## **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** 

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## **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. 

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_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: 

1. 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 -----**<br>
A vibrant hub at<br>the heart of our<br>community<br>Being a church  Helping people<br>for all  encounter God's<br>generations love<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


2. Be **a church for all generations** 

3. 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. 

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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- 

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



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



***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<br>Richard<br>Banham|Rector until July 2025||Claire Banham|Reader until July 2025|
|Rt Rev<br>John<br>Gladwin|Retired Bishop||Carol Hopper|Reader|
|Rev BrianGwinn|RetiredMinister||PippaLegg|Reader|
|Rev Tom Purchas|Ret. Minister until July<br>2025||John Grace|Reader|
|Rev Geof Barter|Retired Minister||Barbara Doye|Reader from Sept.<br>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** . 

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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, 

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£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|



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## **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. 

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## **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. 

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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_ 

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## **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_ 

12 



## **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_ 

13 



## **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 

14 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**||||||||||
|||||||||||
|**BALANCE SHEET - As at 31 December 2025**||||||||||
|||||||||||
|||||||||||
|||**Note**|||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**|||
||||||**£**|||||
||**FIXED ASSETS**|||||||||
|||||||||||
||Tangible fixed assets||**6**||-||250<br>1,804|||
||Investments||**6**||1,732|||||
||||||**1,732**||**2,054**|||
|||||||||||
||**CURRENT ASSETS**|||||||||
|||||||||||
||Amountsreceivable and prepayments||**7**||5,617||4,529<br>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<br>32,095|||
||Restricted||**9**||42,343|||||
||||||**44,075**||**33,899**<br>209,326<br>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**|||||||



15 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||
|**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - For**|||||||**theyear ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||
|||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||**Restricted &**|||||
||||||||**Unrestricted**||**Designated**||**Endowment**||**TOTAL**||**FUNDS**<br>**2024**<br>**£**|
||||||||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2025**|||
|||||**Note**|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|||
|||||||||||||||||
|||**INCOME & ENDOWMENTS**||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||
||||**Incoming resources from donors**|||||||||||||
||||Planned Givingvia Parish GivingScheme||||112,312||-||-||**112,312**||**108,791**<br>**9,782**<br>**27,711**<br>**7,449**<br>**757**<br>**2,161**<br>**4,105**<br>**3,564**<br>**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**<br>**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**<br>**999**<br>**4,886**<br>**4,740**<br>**4,340**<br>**360**<br>**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**|



16 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||
|**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**<br>**2024**<br>**£**||
|||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2025**|||
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|||
||||||||||||
||Nave boxes,Donations|5,096||-||-||**5,096**|16,947<br>14,600<br>720<br>-<br>950<br>300<br>288<br>508<br>2,428<br>-||
||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)||||||||||



17 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**|||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|**3 **|**GIVING**||||||||||||||||
|||||||**From Parish income**||||**Special collections,**<br>**Community Fund**|||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||||||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**|||||
|||||||**£**||||**£**|||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||**Charity Partners**|||||||||||||||
|||Congo Children Trust||||4,500||3,500<br>3,000<br>3,000||4,088||-<br>69<br>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<br>-<br>-<br>-||-||-<br>313<br>3,290<br>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**<br>**2024**<br>**_£_**||||
|||||||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2025**|||||
|||||||**_£_**||**_£_**||**_£_**||**_£_**|||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||Stationery, post,telephone, print||||4,734||-||-||**4,734**|**3,320**<br>**27,025**<br>**790**<br>**517**<br>**998**<br>**434**<br>**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.|||||||||||||||



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**|||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|**3 **|**GIVING**||||||||||||||||
|||||||**From Parish income**||||**Special collections,**<br>**Community Fund**|||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||||||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**|||||
|||||||**£**||||**£**|||||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||**Charity Partners**|||||||||||||||
|||Congo Children Trust||||4,500||3,500<br>3,000<br>3,000||4,088||-<br>69<br>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<br>-<br>-<br>-||-||-<br>313<br>3,290<br>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**<br>**2024**<br>**_£_**||||
|||||||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2025**|||||
|||||||**_£_**||**_£_**||**_£_**||**_£_**|||||
||||||||||||||||||
|||Stationery, post,telephone, print||||4,734||-||-||**4,734**|**3,320**<br>**27,025**<br>**790**<br>**517**<br>**998**<br>**434**<br>**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.|||||||||||||||



18 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**|||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
|**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
|**5**|**RESOURCES USED FOR THE WORKOF THECHURCH**||||||||||||||
|||||||||||**Restricted &**|||||
|||||||**Unrestricted**||**Designated**||**Endowment**||**TOTAL**||**FUNDS**<br>**2024**|
|||||||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2025**|||
|||||||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
||||||||||||||||
|||Parish share to Diocese||||97,805||-||-||**97,805**||101,172<br>5,558<br>1,779<br>2,760<br>652<br>163<br>4,482<br>738<br>5,444<br>9,209<br>1,114<br>4,017<br>806<br>5,397<br>2,990<br>2,102<br>1,153<br>650<br>925<br>335<br>262<br>4,373<br>146<br>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<br>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.|||||||||||||



19 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**|||||||||
||||||||||
|**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||
||||||||||
|**6**|**FIXED ASSETS**||||||||
||||||||||
||**Tangible assets**||||||||
|||||||**Office**<br>**printer**|**AV**<br>**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**<br>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**<br>**_£_**||
||||||**_£_**||||
||||||||||
|||Income tax recoverable|||4,984||2,584||
|||Other amounts receivable|||633||1,945||
||||||||||
|||**TOTAL**|||**5,617**||**4,529**||
||||||||||
||||||||||
|**8**|**AMOUNTS PAYABLE**||||||||
||||||||||
||||||**2025**||**2024**<br>**£**||
||||||**£**||||
|||Accrued expenses|||**16,563**||**13,305**||



20 



|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|**WHEATHAMPSTEAD PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||||||
|**2025 Accounts**|||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
|**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - Year ended 31 December 2025**|||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
|**9**|**FUNDS**||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
||||||**1 Jan**<br>**2025**<br>**£**|||**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**<br>**33,899**|||||||**29,931**||**(19,755)**||-||**44,075**|
||||||||||||||||
||**Designated Funds**||||||||||||||
|||Fabric Fund||||1,029<br>55,049<br>82,587<br>5,753<br>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<br>the Balance Sheet. Income from the Fenwick bequest is for the church and churcyard upkeep. These funds, and their<br>annual movementin value, areincludedwiththerestrictedfunds.|||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||
||**Community Fund**||||||||||||||
|||This fund is from collections at weddings and baptisms, and some donations, which are set aside to provide<br>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<br>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<br>and unforseen capital expenditure. Reserves were set at an initial level of £60,000 each in 2005 with interest to be<br>accrued to the funds as a protection against inflation. In 2020 the PCC reviewed the Reserves Policy and decided to<br>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.**||||||||||||||



21 



## **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 

22