Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, Winchmore Hill
for the year ended 31 December 2025
Registered Charity Number 1133942
## **The Parochial Church Council**
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, Winchmore Hill (‘the PCC’) has responsibility, in conjunction with the Vicar and Churchwardens, to promote the mission of the parish. This includes responsibility for maintaining the church building, St Paul’s Church Hall, and St Paul’s Lodge, and the proper stewardship of the church’s financial position and other resources.
## **Membership**
Members of the PCC are either _ex officio_ or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) or the PCC in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Elected members serve a three-year term commencing at the conclusion of the APCM at which they are elected. By convention, PCC members normally do not serve for more than two consecutive terms (i.e. six years).
During the year beginning 18 May 2025 the following have served as members of the PCC:
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|_Name_|_Type_|_Year elected_|_Office_|
|Fr Daniel Sandham|Ex officio(licensed clergy)|n/a|Chair|
|Mthr LyanneBeckerson|Exofficio (licensedclergy)|n/a||
|Phil Morehen|Ex officio(Churchwarden)|n/a|Vice-Chair|
|Paul Prigmore|Ex officio (Churchwarden)|n/a||
|Martyn Caswell|Ex officio
(Deanery Synod)|2023||
|SusanChambers||2023||
|Itzhak Matthai||2023||
|John Hey||2023||
|Kirsten Lijeskic||2023||
|Michael Laurie||2023||
|SamanthaHine|Elected|2023||
|Alison Perera|Elected|2023||
|Andrew Woodward|Elected|2023||
|AthenaForan|Elected|2023||
|Lola Cawood|Elected|2023||
|Wanda(Alison)Atkins|Elected|2024|Treasurer|
|Pascale Louis-Louisy|Elected|2024||
|AndyDodd|Elected|2024||
|Rebecca Clark|Elected|2024|Secretary|
|Claire Knight|Elected|2024|SafeguardingOfficer|
|EllaPerera|Elected|2025||
|HilaryCrocker|Elected|2025||
|MaggieLindsay|Elected|2025|Electoral RollOfficer|
|Katherine(Kate)Roberts|Elected|2025||
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## **Vicar’s Report**
## **Introduction**
Our annual report and annual meetings provide a wonderful opportunity for us to look back on the year. As I do so I am filled with thankfulness for the work of ministry in this place, and for the ways in which God has guided and provided.
## **Worship, prayer and discipleship**
The worship of Almighty God is central to the mission and ministry of the parish, and our regular celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of our life together.
Our average Sunday attendance in 2025 was 220 (149 adults and 71 children), which shows a slight increase (3%) from last year. This is encouraging, and we should continue to make Sunday worship our priority as Christians, and pray for continued and sustainable growth. On three Sundays in October-November, Sunday worship took place in the church hall while temporary, emergency repairs were made to the church ceiling.
All-Together Eucharists were celebrated for our Patronal Festival in January, on Palm Sunday, Harvest Festival and Advent Sunday. Our guest preacher at our Patronal Festival was the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen. These continue to be excellent opportunities to worship together as a church family.
In January we hosted the first Churches Together in Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill and Grange Park ‘Songs of Praise’, which was attended by 100 people.
Lent is special time for growth in holiness. Our focus this year was God’s mercy, which we explored in Lectio Divina each Wednesday before the lunchtime Eucharist, and also in a poignant Celebration of Healing and Reconciliation, at which the preacher was the priest, poet and broadcaster, the Revd Laura Darrall. The Revd Dr Peter Anthony, Vicar of All Saints, Margaret Street, conducted a devotional tour of the National Gallery.
Also in Lent, a group of 25 of us, including seven children (and plus one dog!) made a four day pilgrimage to Norfolk, exploring the landscape and churches around Walsingham by foot. We stayed in the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, where we joined in the Shrine’s worship and prayers.
Holy Week and Easter is the climax of the Church’s year, as we celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Fr Pete Hopkin preached the Triduum. 337 people attended worship on Easter Day (including the Easter Vigil on Saturday), which is two more than the previous year, and there were 162 communicants.
3rd Southgate Scouts, our sponsored scout group, which uses the Church Hall on Monday and Wednesday evenings, attended a number of parade services, together with our sponsored Rainbows group which uses the church hall on Tuesdays. The uniformed organisations made their usual, poignant contribution to our keeping of Remembrance Sunday.
In the run-up to Christmas we had the usual and very full programme of school Christingles, Carols on the Green, and Nine Lessons and Carols. 590 people attended church on Christmas Eve/Day – a 12% decrease from 2024 (after a 14% increase the previous year) – and there were 174 communicants.
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Our termly Choral Evensongs, each with its own theme, continued. In February we welcomed the Vicar of St Luke and St John Clay Hill, the Revd Mitzi James, as we celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Our summer Evensong, on the feast of St Peter and St Paul, was preceded by a devotion based on the ‘life of St Paul’ windows in our chancel.
There were 28 baptisms of infants and children in 2025 (compared with 26 in 2024), and the (conditional) baptism of one adult. There were no weddings. The clergy officiated 12 funerals, seven of which were held in church, which shows an increase from previous years.
Catechesis is an important feature of our parish’s life and culture. In June, the Bishop of Edmonton confirmed 27 children (the largest number since 1971), and one child was received into the Church of England. One adult was baptised and confirmed, and one adult received.
In June, Mthr Lyanne led a group visiting the Siena exhibition at the National Gallery.
The church is open during the day every day for people to pray, reflect and look round.
## **People**
The Church is the Body of Christ, as St Paul reminds us, and it is made up of many members, each with their own distinctive tasks and callings. That is very true in a parish family, and is pivotal in ensuring that we continue to grow and flourish as the Church in this place.
The Revd Dr Lyanne Beckerson was licensed as Assistant Curate by the Archdeacon of Hampstead on 17 March to continue her title curacy with us. On 14 September the Bishop of Edmonton ordained her to the priesthood here at St Paul’s, and she celebrated her First Mass the following evening. The Revd Pete Hopkins completed his three-year curacy, leaving us in June to become Priest-in-Charge of St Anne with Holy Trinity, Brondesbury, in the Willesden Area of the Diocese. Mark Ashworth, Sarah Elkins and Alison Perera continued as Locally Licensed Ministers (LLMs). Alison was recommended for context-based ordination training; she began this training in September at St Mellitus College, with her context-based formation taking place here at St Paul’s. In September, Kirsten Lazarus was licensed as an LLM by the Bishop of London. The discernment of vocations to lay and ordained ministry has become a significant aspect of our life as a parish, which is a real source of encouragement.
Phil Morehen and Paul Prigmore continued as churchwardens. They do a colossal amount of work behind the scenes, not least in supporting me, and I am hugely grateful for them. They are in turn supported in their Sunday ministry by a number of loyal duty wardens and a team of welcomers.
In May, at the invitation of the Bishop of Edmonton, I took up the additional role of Area Dean of Enfield. I am grateful to those whose ministry at St Paul’s enables me to take on this extra responsibility.
## **Schools**
St Paul’s Church of England Primary School continues to be an important part of our parish’s life.
As Vicar, I am an ex officio governor, and I continued as Vice Chair of the Governing Board until August. After a successful partnership for two years, the school entered into a Federation with St Andrew’s, Enfield. I am grateful to Dilani Dassenaike and Jill Ashcroft, who served as foundation governors representing the PCC on the old board, and to Gwyneth Williams who was elected to serve in this capacity on the new board.
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A team of clergy and ministers from the churches which feed into the school lead Collective Worship every week, and also assist with RE. A Whole School Service takes place twice a term in St Paul’s Church, and the Eucharist is celebrated with Years 5 and 6 in each half term in different locations. Additionally, KS1 and KS2 celebrated Thanksgiving Services in May. In July the Year 6 Leavers’ Service had to be moved to St Peter’s Grange Park due to issues with our church ceiling. The two Christingle services in the run-up to Christmas were as beautiful as ever.
We take great pride in our church school, and are very thankful for the hard work and dedication of its staff.
Keble Prepatory School is the only other school in the parish. Mthr Lyanne led their Carol Service which took place in church in December.
## **The PCC**
The PCC met six times during 2025. In addition to standard business, significant particularly discussions and decisions of the PCC comprised:
- The planned works to the church roof, which took place during the summer (see Church & Premises Report)
- The emergency repairs to the church ceiling, after its partial collapse and subsequent inspection in July (see Church & Premises Report)
- Continuation of our plans to refurbish the Church Hall, and the fundraising appeal to be launched in January 2026.
- Our ongoing commitment to Safeguarding.
The Standing Committee, which comprises the Vicar, Churchwardens, Treasurer and Secretary, met between PCC meetings to enact other items of business.
Fr Daniel Sandham, Vicar and Chair of the PCC
## **Report on the Fabric of the Church (Church and Premises)**
During 2025 the church, church hall and curate’s house continued to receive routine maintenance, and all required statutory inspections on electrical installations, fire alarms and gas appliances were carried out as scheduled.
## **Roof and Stone Repairs**
Following the tender process begun in late 2024, Art Architects completed their review of the contractor submissions early in the year. Vertex Access were confirmed as the preferred contractor, with cost plans finalised and PCC approval given in spring.
Works commenced in July 2025 and were completed in the autumn. Vertex’s work included repairs to the stonework and roof, replacement of defective slates, and application of SmartWater marking to lead elements. Their final account will be agreed in early 2026.
During their time on site, Vertex undertook a detailed inspection of the stone pinnacles. The inspection confirmed that the four large corner pinnacles will require substantial restoration
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in future years, with early estimates ranging from £50k–£100k per pinnacle. This will require a separate funding strategy.
## **Nave Ceiling – Surveys and Temporary Repairs**
On 15 July a section of the Nave ceiling collapsed during a spell of very hot weather. Initial surveys were carried out by Ornate Interiors, including an upper-surface inspection and later a full hand-pressure survey. Based on the findings and advice of the Quinquennial Inspector, the church was temporarily closed for safety reasons, and an emergency faculty was granted. Temporary repairs were completed in two phases, ensuring the ceiling could be made safe for reopening.
Options for the full repair of the ceiling will be developed during 2026 including the appointment of a Structural Engineer to review the ceiling structure, timber roof framing and its suitability for future insulation or photovoltaic panels.
## **Asbestos Management and Removal**
Asbestos in the Church Hall (ground-floor electrical cupboard and beneath the stage) was removed during the February half-term, while the nursery was closed.
## **Energy & Net Zero Carbon Audit**
The committee continued to action recommendations arising from the 2024 Diocese-commissioned Energy Audit. Progress includes LED lighting upgrades, notably in the Chancel and vestries.
## **Refurbishment of the Church Hall**
The Working Group (under the leadership of Tim Chilton) continued to progress the Hall Refurbishment project. A scaled-back, more affordable phased plan was presented to the PCC in January 2025 and approved. The Stage 2 design was concluded in September and presented to the PCC in November together with a fundraising strategy. Approval was given to both the design and the fundraising strategy and the Working Group asked to apply to the St Paul’s Trust for the funds to cover the Stage 3 design fees (planning and grant application stage), which the Trust has agreed. Kick-off of the fundraising for the works is expected in early 2026.
Andrew Woodward, Chair of Church and Premises Committee
## **Children and Families**
## **January to December 2025**
Throughout the year, our St Paul’s children are encouraged to go on a quest to seek God with all their hearts and minds in our FaithQuest programme. Each child received a FaithQuest lanyard and book to collect their quest stickers for attendance and participation, and to write short reflections/pictures about what they have learned about God each Sunday. Some of the highlights this year include our children celebrating the light of Christ made known to the nations, by taking part in the Epiphany Service on 5 January, and the return of our Sunday Children’s Groups, which began on 12 January. They also joined in worship and read
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intercessions during the Patronal Festival later in the month where they learned about the transforming power of God’s love in each person’s life.
In February, in addition to our Sunday Schools, Ignite served in worship, and our Ablaze children and Youth Group (who meet Thursday evenings) led a Q&A-style sermon with Fr Daniel on the ‘Call of Jesus’. For Shrove Tuesday, Lent resources were shared with families to use at home in preparation for Easter.
In March, for Mothering Sunday, the children gave thanks to their Mums/nurturing people in their lives and sang “I Am Thankful”, with Chris Smith (from St Paul’s primary school) on piano, and they helped hand out flower posies. Our children also enjoyed participating in the Palm Sunday procession, making joyful music with their tambourines and waving their palm branches, and for Easter they enjoyed a new ‘Augmented Reality Easter Trail’ leading them through holy week events like the last supper, Jesus’ crucifixion, his death, burial and finally His resurrection on Easter Sunday. There were also memory games, Easter FaithQuest stickers and treats for them to enjoy!
At Pentecost, the children wrote their own prayers to God displayed on our Pentecost Prayer Ring at the church entrance and we celebrated many of our Sunday School & FaithQuest children who completed their confirmation classes and were confirmed in June by our Bishop Anderson.
Before the summer break, we looked back on the term and celebrated their journeys at the
FaithQuest Awards in June, where children received certificates and a summer treat from Hopper & Bean on the Green. Families received summer prayer journey resources to encourage faith conversations during the holidays. After the break, our Winter FaithQuest began, and Children’s groups resumed in September.
At the All-Together Harvest Service in October, the children read and gave thanks to God by singing the Harvest Samba in the children’s choir. Throughout the month, they took part in worship, taking turns reading, praying, carrying candles and banners, and serving at the altar.
Our ‘Hosanna Rock’ Nativity rehearsals began in November, after the October half-term break (which for some children has now increased to 2 weeks), and the Nativity play took place on 14 December with our St Paul’s Community Choir joining in. A big thanks to Sue Jeffreys and our choir for joining us. The children loved singing these songs!
We celebrated the birth of Jesus and the good news of God’s great love, sending His Son to bring us back to Him! We closed the year with a winter FaithQuest celebration and a special treat from Hopper & Bean for those who completed their quest!
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I am grateful for all the children’s contributions and their steady growth in faith and participation throughout the year. Also, a big thank you to all the parents who faithfully turn up and serve in the children’s ministry with joy, kindness and warm welcomes! You are all so inspiring. Thanks for all you do.
**Sunday School Attendance per month: 2023-2025 Comparison***
|**Month**|**2025**|2024|2023|0
20
40
60
80
100
120|0
20
40
60
80
100
120|Sunday School Attendance: 2023–2025
Comparison
2025
2024
2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**January**|**42**|51|78||||
|**February**|**43**|61|60||||
|**March**|**96**|44|49||||
|**April**|**5**|32|22||||
|**May**|**51**|32|33||||
|**June**|**56**|57|37||||
|**July**|**30**|34|31||||
|**Subtotal**|**323**|**311**|**310**||||
|**September**|**60**|57|27||||
|**October**|**26**|24|43||||
|**November**|**52**|79|41||||
|**December**|**60**|51|23||||
|**Total**
**Attendances**|**521**|522|444||||
||||||||
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_**(*ChurchSuite Data)**_
## **St Paul’s Toddler Group**
Our Toddler group has had on average, 15 children and their parents/carers joining us on Wednesday afternoons during term-time for most of the year up until the Summer break. We had a dip in attendance at the beginning of the autumn term when many of our regular children started reception at school. Since late November, it has picked up slightly again with some new mums and babies joining us.
Mums/carers are on a rota to set up and clear away sessions, and our Mothers’ Union members help with serving refreshments. A big thanks to Sue and her team! Our sessions include playtime, fellowship and refreshments with Christian hymns being played as
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background music. After clearing up, we end the session with a sing–along using tambourines and shakers, which everyone enjoys very much!
We had our Toddler group Christmas party on 10 December, with delicious snacks and crafts. We also had a special visit from Father Christmas, who handed out gifts to our excited children! A big thanks to Mthr Lyanne, Alison, John Hey and our Mothers’ Union members for assisting with this.
It’s been a faith-filled year, a big thank you to all our families & team members who make this all possible. Hope you all have a blessed Christmas and know you are all in my prayers.
Elouise Nell, Children and Families Worker
## **Music**
St Paul’s music ministry experienced some challenges during 2025. Our organ was out of action for seven months, making a triumphant return with dramatic effect during the Easter Vigil service. The organ is mended now but is not in absolutely perfect condition. Then our wonderful grand piano sustained a damaged leg, which necessitated the piano being jacked up from March to October. Meanwhile the piano area was out of bounds from July to November because of the danger of falling plaster. Happily the piano is now in perfect condition and is a major asset to the church’s music.
Some flagship events are the three termly Choral Evensongs. On 9 February we had an Evensong themed around the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea followed by a summer Evensong on 29 June. For these events we welcome outside singers from local churches and the local choral society. The 19 October Evensong had to be scaled down to an Evening Prayer in the hall while work was being carried out in the church. The two Evensongs were well attended with nibbles and wine served afterwards. Other highlights were the Confirmation service on 15 June, the Ordination of Mthr Lyanne on 14 September followed by her First Mass the next day, the Advent Carols service on 30 November and the candlelit Nine Lessons and Carols on 21 December. The choir, band and children happily led Carols on the Green as usual.
The band has now been relaunched as the Music Group. It helps to lead the music for the five All-Together Eucharists and occasionally some communion songs at the Sung Eucharist.
Christopher Foreman, Director of Music
## **Events and Fundraising**
This was the first full year of this committee, which replaced the former Social and Fundraising Committee. The main difference between these two committees is that the new Events and Fundraising Committee takes a strategic approach to the oversight of all the parish’s events and activities. As such, the committee is not necessarily directly responsible for individual
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events and activities, which are organised by other committees, sub-committees, or informal teams formed for individual events.
Consequently, many of the events and activities which took place in 2025 are covered in other contributions to the annual report. Attention in this report is given to the following events:
Our Patronal Festival All-Together Eucharist was followed by a coffee and croissants in the church hall, and a Patronal Raffle which raised £620 for general funds.
The May Fair, held in the church hall and car park, was attended by Bambos Charalambous, one of the MPs whose constituencies covers the parish. This raised £5,000 for general funds.
The annual Vicarage Garden Party took place in July, although it was held in the church hall due to inclement weather. This raised £570.
In November, the Elevation Event – a gala dinner and entertainment – was held in the church hall, kicking off the appeal for our church hall project, and raising £5,500.
None of these or any of our events could happen without the dedication, skill, commitment, energy and time of able and talented people, both on this committee and beyond. To them the heartiest of thanks is due. Likewise, thank you to all those who have supported events and fundraising by attending (and spending money!) at these events.
Fr Daniel Sandham, Social and Fundraising Committee
## **Outreach and Justice**
The Outreach and Justice committee had a great year especially in terms of building and developing relationships with other organisations working in the local community.
We enhanced our links with APAP (All People All Places) by continuing the weekly sandwich donations and by the end of 2025 we had 12 volunteers making sandwiches and 4 volunteers taking them to the support centre. This has given us an opportunity to work with new staff and to discuss the support and development of the charity going forward. For example, our Carols on the Green event raised £900 for APAP through sponsorship from local businesses and advertisements in the event programme. We also began discussions about a Pop-Up Soup Kitchen that could revive providing hot food once APAP move into their new premises. This was also enhanced by members of the St Paul’s congregation supplying desserts and sweets for the Christmas Dinner at the support centre in December.
We’re focusing our future on APAP and renewing partnerships with local churches to jointly support the homeless. Furthermore, we hope to strengthen our links with local churches by engaging with other events that reflect our shared Christian ethos of love and inclusion for all.
Mthr Lyanne Beckerson, Chair of the Outreach and Justice Committee
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## **Pastoral Care**
The Pastoral Team has been running at St Paul’s for the past 4 years. It now has ten members including the clergy and two of our LLMs.
The team offer a range of support in the parish that includes visits, phone calls or home communion. During 2025 there were 18 households that were kept in touch with. These are members of the congregation that are housebound, live alone or are sick or bereaved. Sadly four members of that group of parishioners have died during 2025.
Prayer Ministry takes place each month after the Sung Eucharist and members of the team have increasingly been joining coffee after the Joyful Noise service as well to chat to our families.
The team meet twice a term for ongoing support and discussion to support our ministry.
A small group of parishioners who support family members with dementia come together for support with members of the team.
Members of the team have continued to lead quiet half days to prepare for Advent and Lent.
Jane Reed stepped down from the co ordinator role after the APCM in 2025, and the team are finding ways to undertake duties that the role has involved.
Jane Reed, Pastoral Care Coordinator
## **Charities**
The final total raised our 2024/25 Annual Charity, The Children’s Society, was £1,653.64.
Our annual charity 2025/26 is One-to-One, a local charity that supports Autistic adults and those with learning difficulties. So far we have raised £1,327.91 for this charity.
We raised £870.02 for the 2025 London Diocese Lent Appeal for Climate Justice.
During Christian Aid Week in May 2025, retiring collections after Sunday services raised £327.24 and a CAF cheque for £500 was also received.
The sale of poppies in November raised £54.92 for the Royal British Legion.
Our Harvest Festival gifts were donated to the North Enfield Foodbank. In addition to this, all through the year food donated to the collection box in the church porch is available for local households experiencing food poverty and this is regularly used. Surplus food is donated to the North Enfield Foodbank.
Carols on The Green 2025 raised £3744. This was shared between the national charity CRISIS and the local charity All People All Places, both of which support people who are experiencing, or are threatened with, homelessness.
In addition to these church activities, our branch of the Mothers’ Union also undertook a number of charitable activities during 2025. Through various events during the year (Fellowship Lunches, a garden party and the Christmas Pudding Party) our MU was able to donate £645 to support London Diocesan Mothers’ Union projects in London and around the world. It also donated eight Good News bibles to the Chaplaincy Centre at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs. Over the Christmas period 2025, our MU members donated gift cards
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to the charity PACT (a national charity that supports prisoners and their families). These gift cards were given to prisoners so they could give their children a small Christmas gift. MU members also wrote individual Easter and Christmas greetings cards for prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs and, in response to a special request, knitted baby hats for premature baby units in hospitals in London.
Susan Chambers, Chair of the Charities Sub-committee
## **Safeguarding**
The parish dashboards has been regularly updated through the course of the year. Safeguarding is a standing item on the PCC meetings and Claire Knight (PSO) updates the PCC regularly. Safeguarding training continues to remain a key priority this year in ensuring everyone on the PCC has completed basics and foundation level training, as well of those in positions where leadership training is required.
We celebrated Safeguarding Sunday on 16 November to raise awareness of the issues around safeguarding. Safeguarding was highlighted at both Joyful Noise and the Sung Eucharist to raise awareness of safeguarding. The PSO spoke at the Sung Eucharist discussing the importance of everyone’s role in safeguarding within our church community. Posters around the church and church buildings give information of who to contact regarding safeguarding concerns. The weekly parish newsletter now has the PSO contact details too.
Claire Knight, Parish Safeguarding Officer
## **Enfield Deanery Synod**
The Deanery Synod met three times during 2025. These meetings are open to all members of the Anglican churches in Enfield.
## **Spring 2025 at Ss Peter and Paul, Enfield Lock**
The Revd Stephen Gallagher, Area Dean opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed members to the parish.
The Area Dean announced that this was his last meeting as he was leaving his current post and was to be Fulham Dean of Mission and Stepney Catholic Commissioner.
The main agenda item was a Lenten Address by the Bishop of Edmonton. He said that the church is stronger when it is in groups of people committed to their faith.
He referenced Matthew 4 and said that Lent was a reflective liturgical wilderness in which to ponder big questions, including what it means to be both Christian and human.
Temptation is the stark testing ground of faith. In the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene creed, the Bishop invited us to consider how the Cross points the way back to the Incarnation in which God’s purpose is revealed.
In answer to a question about the search for the prophetic voice of God in this age, the Bishop said that God’s voice speaks through us in how we respond to issues in our own communities. In answer to a further question about how we manage to balance our own lives
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with our ministry to others, the Bishop responded that our ministry has different stages. He was aware of the problems of deprivation in society and thanked all of those who worked to care for God’s people in our community.
## **Summer 2025 at St Peter, Grange Park**
The Revd Poppy Hughes opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed members to the parish.
The Revd Daniel Sandham, the new Area Dean, introduced himself to the meeting.
There was an address by Mirjam Ngoy-Verhage about her role as a discipleship enabler giving examples about living together in the faith. She led the meeting in the examen practice asking members to reflect on: where we see glimpses of glory, what makes us fearful and what are our hopes and dreams.
After the meeting finished, refreshments were provided at the Deanery Summer Party, giving the opportunity to meet and talk with other members of the Synod.
## **Autumn 2025 at St Paul Winchmore Hill**
The meeting was opened with prayer by the Revd Daniel Sandham, Area Dean, and members were welcomed to the parish.
Deanery School Governors were appointed to several local schools.
The Bishop of Edmonton gave an address on Racial Justice and spoke about the church’s mission or every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Jesus Christ. The concept of racial justice extends to all minorities with persons of colour making up over fifty per cent of the worshipping community of London. Across the London Diocese over 250 languages are spoken – each representing a different culture. He concluded by reminding the meeting that when one body hurts, then it affects the whole body of Christ.
Michael Laurie, Deanery Synod Representative
## **Financial Report**
There has been a slight decrease in planned giving. This is concerning as regular costs continue to rise. The PCC is actively looking at all areas of the budget to try and ensure we maximise income and minimise expenditure. We are, of course, aware of the continued strains on everyone’s finances but still encourage signing up to a regular commitment to the work and mission of St Paul’s. Please do consider a monthly contribution (with Gift Aid where possible) if you are able and have not already signed up to the Parish Giving Scheme. If you do give regularly and have not increased your giving recently, please consider reviewing it if you can.
Gift Aid income increased slightly but we know there are still some who donate regularly but are not signed up for Gift Aid. We encourage everyone to consider doing this if they pay sufficient income tax. It effectively increases giving by 25% as we can claim the tax back from HMRC.
Interest was down by around £5,000. This is due to reducing interest rates and the need to use funds invested in the CBF to cover the costs of the roof repairs.
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Net income from social and fundraising events was boosted by a successful May Fair which raised £5,000.
Cash flow was challenging towards the end of the year and the PCC paused payment of its Common Fund contributions from November. There is an amount of £18,250 included in the creditors for this as well as the final invoice for the roof repairs of some £59,000.
Towards the end of 2025 it came to light that there have been discrepancies between invoices issued for the regular hire of the Church Hall and payments received. Further investigation revealed that some users had not paid for at least some of 2024 and 2025. A figure of £27,473 for rent owed has been included in the debtors for this. At the time of writing £24,838 had been recovered with a commitment for £1,675 to be paid in April 2026. Income from Hall lettings was therefore understated by around £6,500 in 2024 and income for 2025 is nearer £80,000. Steps have been taken to resolve the issue which led to this situation.
Restricted Funds are detailed at Note 5 of the accounts. The Flaherty Fund has now been used as detailed earlier in this report. The Building Funds are for Project 200 and the Ceiling Fund. A legacy of £2,000 in 2024 was split equally between the Children and Families Fund and the Church Furnishings Fund. The PCC Standing Committee are looking at ways to spend the balances of £815 and £788 respectively. The Hey Fund is restricted to expenditure on the church building. This and other funds (which are self-explanatory) have seen little or no change.
The PCC considered its reserves policy at a meeting on 16 March 2026 and approved the following:
It is the policy of this church to keep three months general running costs (hall, church, staff and Common Fund) and a term’s hall income in reserve to cover unforeseen emergencies.
Based on annual expenditure of around £220,000 and Hall income of £80,000 per annum this would be about £82,000. As at the 31st December 2025 our free general reserves were only £25,421. The PCC is looking at ways to replenish reserves in the future but given the Project 200 Appeal and the work needed to effect a permanent repair to the church ceiling this is going to be difficult for the foreseeable future.
Alison Atkins, Treasurer
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the trustees by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ The Revd Daniel Sandham Mrs Rebecca Clark Chairman of the PCC PCC Secretary
March 2026
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## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**FROM:**
Donations and Legacies
3a
Other Trading Activities
3b
Charitable Activities
3c
Investment Income
3d
Other Income
3e
**TOTAL INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Raising Funds
4a
Charitable Activities
4b
Other Expenditure
4c
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
**NET**
**INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**GAIN/(LOSSES)**
**ON INVESTMENTS**
Realised
Unrealised
Total Funds Brought
Forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
Restricted Endowment
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
104,784
151,486
0
256,270
106,877
86,661
0
0
86,661
72,176
13,753
13,675
0
27,428
7,656
6,387
1,326
0
7,713
13,367
5,684
0
0
5,684
1,091|
|---|---|
||**217,269**
**166,487 **
**0**
**383,756**
**201,167 **|
||950
8,152
0
9,102
569
350,698
142,604
0
493,302
225,454
10,267
0
0
10,267
2,453|
||**361,915**
**150,756**
**0**
**512,671**
**228,476**|
||**(144,646)**
**15,731**
**0**
**(128,915)**
**(27,309)**
0
0
0
0
0
0
(651)
0
(651)
364
170,067
128,718
128,680
427,465
454,410|
||**25,421**
**143,798**
**128,680**
**297,899**
**427,465**|
Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 3 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
15
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible assets
2a
Investment assets
2b
**Current Assets**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
6
Short Term Deposits
7
**Total Current Assets**
**Creditors:**amounts falling
due within one year
9
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS**less current liabilities
**NET ASSETS**
**Funds of the Charity**
General Funds
Restricted Funds
5
Designated Funds
14
**Capital Funds:**
Permanent Endowment
Funds
2a
**Total Funds**|**31-Dec**
**31-Dec**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
**2025**
**2024**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**Total**
**Total**
£
£
£
**£**
**£**
0
0
128,680
128,680
128,680
0
15,627
0
15,627
16,278|
|---|---|
||0
15,627
128,680
144,307
144,958|
||42,380
2,386
0
44,766
15,751
38,981
111,081
0
150,062
43,423
23,683
18,914
0
42,597
230,493|
||105,044
132,381
0
237,425
289,667
(79,623)
(4,210)
0
(83,833)
(7,160)|
||25,421
128,171
0
153,592
282,507|
|||
||**25,421**
**143,798**
**128,680**
**297,899**
**427,465**|
||**25,421**
**143,798**
**128,680 **
**297,899**
**427,465**|
||25,421
0
0
25,421
127,883
0
143,798
0
143,798
128,718
0
0
0
0
42,184
0
0
128,680
128,680
128,680|
||**25,421**
**143,798**
**128,680 **
**297,899**
**427,465**|
Approved by the PCC on 16th March 2026 and
Signed on their behalf by
…………………………………………………………………………
16
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards, the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011 but a cashflow statement is not included as the PCC's income is below £500,000.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of Church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## **Funds**
Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowments was established.
Restricted Funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be extended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or the bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.
Unrestricted Funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.
## **Incoming Resources**
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate are received. Grants and Legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.
## **Resources Expended**
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. The diocesan quota or parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for Mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.
## **Fixed Assets**
Consecrated and Beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011. No Value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the church wardens 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 written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed.
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
Investments are valued at market value at 31st December.
17
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **Grants payable without performance conditions**
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.
## **Changes in Accounting policies and previous accounts**
There have been no changes to the accounting policies (variation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.
## **Basis of preparation:**
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).
## **Conduit Funds:**
Conduit Funds are monies received for third parties and do not belong to the PCC. The incoming funds and outgoing payments are excluded from the Statement of Financial Activities. Any conduit funds in hand at the year end are shown as creditors in the accounts.
## **2a. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|||Freehold|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Land &|Church|Church|Office||
|||Buildings|Organ|Equipment|Equipment||
|||Endowment||Unrestricted||Total|
|||£|£|£|£|£|
|EQUIPMENT|||||||
|Cost|01/01/2025|115,138|13,542|5,122|4,089|137,891|
|Additions||0|0|0|0|0|
|Cost at|31/12/2025|115,138|13,542|5,122|4,089|137,891|
|Depreciation|01/01/2025|0|0|5,122|4,089|9,211|
|Charge||0|0|0|0|0|
|Depreciation at|31/12/2025|0|0|5,122|4,089|9,211|
|Net Book Value|**31/12/2025**|**115,138**|**13,542**|**0**|**0**|**128,680**|
|Net Book Value|31/12/2024|115,138|13,542|0|0|128,680|
The freehold land and buildings brought forward comprise the curate's house (The Lodge), the church hall and improved access work and are stated at historical cost less grants received (of £128,000). They are insured for £257,299 and £3,330,000 respectively. (2024: £250,778 and £3,330,000) The consecrated and beneficed property and movable church furnishings are insured for £13,300,000 (2024: £13,300,000).
The church organ is stated at historical cost and is insured as part of church property.
As at 31/12/25 there were no capital committments (31/12/24: Nil)
## **2b. INVESTMENT ASSETS**
|As explained in note 1, investments are stated at market value and
comprise of 704 shares with the Central Board of Finance:|VALUE
VALUE
2025
2024
£
£|
|---|---|
||15,627
16,278|
18
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**3. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
**a) Donations and Legacies**
Planned Giving
Covenanted, Gift Aided and Other (regular)
Income Tax & Gift Aid Recoverable
Collections
Grants
Donations
Legacies
**b) Other Trading Activities**
Church Hall Lettings
Sales, Fairs etc.
Social Functions, Coffee etc.
Church Magazine
Church Fees
**d) Investments**
Dividends
Interest
**e) Other Income**
Pilgrimage Income
Other Income
**c)**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**from**
**Charitable Activities**|Unrestricted
Restricted Endowment
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
73,713
0
0
73,713
75,695
17,281
3,734
0
21,015
17,619
7,803
0
0
7,803
6,771
155
101,400
0
101,555
0
5,832
46,352
0
52,184
2,792
0
0
0
0
4,000|
|---|---|
||**104,784**
**151,486**
**0**
**256,270**
**106,877**|
||86,661
0
0
86,661
72,176|
||**86,661**
**0**
**0**
**86,661**
**72,176**|
||6,810
13,675
0
20,485
2,139
889
0
0
889
621
1,294
0
0
1,294
1,226
4,760
0
0
4,760
3,670|
||**13,753**
**13,675**
**0**
**27,428**
**7,656**|
||0
452
0
452
442
6,387
874
0
7,261
12,925|
||**6,387**
**1,326**
**0**
**7,713**
**13,367**|
||5,684
0
0
5,684
742
0
0
0
0
349|
||**5,684**
**0**
**0**
**5,684**
**1,091**|
19
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **4. EXPENDITURE ON:**
|**Notes**
**a) Raising Funds**
Cost of fund raising
**b) Charitable Activities**
Grants to Other Charity
Cost of Social Events
Ministry:
Diocesan Quota and fees
Clergy Expenses
Assistant staff costs
10
Other
Church Running Costs
Upkeep of Services
Music
Upkeep of Grounds
Vicarage Costs
Church Management & Administration:
Administrator's Salaries
10
Parish Office
Church Hall Running Costs
Church Hall major repair work
Insurance
**c) Other Expenditure**
The Lodge
Pilgrimage costs
Miscellaneous|Unrestricted
Restricted Endowment
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
950
8,152
0
9,102
569
**950**
**8,152**
**0**
**9,102**
**569**
0
0
0
0
900
1,505
0
0
1,505
642
111,873
0
0
111,873
101,456
3,430
2,972
0
6,402
1,690
14,233
0
0
14,233
13,995
794
0
0
794
630
78,689
137,774
0
216,463
21,185
3,619
0
0
3,619
4,084
6,444
1,858
0
8,302
6,434
26
0
0
26
20
746
0
0
746
656
13,960
0
0
13,960
15,094
8,695
0
0
8,695
7,796
42,902
0
0
42,902
34,011
55,530
0
0
55,530
8,784
8,252
0
0
8,252
8,077
**350,698**
**142,604**
**0**
**493,302**
**225,454**|
|---|---|
||4,366
0
0
4,366
1,839
5,880
0
0
5,880
400
21
0
0
21
214|
||**10,267**
**0**
**0**
**10,267**
**2,453**|
20
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
## **5. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|Garden of Rest
Shares at valuation date
Short Term Deposit & dividends
Flaherty Fund
Children & Families Fund
Hey Fund
Music Fund
Building Funds*
Church Furnishings
Other Restricted Funds|Balance*
Balance
01/01/25
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
Revaluation
31/12/25
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
16,278
0
0
0
(651)
15,627
3,332
471
0
0
0
3,803
90,414
0
(90,414)
0
0
0
1,000
0
0
(185)
0
815
1,396
0
0
0
0
1,396
15,695
856
(1,858)
0
0
14,693
0
161,411
(55,513)
0
0
105,898
603
0
0
185
0
788
0
3,750
(2,972)
0
0
778|
|---|---|
||128,718
166,488 (150,757)
0
(651)
143,798|
* £100,000 received from the St Paul's Wincmore Hill Trust. The financial activity of this seperately registered charity (no. 285596) is not included, only amounts donated in accordance with the policies stated in Note 1.
|**6. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
Royal Bank of Scotland Accounts
**7. SHORT TERM DEPOSITS**
Garden of Rest
Bequest Fund
Reserve Account
**8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**
Tax Recoverable
Rent Receivable & other debtors|**Total**
**Total**
Unrestricted Restricted
**31-Dec**
**31-Dec**
Fund
Fund
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
38,981
111,081
150,062
43,423|
|---|---|
||**38,981**
**111,081**
**150,062**
**43,423**|
||**Total**
**Total**
Unrestricted Restricted
**31-Dec**
**31-Dec**
Fund
Fund
**2025**
**2024**
0
444
444
425
5,858
14,693
20,551
19,695
17,825
3,777
21,602
210,373|
||**23,683**
**18,914**
**42,597**
**230,493**|
||**Total**
**Total**
Unrestricted Restricted
**31-Dec**
**31-Dec**
Fund
Fund
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
14,907
2,386
17,293
15,618
27,473
0
27,473
133|
||**42,380**
**2,386**
**44,766**
**15,751**|
21
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WINCHMORE HILL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|**9.**
**CREDITORS**
**ACCRUALS**|**AND**|**DEFERRED**|**INCOME:**|||**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**||||Unrestricted|Restricted|**31-Dec**|**31-Dec**|
|||||Fund|Fund|**2025**|**2024**|
|||||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Creditors and accruals||||78,242|0|78,242|2,383|
|Hall Prepayments||||1,381|0|1,381|0|
|Agency Collections*||||0|4,210|4,210|4,777|
|||||**79,623**|**4,210**|**83,833**|**7,160**|
*Agency Collections are funds held by the PCC for other charities. At the end of 2025 this was money collected for One to One (the parish charity for 2025/26), Crisis and APAP (which organises the local shelter for homeless people) raised at Carols on the Green in mid December.
## **10. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS**
|Employees
Gross Wages and Salaries|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
33,968
34,589|
|---|---|
||**33,968**
**34,589**|
_The Church employed an office administrator and a facilities manager (both part time). A part time Children & Families Worker (C&FW) was recruited in January 2024 and the organist joined the payroll. No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000._
_The Vicar is considered by the Trustees to be the Key Management Personnel for staff. No Key Management Personnel received any payment._
Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
|Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects|**2025**
**2024**
TOTAL
TOTAL
4
4|
|---|---|
||4
4|
## **11. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES**
No payments were made to members of the PCC or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a PCC member or any person connected with them.
## **12. PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The PCC acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit.
22
## **13. RISK ASSSESSMENT**
The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated combined with review of the controls over key financial systems will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate significant risks.
## **14. DESIGNATED FUNDS**
On receipt of the legacy from Patricia Diack of £120,000 in 2021, the PCC agreed these funds should be designated for the major refurbishment work being planned for both the Church and Hall buildings. A further £9,008 was received in 2022. Due to the higher than expected costs of subsidence work to the hall in 2022, the PCC agreeed to transfer back £70,000 to general reserves. In 2025 the remaining Designated Reserves (£42,184) were used to fund further preparatory work on the refurbishment of the Church Hall.
## **15. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD**
During January 2026, the PCC applied for and was successfully awarded a grant of £25,000 from the Listed Plcaes of Worship Scheme in respect of the VAT paid on the Church roof and ceiling works. No adjustment has been made to the 2025 accounts in respect of this amount since the entitlement arose after the reporting period.
23
INDEPFNDF.NT EXAMINFR'S RF.PORT ON TIIF ACCOUNTS
I report on ihe acroiinls ofthe Parnchial Chiirch Councll of.st Paul's Church, Wlnchmore Hlll for the year
ended 31st December 2025, whlch are set oul on pa%es 16 to 25.
Re5pectli'e re5ponslbllltles of the PC.C and the examlner
Tlie charity's tnistees are responsible fi)r the preparation of tho accounts. The charity's trustees
consider that an audit is not reqiiired for ihis year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the
Charities Art) and that an Independenl examlnation is needed.
It is my responsibillty to..
examine the accounts under sectlon 145 of the Charilies Art;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions glven by the Charity Commlsslon
(under sertion 145(5)(b)) of the Charitie5 Act., and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basts ofindependent examiner's slatement5
l}. eiamin:Ition li'a5 carried out in accordanie with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission and to be found in the Church Guidance. 2006 edition. issued from the Finance Division of
the Archbishops, Council. That examination includes a reviewofihe accounting records kept by the PCC
and a comparison ofthe accounts with those record& It also include5 considering any unusual items or
disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanaiion from you. a5 trustees, concerningany such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a'trueand fair view'and the report
is limited to those matters set out in the staten)ent below.
Independent examinerfs Statement
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
(l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respert the requirements-
to keep accounting records in accordance with secrion 130 of the Charities Art: and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met.. or
(2) to Whic in my opinion. attention should be drdwn in order to enable a proper understanding
ofthe accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Relevant professional qualification or body-. ACA. ACIE
Address.. 45 Hillfield Park Ix&ndon. N213Ql Date.. 29 March 2026
24