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2022-12-31-accounts

Frome Deanery Wells Archdeaconry

Diocese of Bath and Wells

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesias�cal Parish of Frome Selwood

(Registered Charity number 1133925)

otherwise

Frome St John the Bap�st PCC

for the year ended

31st December 2022

BA11 1PL Website: www.sjfrome.co.uk Email: administrator@sjfrome.co.uk Facebook: FromeStJohntheBap�st Twi�er: @ FromeStJohnBapt

Incumbent : The Revd Colin Alsbury, St John’s Vicarage, Vicarage Close, Christchurch Street East, Frome, Somerset BA11 1QL

Email: colin.alsbury@b�nternet.com

Auditor: B.O.A. Accountancy Ltd t/as Berkeley Hall Ltd, Unit 2, Southgate, Commerce Park, Frome BA11 2RY

Architect: George Chedburn, Chedburn Dudley, Glove Factory Studios, Brook Lane, Holt, Bradford on Avon BA14 6RL

Legal advisors: FDC Law, 21 Bath Street, Frome BA11 1DJ

Bank: NatWest Bank, 4 Market Place, Frome, Somerset BA11 1AE

1

The Church of St John the Bap�st at Frome Selwood is of ancient founda�on, being founded as a mission church by St Aldhelm in �� 685. A royal church in its early years, the patronage passed in the middle ages to Cirencester Abbey and then at the reforma�on into the hands of the Thynne family at Longleat, who delivered the patronage to the Diocese of Bath and Wells (Board of Patronage) in the late 1930s.

East Woodlands.

Ministry

Vicar: Revd Colin Alsbury MA Readers: Mrs Janet Caudwell MA Ms Ross Frooms

Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The role of the PCC

Charitable status of the PCC

In 2009 the PCC, previously excepted from registra�on, registered with the Charity Commission, and the registra�on process was completed in early 2010.

2

Contents

PCC membership 2022 4
Other PCC ofcers and appointees 4
Commi�ees 5
Collabora�ve ministry 5
Inclusive church 6
Major Churches Network 6
PCC funds 7
Associated and related non-PCC funds 7
Trusts and bequests in the care of the Incumbent/Churchwardens 7
Strategy for Mission and Ministry 8
Sta�s�cs for Mission / Electoral roll informa�on 9
Report on the fabric, ornaments and goods 10
Report of the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council 11
Statement of fnancial ac�vi�es 12
Balance sheet 13
Notes to the fnancial statements 14-16
Accoun�ng policies 17
Addi�onal notes regarding accoun�ng policies 18-19
Independent examiner’s report 20
Property notes 21-22
Commi�ee reports 23
Stewardship report 23
Benne� Centre (St John’s Church Hall) Project Report 24
Charity/Trust Funds income and expenditure accounts 25

Mission statement

Our mission and ministry:

‘ Seven whole days, not one in seven’

Cherishing our inheritance of Chris�an faith and worship, we strive to welcome all and share the joy of the Gospel message in Christ, through concern for the wholeness of individuals and ac�ve involvement in community life in all its diversity.

3

PCC Membership 2022

Clergy:

Revd Colin Alsbury (Vicar, Deanery Synod & Surrogate)

Churchwardens (elected annually):

Mr Neil McCormick

Mr Terry Bushell

Deanery Synod Members:

PCC members elected un�l 2023:

PCC members elected un�l 2024:

PCC members elected un�l 2025:

Vacancy

Readers (appointed annually):

Mrs Janet Caudwell

Ms Ross Frooms

Note : Within the Frome Town Group Ministry the other incumbents are also en�tled to a�end and take part in, but not have any vote in, the proceedings of any PCC mee�ng: Revd Liz Dudley Christ Church & St Mary's

Revd Ian Snares

Holy Trinity (from September 2022)

Senior servers Mr Peter Connew Choir leader Mrs Rosemary McCormick Sacristy Mrs Marian Alsbury Tower captains Mr Andy Mead Flower co-ordinator Mrs Elaine Gilburt Hon archive supervisor Vacant (c/o Incumbent) Safeguarding officer Mrs Judith Davies un�l September 2022 Health & safety issues Mr Brian Essex Mr Neil McCormick Electoral roll officer Stewardship Mrs Judith Davies; Mrs Amanda Crook from April 2022 Magazine editors Mrs Amanda Crook, Mrs Karolyn Curle Church administrator Mrs Karolyn Curle

4

Commi�ees

The PCC operates through a number of commi�ees, which meet between full mee�ngs of the PCC. The Vicar is a member of all commi�ees ex- officio. Though most members of commi�ees are also on the PCC, membership of commi�ees is open to persons who are not members of the PCC.

Standing Commi�ee

Worship Commi�ee (jointly with Woodlands St Katharine)

This commi�ee coleading our worship, mee�ng every couple of months. It makes recommenda�ons to the PCC on any change or development in our pa�ern of worship.

Social Commi�ee

This commi�ee oversees and organises events to build fellowship within the life of the parish.

Note: The Restora�on Joint Commi�ee is not a sub-commi�ee of the PCC alone but forms a partnership with the separate associated registered charity 'Frome St John Restora�on Fund'.

Collabora�ve ministry

On 26th September 2018 Bishop’s Council approved a Scheme crea�ng a Joint PCC for the two benefices to which the separate PCCs are delega�ng a number of areas of responsibility including safeguarding, health & safety and publicity.

The parishes of the Frome Town Group are able to collaborate through a Group Council. In order to balance the pastoral care responsibili�es of the benefices within the town there is a working agreement in place whereby some parts of Christ Church parish are cared for by Holy Trinity and St John’s.

The parish is commi�ed to working with ecumenical partners and hosts a monthly prayer mee�ng for members of Frome area congrega�ons. The Clergy of the Frome Deanery meet regularly as Clergy Chapter for worship, study and fellowship.

deployment will be needed across the Diocese following the financial challenges of the pandemic and a�er prolonged and detailed delibera�ons the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group has, since the end of 2022, formulated proposals that have been accepted by PCC’s and the Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Group for changes in clergy deployment in the Deanery. These proposals will involve the severance of the exis�ng plurality of Frome St John the Bap�st and Woodlands, St Katharine.

5

Inclusive Church

On 27th September 2018 the applica�on by the PCC of Frome St John the Bap�st parish church to be recognised as part of Inclusive Church was accepted.

Inclusive Church is a network of churches, groups and individuals uni�ng together around a shared vision:

‘We believe in inclusive Church - church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in Church which welcomes and serves all people in the

name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each genera�on; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.’

Further informa�on is available at h�ps://www.inclusive-church.org/

Major Churches Network

In 2016 a report funded by Historic England and supported by the Church Buildings Council and Heritage Lo�ery Fund was published which aimed to inves�gate the problems faced by Major Churches and suggest ways of suppor�ng them. The new na�onal defini�on of a Major Church includes such factors as its lis�ng grade (I or II*) and its size (over 1000 sqm footprint). Some 300 churches fall into this category na�onally, of which Frome St John the Bap�st is one of just seven in the Diocese of Bath & Wells.

The Church Buildings Council recognise that such Major Churches face issues normally associated - with cathedrals, but with parish church sized resources. Part of the support given to Major Churches will come through assistance in developing a comprehensive Conserva�on Management Plan.

The Greater Churches Network re-formed in 2019 as the Major Churches Network (MCN), with regional mee�ngs being held, in order to support Major Churches in management, mission and ministry.

In 2022 we were able to acquire, at no cost, through MCN a substan�al stock of A7 Prayer cards (with topics are based on research findings and include needs intensified by COVID): ‘Feeling alone’, ‘Looking for God’, ‘Grieving’, ‘Struggling with change’, ‘Finding peace’, ‘Wan�ng guidance’, ‘Worried about someone’, ‘Feeling anxious or sad’, ‘Being thankful’, ‘Wan�ng forgiveness’, ‘Feeling hurt’, ‘Being accepted’. The Explore Project is a partnership between the Associa�on of English Cathedrals, the Church of England’s Church Buildings Division and Mission teams, the Na�onal Churches Trust, and the Centre for the Study of Chris�anity & Culture (University of York). These have proved popular and many have been taken by visitors to church.

6

PCC funds

Apart from the General Fund, which is unrestricted in use, the following funds are held by the PCC:

Unrestricted funds that have been designated:

Because of legal changes, from 1st January 2013 payments in respect of Parochial Fees belong to the PCC and DBF (Diocesan Board of Finance), and are managed by the PCC rather than the incumbent. Fees are therefore processed through the PCC accounts.

Restricted funds that hold:

Associated or related non-PCC funds

The following funds are not under the control of the PCC but are held for purposes within or connected with the life of the parish of Frome St John:

Frome St John Restora�on

Established by a Trust Deed in July 1986 as the Friends of St John’s, this is a separate registered charity (No 295057) whose objects are ‘the maintenance and repair of the fabric of St John’s Church and its surrounds’.

The Trustees of this associated charity are accountable directly to the Charity Commissioners for its funds, and notes of their work do not form part of the PCC Annual Report. Their Annual Mee�ng was held on 8th May 2022.

The report of their Trustees is separately available.

Sacristy Fund

Under the terms of a bequest from Rose Hunt a capital sum is held by the Diocesan Trustees, and the income is paid to the parish for the upkeep of vestments etc.

‘Vicarage Garden’ Trust fund

This fund, which arose from the sale of land adjoining the former vicarage garden, is held by

Trusts and bequests in the care of the Incumbent/Churchwardens

The following funds are in the care of the Incumbent or the Incumbent and Churchwardens:

Chari�es Funds

Byard (Educa�on) , Taunton (Music), T Smith (Alms), Singer (Benne� Services), Leversedge (Fabric), Baily (Clock, Carillon, Bells), Hutchings (Grave & Fabric)

Trust Funds

W Baily (Benne� Memorial), Via Crucis, Benne� Grave, Foster (Flowers)

They are included here on page 25, but for informa�on only. They do not form part of the PCC’s Annual Report.

7

Strategy for Mission and Ministry: ‘Seven Whole Days …’

Strategy for Mission and Ministry: ‘Seven Whole Days …’
Congregation to grow as a viable, sustainable community of worship, ministry & mission
Worship to maintain and develop a rich variety of worship
Nurture to establish an effective programme of all-age learning and growth
Fellowship to provide and enjoy regular social events
Membership to affirm a sense of belonging, encouraging new membership and maintaining
accurate and up to date membership records
‘One Holy, Catholic&
Apostolic Church		 to draw strength from and contribute to the wider life of the Church
Plurality of St John &
Woodlands		 to share resources effectively
Group Ministry to share common policies and vision for the town
Frome Area
ChristiansTogether		 to grow in mutual fellowship and ministry
Deanery / Diocese to take an active role in the synodical process
Wider Church to learn from and support the work of the wider church
to give a proportion of our income to support the wider mission and ministry of
Mission partnerships the Church and to welcome fresh understanding of our calling through learning
from the life of the wider church
Community to engage actively with the whole life of the community in which we are set
Pastoral care to share people’s joys and sorrows and provide appropriate care, support and
guidance
Prayer Network to hold in prayer all those whose needs are known to us
Baptism to welcome all who would seek to begin their journey of faith
Marriage to celebrate mutual love and commitment in marriage
Bereavement to support people in the time of grief
Geographical parish to engage with the ordinary life of the community that live, work or take
their leisure within the parish
Resident population to reach out in service and witness to the people of the parish
Voluntary sector to know and be known by those working for the welfare of the local community
Business community to value the people involved in the local economy,especially at Rogation and
Harvest
Education to affirm all involved in the work of education and support individuals of all
ages in their learning and personal growth
Church School to actively share in and contribute to the life of St John’s School
Church as a teaching to enable the use of the Church building for school visits and as a place where
resource learningcan be enriched
Heritage to cherish the inheritance which is in our trust and provide as best we can
for that inheritance to be maintained and developed
The site & building to work creatively with heritage bodies to assure the future of a living site
Parish archives to work with county archives and others to preserve our unique records
Conservation &
access		 to keep safe and ensure security of records, including provision of archive quality
copies; to provide reasonable access to records, including provision of copies,
findingaids and indices wherepossible
Visitors & tourism to welcome casual visitors and organised visits and enrich the experience
of their visit
An open church– to maintain a team of volunteers who will be confident in explaining the history,
stewarding life and mission of the parish
Guides & literature to provide in accessible form a variety of literature which enrich people’s visit
Music & the arts to develop the offering of music and arts within worship and to host
appropriate exhibitions and concerts throughout the year
Frome Festival to work closely with the Festival organisers in promoting music and the arts

8

Sta�s�cs for Mission

A number of returns are made each year to the Diocese and Church Commissioners regarding membership, a�endance and other aspects of church life.

worship at least once a month, or would do so if not restricted by health or other reasons comprised 49 individuals, an increase of 7 on the previous year:

Children (0-10) Youth (11-17) Adult (18-69) Older (70+) Total
5 0 18 26 49 In 2022
1 2 18 21 42 In 2021

The number of bap�sms, weddings and funerals were:

Bap�sms
2022
2021
Under 1 year
5
0
Age 1-4
3
1
Age 5-10
0
0
Adult
1
0
Total
9
1
Age 11-17
0
0		 Dedica�on a�er civil
marriage
2
0
Funerals
2022
2021
in church
8
2
at crematorium
2
8
Weddings
2022
2021
Full service
5
1

The numbers a�ending Easter, Advent and Christmas services were:

Easter Day Communicants Communicants Communicants A�ending
2022 45 68
2021 24 24
Advent For congrega�on &
local community
For civic and school		 Christmas Communicants A�ending
2022 450 750 2022 60 130
2021 55 0 2021 33 35

Electoral roll

The number on the church electoral roll for 2022 was 78.

9

Wardens’ report on the fabric, ornaments and goods for 2022

There has not been much work done to the fabric of the church during the year while we await the report following the quinquennial survey of the church by the church architects.

church, but the damage was mostly confined to the paper inside the box and the wooden box itself was only slightly scorched.

Carpet was laid at the back of the church where the pews have been temporarily moved pending a decision on the appropriate floor covering between the back of the pews and the west end.

Neil McCormick and Terry Bushell

Churchwardens

10

Report of the proceedings

of the Parochial Church Council in 2022

  1. Mee�ngs: The PCC held nine mee�ngs in 2022, all in person. Standing agenda items at each mee�ng included Health & Safety, Safeguarding and the Net Zero Carbon ini�a�ve.

  2. con�nued with regular checks on safety of the building and equipment.

  3. Safeguarding: The PCC has complied with the duty under sec�on 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016: it has adopted and works to implement the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Vicar was in liaison with other Frome parishes about shared arrangements for a Safeguarding Officer. In the mean�me, Safeguarding concerns or queries could be referred via email to administrator@sjfrome.co.uk or by post c/o The Parish Office. Guidance was published on the Church website.

  4. The building: Building work and repairs con�nued to be supervised by Peter Connew and the Churchwardens. The Quinquennial Inspec�on took place in October. See separate Fabric report.

  5. bap�sms and ten funerals/thanksgiving services.

  6. Events: There was a well blessing service, and Spring and Christmas fairs. Mini-markets also started being held monthly on Independent Market Sundays from the autumn and proved to be successful in fundraising and bringing more visitors into the church. Several events were held in the church during the Frome Fes�val in July, including Evensong, a talk by the Vicar and a concert by Frome Consort, as well as the floral and art displays.

  7. St John’s School: Janet Caudwell con�nued in an important link role with the school as an associate governor. Further interest was received from another poten�al governor, which is being progressed.

Angela Pater, Honorary Secretary

11

For the year ended 31 December 2022

12

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022 Frome St John the Bapilst PCC Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022 Note 2022 2021 Flxed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Current As5•ts Debtors Prepayments Bank and cash accounts 75,657.74 783.69 65,381.44 141,822.87 11,376.95 697.97 56,257.90 68,332.82 Ll•bllltles Amounts falllng due wlttrsln one year Accruals water2buslness and SSE Deferred Income- ma8azine advertlsements Deferred income rent Rental Deposlt 34.432.24 26.53 90.00 1,209.40 10.00 23,389.90 30.91 49.50 316.00 10.00 35,768.17 23,796.31 N•t Current Amets 106,054.70 44,536.51 106 054.70 44 536.51 Funds Unrestricted Restrlcted Endowrnent 97,308.86 8,745.84 35,118.23 9,418.28 106,054.70 44,536.51 Approved by the Parochlal Church Council IDatel and signed on its behalf by: Revd Colin Alsbury, Vicor and Chalr of PCC 13

for the year ended 31 December 2022

17

14

continued

for the year ended 31 December 2022 (Con�nued)

15

continued

for the year ended 31 December 2022 (con�nued)

16

Accoun�ng policies

together with applicable accoun�ng standards and the Chari�es SORP.

investment assets, which are shown at market value.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restric�ons regarding their use and are available for applica�on on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a par�cular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

The accounts include all transac�ons, assets and liabili�es for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affilia�on to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Incoming resources Voluntary income and capital sources :

(1) Collec�ons are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

(2) Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received.

(3) Income tax recoverable on covenants or gi� aid dona�ons is recognised when the income is recognised.

amount due.

(5) Funds raised by fetes, garden par�es and similar events are accounted for gross.

(6) Sales of books and magazines from the church bookstall are accounted for gross.

Other ordinary income : Rental income from the le�ng of the church premises is recognised when the rent is due. Income from investments : Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accoun�ng year.

Gains and losses on investments : Realised gains and losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revalua�on of investments at 31 December.

Resources used

Grants: Grants and dona�ons are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if that award creates a binding obliga�on on the PCC.

Ac�vi�es directly rela�ng to the work of the church: The diocesan quota or parish share is accounted for when payable. Any quota unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an opera�onal (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet.

Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings:

(2) No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is wri�en off as expenditure in the statement of financial ac�vi�es (SOFA) and separately disclosed.

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items with a purchase price of £2,500 or less are wri�en off when the asset is acquired. Items that have had no net book value for a clear financial year are retained on the inventory but no longer listed on the accounts.

be built up by deprecia�ng its capital contents. The deprecia�on would be calculated on items or group of like items with a purchase price in excess of £300.

Investments: Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.

Current assets:

(1) Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

17

Addi�onal notes regarding accoun�ng policies

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

received. Changed policy includes a risk that not all claimable VAT expenditure will be subject of a grant in compensa�on. Whilst VAT expended which may be or is the subject of a claim will con�nue to be shown as debtors there will be a future risk of non receipt. Such non receipt will be shown as a bad debt within the accounts.

Employment

Reserves policy

A formal reserves policy has been adopted sugges�ng that a working reserve of unrestricted funds of the order of half the annual parish share plus three to four months other ordinary turnover is vital to sustain sensible cash-flow management. This is reinforced by cash flow modelling of income and expenditure through the year.

A further factor in management of reserves is that at 1 Jan a substan�al sum of addi�onal reserve (of the order of 20% of projected project cost) is required in years where substan�al capital expenditure is planned involving reclaim of VAT under the government Listed Places of Worship grant scheme as the VAT has to be paid first and reclaimed later with some uncertainty now as to whether funds will always be fully recoverable due to changes in government policy.

operate a balanced budget at all �mes. For 2022/2023, the reserve figure in line with our policy is £33,000.

The PCC will be looking to develop a modest working reserve so that some of the many important or desirable capital works and mission ini�a�ves previously unable to be funded by the general funds of the PCC can be taken forward.

Policy documents

– – Policy documents including a dona�ons and fundraising policy document adopted in September 2014 are available for inspec�on at the parish office.

Risk management

reviewed annually.

Financial risk – the most common category of risk and it is possible to measure many nonterms of financial impact. Financial risks can be managed through budgets and internal financial procedures as well as strategic business and development plans, and management accounts.

controls will remain in place to assure a firmer foo�ng for future development..

– Reputa�onal risk can have an impact on parishes if, for example, unwelcome publicity hinders the mission of the Church.

– Statutory and legal requirements such as health and safety, employment law, Equality Act, Chari�es Act, safeguarding (Child Protec�on and vulnerable adults) and associated ma�ers which could lead to substan�al liabili�es arising from claims or other legal ac�on.

Con�nuing vigilance with regard to Safeguarding policy has been an important aspect of work in close collabora�on with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and other local churches through the Deanery and Frome Area Chris�ans Together.

The PCC is commi�ed to and complies with the Na�onal Safeguarding policies of the Church of England and those of the Diocese of Bath & Wells which require every PCC to have due regard to

18

continued

House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults (sec�on 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016).

A Fire Safety risk assessment and plan is in place.

The test of ‘reasonable’-ness in the Equali�es Act, Disability Discrimina�on Act and similar du�es with regard to Health and Safety clearly requires any organisa�on to exercise due diligence at all �mes. We have a responsibility to recognise, plan and implement response to these issues as a priority claim on resources.

First Aid provision, emergency procedures, exit routes and related ma�ers need to be regularly reviewed and all sidesmen, stewards and other responsible persons kept up to date in training. New General Data Protec�on Regula�ons (GDPR) legisla�on came into force in 2018 (replacing the Data Protec�on Act), and the PCC has worked to take on board the implica�ons of this new legisla�on with the Diocese providing training and support so that relevant changes in policies and procedures can be implemented.

The PCCs of our parish and our associated parish at Woodlands recommended to their APCMs that a joint Benefice Church Council be established to lead in oversight of statutory and legal requirements that affect them both and that Scheme was approved by Bishops Council in September 2018. A fuyther proposal to work under a Joint Parochial Church Council was rejected by Woodlands in 2022. [Since the end of 2022 the plan for future clergy deployment prepared by the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group and approved by the Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Group provides for the severance of the present plurality with Woodlands being associated with the Beckington benefice in the near future.]

– Opera�onal risk relates to threats to the Church’s ability to deliver its objec�ves due, for example, to damage to the church building.

Steps have been taken to reduce risk in this area in rela�on to alarm systems, stewarding at �mes of higher risk, etc.

– Risk assessment can feel a nega�ve process develop strategies to overcome deficiencies.

19

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH FROME PAROCHIAL CHUIICH COUNCIL si Report and financial siaternents for the year ended 31 December 2022 We B O A Accountancy tjas Berkeley Hall Limited of Unit 2, Southgate, Commerce Park, Frome, report that we have carried out an examination in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 1998, the regulations made under Part IV of the Charities Act 1993 and in accordance with any applicable directions given by the charity commissioners. In connection with ihis examination we can confinn that no matter has come to our attention which would give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: A) The Council's accounting records have not been kept in accordance with Section 41 of thc Charities Act 1993 and with above regulations. B) That the accounts do not accord with those records. c) The statcmcnt of accounts Ivhich have been prepared on an accruals basis does not comply with any of the requirements. No niatter has comc to my attention which in our opinion should be disclosed in the report in order to cnable a proper undersianding lo be reached. S A Smith ACA ATII

Property notes

Benne� Centre – St John's Church Hall

The Benne� Centre was built in 1854 as a school on land partly the site of the former Grammar School (of Edward VI founda�on) and partly land acquired by Vicar Benne� that had been occupied - by a number of small poor quality dwellings. Below the Centre the spring and cistern that lay within the courtyard of those proper�es remain, evidencing the 18th century ground level. The site is held by the PCC, having been acquired for £5 under a conveyance of 19th May 1961, and is subject to a reversion clause should it cease to be used as a Church Hall or for church purposes. The book value to the PCC of the property is therefore limited to the sum of £5. The Centre has been significantly improved over recent years with two of three intended phases of works now effec�vely complete.

Churchyard and Cur�lage

The ancient churchyard included the western half of the present nave and part of the present forecourt. The visible churchyard was officially closed for burials by Order in Privy Council in 1854 - and the southern area substan�ally re landscaped at that �me. Somewhat irregularly, burials resumed and con�nued un�l the mid-20th century. The present-day care and maintenance of the (walled) churchyard, including trees, is the responsibility of the Mendip District Council, although the PCC remains responsible for the structure of the Via Crucis. Interment of ashes within the churchyard is allowed within the area along the eastern edge of the main churchyard and the PCC has worked through the DAC (Diocesan Advisory Commi�ee) to remove the restric�on that has been in place for some 30 years or so that such interments could not be marked in situ with memorial slabs.

Via Crucis

The extension of the churchyard to include the Via Crucis in the 1860s is the subject of a memorandum of Agreement dated 25th of September 1856 between the then Marquess of Bath and the then Vicar and Churchwardens. The Via Crucis is Listed in its own right, and structural repair work has qualified for the LPWG Scheme. The steps in this area have been repaired by Mendip District Council working with Somerset County Council, and occasional services of 'Sta�ons of the Cross' are now held at the Via Crucis.

Blindhouse

The ‘Blindhouse’ in the corner of the southern churchyard appears to have been relocated to its posi�on where what was Twa�le Alley met Church Lane (as Blindhouse Lane was formerly known) in 1798. The re-ordered churchyard was consecrated in 1801 by the then Bishop of Bristol.

Forecourt

The forecourt as now seen was formed in about 1818 when Bath Street was cut. It includes an area of the old churchyard and land formerly parochial glebe and other proper�es belonging to the Vicar and Churchwardens. It was cleared on the north side between 1815 and 1818 and on the south side between 1826 and 1837. Somerset County Council maintains the highway through the forecourt under a licence agreement, and a further agreement from 1848 allows the owners of 8 Bath Street access to the rear of their property through the forecourt area.

Church Co�age

The Co�age site was conveyed to the Vicar and Churchwardens from the Longleat Estate, and since its use as the Verger’s residence, it has been let in all or part to a variety of bodies. It has been managed by the PCC on behalf of the Vicar and Churchwardens and currently hosts Focus Counselling and provides office space including our own parish office, and some storage.

Continued

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Church School

The school site is formed from a total of six parcels of land originally the site of the Rectorial Manor House and Tithe Barn of Frome and now vested in the Diocesan Board of Trustees as holding trustees on behalf of the owners, the Vicar and Churchwardens. One parcel is held under the School sites act for educa�onal purposes having been given by the Lamb Brewery in 1932, but the remainder were purchased at various dates from 1910 to 1918 and in 1939 and are all held for general church purposes.

Chancel repair liability

By October 2013 all liability for Chancel Repair should be registered at the Land Registry as any land related liability remaining unregistered at that date will cease upon the next conveyance of that land.

Anciently the responsibility fell to Cirencester Abbey and was accepted by Longleat when they acquired the Rectory of Frome in the 16th century. Though Longleat is described as ‘impropriate Rector’ in the 1936 Tithe Act documenta�on, there is some lack of clarity concerning liability for Chancel Repair as it a�ached to the Rectorial Glebe of the parish and other proper�es listed in the relevant Schedule of Ascertainments. A lengthy and thorough period of inves�ga�ons has revealed that the lands described as Rectorial Glebe in 1840 known as ‘Hewish’ near the present Frome sta�on were acquired by the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway about 1846, and that area of land is now fragmented into a considerable number of separate ownerships. A copy of the Schedule of Ascertainments has also been obtained from the Na�onal Archives, and it lists several hundred parcels of land as having a propor�onate liability. Many of these parcels have since that date been divided into further smaller parcels as development has taken place in the area.

In the light of guidance received through the Diocese and Church Commissioners, and following research as to the number of proper�es listed in the relevant Schedule of Ascertainments, the PCC decided in 2012 that no registra�on against proper�es in respect of Chancel Repair Liability will be made.

This decision has been made bearing in mind the administra�ve burden involved in iden�fying the many hundreds of proper�es that would be involved, the legal and other costs that would be incurred both in registra�on and in any future enforcement of the liability, and the reputa�onal risk and pastoral consequences of registra�on against a substan�al propor�on of proper�es in the parish.

Christ Church Churchyard

The northern extension to the churchyard at Christ Church was originally conveyed to the parish of Frome St John the Bap�st.

Mary Baily Playing Field

use by children, there is a clause in Mary Baily’s will specifying that upon any breach of the trust upon which the land is held it will then be given over to the Vicar and Churchwardens of Frome St John the Bap�st with power of sale and any such proceeds to be held for the general purposes of the parish.

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Commi�ee reports

St John’s and St Katharine’s Worship Commi�ee

St John’s Social Commi�ee

St John’s Pastoral Team

Pastoral oversight of St John’s family con�nues to be shared between six members of the congrega�on. It’s possible that you receive a Christmas card and/or a palm cross from the person who keeps an eye out for you. The pastoral team keep in touch mainly via emails, which are shared with Vicar and Churchwardens and other team leaders, and you may find updates on the prayer request sec�on on the weekly pew sheet. During the pandemic we were probably rather more aware of each other, and telephone calls were more frequent. But we are conscious that some people have not felt able to come back to church and we do try to keep in touch. Janet Caudwell

Stewardship report

undertaking it for very many years.

The report this year is very similar to last year’s: as ever we are extremely grateful to all of you who have con�nued to donate regularly to our income, but sadly we have once again lost several members during the year and others have once again had to revise their giving depending on – personal circumstances, which means that the income from planned giving con�nues to decline this year by just over 5%.

On a happier note, collec�ons income – on-the-spot dona�ons during services put in the – collec�on plate or on the dona�on point increased by a third.

Thank you all for your con�nued support. We hope for a more prosperous 2023 for us all. Mandy Crook, Stewardship treasurer

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Benne� Centre (St John’s Church Hall) Report

We also installed a blackout blind to the large window in the Great Hall to ease sunshine problems. This was paid for by some generous dona�ons. From historic grants we also completed and commissioned the fire alarm system which, a�er some ini�al hiccups, seems to be working as an�cipated.

The remaining renova�on work on the site is, essen�ally, new doors and windows for the Cloister and the internal and external wheelchair-capable li�s. Grants towards comple�ng the work have been hard to find, but we are pressing on with that. We have had several dona�ons towards the yard steps and hope to complete those in Spring 2023.

Our regular hirers con�nue with their support although there have been several changes during - 2022 as the post Covid world reopened. Sadly, the Food Hub, who operated throughout the Covid lockdowns providing a distribu�on service for farm fresh goods, found their volume dropped off significantly during 2022 and closed at the end of November.

Over the winter the Centre has hosted PCC and commi�ee mee�ngs and the church cra� group to avoid hea�ng the church (or si�ng there in the cold).

We should also note that the musician who used the building during Covid-19 lockdown has departed owing rent and will no longer be part of the user community. This is largely due to the incompa�bility of using the building as a recording space alongside general hire.

The volunteer management team would like to thank Janet Osborne who stood down at the end - of May as our Le�ngs Officer having got the bookings fully launched a�er the re opening.

The team, Mandy Crook, David Daniels, Chris�ne Holland, Toby Wi�y and myself, would like the APCM to endorse our con�nuing to 2024. We would also like the APCM to consider if anyone else would care to join the team to con�nue the return of the site to community use. There’s no specific requirement for volunteers to be church folk, and a younger element would be welcomed.

Peter Connew, Management Commi�ee, Benne� Centre

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Charity/Trust funds Income and expenditure accounts 2022

Notes:

2. Some of the Trusts and Chari�es result from the merging of a number of smaller old Trusts and Chari�es and the descrip�ve wording rela�ng to purpose for which held is indica�ve rather than being a full statement of the purposes for which the relevant funds may be applied.

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