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2020-12-31-accounts

THE PARISH OF THE ITCHEN VALLEY

Incorporating the Churches of St Mary’s Avington, St Mary’s Easton, St John’s Itchen Abbas and St Swithun’s Martyr Worthy

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Administrative information ................................................................................................. 4 2. Structure, governance and management............................................................................ 4 3. Aims and purposes................................................................................................................ 4 4. Objects and activities............................................................................................................ 4 5. Achievements and performance ......................................................................................... 5 6. Electoral Roll.......................................................................................................................... 5 7. Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the churches......................................... 5 8. Rector’s report……………................................................................................................. 6 9. Churchwardens’ report ........................................................................................................ 13 10. Deanery Synod report .......................................................................................................... 18 11. Further reports ..................................................................................................................... 18 Section 2 – Financial Reports ............................................................................................... 22

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1. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The Parish of the Itchen Valley is part of the Diocese of Winchester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: Itchen Valley Parish Office, St John’s Church, Itchen Abbas, Winchester SO21 1BJ (01962)779845. The office is open from 9 am to 1pm on weekdays. The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Itchen Valley is a Registered Charity No: 1133110.

The Churches of the Parish are St Mary's at Avington, St Mary's at Easton, St John the Baptist's at Itchen Abbas and St Swithun's at Martyr Worthy.

Ministry team:

Rector Reverend Alex Pease Licensed Lay Minister Gerry Stacey Churchwardens: St Mary’s Avington Dan Day Robinson St Mary’s Easton Chris Ellis, Theo Mezger St John’s Itchen Abbas Tony Gaster, Sarah Hunt St Swithun’s Martyr Worthy Sara Mason, Robin Greenwood Deanery Synod Representatives (elected in 2017 for 3 years): Martyr Worthy Gerry Stacey Easton Theo Mezger Itchen Abbas Julia Wright Avington Tim Clapp

Elected members of the PCC :

Helen Wayne (Avington), Sara Janssen (Easton) Sally Parker (Itchen Abbas) Verity Coleman (Martyr Worthy)

Hon Secretary: Verity Coleman Hon Treasurer: Richard Coleman

2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the Parish of the Itchen Valley is the governing body for the Parish. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules and the Parish Scheme. The PCC met six times during 2020. The PCC was supported by a Standing Committee and a Finance Committee.

The Constitution of the Parish of the Itchen Valley and the supporting Policy Guidance document can both be found on the parish website.

There are four District Church Councils (DCCs), one for each District centred on the churches of the Parish. All the DCCs met regularly during 2020.

All regular Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC and DCCs.

3. AIMS AND PURPOSES

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical - in the Ecclesiastical Parish and the area of the Itchen Valley. It is the duty of the Rector and the PCC to consult together on matters of general concern and importance to the parish.

4. OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship God at our churches and to become part of our parish community. The Ministry Team and PCC all acknowledge the need to consider public benefit in planning activities and guidance on the advancement of religion.

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5. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE –

The report from the Ministry team and the churchwardens’ report set out some of the highlights of the parish’s achievements and performance in 2020.

Average Attendance Average Attendance
2020 2019 2018 2017
8.00 am BCP Communion 7
based on 5 services		 8 8 8
10.00 am Parish Communion 46 41 44 36
All Age Worship 51 55 54 63
Valley Worship 43 56 43 72
based on 2 services
**10.00 am average ** 47 51 47 42
11.00 am Matins - - - 18
6.00 pm Evensong 15
based on 8 services		 13 19 13
Christmas Eve & Day 222 461 512 509
Easter Day 68 136 169 220
Additional Services
Baptisms 6 12 10 1
**Weddings ** 2 6 4 5
Funerals 11 6 15 7

The attendance calculation for 2020 are based on Zoom attendance, Church attendance when permissible and average YouTube recording viewing figures.

6. ELECTORAL ROLL

There are 155 names on the 2021 Electoral Roll for the Parish, of whom 13 live outside the parish. This is a decrease of 12 on 2020 when the Electoral Roll was renewed.

7. REPORT ON THE FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCHES

St Mary’s Avington

Lydia Gould has continued with the Quinquennial repair works on the exterior brickwork to a very high standard. Over the summer works were undertaken on the parapet and the crenelations on the north eastern and eastern aspects. Over the winter works have been completed at ground level near the south side door. Many thanks are due to Gill Graham Maw, who was overseeing this project. Gill retired in January 2021.

A faculty has been applied for the restoration of the Vinegar Bible and the Bible and prayer books were taken away for repair by the specialist restoration team. We anticipate having these back in mid-2021.

After a long period of closure during 2020, we will be drawing up a list of projects which need to be undertaken at St Mary’s over the short, medium and long term. We will be looking at how to improve the heating, lighting and electrical installations at the church as well as other improvements to the fabric of the building.

St Mary’s, Easton

In May Gigabeam installed wifi in St Mary’s, which allows us to broadcast our services via Zoom. The Quinquennial Inspection took place in June. Many lesser issues that will require some maintenance over time were identified but the only matter requiring immediate attention is a small leak in the nave roof that is causing the plaster inside, high on the chancel arch above the font, to flake off. We have sought assistance from our architects to rectify this problem. During November, the lighting in the nave and its dimmers were converted to LED. Our application for a faculty to install an audio-visual system to support modern worship has recently

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been approved and work will commence shortly. We are in the process of making faculty applications to update and improve the chancel lighting and for the felling of three dead trees and the extensive pruning of all other trees in the churchyard.

St John’s, Itchen Abbas

Since March 2020, the church has been closed for all activities, except for private prayer and just a few services when permitted. The Quinquennial Inspection was carried out in October. A number of small issues have been identified for action. Routine maintenance has been carried out both to the building and churchyard. Lack of use has enabled the grass to grow back well in the car park.

St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy

The physical works arising out of the Martyr Worthy 2017 Quinquennial Inspection finally took place between 16 March and 30 July and took longer than expected due to the impact of COVID. The works involved repairs to the roof tiles, roof vents, bell chamber louvres, gutters and downpipes, boiler house chimney and some brick and stonework repairs. A faculty for one year was obtained on 27 June 2019 and an extension of one year from 27 June 2020 was granted on 3 April and a bat licence was obtained on 18 February 2020. The total cost is expected to be c£43k before VAT of which £5k for a bat survey and professional fees was charged in previous years, £33k in 2020 and the balance of c£5 will be due in August 2021 at the end of the defects period when a post-construction bat monitoring survey is also required. We have been able to reclaim the VAT in full so far and hope to reclaim it on the balance as well. The Friends of St Swithun’s Church Martyr Worthy have generously contributed £10,000 towards the cost.

In late 2020, we also repaired two big cracks in the wall at the west end of the graveyard. The Church’s 50% share of the costs is £1,464 and has been generously paid by The Friends. In addition earlier in the year BT installed wifi to allow us to broadcast our services via Zoom.

In 2021 we have just carried out some electrical works arising out of our recent electrical inspection and have repaired the wooden gate into the second graveyard and still need to secure a number of gravestones.

RECTOR’S REPORT

“So, what do you want me to do?” I asked the PCC on Monday 16[th] March 2020. Lockdown had just been announced and it had become clear that church services were to be stopped. After a packed 2019 with so much wonderful stuff going on, it looked as if the church was going to come to a grinding halt in 2020.

Rule of six tea parties

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But the care and creativity of this parish swung into action to respond to the crisis. By means of the Itchen List we were able to encourage all the residents of our Valley to keep a lookout for their five nearest neighbours, to ensure that they were properly provided for during lockdown. During the Rule of Six we ran a campaign called “Love your Neighbour, who’s a stranger” to encourage residents to invite those of their neighbours who they did not know well to tea in their gardens. We also initiated the idea in our community of local WhatsApp groups to enable neighbours to look after each other. It was wonderful to see how small groups of neighbours within our villages have got to know each other much better than before, as WhatsApp has facilitated socially distanced chat about everything from bonfires to suspicious vehicles. Offers of help for shopping for isolating residents have been extended. Across the villages, the Valley Visitors led by Lavinia Owen have continued their important work of looking out for their regulars.

As the Parish Council response began to gather momentum, we were able to assist and support their effort and fall in line behind their leadership of the community as our elected representatives. At the forefront of this care and concern have been many of our regular worshippers. As someone noted ‘isn’t it noticeable how it is so often the churchgoers who are involved in leading and helping look after neighbours in this crisis?’.

But it’s not just the small acts of kindness and the building of relationships which have struck me during this period, but also individual acts of great generosity. Christians in the Parish donated substantial funds to the Winchester Villages Trust, which offers small grants in confidence to those facing financial difficulties. These grants have made a huge difference in the lives of a number of individuals within our community. It provided for them at pinch points and reduced worry.

Cameo under Charlotte Appleby’s leadership has continued despite lockdown, but in a different form. Some of our older residents have told me how completely delighted they have been to receive a jar of jam or some flowers delivered to the door (with a smile behind a mask) by our Cameo helpers.

It has been so sad to suspend Little Rainbows during this time and I know that there are many families with new babies absolutely desperate for us to start up again! It has been disappointing as well not to run our annual Way of the Cross Pageant in Martyr Worthy and our annual Carols in the Barn because of Covid restrictions. However, during the summer, family by family we were able to take part in our Walk of Hope praying around the villages, the lanes and the fields, covering every square kilometre of our Parish and concluding with socially distanced ice cream eating in the churchyard at St Swithun’s Martyr Worthy.

Ice cream after the Walk of Hope

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Our courses have continued with the Marriage Course led by James and Julia Wright and the Bible Course led by Gerry Stacey, both before lockdown started at the beginning of the year, and the Prayer Course in the autumn, also led by Gerry Stacey, on Zoom after lockdown had begun. This latter course has migrated into a home group which now meets regularly. Our three other home groups: the Mum’s Group, the Bible Beauties and Wednesday Night Worship have continued in different forms during lockdown giving a huge amount of welcome encouragement to each other during this difficult time.

Choral Advent Service

Our occasional choir led by Maj General Tim Tyler even managed to get some opportunities to sing between lockdowns at our Advent Sunday service, at our Christmas Crib service and in an amazing travelling choir ‘Carols on the Move’ tour of our villages to lead our villagers in singing carols during Advent. Our Virtual Advent Calendar gave some excitement to our families over the build up to Christmas as a substitute for our usual Posada journey around the Parish. Loulou Stirrup wrote a wonderful new dramatisation of the Advent Story for our Crib Service which was acted out by our young people.

Crib Service

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Even though we have been confined to our homes, we have not been focused solely on our own local community. Our warm ecumenical relationship with St Peter’s Catholic Church in Winchester has continued, despite our common endeavour of Lent Lunches being curtailed in 2020, with a wonderful Sung Stations of the Cross just before lockdown came into effect in March 2020 and most recently an exploration of Lectio Divina on Zoom in March 2021. Our Remembrance Sunday service in November had (at the last minute because of lockdown) to be conducted principally on Zoom, but we were able to engage with the local branch of the Royal British Legion in this annual exercise and mark the 75[th] anniversary of the end of the Pacific War by the Lord’s Prayer being read on Zoom in Japanese and English. It was a striking moment which called us all to forgiveness.

We have given help to a number of parishes in this Diocese and beyond who are contemplating merging from a multi church benefice into a single multi-church parish. Our paper on ‘Simplification of Church Governance – advantages of the Single Parish Benefice’ remains one of the most accessed documents of all time on our website and has provoked a number of telephone calls and Zoom meetings from as far away as Devon and Suffolk. I am very grateful to Rolls Coleman, Gerry Stacey and Simon Ffennell for being willing to assist in this micro-mission. Our contribution towards the Common Mission Fund has met our obligations and our giving to other charities has been exemplary.

Despite the many challenges, lockdown has had a number of advantages. All our Standing Committee, PCC and Parish Ministry Team meetings have been on Zoom. Our meetings tend to be delightful anyway, marked by a cooperative atmosphere and also by a unanimous wish to get the meeting over as quickly as possible, which is a wonderful combination for any chairman. Never has my finger had to hover over the mute button during anyone’s contribution! Of course, we will all want to get back together again and see each other, but the advantages of avoiding the need to travel and park on winter’s evenings will mean, I believe, that Zoom will continue to play a role in the church’s governance.

Zoom has also enabled us to do some things that we might not otherwise have managed to do. We ran a Zoom Alpha Course in the autumn and two of those who attended would not have been able to join us if we had held the course in the flesh. All the concerns as to whether Alpha would work online have been confounded with several profound moments of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

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Then of course we have had to take an entirely different approach to our services. After the fateful PCC meeting on 16 March 2020 we moved online. We became broadcasters! We suddenly found how to lead a communion service on You Tube and on Zoom. We learned that recorded services take twice as long to organise than live Zoom services. We struggled with sound issues and were so grateful to Chris Ellis- in particular for managing our sound system both in church (when we were able to return for services) and online - being our first Zoom jockey – a job title which did not even exist just 12 months ago.

It has not always been easy. It has been most difficult when we were in half lockdown – when, under the tier system, churchgoers were allowed to attend services in limited numbers in masks, socially distanced and not singing (lip synching and humming permitted). We discovered that repeated verses of hymns played on the organ without singing were a bit dull, so we provided recorded hymns with singing and used them both live and on Zoom. But we had terrible problems with feedback loops and Zoom not being designed for music. Eventually we learned how to overcome this. We have seen that it’s better to have screens on when we are online and learned how to switch off our mute buttons. We have also learned how to worship from home and not just view the service passively as if we were watching the Antiques Road Show on the BBC.

Palm Sunday

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Despite all the challenges we have prevailed, and during the most recent lockdown we have become really quite good at this! I believe that we have actually drawn closer together because of the whole experience. We have been so grateful to those who have guided us through the pain of technological novelty.

A particular thanks to Chris Ellis with respect to sound, to James Greig with his BBC film production experience, to Tim Clapp who has managed to lead our worship either from home or from St John’s, Itchen Abbas and to all the Zoom jockeys: Chris Ellis, John Bouldin, Gerry Stacey and Ben Hart.

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It has been difficult for new people to join our church during this time. It’s quite intimidating joining a Zoom service with people you don’t know (although one or two families have done so).

As Rector, I would usually get to know newcomers to the villages soon after they arrive and invite them to join us. However, that has not been possible. My walking round the villages chatting to people has also been curtailed. Of course, as is usual, we have lost people – some have moved home and some have sadly died.

So, it’s not surprising that our average attendance figures for our 10am services have been a bit lower this year (47 rather than 51). I am struck, however, by how our average Parish Communion service figures for 2020 have actually risen during the year (up to 46 from 41). What has been particularly encouraging is that many of our parish communion congregation, who previously might have been a bit sceptical about our informal services and our modern worship styles, have been regular attenders on Zoom at these services as well.

I have continued to be really grateful for the huge efforts made by our churchwardens Theo Mezger and Chris Ellis, Robin Greenwood and Sara Mason, Tony Gaster and Sarah Hunt and Dan Day Robinson to lead the church community in their villages. It’s a sad moment for us to say goodbye to Tony Gaster who is stepping down as churchwarden after so many years and will be greatly missed. We also say goodbye to Rolls Coleman as Treasurer and Verity Coleman as PCC Secretary. Their calm intelligence and good humour have guided us through some difficult times and left us in a really good position as a Parish as we close another year. I am so grateful to them. Sara Mason and her Covid Committee have been so helpful with their reasoned guidance in ensuring that we achieve Covid compliance in all our churches and at all our events throughout this difficult year.

All this has made me reflect on what we are as a church. We are not just an organisation with its committees and targets; we are not just a charity with its objectives, of course we are friends, but we are also a family. Every member of that family is important. We are a family which (as we have seen during the pandemic) really is salt and light in our community, as we have seen so many of us making a difference to neighbours in need during this time. We are a family which (perhaps unlike real families!) behaves decently and with kindness and respect to each other and are thus an example to others here. We are a family which is not frightened of being known as being followers of Christ. We are, as Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:5-6, ‘like living stones being built into a spiritual

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house’. Without all the stones in place, resting on the foundation stone of Christ, the house collapses: everyone is essential; everyone makes a contribution; and everyone matters.

Thank you so much to so many people for what you have done for the Lord and for the Parish during the year. I will not mention everyone by name: the Churchwardens mention many people in their report, and I entirely endorse what they say. I have already thanked the Churchwardens, Treasurer and PCC Secretary, but I do want to say a particular thank you to Beccy Clark our Parish Administrator (who has, as always, been just amazing all year), to our PCC members and to our incredible Parish Ministry Team, all of whom have been a huge support to me personally during this year and have been a delight to lead. You may recall that I said at the APCM last year that 2020 would be a ‘year of empowerment’. During this time the Parish Ministry Team has grown to 11 with so many attending BCM courses. Individual ministries have grown apace. It has been great to see their lives change as they have encountered Christ more deeply and I feel sure that they are already changing the lives of others.

Rector’s Video Letter

As all of you know, I retire from my time as Priest in Charge of this parish in mid-April. It has been an immense privilege to be your Rector for the last three years and to be Assistant Priest and Curate in the six years before then. It has been wonderful to see you all at your very best and also when times have been challenging. It has been such a joy to be able to lead you at services and festivals, at baptisms, weddings and funerals. I have felt that my entire life has been leading towards this period of being your Rector and I have poured all my experiences of life into it. I have enjoyed every single moment. Thank you for being who you are and for seeking to be who Christ is calling you to become. Revd. Alex Pease

9. CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

We would like to warmly welcome all those who are new to the Parish including the many young families and those from outside the Parish who have chosen to worship with us and become part of our community.

As already reported, 2020 has been a difficult year for our parish due to the restrictions that we have had to operate under as a result of Covid:

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We would like to pay tribute to Alex our Rector, supported by Gerry Stacey, our Licensed Lay Minister, and our eight BCMs: Simon Ffennell, Tim Clapp, James Greig, Julia Wright (all Worship Ministers), Nicky Barber (Creation Care), John Barber (Prayer Minister), Lavinia Owen (Pastoral Minister) and Lucy Pease (Discipleship Minister). In addition James Greig, James Wright, Julia Wright, Nicky Barber and John Barber are occasional preachers, selected by the Rector and operating under his authority. We would like to thank our Ministry Team, now much enlarged by Alex, for all that they have done, and feel truly blessed to have them. We should not underestimate the challenges they faced and the work involved. Thank you.

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The services we held could not have taken place without the help of Chris Ellis and James Greig and the other Zoom jockeys: Gerry Stacey, John Bouldin and Ben Hart. It is important to appreciate that the services involved complex equipment, set up prior to each service, worship music pre-recording, and in the case of the Remembrance Parade outside Easton Church and the Christingle service an enormous time commitment. Equally critical were David Parker the Parish’s Health & Safety Officer, David Swinstead responsible for health and safety in Easton and Sara Mason, who took particular responsibility for producing the Covid protocols to be followed and risk assessments for each type of service and church. We are truly grateful to them and blessed to have them. Again a big thank you.

The success of a parish also depends on many others who volunteer to perform various other key roles and duties. Those who:

It has always been and remains one big team effort and we are truly appreciative of all that you have done in this difficult year. We thank you.

Up to the start of the first lockdown we were able to keep up the momentum and build on the successes of the last six years and continue to pursue new initiatives. Since then we have endeavoured to continue to do this to as best we can. This has of course had its challenges given that as we all know:

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Our objective remains to hold a minimum of two church services each Sunday in normal times, with services spread across our four churches in a regular pattern of worship which our congregation appreciates. As set out in the parish profiles agreed at the time of both Alex and the previous three Rectors’ appointments, in recognition of the fact that the Church of England is a broad church, that we are a rural parish and that different members of our congregation like different forms of worship, liturgy and versions of the prayer book and bible, we aim to offer worship across a broad spectrum. This involves a balance of traditional and more modern family-orientated services to both maintain a wide appeal and attract younger people which is so important if we are to be a vibrant and growing rural parish. We appreciate that the more modern forms of services do not appeal to some of our older congregation members. However, it attracts younger families who are already playing an active role in church life. We keep the format and content of these more modern form of services under regular review.

We are blessed with beautiful and well-maintained churches and are pleased that in normal times we are able to keep them open daily and to use them for regular and festive worship and other events. It is gratifying to see from the visitors’ books how many people visit and appreciate our churches. This is in large part due to the four District Church Councils, who have delegated responsibility for the upkeep and general maintenance of the churches and churchyards, together with the large number of people who provide additional support.

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We continued to assist the Rector and his ministry team with implementing our Parish Mission Action Plan, which we were required to revise in 2019, as part of Bishop Tim’s Strategic Priorities for Mission. This led in 2019 to various initiatives including a renewed focus on attracting more families and younger parishioners to our churches which has continued in 2020.

Family Worship theatre in a box

We would once again like to thank Beccy Clark, our Parish Administrator, whose skills and helpfulness are much appreciated, for all her hard work. We would also like to thank Janet Denyer, now in her second year as our Parish Bookkeeper, for all her hard work and help too. We have also been entirely dependent upon our wonderful volunteers in doing the various jobs that they do including Rolls Coleman as Hon Treasurer, Verity Coleman who is PCC Secretary, David Parker who acts as our Health & Safety Officer, Sara Mason who has been our Covid protocol officer, Sarah Hunt who acts as our Safeguarding Officer and Charlotte Appleby who co-ordinates the finding of organists. We are truly appreciative and grateful. Thank you. And a big thank you to Rolls Coleman and Verity Coleman who are retiring as Hon Treasurer and PCC Secretary respectively at the APCM. In addition, we would like to thank Alex Pease once again for his work in ensuring that the parish website is kept up to date. The website continues to become an increasingly important way of communicating our message to the wider public, showcasing our events and activities as well as hosting the Itchen Valley diary. We encourage you to use it.

In a normal year the work of the Parish is reflected in the wide range of activities which take place including the Way of the Cross Service, our Patronal Services and parties and Carols in the Barn. Sadly none were able to take place in 2020 due to Covid although, as mentioned above, we were able to hold singing carols in each village.

With a focus on mission and outreach, and mindful of the importance of public benefit in the work of a charity, many of the activities of the parish continued to be directed towards the wider community and beyond:

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2020 was an unavoidably less active year for fund raising. Events included the Martyr Worthy Plant Sale (£6,498), Southwood Players (£2,000), Philip Windsor-Aubrey woodwork sales (£861) and a sale of baskets (£310). The 2020/21 Lecture Series in Martyr Worthy has had to be postponed to 2021/22 due to Covid. They all not only make a significant contribution to our financial position but also provide a social dimension to our life as a parish and demonstrate that the congregation is active in the local community. Some are put on jointly with other organisations and may raise money for several charities as well as church funds. We are once again grateful for the energy and enthusiasm of fund-raising teams which makes this possible, but we are always looking out for new ideas and helpers. In summary the churchwardens thank all those who contribute in many different ways to the work and smooth running of the parish and in particular in this difficult and challenging year.

This year sees Tony Gaster standing down as Churchwarden. We would like to thank Tony for all that he has done and the other roles he has performed in the parish, wish him well in his planned moved to Winchester and hope that we shall continue to see him.

In addition, although it is outside the scope of the 2020 Annual Report, as we know Alex has announced that sadly he will not be seeking to be re-appointed as Rector on 15 April. We fully understand why, are fully supportive of his position and would like to thank Alex and Lucy for all that they have done in his three years as our Rector and in the six previous years. Alex will be leaving us in a thriving, growing, sustainable and strong position and can be very proud of his achievement, and personally we have all enjoyed working with and supporting Alex in his work.

10. DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

This parish has four elected lay members to the Deanery Synod, plus our Rector, who for the last year have been Theo Mezger, Tim Clapp, Gerry Stacey and Julia Wright. Principally due to Covid, Synod have met by Zoom only twice in December and February, although in September we were informed by email of the resignation of the incumbent of the Arle Valley (Alresford) Benefice.

At both meetings, two major topics were debated:

  1. Diocesan Pastoral Reorganisation – The Area Dean reported that, provoked by the financial crisis of the Diocese,

  2. a major pastoral reorganisation is under way,

  3. the consultation process amongst Bishop David and Archdeacon Richard and our Area Dean (David Chattell) and our Lay Chair (Gillian Gray Knight) had been concluded,

  4. the Diocese is working on a reorganisation scheme,

  5. those parishes affected will be contacted soon

  6. we/Synod are likely to be addressed by + David as a whole by mid-June.

  7. Lango – Following extensive discussion over many years, at the last meeting it was decided that, in the absence of any further enthusiasm amongst the parishes to continue to support Lango, an exit strategy would be developed, including a final donation from Deanery funds.

Theo Mezger

11. REPORTS

CAMEO (Come and meet each other)

What a change from the last report! The lunch and service have been replaced by telephone calls and monthly deliveries. Each helper was assigned two or three people to keep in phone contact with (some of course also ring other friends who happen to be Cameo guests) and a different group to deliver to – the ones nearest in most cases. Our guests are not all still living in the Valley and so trips to Alresford, Hinton Ampner and Winchester are a regular feature. The first delivery was a mask, made by Jill Croft and others have included flowers, chutney, bulbs, jam, cards and delicious biscuits for Christmas.

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For VE Day we joined with the Parish Council to deliver tea, jam, butter and scones not only to Cameo guests but also to all those who were alive in 1945 – the over 80s – as far as we could find out, and VE day teas were celebrated, socially distanced.

The generous hard working team have enjoyed Zoom meetings to plan each monthly celebration; in lockdown it is easier to find a date and time that all can manage! The guests are very appreciative of their efforts.

We regret the passing of Jim Glasspool, Jim Langridge and Richard Olden, but we are pleased to welcome a number of new people. When it is possible to restart our gatherings it will be important to make sure that new guests, who have not been churchgoers in the past and some of whom have expressed reservations about church attendance, are welcomed gently into the church family and not put off by an assumption that we share beliefs and experiences that they are not comfortable with. We hope that it will not be too long before we can meet each other again, but we will not take any risks. Charlotte Appleby

Valley Visitors

Although visiting has been virtually impossible this year, our Valley Visitors team of seventeen has continued to stay in touch with as many people as possible. There was a brief moment when we could achieve some sociallydistanced visits, but latterly we have been unable to visit anyone either in hospital or care homes. The telephone has been our standby, and I am very grateful to our wonderful team for all they have achieved this year.

While the Rule of Six was in place we managed to have three useful meetings to pool ideas and resources. Sadly we have lost four dear friends this year, and two people have moved to care homes nearer to their families. It has been extremely encouraging to know that the amazing Cameo team have been in regular touch with all their guests, many of whom are also on our visiting list. Lavinia Owen

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UTX (Under the Cross)

UTX last met in March 2020 when we made Mothering Sunday gifts. Unfortunately, we have been unable to hold UTX meetings since due to the Covid 19 pandemic and restrictions. We hope as the situation improves and the government is able to safely lift restrictions that we will be able to hold UTX again soon. We may consider a relaunch to reach out not only to our current UTXers, but other local young people who have moved from primary to senior school without the opportunity to find out about UTX during the Covid 19 pandemic. Kelly Gibson, UTX Leader

The Ark

As with the rest of church-life, the Ark had to find ways to adapt during the pandemic of 2020. We moved from face-to-face gatherings to a once monthly Zoom session and a once-monthly, pre-prepared session which families worked through in their own time.

The Ark by Zoom

For most of the year we focused on The Fruits of the Spirit, played games, worshipped and prayed together. Thank you to all who helped prepare sessions. James Greig

Little Rainbows

During 2020 Little Rainbows was sadly limited by the Covid restrictions. We enjoyed a couple of months of our regular Monday mornings in January and February, with a core group of six families or more. Then lockdown began, preventing us from meeting in our usual way at St. John’s. During the short windows when limited socialising was allowed, a group of Little Rainbows mums and little ones could often be found feeding the ducks in Alresford on a Monday morning. These times of coffee and duck feeding were a much-needed lifeline for mums juggling with newborns and toddlers during lockdown life. On the positive side, many new babies were born to Little Rainbows families during 2020, and we are hugely looking forward to reuniting as soon as we are allowed.

Julia Wright

Health and Safety

This year has been dominated by Covid-19 related issues. I would like to thank all involved in creating a safe space for the various activities, but particular thanks to Sara Mason for her leadership of the Covid subCommittee. Her report is as follows:

20

‘In late March our church buildings were closed and services were broadcast very successfully online. We set about the development of a new set of risk assessments to enable the safe reopening of our church buildings for private prayer, the broadcasting of live services by Zoom and then later in the year the return of small congregations to services. Throughout a team including Alex, Theo Mezger, David Parker, David Swinstead, Beccy Clark and me have met online to discuss control measures and implement an action plan for opening our churches. I am pleased to report that with control measures in place we have been able to keep our churches open every week for private prayer, funerals, weddings and services throughout the year.’

I would add that we will continue to review the data and guidance as we all hope and pray to be able to return to a more expansive programme in church in the coming months. We ask for everyone’s understanding that the measures in place will not be removed in a single “light switch” moment. Some may need to remain in place for some time to come, and some are specific to our own worship environment. At all times our priority will be to take all reasonable measures to be as safe as practically possible for the good of all of our church community. The more routine actions have been kept up to date as best as reasonably practical. David Parker

Safeguarding

On reading my entry for 2019, the comments about form filling and documenting new certificates has continued, a healthy reflection of the number of people who contribute to our Christian life in the Itchen Valley, even though all church congregations and activities in person have had to be curtailed. Sarah Hunt

21

Section 2

Itchen Valley PCC

End of Year Financial Statements Year ending 31[st] December 2020

Page 2

FINANCIAL REVIEW

This report shows the financial performance of the Itchen Valley Parish for 2020. In summary, the financial position of the Parish remained strong in 2020 despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst activities in the churches ceased for several months, with the resulting loss of income, the financial strength of the Parish has meant that it has remained solvent and met all its financial commitments.

Total Funds on 31[st ] December 2020 were £250,221 (2019 - £262,076). The unrestricted deficit in 2020 was £7,309 (2019 - £4,680). The unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2020 stand at £123,006 (2019 - £130,315) which remains more than the target of nine months’ expenditure.

Regular giving (unrestricted planned giving and tax reclaim), which is the bedrock of our finances, was £89,193 (2019 - £86,576). This has remained at the current level for the past 5 years but is short of our aim for regular giving to cover the day-to-day running costs of the parish, which are currently £127k pa. Our regular worshipping community and those on our electoral roll should contribute habitually through the Parish Giving Scheme. As has been seen in 2020, our fund-raising activities are not a reliable source of income to pay our regular bills.

Because of the pandemic, 2020 fundraising was quieter with only 2 events raising a net total for the parish of £9,668 (2019 - £11,491). We are grateful for the success of the Martyr Worthy plant sale and the Southwood Players production in challenging circumstances. Thank you to all those involved in these events.

As part of the arrangement for the Parish having a half-stipendiary Rector, the Diocese continued to provide a transition grant underwriting the cost of the Parish Administrator to the extent of £10,000 in 2020 as part of a three-year grant ending in 2021.

The Parish has invested £51,128 of its funds in equity-based investments which, despite great volatility during the year, generated income of £1,880 and gains on investment assets of £858. A full review of the Parish’s investments is planned in 2022.

The contribution to the Common Mission Fund (CMF) this year was £74,474 (2019 £70,744). The increase is caused by the effect of inflation on Diocese costs and a small increase in our worshiping community combined with an overall decrease in the worshipping community elsewhere in the Diocese. The pandemic has hit the Diocese hard and some tough decisions have been made to reduce costs which will result in the Parish contribution to the CMF falling to £68,537 in 2021.

The main expenditure on Repairs, Maintenance and New Building during 2020 was the quinquennial inspection work at St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy (£33,190) and at St Mary’s Avington (£11,790). Each of their Fabric Funds has been topped up by £10,000 from the Were Fund as this expenditure is within the remit of this fund.

It is planned to spend more than £25k at St Mary’s Easton on upgrading the audiovisual equipment to meet the requirements of modern services and streaming. Quinquennial expenditure will be required at St Mary’s Easton and St Mary’s Avington during the next year.

Page 23

The audiovisual expenditure has been covered by specific fundraising and the respective Fabric Funds and the Were Fund will cover the other expenditure.

Janet Denyer continues to carry out the roles of bookkeeper and Gift Aid Secretary. Thanks are due to her for doing such excellent work. Scot Johnston decided to stand down last year as Independent Examiner and this role has been carried out by Stephen Hendy of Data Developments who provide our financial system. Thank you to both of them. Thanks also to Robin Greenwood and Henry Labram who together with the Treasurer and the bookkeeper form the Finance Committee.

RESERVES POLICY

As required by Charities legislation, the PCC reviews regularly the financial risks associated with the operations of the Church. The main financial risk to income would be a change in the giving profile of parishioners and the main financial risk to costs would be a requirement for significant expenditure on the buildings.

The PCC’s policy is to maintain liquid funds (not designated for other purposes) to cover 9 months expenditure of unrestricted funds.

Approved by the Itchen Valley PCC on 15th March 2021 and signed on their behalf by

Rev Alexander Pease.

Rev Alexander Pease

Page 24

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION

Independent Examiner's Report to Itchen Valley Parochial Church Council

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ending 31st December 2020, which are set out on pages 26 to 32 inclusive, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ('the Regulations') and S.43 of the Charities Act (the “Act”).

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirements of the Regulation and S.43 (2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under S.43(7)(b) of the Act and is to be found in the Church Guidance 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items of disclosure in the financial statements and seeking explanations from your trustees concerning such matters. The procedures do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and I do not express an opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(2) to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Stephen Hendy Date: 15th March 2021

Page 25

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2005.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Funds

Restricted funds represent donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for expenditure on a specific purpose agreed by the PCC. The designation has no legal status and may be changed.

Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes in accordance with its constitution.

Incoming resources

All income is generally recognised when it is received.

Resources expended

Expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. In certain cases, where significant liabilities have been incurred but not paid for, these are accounted for on an accruals basis.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.92(a) of the Charities Act 1993. Movable church furnishings held by the rector and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time).

Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31[st] December comprise short-term investments shown under current assets.

Investments sold are revalued immediately prior to disposal

Investment income is allocated across the funds in proportion to their average balance during the year.

Investment balances are allocated across funds in proportion to the fund balances at the 31[st] December.

Page 26

Statement of Financial Activities

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
Prior year
total funds
Receipts
Note
Planned giving
1
Collections and other giving
2
Other voluntary receipts
3
Gift Aid recovered
4
Other receipts
5
Activities for generating funds
6
Investment Income
7
Receipts from church activities
8
Total receipts
Payments
Cost of generating funds
9
Common Mission Fund
10
Clergy and staffing costs
11
Church running expenses
12
Church repairs & maintenance
13
New building work
14
Total payments
Net incoming / (outgoing) resources before
transfer
Transfer between funds
Net incoming / (outgoing) before other gains /
losses
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains / losses on investment assets
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Represented by
Unrestricted
General fund
Designated
Itchen Abbas Fabric
Restricted
Avington Fabric
Easton Fabric
Martyr Worthy Fabric
Were Fabric Fund
Total Funds		 72,875
—
—
72,875
71,899
4,348
—
—
4,348
16,269
11,132
—
40,166
51,298
15,698
16,318
—
875
17,193
19,242
889
—
—
889
242
6,973
—
2,795
9,768
12,407
934
199
747
1,880
1,906
5,535
—
—
5,535
7,953
119,004
199
44,583
163,786
145,616
—
—
—
—
776
74,474
—
—
74,474
70,744
20,089
—
—
20,089
21,832
31,580
—
—
31,580
37,830
595
—
48,954
49,549
17,970
—
—
808
808
17,993
126,738
—
49,762
176,500
167,145
(7,734)
199
(5,179)
(12,714)
(21,529)
—
—
—
—
—
(7,734)
199
(5,179)
(12,714)
(21,529)
425
91
342
858
7,684
(7,309)
290
(4,836)
(11,855)
(13,845)
130,315
27,053
104,709
262,076
275,921
123,006
27,342
99,872
250,221
262,076
123,006
—
—
123,006
130,314
—
27,343
—
27,343
27,053
—
—
11,093
11,093
13,057
—
—
46,512
46,512
19,327
—
—
19,856
19,856
30,258
—
—
22,411
22,411
42,067
123,006
27,343
99,872
250,221
262,076

Page 27

Balance sheet

Total funds
Prioryear funds
Current assets
Debtors
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
Net current assets less current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets less liabilities
Represented by
Unrestricted
General fund
Designated
Itchen Abbas Fabric
Restricted
Avington Fabric
Easton Fabric
Martyr Worthy Fabric
Were Fabric Fund
Funds of the church		 6,673
7,267
131,951
130,891
122,984
132,558
261,609
270,716
11,388
8,640
11,388
8,640
250,221
262,076
250,221
262,076
250,221
262,076
123,006
130,314
27,343
27,053
11,093
13,057
46,512
19,327
19,856
30,258
22,411
42,067
250,221
262,076

Statement of assets and liabilities

General
Designated
Restricted
Thisyear
Lastyear
Current assets - Current assets
CAF current account
CAF Gold bank account
Nat West current account
Scottish Widows 90 day account
CCLA Investment Fund
M&G Charifund
Debtors
Totals
Liabilities - Liabilities
Agency collections
Creditors
Prepayments
Totals
Grand total		 20,402
4,415
18,895
43,711
18,430
17,801
3,852
13,835
35,488
75,335
21,963
4,753
17,070
43,785
38,793
40,541
8,774
31,509
80,824
80,621
21,180
4,583
16,461
42,224
39,497
4,466
966
3,471
8,904
10,773
247
—
6,426
6,673
7,267
126,599
27,343
107,667
261,609
270,716
—
—
6,850
6,850
2,532
3,593
—
945
4,538
6,108
—
—
—
—
—
3,593
—
7,795
11,388
8,640
123,006
27,343
99,872
250,221
262,076

Page 28

Analysis of income and expenditure

1 Planned giving

Planned giving - GAE donations
Planned giving - non GAE donations
Planned giving - GA incl. donations
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total this
year
Total last
year
61,382
—
—
61,382
59,751
2,293
—
—
2,293
2,998
9,200
—
—
9,200
9,150
72,875
—
—
72,875
71,899

2 Collections and other giving

Loose plate collections
GASDS Avington
GASDS Martyr Worthy
GASDS Itchen Abbas
GASDS Easton
One-off GAE gifts
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
—
—
—
—
83
150
—
—
150
762
1,555
—
—
1,555
3,355
810
—
—
810
2,325
378
—
—
378
3,680
1,455
—
—
1,455
6,063
4,348
—
—
4,348
16,269

3 Other voluntary receipts

Church wall boxes
Easton bellringers
Donations for specific purposes
Legacies
Recurring grants
Other donations & one-off grants
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
81
—
—
81
653
—
—
—
—
27
—
—
39,500
39,500
—
—
—
—
—
1,000
10,000
—
—
10,000
10,000
1,051
—
666
1,717
4,018
11,132
—
40,166
51,298
15,699

4 Gift Aid recovered

Gift aid tax reclaim
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
16,318
—
875
17,193
19,242
16,318
—
875
17,193
19,242

Page 29

5 Other receipts

Other funds generated
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
889
—
—
889
242
889
—
—
889
242

6 Activities for generating funds

Fund raising events
Note 15
Christmas card sales
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
6,873
—
2,795
9,668
12,267
100
—
—
100
140
6,973
—
2,795
9,768
12,407

7 Investment Income

Bank interest
Investment income
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
132
27
101
260
217
802
172
646
1,620
1,689
934
199
747
1,880
1,906

8 Receipts from church activities

Wedding & funeral fees
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total This
Year
Total Last
Year
5,535
—
—
5,535
7,953
5,535
—
—
5,535
7,953

9 Cost of generating funds

Costs of fund raising events
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
—
—
—
—
776
—
—
—
—
776

10 Common Mission Fund

Common Mission Fund
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
74,474
—
—
74,474
70,744
74,474
—
—
74,474
70,744

Page 30

11 Clergy and staffing costs

Assistant ministry expenses
Parish administrator & bookkeeper
costs
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
169
—
—
169
1,424
19,920
—
—
19,920
20,408
20,089
—
—
20,089
21,832
12 Church running expenses
Bank charges
Deanery Synod
Wedding and funeral expenses
Stationery, printing, computing
Sacristy
Training courses
Children's activities
Parish entertainment and hospitality
Church running - insurance
Organ tuning
Church maintenance
Service: fire, heating, safety
Worship and music
Upkeep of churchyard
Church running - electric
Church running - gas
Church running - water
Church running - annual maint.
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
65
—
—
65
60
—
—
—
—
100
770
—
—
770
1,970
2,793
—
—
2,793
4,404
41
—
—
41
407
502
—
—
502
672
381
—
—
381
993
508
—
—
508
833
6,824
—
—
6,824
6,150
—
—
—
—
369
4,500
—
—
4,500
1,709
912
—
—
912
2,100
2,639
—
—
2,639
2,803
4,083
—
—
4,083
4,336
1,926
—
—
1,926
2,330
5,028
—
—
5,028
7,040
608
—
—
608
583
—
—
—
—
972
31,580
—
—
31,580
37,829

13 Church repairs & maintenance

Quinquennial inspection - Martyr
Worthy
Quinquennial inspection - Easton
Quinquennial inspection - Avington
Church & graveyard major repairs
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
—
—
33,190
33,190
5,270
—
—
1,128
1,128
—
—
—
11,790
11,790
—
595
—
2,846
3,441
12,700
595
—
48,954
49,549
17,970
14 New building work
Avington Bible cabinet
Itchen Abbas car park
Easton extension
Easton sound system
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
This Year
Total
Last Year
—
—
680
680
2,993
—
—
—
—
14,400
—
—
—
—
600
—
—
128
128
—
—
—
808
808
17,993

Page 31

15. Additional Notes Details of Fund-Raising Activities

Event Unrestricted
Fund		 Restricted
Fund		 Net sum
Raised for
the Parish
Martyr Worthy plant sale
Sale of woodwork
Sale of baskets
Southwood Players		 4,873
2,000		 1,624
861
310		 6,497
861
310
2,000
Total 6,873 2,795 9,668

In many cases, fund raising expenses are not reported to IVPCC and only net funds have been received. Although this is relatively common practice, it is not strictly in compliance with generally accepted accounting practice.

Collections for Other Charities

During 2020 there were the following collections for other charities (not including special collections at weddings and funerals). As these collections are for third parties, they are not counted as part of the funds of the Parish.

Candlemas services collection for:
Lango
Christmas 2020 donations via CAF Donate split between:
The Children’s Society
Trinity Winchester
Winchester Basics Bank
Winchester Churches Night Shelter		 262
1,487
1,487
1,487
1,487
Total collections for other charities 6,180

Donations

For Specific Purposes

For Specific Purposes
Easton Development
Easton audio visual
Martyr WorthyFabric		 22,500
5,500
11,500
Total donations for specificpurposes 39,500

From Trustees

The total donations from the trustees in this reporting period were £41,466 and no conditions were attached to any of these donations.

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