are still being made today with their history dating back to the 1660’s.

Ruth Coles, after 12 years as Chairman, wishes to step down from this role at this year’s AGM in November. It is 30 years since we received charitable status and many thousands of pounds have been donated for the upkeep of St. Helen’s during this time. The hunt is on for a new Chairman and new Trustees to join our committee. We have a loyal and enthusiastic membership and we hope that our support for the Church and fundraising work will carry on into the future under new leadership. Please contact Ruth Coles if you would like to help (07714215616).

Ruth Coles

Children and Families

It has been another busy year with children and families supported at our regular 10am and Kids Worship services, our weekly Ark toddler group and termly Messy Church events at the two Primary schools. We had a bumper Messy Church in May before Richard and Claire left, but numbers were still good in October as new volunteers stepped up to help the Children and Families Minister run the event.

The Children and Families Minister has also continued to lead a weekly worship session at St. Helen’s C of E school and termly assemblies at Beech Hyde, as well as Harvest and Christmas services and assemblies for both schools. She was also able to support STAHS Prep school in December when their Chaplain was ill.

Other regular events have included a Bible stories after-school club at St. Helen’s, reading Bible stories to the Reception class, the Diocese’s Alban Way programme for Year 6 pupils (run with diocesan staff in 24/25 and by St. Helen’s lay ministers in 25/26) and Donut club for new Year 7s in the Autumn term.

We again offered the Environmental day in the churchyard to St. Helen’s and the STEP Up transition day for Year 6 in June, and joined in with the St. Helen’s Scarecrow trail in the village in September.

During the vacancy we have seen some families leave us as children get busier with other activities, but have also welcomed new families at both morning and afternoon services. Our Christingle and Crib services had particularly good attendances this year.

Linda Thomas

Youth Group

The Youth Group has continued to meet every Sunday in term-time and we very much value the enthusiasm and care and support for each other shown by the core of eight very committed members aged between 11 and 17. We play games, share snacks, talk about our weeks, study the Bible, discuss our faith and pray together. We have really enjoyed joining with other youth groups once a month at Fuel Adventure in St. Albans and the youngsters and leaders had a superb time at both the Fuel Residential weekend and the Illuminate Cathedral event in February.

The group takes their roles as young leaders very seriously. They have faithfully supported Messy Church, helping with craft activities, and were delighted to be asked to read, choose one of the hymns and lead prayers at one of our 10:00 am services just before Christmas.

The Christian summer festival, Satellites, run by Youthscape, provided a really impactful opportunity for some of the older youngsters to spend time exploring their faith in creative ways while camping together in August 2025. The group appreciated the support the congregation provided to help them attend this festival and we are very hopeful of being able to take a larger group this summer.

Sara Harnett, Sarah Holloway, Anne Hollis and Ross Rayner

St. Helen’s Fellowship

Another year and the real joy of reporting that Fellowship has grown from strength to strength. Meeting in the Mead Hall 2:45 – 4:15 pm every Thursday in term time [£2 subs], we now have 34 members with others coming along occasionally. It is definitely good to have men and women in the group. Ages tend to be in the 80s/90s with a few younger! [NB Age is only a number!]

Sessions have included talks on ‘Magical Mosaics’, ‘A School Girl’s War’, ‘Up and Close to a Nuclear Bang’, ‘Sally’s African Odyssey’, ‘Whatever happened to the Princes in the Tower?’, ‘Following the Evidence’, ‘Age-Friendly Work in Herts’, ‘Teddy Bears’ Stories’. We have had a magician/ventriloquist, a visit from Jasper – the deaf spaniel – and a V.E. Day celebration. We have had our usual popular ‘Save a space for Puds’, chair exercises, a Ukelele band, social afternoons with board games, quizzes, bingo, raffles and of course Easter, Harvest and Advent celebrations.

The first Thursday of the month is our Holy Communion celebration led – with our grateful thanks – by our clergy and it was with sadness that we said our Goodbyes to Richard our Rector this year. We wish him well.

We continue our link with the MacIntyre home at 1, Station Road.

Looking over our topics, and getting feedback from members, we can genuinely say we offer something for everyone with friendship and laughter thrown in. Louise and I were very touched by, and grateful for, a gift of £500 from the estate of a dear member, Janet Moody. This will enable us to have special speakers/entertainment in the future.

Louise and I lead but we have a good team supporting us in transport and in the kitchen – important and much appreciated!

Jill Bareham and Louise Edwards

Deanery Synod Report

The Rector and up to three elected representatives serve on the Deanery Synod. Rev’d Jo Burke (St. Leonard’s, Flamstead) is our Rural Dean and has assisted us in various ways during the Vacancy. Brian Golesworthy and Linda Thomas stood down as Deanery Synod Representatives at our APCM; Stephen Wilson has continued and been joined by Stephen Rider. In May the Deanery arranged an Ascension Day Sung Eucharist Service at St. John’s, Harpenden and in October there was a Deanery Evensong at St. Nicholas, Harpenden. There was also a Deanery Quiet Morning in Advent. In addition the Deanery Synod arranged two meetings – in both of which St. Helen’s featured.

The February Synod meeting was hosted by St. Mary’s, Redbourn and the guest speaker was our own Claire Banham who spoke about her work with children and young people in the parish, her involvement over 6 years with the 267 Project and The Haven – the charity she has set up to support young people’s mental health. She emphasized the value of contact with families and young people in the community. Seeds can be sown and growth can follow to produce a glorious harvest!

The July Synod meeting was hosted by St. Helen’s on a lovely summer’s evening and the members attending enjoyed a glass of non-alcoholic punch and strawberries. The Incumbent normally gives a talk about the host parish and Hilary Hollick performed this task for us. There were two guest speakers. Andrew Brown of the Diocesan Board of Finance explained the Board’s role emphasizing ways in which it could help parishes. Philip Nalparis gave a practical talk about Environmental issues and was then commissioned as the Deanery Eco Champion.

The above report was approved by the Wheathampstead Parochial Church Council on the 24[th] March 2026.

Simon Best Lay Vice Chair

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2025 Accounts

BALANCE SHEET - As at 31 December 2025


		Note		2025	2024 £
				£
	FIXED ASSETS

	Tangible fixed assets		6	-	250 1,804
	Investments		6	1,732
				1,732	2,054

	CURRENT ASSETS

	Amountsreceivable and prepayments		7	5,617	4,529 319,832
	Cash at bank and on short term deposit			321,351
				326,968	324,361

	AMOUNTS PAYABLE WITHIN ONE YEAR		8	16,563	13,305


	NETCURRENT ASSETS			310,405	311,056

	NET ASSETS			312,137	313,110


	FUNDS

	Endowment		9	1,732	1,804 32,095
	Restricted		9	42,343
				44,075	33,899 209,326 69,885
	Designated		9	223,133
	Unrestricted		9	44,929
				312,137	313,110


	These fnancial statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on 24th March 2026.

	Signed on behalf of the PCC







	Simon Best		Stephen Rider
	Chairman		Treasurer

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2025 Accounts

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - For					theyear ended 31 December 2025


							Restricted &
					Unrestricted	Designated	Endowment	TOTAL	FUNDS 2024 £
					Funds	Funds	Funds	2025
			Note		£	£	£	£

	INCOME & ENDOWMENTS

		Incoming resources from donors
		Planned Givingvia Parish GivingScheme			112,312	-	-	112,312	108,791 9,782 27,711 7,449 757 2,161 4,105 3,564 36,741
		Other Plannedgiving			9,657	-	-	9,657
		Tax recoverable onplannedgiving			27,851	-	-	27,851
		Collections: St Helen's			7,763	-	-	7,763
		Collections: St Peter's			635	-	-	635
		Tax recoverable on Small Donations Scheme			2,148	-	-	2,148
		Collections for Specific Purposes			-	-	1,537	1,537
		Collections for the CommunityFund			-	-	2,784	2,784
		Legacies,donations etc		2	16,461	1,050	22,560	40,071
					176,827	1,050	26,881	204,758	201,061

		Income from investment
		Interest and Dividends			2,427	8,625	1,403	12,455	14,247

		Income from charitable trading/fees
		Coffee in the Chancel			3,551	-	-	3,551	3,983 23,603
		Fees for weddings and funerals			17,171	-	-	17,171
					20,722			20,722	27,586

		Other incoming resources
		Coffee after services			486	-	-	486	447 999 4,886 4,740 4,340 360 482
		Rental income			855	-	-	855
		VAT recovered on buildingworks			1,346	-	317	1,663
		Grants			-	-	-	-
		Flowers			-	-	1,150	1,150
		Bells			-	-	180	180
		Other income			193	-	-	193
					2,880		1,647	4,527	16,254

		TOTAL INCOME			202,856	9,675	29,931	242,462	259,148

	EXPENDITURE

		Giving		3	15,100	-	10,482	25,582	19,795

		Church Management & Administration		4	31,339	-	3,575	34,914	33,624

		For the work of the Church		5	171,373	5,868	5,698	182,939	194,754

		TOTAL EXPENDITURE			217,812	5,868	19,755	243,435	248,173

	NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE				(14,956)	3,807	10,176	(973)	10,975

		Transfers between funds			(10,000)	10,000	-	-	-

	NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS				(24,956)	13,807	10,176	(973)	10,975

	TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD			9	69,885	209,326	33,899	313,110	302,135


	TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD			9	44,929	223,133	44,075	312,137	313,110

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025

1	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

	ThePCCis a public benefit entitywithinthemeaning of FRS102. Thefinancialstatementshave beenprepared under
	the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts
	of PCCs, and with the Regulations' "true and fair view"provisions, together with FRS102 (2016) as the applicable
	accounting standards and the2016versionofthe Statement of RecommendedPractice,Accounting andReporting by
	Charities (SORP(FRS102)).

	Thehistoricalcost convention is adopted exceptfor investments,whichare shownatmarketvalue at the balance sheet date.

	The statements are prepared on the accruals basis.

	Funds
	Unrestrictedfunds are those availableforthe generalpurposes ofthePCC. The purpose of restrictedfundsisnotedin
	the statements. Interest, other income and tax recoverablerelated to amounts allocated to particular fundsis credited to
	those funds.
	The statementsinclude transactionsfor whichthePCCisresponsible butnot those of informalgroups of members orof
	separately constituted bodies from which the PCC may benefit.

	Income and use of resources
	Collections, donations and similar income are recognised on receipt.
	Income tax recoverable on donations is recognised when the income is recognised.
	Incomefrom fundraising events, coffeeinthe chanceletc,is shown in fulland therelated expenses areincluded
	within resources used.
	Grants and legacies are recognised in the period when they become due.
	Expenditureis accountedfor when incurred.

	Assets
	Insofaras consecrated and benefice property ofanykindis excludedfromthe statutory definitionof "charity"by
	Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011, such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.

	Depreciation is provided on equipment used by the PCC over the useful life of the asset. Items of equipment costing
	less than £1,000 are written off when the expenditure is incurred.

	Short term deposits include cash held in a Church of England Central Board of Finance account and at the bank.

2	LEGACIES, DONATIONS, NAVE BOXES, ETC.
				Restricted &
		Unrestricted	Designated	Endowment	TOTAL	FUNDS 2024 £
		Funds	Funds	Funds	2025
		£	£	£	£

	Nave boxes,Donations	5,096	-	-	5,096	16,947 14,600 720 - 950 300 288 508 2,428 -
	Friends of St Helen's	10,027	-	1,583	11,610
	Flower Fund	-	-	900	900
	Church Reordering	-	-	16,856	16,856
	FellowshipFund	-	-	872	872
	Fabric Fund	-	1,050	-	1,050
	Children,Youth & Schools	-	-	1,244	1,244
	Development Fund	-	-	-	-
	The Ark	481	-	-	481
	Income tax recoverable on donations	857	-	1,177	2,034
	Miscellaneous	-	-	(72)	(72)
		16,461	1,050	22,560	40,071	36,741

	Related Party Disclosures
	Donations, including planned giving, from Trustees and their related parties amounted to £26,554 during the year 2025
	(2024: £25,950)

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025


3	GIVING
			From Parish income		Special collections, Community Fund

			2025	2024 £	2025	2024 £
			£		£

		Charity Partners
		Congo Children Trust	4,500	3,500 3,000 3,000	4,088	- 69 937
		The Children's Society	4,000		230
		Azalea	4,000		-
			12,500	9,500	4,318	1,006


		Other charities
		St Helen's School	2,550	2,550	-	-
		Harvest Appeal	-	-	1,402	1,647
		Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust	50	50 - - -	-	- 313 3,290 1,439
		Christian Aid	-		180
		Payments from CommunityFund	-		4,582
		Payments from Funeral Collections	-		-
			2,600	2,600	6,164	6,689

		TOTAL	15,100	12,100	10,482	7,695


		Note: Givingto St Helen's School is bystandingorder which is continuinginto 2026


4	CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
					Restricted &
			Unrestricted	Designated	Endowment	TOTAL	FUNDS 2024 £
			Funds	Funds	Funds	2025
			£	£	£	£

		Stationery, post,telephone, print	4,734	-	-	4,734	3,320 27,025 790 517 998 434 540
		Staff salaries(inc occasional organist)	24,227	-	3,575	27,802
		Pension contribution	857	-	-	857
		Payroll administration costs	425	-	-	425
		Office Equipment depreciation	250	-	-	250
		Bank charges and card fees	306	-	-	306
		Database Fees	540	-	-	540
			31,339	-	3,575	34,914	33,624

		Note
		Duringtheyear the PCC employed an average monthlynumber of		2 staff(2024: 2	staff): aparish administrator,
		and a Children's and Families' Minister,both on apart time basis. The services of a			n occasional organist are alsoprovided o			n a regular basis,
		The totalcosts ofsalaries and pensions are as shownabove andnonational insurance costswereincurred.
		No employeesreceivedmore than £60,000.

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025


3	GIVING
			From Parish income		Special collections, Community Fund

			2025	2024 £	2025	2024 £
			£		£

		Charity Partners
		Congo Children Trust	4,500	3,500 3,000 3,000	4,088	- 69 937
		The Children's Society	4,000		230
		Azalea	4,000		-
			12,500	9,500	4,318	1,006


		Other charities
		St Helen's School	2,550	2,550	-	-
		Harvest Appeal	-	-	1,402	1,647
		Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust	50	50 - - -	-	- 313 3,290 1,439
		Christian Aid	-		180
		Payments from CommunityFund	-		4,582
		Payments from Funeral Collections	-		-
			2,600	2,600	6,164	6,689

		TOTAL	15,100	12,100	10,482	7,695


		Note: Givingto St Helen's School is bystandingorder which is continuinginto 2026


4	CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
					Restricted &
			Unrestricted	Designated	Endowment	TOTAL	FUNDS 2024 £
			Funds	Funds	Funds	2025
			£	£	£	£

		Stationery, post,telephone, print	4,734	-	-	4,734	3,320 27,025 790 517 998 434 540
		Staff salaries(inc occasional organist)	24,227	-	3,575	27,802
		Pension contribution	857	-	-	857
		Payroll administration costs	425	-	-	425
		Office Equipment depreciation	250	-	-	250
		Bank charges and card fees	306	-	-	306
		Database Fees	540	-	-	540
			31,339	-	3,575	34,914	33,624

		Note
		Duringtheyear the PCC employed an average monthlynumber of		2 staff(2024: 2	staff): aparish administrator,
		and a Children's and Families' Minister,both on apart time basis. The services of a			n occasional organist are alsoprovided o			n a regular basis,
		The totalcosts ofsalaries and pensions are as shownabove andnonational insurance costswereincurred.
		No employeesreceivedmore than £60,000.

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025


5	RESOURCES USED FOR THE WORKOF THECHURCH
					Restricted &
			Unrestricted	Designated	Endowment	TOTAL	FUNDS 2024
			Funds	Funds	Funds	2025
			£	£	£	£	£

		Parish share to Diocese	97,805	-	-	97,805	101,172 5,558 1,779 2,760 652 163 4,482 738 5,444 9,209 1,114 4,017 806 5,397 2,990 2,102 1,153 650 925 335 262 4,373 146 1,531
		Feespaid to Diocese	4,573	-	-	4,573
		WeddingDisbursements	1,050	-	-	1,050
		Funeral Disbursements	2,050	-	-	2,050
		Plaques and other memorials	475	-	-	475
		Ministryexpenses	2,632	-	-	2,632
		Electricity& Water(St Helens)	3,861	-	-	3,861
		Electricity& Water(St Peters)	974	-	-	974
		Gas(St Helen's)	5,603	-	-	5,603
		Maintenance(St Helens)	3,946	-	-	3,946
		Maintenance(St Peters)	1,783	-	-	1,783
		Insurance(St Helens)	4,566	-	-	4,566
		Insurance(St Peters)	812	-	-	812
		Mission	2,939	-	520	3,459
		Children,Youth & Schools	2,820	-	353	3,173
		Services	3,594	-	-	3,594
		Choir and music	900	-	-	900
		Casual organists for regular Church services	585	-	-	585
		Training	208	-	-	208
		Coffee in the Chancel expenses	362	-	-	362
		Stewardshipcosts	137	-	-	137
	The	Flowers	-	-	2,310	2,310
		Bells	-	-	2,515	2,515
		Audio Visual System depreciation	-	-	-	-
		Major fabric and Projects Expenditure
		Preservation and Restoration	16,500	-	-	16,500	22,320 14,676
		Church Development	13,198	5,868	-	19,066


			171,373	5,868	5,698	182,939	194,754

		Notes

		Duringtheyear,two members of the ministerial team who are also members of the PCC werepaid £15,453 in remuneration
		and for workingexpenses(2024: £11,793)
		No other payments or expenses were paid to any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them
		or relatedparties.

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025

6	FIXED ASSETS

	Tangible assets
					Office printer	AV equipment	Total
					£	£	£
		Cost	At 1st January 2025		4,991	64,380	69,371
			Additions at cost		-	-	-
			At 31stDecember 2025		4,991	64,380	69,371

		Depreciation	At 1st January 2025		4,741	64,380	69,121
			Charge for the year		250		250
			At 31stDecember 2025		4,991	64,380	69,371

		Net book value At 1st January 2025			1,248	1,531	2,779

			At 31st December 2025		0	0	0




	Investments at market value			2025		2024
				£		£
		Central Board of Finance Investment Fund		1,732		1,804



7	AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE

				2025		2024 £
				£

		Income tax recoverable		4,984		2,584
		Other amounts receivable		633		1,945

		TOTAL		5,617		4,529


8	AMOUNTS PAYABLE

				2025		2024 £
				£
		Accrued expenses		16,563		13,305

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2025 Accounts

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025

9	FUNDS

			1 Jan 2025 £		Incoming	Resources	Transfers	31 Dec
					Resources	Used	of Funds	2025
					£	£	£	£

	Endowment Funds		1,804		(72)		-	1,732

	Restricted Funds
		CommunityFund			3,499	(4,582)	-	4,993
		Flower fund			2,086	(2,310)	-	546
		Bell Fund			2,144	(2,515)	-	1,446
		Music Fund			186	(3,575)	-	2,958
		Choral Scholar Fund			83	-	-	2,115
		CharityPartnershipFund			-	(4,088)	-
		St Helen's FellowshipFund			909	(520)	-	1,120
					17,788	-	-	22,905
		Children,Youth & Schools Work			1,496	(353)	-	6,260
		Specific collections			1,812	(1,812)	-	-
				32,095	30,003	(19,755)	-	42,343


	Total Restricted & Endowment Fund 33,899				29,931	(19,755)	-	44,075

	Designated Funds
		Fabric Fund		1,029 55,049 82,587 5,753 64,908	1,113	-	-	2,142
		Income Reserve			2,241	-	-	57,290
		Capital Reserve			3,361	-	-	85,948
		Development Fund			115	(5,868)	-	-
		Roof Fund			2,845	-	10,000	77,753

				209,326	9,675	(5,868)	10,000	223,133

	Unrestricted Funds
		General Fund		69,885	202,856	(217,812)	(10,000)	44,929

	TOTAL FUNDS			313,110	242,462	(243,435)	-	312,137


	Notes
	Endowment Funds
		These are the Fenwick and Bracey bequests, the investment of which is mainly in the CBF Investment Fund shown in the Balance Sheet. Income from the Fenwick bequest is for the church and churcyard upkeep. These funds, and their annual movementin value, areincludedwiththerestrictedfunds.


	Community Fund
		This fund is from collections at weddings and baptisms, and some donations, which are set aside to provide assistance to those in need mainly in the parish of Wheathampstead.

	Bell Fund
		For the renovation, repairs and maintenance of the bells, including handbells, and related structures, fixtures and fittings, plus the support and development ofthe bell ringers.

	Music Fund
		Moneyset aside byPCC and other donations for music and choirpurposes within the church.
	Charity Partnership Fund
		Donations set aside bythe PCC for work on the Kimbilio Project and and futureprojects with our Charity
	Fabric Fund
		This fund is for major work to the Fabric of St Helen's church.
	Income Reserve and Designated Capital Reserve
		As the Diocese recommends, the PCC maintains designated funds as a reserve against sudden total loss of income and unforseen capital expenditure. Reserves were set at an initial level of £60,000 each in 2005 with interest to be accrued to the funds as a protection against inflation. In 2020 the PCC reviewed the Reserves Policy and decided to reduce the Income Reserve by a transfer of £25,000 to the General Fund



	Development Fund
		Donations set aside by the PCC for improvements to the interior of St Helen's.

	Roof Fund
		Transfer of funds for future repairs on the roof of St Helen's
	Church Reordering (Build)
		Donations restricted to the cost of the church reordering project at St Helens.
	Children, Youth and Schools work
		Donation received restricted to supportingchildren, youth and schools work.

	The cash related to the restricted funds is held in the PCC bank accounts.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT Independent Examiner’s report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Helen’s Wheathampstead and St. Peter’s Gustard Wood

I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31st December 2025, which are set out on pages 14 to 20.

This report is made solely to the Church’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Church’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Church and the Church’s Trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The Church Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s statement

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:

Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act; or
The financial statements do not accord with those records; or
The financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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 financial statements to be reached.

……………………. J PIPER, FCA Chartered Accountant 14 Church Street St. Albans, AL3 5NQ

12 March, 2026

2025-12-31-accounts