The Parish of Wilton with Netherhampton and Fugglestone
ANNUAL REPORT 2025
The Parish of Wilton with Netherhampton and Fugglestone
ANNUAL REPORT 2025
When planning activities for the year, the incumbent and PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We strive to enable parishioners to explore and develop their spiritual awareness and to live out their faith, by means of prayer and worship, Bible study, ethical discussion, and provision of pastoral care to all sections of the community. The work of all three churches is summarised on the parish website (www.wiltonparish.co.uk ) and promoted via the Parish Church and “Wilton Chat” (community) “Facebook” pages.
The PCC aims to provide public worship appropriate to the varied needs of the inhabitants of the Ecclesiastical Parish. Where practical this includes ecumenical cooperation with the local Baptist congregation and members of other Christian denominations living in Wilton.
The clergy seek to respond to all requests for the “Occasional offices” of the Church – Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals from those living in the Ecclesiastical parish, or with a legitimate connection with any of our churches and to provide appropriate preparation and pastoral care.
We seek to foster a sense of community within the town of Wilton through the provision of social activities and active involvement in other local organisations.
To facilitate this work we strive to maintain the fabric of our church buildings in good order, taking due note of the recommendations included in our Quinquennial Inspections.
A review of charitable giving, undertaken by the PCC in September 2023, led to the adoption of three “Mission Partners” - Alabaré Christian Care, “Spurgeon’s UK (Wiltshire families) and Mary’s Meals (working in South Sudan) – and a pledge to tithe donated income. Regular monthly donations were made to all three charities during 2025.
In addition, the congregations at Wilton and Netherhampton have facilitated donations of food and household consumables for the Trussell Trust, Alabaré Christian Care and The Salisbury Pantry.
The PCC currently make provision for regular public worship, at two of our three churches, and additionally at the Priory Chapel of St John. The former Parish Church, “Old St. Mary’s”, is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and is used for occasional worship.
St Peter’s church continued to be “rested”, apart from two funeral services, as the future of the building remained under consideration. Trustees of the “Fugglestone St Peter Trust” continued to work on preparations for an application for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to be submitted in 2026.
Services were held in at least one of the other two churches every Sunday, with a video recording of the principal service at Wilton being made and posted online - via YouTube, the Parish website.
Services are followed regularly by a number of housebound parishioners, and former parishioners who have moved away, enabling them to feel connected still to the worshiping community at Wilton.
The Parish Clergy were assisted in leading worship by two Lay Worship Leaders, Christine Lawson and Tim Purchase; and by the Revd Janet Mugridge, Revd Andrew Poppe, and Canon Michael Goater.
The Rector maintained a pattern of weekly whole-school worship at the Church Primary School, working with a team of six “Faith Ambassadors” (pupils from years 2 – 6) who assist in planning and leading worship.
A number of visits to the Parish Church were arranged, for school groups and for Wilton Cubs, Brownies and Beavers.
Our Lay Pastoral Assistants continued with regular home visiting, and services offered for small groups at Olivier Place and Wilton Place. The chair of the Pastoral Ministry Team, Tim Purchase was selected for training as a Lay Licensed Minister in his home benefice, and commenced training in September.
In May at the Annual Meeting, Richard Norris and Roger Best were reappointed as Churchwardens; Julian Lyne Pirkis and Ann Hindley were reappointed as Deputy Wardens, with responsibility at Wilton, and Katie Ray and Philip Matthews reappointed as Deputy Wardens for St Catherine’s and St Peter’s Churches respectively. Nick Barsby was affirmed as Deanery and Diocesan Synod representative.
Neill O’Connor stepped down as PCC Treasurer, and Debbie Akers was elected to this role. A systematic review of restricted and designated funds and Reserves was undertaken, alongside the process of moving accounts online using MyFundAccounting software, designed for Parish Churches.
As part of a subsequent PCC review of Governance, a Finance sub-committee was formed and began preparations for a Stewardship Campaign to be launched in 2026.
At the Parish Church we were well served by a hard-working team of sidespersons, and by Altar-servers, readers, intercessors, musicians, brass polishers, flower arrangers, coffee -makers and technical assistants. Two new members were added to our team of “junior servers” and three young people trained as camera operators. We were pleased to welcome back a number students, to worship with us during vacations – in some cases returning to their previous roles as servers, singers or technicians.
The Town Council facilitated grass-cutting in the Churchyard, with ongoing grounds maintenance provided by Ray Johnson and David Fraser. Additionally in 2025, the Town Council instructed a local contractor to renovate the War Memorial which stands at the front of the church.
At St Catherine’s, Netherhampton, a dedicated team of worshippers kept the church tidy and running efficiently, provided refreshments after Festival Services and ensured that villagers were kept informed of church events.
Cleaning days were organised at both churches, drawing together a number of volunteers to tidy both the church and grounds.
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, David Wilmetts, continued to give regular guidance, and ensured that the PCC reviewed and updated polices and training as required. In August, the company managing the Diocese’s Safeguarding and DBS checks suffered a data breach – potentially affecting two of our church members. The Rector, as Data Controller, reported this to the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Parish Safeguarding Officer advised those affected of support available to them. The Diocesan Safeguarding team facilitated a switched of providers from APCS to Thirtyone:Eight, and also introduced Safeguarding Hubs and a Safeguarding Dashboard, to assist parishes in keeping up to date with evolving requirements and to manage their own recruitment, training, and DBS information.
The Director of Music at Wilton, Dr. Nigel Allison, was ably assisted by Edward Akers; and the Rector continued to direct the “Schola Cantorum”. Four young singers left in the summer – two having been awarded Choral Scholarships at the University of Cambridge. A successful bid to the Ouseley Church Music Trust enabled the recruitment of an additional four Choral Scholars for the academic year 2025/26 – bringing the total to 16.
Following the retirement of William Alexander, as Organist at St Catherine’s, two new Organists were recruited – Gabriel Williams playing for festival services and Frances Howard for regular evening services.
Our team of ringers rang before the 10.45 Service every Sunday, and monthly at St Catherine’s; and also at weddings and funerals as requested.
The PCC reviewed its communications strategy, and the final edition of the quarterly Parish News was produced in December. It was decided that simpler “flyers”, with details of services and events, would be delivered to local households before Easter and Christmas. A new website was commissioned, to allow for clearer access to Parish information and an online Parish Calendar.
Special Church Services included Good Friday services and Easter Day Services at both Wilton and Netherhampton. The 7am Easter Liturgy, at Wilton, was followed by a Parish Breakfast, prepared by Ron and Lorraine Bell, which was attended by approximately 70 people.
Harvest Thanksgiving was celebrated in both churches, and donations of food were received for distribution through local charities.
“Mayor’s Sunday” was not observed, since the Town Mayor had been diagnosed with a serious illness and commencing extensive treatment. A simpler celebration of St Edith of Wilton was held instead.
In October, celebrations were held to mark the 180[th] Anniversary of the Parish Church. Two historical talks were given, and a number of displays arranged in the church. On the anniversary of dedication – Thursday 9[th] October – a festival Evensong was sung by the church’s combined choirs. And on Sunday 12[th] October, the Bishop of Salisbury presided at the Sunday Eucharist.
A celebrity Organ Concert was given by Professor Ian Tracey – organist of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral; and members of the Oddments Theatre Company staged a play reflecting the life of the Abolitionist and hymn-writer John Newton.
Remembrance services in both churches were well attended. At Wilton the congregation included representation from the uniformed Youth Organisations, Royal British Legion, Town and County Councillors; Armed Forces and Cadet Corps. An act of Remembrance was also observed at the War Memorial on 11 November.
The Christmas Carol service at Netherhampton was, again, followed by refreshments in church itself, and there was also a celebration of Holy Communion on Christmas Day. Both choirs combined again to sing at Wilton’s Carol Service, and at “Midnight Mass”. An afternoon “Christingle Service” was reintroduced on Christmas Eve, attracting a congregation of more than 200, and Sung Eucharist was celebrated on Christmas Morning.
A number of concerts were held in the Parish Church. These included the Woodfalls Band; the Salisbury Community Choir; Salisbury Chamber Chorus, “Kate Edgar Choirs” and pupils from local Secondary Schools. Two “candlelight experience” performances were also arranged by “Lumos”.
Manor Farm Nursery held their Easter and Christmas concerts in St Catherine’s Church. Parish Groups continued to meet regularly, including the seniors’ group “Young at Heart” and the Mothers’ Union.
2025 saw a further increase in the number of visitors to the Parish Church, and additional “Church Guides” were recruited, and coordinated by The Revd Janet Mugridge. A new Guide Book was printed, for sale to visitors to the church.
Pastoral Offices
In 2025 parish clergy officiated at 6 baptisms, 6 weddings and 17 funerals. (In 2024 - 19 Baptisms, 11 weddings and 20 funerals)
Community
including Wilton Community Centre, Wilton Public Library, Alabaré Christian Care, Riding for the Disabled and Salisbury Street Pastors.
A number of church-members served as Trustees for other local charities. These included the almshouses at St John’s Priory and St Giles’ Hospital and three separate Educational Trusts.
As Trustees of the Wilton Middle School Educational Trust, the Rector and Churchwardens contributed further significant grants to local schools, and other groups and individuals. The “WMSET Centre” continues to provide a base for the local Youth Club.
The Rector continued as a Trustee of the Major Churches Network (of which Wilton Church is a member); and regional convener for the seven Dioceses of the South-West Region.
As part of a larger photographic project, recording aspects of the local community, photographer Kevin Capon produced an extensive photographic record of a number of church-members active in various key roles at the Parish Church. These formed part of the displays at the 180[th] Anniversary celebrations.
In May, a village celebration was arranged at St Catherine’s Church, following the completion of works to the church and churchyard. A number of villagers contributed to the planning of the event, and assisted with the preparation of food and floral decorations. The event began with the blessing of the restored church porch by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake. Around 70 villagers attended.
In November we recruited a new Youth Volunteer under the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – our tenth such volunteer.
The PCC’s partnership with the Wilton Community Land Trust led to the formation of a new charity, The Fugglestone St Peter Trust, with both The Revd Andrew Poppe and the Rector as Trustees. A launch event was held in June at which the local MP, the Hon John Glen, spoke and commended the proposed restoration project which sought to keep as a valuable community resource for the northern end of the town.
In December the Wilton “Tree-lighting event” was held, in the Market Square. The Rector and Curate co-led the Nativity Play, Year 6 children from Wilton Primary School 1[st] Wilton Cubs and Brownies.
The Rector officiated at the Carol Service held at the Pembroke Centre, for riders and families of the “Riding for the Disabled Association.”
Buildings
Further repairs were undertaken to the heating system at the Parish Church, and the refurbished Organ Blower was installed in March. Following an inspection of the hard-wiring in October, new LED floodlights were installed at the front of the church (replacing older lights which had failed), funded by the Friends of Wilton Parish Church, and further remedial works undertaken.
Work continued on the restoration of the purple Altar Frontal, due to be returned by Lent 2026.
At St Catherine’s, thanks to one parishioner’s generosity, a fireproof safe was installed to house the Communion vessels and silverware.
A Quinquennial Inspection was carried out at both the Parish Church and St Catherine’s.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
OF WILTON
WITH NETHERHAMPTON AND FUGGLESTONE
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
2025
Financial Commentary:
- 2025 has been another challenging year for our finances. The accounts show a surplus for the year of £27,314 but this masks the very weak position of our operational finances. We were able to pay only 6 months of our Diocese share, which was £69 142 for a full year including St Catherine’s. This is very disappointing and well below where we need to be. At the year-end we held £25,577 of the surplus in designated or restricted funds, money which is not available for day-to-day payments.
Adjusting the surplus for the reduction in investment values reduces the overall gain on the year to £23,363.
We have been fortunate to receive some significant grants which have enabled us to get through the year; we have also received £15,860 in bequests. Alongside this we have sold £5,064 of our investments, relating to 2 of our restricted funds from old bequests, and used the proceeds to pay for some vital repairs to the heating and a necessary rebuild of our website.
- Our general income falls well short of our costs, and we started the year with very small balances in our current accounts (following a loss of £15,551 in 2024).
Our regular monthly giving and other donations, together with gift aid, totalled £64,657, which is very similar to last year overall. We are very grateful to everyone who gives money to the church.
We plan to have a campaign in spring 2026 to spread awareness of our finances among our members, with the aim of prompting an increase in giving, especially planned giving through the Parish Giving Scheme.
-
The year started with some large repair bills and some extremely heavy energy costs so our grant of £30,000 from the Preservation Trust was vital, but this cannot be repeated in the next few years. Later in the year we received 3 grants totalling £4,658 which were restricted to use for our Schola choir and youth outreach of an educational nature. Transfers totalling £4000 were received from Friends of Wilton Parish Church.
-
Within the £25,577 in the current account which is held for restricted and designated funds, we are holding funds from recent legacies totalling £11,360, pending PCC decisions on how best to use these to celebrate the lives of the donors. The rest of our designated funds were mainly those of our heating reserve, which the PCC felt the need to set up in the autumn to ensure that we could afford to heat the church to a minimum standard for services over the winter. We are working hard to keep these costs down and if they can be contained to a level below our assumption then we will be able to release the surplus to pay more Diocesan share in 2026. The total utility costs for the year ended up at £16,330, significantly less than in 2024 (£ 21,344). (Update at time of writing – we have paid Share in January and February 2025.)
-
We continue to support our Mission Partners with regular monthly payments totalling £300 pm.
6. Investments:
The value of our ongoing investments of £185,855 fell by £3,731 during the year, or about 2%. which is disappointing but the investment income for the year totalled £6,916.
The value at the start of the year of those we encashed was £6,144, and £924 of this was retained as a specific restricted fund within the general account. The remainder was used to fund projects.
7. Friends of Wilton Church:
The church has benefitted from the donations of £4000 given by the Friends. This has funded the refreshed floodlighting, which shows off our wonderful building magnificently, and also large contribution towards some essential tree work which was needed to protect the building from the risk of damage in storms.
8. Reserves policy:
It is the policy of the PCC to hold a balance on unrestricted funds to cover emergency situations of a sustained operational deficit and of significant unplanned expenditure. Having considered the overall position of our finances the PCC has agreed that the minimum level of reserves should currently be £53,000. At 31/12/25 we held unrestricted funds of £64,472 in addition to the unrestricted balance on our current account, so this requirement was met.
Wilton Parish Church
Receipts and Payments Account
For the period from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Prior year funds funds funds funds total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income from charitable activities Other income Activities for generating funds Church activities Income from investments Other incoming resources VoluntaryGiving Receipts |
4,168 - - 4,168 10,106 4,766 - - 4,766 4,328 70 - - 70 235 8,306 675 - 8,981 12,669 7,412 - - 7,412 7,334 3,473 - - 3,473 4,525 104,851 15,860 4,658 125,370 80,553 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Church Activities Church Expenses Costs ofgeneratingfunds Total Receipts Payments |
133,048 16,535 4,658 154,243 119,752 20,244 205 1,927 22,377 14,909 8,992 - 181 9,174 307 44,914 - - 44,914 60,670 48,258 - 42 48,300 57,611 2,162 - - 2,162 1,804 |
| Total Payments | 124,572 205 2,151 126,929 135,303 |
| Excess of receipts over payments before transfer | 8,476 16,330 2,507 27,314 (15,552) |
| Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out |
25,040 24,243 23,851 73,135 (34,361) (19,837) (18,939) (73,136) |
Wilton Parish Church
Analysis of Receipts and Payments Selected period: 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
Total General Designated Restricted This year Last year
| Receipts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income from charitable activities | |||||
| St Peter's | 602 | 602 | 480 | ||
| St Catherine's | 3,566 | 3,566 | 9,626 | ||
| Income from charitable activities Totals | 4,168 | 4,168 | 10,106 | ||
| Other income | |||||
| Rent/hire income | 3,704 | 3,704 | 2,685 | ||
| Event income | 1,062 | 1,062 | 1,643 | ||
| Other income Totals | 4,766 | 4,766 | 4,328 | ||
| Activities for generating funds | |||||
| Fundraising | 70 | 70 | 235 | ||
| Activities for generating funds Totals | 70 | 70 | 235 | ||
| Church activities | |||||
| Hardship Fund | 240 | 240 | 240 | ||
| Organ Fund | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,475 | ||
| Tower Fund | 210 | 210 | 260 | ||
| Choir Fund | 225 | 225 | 605 | ||
| Weddings | 2,060 | 2,060 | 8,249 | ||
| Funerals | 2,906 | 2,906 | |||
| Baptisms | 440 | 440 | |||
| Parish magazine | |||||
| advertising/sales | 1,800 | 1,800 | 1,840 | ||
| Church activities Totals | 8,306 | 675 | 8,981 | 12,669 | |
| Income from investments | |||||
| Investment income | 6,916 | 6,916 | 6,859 | ||
| Bank interest | 496 | 496 | 475 | ||
| Income from investments Totals | 7,412 | 7,412 | 7,334 | ||
| Other incoming resources | |||||
| Utility charged | 2,265 | 2,265 | 3,385 | ||
| Other income | 1,208 | 1,208 | 1,140 | ||
| Other incoming resources Totals | 3,473 | 3,473 | 4,525 | ||
| Voluntary Giving | |||||
| Parish Giving Scheme | 25,121 | 25,121 | 26,321 | ||
| Envelopes | 853 | 853 | 1,236 | ||
| Standing Orders | 6,553 | 6,553 | 6,954 | ||
| Service collections | 5,879 | 5,879 | 4,969 | ||
| Card donations | 4,348 | 4,348 | 3,888 | ||
| Small donations | 4,722 | 4,722 | 2,864 | ||
| Ad hoc donations | 6,440 | 6,440 | 6,683 | ||
| Gift Aid recovered | 6,328 | 6,328 | 5,444 | ||
| PGS Gift Aid | 5,263 | 5,263 | 6,113 | ||
| Legacies | 15,860 | 15,860 | 5,000 | ||
| Grants | 36,500 | 4,658 | 41,158 | 9,250 | |
| VAT recovered | 2,840 | 2,840 | 1,828 | ||
| Voluntary Giving Totals | 104,851 | 15,860 | 4,658 | 125,370 | 80,553 |
| Receipts Grand Totals | 133,048 | 16,535 | 4,658 | 154,243 | 119,752 |
Payments
Expenditure on charitable activities
| Payments Expenditure on charitable activities |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Outreach | 1,503 | 1,927 | 3,431 | 1,139 | |
| Choir Fund | 25 | 25 | |||
| Hardship Fund | 180 | 180 | 20 | ||
| Organ repairs and maintenance | 10,594 | 10,594 | 1,140 | ||
| Building repairs and maint | 2,986 | 2,986 | |||
| St Peter's | 2,431 | 2,431 | 3,289 | ||
| St Catherine's | 2,728 | 2,728 | 9,319 | ||
| Expenditure on charitable activities Totals | 20,244 | 205 | 1,927 | 22,377 | 14,909 |
| Other expenditure | |||||
| Event costs | 1,570 | 1,570 | |||
| Other expenses | 4,703 | 4,703 | |||
| Bank charges | 323 | 323 | 277 | ||
| Sundry expenses | 29 | ||||
| Loss on sale of investment | 181 | 181 | |||
| Friends | 2,395 | 2,395 | |||
| Other expenditure Totals | 8,992 | 181 | 9,174 | 307 | |
| Church Activities | |||||
| Mission Giving and donations | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,175 | ||
| Parish Share | 32,323 | 32,323 | 47,701 | ||
| Administration support | 3,927 | 3,927 | 3,018 | ||
| Assistant/visiting Clergy costs | 315 | 315 | |||
| Organist | 2,520 | 2,520 | 2,550 | ||
| Clergy and staff expenses | 1,199 | 1,199 | 3,332 | ||
| Other costs | 1,028 | 1,028 | 893 | ||
| Church Activities Totals | 44,914 | 44,914 | 60,670 | ||
| Church Expenses | |||||
| Local outreach costs | 926 | 926 | |||
| Maintenance - Church | 5,989 | 5,989 | 15,271 | ||
| Maintenance - | |||||
| Churchyard/cemetery | 6,067 | 6,067 | 2,885 | ||
| Cleaning | 696 | 696 | 910 | ||
| Service expenses, vestry etc | 851 | 42 | 893 | 631 | |
| Office costs | 2,880 | 2,880 | 3,590 | ||
| Insurance | 10,753 | 10,753 | 10,008 | ||
| Music costs | 137 | 137 | 557 | ||
| Church Utility Bills | 16,330 | 16,330 | 21,344 | ||
| Telephone and broadband | 1,154 | 1,154 | |||
| Magazine printing and | |||||
| distribution costs | 2,034 | 2,034 | 1,988 | ||
| Licences | 438 | 438 | 423 | ||
| Church Expenses Totals | 48,258 | 42 | 48,300 | 57,611 | |
| Costs of generating funds | |||||
| Fundraising costs | 2,122 | 2,122 | 1,804 | ||
| Refreshments | 39 | 39 | |||
| Costs of generating funds Totals | 2,162 | 2,162 | 1,804 | ||
| Payments Grand Totals | 124,572 | 205 | 2,151 | 126,929 | 135,303 |
Wilton Parish Church
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by fund) As at: 31 December 2025
| Balance | Previous balance |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Investments | |||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015591 | |||
| Rawlence Bequest | Restricted | - | 924 |
| - | 924 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015592 | |||
| Mitchell Bequest | Restricted | 20,999 | 21,874 |
| 20,999 | 21,874 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015593 | |||
| Blake Bequest | Restricted | - | 5,063 |
| - | 5,063 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015595 | |||
| Lord Herbert Of Lea | Restricted | 12,630 | 13,156 |
| 12,630 | 13,156 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015596 | |||
| Countess Of Pembroke Capital Fund | Restricted | - | 2,358 |
| - | 2,358 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015597 | |||
| Countess Of Pembroke Repair Fund | Restricted | 7,161 | 5,101 |
| 7,161 | 5,101 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015228 | |||
| No 7 Waterditchampton | Restricted | 6,901 | 7,188 |
| 6,901 | 7,188 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015229 | |||
| Lady Carter Bequest | Restricted | - | 155 |
| - | 155 | ||
| CBF Inv Fund 3015269 | |||
| Sale Of Church Rooms | Restricted | 68,117 | 70,954 |
| 68,117 | 70,954 | ||
| COIF Property Bond 3049916 | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | 64,472 | 63,148 |
| 64,472 | 63,148 | ||
| Investments | 180,283 | 189,926 | |
| Cash At Bank And In Hand | |||
| General Account PCC Wilton | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | 7,685 | 3,366 |
| Agency collection | Restricted | (398) | 1,557 |
| Choir Fund | Designated | 200 | - |
| Tower Fund | Designated | 210 | - |
| Hardship Fund | Designated | 60 | - |
| Heating Reserve | Designated | 10,000 | - |
| Recent Bequests | Designated | 11,360 | - |
| Rawlence Sunday School | Restricted | 855 | - |
| 29,973 | 4,924 | ||
| Treasurers Account | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | - | 1,072 |
| Diocese Choral Grant | Restricted | 492 | - |
| Ouseley Grant | Restricted | 1,180 | - |
| WEC Grant | Restricted | 958 | - |
| 2,630 | 1,072 | ||
| CBF Deposit account | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | - | 10,183 |
| Bequest Investment Income | Restricted | 12,668 | - |
| 12,668 | 10,183 | ||
| CBF Deposit account - Appeal | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | - | 481 |
| - | 481 | ||
| Cash At Bank And In Hand | 45,273 | 16,661 | |
| Debtors | |||
| Accounts Receivable | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | - | 3,252 |
| - | 3,252 | ||
| Debtors | - | 3,252 | |
| Agency Accounts | |||
| Agency collections | |||
| Agency collection | Restricted | (398) | 1,557 |
| (398) | 1,557 | ||
| Agency Accounts | (398) | 1,557 | |
| Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year | |||
| Accounts Payable | |||
| General Fund | Unrestricted | 1,520 | 7,442 |
| 1,520 | 7,442 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In | |||
| One Year | 1,520 | 7,442 | |
| Grand Total | 224,434 | 200,839 |
Notes to the 2025 accounts
-
2025 accounts have been prepared using an online accounting system, whereas in 2024 records were kept in a paper ledger system. This transition has resulted in slight differences in classification.
-
2025 accounts are on a Receipts and Payments basis so do not record debtors and Creditors. The 2024 accounts did use debtors and creditors, which appear in the 2024 column in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
-
During the year the Appeal Fund was merged into the main fund as there was no need to keep them separate. The bank account which had been used for that fund is now being used to hold and manage the restricted funds for music and youth education.
-
The Appeal Deposit Fund account was merged with the main Deposit Fund account in order to rationalise our accounts.
-
During the year the funds of the Blake bequest and the Carter bequest were realised in order to pay for necessary projects which fell within the restrictions. We also realised the smaller Rawlence bequest and now hold the cash from this fund in the current account as a restricted fund, to be spent on church services etc for the benefit of children.
-
The Countess of Pembroke funds were combined in order to rationalise the number of investment holdings.
-
The COIF property holding has a 6-month waiting period for realisation. These funds form our unrestricted reserves for emergencies, so they need to be very liquid. Thus the encashment has been initiated, and the money will be moved to the CBF Deposit Account once it is released.
-
Transfers shown are those recorded by the accounting system. Many of these relate to the work in setting up the new accounts and ensuring that everything is recorded correctly, creating new funds for record-keeping purposes, and also transferring the proceeds from the sale of investments.
-
Figures shown for income and expenditure in 2024 are not all identical to the columns appearing in the 2024 accounts, as those columns did not include the Appeal Account entries, and in 2025 these are combined. In this version the 2024 figures have been adjusted to be consistent, to allow meaningful comparison. In addition there are a few slight differences of classification of income and expenditure items in the new accounts.
-
10.The Agency entry of £398 relates to two funerals where the DBF fee had been paid to the Diocese but the funeral fee had not yet been received from the funeral director.
-
11.The entry under Creditors of deferred income of £1520 relates to a wedding on 3/1/26 for which the invoice was paid before the year-end, on 18/12/25.
Friends of Wilton Church
| riends of Wilton Church | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening balance Income: Donations received Gift Aid Total Expenditure: Grants to PCC Bank charges Total Closing balance |
2025 888.92 3575.00 395.27 3970.27 4000.00 25.50 4025.50 833.69 |
2024 2889.98 2498.94 608.94 3107.88 |
2024 | |
| 6500.00 0 6500.00 |
||||
| 888.92 |
Note:
2025 Grants to PCC were making funds available for essential tree surgery and refreshed floodlighting.
Wilton Parochial Church Council Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees On accounts for the year Charity no 31st December 2025 ended (if any) Set out on pages 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2025
Responsibilities and basis As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent ~~[The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to~~ examiner's statement ~~undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]].~~ ~~Delete [ ]~~ ~~if not applicable.~~
Signed: Date: 17th April 2026 Name: Major General (Retired) Stephen Andrews CBE Relevant professional qualification(s) or body CEng FIET CMgr CCMI Address: The Hurdles, 86 Shaftesbury Road Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0DS
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and
guidance for examiners).
| Wilton Parochial Church Council | Wilton Parochial Church Council | Wilton Parochial Church Council | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent examiner’s report on the accounts |
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| Section A Independent Examiner’s Report |
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| Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages |
31st December 2025 Charity no (if any) 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2025 Responsibilities and basis As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent ~~[The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to~~ examiner's statement ~~undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]].~~ ~~Delete [ ]~~ ~~if not applicable.~~
~~17th April 2026 Major General (Retired) Stephen Andrews CBE~~ CEng FIET CMgr CCMI The Hurdles, 86 Shaftesbury Road Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0DS
guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
I would highlight one material matter of concern . This is the hard reality that the planned or predicted income streams do not meet the anticipated expenditure . This is set out in detail in the Treasurer's report, which I commend to the PCC's urgent attention so that timely, structured, action can be taken.
The Treasurer's report sets out a compelling call to the PCC to design, develop and execute a robust financial strategy for the church to establish reliable income streams upon which to base its annual budget. An annual campaign of grant applications should be a component of this strategy. The treasurer has clearly explained how the 2025 finances were, in effect, bailed out by funds which cannot routinely be relied upon in future. I note that a reserves policy is now in place.
Oct 2018
IER
2