Annual Report for 2023
2023
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
WHITCHURCH WITH TUFTON AND LITCHFIELD
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Annual Report for 2023
## **Parish of Whitchurch with Tufton and Litchfield**
## **Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 21 April 2024 We invite and encourage all parishioners to attend this meeting.**
## **Agenda**
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer
2. Apologies
## **Annual Vestry Meeting**
1. Minutes of meeting held on Sunday 23 April 2023
2. Election of Churchwardens for 2024-25
## **Annual Parochial Church meeting**
1. Minutes of meeting held on Sunday 23 April 2023
2. Matters arising
3. Annual Report
4. Date of next Annual Meeting
5. Any other business – items to be notified to the Chair before item 3
- 3 Annual Report
|1|Objectives................................................................................................................................................................. 3|
|---|---|
|2|Electoral Roll – John Mariner................................................................................................................................ 3|
|4|Report on Activities................................................................................................................................................. 3|
||4.1 PCC Report – Andrew Hobley....................................................................................................................... 3|
||4.2 Churchwarden Report – Gill Bilton and Nigel Scarfe................................................................................. 3|
||4.3 Choir - Stephen Preece and Sophie Lloyd.................................................................................................. 4|
||4.4 Bell Ringers Report – Jenny James............................................................................................................. 5|
||4.5 Website and Publicity – Geoff Knappett....................................................................................................... 5|
||4.6 Parish Magazine – Gill Knappett................................................................................................................... 5|
||4.7 Children in Church (Sunday School) – Ann Simmonds and Sarah Smart.............................................. 6|
||4.8 Youth of God– Tim Fisher.............................................................................................................................. 6|
||4.9 Alpha Course–Revd Rus Smart.................................................................................................................... 6|
||4.10 Small Group – Catherine Geddes............................................................................................................... 7|
||4.11 Safeguarding – Revd Rus Smart and Gill Bilton....................................................................................... 7|
||4.12 Deanery Synod – Sue Bailey....................................................................................................................... 7|
||5 Rector’s report on the year – Reverend David Roche.................................................................................. 8|
|6|Financial Statement.............................................................................................................................................. 10|
||6.1 All Hallows Whitchurch and St Mary's Tufton Financial summary for 2023......................................... 10|
||6.2 Independent Examiner’s Report.................................................................................................................. 13|
|7|Elections............................................................................................................................................................ 14|
|7.1 PCC members.................................................................................................................................................... 14||
||7.2 Independent Examiner.................................................................................................................................. 14|
||Minutes of the 2023 Annual Vestry Meeting.................................................................................................... 15|
||Minutes of the 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting................................................................................. 16|
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Annual Report for 2023
## **1 Objectives**
The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It has maintenance responsibilities for All Hallows, St Mary’s and St James the Less.
## **2 Electoral Roll – John Mariner**
The number on the electoral roll for 2023 was 168, two less than the previous year. The number on roll for 2024 will be reported at the APCM.
## **4 Report on Activities**
## **4.1 PCC Report – Andrew Hobley**
The PCC is the body which governs our decisions as a community. Between April 2023 and March 2024 PCC met six times. PCC Standing Committee also met six times. We sadly lost one member when Hazel Cormack, was called to glory.
All members of PCC are Charity Trustees and as such have legal responsibility for the decisions we make. One major subject of discussion was how much the parish should be contributing the Diocesan Common Mission Fund.
We continued to support CMS and the work of Anna and Chris Hembury in Hull, and the Whitchurch Welfare Trust. We decided for our International Charity we would support Medical Aid for Palestine for the next three years. We considered installing CCTV, but decided to pause this. We have continued to discuss our vision for the parish, and welcome signs of growth.
PCC has also kept abreast of safeguarding developments, kept an eye on health and safety, received regular reports from the Treasurer and Church Wardens, as well as debated a range of issues brought by members of the PCC on their own behalf or that of members of the congregation. We have approved various works of repair and refurbishment.
Throughout this time PCC members expressed not only their views, but the views of those who they were elected to serve - the wider parish. I am grateful for members ability to agree - or to agree to disagree politely, and for the time and effort they have put into meetings.
PCC members in 2023/24 were –
Clergy - Revd David Roche - Priest in Charge; Rus Smart, Assistant Priest, Nicky Smallwood Licenced Lay Ministers – Hazel Cormack (to September), Carolyn Jay, Philip Geddes Church Wardens - Nigel Scarfe, Gillian Bilton Deanery Synod members - Susan Bailey, John Wall
Ordinary members - Dorrie Bilson, Tim Fisher, Andrew Cope (Treasurer), Christine Goodwin (Safeguarding Lead, to August), Andrew Hobley (Secretary), Ann Simmonds John Mariner, Peter Taylor, Paul Barber, Louise Martin, Valerie Swayne-Bradshaw.
## **4.2 Churchwarden Report – Gill Bilton and Nigel Scarfe**
2024 was a successful year in many respects: attendances rose back to nearer pre-Covid levels, all 5 Wardens and Deputy Wardens contributed to the upkeep & running of the Parish and community activities, and finances of the Parish improved also. The PCC remained a strong and independently minded group with conviction, differing talents and team-working always strongly in evidence.
As Wardens we would like to thank all those who have served in their varied posts this year – working with such an energised and committed team has made many complicated things much easier to achieve.
The life of the Parish and our churches has begun to flourish in many ways with our large clergy team, led by Revd David, playing a wide-ranging and increasingly imaginative role in reaching out to the community as well as providing spiritual support away from the church buildings. A plan to further increase and enhance the work with families and our worshipping Christian community has been agreed by PCC and is being implemented.
The return of the Church Fete under the leadership of Steve Court greatly added to the life of Parish and the community in 2023. It also made a significant contribution to the funds available to maintain our buildings and the development of our Christian work locally and further afield.
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## Annual Report for 2023
Our finances remain very tight but adequate, with the generosity of the congregation and the hard work of those working on our Parish Magazine, the Charity Shop and the 100-club remaining pivotal to our financial well-being. Our heartfelt thanks go to all those involved.
The Montessori nursery moved out of the church room to its new premises, but has retained links with our church, particularly evident at the Mothering Sunday service so ably led by our youth group, YoG. With more time in the church rooms free, we were able to organise re-painting, which has really brightened up the space. In due course, the corridor area, WCs and external doors to the church room will also be redecorated.
There has recently been redecoration carried out in the church itself, and we are aiming to establish a rolling programme of work so that the cost of redecoration is spread over a number of years rather than all falling due at once. A large-scale re-ordering of the church buildings to make the space more flexible for the future while preserving its historic beauty is an opportunity that the wardens and PCC will prayerfully consider further; this would cost around £300,000. A need to completely restore our unique and magnificent church organ in the next 5 years will cost around £125,000. In order to complete either project we will have to raise large sums of money, given that the Parish lacks the funds to start the works. The congregation will be kept fully informed and involved in any plans as they develop and the wardens welcome your ideas at any time.
We look back on the last year with quiet gratitude at seeing so many people helping and participating in our parish life and hope that in 2024/5 even more people will volunteer and help continue the work and success of our Parish and Churches. If you would like to help but are unsure about volunteering or where your talents might fit best, please do have a chat with Nigel or Gill.
## **4.3 Choir - Stephen Preece and Sophie Lloyd**
When Stephen announced he was to have a sabbatical, with many others, I wanted to ensure the choir continued in his absence so it would still be there on his return! So it was with great pleasure, faith and a little trepidation, I said I would lead and conduct.
It turned out to be wholly fulfilling, challenging and time-consuming! As with many roles, the 'behind-the-scenes' aspect of the job, choosing, learning, listening to, printing, liaising, organising, emailing and reminding go unnoticed. However, the teaching, leading and conducting, knowing we are as a choir, enhancing worship, is undoubtedly rewarding.
I enjoyed discovering new anthems for the choir to learn and encouraging new members to join if only as an extra from time to time. One of the highlights for me was the Deanery Songs of Praise service in September '23. We had a broad repertoire of music which we tackled with aplomb including two soaring descants executed brilliantly by 14 sopranos. Three altos, two tenors and five basses made up the rest of our Deanery Choir.
I continue to lead the occasional service and will always encourage new choir members to join and to expand the choir's repertoire. Sophie Lloyd Associate Choir Director
The choir has continued faithfully through the ups and downs of 2023 and remains committed to leading our Sunday worship with joy, enthusiasm and love, and it has been my privilege to serve with them.
In March of last year we welcomed Reverend Russ and his family in a joyful licensing service, joined by Bishop David. The choir sang Stanford's Jubilate, still fresh in our minds from the concert the year before and we are glad to have added it to the repertoire.
We marked the coronation of King Charles III on Sunday the 7th May with a special morning service, including the RSCM anthem commissioned for the event – “The mountains shall bring peace”, by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange.
This being my fifteenth year as Choir Director, I took a sabbatical at the end of May, stepping back for a few months to have a break, and to decide how and in what capacity I might choose to continue. I am indebted to Sophie Lloyd, who agreed to fill my shoes for the time I needed, and who kept rehearsals and the choir going with new anthems, new descants, and even some new singers!
I returned in time to join the bass line for a return of the Worship Orchestra for the Deanery Songs of Praise on Sunday the 24th September. Bishop David joined us again for a joyful and unusual selection of worship songs and traditional hymns.
Taking up the baton again in October, but now with Sophie to support, we have a new rota of services at All Hallows, with traditional music dominating in the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month, and the all age Morning Praise in the
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## Annual Report for 2023
2nd week of each month giving an opportunity for more modern worship songs and the band. The Primary School choir joined us on the 15th October for our Harvest Festival, and we sang Greene's “Thou visitest the earth” together
Testbourne Community School were able to return to All Hallows for their carol service for the first time in a few years. Arranged this year as a service of nine lessons and carols, some of the choir were able to join and support the school choir in the harmony carols, and an anthem.
Our Christmas carol service was on the 17th December and the choir as always rose to the occasion, with a sublime performance of Rutter's Christmas lullaby, as well as a new arrangement for Gaudete, Child in a manger (also Rutter) and the Sans Day Carol, (Rutter again)
Some particular thanks to be noted: first to Andrew for your skill and patience accompanying us for every choir practice, to Robert for working with me to make it all happen, to Sophie for sharing the load, and to David for your prayers and support.
I close with my deep gratitude to you all for letting me know your appreciation of my efforts, and that I know our musical contribution is valued. Stephen Preece, Choir Director
## **4.4 Bell Ringers Report – Jenny James**
As usual, a busy year for the bellringers. We rang for several special services (the Bishop’s Licensing of our new Assistant Priest and a Confirmation) and half muffled for the funeral of our Lay Reader, Hazel Cormack. Two quarter peels were rung in memory of tower related people (Colin Vickers and Helen Knight) plus some for the Coronation of Charles III – one by us and one by the District.
We also had two weddings to ring for and hosted five visiting bands on outings. We also hosted the W&P Guild AGM and provided some members to ring at St Mary Bourne to welcome the new Bishop of Winchester.
We entered the Inter-District Ringing Competition and members enjoyed the Autumn Outing to towers in London. Locally we ran a stall at the Church Fete and entered a tree for the Christmas Tree Festival.
Ringing continues regularly for both practice and services. We currently have six adult learners.
## **4.5 Website and Publicity – Geoff Knappett**
From the information provided by Wix who host our website in the 12 months to 11 March 2024 there were 6,395 visits to www.hantswhit.church an increase of 14% over the previous year. 515% were from phones; 43% desktop computers and 7% from tablets.
The top five ways people found us were from Google 2870 with Direct 1613, Facebook 963, A Church Near You 275 and Bing search engine 253. This is better than 66% of websites classed as religion.
Interpreting the statistics they give us I estimate we probably have around 200 regular users.
The busiest day in the last 12 months was December 17th when 199 people visited the website. 166 of them visited the page for the Christmas tree festival. 187 clicked through from Facebook.
24% then went on to visit other pages on the website – the main one being worship-with-us which saw a 38% increase.
What does this all mean?
If you put things on the website, then include the link to the website when telling friends, posting on social media etc people will look at the page – then explore some more.
There are 343 followers of the All Hallows page on Facebook but 3,500 followers of ‘Whitchurch Families’. We therefore regularly post items there, including posting one page of adverts from the Parish Magazine every month to give our advertisers greater exposure, the results of the 100 club, notification when the Parish Magazine is out and a reminder of when Parish Magazine article are due.
Within the 12 months exciting new developments are planned to develop the website..
## **4.6 Parish Magazine – Gill Knappett**
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## Annual Report for 2023
The magazine continues to generate around £10,000 profit for the church, the second biggest source of income after gift aid giving. We continue to produce 12 copies a year; printed copies are purchased by around 660 subscribers, 50 in the paper shop and around 15 by on-line subscribers. Unfortunately the advent of social media and people choosing to seek information on line has seen the numbers of subscribers reduce over the years, and indeed the number of people who think to use the parish magazine to advertise up-coming local events. In addition, it becomes increasingly difficult year on year to keep up the number of advertisers. However, we rely on the income from advertisers to cover the cost of printing the magazine. In 2023 Leanne Coomber made known her decision to stand down after many years organising the advertising. We are fortunate that Mary Cope has taken on the role for 2024, which she has agreed to do for three years. In 2023 Catherine Geddes stood down after many years in the role as news editor though continues to assist as a distributer. We are fortunate that Lynda Frith and Rachel Spurgeon have taken on the role of news editor. In April 2023 Andrew Hobley presented a report to the PCC outlining various issues with the magazine, most of which are still ongoing. This included ideas and a request for help in increasing subscriptions, a request for a third news editor and a third layout editor, and the request for someone to lead a strategic review of the magazine.
## **4.7 Children in Church (Sunday School) – Ann Simmonds and Sarah Smart**
2023 was a really encouraging year in the life of the children who attend All Hallows on a Sunday morning. All of the children and young people are so supportive of each other and it is a joy to see them interact together. We have seen a couple of new families attending regularly and the children have been very welcoming to them. We have been able to establish a new pattern in the children’s ministry on Sunday mornings whereby we gather together in the children’s area at the side of church on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, sharing Bible stories and craft together. The 2nd Sundays have seen the reinvigorated All Age Services followed by the Bring and Share lunches which have both been a fantastic time of worshipping and enjoying fellowship together as a church family. On the 4th Sunday we have launched Kids Church in the Church Rooms where we have been able to make use of the TV screen for songs of worship and video clips of Bible stories, as well as using the extra space for games and open-ended activities. It is a real privilege to walk alongside the children of All Hallows as they grow in their faith in God and in their relationships with each other. If you’d like to know more, or would be interested in joining our team, please feel free to speak to us.
Thanks so much for all of your continued support.
## **4.8 Youth of God– Tim Fisher**
It has been another busy year for Youth of God (YoG). Highlights of the year included visits to Winchester and Salisbury on the themes of St Swithun’s (Winchester) and homelessness (Salisbury) where we linked up with old friends Kelvin and Helen Inglis. Helen then joined us for a very special weekend where we held a sleepout in the church in aid of the Alabaré charity which helps homeless people. Thank you to all those who sponsored and supported this activity which has inspired and affected us all.
We have now settled into a rhythm of YoG led services once a term and it has been fantastic to watch the young people grow in confidence and faith as they lead our worship and share their learning about God. I am very grateful to everyone who makes this possible especially Phil on sound and Carolyn, Matthew, Andrew, Stephen and Paul in the worship band and to the congregation for their wonderful words of encouragement for the young people. Through the year, we had some firm favourite activities including pancakes, a pilgrimage around Whitchurch visiting our Baptist friends and parishioners – thank you John Mariner and Robert Saviou for hosting us, and a summer BBQ and, the now traditional, advent calendar making. With lots of help from Geoff Knappett, we also now have our YoG banner, currently displayed in church.
Our themes for the year have been pilgrimage, being a Christian in the community, and a deeper faith and I am grateful for Sophie’s support each fortnight and on our travels to make our meetings go smoothly and well refreshed. We will be continuing to follow themes for each term, the summer term’s theme being sharing our faith. YoG attracts around 8 regular members with a number of other occasional visitors. We look forward to welcoming new Year 6s in the summer term onwards.
## **4.9 Alpha Course–Revd Rus Smart**
The recent Alpha Course at All Hallows went very well. We ran it for ten weeks before Christmas and then offered two extra sessions in January 2024 for those who wanted to continue. We had about 25 guests attending the course each week which was very encouraging and they came from across the benefice. We enjoyed wonderful refreshments and puddings and then watched the new Alpha Film Series videos, followed by discussion groups. Many interesting conversations were had over the weeks and a particular highlight for many is always the Away Day. Those who attended the Saturday morning session received prayer and had a positive experience.
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Annual Report for 2023
We finished the course before Christmas with a party and meal which was lovely. We had great food, people sharing testimonies, and a pub style quiz!
A number of people wanted to carry on meeting together so we continued again in January with a couple of extra sessions. This led nicely into Lent and the Bible Course which has attracted around 50 people from the benefice. We are so pleased with how that course is going too. We look forward to exploring more short courses (and Alpha) in the future.
A big thank you to the Alpha team and Bible Course team who worked so hard each week to make everything happen – and to all those lovely people who provided puddings and donated funds. It was greatly appreciated!
## **4.10 Small Group – Catherine Geddes**
Throughout 2023 one home group met occasionally finishing the year with a wonderful Advent study on the Four songs of the Nativity. Five prayer triplets have continued to meet regularly.
There are plenty of resources, both digital and paper, to support small groups who would like to meet together to study a book of the bible or explore a theme such as prayer. If anyone would like help to start such a group please do speak to either of us.
In Colossians 3:16 we are encouraged to learn together: Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
## **4.11 Safeguarding – Revd Rus Smart and Gill Bilton**
There have been a few changes over the last year in the Safeguarding Team. Christine Goodwin stepped down as our Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) after serving faithfully in this role for the last 15 years. We are incredibly grateful to her for all her hard work and commitment to the church. Gill Bilton took over as our Interim PSO until a permanent replacement can be found. Please do consider if you may be able to take on this role and speak to Gill or Revd Russell to find out more.
We also appointed ‘champions’ to work alongside the PSO and safeguarding team to assist them in their roles. The youth & children’s champions are Tim Fisher, Ann Simmonds, and Sarah Smart. The vulnerable adults champions are Marilyn Berridge, Dorrie Bilson, and Peter Taylor. Anyone in the church can speak to these champions if they have any safeguarding questions or concerns. We are very grateful to them for taking on these roles.
Vicky Jennings continues to work in the church office two days a week as our administrator overseeing the DBS checks, safeguarding training, and updating our policies for all the churches across the benefice. She also helps to update the safeguarding dashboard provided to us by the diocese to help us keep up to date with all of our policies and procedures, including risk assessments. We are currently on the final level of the safeguarding dashboard, with only some safeguarding training (which has been arranged) and remaining DBS checks outstanding.
Revd Russell has been overseeing the safer recruitment of volunteers working with children, youth and vulnerable adults. This includes creating role descriptions, obtaining references, interviewing volunteers, checking ID, and completing paperwork. This is a mandatory part of our responsibilities for keeping people who come into contact with the church safe. Similar checks also apply to PCC members as they are charity trustees involved with a church charity that works with children and youth.
On Sunday 19th November 2023 we highlighted Safeguarding Sunday in the morning service at church. This gave us the opportunity to update the congregation on some of the personnel changes in our team and also raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding too. We plan to keep Safeguarding Sunday on the agenda each year. The PCC and Standing Committee regularly discuss safeguarding as agenda items and review the policies from the Church of England and diocese. We do our best to keep up to date with everything and if anyone has any questions then please speak to Gill, Russ or Vicky in the first instance.
Thank you for all that you do in helping to keep our church a safe place for all people.
## **4.12 Deanery Synod – Sue Bailey**
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## Annual Report for 2023
Whitchurch Deanery comprises the parishes that lie between A303 and the Berkshire border from Longparish/East Woodhay in the west to Ashford Hill/ North Waltham in the east.
The population is around 25,000 and the size of the individual parishes vary considerably. Responsibilities include the co-ordination of the CMF, training of lay-led services, strategic development and growth of congregations and ministry within the Deanery.
1. Three meetings have been held during 2023 in February, June & November - two via Zoom and one in person
2. We bid an affectionate adieu to Rev. Canon Christine Dale who retired as Rector of North West Hampshire having been a long-serving member of the Synod Standing Committee.
3. We welcomed guest speakers as follows:-
The Very Rev. Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester Cathedral who spoke about the life of cathedral Rev. Canon Andrew Micklesfield who discussed the Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing Rev. Canon Dodie Marsden who spoke about the continuing work in Mityana, Uganda
4. There is a national church review into the Common Mission Fund. Winchester Diocese has undertaken its own review which it hopes to publish by 25 March 2024.
**Members** Dr John Wall, Mrs Sue Bailey (Secretary)
## **5 Rector’s report on the year – Reverend David Roche**
The last year has been one of trying new things as a church family and exciting deeper engagement with our community, more of that further down. Part of our renewed vision was borne out of the Thy Kingdom Come initiative and an evening given to prayer and worship last May at All Hallows. As we reflect on our last year and look forward to exciting opportunities ahead, we continue to pray to the living God, ‘Thy Kingdom Come in Whitchurch as it is in Heaven’!
I would like to thank our PCC for their commitment to our Church life and governance. Especially to our Church Wardens, Nigel and Gill for their support, deputy Wardens Dorrie, Peter and John and to our long-standing Secretary Andrew Hobley, and to Andrew Cope our Treasurer. Thank you all your hard work! Sadly, last summer we said goodbye to our own Hazel Kay who had served the PCC faithfully for many years and ministered in our congregations and community. We miss her dearly; gone but not forgotten.
In May last year our assistant priest, Reverend Mark Christian, moved in to pastures new, we thank him for his outstanding ministry at St James the Less, Litchfield, and St James Woodcott over many years. I would also like to thank Reverend Russ our amazing associate Priest for all his hard work and commitment, Revd. Nicky Smallwood, and the wider ministry team, Revd Dodie, Revd John, and Revd Richard (especially with his admin skills and on-line services), and now a new member Revd. Gordon Randall who has joined the team, welcome Gordon! Last year Revd Chris was ordained Deacon at Winchester Cathedral, and will be ordained priest this year at the end of June, likewise Georgi will be ordained Deacon the same weekend. We wish you both every success in your calling to ordained ministry and will continue to pray for you.
I would also like to thank and show huge appreciation for our Licensed Lay Ministers and volunteer leaders of Children and Youth; all part of the wider ministry team who serve us at personal cost and bless us so much, Carolyn, Philip, Andrew and Alison, Tim, Ann and Lettie. Thank you so much for all you do. In the last year at All Hallows, St Mary’s and St Jame’s the Less we recorded a total of 16 baptisms, 2 weddings and 20 funerals
Now for some quick-fire invigorating highlights of the year gone, one wonders how we do so much as a church!?! Let’s start with the confirmation service last November, Bishop David confirmed 6 people and in baptising young Alex, and confirming Pam, was amazed at the width of generation span we have at All Hallows. We had fun but were rained out at Hymns & Pimms on a Sunday afternoon in June, the Parish Fete had a new makeover thanks to the hard work and imagination of Steve Court (Thank you Steve!), our new animal/pet service was well attended with new faces, our missional community event in ‘Whitchurch has Got Talent’ took us to a new level in engagement; our Alpha Course and then the Bible Course in lent have been very well attended and impacting people’s lives for the Kingdom of God (Thank you Russ and Nicky and team!) our men’s and women’s ministry’s continues, as does the ‘fresh expression’ in Forest Church. All of these events are part of what it means to be the body of Christ as we serve in our context. If you never managed to get to any of these events last year, you may just have the chance in the year ahead!
Kath and Beverly did another sterling job in organising volunteers for the All Hallows slot at Rotations Charity Shop this year. Over the years they have raised thousands and thousands of pounds for our church. Sadly, they have
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## Annual Report for 2023
stepped down this year, we wish them well and laud and praise their commitment and hard work for which we are all deeply appreciative.
My thanks continues to all sides-persons and those who beautify our worship, bell ringers, our choir, organists, worship band, prayer leaders, parish visitors, eco-champions, social justice champions, audio/visual technicians, servers, church cleaners, tea/coffee servers and hospitality team, to those who lead our children, youth and tots, magazine makers, safeguarding leaders and our administrators. THANK YOU!!
This last year I have continued to enjoy my role as Whitchurch Primary School Governor, my aim is always to get the church into the school, and the school into the church, as much as possible! I would like to thank our two longstanding foundation Governors from within the congregation Jo Fisher (chair) and David Simmonds. They are both stepping down, the work and input they have given over the last years has been tremendous and made such a positive influence on the school. Would you like to stand as a school Governor? Come and see me for a chat. Revd Russ continues as Governor at Longparish and Barton Stacey.
The other hats I wear are Area Dean on Diocesan Synod, Deanery Synod and Deanery standing committee, as well as Whitchurch Welfare Trust and Hampshire County Chaplain to the Royal British Legion and in Whitchurch.
Please continue to pray for myself, all our Clergy, Lay Ministers and the PCC in the year ahead as we commit our plans before the Lord for the common good of all in our congregations and town, to the glory of God!
Yours in Christ
David
The Reverend David Roche, Vicar
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Annual Report for 2023
## **6 Financial Statement**
## **6.1 All Hallows Whitchurch and St Mary's Tufton Financial summary for 2023**
|**Description**|**Year 2023**|**Year**
**2022**|**Note**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**INCOME**||||
|Gift Aid Giving|60,424|63,561||
|Tax Refunds|15,852|17,343||
|Other Planned Giving|24|
24||
|Other Donations|3,485|
3,143||
|Fete Income|7,355|
-||
|Magazine Income|22,249|20,802||
|Dividends and Income|55|
55||
|Collections at Services|3,201|
-|Reported separately from Gift Aided
giving|
|Miscellaneous Income|-|
13||
|Fees from weddings, funerals,
baptisms|6,439|2,310|Includes £2,890 adjustment|
|LegacyIncome|-|4,500||
|100 Club Income|2,875|
3,980||
|Grants received|600|
1,825|Grant for the Decalogue|
|Church Room hire|21,092|18,687|Montessori nursery£16,226|
|Fabric Fund|-|2,100||
|Fund raising|2,438|
5,745||
|Charityshop|2,060|
1,652||
|Retreat income|444|
3,700||
|Parish Office Income|3,569|
3,787|Contributions from the benefice|
|**Total**|**152,161**|**153,228**||
|||||
|**EXPENDITURE**||||
|Common Mission Fund|42,762|63,105||
|MinistryExpenses|2,938|
2,120||
|Utilities - All Hallows|13,515|
4,405||
|Insurances|4,366|
4,116||
|Organ Upkeep|1,433|
503||
|Repairs & Maintenance - All
Hallows|10,635|
5,194||
|Cost of Services|2,514|
1,751||
|Fete Costs|2,505|
-||
|Magazine Costs|13,236|
9,888||
|Staff Costs|10,953|
9,754|Excludes Parish Secretary|
|Mission Evangelism|4,599|
8,410||
|Vicars Discretionaryfund|465|
225||
|Charities and Donations|6,075|
6,649||
|Sundrycosts|-|1,151||
|Tufton Major Repairs|-|66,776||
|Utilities - Tufton|532|
383||
|Insurance - Tufton|1,092|
1,039||
|Repairs & maintenance -
Tufton|932|
653||
|Parish Hospitality|29|
1,315||
|Expenses for 100 Club|2,184|
1,748||
|CR Maintenance Cleaning|1,385|
369|Increased as Montessori had been
coveringcosts|
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## Annual Report for 2023
|Annual Report for 2023|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Expenses from fund raising|2,677|
1,324|Includes purchase of the donation
station £1,290||
|Bank charges|182|
136|||
|Parish Office Admin Costs|1,187|
2,038|||
|Parish Office Staff Costs|6,032|
4,113|||
|**Total**
**Total of Income less**
**Expenditure**|**132,226**|**197,161**|
||
||||||
||**19,935**|
**(43,934)**|||
|**Balance Sheet**|||||
|**Description**|**As at**
**31/12/2023**|**As at**
**31/12/2023**|||
|**CURRENT ASSETS**|1,940
1,853
Dec 23 Revaluation statements not
yet available.
11,254
10,597
41,324
8,758
12,074
41,950
1,427
2,235
7,574
5,939
11,425
6,389
23,124
16,400
470
3,982
**110,612**
**98,103**||||
|CCLA Organ Investment
641019001S|1,940|
1,853|||
|CCLA Tuf Res Inc Fd
64109001J|11,254|
10,597|||
|NW1 OperatingAccount|41,324|
8,758|||
|HSBC1 Main Operating
Account|12,074|
41,950|||
|HSBC2 Current Account|1,427|
2,235|||
|HSBC3 100 Club Account|7,574|
5,939|||
|NW2 Church Room Account|11,425|
6,389|||
|CoopBank Fabric Account|23,124|
16,400|||
|Accounts Receivable|470|
3,982|||
|**Total Current Assets**|**110,612**|**98,103**|||
|**LIABILITIES**|||
|---|---|---|
|Retreat Deferred Income|2,165|
-|
|Church Room Deferred
Income|697|
-|
|Wedding deposits Deferred
Income|645||
|Agency collections|9,291|
3,652|
|Accounts Payable|6,632|-|
|**Total Liabilities**|**19,430**|
**3,652**|
|**Net Asset Surplus/(Deficit)**
**RESERVES**|**91,182**||
|Excess /(deficit)to date|19,935|
(53,833)|
|General Reserve|-|
74,211|
|Restricted Funds Reserve|-|
24,689|
|Annual Net Movement|-|
(5,462)|
|CR General Reserve|-|
28,975|
|Startingbalance|(27,961)|21,097|
|Othergains/(losses)|743|
4,775|
|Gains and losses own use|98,464|
-|
|**Total Reserves**|**91,182**|
**94,452**|
11
## Annual Report for 2023
## **Represented by Funds**
|**Represented by Funds**|||
|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|12,675|
21,771|
|Designated|36,783|
37,607|
|Restricted|41,724|
35,073|
|Endowment|-|-|
|**Total**|**91,182**|
**94,452**|
|**Detail of Funds**||
|---|---|
|**Unrestricted**||
|General fund|**12,675**|
|**Designated**||
|Fabric Reserve|**36,783**|
|**Restricted**||
|AH Choir Lighting|3,875|
|Benefice Office|532|
|All Hallows Heritage Fund|19,069|
|Organ Maintenance|1,954|
|Parish Retreats|(892)|
|Tufton Repairs & Maintenance|17,186|
|**Total**|**41,724**|
|||
||**91,182**|
12
## Annual Report for 2023
## **6.2 Independent Examiner’s Report**
Report to the Trustees of Whitchurch with Tufton PCC
On accounts for the year ending December 31[st] 2023 Charity no 1133750 set out in The Financial Summary for 2023 (pages 1 and 2) which includes Income and Expenditure for the year and the balance sheet at year end.
## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Name** : Sandra J Smith, ACMA
**Address** : 21 Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7NF
**Date:**[21 March 2024 ]
13
Annual Report for 2023
## **7 Elections**
## **7.1 PCC members**
PCC members are elected to serve for three years. At the Annual Meeting normally three PCC members retire each year. This year Andrew Hobley, Pete Taylor and Tim Fisher must stand down. So we have three PCC vacancies. We have a vacancy for a member of Deanery Synod to serve for two years. All those who must stand down may stand again for re-election.
If there are more nominees than vacancies, an election will be held. If you would like to know more, please speak with any PCC member. If you would like a nomination form please contact the PCC Secretary, Andrew Hobley at hobleymeads@btinternet.com.
## **7.2 Independent Examiner**
Sandra Smith has indicated that she is happy to serve again.
## **Thanks and acknowledgements**
Throughout the year many people normally serve within our churches, including clergy, lay ministers, church wardens, deanery synod representatives, members of the PCC, sidespeople, servers, chalice bearers, intercessors, readers, those who clean the church and tidy the churchyards, coffee makers, those who prepare and organise food, those who assist at weddings, funerals and baptisms, choir, musicians, sound people, bell ringers, those who lead and help at Sunday School and YOG, parish visitors, the verger, our parish administrator, the parish magazine team and the magazine distributors, those who manage the website and our social music presence, and those who look after our finances. We thank them all and look forward to finding out how God wishes us to serve His people in Whitchurch in 2024.
If you would like to serve the church in any way, or no longer wish to perform your role, please let Andrew Hobley know at –hobleymeads@btinternet.com
14
Annual Report for 2023
**Parish of Whitchurch with Tufton and Litchfield**
**Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting Held in All Hallows Church Rooms, Whitchurch**
## **Sunday 23 April 2023 at 12:00 noon**
## **Minutes of the 2023 Annual Vestry Meeting**
Rev'd David Roche chaired the meeting. 32 Parishioners were present, as well as Revd Russell Smart (Associate
Priest), Revd John Dawson (Assistant Priest) and Revd Nicky Smallwood (Assistant Priest).
Andrew Hobley Susan Bailey Kevin Griffith Simon Woodman Cara Scarfe Dorrie Bilson Kath Donaldson John Allen Carolyn Jay Ann Simmonds David Simmonds Paul Barber Peter Taylor Christine Goodwin Valerie Swayne Bradshaw Jane Lewis Marilyn Berridge Richard Walker Andrew Ricketts Andrew Smith Timothy Fisher Joanna Fisher R C Kirby Louise Martin Sallye Musselwhite Andrew Cope Nigel Scarfe Caroline Barber Gillian Bilton Pat Cooper Christopher Peacock Alison Ricketts
## 1. Apologies
Apologies were received from: Margaret Taylor, Robin Smallwood, John Wall, Jean Treble, John Mariner, Catherine Geddes, Philip Geddes.
## 2. Minutes
- a. The minutes of the meeting of Sunday 24 April 2022 had been distributed in advance of the meeting.
- b. Proposed by Susan Bailey and seconded by Peter Taylor the minutes were accepted as a correct record.
- c. There were no matters arising.
4. Election of Church Wardens
|Nominee|Proposer|Seconder|
|---|---|---|
|a.
Nigel Scarfe|Susan Bailey|Andrew Hobley|
|b.
Gillian Bilton|Dorrie Bilson|Peter Taylor|
These being the only nominations received the Chair declared them duly elected
David Roche said that John Mariner, Dorrie Bilson and Peter Taylor had volunteered to take on the informal role of Deputy Wardens.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 12:05pm.
15
Annual Report for 2023 **Minutes of the 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting**
There was no change to the meeting attendees or apologies from the Annual Vestry Meeting.
## 1. Minutes
- a. The minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 24 April 2022 had been distributed in advance of the meeting.
- b. Proposed by Tim Fisher and seconded by Carolyn Jay the minutes were accepted as a correct record.
## 2. Matters Arising
- a. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
## 3. Annual Report
- a. The annual report of the Parish had been distributed in advance of the meeting.
- b. The PCC Secretary read the following report from the Bell Ringers, provided by Jenny James -
“We had plenty of ‘event’ ringing last year, with three weddings, two half-muffled funerals for ‘church family’ and three successful quarter peals (two of which were for the Queen’s Jubilee). Early in the year we had a visit from a biographer (James Wilson) who wished to take photos of Great Tom for his new book on Lord Denning. The book is now published and a copy is to be donated to the church.”
- c. Via Andrew Hobley John Mariner reported for 2023 the electoral roll number was 168, two down on the previous year.
- d. Nigel Scarfe gave a summary of the last year and what we hoped to achieve in the coming year.
- e. Gareth Humphries was thanked for his service as Church Warden.
- f. Carolyn Jay asked about the differences between the expenditure on the costs of services and mission and evangelism over the last two years. Andrew Cope (Treasurer) said he would check these and report back to her. Carolyn Jay also noted we had spent less on energy, which she found surprising given the increase in costs. Andrew Cope said the Montessori Nursery had paid towards their costs and we also received a grant from the Diocese.
- g. Revd David Roche noted Revd Mark Christian had sadly moved on and cover for Litchfield and Woodcott would have to be provided from the Clergy Team. He welcomed the arrival of Rev Rus Smart and looked forward to what would be happening. Rus said he was pleased to be here and looked forward to what the Lord would being in the next year.
## 4. Elections
## 4.1 PCC (3 Three year vacancies)
|Nominee|Proposer|Seconder|
|---|---|---|
|Paul Barber|CarolineBarber|Nicola Smallwood|
|Valerie Swayne Bradshaw|Carolyn Jay|TimothyFisher|
|LouiseMartin|TimothyFisher|Nicky Smallwood|
These being the only nominations received the Chair declared them duly elected.
- 4.2 Deanery Synod (3 Three year vacancies)
|Nominee|Proposer|Seconder|
|---|---|---|
|Susan Bailey|CarolynJay|Sarah Monk|
|John Wall|Susan Bailey|NigelScarfe|
16
## Annual Report for 2023
These being the only nominations received the Chair declared them duly elected.
- 5.0 Appointment of Independent Examiner
Sandra Smith, the current examiner, was proposed by Andrew Cope , seconded by Andrew Hobley **.** There being no other nominations Ms Smith was duly appointed.
- 6 Date of next meeting
- 6.1 The Annual Vestry Meeting for next year will be set by PCC at their first meeting
- 6.2 The first meeting of Standing Committee will be 9 May 2023 7:30pm in All Hallows.
- 6.3 The first meeting of the PCC will be Tuesday 23 May 2023 at 7:30 pm in All Hallows Church Rooms.
- 7 Any Other Business
- a. Andrew Smith asked that the collect of the day be used more regularly during services.
- b. Nigel Scarfe was thanked for his work as Church Warden during the last year
There being no further business the meeting closed with the Grace at 12:20 pm.
17
PCC of Whlt¢hurth wlth Tufton
Anann 5tknments
Trc4yeta¥a1ab.
11.2Y
41.324
12.074
1.427
7.574
11.425
23.124
470
10.597
8.758
419y)
16.41X)
1606 Retieai e[ed
2,165
697
45
9291
1810 dew)sts D•lqrre¢ b*¢wne
6699
19.430
Excess I IWICitl to d*e
1701 G¢n¢rnl
1702 Rostrictad Funds Rvr
17D9 kniu* Nei Movern•ni
2701 CR Genenl
Z01 Sr¥j batsn
Z02
cther9wns11SsèSj
Z03 kn6505 UEq
19.935
153.8331
74211
21,689
',5.462
28,975
21.097
4.715
P7.961)
743
s&
ur51[
Dewgn*ed
Resthded
12.675
36.783
41,n4
37.fl
&%073
91.102
D•idialFw
GeneTrI
Fabnc Reserve
AH csrLh0rJ
ofice Offi(¥
l Fd
Oloan Mairrfenance
Pwsh Reir2*S
TuftoD ReF4¥s& ma1Ce
3fi75
19.
17.1e6
T11
Pa8e2012
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report to ¢be
trusteesl
members of
PCC of Whitchurch with Tufton
On accounts
for the year
ended
December 31" 2023
Charity
no (if gny)
1133750
Set out in
Th¢ 'Financial Summary for 2023. [tHg l and 2), which includes Income and
EXnditUre for the year and the Balance Sheet &5 at year end.
Re5pectii'e The charity's trustees are resFK)nsilTrl¢ for th¢ preparalion ofthe accounts. The charity's
responsibilities trustees consider that an audit is not r¢quir¢d for this year und¢r section 144 of ihe
of irustees and Chanties Act 2011 (the Clwitses Act) and thai an indepKndent examination is needed.
examiner It is my reswnsibility lo"
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.
to follow the pr(Kedures laid down in the generdl Ditections given by the Chan'ty
Commission {under section 145(5Xb) of th¢ Chariti¢s Act, and
to state whether pmrticular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of My examination Wds caTried out in accordance with generdl Directions wven by the
iDdepeDdent Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records ke
exam iner's by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also
stslement include5 consideration of any unusua] items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning any such marters. The procedures undertaken
do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenily no
opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair. view and the r¢FK)rt
is limiied io ihose matters set oul in the slalemeni below.
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my alleniion
dependent l. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material Te5pecL the
examiner's
requirements..
ststement
to keep accounting Tecords in accordance with section J30 of the ChaFities
Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord wth the accounting records and comply
with ihe accounling requirements of the Charities Act have not been mel. or
2. to which. in my OniOn. attention should be drawn in order to enable a protKr
understandtng of the accounts to k reachol.
Signed:
Date:
21" March 2024
NAme:
Sandra J Smith. ACMA
21 Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7NF
Address:
Page I
PCC of Whlt¢hurth wlth Tufton
Anann 5tknments
Trc4yeta¥a1ab.
11.2Y
41.324
12.074
1.427
7.574
11.425
23.124
470
10.597
8.758
419y)
16.41X)
1606 Retieai e[ed
2,165
697
45
9291
1810 dew)sts D•lqrre¢ b*¢wne
6699
19.430
Excess I IWICitl to d*e
1701 G¢n¢rnl
1702 Rostrictad Funds Rvr
17D9 kniu* Nei Movern•ni
2701 CR Genenl
Z01 Sr¥j batsn
Z02
cther9wns11SsèSj
Z03 kn6505 UEq
19.935
153.8331
74211
21,689
',5.462
28,975
21.097
4.715
P7.961)
743
s&
ur51[
Dewgn*ed
Resthded
12.675
36.783
41,n4
37.fl
&%073
91.102
D•idialFw
GeneTrI
Fabnc Reserve
AH csrLh0rJ
ofice Offi(¥
l Fd
Oloan Mairrfenance
Pwsh Reir2*S
TuftoD ReF4¥s& ma1Ce
3fi75
19.
17.1e6
T11
Pa8e2012
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report to ¢be
trusteesl
members of
PCC of Whitchurch with Tufton
On accounts
for the year
ended
December 31" 2023
Charity
no (if gny)
1133750
Set out in
Th¢ 'Financial Summary for 2023. [tHg l and 2), which includes Income and
EXnditUre for the year and the Balance Sheet &5 at year end.
Re5pectii'e The charity's trustees are resFK)nsilTrl¢ for th¢ preparalion ofthe accounts. The charity's
responsibilities trustees consider that an audit is not r¢quir¢d for this year und¢r section 144 of ihe
of irustees and Chanties Act 2011 (the Clwitses Act) and thai an indepKndent examination is needed.
examiner It is my reswnsibility lo"
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.
to follow the pr(Kedures laid down in the generdl Ditections given by the Chan'ty
Commission {under section 145(5Xb) of th¢ Chariti¢s Act, and
to state whether pmrticular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of My examination Wds caTried out in accordance with generdl Directions wven by the
iDdepeDdent Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records ke
exam iner's by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also
stslement include5 consideration of any unusua] items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning any such marters. The procedures undertaken
do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenily no
opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair. view and the r¢FK)rt
is limiied io ihose matters set oul in the slalemeni below.
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my alleniion
dependent l. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material Te5pecL the
examiner's
requirements..
ststement
to keep accounting Tecords in accordance with section J30 of the ChaFities
Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord wth the accounting records and comply
with ihe accounling requirements of the Charities Act have not been mel. or
2. to which. in my OniOn. attention should be drawn in order to enable a protKr
understandtng of the accounts to k reachol.
Signed:
Date:
21" March 2024
NAme:
Sandra J Smith. ACMA
21 Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7NF
Address:
Page I