2025-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

REGISTERED CHARITY 1133832

Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

Annual Report & Accounts 2025

CONTENTS

VICAR’S REVIEW OF 2025	PAGE 3
CHURCHWARDENS’ REVIEW 2025	PAGE 3
SAFEGUARDING	PAGE 5
CHURCH BUILDING	PAGE 5
CHURCH BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT	PAGE 6
MINSTER COMMUNITIES	PAGE 6
COMMUNICATION	PAGE 7
OUTREACH	PAGE 8
BROADNOOK GARDEN VILLAGE	PAGE 10
CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES	PAGE 10
SCHOOL	PAGE 12
DISCIPLESHIP	PAGE 12
SEND	PAGE 15
CHOIR AND MUSIC	PAGE 17
BELL RINGERS	PAGE 18
THE OLD SCHOOL ROOMS	PAGE 19
DEANERY AND DIOCESE	PAGE 20
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2025	PAGE 23
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2025	PAGE 33
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT	PAGE 48

Cover picture: Baptism by immersion at our joyous Confirmation Service in November 2025

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Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

Annual Report & Accounts 2025

VICAR’S REVIEW OF 2025

2025 opened with about thirty people attending Hope Explored, and the Christmas celebrations were a joyful climax to end what has been a very busy year in the life of the Church. For all of us it has been a great joy to welcome Sneha as our curate, together with Dan, Lara and Diya. Already Sneha has had a great impact on the life of the Church, especially our lay training, on Shine and All Age services and in our ministry to Broadnook. This year has seen our largest group of families take part in a residential at St George’s House, Devon, and the largest numbers accessing Christian conferences, such as the Midlands Men’s and Women’s Conventions and the Keswick Convention. Towards the end of the year we hosted a Deanery Confirmation service with the Bishop of Leicester and witnessed our first full immersion baptisms in the Church for a generation.

25 years ago, when I became vicar here, I chose the following passage as one of the readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and great trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so

that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but God’s power. Since then, and continuing to the present day, I have sought to trust God’s Word to do God’s work, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as Sunday by Sunday, and in all manner of meetings, proclaiming Jesus Christ from all the Scriptures, Old and New Testaments. This is the bedrock of all that is detailed in the following pages as we seek to follow Christ and glorify him day by day.

In this I have been greatly supported and encouraged by a wonderful and evolving ministry team - lay, ordained and in training; by dedicated and diligent pastoral and administrative support; by deeply committed Churchwardens, organist and musicians, leaders and helpers of a wide range of ministries. None of what has been achieved would have been possible without the willing and faithful service of so many in the Church family, each offering their gifts in a huge variety of ways.

Being in ministry impacts home and family life, and none of what I have done would have been possible without the patient, loving and faithful support of Sarah.

Rob Gladstone

CHURCHWARDENS’ REVIEW OF 2025

In taking on the role of Churchwarden it is clear to us as to the range of duties and time given by our retiring Wardens, Margaret Rouse and Fred Sleath. We would therefore like to record our

thanks for their advice and guidance as we took over this mantel.

It is also prudent to thank Ray Prince, who retired as our Church Building

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Manager after 4 years’ service. His dedication to the maintenance of this historic church building has been invaluable. At the time of writing this review we are awaiting the Quinquennial Inspection Report from Simon Bird (Architect). However, all the indications are that the building is in good order and has been well maintained. We would also like to thank Marion Whitby in her support to Ray during this time.

By way of some detail, the churchyard was inspected by a member of the Charnwood Borough Council Open Spaces Team during 2025 who confirmed that it is well maintained and in very good order. In February work started on the refurbishment of the Garden of Remembrance. This included planning a new yew hedge, which is protected by posts and rope for the time being. This work has been possible by a generous donation from a member of the church. In April the lychgates were refurbished, again by a donation. In July a new safety rail was installed in the bell chamber and improved access to the 6 bells and tower roof was carried out. Each month a health & safety inspection, alongside programmed checks, is carried out. Any issues are reported to the PCC and rectified as appropriate.

As we embark on the long-awaited church building improvements, the installation of toilets and improved servery will, we trust, improve the welcome and fellowship in this place. Indeed, as the church is not only used for regular services, but also other associated events such as the Macmillan coffee morning, Saltmine Theatre production of Red Riding Hood and Rothley Primary School

assemblies/productions, these improvements are most welcome. Furthermore, the church is also open during the summer months for visitors, to not only admire the historical architecture, but to have the opportunity for quiet reflection in this busy and often confusing world.

In order to make the above happen, we are grateful to the many people who contribute, often unseen, to the effective running of this church building. These include our Assistant Wardens: Chris Garnett, Jean Johnson, Margaret Rouse, Fred Sleath, Simon Taylor and Marion Whitby; also Richard Neill & Richard Yates, our Vergers, who look after the arrangements for weddings and funerals; to Kath Pepall for her conscientious cleaning and Ian Sanders for ascending the church tower to fly flags on various occasions. Our thanks also go to audio-visual operators, coffee makers, flower arrangers, brass cleaners, bell ringers, church yard clearers and all others who enable the life of the Church to function. We also acknowledge the hard work undertaken by Linda Poole as our Old School Rooms Manager.

It is a privilege that as Wardens we can serve as part of such a vibrant and outward-looking fellowship. It is a blessing that services continue to be well attended and improved numbers coming over the Christmas period should be an encouragement to us all. Indeed, our Church is more than bricks and mortar, but a place where the gospel is preached and the risen Christ proclaimed.

Lisa Cook & Nigel Willey

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Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

Annual Report & Accounts 2025

SAFEGUARDING

Helen Jones is the safeguarding coordinator who reports to the PCC. She is assisted by Ruth Whalen. Together they work to ensure the Church of England's safeguarding policies are in place and that these are followed through within our parish. They also ensure that they feed back any safeguarding inquiries or concerns to appropriate people within the diocesan safeguarding team or the Church. All such communications are handled in the strictest confidence.

ongoing checking of the parish safeguarding dashboard. Helen and Ruth are pleased to report that the parish’s safeguarding dashboard is currently in good shape and is regularly monitored at PCC meetings. Any safeguarding improvements or concerns can be raised confidentially with Helen and Ruth.

The Safeguarding Coordinators’ plan for 2026 is to work with the PCC and to maintain a safe, supportive, and caring environment for all.

Helen Jones and Ruth Whalen

Helen and Ruth are incredibly grateful for the engagement that they have received from the parish over the past year on safeguarding matters.

All training can be accessed via the Safeguarding Training Portal (safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org). Alongside the training, a valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required for some roles. This is additional to the training. This is a nationally-run service which ensures the people we are recruiting to work in our children’s, young people’s and vulnerable adults’ groups do not have a history of criminal offences.

Helen and Ruth will arrange sessions for church volunteers to assist in the completion of their online training to ensure that training records are up to date.

Readers will appreciate that safeguarding is an area that has received more attention from the Church of England in recent years. As a result, the role of safeguarding coordinator within the parish necessitates much paperwork and

CHURCH BUILDING

As in previous years, regular maintenance of the church building was carried out.

As the churchyard is closed, Charnwood Borough Council maintains the churchyard for us. This includes cutting the grass, looking after the headstones, paths, trees and walls. A member of the open spaces team from CBC visited the churchyard in 2025 and made the comment that it is well maintained, tidy and in very good order.

In February, work started on the refurbishment of the Garden of Remembrance. This involved cutting back overhanging tree branches, removing the old dead box hedging and replacing with a new yew hedge. To help and protect the new hedge, the posts and rope will remain for the time being. This work was made possible by a generous donation from a church member.

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Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

Annual Report & Accounts 2025

In April, the 2 lychgates were repaired, refurbished and repainted. Again, this was made possible by a donation.

In July, a new safety rail was installed in the bell chamber. At the same time extra work was carried out to make it safer to maintain the 6 bells and access the tower roof to raise the flags on top of the tower.

Ray Prince stepped down as Church Building Manager on 31st May after 4 years. Marion Whitby, who helped Ray, also stepped down. Thanks to Marion for all her help.

Each month a health and safety inspection is carried out in the church. If any issues are found, they are rectified and the PCC notified.

Every 5 years the PCC has a church Quinquennial Inspection. This is when our church architect, Simon Bird, spends a day inspecting the church and churchyard. He produces a report with recommendations. The latest inspection took place on 8th October 2025. Simon will produce his report for the PCC in early 2026. From initial discussions with Simon, we are pleased to report that the church is in general good order.

Nigel Willey & Ray Prince

CHURCH BUILDING

IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

I finished last year’s report by hoping that the project would be completed by the end of 2025! Sadly, that didn’t happen, and neither was it started. This

was due to a number of technical difficulties and circumstances beyond our control. However, I can now say with confidence that our Architect sent out documents inviting tenders for the work during November and we should be in a position to appoint a Contractor early in 2026 and hopefully at least the first and main phase of the work, notably the alteration of the Choir Vestry to incorporate Toilets, a Creche Room, stairs with stairlift to a new Meeting Room above, will be started and completed within 12 months from now, and hopefully the rest of the plan too. Obviously, it is anticipated that costs will have risen since our initial fundraising efforts, but hopefully we will be able to qualify for more grants from registered charities once the work has started, and, by God’s grace, that church family members will consider further fundraising and personal contributions towards the work too, whether or not they were able to do this at the time of the initial funding launch at the start of 2024.

Fred Sleath

MINSTER

COMMUNITIES

Our Parish is now well engaged in the Shaped by God Together process in which all parishes in the Diocese are encouraged to form groups to work together for the sake of the gospel. These are called Minster Communities.

The shape of our emerging Minster Community has become clear. We will be working alongside Thorpe Acre, Emmanuel, Shelthorpe and Grange Park in Loughborough, Mountsorrel, Sileby, Cossington and Seagrave. This

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grouping has emerged with a shared understanding of the Scriptures; a joint commitment to the role of the local church in serving its community; and a commitment to develop new worshipping communities at the heart of the rapidly expanding new developments within the area.

Over the next year we expect the Minster Community to be inaugurated and for us to begin informal collaboration between the parishes where it will serve to enhance our mission.

Rob Gladstone

COMMUNICATION

In an ever-changing, fast-moving world, we endeavour to keep up with trends in communication to reach the wider community and invite them to come and join us as we meet together and follow Jesus. We also try to keep up with communication to our own church family, which again becomes more and more difficult in a world competing for our attention!

However, the main and most productive invitations are the personal ones , so we do encourage everyone to invite a family member, a neighbour, a friend or an acquaintance to our events and services, via a variety of fliers and communications produced for this purpose.

We continue to use our Church Facebook page to publicise the times and nature of our Sunday services, along with special events, particularly those aimed at families. We also use local social media sites and Instagram, particularly for one-off events and

family activities, and, of course, traditional noticeboards in the village.

We have had a total renewing and updating of our Church website this year. We rely on leaders to supply updates for their own areas of responsibility and Eric Hissett makes the changes. The Church Diary on the website shows what is happening in the church building, and The Old School Rooms page also shows its booking diary.

Our AV system in church continues to be a blessing generally, but occasionally a blight! However, everyone works hard to overcome any problems, to save paper and enhance worship, and to livestream at least one service every Sunday. Thanks to the team involved with this and the service leaders. Next year we hope to look at overhauling all our technology, including software for putting together orders of service, improved synchronisation and more smooth running of words and pictures on the screens!

I continued to produce the “Fellowship Post” weekly during the last year, except during the school summer holidays when it was fortnightly as there was less news to publicise. Those who read it regularly can keep up to date with what is happening and when, what to pray for and how to get involved in running or attending our events. I still email this to the majority of church family members on a Friday afternoon and send out about 23 printed copies to members who don’t have computer facilities.

We are also getting increasing feedback that our Easter and Christmas cards stir people to come to our services and

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events, so thanks to all who have delivered these in all weathers – it’s worth it!

Liz Sleath

OUTREACH

Little Fishes

Little Fishes is our amazing Monday morning, term-time baby and toddler group run exclusively by church members – a huge dedicated team, setting up the room on the day before, providing the refreshments, and putting on the actual group on Monday.

Evangelism Group

This small group meets regularly to discuss how we can encourage and facilitate evangelistic events and projects in our community.

These include picnics, carol singing, coffee mornings and other occasions where people from the wider community are invited to join us in fellowship and are given the opportunity to hear the gospel and to find out about the church, what it is, who we are and what we believe.

In 2025, we did not have a picnic, although one is planned for 2026. We hosted a coffee morning in the church building in aid of the Macmillan charity and were pleased that this attracted a good number of people who would not usually come into the church. Carol singing around one of the estates was well received too.

The group does not intend to organise all the initiatives, but we aim to encourage our church family to be aware of their neighbours and to find ways in which we can all share our faith with others. There are many people in Rothley - and, now, in Broadnook - who need to meet us, and who need to meet Jesus. We need to create the opportunities for them to do it.

The focus is on a welcoming group where parents/carers can meet other families and build relationships. Those who volunteer chat and mingle, with the refreshment team putting on tea/coffee and toast. The play equipment for different ages provides lots of opportunity for open play and fun. Half-way through the session the group gather for a drink and biscuit, songs and a short child-friendly Bible story. Responsibility for everything - set up, refreshments and on the day team are rotated by mini leaders.

This is an amazing opportunity to talk of God's greatness and love and to demonstrate it through service to our community. It is amazing to see some of these families attend other church events through the year, noticeably Shine. The team share notices of what's going on in general church life through a quick shout out or flyers.

Everyone from our church feels this is an absolutely great outreach to our community. There is much commitment shown from many church members and collective prayer to make sure this group runs smoothly and effectively.

RCMG (Rothley Church Men’s Group)

Following the resumption of the Men’s Group in 2024 after the Covid pandemic, 2025 has been the first

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Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

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complete year of events. Once again, we have had a mixture of predominately Christian guest speakers and socials, some of which have contained, where possible, a Christian testimony during the evening. Well-attended events started with Fred Sleath, followed by skittles, Andy Whittaker, Rev Nigel Elliott, a summer walk, a Pétanque evening, a Harry Longman hosted BBQ, Squadron Leader Mike Setterfield, an Albert Greaves quiz, Mr Jonathan Goddard and we rounded off the year with a fish and chip supper.

We have been very encouraged again this year by the continued support received by men from within our Church family and beyond.

Wednesday Lunches

Now in its 26[th] year, this gathering continues to flourish. Over the years the staff have changed, and we do thank God that we can still find willing volunteers; and the clientele too. We remember birthdays, party at milestones and celebrate the lives of our much-loved regulars.

Where once there was a lengthy list of choices and different prices for each item (requiring a maths genius to calculate – at speed before the next customer came along wanting something totally different), now there is a fixed price menu with, usually, a couple of puddings to choose from. There is a hot meal provided from October to the end of March and cold meat and quiches with salads and potatoes for the summer months. And whilst the cooking is hardly cordon bleu, the food is generally quite tasty.

So, if you’re bored with the sight of your own kitchen walls and fancy a meal in convivial company in a warm and friendly atmosphere, look no further. We’re always ready to welcome new guests, and food allergies and intolerances can easily be met.

The start time is noon on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Wednesdays of every month and the cost is a modest £5 for two courses followed by coffee or tea. Bookings are made by phoning or emailing Sandra on 07941 951265 or [e-mail] up till noon on the Monday.

Looking forward to seeing you in 2026, Sandra and the team.

Care home links

We have enjoyed another year of ministry at Cedar House, once a month and at other times like a Carol Sing at Christmas, and sometimes I have the privilege of helping a family with the loss of a loved one. David Hodgson continues to support us with his keyboard and his vast repertoire of hymns. We share the service and chat with the residents, who love to hear of our lives now and long ago!! They love it and so do we - just ask Jean J, Margaret H, Eva S, Caroline E, Jeff H, Sandra SP and Margaret O. Come and join us on the first Monday of the month.

The monthly service at Mountview Care Home is led by a great team who are very gifted at getting alongside the residents. It continues to attract many of the residents and has resulted in a wider ministry involvement with the Care Home, supporting those who are ill and families through bereavement. The

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regular service is very much appreciated by the residents, many of whom had strong connections with their local church in the past. The number of incidental pastoral visits has increased greatly over the past year as a result of a number of members of Rothley Parish Church becoming residents.

Bereavement Support

Our aim is to provide friendship and support for those bereaved who have had funeral services taken by our ministry team.

Within our church family there are good networks/groups for those needing support. Outside the church family we have not been called upon for visiting this year, but another of our tasks is to acknowledge the anniversary of the death of a loved one and cards are sent to mark this occasion.

The main focus is the memorial service for those bereaved at the end of November. This is an important occasion in the life of the church to make contact with families again and many have drawn comfort from coming together in this way.

BROADNOOK GARDEN

VILLAGE

Rothley Parish Church’s involvement with Broadnook began around ten years ago, when Rob was first approached by the landowner about plans for the development. As these plans progressed, the church was invited to become involved, particularly with a view to helping build community within the new development.

It has been exciting to see these longterm plans finally take shape. Construction began and residents started moving in from autumn 2024. The first welcome event was hosted by Rothley Church in the Davidsons’ show home in December 2024, with three families attending. Since then, we have gone on to host a number of further welcome events, working closely with the newly-formed Broadnook Community Trust (BCT), of which Rob is a trustee.

Activities have included distributing Easter eggs, a bring-and-share picnic, a Sparklers and S’mores event, and carol singing in December. Altogether, more than a hundred people have dropped in to these events. BCT has now established an Events Subgroup to help plan, organise and deliver future welcome events. Rob and Sneha are part of this group, alongside volunteer residents and organisations such as East Goscote United Football Club. Volunteers from Rothley Parish Church also help at the events. In addition, a prayer team has been formed, praying specifically for Broadnook, particularly in the lead-up to events.

When completed, Broadnook will be home to around 2,000 households, and there is a clear opportunity for a new worshipping community to develop, serving the spiritual needs of those who live there.

Sneha Ninan

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES

Sunday School (for 3 to 11-year-olds) continued much as in recent years, with

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two age groups meeting fortnightly during the 11 am services. Numbers are rising, particularly with younger children preschool and just starting school, which is great, and they all seem to enjoy their time with us. Towards the end of the year we introduced a singing time at the beginning of our sessions while we are all together, which makes them feel bonded as a group before we split into separate groups.

Grid for 11 years upwards, has met sporadically as numbers for this can be as low as one during 11 am services, due to a low number of teenagers in our church family and a number of them involved in sports activities on Sunday mornings. However, in the Autumn there was a short course held leading to Confirmation of one teenager who recently came to faith and started coming to church, and this was followed up with an evening social for our young people just before Christmas, with hopes of doing more of the same early in 2026.

Shine! continues as our all-age family event on the afternoon of the first Sunday of most months, generally in church but with a BBQ on Bunney’s Field in September. There is a small but enthusiastic group of leaders who have run a variety of themes throughout the year, usually including worship, Bible reading, a short talk and practical activities in church, with a Bible verse to take home, followed by a free (usually hot) meal together in The Old School Rooms, as well as further family activities there on the same theme. We now have a regular, willing catering team, who provide visitors with a warm welcome and delicious food. Thanks to them all. We have seen some new families joining in with Shine over the

last year, including a few resulting from invitations sent out via School or Little Fishes, those who are interested in their children being baptised and those friends and neighbours brought along by other regulars.

Easter was again a great opportunity for outreach. Instead of April Shine! we set up an Easter Trail with 12 activity stations, starting in the churchyard and moving to the Fowke Street recreation ground, where there were Bible readings with pictures, practical activities and souvenirs telling the Easter story, along with a chance to look for a letter of the alphabet at each station, which when worked out entitled the family to claim chocolate Easter eggs and a leaflet telling the Easter Story from church, where refreshments were also served. 70 children and their families attended the afternoon, which was amazing, and the sun shone, which was also a massive bonus!

We repeated the one-day Easter Holiday Club during Holy Week, based in The Old School Rooms and the church building. Less children attended this year, perhaps because there are so many all-week activities available elsewhere for working parents to sign them up for! However, those who came enjoyed themselves and can have been in no doubt of the message of Easter and, as before, had plenty of souvenirs

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to take home as a reminder of that message and invitations to other Easter events. Thanks again to the team of helpers and supporters from the church family, without whom this event could not have happened.

We also repeated the “Jerusalem Journey” on Good Friday, meeting in OSR for “The Last Supper” and then on to Gethsemane in the churchyard and finally to Calvary inside church. Then we enjoyed drinks and hot cross buns together in OSR. A few families attended this, along with others from our church family and the wider community.

There was a further trip to St George’s House , a Christian activity centre in Devon, led by Rob & Sarah, with 35 children and adults attending as families, enjoying taking part in a variety of physical activities and spending time having fun together over the Spring half-term holiday.

Some social nights open to all women within the church continued during the year under the title U-nite .

Liz Sleath

SCHOOL

One of the Diocesan priorities for all churches and Minster Communities to adopt is ‘Growing Faith’. This refers explicitly to work amongst children and young people, with a particular focus on schools. Whilst all churches struggle with Sunday-based children’s work, through our Church School we have access to over 600 children every week and many opportunities to minister to their families too.

In the past year, we have given training to all the staff on the Christian ethos of the School and on Spirituality. We have a team, David Wilson, Alison Godfrey, Sneha Ninan and Rob Gladstone, who visit the school every Wednesday morning to conduct Collective Worship. As a Church, we host, every six weeks, an act of Collective Worship, led by the pupils, focused on a Christian value and attended by all the parents of that year group.

Through the year the church also hosts the school for a number of Christian festivals and for the Year 6 Leavers Service.

Lynne Bragg visits the school once a week to encourage the children to explore Christian faith and prayer and provided a special transition morning for the Year 6 leavers.

The Church supported the school in hosting the Saltmine Trust to lead a day of activities for the children

Through governance, we continue to hold the School to account to uphold the Christian ethos and to support the teaching staff as they lead and deliver RE and Collective Worship. In the latest SIAMS Inspection the school was awarded the highest grade and the Foundation Governors meet regularly to monitor this and continually seek ways to improve on it.

Rob Gladstone

DISCIPLESHIP

Discipleship is about growing in faith as followers of Jesus. Paul’s vision of discipleship in Ephesians 4 vv 7-16 continues to be our church vision for

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this, as we focus on growing in depth of discipleship through our services, through meeting in smaller groups and through personal prayer, Bible study and reading of Christian literature.

The discipleship working group of the PCC continues to work on strategic leadership and now provides weekly prayer points for the Fellowship Post to give thanks for those working in areas of church life related to discipleship, alongside points for intercession. In 2025, the working group promoted the reading of Christian literature through a summer bookstall and a whole Church recommended book for Advent.

Housegroups: We thank God for our nine housegroups. These meet regularly, usually in homes, for Bible study, discussion and prayer, providing a safe space where we are able to care and share with each other as we pray and study God’s Word together. 2025 has seen the creation of a new group led by Richard Croker and Nigel Elliott, meeting on Wednesday evenings. In addition, a number of new people have joined other groups. Housegroups help us to better understand our faith and provide us with resources to live it out in our daily lives; they enable us to ask questions in an unthreatening, friendly environment and grow together as Christians. The caring dimension of the groups has particularly come to the fore in 2025, for which we praise God. A particular thank you to the housegroup leaders for their dedication; their enthusiasm and commitment is of the highest order and we praise God for all that they do to enable all who attend to learn and to share their faith, as well as to care for one another.

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study Group: This group exists to encourage men in faith and discipleship, with studies in 2025 from John’s Gospel and Proverbs. Meeting monthly on a Saturday, the group regularly draws between 6 and 12 men, and were delighted to welcome new members during the year. Members consistently expressed how much they value these sessions for pointing them to Jesus and deepening their walk with Him. In August, a walk over the hills with the Rothley Church Men’s Group was a great time of fellowship and connection. In November, several members attended the Midlands Men’s Convention, an inspiring day on the theme of Biblical Masculinity.

Bible Reading Notes: Whilst we endeavour to facilitate group Bible study through our many church groups, we also strongly encourage personal Bible study as part of a daily quiet time with God. For those who wish to have daily Bible reading notes in a printed format, we continue to arrange the procurement and distribution of many different Bible reading books, whilst also encouraging the use of online daily Bible reading media (see the church website). In 2025, several individuals moved from the printed format of daily Bible reading to online providers, with 27 individuals continuing to use five different titles of printed books. Rafe Cherry coordinates.

Monthly Sunday evening prayer meetings: Every fourth Sunday evening, 12 to 20 people gather in church to pray specifically for evangelism, in and through all the various events that we know are coming up, through our own lives and with a particular focus on what

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is taking place in Broadnook Garden Village.

Mothers’ Union: MU is a Christian organisation working through membership to support families and communities around the world. Rothley branch meetings take place on the first Tuesday of the month and include prayers, a speaker and time for chat and refreshments. Prayer and faith are central to the organisation and include an allocated ‘Wave of Prayer’ day. The group look out for each other and help each other.

In 2025, we continued to support Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital, collecting 314 cream eggs for Easter and 133 chocolate bars for Christmas for the patients. In the summer we delivered shampoo and body wash for use as prizes when they have quizzes. All these items were much appreciated. Other initiatives supported included Prison Advice and Care Trust for prisoners and their families, the initiative against modern day slavery and the MU campaign Rise Up against domestic abuse in UK and Ireland.

Money was raised through MU and church members filling Smarties tubes with £1 coins, by hosting a coffee morning, a strawberry tea and a harvest supper, helping with a church concert and having a bring and buy table at meetings; this was shared between the Leicester MU Diocesan Fund, MU Mary Sumner House, Homeless in Leicestershire, MU Away From It All holiday scheme (when needed) and Rothley Parish Church. Donations were also given to the MU Summer and Christmas appeals.

Prayer Circle: The 12 members of the prayer circle (nine anonymous and three named contacts: David Palmer, Jean Arkley, Valerie Joyce) commit themselves to pray for a week, or longer as requested, for any person or situation. In 2025, there were 69 requests, with several lasting many weeks. The circle continues to be valued, as to know others hold us before our Lord is a comfort and a strength.

Pastoral care: The church is encouraged to follow Christ’s example of kindness and compassion. The role of Pastoral Coordinator as a reference point has enabled people in the fellowship to ask for help for themselves or others and enabled ongoing liaison with the Vicar and Ministry Team. Importantly, there has been a continuing willingness from people in the church fellowship to be involved with the ministry of pastoral care, whether formally as a designated pastoral visitor or informally.

The housebound, those physically and mentally ill at home and in hospital and the bereaved, isolated and lonely have been visited and supported. Contact has also been maintained by phone calls, texts, emails and cards. 2025 saw an increased number of people being housebound, sick at home, in hospital, or having operations. For those diagnosed with dementia, there is a particular need for support for them and their carers, in what can be trying circumstances. A growing number of elderly church members have moved permanently into care homes and are supported by regular visits by members of the church fellowship, in addition to monthly services at Mountview and Cedar House.

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Many people in the church and in the community have found that prayer by members of the church fellowship has supported and comforted them. The distribution of the printed ‘Fellowship Post’ has continued to provide a vital link with the church for those without access to modern technology, distributed by volunteers who also chat with and check on the well-being of the recipients. The provision of meals and the ‘cake ministry’ continues to demonstrate the church’s love and care for those going through difficult times.

A transport coordinator organised volunteers to enable visits to medical appointments, vaccinations, and church services. Volunteers have also helped with shopping, posting letters and collecting prescriptions.

In the wider community, the Soar Valley Community Food Project continues to be actively supported by the church. The average number of food parcels given out per week was 51 in 2025. On behalf of the local authorities, the project has also administered an energy ‘top-up’ scheme. The project employs a Financial Coach who visits the distribution centres to support people with their personal and family budgets. Church members volunteer at the food bank, and the fellowship has given generous donations of food and money. One of the trustees is a church member.

Alison Godfrey

SEND

Our aim is to send out and support Christians here and in the wider world, so that others may hear and know God’s love in Jesus, and seek to be a church

with God’s heart for the nations. We therefore support a variety of organisations, some local, some in working in other countries. It is important for us not only to be concerned about our own spiritual life and witness, but to be outward looking in our prayers and our giving.

Giving Every year we give a tithe (see details on page 38), which is 10% of our church’s donations and tax recovery income. From this we give to:

Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS ) who support churches in the UK and Ireland, providing resources for leaders, children and young people’s work, run Christian holiday camps and are patrons of Rothley Church. They are crucial in appointing the vicar in Rothley.

Crosslinks who work to spread the gospel in many countries. Specifically, we support Jirka and Keira Kralovi who work with students in the Czech Republic, and also Brada and Yatza Radanovic in Serbia. In both these countries there is very little general awareness of the gospel message.

Tearfund who work with local churches and organisations in more than 50 countries to tackle the complex challenges of poverty. They work in church communities, refugee camps where those displaced by war and unrest have multiple needs, and with victims of disasters where emergency aid is needed. Tearfund also have a role in lobbying regarding climate change and pollution.

The Dioceses of Mount Kilimanjaro and Kiteto, Tanzania which have been linked with Leicester Diocese since 1982, and we actively take part in this link.

Local charities The Carpenter’s Arms, Loughborough, and Triangle, Leicester,

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help and support the homeless and also provide residential addiction services. Both charities have a strong Christian ethos.

15% of our tithe is reserved for discretionary giving. In 2025 we supported: Mothers’ Union Paul and Cathy Middleton, working in health care and aviation transport in Southern Africa The Oakes Holiday Centre Soar Valley Community Food Project CPAS School Ventures Serena Cook in her work for UCCF in Aberystwyth and Lampeter

We also collected for Christian Aid during their appeal week, and donations of food, toiletries and clothing were collected throughout the year for the Soar Valley Food Project and Triangle, the homeless charity based at Holy Trinity Church in Leicester.

Information and Prayer An essential part of our support is in praying, and to this end we facilitate information to stimulate our interest and inform our prayers. Every week one of the above organisations is featured in the Church Fellowship Post, usually as half a page of up-to-date information and specific topics for prayer. This year we also featured information and prayers on behalf of the persecuted church, modern slavery and the environment.

Our link mission partners with Crosslinks, Jirka and Kiera Kralovi in the Czech Republic and Brada and Yatsa Radanovic in Serbia, regularly send newsletters which are distributed via email to members of the congregation, together with hard copies, as are

occasional links to Tearfund and to Christian Aid.

Hearing directly from people and representatives of organisations we support is always a very valuable experience, not only enabling us to pray with greater understanding, but also in challenging us to likewise be active in our witness and service to God.

In the autumn term 2025 one of our past church members, Serena Cook, commenced employment with the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), supporting Christian Unions and students in Aberystwyth and Bangor, where a year ago she worked as a relay worker. Her role was in strengthening faith, and in mission, reaching students with the good news of Jesus. She regularly sends emails with her news and prayer requests to those members of the Church who have requested them, and many members have also contributed to her financial support. We are also contributing as a Church from our discretionary tithe.

The speaker we had booked from Tearfund in 2024 was unable to come, but we were very glad that Pete Dawson was able to visit in September this year and preach at both services telling us more about the work of that society in fighting poverty through local churches and their Transforming Communities programme. We were challenged to see how a local church can be a catalyst for change, “punching holes in the darkness”.

We also support local charities, and invited a speaker from Triangle. Our speaker, Bridget Patel, was unable to come in person, but sent us a video of the work which was shown at services

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in October. We support them regularly in prayer, and members of the church send a considerable quantity of men’s clothing and other requested items such a Christmas gift shoeboxes and hampers.

Our link with the church in Tanzania was strengthened through the Mothers’ Union when Bethuel, the new Bishop of Kiteto, and his wife, Agnes, visited Leicester after attending training for new bishops in Canterbury. Our Mothers’ Union supported the coffee morning arranged at The Church of the Martyrs, Leicester, when both Bishop Bethuel and Agnes spoke. We have been specifically supporting the Mothers’ Union in Kiteto in their campaign against child marriage and FGM which are still widely practiced in certain communities.

We trust that in these ways we have all been made more conscious of the needs of the world and about the work of God locally in Leicestershire, in the UK, and in the wider world, and that this has stimulated our prayers and involvement.

Margaret Leverment

CHOIR AND MUSIC

As we reach the end of another full and energetic year of worship, it’s a pleasure

to reflect on the music that has supported, strengthened and lifted our church family throughout 2025. Our music continues to be a blend of the familiar and the fresh: traditional hymns alongside more contemporary songs, each chosen with care to support the theme of the service and the spiritual journey of our congregation. That mix has always been our hallmark, and this year has been no exception.

We have continued to lean on the timeless beauty of our traditional hymns - pieces that feel like home the moment the first chord sounds. They anchor us, steady us, and provide that deep sense of continuity with all who have worshipped before us. Alongside these, we have also introduced a number of newer songs throughout the year. As ever, this has brought moments of excitement… and moments challenge! New music can sometimes cause uneasiness when people arrive at a service expecting to sing something familiar, only to face a song they’ve never heard before. I fully understand how that can feel; none of us like to feel out of step or unsure of what’s coming next. But, as we’ve seen time and time again, those very songs that raise eyebrows in week one often become firm favourites by week six. Once they settle into our repertoire, they begin to do exactly what they were brought in to do: speak into our worship in a fresh way, open up Scripture from a new angle, or give voice to something we didn’t realise needed saying. It’s a reminder that, as a church, we’re always learning - not just musically, but spiritually too. Growth sometimes means stretching a little, and music plays a remarkable role in gently moving us forward.

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One thing I’ve noticed more and more as the years go by is how the meaning of the words we sing can suddenly leap off the page. A phrase that we’ve sung hundreds of times can suddenly strike with real force - almost as if hearing it for the very first time. This has happened to me countless times this year, and I suspect many have felt it too. It’s one of the gifts of church music: it meets us differently depending on the season of life we’re in. The same hymn can comfort us one year, challenge us the next, and bring tears to our eyes the year after that. Before looking ahead, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in our music this year: to the choir, whose commitment brings depth and colour to so many Sundays; to our instrumentalists, who add texture and a real lift to our 11.00am services; and to the musicplanning team, whose unseen work shapes the flow of each service - your contribution is invaluable. You each play a vital part in helping our worship come alive, and I’m very grateful.

Looking ahead to 2026, my hope is that we continue building on this healthy blend of old and new. We’ll keep cherishing the classics that define our worship tradition, while also offering occasional new pieces that expand our repertoire and allow us to express our faith in fresh ways. I’ll always ensure that new music is introduced sensitively, with enough repetition to help it bed in, and always with the aim of enriching - not disrupting - our worship together.

So, as we close out 2025, I hope everyone feels encouraged by the direction of our music ministry. It continues to be a source of joy, unity and spiritual nourishment. Here’s to

another year of singing together - familiar words, new expressions, and the steady reminder that music remains one of the greatest gifts in our shared worship.

Simon Murphy

Handbells

The Rothley Handbell Ringers are delighted to be back ringing and would be happy to welcome new members.

This year we have been ringing our original set of grid music and very much enjoyed practising Christmas carols for our performance at the Rothley village light switch-on.

Prior to COVID, we had more members and were able to play a greater range of pieces from sheet music using our 3 octaves of bells.

We are actively working on building our numbers back up so that we can again extend our range of music. We are then hoping to go out into the community and play in retirement homes, care homes and schools.

We meet every Wednesday in church at 7pm and anyone interested is welcome to come along to see us and have a go.

Ruth Gilmore

BELL RINGERS

The past year has continued the positive trend set previously – very few occasions when it has not been possible to ring for services due to lack of numbers and also an excellent camaraderie within the Tower. Inevitably there have been some changes during the year, with a couple

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of ringers moving away (although one of whom returns when they can) and others giving ringing a rest.

place to enable the works to be undertaken in the new year.

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Under the guidance of our Ringing Master, the key message has been one of continual improvement, especially the methods ‘Plain Hunt’, ‘Grandsire’ and ‘Bob Doubles’. Emphasis has been given to listening and positioning, with improvements coming in small increments. All the ringers have set themselves specific goals for improvement in the next year.

CONDITION OF BELLS

The bells and the frames on which they are hung, were inspected by Taylor’s Bell Foundry early in the year in their annual contracted inspection. With some tightening of bolts etc, they were given a clean bill of health, other than a minor issue on the treble pulley box.

During the summer the tenor (heaviest) bell was noted to be requiring more physical effort to ring than should be the case. Bell Hangers from Taylor’s visited and identified that the bearings on that bell required attention – either repair or replacement. This work will require the use of heavy lifting equipment. In view of the length of time since the bearings on all the bells were last thoroughly inspected, Taylor’s recommended that it would be financially sensible for all the bells to be lifted from their frame for the bearings to be examined and repaired/replaced as necessary. This would stand the bells in good stead for decades to come.

A ’List B’ Faculty giving the Archdeacon’s approval to these works to be undertaken has been submitted and approved. A funding package is in

Following health and safety reviews, a contractor replaced the rope rail across the bell chamber from the door to the metal ladder which gives access to the top of the tower and flagpole. This is a more substantial and weight bearing solution.

More foot and hand holds have also been fitted in the bell chamber, which, along with a pair of lightweight step ladders, enable people to access each bell and bell pit more easily and safely. Finally, some floor planks in the bell chamber which had been loose or missing have been repaired/replaced.

TOWER OPEN FOR VISITORS

We have continued an ‘Open and Welcome’ approach for visitors, whether that be visiting ringers, others who are interested or just curious, or friends and relatives of members of the band. A number of curious visitors came up the tower on ‘Ride and Stride’ day. Amongst visiting ringers we also have two longstanding ringers who come when they are able to offer their support during practice nights. In all cases visitors are very welcome.

TURRET CLOCK

The Church clock is located in the belfry and wound by ringers. Unfortunately, it has not been functioning correctly for several months. The Parochial Church Council has agreed, in principle, for necessary repairs to take place and also, if possible, for the manual winding process to be replaced by an electric winder. This work will require a full Faculty and the Church Council has also

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asked that grant funding be pursued. This is underway.

A final word of thanks to both our team of ringers and also to the congregation member who ‘scales the heights’ to fly the union flag on appropriate occasions.

Charles Poole and Harry Longman

THE OLD SCHOOL ROOMS (OSR)

The Old School Rooms remain in regular use, both for church-initiated activities, and by local organisations. This year in particular, there has been an increase in use by village organisations for one-off events, mainly due to the closure of the Rothley Centre. One of our new clients is the monthly Film Club, who, although only a temporary booking at first, have said that they want the Old School Rooms to be their “permanent home”.

Bookings for birthday parties have remained constant, but with additional bookings comes the need for more maintenance. Both plumbing and electrical work has been needed – one of the dimmer switches in the main hall has been replaced; also the outside light above the main door (due to its age and the replacement bulbs no longer being available); the outside light in the yard has been replaced for a more powerful one; the radiator pipe in the kitchen sprung a leak; the dishwasher needed a major replacement part. All this was in addition to the regular servicing of items such as fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, boiler, cooker, gas heater and room dividers and PAT testing of electrical items.

Fortunately, the building in general is in good condition, but the rear doors still need attention.

We endeavour to demonstrate God’s love to our clients, by giving them a warm welcome, keeping the hall clean and well presented, and providing a link between the church and the wider community.

The usage is somewhat limited, with a maximum capacity of 60 (due to fire regulations) and the lack of a dedicated car park. Special hiring rates are available for church members using the hall for private events. All bookings can be made by email at: [e-mail] and the availability can be viewed in the diary on the church website under ‘About Us’ and then ‘Book Old School Rooms’.

Linda Poole

DEANERY AND DIOCESE

The Diocese of Leicester’s Bishops and Archdeacons, along with elected clergy and laity from across the diocese, make up the Diocesan Synod. Its role is to act as a forum for debate; to formulate policy; and to advise the Bishop of Leicester, where requested. Its meetings begin with worship and there is a Presidential Address from Bishop Martyn. A significant proportion of the discussion takes place relatively informally around tables and this helps all members of Synod to make a contribution to issues under consideration.

As last year, financial challenges have loomed large. The November 2025 diocesan synod ended up agreeing a large deficit budget for 2026 (£1.155m),

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albeit at a slightly reduced level from the previous year (£1.5m). Sadly, this means there will be a reduction in stipendiary clergy across the diocese from 92 to 90 for 2026. The Diocesan Secretary was, however, optimistic that a pending sale of land owned by the diocese could provide some light at the end of the tunnel. Time will tell!

The hugely important issue of safeguarding was discussed in some detail at our May Synod with Rachael Spiers, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, making a comprehensive presentation about both national policies and the ways in which safeguarding is a responsibility for all, not simply for the few. This is a topic which appears on every PCC agenda here at Rothley Parish Church, given its central importance. Safeguarding must never be seen as an optional extra. The May Synod also received a report from the Diocesan Board of Education, including their Annual Report and Accounts. The Diocesan Director of Education emphasised that, while a range of external indicators about attainment levels are highly important, the importance of character development based around Christian values must always remain a priority for Church of England schools.

The September 2025 Diocesan Synod was devoted to the highly divisive Living in Love and Faith proposals, which were sent down from General Synod to all diocesan synods for further discussion. There were a number of presentations about specific elements of LLF, but most of the time was devoted to informal round-table discussions. No formal vote was taken. There remains firm opposition within the diocese to proposals which are seen

to undermine the historic and global Anglican view of marriage and sexual ethics. The February 2026 General Synod will discuss this topic further; the outcome remains uncertain.

The advent of Minster Communities across the diocese has been monitored by Synod. By the end of 2025, only two such Communities were up and running. Others, however, are in the pipeline for consideration in early 2026, including the Minster Community in which Rothley will be located. A final decision by the Bishop and the Diocesan Board of Trustees is likely before Easter 2026. It is fair to point out that the process accompanying the transition to Minster Communities has generated a good deal of heat, especially in small rural communities. Levels of anxiety have often been high, but there is now a momentum to complete the process right across the diocese in the next year or so.

Rob Gladstone remains Area Dean for Goscote Deanery, a post he has held since 2006. Given the large number of vacancies in the Deanery, Rob’s workload as Area Dean has been particularly demanding in organising cover for services along with a wide range of associated pastoral, administrative and governance responsibilities. New linkages are developing which cut across deanery structures. Having said this, there will be a continuing need for Goscote Deanery to remain in existence for the immediate future because it is the legal entity for elections to both Diocesan and General Synod. The deanery highlight in 2025 was a wonderful service of baptism and confirmation at Rothley, led by Bishop Martyn, which included candidates from across the

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Deanery. It was a service full of praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing, a service that filled us all with new life and new hope!

David Wilson

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The purpose of Rothley Parochial Church Council (PCC), as set out in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended, is to co-operate with the incumbent, Rev Canon Rob Gladstone, in promoting in the parish of Rothley the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

Rothley Parish Church:

• offers Christian worship in the Anglican tradition

• maintains a village-wide pastoral care role

• supports the work of the village school through its governors and direct involvement

• maintains teaching and social activities for all age groups

• co-operates and works with other Christian denominations in the village for the benefit of the whole community

Rothley PCC is the guardian and maintainer of St Mary & St John Parish Church, a Grade II* listed building, actively promoting to the general public its significance and history through open events.

In planning and undertaking its work, Rothley PCC has taken account of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Two church services, of different style, are held every Sunday, with, in addition, a choral evensong once a month and a prayer meeting once a month. We continue to livestream one service each Sunday for the benefit of those who are not able to attend in person. Our weekly newsletter and service sheet, sent electronically or delivered to every church member, includes the order of service for the livestreamed worship.

In addition to the pastoral care provided by our Vicar, our Pastoral Co-ordinator also remains responsive to the needs of church members and other contacts in the village. Lifts are also offered to medical appointments and the like, and these are co-ordinated separately. Two groups of church members focus their pastoral support on the residents of the two care homes in the parish, through monthly services. A small bereavement visiting team is available to provide support, as appropriate, and an annual memorial service is held in church to particularly remember those who have died during the past year. Many church members provide pastoral care to neighbours and other church members, either under the auspices of the Pastoral Co-ordinator or informally. The pastoral care provided in the community is greatly valued by those who have been helped.

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Rothley Parish Church has a close relationship with the village school. Our Vicar supports the staff as they teach Religious Education, plan Collective Worship and embed the Christian ethos of the school. A team of four take turns to lead assemblies at the school each week and the pupils themselves lead assemblies in the church several times a year. We have also been pleased to welcome children and parents for class visits, special events and productions in the church. A church volunteer provides a weekly extra-curricular Christian activity group in school. The Growing Families WhatsApp group continues as a helpful forum for local families to be informed about church events.

A wide range of activities for all age groups took place week by week throughout the year. The narrative reports which form the first half of this Annual Report document provide details of these activities.

Our partnership with the Baptist Church in the Soar Valley Outreach project, particularly its foodbank ministry, continued to be very important during 2025, as energy and living costs remained high. We ask for donations of food or money at our Harvest Festival each year, but church members generously give food, funds and volunteer time to this ministry throughout the year.

Every year we organise the village Remembrance Day service in church, followed by wreath-laying at the village war memorial. At the end of November, we partner with the Baptist Church in providing entertainment when the village Christmas lights are switched on.

Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is recognised as a priority and is a standing item on PCC agendas.

The requirements of Health and Safety legislation are embedded in the Church’s procedures and budget for both the church building and the Old School Rooms. Health and Safety is a standing item on PCC agendas.

The ten-year Management and Maintenance Plan for the church and Old School Rooms is updated annually. Each year we apply to the government’s Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in order to recoup all allowable VAT costs on repairs to the church building.

An indication of the scale and importance of the contribution made by volunteers to the work of Rothley Parish Church is evident in the narrative reports of church activities which form the first part of this Annual Report. Their continued commitment has been invaluable, as has that of our employees.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the first time in at least 12 years, we recorded a significant deficit in the General Fund at the end of 2024, and we expected 2025 to be similar, if not worse. Indeed, income lagged behind budget until the very end of the year, when a very generous oneoff donation was gratefully received. The end result was that 2025 General Fund

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income exceeded 2024 by £2,219. General Fund expenditure was £3,587 lower than 2024. However, this was not sufficient to prevent a further deficit in 2025 of £4,869, but this was £5,806 lower than 2024 and considerably lower than the budgeted £13,641.

The Church’s principal source of funding for its general expenditure is the regular donations of its congregation, together with the related recovery of tax through Gift Aid and the additional relief available on cash donations through the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS). We remain grateful for the continued support and commitment to regular giving shown by our church members.

The most significant regular expenditure is the Parish Contribution to the Diocese of Leicester (£96,430, 57% of our General Fund expenditure in 2025), which supports all administration and ministry across the Diocese as well as providing funds to pay for clergy housing, stipends and pensions. The Parish Contribution is considered to be a gift offered by the parish and the amount must be decided by the PCC annually. However, in recent years the Diocese of Leicester has seen its total Parish Contribution income decline and is itself in deficit and going forward parishes, or groups of parishes, will be expected to contribute sufficient funds to cover the cost of their clergy. The Parish Contribution paid by Rothley Parish Church already more than covers the cost of our own clergy.

We continue to tithe our donations and associated tax recovery and distribute this to local, national and international Christian work, as detailed on page 40.

We made a low-key appeal for increased general giving in July. This had limited response, most likely for two reasons: the continued challenging financial environment and the ongoing appeal for improvements to our church building.

2025 has, at last, seen significant progress on the plans to improve the church building, by installing toilets, servery, upstairs meeting room, improved entrance porch and outside resurfacing. We received Faculty permission for the work during the summer, subject to local authority permission being granted for the external resurfacing work outside the porch. Our application for a Lawful Development Certificate, submitted in July 2024, was eventually refused in the summer of 2025 and we were advised that we needed to apply for planning permission. This application was made in August 2025, and we wait to hear the outcome. We were able to go out to tender for the project in the autumn, with the results due in January 2026. The potential cost of the project has been rising during this time of waiting and further fundraising may be necessary for this project, so we remain unable to adequately address the issue of giving to the General Fund.

The contactless card machine, installed in the church in 2024, has proved popular and useful for general church donations as well as giving to the Church Building Improvements Fund and other specific causes at special events and funerals. The transaction costs are recorded as fundraising costs in the General Fund.

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Having six people working together as a treasury team provides the capacity to monitor budgets and contracts, and control expenditure, as well as providing good internal controls in our financial procedures.

We continue to base the remuneration of our regular part-time employees on the Living Wage Foundation’s Voluntary Real Living Wage, which is considerably higher than the government’s National Living Wage and is independently calculated each year to ensure it keeps pace with any increase in the cost of living.

We are particularly grateful for special donations from church members during 2025 for the refurbishment of the Garden of Remembrance and the lychgate; for Bibles for presentation to children at baptisms; and for additional cushions for the church pews.

FUND OVERVIEW

Rothley Parish Church held a balance of £509,058 at 31 December 2025, made up as follows:

Fund Overview	31/12/2025 £	31/12/2024 £	31/12/2024
Unrestricted Funds General Fund 68,090 72,697 (Unrestricted) Designated Funds Church Building Improvements Fund 135,097 130,496 Church Maintenance Fund 1,227 (283) Heritage Events Fund - 307 Old School Rooms Maintenance Fund 75 72 Organ & Music Fund 13,812 12,741 Parish Evangelism Fund 75,329 75,181 Training Fund 10,942 10,525 Total Unrestricted Funds 304,572 301,736 Restricted Funds Children & Families Restricted Fund 16,475 14,428 Church Building Improvements Restricted Fund 180,308 157,816 Goscote Deanery Fund 972 989 Youth Fund 6,732 6,593 Total Restricted Funds 204,487 179,826
Total funds 509,059 481,562

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GENERAL FUND

General Fund	2025	2024
	£	£
Income:
Donations	119,677	116,187
Tax recovery	23,718	26,031
Special donations	394	-
Grants	623	1,185
Trading & fees	3,760	2,213
Old School Rooms	6,994	6,506
Investments & Feed-in Tariff	8,633	9,436
Other income	-	21
Total income	163,799	161,579
Expenditure:
Fundraising costs	56	513
Tithe for mission	14,339	14,222
Parish Contribution	96,430	96,430
Staff salaries/payments	18,658	17,740
Clergy & staff expenses	3,189	2,301
Mission & evangelism	985	355
Church costs	20,455	24,234
Church utilities	3,749	3,710
Old School Rooms	10,206	12,180
Governance	600	570
Total expenditure	168,667	172,255
Surplus/deficit of income	(4,868)	(10,676)
Net transfers to/from other funds	262	(356)
Balance brought forward at 1 January	72,696	83,728
Balance at 31 December	68,090	72,696

General Fund income amounted to £163,799 in 2024, £3,131 above expectations and £2,219 more than the 2024 total, due to a very generous one-off donation at the end of the year.

General Fund expenditure was £168,667, 2.1% (£3,588) lower than in 2024 and 3.2% below budget expectations. While most expenditure items rose slightly, operating costs for the church and Old School Rooms were £5,753 lower than in 2024.

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Although encouraging, the increased income and decreased expenditure did not prevent a further deficit in 2025, albeit much smaller than expected. The 2025 deficit is £4,868, compared to the anticipated £13,641.

GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026

The budget for 2026 is, again, a deficit budget, but smaller than the actual deficit in 2025. The most significant factor is the reduction in the Parish Contribution offer that we felt able to make to the Diocese for 2026. We have paid £96,430 each year since 2020, but since 2024 we have been spending far more than our income and we need to work towards a balanced budget each year. The Parish Contribution is part of our regular general expenditure, so it needs to be sustainable year on year. Future Parish Contribution offers are likely to need to be coordinated with the other churches in the Minster Community that we are due to join because, between us, we will need to ensure we can cover the costs of the stipendiary ministers in our group of churches.

General Fund Budget for 2026	£
Income:
Donations	116,783
Tax recovery	24,239
Trading & fees	3,307
Old School Rooms	6,219
Investments & Feed-in Tariff	6,871
Total income	157,419
Expenditure:
Fundraising costs	53
Tithe for mission	14,102
Parish Contribution	85,755
Staff salaries/payments	20,110
Clergy & staff expenses	3,715
Mission & evangelism	1,638
Church costs	20,726
Church utilities	3,140
Old School Rooms	10,462
Governance	626
Total expenditure	160,327
Budgeted surplus/(deficit)	(2,908)

RESERVES POLICY

The PCC’s Reserves Policy (reviewed in March each year) requires the holding of unrestricted reserves equal to three months’ general running costs and an additional three months’ salary costs. Any surplus reserves are to be committed to planned

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expenditure in line with long-term strategy. In 2026 the amount required in the General Fund is £49,588, which includes £2,909 to cover the budgeted year end deficit. At 31 December 2025 the PCC held £68,090 in the unrestricted General Fund, £9,586 of which is remaining legacy funds to be used for repair work on the church bells in January 2026. Discounting the legacy balance, there remains £58,504 in free reserves in the General Fund at 31[st] December 2025, which is sufficient to meet our Reserves Policy.

INVESTMENTS

The PCC has opted for a no-risk strategy. The Church holds a 60-day notice account and four 12-month fixed rate saver accounts, one maturing each quarter, with Shawbrook Bank, which runs the accounts on behalf of CAF Bank. The PCC restricts its investment with Shawbrook Bank in order to be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Our remaining funds are held in the Central Board of Finance Church of England Deposit Fund, which is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, but has a good credit rating.

FUTURE PLANS

We hope that our long-awaited church building improvements will come to fruition in 2026. However, rising costs during the period we have been waiting for the necessary permissions mean that funding will be a challenge.

The Diocese of Leicester is restructuring its patterns of ministry for all churches. During 2024 and 2025, discussions were held with clergy and laity from nine other local Church of England churches, with a view to forming a Minster Community. The Diocese describes a Minster Community as a community of parishes who work together in mission (without losing their individual identity) . During 2026 we expect these proposals to be formally presented to each PCC in the group in order to decide whether we form a Minster Community together.

Rothley Parish Church has been encouraged to become involved in the new Broadnook Garden Village adjoining the boundary of Rothley since building began in the second half of 2024. The encouragement has come from the developers and from the other two parishes that have a border with the new development but are separated from it by road or railway. Our vicar has become a member of the Broadnook Community Trust, and he and our curate are now members of its Events Subgroup whose role is to arrange activities to build a sense of community in the new village. Our ultimate aim is to establish a Christian gathering there too and we are praying that this will happen.

We continue to be challenged to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to an increasingly secular society.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Church, as identified by the PCC, are split into four areas:

• operational

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• regulatory

• governance

• financial

Operational risks of Health and Safety, employment and Safeguarding are identified and managed by named individuals or sub-committees who report as necessary to the PCC.

Through Diocesan resources, the PCC is updated on regulatory and governance requirements, which are then assessed and actioned accordingly.

The PCC recognises that the main financial risks and uncertainties arise from the need to maintain the church fabric and organ, while also investing in the future life of the Church in order to address our priorities.

Day-to-day risks and uncertainties are managed through the Finance Committee who handle the Church’s finances, regularly reporting to the PCC and providing advice as appropriate.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Rothley PCC is governed by two pieces of Church of England legislation, called Measures:

• Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended

• Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended)

The PCC is a corporate body with charitable status. It comprises both those elected by members of the Church Electoral Roll and others who sit on the PCC by virtue of a particular office they hold within the Church. The PCC meets six times a year.

The PCC has several sub-committees and working groups, both of which also draw in other members of the congregation, covering different aspects of the Church’s work. At least one member of the PCC usually sits on each sub-committee and reports to the PCC. The sub-committees are:

• Business (which sets the agenda for PCC meetings)

• Finance

• Operations

The working groups are:

• Church Building Improvements

• Communications

• Discipleship

• Evangelism

• Send

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Each year, soon after new members are elected to the PCC at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, an induction evening is held to help new trustees understand their role. All PCC members are expected to attend. Useful written resources are given to trustees as background support to their role.

The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding how funds are spent.

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Name of charity: The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary & St John, Rothley

Registered working name: Rothley Parish Church Charity number: 1133832 Address: The Old School Rooms 3 School Street Rothley Leicester LE7 7RA

Trustees: Rob Gladstone Vicar (Chair) [ex-officio] Sneha Ninan Curate [ex-officio] from 29/6/25 Lisa Cook Churchwarden [ex-officio] from 6/4/25 Nigel Willey Churchwarden [ex-officio] Linda Poole Also Deanery Synod representative Ray Prince Also Deanery Synod representative David Wilson Also Deanery Synod representative Susan Wilson Also Deanery Synod representative Liz Barker Richard Croker Chris Garnett Helen Jones Margaret Leverment Alison Parkinson Susan Pinkus Margaret Rouse

The following members served as trustees during part of 2025 only: Susie Clark to 10/11/25 Wendy Ferguson to 6/4/25 Wendy Lewis to 6/4/25 Fred Sleath to 6/4/25

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Bankers: NatWest 1 Granby Street Leicester LE1 6EJ

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Independent Examiner: Scott Bradford BSc ACA Newby Castleman, Chartered Accountants 6 Forest Road Loughborough LE11 3NP

The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by Rothley Parochial Church Council on 9[th] March 2026.

Signed on its behalf:

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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Balance Sheet at 31 December 2025 31/12/2025 31/12/2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Current assets:
Debtors (Note 10)	6,934	5,140
Cash at bank and in hand	522,059	494,257
Total	528,993	499,397
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	19,935	17,834
(Note 11)
Net assets:	509,058	481,563
Located:
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund	68,090	72,697
(Unrestricted) Designated Funds
Church Building Improvements Fund	135,097	130,496
Church Maintenance Fund	1,227	(283)
Heritage Events Fund	-	307
Old School Rooms Maintenance Fund	75	72
Organ & Music Fund	13,812	12,741
Parish Evangelism	75,329	75,181
Training	10,942	10,525
Total Unrestricted Funds	304,572	301,736
Restricted Funds
Children & Families Restricted Fund	16,475	14,428
Church Building Improvements Fund	180,308	157,816
Goscote Deanery Fund	972	989
Youth Fund	6,732	6,593
Total Restricted Funds	204,487	179,826
Total funds	509,059	481,562

The accounts were approved by Rothley Parochial Church Council on 9[th] March 2026.

Signed on its behalf:

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Statement of Financial Activities 1 January to 31 December 2025	Unrestricted funds General Fund £	Unrestricted Designated funds £	Restricted funds £	Totals 2025 Totals 2024 £ £
Income: Donations 119,677 5,000 11,685 136,362 208,706 Tax recovery 23,718 1,000 1,092 25,810 47,478 Special donations 394 - - 394 - Grants 623 818 4,750 6,191 39,760 Fundraising events - - 131 131 724 Trading & fees 3,760 1,600 3,569 8,929 7,232 Old School Rooms 6,994 - - 6,994 6,506 Investments & Feed-in Tariff 8,633 9,102 7,249 24,984 21,609 Other income - - 1,353 1,353 21 Total income 163,799 17,520 29,829 211,148 332,036 Expenditure: Fundraising costs 56 - - 56 1,512 Tithe & other awards 14,339 - 48 14,387 14,222 Parish Contribution 96,430 - - 96,430 96,430 Staff salaries/payments 18,658 - - 18,658 17,740 Clergy & staff expenses 3,189 - - 3,189 2,301 Mission & evangelism 985 3,180 5,121 9,286 9,967 Church costs 20,455 6,636 - 27,091 55,570 Church utilities 3,749 - - 3,749 3,710 Old School Rooms 10,206 - - 10,206 12,180 Governance 600 - - 600 570 Total expenditure 168,667 9,816 5,169 183,652 214,202 Surplus/deficit of income (4,868) 7,704 24,660 27,496 117,834 Transfers between funds (details below) 262 (262) - - - Balance brought forward at 1 January 72,696 229,039 179,828 481,563 363,729 Balances at 31 December 68,090 236,481 204,488 509,059 481,563

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Transfers between funds 1 January to 31 December 2025	Unrestricted funds	Unrestricted Designated funds	Unrestricted Designated funds	Restricted funds
	General Fund	Church Maintenance	Heritage Events	Children & Families Restricte d
	£	£	£	£
Transfer from Heritage
Events Fund to General
Fund as agreed by PCC
10/3/25	310		(310)
Transfer from General Fund
(legacies) to Church
Maintenance Fund for
outdoor AV equipment as
agreed byPCC 21/11/22	(48)	48
NET	262	48	(310)	-
Location of funds:		£			£
Nat West Stewardship Account:		34,587	Debtors*:		6,934
CAF Bank General Account & cash:		20,254
CBF Deposit Fund:		374,810	Creditors*:		19,935
CAF 60 Day Notice Savings Account		11,242
CAF 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver Account		20,180
CAF 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver A/c 2		20,321
CAF 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver A/c 3		20,763
CAF 12 Month Fixed Rate Saver A/c 4		19,901
Net creditors		(13,001)
Total		509,057

*For details of Debtors and Creditors see page 39.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR

1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. Accounting Policies

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The accrual accounting method has been used and the financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and in accordance with Charities SORP (FRS 102). Rothley Parish Church is a public benefit entity, as defined by FRS 102. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as an ongoing concern.

FUND ACCOUNTING

Rothley Parish Church holds both unrestricted and restricted income funds:

• The General Fund is unrestricted and may be used for any of the Church’s charitable aims.

Some unrestricted funds have been designated by the Trustees for certain purposes :

• Church Building Improvements Fund : for costs incurred in exploring the possibility of improving the inside of the church building

• Church Maintenance Fund : for non-routine maintenance of the church building and contents

• Heritage Events Fund : to fulfil our 10-year commitment, which began at the beginning of 2015, to the Heritage Lottery Fund to promote the heritage of the church building. This fund has been wound up in 2025.

• Old School Rooms Maintenance Fund : for non-routine maintenance of the Old School Rooms and its contents

• Organ & Music Fund : part allocation of the PCC fees from each wedding designated for use by the Organist and Music Leader, particularly to maintain the organ

• Parish Evangelism Fund : for outreach, particularly to the new housing estates in the village and the Broadnook development

• Training Fund : for training of church members, particularly in evangelism

These funds are classified as unrestricted because the Trustees are able to change their designation if thought necessary .

Some funds are restricted because their use is limited by the intentions of the donors:

• Children & Families Restricted Fund : donations and grant income specifically for ministry among children and families in the parish

• Church Building Improvements Fund : for specific donations for the Church Building Improvements project

• Goscote Deanery Fund : funds under the control of Goscote Deanery Synod and required to be held under the care of the Area Dean’s Church

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• Youth Fund : donations and grant income for ministry among youth in the parish

INCOME

• Income from church collections, donations and legacies is recognised when received into our bank account.

• Tax recoverable on Gift Aid is recognised when the relevant income is received into our bank account.

• Additional relief under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) is recognised when the relevant income is received into our bank account.

• Income from grants is generally recognised when received.

• Bank interest is recognised when received.

• Income from rental of the church field is recognised when the rental is due.

• Income earned from the solar panels on the church roof through the Feed-in Tariff programme is recognised when it is received.

VOLUNTEERS

Rothley Parish Church acknowledges the vital role of its many unpaid general volunteers in carrying out its charitable activities. Members of the congregation assist in ministry, administration and practical tasks.

EXPENDITURE

• The Parish Contribution to the Diocese of Leicester is accounted for as a cost.

• Tithe donations for mission, calculated at one-tenth of the Church’s income from general donations, Gift Aid tax recovered and GASDS relief, are accounted for when they become due.

FIXED ASSETS

• Rothley Parish Church has complete maintenance responsibility for its church building and church hall, as well as lesser responsibility for its churchyard and vicarage. However, consecrated land and buildings, and benefice property, are excluded from the accounts by Section 10 (2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 and the costs of their maintenance or improvement are shown as expenditure in the accounts.

• All other fixtures, fittings and equipment are written off as expenditure at the time of purchase.

DEBTORS

The debtors shown on the Statement of Financial Activities for 2025 comprise:

• Gift Aid tax recoverable and GASDS receipts due on donations received in October, November and December 2025

• Late payments for hire of the Old School Rooms

• Cash payments for tickets for the Christmas pantomime not banked until after the end of the year

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CREDITORS

The creditors shown on the Statement of Financial Activities for 2025 comprise payments relating to 2025 but invoiced or paid shortly after the end of the year, as well as the balance of our tithe gifts for mission, the exact amount of which cannot be finalised until the sum of all donations, tax recoverable through Gift Aid and relief obtained through GASDS, is established.

2. Analysis of income

----- Start of picture text -----
Income General Designated Restricted Total 2025 Total 2024
Fund Funds Funds
£ £ £ £ £
Donations 119,677 5,000 11,685 136,362 208,706
Tax recovery 23,718 1,000 1,092 25,810 47,478
Special donations 394 - - 394 -
Grants 623 818 4,750 6,191 39,760
Fundraising events - - 131 131 724
PCC & activity fees 3,039 1,600 3,569 8,208 6,702
Trading: hospitality,
copying, sale of books 721 - - 721 530
Old School Rooms
rentals 6,994 - - 6,994 6,506
Interest 2,596 9,102 7,249 18,947 15,081
Rental of church field
& churchyard
- -
wayleave 1,383 1,383 1,380
Feed-in Tariff 4,654 - - 4,654 5,149
Other income - 1,353 1,353 21
Total 163,799 17,520 29,829 211,148 332,037
----- End of picture text -----

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3. Analysis of expenditure

----- Start of picture text -----
Expenditure General Designated Restricted
Fund Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Fundraising costs 56 - 56 1,512
Tithe & other awards 14,339 - 48 14,387 14,222
Parish Contribution 96,430 - - 96,430 96,430
-
Staff salaries/payments 18,658 18,658 17,740
-
Clergy & staff expenses 3,189 3,189 2,301
Mission & evangelism 985 3,180 5,121 9,286 9,967
Church costs 20,455 6,636 - 27,091 55,570
Church utilities 3,749 - - 3,749 3,710
Old School Rooms 10,206 - - 10,206 12,180
Governance 600 - - 600 570
Total 168,667 9,816 5,169 183,652 214,202
----- End of picture text -----

4. Tithe gifts for mission 2025

Tithe gifts for mission 2025	£
Church Pastoral Aid Society (mission in UK & Ireland)	3,585
Crosslinks (international mission)	3,298
Tearfund (international relief and development)	2,438
Link Dioceses of Mount Kilimanjaro & Kiteto, Tanzania	1,434
The Carpenter’s Arms, Loughborough (drug & alcohol rehabilitation)	717
Triangle (Christian outreach to homeless people in Leicester)	717
Paul & Cathy Middleton (health care in Southern Africa)	535
Mothers’ Union (Christian concern for families worldwide)	535
Soar Valley Community Food Project, Rothley	535
The Oakes Holiday Centre, Sheffield (Christian holidays for children &
teenagers)	200
UCCF: The Christian Unions via Serena Cook CU Staff Worker	346
Total	14,340

5. Trustees’ remuneration & benefits

One trustee received remuneration during 2025 from employment by Rothley Parish Church as follows:

• Ray Prince, Sound Operator fees for six funerals and one wedding: £210

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6. Trustees’ expenses

No expenses have been incurred by trustees during 2025 in respect of their role as trustees.

7. Related party transactions

The only related party transactions during 2025 are listed under note 5.

8. Independent examination fees

The fee payable to the Independent Examiner for his work on these accounts is £600. This amount has been accrued as a creditor.

9. Employees

Rothley Parish Church employed the following staff during 2025:

• Part-time Administrator

• Part-time Premises Officer for the Old School Rooms

• Part-time Church Cleaner

• Two casual employees as sound operator for funerals and weddings

• One casual employee as verger for funerals and weddings

No employees received payments of over £60,000.

10. Debtors

----- Start of picture text -----
Debtors 31/12/2025 31/12/2024
£ £
Gift Aid & GASDS 6,157 4,178
Funeral fees - 199
OSR hire 227 337
Feed-in Tariff 2024 quarter 4 - 426
Pantomime tickets 550 -
Total 6,934 5,140
----- End of picture text -----

11. Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year:

Creditors	31/12/2025	31/12/2024
	£	£
Balance of tithe	10,539	5,522
Accruals	4,089	11,438
PAYE Creditor	167	48
Agencycollections	5,140	826
Total	19,935	17,834

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12. Old School Rooms

Old School Rooms	2025 £	2024 £
Rental income	6,994	6,506
Expenditure:
Utilities	3,376	3,298
Cleaning	3,931	3,744
Maintenance	2,689	4,818
Consumables & other costs Total	209 10,205	320 12,180
Operating surplus/(deficit)	(3,211)	(5,674)

The Old School Rooms is used extensively by the Church and also let out to the local community when available. It is not intended to make a profit. In 2025 the hall proved very popular with both church groups and outside hirers and brought in an excellent income contribution, which helped significantly towards its running and maintenance costs. The hall is a very comfortable venue and remains a huge asset to the Church. As well as incidental repairs and regular safety checks, the front and rear outside lighting was improved this year.

13. Church Building Improvements Designated Fund

Church Building Improvements Fund	2025	2024
	£	£
Income:
Grants		704
Bank interest	5,165	4,582
Total income	5,165	5,286
Expenditure:
Fundraising costs		999
Planning & building inspection applications	564	217
Total expenditure	564	1,216
Surplus/(Deficit)	4,601	4,070
Balance brought forward at 1 January	130,493	126,423
Balance at 31 December	135,094	130,493

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In 2024 we were advised to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate from the local authority for the relaying of the tarmac footpath and car parking area around the church which is part of the Church Building Improvements project. The application was submitted in July 2024 and eventually refused in the summer of 2025. We were then informed that we needed to apply for planning permission for this work, which we did in August 2025 and we await the outcome. However, in the summer of 2025 we received Faculty permission for the project, subject to receiving planning permission for the exterior resurfacing, and we were able to go out to tender for the project in the autumn, with the results due in January 2026. As part of the preparation process we had to apply for a Building Regulations plan check in December.

14. Church Maintenance Fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Church Maintenance Fund 2025 2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Income:
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme	161	4,743
Bank interest	48	349
Donations for projects (including tax recovery)	6,000	-
Total income	6,209	5,092
Expenditure:
Architect's fees for Quinquennial Inspection 2020 work	-	1,639
Quinquennial Inspection 2020 work	-	25,182
Equipment for outdoor PA system	48	356
Renovation of Garden of Remembrance	3,810
Repair of lychgate	888
Total expenditure	4,746	27,177
Surplus/(Deficit)	1,463	(22,085)
Transfer from General Fund (legacies) for outdoor AV	48	356
Balance brought forward at 1 January	(283)	21,446
Balance at 31 December	1,228	(283)

We were delighted and very grateful to receive a generous anonymous donation to renovate the Garden of Remembrance. The Boxwood surrounding hedge had died and needed replacing. The area was thoroughly treated before a new Yew hedge was planted. The donation also enabled repair of the lychgate. A further small purchase of outdoor AV equipment was funded from legacies during 2025.

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15. Heritage Events Fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Heritage Events Fund 2025 2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Income:
Bank interest	3	12
Total income	3	12
Expenditure:
Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust event	-	56
Total expenditure	-	56
Surplus/(Deficit)	3	(44)
Balance brought forward at 1 January	306	350
Transferred to General Fund 10/3/25	(310)	-
Balance at 31 December	(1)	306

Having fulfilled our 10-year commitment to the Heritage Lottery Fund to promote the heritage of the church building, the balance in this designated fund was returned to the General Fund to leave a zero balance and the fund wound up in 2025.

16. Organ & Music Fund

Organ & Music Fund	2025	2024
	£	£
Income:
Grants	657	128
PCC wedding fees	505	11
Bank interest	530	524
Total income	1,692	663
Expenditure:
Repair of pedal chest in organ	-	3,156
Tuning and maintenance	622	787
Total expenditure	622	3,943
Surplus/(Deficit)	1,070	(3,280)
Balance brought forward at 1 January	12,740	16,020
Balance at 31 December	13,810	12,740

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17. Parish Evangelism Fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Parish Evangelism Fund 2025 2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Income:
Donation (barbecue) *	-	20
Income from Christmas pantomime	1,095	717
Bank interest	2,937	2,724
Total income	4,032	3,461
Expenditure:
Banners & booklets for events	-	437
Picnic (3 in 2023)	-	368
Party in the Park	-	75
Macmillan coffee morning	-	18
Christmas pantomime 2024	84	2,659
Christmas pantomime 2025	2,322	-
Carol singing	-	7
Broadnook	508	83
Hope Explored	149	-
School Saltmine production	660	-
Website	162	-
Total expenditure	3,885	3,647
Surplus/(Deficit)	147	(186)
Balance brought forward at 1 January	75,182	75,388
Transfer to Children & Families Fund (correction) *	-	(20)
Balance at 31 December	75,329	75,182

The activities undertaken in 2025 were: Hope Explored, a Saltmine Theatre activity day for the village Primary School, a Christmas pantomime, various events on Broadnook Garden Village and a new Church website.

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18. Children & Families Restricted Fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Children & Families Restricted Fund 2025 2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Income:
Donations	1,225	1,240
Gift Aid tax recovered	306	310
Activity fees	3,569	4,291
Bank interest	585	496
Little Fishes balance incoming	1,353	-
Total income	7,038	6,337
Expenditure:
Donation to St George's House, Devon	48	-
Mission & evangelism	4,943	5,894
Total expenditure	4,991	5,894
Surplus/(Deficit)	2,047	443
Balance brought forward at 1 January	14,428	13,965
Transfer from Parish Evangelism Fund (correction)	-	20
Balance at 31 December	16,475	14,428

Our Little Fishes Baby and Toddler Group historically had its own bank account with Santander until October, when monthly charges were introduced and the group and the PCC agreed that all funds would be handled by the Church general bank account. A balance of £1,353 was transferred in and all income and expenditure is now recorded in the Children & Families Restricted Fund. The PCC Treasurer was already Treasurer of Little Fishes, so the transfer was straightforward. Little Fishes’ income and expenditure continues to be separately monitored for the group’s information.

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19. Church Building Improvements Restricted Fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Church Building Improvements Restricted Fund 2025 2024
£ £
----- End of picture text -----

Income:
Donations	10,460	91,259
Gift Aid tax recovered	786	21,137
Grants	4,750	33,000
Fundraising events	131	724
Bank interest	6,365	2,847
Total income	22,492	148,967
Expenditure:	-	-
Surplus/(Deficit)	22,492	148,967
Balance brought forward at 1 January	157,816	8,849
Balance at 31 December	180,308	157,816

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20. Legacies

Legacies
	£
Received:
Legacy from the late Pat Foulds received 18/6/19	255,745
Final payment from the late Pat Foulds received 13/7/20	191
Legacy from the late Lady Isobel Barnett received 25/1/22	72,543
Total received	328,479
Allocated:
OSR refurbishment (2020)	20,000
Audio-visual improvements (2020)	22,303
Dimmer switches on church lighting (2020)	4,665
Audio-visual improvements (2021)	4,520
OSR refurbishment (2021)	6,216
OSR refurbishment (2022)	1,562
Church Buildings Improvements (2022)	125,000
Pew cushions for church (2022)	780
Outdoor audio-visual equipment (2022)	1,007
Audio-visual improvements (2022)	3,054
Outdoor audio-visual equipment (2023)	55
Removal of boiler house (balance) & Quinquennial 2020 repairs	37,000
Evangelism Fund	75,000
Training Fund	10,000
OSR refurbishment (2023)	7,328
Outdoor audio-visual equipment (2024)	356
Outdoor audio-visual equipment (2025)	48
Total allocated	318,894
Balance remaining to be allocated at 31/12/25	9,585

The PCC received two legacies, in the period 2019 to 2022. A further small amount has been spent during 2025 on outdoor AV equipment. The balance has been earmarked for the treatment of woodworm in the rood screen and the repair of the church bells in 2026.

21. Additional small Fund held by the Diocese of Leicester

Chancel Repair Fund

The value of the Fund at 31 December 2025 was £323. This Fund cannot be closed.

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

to The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary & St John, Rothley

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 that are set out on pages 33 to 47.

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,

• follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 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 you as 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:

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

3. • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

have not been met; or

1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

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Rothley Parish Church, Registered Charity 1133832

Annual Report & Accounts 2025

Scott Bradford BSc FCA Newby Castleman Chartered Accountants 6 Forest Road Loughborough LE11 3NP 20[th] April 2026

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