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2025-12-31-accounts

Annual Report & Financial Statements The Parochial Church Council of Malvern Link with Cowleigh Year ending 31st December 2025

Priest-in-Charge: Reverend James Williams

Bank:

CAF Bank Ltd.

Independent Examiner:

Mr Ian Jarvis The Guesten 15 College Green

Worcester. WR1 2LH

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements malvem link with cowleigh malvem link with cowleigh Prayer for a Year of Discernment Loving God, As we journey together in faith. guide us by Your grace and wisdom. Fill our hearts wtth gratitude for Your endles5 blessing& Strenthen our hope when the path is unclear, and grant us resilience in times of trial. Allow us to embrace our vulnerabilty, and to be fully open to Your leading, As we walk this path of discernment together, help us to trust in Your love every step of the VRY. R We journey together into discernment with grateful hearts. enduring hope. resilience through trials. and a vulnerability that welcomes God's presence. through Jesus Chrirt our Lord All Amen

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Table of Contents

1. Pastoral Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Pastoral Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Worship, Mission & Service ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Pattern of Worship ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 9:45am Parish Eucharist: Traditional Sung Eucharist ............................................................................................................................................... 6
3.3 11:15am Sunday Worship: Contemporary Worship at St Peter’s ...................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Children and Families Services ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.5 Taizé Contemplative Worship at The Church of the Ascension ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.6 Thursday 10:30am Said Eucharist at St Matthias Church ....................................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 Seasons and Special Service .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.8 Worship Statistics ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.9 Advent Schools Services: ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.10 Advent/ Christmas Services: ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.11 Ministry Team .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
3.12 Pastoral Ministry .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
3.13 Pastoral Team Members ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3.14 Occasional Offices .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.15 Readers / ALM Report ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.16 Music and Choir Report .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
3.17 Sacristans Report ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
4. NextGeneration (Children, Youth, Families) ............................................................................................................................ 11
4.1 Collective Worship ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Dyson Perrins. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
4.3 Experience Events ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
4.4 Family Club ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
4.5 Youth Club ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
4.6 Monday Tots .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
4.7 School Governance ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
5. Outreach Work to People Living with Dementia ..................................................................................................................... 14
6. Community Fridge ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15
7. Mothers Union .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15
8. Bereavement Café ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
9. Zero X 30 Group (Eco Church) .................................................................................................................................................. 16
10. Reredos ‘Adoration of the Three Wise Men. ............................................................................................................................ 16
11. Buildings and Fabric ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
11.1 Church of the Ascension ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
11.2 St Peters Church ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
11.3 Maintenance and Churchyards ................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
11.4 St. Matthias Church ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
12. Safeguarding Report .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
13. Finance Report ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
13.1 Reserves Policy .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
13.2 Restricted and Endowment Funds ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
13.3 Designated Funds .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
13.4 Investments ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
13.5 Bank Accounts ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
14. Structure, Governance, Management and Administration ..................................................................................................... 23
15. Malvern Link with Cowleigh Electoral Role .............................................................................................................................. 24
16. Administrative Information ........................................................................................................................................................ 25
17. End of Year Financial Statements .............................................................................................................................................. 26

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

1. Pastoral Introduction

In 2025 we embarked on a year of discernment, intentionally setting out to draw closer to God and to seek his direction for the years ahead. In my eagerness to move forward, I had hoped we might condense a year into six to eight months. I soon realised how mistaken I was. Discernment cannot be hurried. It asks us to slow down, to listen, and to allow God to shape us before we attempt to shape the future.

Discernment is not always easy to define. In Scripture it speaks both of understanding the will of God and of growing in wisdom. In Romans 12, Paul exhorts us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may be able to test and approve what is the will of God, his good, pleasing and perfect will. This offers a helpful lens through which to understand what God has been doing among us as we have sought his direction.

It would be fair to say that during this time we have not experienced many moments of sudden clarity or dramatic revelation. Instead, God seems to have been at work in more subtle ways, gradually transforming and renewing our minds, so that over time we might grow in wisdom and insight, and begin to understand more clearly both the will of God and our place within it.

Throughout this year, we have begun to recognise signs of that direction. New people have come through the doors of our churches, some ready to serve, others exploring faith and seeking to understand the hope we have in God. There has also been a subtle shift within our ministry team, as people have discerned callings to different roles within our church, and others have been called to serve the wider church. At the same time, we have become more aware of our strengths and our weaknesses, recognising in particular the need to strengthen our sense of community and to rediscover the fellowship we share with one another.

Through this process, I believe we are beginning to recognise that God has already given us many of the people and resources we need for the road ahead. During our weeks of prayer in the autumn, we reflected on Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:35–38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” These words remind us that this has always been the case. There has always been more work than workers, yet the Lord of the harvest has access to more labourers than we can see. We are instructed not simply to do more ourselves, but to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into his field.

As we look to the future, this remains part of our ongoing discernment: recognising how God is shaping our circumstances, serving him faithfully with the gifts entrusted to us, and bearing witness to those who are seeking to understand the hope we have, while trusting that God will continue to provide what we need to share his love.

Revd James Williams

Eastertide 2026

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

2. Executive Summary

This year has been one of steady ministry, faithful service, and continued development across Malvern Link with Cowleigh. Across our churches and communities, we have sought to deepen worship, strengthen relationships, and respond to local needs with compassion and creativity.

Our life together has been supported by a wide range of ministries, volunteers, and community partnerships. Work with children, young people, and families continues to grow, alongside pastoral care, outreach initiatives, and community engagement. Several ministries have adapted to changing circumstances, while new opportunities have emerged, reflecting both resilience and openness to where God is leading us.

We continue to face challenges, particularly around finances, buildings, and the demands of maintaining three historic churches. However, through careful stewardship, grant funding, and generous giving, we have been able to sustain our mission and ministry.

Across all areas of parish life, we give thanks for the commitment, faithfulness, and generosity of so many who serve in visible and unseen ways. Together, we continue to look forward with hope, seeking to grow as a worshipping community and to serve our parish with faith, courage, and love.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

3. Worship, Mission & Service

We are blessed to have a strong mixed ecology of worship in our parish, with traditional, contemplative and contemporary forms shaping our community life. These include:

3.3

The Church of the Ascension: 2[nd] 4[th] and 5[th] Sundays

11:15am Sunday Worship: Contemporary Worship at St Peter’s

Contemporary Service of the Word: 1[st] , 2[nd] , 3[rd] and 5[th] Sundays

Contemporary Holy Communion: 4[th] Sunday

Children and Families Services

Mothering Sunday – St Matthias Church

Summer Outdoor Service – Church of the Ascension

Harvest Service – St Matthias Church (Cancelled this year due to falling masonry)

Christingle and Crib – Christmas Eve Service.

Taizé Contemplative Worship at The Church of the Ascension

Normally held on the 4[th] Sunday of each month at 5pm. Taizé offers a quiet space for prayer and reflection supported by the distinctive music of the Taizé community.

Thursday 10:30am Said Eucharist at St Matthias Church

Over the course of this year, our mid-week eucharist has continued to grow, making it a vibrant community hub in our parish.

Seasons and Special Service

Candlemas: We were blessed to receive ministry from the Venerable Robert Jones at Candlemas to help us begin our year of discernment. Robert offered us four ways in which we might approach discernment from the Presentation of Christ at the Temple: Gratitude, Hope, Resilience and Vulnerability. These went on to form the basis of our prayer for the year of discernment.

Holy Week and Easter: During Holy Week we were able to offer an immersive programme of worship, supported by our dedicated ministry team. On Good Friday we joined Churches Together in Malvern for their annual outdoor service in the Priory Churchyard, enabling us to enhance our ecumenical connections and bear witness to the Cross of Christ and the vibrancy of churches across our town.

Advent and Christmas : During Advent we maintained a rich programme of worship that included both traditional and contemporary services, alongside opportunities to engage with the wider community. A particular highlight was the continued growth of our Christmas Carol Service and our Crib Service on Christmas Eve, which this year also included a build your own Christingle activity pack. We were delighted to welcome more than 60 people to the carol service and over 90 to the crib and Christingle celebration.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Family and All Age Worship: Building on the success of the previous year we continued with combined services designed to welcome children and families from our schools an communities. An important highlight was our Outdoor Worship which took place in the Church of the Ascension Grounds. What stood out was the welcome people from our community received, and the willingness of passers-by to stop and join us as we worshipped together.

Participation in worship rose slightly in 2025 with changes at St Peter’s and our Midweek Eucharist accounting for much of this change. The table and charts below indicate how this affected attendance.

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024 Average 2025 2024 Annual
Regular Services Avg Att Avg Att Change Total Total Change
9:45 Combined 47 50 -3 2438 2583 -145
11:15 St Peters 23 18 +5 1173 864 +309
10:30 Mid-Week 11 9 +2 564 459 +105
Total Regular 81 77 +4 4175 3906 +269
----- End of picture text -----

While the overall picture is positive, there are early signs of concerns in the attendance data for the 9:45 which will need to be monitored in the years ahead. Below is a chart that shows how our weekly Sunday attendance across both services pans out over the year. Spikes in attendance often indicate the presence of either a baptism or Children’s and Families service.

Weekly Sunday Attendance Stats

----- Start of picture text -----
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
Y2025 Y2024
----- End of picture text -----

I want to take the opportunity to highlight our schools and advent services this year. These represent important connections with our schools and community, inviting them into our places of worship and supporting their Christian distinctiveness.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

3.9 Advent Schools Services:

----- Start of picture text -----
02/12/25 Advent 1 Dyson Perrins Advent 130
10/12/25 Advent 2 St Matthias Christingle 200
16/12/25 Advent 3 Somers Park Carols 1 250
16/12/25 Advent 3 Northleigh Carols 140
17/12/25 Advent 3 Somers Park Carols 2 230
17/12/25 Advent 3 St Matthias Carols 200
17/12/25 Advent 3 Dyson Perrins in School 640
Total 1790
----- End of picture text -----

3.10 Advent/ Christmas Services:

Overall, these figures offer a snapshot of a number of healthy and encouraging signs within parish life. It is worth remembering that Church of England statistics are recorded per church rather than per parish, which can make our overall picture appear less positive than the lived reality.

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 +/- 2024
30/11/25 Advent Sunday Advent Carols 58 +
14/12/25 Advent 3 Nine Lessons 68 +
17/12/25 Advent 3 Beer & Carols 30
~
20/12/25 Advent 3 Coats & Carols 32
21/12/25 Advent 3 Carols By Candlelight 58
24/12/25 Christmas Eve Crib & Christingle 91 +
24/12/25 Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 82 +
25/12/25 Christmas Day Christmas Eucharist 52 -
Total 471
New Services
----- End of picture text -----*

3.11 Ministry Team

We are richly blessed with a diverse and gifted team who support and sustain our worshipping life. Without them, the breadth and depth of our services would not be possible.

Clergy: Revd James Williams (Priest in Charge); Revd Dr Alastair McKay (Associate Priest); Revd Sue Beverly, Revd Mary Nobles, Revd Ted Stokes (PTO’s)

LLM/Readers: Allen Hudson, Jacqui Green, Mike Hancox, Eileen Tomlin

ALM: Deb Cook Employed: Vanessa Everitt (Schools Chaplain)

We look forward to new members joining the ministry team in the coming year.

3.12 Pastoral Ministry

Formal pastoral ministry during the year has focused on home visits and the distribution of Holy Communion to those who are housebound or unwell. Alongside this, there have been many informal moments of shared hospitality and support among members of the parish — signs of pastoral care that are no less significant and well worth celebrating and nurturing.

Eileen Tomlin and Allen Hudson have continued to lead services in care homes and retirement communities, helping us maintain valuable connections with residents and staff.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

3.13 Pastoral Team Members

Clergy: Revd James Williams LLM/Readers: Eileen Tomlin, Allen Hudson Lay Volunteers: Eileen Watson, Olive Wickens

Occasional offices is a broad term used for of baptisms, marriages, reading of banns of marriage, and funeral ministry. We continued to support Christ Church with occasional offices and pastoral ministry for most of the year, until formal responsibility was handed over to the Area Dean. In 2025 the parish conduced 53 occasional offices of which:

----- Start of picture text -----
Baptism Services 10
Banns of Marriage 8
Wedding Services 5
Funeral Services 31
----- End of picture text -----

As Christians we are all encouraged by God to discover who we truly are and what our spiritual gifts are. These gifts can then be used for the benefit of humans everywhere, including out local church. As readers or LLMs (as we are now referred to) we have been discerned as being called into this ministry and have gifts which, when trained in theology, allow us to preach the good news, lead worship and conduct funerals, amongst other things.

However, every lay minister is unique and hence has different gifts. So, the list above is not the whole story and many LLMs have a very active ministry outside the church setting; care homes, pastoral visiting, chaplaincy to name but three. The list is much longer.

Even after a rigorous theological training, LLMs are required to keep on learning and transforming, as only in this way can we encourage and guide all members of the church to be open to change, transformation and growth. The Christian life is not one of attaining a goal but of growing into the likeness of Christ and this takes a lifetime.

In MLWC we are blessed with four LLMs, all of whom bring different gifts to the church and community, all of whom have a wide variety of experience. You might spot us being a liturgical deacon in the sung Eucharist services, preaching, leading the contemporary services or the Taize services.

Funeral services can be a significant role for the LLM, after further training. The LLM seeks to bring comfort and hope into difficult situations, guiding the bereaved through this grief filled time. This role often includes ceremonies at crematoria and the interment of ashes.

But besides all the various roles which require a Bishop’s licence there are many more where we just help out, serving those in our community, having conversations and drawing alongside people who are struggling. Revealing the humble, servant Lord in a multitude of quiet, humble ways; always pointing to Christ, helping others to hear the good news of God’s love and acceptance in a world which erects barriers to that love.

If anyone feels called to join us in this awesome ministry, a ministry which is always on the move and never the same one day to the next, then please speak to Mike, Allen, Eileen or myself.

May you all know the overwhelming, all-encompassing love of God.

Jacqui Green

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

3.16 Music and Choir Report

The regular choir sang services on all but three Sundays of the year, with three additional services in Holy Week and, with the Extended Choir, two carol services and one Evensong. Two of our recruits from last year are still with us, and both are makiing excellent progress. The lower parts (alto, tenor and bass) are excellently sustained by our long-standing singers, but new recruits are urgently needed: when anyone is away, we struggle to keep the music going. Still, our small group of dedicated singers continues to provide a very high standard of music to support and enhance our congregational worship, and show an impressive level of support and understanding for each other.

The Extended choir comprises some 25 experienced singers, some travelling from Worcester, Gloucester, Tewkesbury or Hereford. This choir provided a very high standard of singing at our Advent Carol service and our service of Nine Lessons and Carols. However, we have significantly reduced the number of Choral Evensongs, since congregational attendance has been disappointing and publicity limited.

Regrettably, the incipient Youth Choir was disbanded earlier this year.

I would like to thank all those who have supported and encouraged our church music in Malvern Link, and especially our wonderful regular choir members: Eileen, Es, Liz, Skully, Vasi. Joy, David and Martin.

Peter Johnson, Director of Music

Alison Sheehan-Hunt and myself are the sacristans for the parish of MLWC, Alison for St Matthias and me for the Church of the Ascension, and occasionally St Peters if required.

We are responsible for caring for the churches sacred vessels, vestments and altar frontals.

We also prepare everything for all the services in the Churches.

The Frontals at the Church of the Ascension are beginning to show their age (over 100yrs for some) and need some general repairs, the gold thread on the best frontal, depicting Archangels, Gabriel, Raphael and Michael definitely needs some TLC to conserve it. I am only using this now for the Easter season. One of the problems in the Ascension is suitable storage space.

All the ordering for sacristy supplies is done through Charles Farris by myself.

Alison is very grateful to all those who assist her through various tasks, changing frontals, polishing the silver etc. I don’t have anyone at the moment for these tasks at the Ascension, but I am very grateful to the people who cover for holidays.

Looking forward, if there is anyone who would like to learn more about the work sacristan does I would be very happy to talk to you, it would be good to have someone else who could help out when required.

Susan Tandy, Sacristan

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

4. NextGeneration (Children, Youth, Families)

4.1 Collective Worship

We continue to support both of our primary schools with their collective worship, not only by going in weekly to lead a time of worship but by also supporting and encouraging the pupils in participation within the school and wider church context of joint services within our parish throughout the year. Ness supports the Worship Warriors at St. Matthias and the Collective Worship Ambassadors at Northleigh.

4.2 Dyson Perrins.

Ness continues to coordinate the collective worship, producing daily morning reflections and leading times of worship with input from some of the students. There are also end of term services which Ness coordinates alongside two other key members of staff and involves many students across different areas such as music, reading, performing and tech support. The services provide a space in which staff and students are invited to reflect on the previous term in the presence of God.

Year 8 students attended the Church of the Ascension for their Harvest Service and during Advent the Year 7’s again attended St Matthias for the third year to mark the first term of their secondary education. These are now becoming regular events within the school calendar, strengthening the ties between the school and parish

These ties are further strengthened through times of prayer. On the TED at the beginning of the Autumn and Spring terms, members of the parish have met at Dyson’s to prayer walk around the school. These have been precious moments for both those praying and those witnessing the time of prayer.

4.3 Experience Events

We continue to hold two Experience Events each academic year, one in the Autumn term and one in Spring. This year, for the first time, we explored Experience Creation which was written in house. The children from both schools were fully engaged and enjoyed thinking about creation, how we look after it and what the Bible says about it. A huge amount of preparation goes into these events, and volunteers from across our parish and beyond have supported them faithfully with resources and time and continue to do so.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

4.4 Family Club

Family Club continues to be a space which local families value. It is a group designed to provide children and their parents with an opportunity to connect with each other after the school day. There are games and craft activities and always a hot meal and pudding. To ensure that we aim to meet the needs of all of our community, we did for several months, offer a session on alternating weeks at St. Matthias. However, because it did not attract as many families as hoped, the difficult decision was made to move permanently back to the Ascension. However, we are always open to where the Spirit leads and if it felt we were called to alternate venues again, it is something that would be considered.

Our Easter Special Family Club was very well attended with around 60 people coming along and sharing in a picnic style lunch, many craft activities and joining in with an Easter Story that was written by Truth Be Told. Truth Be Told provide story telling resources that gently introduce not only children but adults as well to the stories of Jesus and is a resource that is used at Family Club.

One of our aims in establishing the Family Club was to elevate some of the hidden issues of poverty in our community. Although it is not operated on a needs basis, we are aware that by providing a hot meal, we are responding to some of the coalface issues of the Cost-of-Living crisis and isolation.

4.5 Youth Club

Our Monday night youth club, Resonate, continues to be very much valued by those who attend, most of whom are from Dyson Perrins and are connected in some way to the work Ness undertakes as school chaplain. A typical evening consists of games, snacks, karaoke and quizzes. With the temporary closure of St. Peter’s due to the heating, Resonate moved to St. Matthias, with our table tennis table gratefully relocated by the site team at Dyson Perrins. The change of location has provided us with more opportunities, primarily that of cooking and baking which the young people very much enjoy. Numbers of attendees has been steady, which has provided excellent conditions for the development of relationship and opportunities to support young people through the challenges that they can face.

Ness Everitt, Schools Chaplain

4.6

Monday Tots

This year has been a very exciting one with Monday Tots, with lots of changes.

We have been in contact with 41 families', with the average attendance of 17 adults and 19 children for this last term. The total no. of families for the year is close to 92 families. This is due to the September intake of children into Nurseries.

During this year we have enjoyed some more Storytimes and we now have a puppet resource for telling bible stories, made very kindly by Olive. We have David and Goliath, Pharoah, The Holy Family and many more characters for us to use in Family club too. These have been put out for the use of the tots in the puppet theatre as well.

We have been also blessed by the return of Debs Cook, giving much needed input from her skill and energy. As we are all volunteers, this means we can cover the times we are away on holidays as well as managing any sickness / emergencies that crop up in our lives. Although we could do with some more emergency stand-ins for setting up/ down and session time. Ruth and Natalie are willing when available.

Debs’ return also meant that I was not always needed to help David with the singing at the start of the session. Deb has a fab program of songs that change throughout the years seasons, so important in our Ministry to families. We have had one family from Monday Tots bring their child to Baptism

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

this year, and James has made himself available to discuss with families who may wish to explore this path.

Christmas season, saw the creative side of the group provide Advent calendars for the families, based around the Nativity story, provided by Olive. This was welcomed, with stickers given to place on a stable shaped mount each day. Christmas ducks were given with a fair-trade chocolate angel to each attending child.

We have updated a few of our toys and got rid of some too. Our lending library's up and running now, thanks to Debs with approval of James. Yet another way of ministering to families’ needs. Lots of supportive conversations also take place during the sessions, drawing on the different skills and experience of our volunteers.

We have been joined on our team, by one of our Mums, Charlene Harling who is helping, with chatting to mums, and putting away toys, with the help of her little one at present. This will change in September when Charlene will be on her own.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful team, who provide refreshment for adults & children, help with keeping of Number/ records, set up, clear away, and provide space for children and adults to socialize and learn through play.

My thanks to our team Debs, Sandra, Alison, David, Olive and Kit. Also on occasions Ruth, Natalie session cover & Matthew King for setting up muscles.

Julia King, Monday Tots Leader

4.7

School Governance

Special thanks to our Church Governors who have supported our schools and teachers to achieve Good Ofsted Results in 2024.

St Matthias C of E Primary School: Allen Hudson, Ness Everitt, Revd James Williams (Sep 2024) Ofsted 2024: Good Northleigh Primary C of E School: Revd James Williams (Sep 2024) Ofsted 2023: Good Dyson Perrins C of E Academy: Revd James Williams Ofsted 2023: Good

Serving as a school governor is a deeply rewarding way to contribute to the life and witness of our Church Schools. As we look to the future, further support will be needed in this area. We would warmly encourage those with relevant experience, or simply a heart for the wellbeing and formation of children, to consider whether this might be a ministry to explore.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

5. Outreach Work to People Living with Dementia

The parish’s outreach work with people living with dementia continues, however 2025 brought a significant change .

Since 2020/2021, we had been running a Dementia Meeting Centre [DMC] in alliance with The Association of Dementia Studies [ADS] at the University of Worcester and funded for 3 years by a grant from Worcester County Council. Along with many other DMCs, we had been struggling with significantly low numbers of appropriate referrals, despite all our efforts with both marketing and meeting with potential referrers over a considerable period of time. As a result, the centre was unable to pay its way and over time would have become financially unsustainable. Unable to continue to provide a service that meets with ethos and philosophy of a true “Dementia Meeting Centre” and with the support of ADS, it was agreed to close the centre at the end of March 2025.

However, all was not lost. Amongst all of the activities that were always well received, one in particular had stood out. Our “Memory Lane Singers” session was especially popular and had attracted some additional people who attended just for the time this took place. Es Hoyle, our Dementia Lead is, of course, a trained musician with specific professional training through Alzheimer’s Society UK in singing for the general, vocal and mental health of people living with dementia, therefore ensuring that the musical content is suitable and of significant value for those who attend.

From this, the idea of “Soup and Sing” was born! The aim was to provide a shorter session, so not too long for those who tire quickly, starting with a healthy lunch to “break bread together” before engaging in group singing that has so many health benefits to people with or without dementia. The session is certainly dementia friendly but is also open to anyone who wants to sing for health, happiness and well-being and is approved and fully supported by Dr Shirley Evans and her team at the ADS.

“Soup and Sing” opened its doors on April 1[st] as planned and early signs are encouraging. Numbers are slowly increasing although in common with many services, referrals are still low, so continued effort in marketing and spreading the word about this valuable opportunity for people in our local community is vital. We have a lovely small group of volunteers including soup makers. We are currently in need of one more soup maker to complete the team, and some additional pairs of hands to meet, greet and make coffee for people would be particularly welcome. Over the year we have enjoyed a number of special visits, in particular the Malvern Ukulele Band, who are always fun!

We have been grateful for donations received from Malvern Joggers, Hanley Swan WI and a significant gift from a Malvern donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. All were more than happy to know that we are continuing to offer a valuable service to local people living with dementia and to their families, which therefore continued to meet their criteria for the financial support we have received.

There are over a million people living with some form of dementia in the UK, one diagnosed every three minutes, which can overwhelm families, devastate lives and stretch support systems way beyond capacity, meaning our small offering matters. The parish is truly blessed to have Es taking the lead with this aspect of our outreach to the local community. She has worked extremely hard and deserves our thanks and continued encouragement and support. Her expertise in this area of work is very evident.

We go forward in faith, spreading the gospel of this much needed community service, as we continue to provide vital support to those at the beginning of their journey with dementia and their loved ones.

Anne Hancox, PCC Lead for Outreach to People living with Dementia

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

6. Community Fridge

2025 was a year of two halves for the Fridge, we still had Sarah Clark with us for the first half of the year, organising the volunteers and making sure everything was able to run smoothly. After Sarah had left we became entirely volunteer run and now have 3 joint Co-ordinators: Rhian Lane, Mary Hudson and Suzan Brett. The two sessions still run weekly with an opportunity for attendees to arrive and have a cup of tea or coffee and sometimes something to eat over a chat before food distribution starts. Attendance at sessions varies between 15 and 40 with the Wednesday afternoon session typically having slightly fewer attendees than the Monday morning session.

In November 2025 we bought a new freezer which has a larger capacity and freezes more e ciently than the old one. This was possible due to a grant from the Co-op which covered the cost. We were also able to get a grant from Malvern Hills District Council to cover the cost of heating and hot drink supplies over the winter, which was gratefully received.

Over the course of 2025 the MLWC Community Fridge kept 14,384.9kg of supermarket food waste out of landfill by distributing it directly to our attendees and taking it to The Foyer who work to keep young adults from becoming homeless.

Rhian Lane, Community Fridge Coordinator

7. Mothers Union

Our small group of members and friends met on nine occasions in 2025/26 for a varied programme of social, devotional and educational events. There is always a social event after Christmas and also in the summer. Our devotional meetings included a Lenten House Communion and an Advent gathering based around a Moravian Love Feast with coffee, buns, candles and music to which we invited others to come from the Priory and URC and also from among our neighbours and friends in the community. There were two other occasions during the year when we also invited visitors to join us - firstly for a talk by Lara Vifiadis about her adventures rowing across the Atlantic in a small boat all by herself and again when Mary Constable came to talk to us about the Malvern Literary Trail. These open meetings have been an opportunity for some gentle evangelism when nonchurchgoers have been interested to come to learn something new and also discover that Christians can be normal fun people to be with. In addition, it has been an opportunity to raise the profile of the Mothers’ Union and raise funds for our work both locally here in Worcester Diocese and also around the world. Other meetings during the year included a shared book reading, a family history session and a meeting when we explored the history, background and culture of Nigeria, the country selected as the subject for the World Day of Prayer 2026.

New members and visitors are always welcome especially this coming year when we will be celebrating the 150[th] anniversary of our foundation by Mary Sumner in 1876 as an organisation to support Christian family life.

Olive Wickens

8. Bereavement Café

In 2025 the bereavement café came to a close as demand was very limited in the evening. Given that St Andrews and All Saints offer a very excellent café during the day it was considered that changing the time would only detract from this service. We aim to review our continued ministry offer to those who are believed in 2026.

15

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

9. Zero X 30 Group (Eco Church)

The Zero x 30 group (also known as eco church) have been working away in the background and are pleased to say that now that St Peter’s are back in their own building they are on the verge of applying for the Bronze Award for St Peter’s. Much of the first year of the group has been spent in gathering information on our current practices and quietly putting in place the framework for the Awards. In the coming year we are likely to have a higher profile and the congregation should prepare to be asked to think more about their own eco-type practices. We would welcome questions and comments from the congregation.

The group currently consists of : Joy Black, Matthew King, Rhian Lane,

Luke Lucas, Sue McKay and David Sims.

Rhian Lane, Zero x 30 Group

10. Reredos ‘Adoration of the Three Wise Men.

All money for the restoration of the Reredos was in place by the beginning of 2025.

In February 2025, our approved Textile Conservationist, Wendy Toulson, removed the Reredos from St Peter’s Church. Witnessed by Luke and Ruth Lucas and myself. Wendy acknowledged the receipt by email, and that it was safely in her workshop.

In May 2025 I went to Hereford to Wendy’s workroom and spent some time examining the Reredos. Wendy explaining what she was doing and why. Looking at it very closely she had realised that it was in a worse state than first thought after originally viewing it in St Peter’s Church.

Because of this, the restoration over-ran the initial twelve months agreement with Mr John Webster, Conservation Grant’s Manager of the Church Care and Pilgrim Trust funds. However, an agreement was reached with Mr John Webster to extend the twelve month agreement.

The restoration will now be finished by early March.

Sheilah Daughtree, PCC Member.

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

11. Buildings and Fabric

11.1 Church of the Ascension

This Church, grade 2 listed, (the youngest of the three in the Parish), was designed and built by Sir Walter Tapper, completed and dedicated in 1903. The Church was funded by Louisa Vavasour Livingstone in memory of her husband the Reverend Arthur Guinness Livingstone former Archdeacon of Sudbury.

The Church boasts a separate hall where many

secular activities take place which reaches out to the wider community. These activities include, community fridge where excess food from local supermarkets is handed out twice a week, Family club which offers hot food to families with school children, plus many more uses. We did have a community builder (Sarah) in place who was based in the hall and organised lots of secular activities, e.g. during June Sarah organised an Open Gardens Weekend which included refreshments in the Church Hall and a duo playing in the grounds (see photo) and various exhibits of artwork in Church. Sarah has now moved on to further her career so we no longer have a Community Builder but the food fridge and family club are now run by volunteers. The Hall also hosts Soup and Sing every Tuesday which is assisted by volunteers. So the hall is still very well used and provides a certain amount of income from private hirers.

During late June and early July the Church hosted Seeds for Life a Christian group of volunteers who offer Christian learning workshops to local School pupils.

The fabric of the two buildings (church and hall) is suffering a little from age but generally in good shape. A section of the east facing hall external wall was suffering from rendering peeling off so this had to be addressed with new render at a cost of £4,100 + vat. Half of this amount we were able to claim from the diocese from a scheme that was in place at the time. But there are many more areas to the walls requiring the same attention.

Electronic door locks were fitted to the Church and Hall doors to provide added security and bring in to line with St. Matthias and St. Peters Churches.

The Hall toilets were suffering very badly from mould growth, this has now been treated and redecorated.

All necessary servicing of heating, fire extinguishers, PAT testing are all up to date with electrical installation check due in 2026.

Richard Tandy, Churchwarden

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2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

11.2 St Peters Church

February 2025 was an eventful month as churchwarden. We repaired the south aisle roof and made it waterproof. Our “Raise the roof” campaign had provided half the funds and we got a grant from the Diocese for the other half (£3600). A couple of weeks later, the gas heating failed its annual safety check and was condemned. So, we now had a dry church but no heating.

We used the cold months to research and visit other churches to see their various heating systems (IR, ASHP) in action, before finally settling on an ASHP system as seen in Moggerhanger, Beds. This was a similar sized church and age and also badly insulated!

In the spring, summer and autumn we had “Tidy up the Churchyard “ sessions : Sat 10-12. These were well attended (a mix of the congregation and locals) and together we made a real impact. Sometimes we finished with a BBQ or flapjacks at the very least. Cathedral Kitchens kindly offered to take away all the clippings in their truck. We used the spring session to launch the Friends of St Peters Group - a constituted group of members who are interested in supporting the building and grounds and running of St Peters. Luke Lucas has been providing regular newsletters by email to all the members.

In the autumn, The Malvern Hills District Council granted us funds to cover 80% of the heating costs and a new refreshments counter (subject to us getting a faculty and other necessary permissions for the work). We had to be ready to start the work by March 2026.

At the start of November we moved to Northleigh school for our Sunday services. The printmakers relocated to the scout hut for the winter months while we had no heating.

Jane James , Churchwarden

11.3 Maintenance and Churchyards

The parish ‘s three churches are all listed, which is both a privilege and a burden when it comes to maintenance. It has been possible to make a start on addressing several urgent issues but there are ongoing financial implications. Some routine maintenance matters are dealt with at a Parishwide level to convenience and economy, including the servicing of fire extinguishers, gas heating, lightning conductors and electronic door security systems.

18

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

11.4 St. Matthias Church

Is the largest church in the parish and hosts special events for local schools as well as normal worship services and the vast majority of weddings, baptisms and funerals. Routine servicing included organ and piano tuning and servicing the bell tower clock.

Various maintenance issues were dealt with during the year, including some legacy items. Gutter clearance was overdue and this was completed which also allowed identification of the cause of a leak allowing water ingress to the baptistry area during heavy rain. A list B application to the Diocese was made to approve restoring tiles in the offending area of roof. A leaking drainpipe joint causing damp in the wall by the toilets was fixed.

Longer-term lighting issues in parts of the church were addressed in two stages in late 2025 following a list B application. The first was fitting updated lights in the north aisle and the second was to replace a number of high-level bulbs which are particularly tricky to access.

Certain plumbing problems were addressed by repairing a soil pipe and refixing a toilet to the floor. A significant electrical wiring failure in the underfloor heating in the Link Room was repaired, some lighting replaced there and joinery work carried out.

An alarming development in the autumn was the sudden failure of a decorative limestone cross on a north-east gable end. It had fractured across the stone, but remained in place, albeit leaning, held by a lightning conductor cable. Thankfully Summit Steeplejacks were able promptly and safely to remove the cross, the cost of which was covered by a donation, and it remains in storage whilst implications for the future of this and other crosses are explored with the diocese and local authority.

Whilst taking down the cross, the steeplejacks were able to mend one of the two faults that caused the lightning conductors to fail in 2024 and have estimated a much lower cost to fix the remaining issue than the £7000 anticipated in 2024 which the church could not have afforded.

For several years the feasibility of establishing a memorial garden has been considered, but in the meantime the remaining space for interring cremated remains has been used up. With advice from the Diocese, the legal process of closing the churchyard (and St. Peters churchyard) to new burial plots was initiated which regrettably means no new memorials can be established. In due course, the local authority will take responsibility for maintenance.

Commercial maintenance work in the churchyards dropped to a minimal level in 2025 because of affordability, the main item being cutting the Redland Road hedge which otherwise intrudes on the adjacent pavement. An autumn working party in the main churchyard supplemented ongoing work by a small number of Church volunteers which focused on clearing recent graves, including those of cremated remains on the south side of the church, and the adjoining grassy areas. Some other areas were cut by parishioners around their family graves. The churchyard is now evolving into a patchwork including areas with minimal maintenance. There have been some complaints, whilst others appreciate that this is part of a longer-term process whereby the churchyard and its magnificent trees become increasingly important as a nature reserve.

The extension churchyard remains problematic as it has been for over 50 years since space for burial plots was filled, but exacerbated by a lack of funds for cutting the grass since 2022. The problem is that a legal quirk prevents it from being closed and the local authority have declined to take up maintenance. Church volunteers cleared a stretch of hedge, more work is urgently needed in 2026.

Ian Fairchild, Churchwarden

19

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

American visitors June 2025

Steeplejacks with cross October 2025

Young People from the EKM Church in Germany

iSing Pop Concert at St Matthias

20

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

12. Safeguarding Report

In October 2023, the Church of England published the National Safeguarding Standards and QA framework. These standards contain descriptions of 'what good looks like'. Some of these descriptions are mandatory requirements , others are good practice . As a parish we continue to follow these requirements and the good practice described in the framework, and work to update our policies and systems as they fall under review as outlined by the new Safeguarding Code, instituted initially in November 2024.

In the period to December 2025, there were 21 successful DBS applications, including renewals, with all applicants completing relevant training levels. One application was not deemed to be necessary, by the awarding body, and despite our further representations as to the advisability of the DBS, the application was eventually withdrawn.

There is now a requirement that all volunteers complete both Basic and Foundation levels, with the Leadership level being restricted to the members of the safeguarding team, Group Leaders, Clergy and LLMs. There is no longer a requirement for Church Wardens to complete the Leadership level, unless the Parish is in a vacancy. There was no need for us to refer any application to the Diocese. We have also followed the Safer Recruitment protocols when needed.

We have sought the advice of the Diocese on several occasions throughout the year, and both received and acted upon that advice given. We do not have at present any persons who are considered a risk either to the church or our community.

We have attended Zoom Safeguarding Meetings for PSOs during the year, and acted promptly on the updates given ,with regard to training, the diocesan Dashboard. Sue Fairchild has worked hard to transfer data to the new Diocesan Hub during 2025. The PCC has received a report at each of it’s meetings, and it has been receptive and active in support of Safeguarding measures.

The Serving and Assistant PSO decided not to renew or initiate new DBS applications following a serious national data breach by our provider APCS, involving 12 other Diocese, of which we were notified in August 2025. Several people in the Parish were affected, and action was taken promptly, following advice from the Diocese. We are, as of December 2025, still awaiting a decision from the Diocese as to whether it will now move to a different provider. This was overwhelmingly the preferred option of Diocesan PSOs when surveyed at a meeting to specifically discuss the situation. We have continued the moratorium, therefore, as we are not convinced of that the provider is secure. Despite this, we are pleased to report that our overall compliance with the requirements on the Diocesan Dashboard continues to be one of the highest in the Diocese, and should improve still further when the DBS provider situation is resolved'.

The work in the Parish with children, families and young adults continues to grow, with the afterschool provision for Thursday evening, the Youth Club now at St Matthias, the Mums and Tots on Mondays while our engagement with our schools is increasing with the “Experience” through the year and the chaplaincy at Dyson Perrins. Our adult outreach both pastoral and practical continues in the work with people experiencing early dementia signs at “Soup and Sing”, the Community Fridge, and Board Games Club.

I would like to publicly thank Sue Fairchild for her sterling work as Assistant Safeguarding Officer. Her support, good sense and knowledge have been an invaluable support, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.

Joy Black, Safeguarding Officer MLwC

21

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

13. Finance Report

Total income for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 was £138,465 while expenditure totalled £162,416 resulting in a loss of £23,951 as detailed in the accounts. The loss arose because we received restricted grants for Community Builder salary, Reredos and new key system at Church of Ascension in 2024 and these amounts were not spent until 2025.

We are grateful for the very generous grants received during the year, which are listed on page 11 of the accounts. These have enabled us to continue our outreach to the parish. Thanks to the help of a Ministry Fund grant from the Diocese, we were able to pay our Ministry Share in full. Energy costs remain high as do repairs to our 3 churches which continue to be challenging. Your regular giving and donations have enabled us to continue our mission. We thank everyone who has been able to support us in this way, it is greatly appreciated.

13.1 Reserves Policy

The Operational Cash Reserve Fund is £14,626. Despite the loss we have still retained this balance. In addition, we hold investments as detailed below. Our aim is still to continue increase this, so representing three months of expenditure, designated for emergencies.

13.2 Restricted and Endowment Funds

The PCC holds and administers a number of these funds as detailed on the Balance sheet. Restricted funds totalled £29,012 as at 31[st] December 2025.

13.3 Designated Funds

The PCC designates additional unrestricted reserves to be retained for an agreed purpose. These are reviewed on an annual basis and returned to the general fund if no longer considered justified. Designated funds totalled £27,973 as at 31[st] December 2025 as detailed on the Balance sheet.

13.4 Investments

The PCC held investment assets at 31[st] December 2025 as detailed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. St Matthias Income Fund showed a small rise in value over the year while St Matthias Growth Fund had a small fall in value. St Matthias Deposit Fund also had a small rise in value.

13.5 Bank Accounts

As at 31[st] December 2025 the balances were Cash Account £15,693 and Gold Account £42,360. There is also a small HSBC account with a balance of £383.

My thanks go to Anne Hancox and Jenny Purser for banking the collections and envelopes, also to Peter Edwards for reclaiming the gift aid on donations which brings in an invaluable source of income.

I would also like to thank Eileen Watson and especially Graham Anderson for their continuing help and advice.

Tony Eberle, PCC Treasurer

22

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

14. Structure, Governance, Management and Administration

There are three churches in the Parish:

All have equal status and together constitute the Parish Church. Each church continues to be used for worship and for additional activities in ways which reflect their location and varying attributes.

Financial and administrative control of all three churches rests with the PCC which is the responsible legal body. The financial statements for the Parish are prepared on a cash basis in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations and Charity Commission Financial Guidance

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll, members of which are the electors of the PCC. There were 100 people on the Roll, by the end of 2025. Members elected to the PCC have a three-year term of office so that a third of the membership retires each year. Apart from the elected lay members (which include the lay chair), the Council includes the Priest in Charge, the churchwardens, a licensed lay minister and four representatives from the Parish elected to serve on the Deanery Synod.

The Parochial Church Council is the responsible legal body and receives reports on finance, fabric and other general matters at each of its meetings. In 2025 there were six substantive meetings of the PCC. Between meetings PCC members were also asked to ratify proposals by email communication.

23

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

15. Malvern Link with Cowleigh Electoral Roll

The Church of England’s full revision of Parish Electoral Rolls took place in 2025.

For the Parish of Malvern Link with Cowleigh, this work was undertaken during February and March 2025 by the newly appointed PCC Electoral Roll Officer.

The number on the Electoral Roll at the end of 2024 was 105, but it was acknowledged that this did not truly reflect the current congregation. The last full revision of the roll was in 2018 with regular updates taking place until 2023. With the loss of the Parish Administrator during that year, alongside the lack of an Electoral Roll Officer, there were no updates during 2024 but at that time it was estimated that approximately 83 would have been a more accurate figure.

During the review period, contact was made with all who are unable to attend regularly, mainly due to ill health, but are still very much a part of our worshipping congregation in various ways via those that visit them regularly or by phone call or email and all responded.

Following the full review, the Electoral Roll currently stands at 100.

The roll which includes 4 people who are unable to attend services in person for health reasons but who regularly “join us” via the live-streamed service and contribute financially to the parish, comprises of 71 who are resident in the parish and 29 who are not resident in the parish.

Of these approximately 30 are either people who have joined our congregation more recently or people who have completed MLwC forms for the first time.

It is my belief that the roll now more accurately reflects our current regular worshipping congregation.

Anne Hancox, Electoral Roll Officer

24

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements

16. Administrative Information

Details of the three churches in the Parish of Malvern Link with Cowleigh, within the Diocese of Worcester are listed below:

The principal contact address is The Malvern Link with Cowleigh Parish Office, The Church of the Ascension, Somers Park Avenue, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1XA.

The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measures 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission – No 1133920.

The following served on the PCC in 2024:

Chair: Revd James Williams (Priest in Charge, March 2025) Clergy: Revd Dr Alastair McKay (Associate Priest) Licensed Lay Minister: Jacqui Green Churchwardens: Ian Fairchild, Jane James, Richard Tandy Deputy Churchwarden: Anne Hancox Deanery Synod Reps: Joy Black, Kit Robers, Graham Rowbery Elected members: Graham Anderson, Mark Cook, Deb Cook, Sheilah Daughtree, Tony Eberle, Sue Fairchild, Craig Jones,

Honorary Treasurer: Tony Eberle Honorary Secretary: Kit Roberts Parish Safeguarding Officer: Joy Black Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Sue Fairchild

25

Parish of Malvern Link with Cowleigh End of Year Financial Statements Year ending 31st December 2025 Approved tythe Pwochkql Clxjrch c￿n¢11 on ... ...... ... ....... behalf by Rev James Willia and slgned on Mafvem ￿nk wth CThkiyh PCC Rtrptwed Chèrily No. 1133920

Ind•p•ndent FIna￿la1 Examlnerfs roport to MJlv•m Unk with Cowlelgh Parochlal Church Council I report to the Parcthial Church Council {PCCI of the Parish of Ma￿rn Link with COh￿eD3h on my examination of the FinarKial Stalements fc the year eThJed 3111 Decemb8r 2025 Bash of Indop•nd•nt Examlnerfs R•port I hav8 been rewested to c%rt an independent exarninat￿n of the a¢o￿nIS by the PCC. An examination indud85 a review of Ihe accounting records kept by the Parish and a compan'son ol the accounts with those records. It also indudes consideratKJn of any unusual items tr disdosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the PCC conLYming such matters. The prccedur8s uThJertaken to not provide all the •vidence that would be required in an audit and ronsequenty l th) rM)t express an audit opIn￿n on the financial statements. lTrd•p•nd•nt Ex•mln•rfs R•port In ¢onnection with my examln8kn'on. ￿ matter has c(¥ne to my attenllon .' 1. Which gNes me reason￿e ¢wse to believe that in any Malen￿ resp6cI thè rewiremnts al To keep accounting records aThl bl To prepare account5 With a￿rd ilh Ihe aCc￿nbr￿1 rec4)rds hav8 r￿t been m•t, or 2. To whlcft, in my opinion, 8ttenkn'¢)n Sho￿ be drawn. In Mlef to enabl8 a propor understanding of t financial statement rea(*￿J. 18nJ Date Klalvem Link Cpkn3h PCC Regisltrcd Charity No. 1133920

Statement of Financial Activities

1st January to 31st December 2025

Notes
INCOME FROM :
Regular Income
2
Occasional Income
2
Lettings
2
Income from Profit Centres
2
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON :
Admistrative expenditure
3
Maintenance of Service
3
Mission
3
Profits Centre expenditure
3
Outreach costs
3
Parish Office costs
3
Governance
3
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET OPERATING INCOME
Revaluation of investments
Transfers between funds
8
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT
FORWARD
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This Year
Last Year
86,950
-
563
831
88,344
96,415
14,813
-
16,204
4,967
35,985
68,438
8,705
-
-
-
8,705
10,752
-
270
5,161
5,431
14,580
110,468
-
17,037
10,960
138,465
190,185
38,485
-
40,239
4,097
82,821
77,411
7,714
-
3,575
108
11,396
10,495
48,496
-
923
-
49,419
48,782
28
-
2,416
3,164
5,608
10,604
1,800
-
230
908
2,938
1,666
6,096
-
96
14
6,206
6,673
3,708
-
319
-
4,027
4,984
106,328
-
47,797
8,291
162,416
160,615
4,140
-
( 30,760)
2,669
( 23,951)
29,570
-
-
-
( 38)
( 38)
231
-
-
4,140
-
( 30,760)
2,631
( 23,990)
29,801
10,120
2,000
57,772
25,342
95,234
65,434
14,261
2,000
27,012
27,973
71,245
95.234

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 3

Balance Sheet

As at 31st December 2025

Notes
Fixed asset Investments
4
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
4
Current Assets - total
Current Liabilities
Amounts falling due within one year
5
Net Current assets less liabilities
Total Assets less current liabilities
Represented by
General fund - Unrestricted
Endowment
St Matthias Deposit
Restricted
Monday Tots
Community Fridge Fund
Contemplation Fund
Dementia Fund
Music Fund
St M Churchyard maintenance
St Matthias Projects
St Peter's Projects
Vicar's Discretionary Fund
Warm Space
Community Builder
Ascension Community Grant
Community Welfare
Families and Youth
Reredos Fund
Designated
Arts Fund
Dementia Fund
Ascension Projects
Mission Fund
Operational Reserve Fund
St Peter's Welcome Area
Projects Appeal
Funds of the Church		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This year
Last year
-
-
-
8,762
8,762
8,800
15,082
2,000
27,012
19,211
63,304
87,111
15,082
2,000
27,012
19,211
63,304
87,111
821
-
-
-
821
676
14,261
2,000
27,012
19,211
62,483
86,434
14,261
2,000
27,012
27,973
71,245
95,234
14,261
-
-
-
14,261
10,121
-
2,000
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
832
-
832
799
-
-
2,043
-
2,043
4,266
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,105
-
8,105
5,251
-
-
1,041
-
1,041
1,041
-
-
20
-
20
1,799
-
-
2,883
-
2883
5,337
-
-
5,218
-
5,218
7,878
-
-
747
-
747
776
-
-
244
-
244
1,568
-
-
2,172
-
2,172
15,576
-
-
1,647
-
1,647
5,981
-
-
-
-
-
322
-
-
1,487
-
1,487
2,576
-
-
574
-
574
4,601
-
-
-
2,954
2,954
2,669
-
-
-
3,279
3,279
2,079
-
-
-
1,136
1,136
2,400
-
-
-
719
719
719
-
-
-
14,626
14,626
14,664
-
-
-
1,450
1,450
1,250
-
-
-
3,808
3,808
1,560
14,261
2,000
27,012
27,973
71,245
95,234

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 4

Note1 – Accounting policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements are prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations and Charity Commission financial guidance. They are also prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investments, which are shown at market value at the year end.

The income of the Church has been under £250,000 for the last three years and these accounts have therefore been prepared on a cash basis. The one exception to this is the creditor balance of £821, which is included within “Current liabilities : Amounts falling due within one year”. (2024 : £676). See note 5 for details.

Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the general funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the PCC. Funds that are designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted fund are those funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided via PCC-specific notes where appropriate.

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible by law. They do not include the financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

INCOMING RESOURCES

Voluntary income and fundraising

All income is accounted for on a receipts basis. Any funds raised by fȇtes, garden parties and similar events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines from the church are accounted for gross.

Other income

Rental income is recognised on a receipts basis.

Investment gains and losses

Realised gains and losses are recognised when the investment is sold. Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on an annual basis with a year-end revaluation at 31[st] December. Dividends and interest are accounted for on a receipts basis.

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees’ annual report.

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over with a record being maintained of any binding obligations which exist prior to payment.

Activities directly relating to the work of the church

Parish Share is acknowledged by the Diocese as a request for voluntary payment with a record being maintained of any ongoing shortfall. In exceptional circumstances the Diocesan policy is to ask parishes to pay whatever they can. They do not expect churches to draw down on their reserves to pay Parish Share.

Governance costs

Governance costs include costs for the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the costs of trustees’ meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

….Cont’d

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 5

ASSETS

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the financial statements by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings held by the incumbent and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church inventory which can be inspected at any reasonable time.

For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000, there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in these financial statements.

For items acquired since 1[st] January 2000, where the trustees consider these to have enduring economic value, these are capitalised at cost and depreciated in the financial statements over their currently anticipated useful economic life (over four years unless otherwise stated) on a straight-line basis.

For items acquired since 1[st] January 2000, where the trustees instead consider these to be like-for-like replacement expenditure of no enduring economic value, these are written off when the expenditure is incurred.

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings where individual items are under £1,000 or the repair of moveable church furnishings acquired before 1[st] January 2000, is written off.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Items of office, communications, audio-visual and domestic equipment with an initial purchase price of greater than £1,750 at 2025 values are taken into the balance sheet at the time of purchase and depreciated (over a four year period unless otherwise stated) on a straight-line basis. Acquisitions of items with a purchase price of £1,750 or less are treated as expenditure.

Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31[st] December.

Current Assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31[st] December in respect of Agency fees for services are shown as debtors. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

LIABILITIES

Liabilities are recognised only to the extent that amounts are due in respect of Agency fees for services.

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 6

Analysis of Income

1st January to 31st December 2025

Note 2
Regular donations
Gift aid - Standing Orders
Gift aid - Planned Giving
Loose plate collections
Tax recovered from HMRC
Bank interest
Dividends
Rent
Total
Income from charitable activities
Fundraising events
Occasional GA donations
GASDS
Occasional Non GA donations
Service fees
VAT reclaim
Legacies
Restricted Donations
CYPF
Other Income
Total
Lettings
St Matthias - Link room
AS Hall
St Peter's
AS Church
Total
Income for Profit Centres
DEM - Operational Grants
DEM - GA donations
DEM - Non GA donations
DEM - User fees
SPARC - Ticket sales
SPARC - Hospitality income
Total
TOTAL INCOME		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This Year
Last Year
61,756
-
120
-
61,876
65,692
4,216
-
-
-
4,216
5,196
1,972
-
-
176
2,147
2,446
17,056
-
443
656
18,154
22,174
1,172
-
-
-
1,172
679
279
-
-
-
279
229
500
-
-
-
500
-
86,950
-
563
831
88,344
96,415
338
-
264
1,982
2,584
5,076
2,761
-
1,181
1,250
5,192
10,091
1,043
-
507
89
1,639
397
3,733
-
11,747
830
16,310
8,611
6,913
-
-
-
6,913
7,121
-
-
1,845
817
2,661
3,314
-
-
500
-
500
1,000
-
-
160
-
160
29,212
-
-
-
-
-
2,648
25
-
-
-
25
969
14,813
-
16,204
4,967
35,985
68,438
1,806
-
-
-
1,806
2,047
3,219
-
-
-
3,219
2,190
3,645
-
-
-
3,645
6,515
35
-
-
-
35
8,705
-
-
-
8,705
10,752
-
-
-
-
-
7,000
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
2,421
2,421
1,829
-
-
270
2,186
2,456
4,384
-
-
-
264
264
920
-
-
-
290
290
426
-
-
270
5,161
5,431
14,580
110,468
-
17,037
10,960
138,465
190,185

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 7

Analysis of Expenditure

1st January to 31st December 2025

Note 3
Administrative expenditure
Payroll costs
Clergy Working exps
Vicar's telephone
StM Electricity
StM Gas
StM Water
ASC Church Electricity
ASC Church Gas
ASC Church Water
St P Electricity
St P Gas
St P Water
AS Hall Electricity
AS Hall Gas
Insurance
Cleaning contracts
Churchyard upkeep
Parsonage House expenses
StM Planned Maintenance
ASC Planned Maintenance
St P Planned Maintenance
Building maintenance
Equipment maintenance
Equipment purchase
Total
Maintenance of Service
Printing
Sacristy
Organist fee
Choir expenses
Performance licences
Organ & piano tuning
Junior Choir - Gross Salaries
Video equipment
Devotional Materials
Training
CYPF
Total		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This Year
Last Year
580
-
13,341
-
13,921
27,004
764
-
-
-
764
-
426
-
-
-
426
-
5,197
-
-
-
5,197
5,829
3,343
-
-
-
3,343
4,073
162
-
-
-
162
295
1,806
-
-
-
1,806
1,687
805
-
-
-
805
1,149
428
-
-
-
428
223
833
-
90
-
923
1,061
1,714
-
-
-
1,714
2,771
260
-
-
-
260
195
875
-
436
-
1,311
1,557
386
-
997
-
1,384
1,677
6,828
-
-
-
6,828
7,284
1,363
-
-
-
1,363
1,259
-
-
725
-
725
4,020
200
-
-
-
200
-
1,413
-
661
-
2,074
948
545
-
-
-
545
2,357
705
-
-
-
705
788
8,185
-
21,089
4,097
33,371
9,872
174
-
-
-
174
901
1,494
-
2,898
-
4,393
2,462
38,485
-
40,239
4,097
82,821
77,411
19
-
-
-
19
91
1,203
-
-
-
1,203
746
4,000
-
-
-
4,000
4,000
125
-
-
-
125
281
857
-
-
-
857
845
660
-
-
-
660
772
-
-
-
-
-
805
-
-
-
-
-
111
673
-
-
-
673
136
157
-
377
108
641
238
20
-
3,198
-
3,218
2,470
7,714
-
3,575
108
11,396
10,495

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 8

Analysis of Expenditure

1st January to 31st December 2025

Note 3 - continued
Mission
Parish share
Donations to outside agencies
Donations to Home mission
Hospitality
Total
Profits Centre expenditure
DEM - Operational Materials
DEM - Operational Misc
DEM - Operational Gross salaries
DEM - Operational Training
SPARC - Hospitality
SPARC - Artists fees
SPARC - Programmes and Misc
Total
Outreach costs
Website licence
Banners & leaflets
Marketing development
Fetes and Events
Total
Parish Office costs
Print Post Stat
Office Equip costs
Bank chgs
SumUp chgs
Software licences
Communication Expenses
Total
Governance
Auditor fee
Accountancy support
Minor Admin exps - Misc
Cleaning and Hygiene Materials
Minor exps - Community Fridge
Local Authority Licences
Governance Training
Total
Total Expenditures		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This Year
Last Year
47,926
-
-
-
47,926
46,046
-
-
-
-
-
30
-
-
793
-
793
1,350
570.23
-
129.59
-
699.82
1,355.39
48,496
-
923
-
49,419
48,782
-
-
-
556
556
897
-
-
-
431
431
846
-
-
2,416
2,029
4,444
6,945
-
-
-
-
-
36
28
-
-
149
177
212
-
-
-
-
-
1,399
-
-
-
-
-
270
28
-
2,416
3,165
5,608
10,604
390
-
-
40
429
515
310
-
193
252
755
185
1,101
-
-
-
1,101
426
-
-
37
616
653
541
1,800
-
230
908
2,938
1,666
868
-
61
-
929
817
443
-
-
-
443
438
101
-
-
-
101
127
9
-
3
14
26
40
1,499
-
-
-
1,499
2,325
3,177
-
32
-
3,209
2,926
6,096
-
96
14
6,206
6,673
120
-
-
-
120
120
2,903
-
-
-
2,903
2,606
281
-
-
-
281
402
385
-
27
-
412
636
-
-
292
-
292
-
20
-
-
-
20
20
-
-
-
-
-
1,200
3,708
-
319
-
4,027
4,984
106,328
-
47,797
8,291
162,416
160,615

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 9

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

As at 31st December 2025

Note 4
Fixed asset Investments
St Matthias Income Fund
St Matthias Growth Fund
Current Assets - Cash at bank and in hand
CAF Current Account
CAF Gold Account
Total for CAF Accounts
HSBC St Matthias' Churchyard account
St Matthias CBF Deposit Fund
St Peter's CBF Deposit Fund
Cash in hand
Total Bank and Cash balances
Current Liabilities
Amounts falling due within one year
Grand Total		 Unrestricted
Endowment
Restricted
Designated
This year
Last year
-
-
-
4,999
4,999
4,880
-
-
-
3,763
3,763
3,920
-
-
-
8,762
8,762
8,800
( 20,299)
-
26,781
9,211
15,693
21,629
32,360
-
-
10,000
42,360
60,663
12,061
-
26,781
19,211
58,053
82,292
153
-
230
-
383
230
2,863
2,000
-
-
4,863
4,584
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
5
5
15,082
2,000
27,012
19,211
63,304
87,111
821
-
-
-
821
676
14,261
2,000
27,012
27,973
71,245
95,234

Note 5 – Creditors

As noted in the Accounting policies, the financial statements were prepared on a cash basis in 2025. The only exception this year is the balance of £821 due to outside agencies for whom funds are collected and then passed on. In 2024 this balance was £676.

Note 6 – Trustee Remuneration, Expenses and Donations

Payments were made to PCC members for expenses, on production of receipts.

Note 7 – Related Party Transactions

Three people were on the payroll in 2025, none having any connections to PCC Trustees

Note 8 - Fund transfers

Transfers between funds have arisen where previously endowed or designated funds are now being treated as part of the Unrestricted fund. In 2025 there have been no transfers between funds (2024 : £12,074).

.Cont’d

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 10

Notes to the accounts - continued

Note 9 – Grants and Funding

We are extremely grateful for all the grants and funding received during 2025 which have been allocated across the funds as follows :

----- Start of picture text -----
FUNDS
Worcester Diocese
Board of Finance 1,920 3,600 180 5,700
Gift from German
church visit 700 700
Worcestershire County
Council 439 383 822
Commonwealth War
Graves Commission 52 52
MHDC
150 300 200 200 150 1,000
Sainsbury's Neighbourly 500 500
St Matthias Primary
School 200 200
Mrs L C Smith
5,000 200 5,200
Malvern Hash
300 300
Seeds of Life - Malvern
United Reform Church 175 175
2,620 439 150 5,000 352 4,300 200 500 533 355 200 14,649
Unrestricted funds Monday Tots Community Fridge Dementia Fund St Mathias Churchyard Maintenance St Peters Projects Warm Space Community Welfare Families and Youth Ascension Projects St Peters Welcome Area TOTAL
----- End of picture text -----

Malvern Link with Cowleigh PCC Registered Charity No. 1133920

Page 11

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to Ihe trusteesl members of The pa￿￿h1o1 Chw¢h Coundl ol the Ecd6siasiicxl Parish Of Malvem Link With c￿￿e￿)h On accounts for the year ended D8C8mber 2025 Charfty no (Ir any) 1133920 Sot out on pages &11 I rewrt to the trusts88 on my examinatlon of the a¢￿Unts of lh8 above charity {Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 3111212025 Re•pon8ibllitie• and As the Gharity trustees of the Trus( you a￿ responsible for the preparation bas18 of r•port of the accounts in accordance ￿1th the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe A£ri. I feport in resped of my 6xamination of the Trust's a¢counts carried out under s￿.On 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed th8 applicabl8 DirectK)ns given by Ihe Charity Commission under Sec1k￿ 145(51{bl of the A I have completed my 8xaminatson. l ¢xJnfim that no material matters have crrfne to my attentb)n (0th8r than that disdosed bel¢)w ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any materlal Independent oxamlno¢8 slaternent accounllng rKords not kept In accordance Se￿On 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord ¥￿th the accounting re¢￿d8 I have no con(xns arKI have CO￿ across no other matters in connedon wlth tho examina whith att8ntion should be drawn In order lo enable a proper unders of the accounts to be rgached. Ple8s6 d te words in the brackets rfthey do not 8ppty. Slgnod: 12 March 2026 Name: Relovant prof•ssional quallflcallon(8) or body (rf any): Instituts of Charted A(X￿￿ntsnts in ErKJland & Wale8 Address: Independenc8 House Queen Streel Worc*stor WR12PL IER October 2018

Sectlon B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiner5). Nothing to repcKt Glve here brlef detalls of any Items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Oclober 2018

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements malvem link with cowleigh .T isl 27

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