2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish Church of St. George, Stockport.

REPORT and ACCOUNTS of the

Parochial Church Council

presented to the

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday 27th April 2025

Administrative Information

The Parish of Stockport St George is located on Buxton Road, Heaviley, and the daughter church of St Gabriel is located at Clover Avenue, Adswood.

The parish is part of the Diocese of Chester within the Church of England.

PCC members who served during 2024 with future retirement dates in brackets are:

From January to May 2024

Vicar : Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall Chair Associate Priest Revd Dr Jenny McKay (Minister in secular employment) Readers Mr Peter Hall ( Also Deanery Synod) Mrs Rita Waters ( Also Deanery Synod) Churchwardens Andrew Regan (Also Treasurer) Mrs Hazel Jenkins Deanery Synod Mrs Sue Cordingly (2026) Assistant Safeguarding Office Mr Ian Roberts (to November 2023) Elected members: Mrs Sheila Daly (2026) Mrs Marion McCall (2026) Mrs Jennie Vandyes (2026) Mr James Hibbert (2026) Safeguarding Officer Mr Tommy Bowden (2025) Mrs Sue Burt (2025) Deputy Warden Assistant PCC Secretary Mrs Lois Kelly (2025) PCC Secretary Mr Philip Warner (2025) Mrs Penny Bisby (2024) Mrs Janet Neilson (2024) Mrs Morag Ranson (2024) Mr William Hesson (2024)

Co-opted Members

Mr John Hardy Deputy Warden

Independent Examiner: Mr Paul Clancy

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PCC Members from May 2024

Vicar:	Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall Chair	Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall Chair	Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall Chair
Associate Priest	Revd Dr Jenny McKay_(Minister in secular employment)_
Curate	Rev Jane Crook
Readers	Mr Peter Hall		(Also Deanery Synod)
	Mrs Rita Waters		(Also Deanery Synod)
Churchwardens	Andrew Regan		(Also Treasurer)
	Mrs Hazel Jenkins
Deanery Synod	Mrs Sue Cordingley		(2026)Assistant Safeguarding Officer.
			Safeguarding Officer from October
			2024
Elected members:
John Hardy	(2027)
Louise Clark	(2027)
Lilla Clark	(2027)
Robert Mantle	(2027)
Hannah Whitehouse	(2027)
Mrs Marion McCall	(2026)
Mrs Jennie Vandyes	(2026)
Mr James Hibbert	(to Oct 2024)	Safeguarding Officer to October 2024
Mr Tommy Bowden	(2025)
Mrs Sue Burt	(2025)	Deputy Warden Assistant PCC Secretary
Mrs Lois Kelly	(2025)	PCC Secretary
Mr Philip Warner	(2025)

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Structure and Governance

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a charity, registered with the Charity Commission, number 1134170.

This report covers the activities of the two churches and of St George’s Church Stockport Preservation Trust. The Trust was constituted under a trust deed dated 1st August 1990. While legally a separate charity, the Trust is regarded by the Diocesan Authorities as a connected charity, consequently its transactions and dealings are included in the accounts of the PCC.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All members of the two churches are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC.

Objectives and activities

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. This fulfils our public benefit requirement

Committees

The PCC operates through a number of committees and project groups, which meet between meetings of the PCC.

The project groups in 2024 were for the Christmas Tree Festival, the Grapevine editorial group, the ministry team and the fabrics group

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

The Preservation Trust

The objectives of the Preservation Trust include the restoration and repair of the fabric and contents of St George’s church and buildings. The Trustees may also finance other work connected with the voluntary aided school, youth work in the parish, or as agreed by the trustees.

The full PCC met 6 times during 2024 with an average level of attendance of 72%

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Achievements and Performance

The Electoral Roll total for St. George, Stockport PCC was 182 at the end of 2024.

• Robert Mantle, Lilla Clark and Hannah Whitehouse were elected to the PCC for the first time.

• Louise Clark was re-elected onto the PCC

• James Hibbert resigned from the PCC and as Safeguarding Officer at the September PCC meeting

• Sue Cordingley was appointed Safeguarding Officer at the September PCC meeting

• Dry rot on the pillar in the Parish Room was treated and the wainscot replaced

• The Sound Sphere was taken down and light bulbs replaced in 5 of the lights in the Nave

• A roof survey was carried out and the roof and gutters were cleaned

• A quote to renew the roof over the bells was approved

• A faculty was obtained to install exterior lights over the West Door, North Porch and Archdeacon’s Door

• Faculties were obtained for the Chamber organ in the side chapel and for new curtains in the sanctuary.

• The Quinquennial Inspection had to be postponed as the architect was ill

• The PCC applied for and were granted a Warm Spaces grant.

• Improvements to the curate’s house were completed in April and the house has been let since June

Church Attendance

The average weekly attendance, at church, for St. George’s was: (NB last year’s figures in italics)

Choral Evensong	38.2	33.0
Early Communion	11.6	12.0
Parish Communion	93.7	88.2
Praise & Play	25.0	28.5
Wednesday Communion	17.5	17.8
Wednesday MP	8.7	9.1

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Baptism Assistants Team

The team has enjoyed an amazing 2024.

44 baptisms in total

14 adults (including 10 total immersions) and 1 set of twins

The baptism team now look forward to 2025 so we can continue to enjoy assisting with the very special Holy Baptism Service.

Brenda Swindells

Bell Ringers

Sunday service ringing and Monday practices have been maintained with only a few occasions when there have been insufficient numbers available. Our regular practices have enabled us to maintain a good standard of ringing on Sundays. We continue to extend our change ringing repertoire. Adding to this gradually has also assisted us in the change ringing learning process. Our more recently recruited learners continue to grow in confidence and are making steady progress.

Unlike the previous two years, there have not been the important state occasions for which we have participated in specially organised ringing. We rang for six weddings during the year.

Once again, the favourable weather enabled visitors to participate in two tower tours for Heritage Day in September. Thank you to all who were able to assist.

The support of the Deputy Ringing Master has been especially appreciated, as has the commitment and dedication of all the band, for which my continued sincere thanks.

Andrew Mayes – Ringing Master

Church Choir

2024 was another busy and successful year for choir, and one that saw enormous changes to the younger membership of the choir as the year progressed.

Aside from singing at the usual round of Sunday services, particular highlights during the early part of the year included providing music for the Epiphany Carol Service and the Licensing of Reverend Jane Crook as Curate at Choral Evensong for Candlemas, with the Bishop of Stockport in attendance at the latter.

The choir sang for many of the Services during Holy Week and Easter, with largescale services once again taking place on Palm Sunday and Easter Day evenings.

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Thursday 9[th] May was a busy day for the choir as they provided music for a funeral service at St. Thomas Becket, Chapel-en-le-Frith (Diocese of Derby) and sang for the Deanery Ascension Day Service at St George’s the same evening.

In June the choir performed such items as ‘Look at the world’ – John Rutter and ‘Badgers and Hedgehogs’ – Andrew Carter at the annual Pet Blessing Service.

The next major event in the choir’s year was the 2024 Summer Tour, during which the choir visited Blackburn Cathedral over the weekend of Saturday 31[st] August and Sunday 1[st] September. This tour booking had originally been planned for May 2020, so it was nice to finally have the opportunity to sing in the glorious acoustics of Blackburn Cathedral.

The choir received a tremendously warm welcome from the clergy and music staff at the Cathedral, and an invitation has been extended for the choir to return to Blackburn for another visit just after Easter in April 2026.

Returning to St George’s following the summer break, the important services came thick and fast with the choir singing at Choral Mattins (for Heritage Day) and the Battle of Britain Service over the weekend of Saturday 14[th] and Sunday 15[th] September. That weekend also saw a choir walk take place, along the old Woodhead Railway line near Barnsley to Thurgoland railway tunnel. The concretelined tunnel has a vast acoustic, with an echo of around 12 seconds.

A group of choir members spent around 45 minutes singing a cappella pieces in the tunnel – much to the entertainment (and bemusement) of passing ramblers and cyclists!

On Saturday 2[nd] November the choir hosted its first “Be a Chorister for a day” event (BACFAD) with the aim of recruiting more children to the Junior Choir. The event was largely organised and managed by Hannah Whitehouse, with a team of volunteers from the choir and wider Church family helping out on the day.

The event was an overwhelming success, and as a result we welcomed seven new junior choristers to the choir.

Sunday 3[rd] November saw the choir provide music at the annual celebration of life Service for All Souls’. This service continues to be a deeply moving occasion and is a very important event in the calendar for the choir.

The year drew to a close with services celebrating Christ the King, the Advent Carol Service, and the annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols.

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The Junior Choristers provided music at the three Christmas Eve Christingle Services, and a small group of adults sang for Midnight Communion and the Christmas Day Service.

2024 saw a significant increase in the number of children in the choir, and by the year’s end 23 children were actively taking part in the choir week by week.

Thanks must go to the team of people who have continued to provide support to me in my role as Director of Music. Roger Briscoe continues to offer his services as our Associate Director of Music - often at great expense to himself - and we simply wouldn’t be able to achieve the standards we set ourselves without his skilled accompaniment at rehearsals, evening services and major Festivals.

Personally, I continue to find it a real struggle to ‘manage’ the choir on my own each Sunday from behind the organ console and would dearly love to have a second pair of hands to assist on a regular basis.

Our Junior Choir Assistant, Hannah Whitehouse, deserves special recognition for the immense amount of work she does with the Junior Choir. Providing tuition for the Voice for Life medal scheme, managing to find robes for all new choir members, alongside her work as Choir Librarian. Thanks also to Paige Wright Harrison for assisting Hannah in marshalling the Junior Choristers so well during rehearsals and services in church.

I look forward to the year ahead with much excitement, particularly given that the musical life of the choir is thriving, and that we continue to encourage and nurture so many young people through the power of music.

James Hibbert Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas Tree Festival was yet again an enjoyable occasion, and we received many compliments on how lovely and welcoming the church looked. We were delighted to welcome about 3,000 people through the doors to enjoy the imagination and craftmanship of those who had decorated the trees. It was good to have new exhibitors as well as welcoming back old friends and in all we had about 75 illuminated trees.

Many thanks to all who assisted in whatever way by volunteering time, cakes, advertising and any of the other myriads of jobs, your wonderful efforts also helped raise over £8,000 for church funds.

Hazel Jenkins

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Garden Gnomes

Looking back at the Gnomes' articles in the St. George's monthly Magazine, it seems the past year has been very similar to the previous one in terms of our activities

The amount of wet weather was again significantly more than we have been used to. It has been disappointing, but if we are properly clad, we can still get physical benefit from being active in the open air.

Windy days have also been more frequent and intense, adding small branches to the usual debris of twigs and leaves for us to clear

Nevertheless, we feel we have managed to maintain tidiness together with colour in the garden area via plants and shrubbery. We are particularly pleased the flower bed at the east end lawn, initiated as part of the 125th Anniversary of our church building, is now thriving as a rose bed. in the view of passers -by on the A6

Our thanks go to all those members of our church community who have provided plants, bulbs and financial donations to help us keep the gardens attractive and welcoming. We appreciate your support.

The gardening team are very much a 'mixed ability' group, with several members knowledgeable about the skills of gardening. Others are happy to do the less skilled but equally important tasks, - tidying up litter, weeding beds and paths in summer, collecting up leaves etc in the autumn.

There is plenty to do and we would like to increase our number as some members have had to retire or have moved away.

It has been good to welcome Liz Bailey to our number in recent months and we can promise a warm welcome to any new helpers who might like to join us on a Tuesday morning from about 9.30am onward with a welcome coffee break at about 11 am

For the record, there are still tasks carried over from last year's report to be addressed which will require professional input:

Pruning of the lime trees in the North Avenue

Cleaning of the War Memorial stonework

Re-laying or replacing the paving in the Garden of Remembrance

Clearing up the area around the compost heaps

Walter Stead – Novice Gnome

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Grapevine

The magazine is published in 10 monthly issues per year except for July/August and December/January when a combined issue is published. The monthly magazine is a 24-page full colour issue including the July/August issue, while the December/January issue was expanded to a 28-page issue. During 2024 the magazine published a range of articles related to our Christian mission, with some of the highlights being articles on Bishop Sam’s visit to officiate on the Baptism and Confirmation service in January, the seven last words of Christ on the cross, how to read the bible, the wisdom of the Proverbs, and pilgrimages.

The magazine continues to include regular contributions from the Garden Gnomes, Praise and Play, the Mothers’ Union, and the Sunday Clubs as well as the monthly recipe provided by Pamela Ferguson. We have made Chris Dawson’s Reflections on Meditation a monthly feature, which provides a series of insightful and reflective pieces on meditation and prayer.

Printing in full colour continues to provide opportunities to include attractive photo stories. These have included photo stories on the choir’s summer tour to Blackburn Cathedral in late summer, the removal of the sound sphere, the Kelly’s trip to Baarle-Nassau and Baarle-Hertog where you can stand with one foot in the Netherlands and the other in Belgium, and a wonderful double page spread of photographs from the congregation’s visit to Llandudno in late April, which appeared in the June edition.

The December/January edition included a centre page spread of 12 of the best photos from the year. The magazine incorporates photos from contributors as well as using copyright free photos from the Unsplash and Geograph® Britain and Ireland websites but with a clear acknowledgement of the photographers. The magazine has also included a number of features on environmental issues as part of our Eco Church mission.

During 2024 we sadly included obituaries for Jose Westwood, Marjorie Lees, Stephen Jones, Rosie Stead and Bill Roughley.

The magazine committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month ahead of the publication of the magazine at the beginning of each month. With the passing of Rosie Stead in June 2024 our group has lost a tireless driving force, regular contributor, organiser, and inspirational friend. Rosie contributed to the magazine over many years, with obituary editor being one of her many indispensable roles. Writing her obituary demonstrated how skilled she was in this role. Kate Stephenson has kindly taken over this very challenging role. We thank all of our regular contributors without whom we would not be able to produce such a high-

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quality magazine each month. We also thank Angela Foulkes for her work with Andrew Regan undertaking final proofing of the magazine text ahead of the publication. After several years of having a vacant editor role, I have agreed to formally take on the role of editor.

Andy Clark

Handbell Ringers

We don’t really have anything to report. People ask me what I will do if/when I retire. There are so many things that I can do including reestablishing St George’s handbell ringers!

Andy Clark

Inspire Café Church 2024

The relaxed feel of this service appealed to a number of people as we shared fellowship and food together around the tables.

The music was a mix of traditional and the more modern, encouraging people to try out some of the less familiar tunes as well as give voice to the known.

On Remembrance Sunday, we had a Taizé style café church which led us on a different musical path with the gentle repetitions creating an awesome sound as the sung responses grew in confidence.

These services are structured in the way that they have confessions, bible readings, a talk and a blessing but they have a flexibility so that people should feel comfortable in coming along and resting in God’s presence.

Come and see.

Elaine Chegwin Hall

Lent Breakfasts

The Breakfasts followed the usual formula – five consecutive Saturday mornings in the Chapel from 9.30 to 11.0. We began on 17 February and ended on 16 March. Breakfast was served at 9.30, the talks followed at 10.0 with a time for questions before we finished at 11.0.

This year's topic was: “Alternative Ministries – Meeting People Where They Are.” We looked at four ministries outside the confines of formal church. (Numbers attending each session are in brackets at the end of each summary.)

In the first session, our own Jenny McKay talked to us about her ministry as a Minister in Secular Employment. Working as a vet. within a research context, she

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leads a team of people. Within that context her ministry is not overt. It is about her relationship with and support for those she works with. (20)

On 24 February Howie Pickering, known to many of us for his association with bikers, talked to us about the work of the Waterways Chaplains. They minister to people travelling and living on Britain's canals. More people now live on them than did at the height of the Industrial Revolution - people escaping difficulties in life, others unable to afford a house, and so on. Chaplains help them access services as well as providing pastoral care and a listening ear. (24)

Abigail Ogier talked to us about being a chaplain in a Nursing Home. She called her talk “Company on the Final Lap.” Abigail said it’s about being flexible in approach, fitting to the needs of the individual, thinking on your feet – especially when you are about to sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus” and someone shouts out, “He's no friend of mine…” (16)

Our final talk on 16 March was by Tina Rimmer, a former Street Pastor. She told us of the work of the Street Pastors who had been based in Hazel Grove. Tina told of how, working in pairs on Friday and Saturday nights, they interacted and supported those they encountered on a night out. Hazel Grove, with its pubs and takeaways was surprisingly busy. (16)

On 16 March we held our usual reflection and discussion session. As well as exploring the individual impact each speaker had made on each of us, we marvelled at the variety of Christian ministry in our communities. (13)

Once again, I would like to record our thanks to all the speakers, to Peter Smith and his team for setting up and providing breakfast, and to Sue Cordingley, Marion McCall and Morag Ranson for their support in organising these Lent Prayer Breakfasts.

Chris Dawson

Linen Guild

The small group continues to care for all the linen used during the services.

Pat Rigley

Messy Church for Adults

As adults, we don’t always get the time to be creative, so it was wonderful to meet together on two evenings this year to focus on Easter and Christmas whilst having the opportunity to meet new people and to have some creative fun.

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We enjoyed hot cross buns at Easter and made door wreaths, table flower arrangements, crosses made from nails and Easter cards.

We enjoyed mince pies at Christmas, as you might expect, along with some warming non-alcoholic mulled wine. We made table decorations, door wreaths, tree decorations and cards, Rocky Road Christmas pudding, cards and had a go at a glo in the dark candle holder

Elaine Chegwin Hall

Messy Church Bake Off

For something that started as a children’s Messy Church activity, this has emerged as a firm favourite with adults locally and across the globe. Thanks for tuning in.

It’s amazing how natural it has become to bake and talk about Jesus at the same time – an aspect of multi-tasking that I hadn’t envisaged.

Thankfully the products of my endeavours are shared with ministry teams, clergy chapters and diocesan meetings who graciously eat the products out of politeness I imagine.

Offerings have ranged from mince pie brownies, and then an extension of that as I tried Brookies, a marriage of Cookies and Brownies, and the onto Icelandic Marriage cake which I made for my parent’s 66[th] wedding anniversary and then overcooked it to the extent that my Mum gamely tried to slice it with an electric carving knife!

It has been a true delight to share this ministry with you over the years. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.

Elaine Chegwin Hall

Messy Church for Children

We met in church for our Easter session and there are some lovely pictures in the magazine of children making beautiful spring flower shapes, chocolate crispy nests and even a quiet corner for people to do puzzles.

Our Christmas session saw the children making crowns, cards and stars along with many other things and they were pleased to take home a goodie bag that include chocolate. We were delighted that several of the families from the hotel came along to join in.

Elaine Chegwin Hall

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Mothers’ Union

The Mothers' Union have had a very happy and successful year with 3 new members, Gaynor, Marissa and Sarah and Andrea has transferred from another branch. We now have mother and daughter as members, Brenda and Sarah.

During the year we have had a varied programme, Afternoon Tea and a Strawberry Tea as fund raisers. Peter Ball spoke about his experience as a Judge, Brenda Baxendale spoke about Easter women, Janet Neilson gave us a Musical Afternoon, Linda Brook shared her experiences as Mayor, deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Visiting Angels came to tell us about the benefits we are entitled to, our Director of Music, James, shared his Christmas Desert Island discs, we made boxes and filled them with chocolates with Enid. Vicar Elaine conducted a communion service and also gave many interesting facts about weddings when members brought items from their own weddings, photographs, dresses, invitations, cards and service sheets.

We have continued to give simple prayer books at Baptism services and Bibles to couples who are married in church, the group has knitted soft toys to give to both Praise and Play and the Pre-school play group and provided two baskets of chocolate for the CTF raffle. We are also collecting used biros and coloured pens to give to the school helping with their eco-friendly drive.

The branch has also raised £300 for MU charities.

We are a very friendly group and welcome visitors and new members at all our meetings.

Pat Rigley

Praise And Play

During this year both Sue Burt and Lois Kelly stood down (after 15 years and 13 years respectively), running the group.

Praise and Play continued to meet on a Tuesday morning in the Parish Room, supported by myself, Tracey, Marrisa, Andrea and Kim, along with Elaine

We have had a number of children, and their adults attend each week with a number of newcomers who have also attended regularly.

The format of the group remains the same – refreshments, play, organized activities/ crafts, singing, story time and prayers.

Thank you for your support.

Sue Cordingley

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Prayer Chain

This past year has seen comings and goings both in the members of the prayer chain and in the people for whom we have prayed.

In terms of our prayers, we feel great joy when happy families feedback encouraging news about the outcomes of the improved conditions of their loved ones.

Sometimes the news can be sad, but I believe our prayers contribute some part to the easing of the passing of the loved ones.

We take no credit for any of these.

Our prayer chain has been active for a number of years now. It is an important way that members of the congregation can contribute to the important, behind the scenes work, we do. There are no meetings. Members receive an email from time to time requesting prayers for anonymous people needing prayerful support.

As you can tell, we welcome new members to the team. Please email me, Phoebe, at [e-mail] to join our team.

Most importantly, I wish to thank all the members of the prayer chain for your steadfastness and support over the past year. I'm sure your prayerfulness is recognised by the spiritual world.

Phoebe MacLeod

Safeguarding

Following James Hibbert resignation in September 2024, I became the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

It took some time to become registered with 31:8 the organization that completes the DBS checks as this was over Christmas there was a further delay. This has now been resolved, and I can apply for DBS Certificates.

All immediate checks have been completed.

The PCC received information, advising them of the 3 yearly DBS Checks and reminding them to complete the Basic and Foundation Level Safeguarding Course.

Thank you for your patience and support,

Sue Cordingley

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St Gabriel’s

This is what We (Me, Congregation volunteers, The Good Gym and Community Projects) have done OUTSIDE at St Gabriel's, cleared the grounds of overgrowing undergrowth, hedges and trees, cleaned the patios and children's play area, cleaned concrete, repaired the raised bed and painted it, filling with compost from the grounds (grass, leaves, twigs), painted plant pots for a scented garden, yet to be established. Painted windows jubilee room outside and soffits and repaired the guttering (free guttering from building sites) cleared out the guttering both Jubilee and main building removing a tree that was stuck. Repaired the walkway roof so I can fit new front door when wall dries out.

INSIDE at St Gabriel's painted the Jubilee room and laid a new wooden floor, cleaned and tailored the curtains, removed the rubbish. Main building painted and papered the toilet, painted the one room off the hall right side and the main hall half painted with the help of the Community Projects who continue to help us every Wednesday into 2025, decluttered, repurposed the clutter with the help of the congregation volunteers, cleaned kitchen and vestry. Tidied the tool shed. Need for 2025 to continue to paint inside with Community Projects, kitchen needs an overhaul paint and tiles, and other rooms needs painting, vestry needs painting too. I am hoping to sort out the heating the fence and guttering with a grant, as well as overhaul the disabled toilets to make them more accessible to those that need them with a separate grant. I will fit and paint the front door to ensure the place is inviting and sort out the damp by the above means. I will also sort out the back door and fit a fire escape exit here.

Project for 2025, fit flooring to toilet and kitchen, (reclaimed vinyl) formalise the gardens more to make easy maintenance (weed suppressant, wood chips, formal borders) make sensory garden, jet wash patios, cut bushes down more, restore the fence with a grant, replace the guttering to prevent damp with a grant. Repaired benches. Finish painting the railing fence inside and out. Sort out signage. It would be nice to start renting out the buildings more and make a profit to put back into both St Gabriel's and St George's. Once the front door is on and the kitchen transformed. It will look much nicer. The heating will be more economical and be able to be programmed to keep damp at bay and make the place warmer to visitors and venders. I see table sales, garden parties, fetes, coffee mornings and maybe movie nights with appropriate licenses etc, toddler groups, singing groups, activities, knit and natter, craft days, meeting room, exercise classes and even more church services.

Jackie Vandyes

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Sunday Clubs

Sunday Clubs numbers have grown sufficiently to form three groups comprising infants aged 6 and under, juniors and a senior group for those in year 6 and above. The intention is that the children in the main part of church leave during the first hymn and the choristers leave after the Gloria. The youngest children use the small parish room and the two older groups both work in the larger room. It can be distracting to be in the same room, but we do not currently have enough staff to use two rooms.

Children in the choir leave the session earlier than the others so they are not always able to complete an activity to back up the bible story and discussion. It is however preferable than having no session at all for them, as the youngsters contribute well and enjoy Sunday Club.

Due to a delay obtaining DBS clearance for several members of the Sunday Clubs staff, we have been meeting in the coffee area at the back of church. Whilst not ideal, we have still been able to offer a bible story and simple activity each week during term time and colouring in the holidays. We also again made nature themed decorations for our tree at the Christmas Tree Festival which were then re-used as we were invited to decorate a Christmas tree at Lyme Park.

Hopefully we will have one new Assistant Leader soon and someone who is interested in being a Leader, however as one person has had to step down, we are still looking to recruit further Leaders and Assistant Leaders (helpers). The commitment for Leaders is about 30-40 minutes to prepare a session using the published lectionary around once a month; helpers don’t need to prepare, just turn up when it’s their session.

Louise Clark

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Associate Minister’s Report

I continue to enjoy immensely the experience immensely of working in your friendly city church with a wonderful musical tradition and a tremendously supportive ministry team.

My working agreement continues for two Sundays per month with some flexibility in there. From April 2025, my secular employment will be reduced to 4 days per week enabling me to provide some additional help during our forthcoming interregnum. I have led and preached predominantly at the 8.00am and 10.15am services and contribute to the livestreaming of Morning Prayer and our monthly Reflective Gatherings jointly led with Chris Dawson and Sue Cordingley. I also cantor for some of the Choral Evensongs and presented on my secular ministry at the Lent Breakfast series. A big highlight was our June Animal Blessing Service in which we had two rather lively donkeys, and we look forward to their return! I have also performed baptisms, including my first immersion baptism, and weddings.

I continue to be a Minister in Secular Employment in my IDEXX Laboratory workplace. Social media as The Reverend Vet continues well with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, X, BlueSky and TikTok presence. The main platform is Facebook which currently has 11 700 followers. Followers (including church members) continue to enjoy the daily reflections, poems, animal facts etc, especially when unable to attend church due to physical disability. A large proportion are also exploring faith. It is exciting to reach out to people that the physical church cannot reach. Some watch our livestreamed Sunday services and Morning Prayer, and it will be nice to see how the Reverend Vet and Stockport communities can continue to interact.

A big thanks to my very supportive Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin-Hall.

Jenny McKay

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Report from the Vicar 2024

The busy pace of our ministry has continued, and it has been a real joy to engage in so many services and events and to meet so many amazing people.

We held a vibrant Epiphany Carol service in January along with a Confirmation service a week later where we welcomed Bishop Sam to confirm and baptise a good gathering of eight people.

We also met with our brothers and sisters in Christ across the denominations for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January, Palm Sunday in March, the Pentecost breakfast in May, the Harvest service in October and the Community Carols around the tree near Davenport station, then again at St Gabriel’s and also the school Carols at Davenport Methodist in December. We also said goodbye to our good friend, Revd Lindsay Kemp as she retired to Lincolnshire in the Summer.

The Renew Stockport prayers continue to be well attended by church leaders and members on the first Friday of every month despite the early start at 8am and it is a real privilege to spend that precious hour in prayer and worship amongst those from other churches and Christian Fellowships in Stockport.

We continued with our InSpire Café Church which enabled us to gather in a less formal way around tables, as we worshipped together, shared food and fellowship and learned some new songs alongside the old favourites. We used the same model for a Remembrance Café Church in November using the wonderful music of Taizé which was arranged by Andrew Mayes who also kindly facilitated the powerful Communion service on the Monday of Holy Week.

Holy Week and Easter gave us an opportunity to journey together in the various services and two Messy Churches, one for adults and the other for children which was well attended, as was the Christmas Messy Church sessions for children and adults.

The scouts returned for their St George’s Day service in April which was well attended. All the squirrels, beavers, cubs and scouts along with their leaders all looked very smart.

Saturday 27[th] April was a day of some celebration as a coach load of us headed off to Llandudno with a number of our Persian Christian family. For many of them, they hadn’t had any opportunity to visit the seaside. We were blessed with the most glorious day weatherwise and the journey went ahead with no hold ups thanks to our wonderful driver. We had some snacks packed for the journey and then people chose where to have their lunch and guided by the map, took their

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time to have a look around. Thanks to everyone for organising this and for raising the money to help it all to go ahead. A really memorable occasion.

We continue to welcome new members to our church of all ages, and it is wonderful to see God at work in these people. We prepared children to receive communion before confirmation via a short course of three sessions which took place after the main morning service. It was encouraging to see so many children attending along with their families.

The choir were well received at Blackburn Cathedral following their weekend residence there and were invited to come back which is a great accolade. I am proud of all they have achieved.

They sang Choral Matins at the Church Open Day in September and again at the Battle of Britain Service the next day.

The Christmas Tree Festival welcomed hundreds of people through the doors, along with those who sang or danced for us over the five days that the festival was open. We had so many delightful encounters and conversations with our visitors and guests.

The Advent and Christmas Carol services were beautiful, and Bishop Sam returned to be part of the Nine Lessons and Carols at his own request.

The Ministry team grew again with Revd Jane Crooke licensed to us in January to continue her training and, whilst she was on secondment to St Saviour’s to cover a maternity leave for most of the year, she and I kept in close touch for supervision sessions. In addition, we welcomed Revd Hugh Griffiths to the parish who is retired with permission to officiate. It’s great to have them both with us.

It is a privilege to serve alongside all of those in our ministry team and I will miss the closeness of our friendship and fellowship as I leave the parish at the end of March 2025.

There have been some special times with people at the various life events, uplifting occasions when people have shared how Jesus has impacted on their lives, and overwhelming times when people have stood in solidarity with me and the family when things have been challenging for us during my dad’s illness. Thanks to all who have stepped up to the plate. It has been appreciated.

So, with a heavy heart, we leave you with our love, thanks and blessings for all that we have done together.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. With every blessing Elaine

20

Financial Review for 2024

The PCC recorded an overall increase in funds of £52,790 over the year. PCC unrestricted funds reduced by £3,685. The Fabric Fund increased by £56,969 and St Gabriel’s funds increased by £1,116. The Choir Legacy fund decreased by £286, the Fearn fund reduced by £435, the Preservation Trust by £100 and the Music Fund was unchanged.

St George’s unrestricted funds

St George’s unrestricted funds showed a surplus before transfers of £36,315, which became a deficit of £3,685 after transferring an amount of £40,000 to the Fabric Fund. For comparison, last year’s figures after removing the income from the sale of the curate’s house were a surplus of £1,445 before a transfer of £8,000 to the Fabric Fund, and a deficit of £6,555 after the transfer.

Overall income to unrestricted funds increased from £143,866 last year (again, removing the effect of the sale of the curate’s house) to £180,439 this year. Total voluntary income, excluding legacies and grants, was steady, with a small increase of £712 to £94,365. Income received from letting the church and parish rooms increased by £16,760 to £32,821, with most of this increase coming from a single hire of the church for a television production. Net income from fundraising events was £8,716, as a result of a very successful Christmas Tree Festival. The Grapevine magazine made a surplus of £544, reduced from £2,476 last year. Grants totalling £2,256 were received, of which £2,136 came from the Fearn Trust. Rental income from 30 Maple Close for the part-year from May onwards amounted to £8,194.

Overall expenditure increased by £1,703 to £144,124. Parish Share costs increased by £3,587 to £75,344. Church energy costs decreased by £6,801 to £25,186, mainly as a result of a reduction in the unit price of gas. Expenditure on church maintenance increased from £627 to £3,859. Upkeep of services, including music and organ costs, increased slightly from £5,335 to £5,642. Expenditure on the Parish Rooms decreased by £1,450 to £4,422, with a reduction in spending on gas heating.

The curate’s house at 30 Maple Close has had further improvements made to the property during 2024 costing £10,102, and which appear as additions to tangible fixed assets. This property is now valued on the balance sheet at £342,728.

A transfer of £40,000 was made during the year from St George’s unrestricted funds to the Fabric Fund, of which £20,000 came from a legacy and £8,700 from the Christmas Tree Festival. It was not necessary to transfer back any funds in order to comply with our financial reserving policy.

21

Designated Funds

St Gabriel’s funds

There was a surplus of £1,116 for the year, in contrast to a deficit of £315 last year. Income for the year increased by £1,685 to £4,024, largely from a full year of rental income from a local worship group. A grant of £500 was received from the High Sheriff’s Police Trust, towards materials for maintenance and decoration. Total expenditure increased by £254 to £2,908, with an increase in electrical heating costs being mostly offset as a result of professional upkeep of the churchyard being replaced by volunteers. The reserves available in St Gabriel’s funds now stand at £9,390.

Fabric Fund

This fund was established in 2017 and received a further grant of £100 from the St George’s Preservation Trust. There was an increase in the value of investments of £4,666, and a transfer of £40,000 into the fund from Unrestricted Funds. This transfer came from a combination of a surplus in the Unrestricted Fund, profit from the Christmas Tree Festival, and a legacy of £20,000. A further legacy of over £13,000 was also received directly into the fund. There was expenditure of £11,340 on maintenance costs. The Fabric Fund currently stands at £201,417, representing an increase for the year of £56,139.

Choir Legacy Fund

This fund was established in 2020 with a £5,000 bequest from Frank Gee, a former chorister. After expenditure of £500 to support the choir and revaluation gains of £214, the fund stands at £4,206.

St George’s restricted funds

The PCC is grateful for the continuing support of the Fearn Trust , which provided a grant of £19,864 to cover the cost of insuring both St George’s and St Gabriel’s churches.

Music Fund

This fund was established to receive grants for musical activities. In 2024 both income and expenditure were nil and so the balance is unchanged at £5,822.

Choir Music Fund

This fund may be used to cover the cost of the replacement of choir music and has a balance of £112.

22

St George’s Preservation Trust

Income for the year was nil. Expenditure this year comprised a grant to the Fabric Fund of £100, which has reduced the balance within the fund to £300. The Trustees have indicated their intention to pass the remaining balance to the Fabric Fund over the next three years.

Charitable giving

The following donations were made to charities from agency collections:

Donations of £161 from the annual Baby Memorial Service were shared between the Cradle Charity and the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society.

The sum of £754 was transferred to the Children’s Society from collections at the Christingle Services and a further £120 was donated from carol singing.

£207 was given to East Cheshire Hospice from donations at a funeral, £20 to Wellspring from harvest donations, and £57 to Christian Aid from a service at St Gabriel’s.

Reserves and Investment Policies

The PCC reviewed its reserving policy in 2017. It is the policy of St George’s to hold in reserves the equivalent of three months general running costs and an additional three month’s salaries. At least one half of its minimum reserve should be held in Unrestricted Funds. These reserves may be invested in funds which provide some protection against loss of value due to inflation. This may take the form of capital appreciation or income which can be re-invested.

Reserves will continue to be held in the PCC’s accounts with CCLA Investment Managers which is the leading fund manager for the assets of the church, charities and local authorities. It has a policy of engaging only in ethical investments and is owned by its clients – through the Boards of Finance in the case of the Church of England. The CBF Church of England Investment Fund is used which is highly diversified and balanced across many sectors of investment and is actively managed to achieve long term capital growth and steady income.

As of 31st December 2024, it was not necessary for the PCC to transfer funds from the Fabric Fund to Unrestricted Funds in order to comply with this policy. Transfers may become necessary during 2025 if expenditure exceeds income.

It is also the policy to hold a reserve to cover the work for projects that have been identified as necessary. This reserve, which may be required at short notice, is to be held in secure funds that are not subject to capital risks. An income from these

23

funds while desirable is not essential. The CBF Church of England Deposit Fund is used, which holds only funds with AAA rated organisations and is managed by CCLA. However, excess funds may also be invested in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund.

The PCC has set a target minimum amount to be held in the Fabric Fund. This is calculated as a percentage of the insurance valuation of St George’s Church, and the PCC make transfers from Unrestricted Funds into the Fabric Fund with the aim of reaching the target minimum within five to ten years. The current target minimum level is £142,000, and this has been exceeded for the first time in 2024.

A number of potential projects have been identified by the PCC including:

St George’s Church

• Review of the lighting and sound systems in church

• Repairs to the west window

• Further investigations into the subsidence in the northeast corner of the church, and any remedial actions required

• Repointing of churchyard wall

• Maintenance of masonry at roof level

• Development of kitchen and toilet facilities, with changes to the internal porches

Parish Rooms

• Redevelopment of the kitchen

The PCC believes that, at present, there are insufficient reserves available to cover all of these projects. Consequently, individual projects will commence only when adequate finance is available.

The reserves policy for St Gabriel’s church was reviewed in 2016 and was amended to match that of St George’s, i.e. the equivalent of three months general running costs. Maintenance and improvements are being carried out with the help of a team of volunteers, and the reserves are considered to be adequate.

The reserves are held on deposit with the church’s bankers, or with CCLA Investment Managers.

Dr Andrew Regan

16[th] February 2025

24

Approval

The annual report was approved by the Parochial Church Council on 26[th] March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

25

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or

• the accounts do not accord with those records; or

• the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed Date

Paul Clancy, BA (Hons), ACA, MBA 19 Rosemoor Gardens Appleton Warrington WA4 4RF.

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

	Notes	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Prior year
		funds	funds	funds	funds	funds	total funds
Receipts
Donations and legacies	6.a	116,621	19,236	19,964	-	155,820	123,184
Income from charitable activities	6.b	16,439	-	-	-	16,439	17,902
Other trading activities	6.c	36,027	3,025	-	-	39,052	22,372
Investments	6.d	11,352	3,611	-	-	14,964	5,617
Other income	6.e	-	-	-	-	-	360,150
Total income		180,439	25,872	19,964	**- **	226,275	529,225
Payments
Raising funds	6.f	933	-	-	-	933	1,961
Expenditure on charitable activities	6.g	143,191	13,883	20,358	-	177,432	166,242
Other expenditure		-	-	-	-	-	-
Total expenditure		144,124	13,883	20,358	**- **	178,365	168,203
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer		36,315	11,989	(394)	-	47,910	361,022
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in	3, 4	-	40,100	-	-	40,100	9,100
Gross transfers between funds - out	3, 4	(40,000)	-	(100)	-	(40,100)	(9,100)
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains/losses on investment assets	7.b	-	4,880	-	-	4,880	10,671
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets,
charity's own use		-	-	-	-	-	-
Net movement in funds		(3,685)	56,969	(494)	-	52,790	371,694
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	3	430,391	158,043	17,019	**- **	605,453	233,760
Total funds carried forward	2	426,706	215,013	16,525	**- **	658,243	605,453

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

Balance Sheet

Notes	Notes	General Designated Restricted Endowment At 31/12/2024 £ At 31/12/2023 £
Fixed assets Tangible Assets 2, 7.a Investments 2, 7.b Current assets Debtors 2, 8 Cash At Bank And In Hand 2 Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year 2,9 Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General Fund 3 Designated		344,587 - - - 344,587 335,036 - 100,477 - - 100,477 95,597
		344,587 100,477 - - 445,064 430,633
		16,054 - 1,325 - 17,379 15,688 71,750 114,535 16,245 - 202,530 167,537
		87,804 114,535 17,570 - 219,909 183,226
		5,685 - 1,045 - 6,730 8,405
		5,685 - 1,045 - 6,730 8,405
		82,119 114,535 16,525 - 213,179 174,820
		426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453
		- - - - - -
		426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453
		426,706 - - - 426,706 430,391

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

Designated - Choir (Legacy) 3 Designated - Fabric Fund 3 Designated - St Gabriel's 3 Restricted Restricted - Choir Music 3 Restricted - Fearn Trust Grants 3 Restricted - Music Fund 3 Restricted - Preservation Trust 3 Fund Totals	- 4,206 - - 4,206 4,492 - 201,417 - - 201,417 145,278 - 9,390 - - 9,390 8,274 - - 152 - 152 112 - - 10,251 - 10,251 10,686 - - 5,822 - 5,822 5,822 - - 300 - 300 400
	426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453

This Financial Report for the year ended 31st December 2024, including the notes following, was approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf by Revd. Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall, PCC Chair:

………………………………………………………………..

Date ………………………………………………………….

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

NOTES to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, current Church Accounting Regulations and Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102) together with the exemptions available to smaller charities under Section 1A. These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the value of investment assets which are shown at market value.

They include all transactions for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Funds

Restricted funds represent donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. They are only expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining at the end of each year is carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which the PCC has designated for a particular purpose, but the PCC retains the ability to use some or all of these funds for the general purposes of the PCC.

Income recognition

All income sources are accounted for gross. Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is recognised. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. All other income is recognised when it is receivable.

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

Expenditure recognition

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. The parish share is accounted for when payable. Any parish share unpaid at 31st December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted gross.

Governance costs include any costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts and of any legal advice to the PCC on governance or constitutional matters.

Assets

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventories which can be inspected at any reasonable time. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2001 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts. Items acquired since 1 January 2001 have been capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their anticipated useful economic life on a straight line basis.

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated and benefice buildings , or individual items under £1,000 or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2001 is written off. The parish office printer is depreciated on a straight line basis over 5 years. Other items of equipment with a purchase price over £1,000 used within church premises are depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years.

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

From 2023, no depreciation is provided on freehold buildings as the useful economic life of these assets exceeds 50 years and residual values are so high that potential depreciation would be immaterial. It is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. Resulting from regular impairment reviews, provision will be made if there has been any permanent diminution in value.

Investments are valued at market value at 31st December.

The Parochial Church Council consider that there are no material uncertainties about the ability of St George's PCC to continue as a going concern.

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

2 Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Class and nominal code	General Designated Restricted Endowment Total Last year
Fixed Asset - Investments 6440: Investments - 100,477 - - 100,477 95,597 Total - 100,477 - - 100,477 95,597 Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets 6430: Tangible fixed assets: property 342,728 - - - 342,728 332,626 6431: Office printer 1,859 - - - 1,859 2,411 Total 344,587 - - - 344,587 335,036 Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In Hand 6501: Bank of Scotland current account 6,942 7,662 6,361 - 20,966 20,388 6502: NatWest current account 35,131 14,570 9,584 - 59,284 30,917 6503: Preservation Trust current account - - 300 - 300 400 6510: CCLA (CBF) deposit account 29,677 92,303 - - 121,980 115,832 Total 71,750 114,535 16,245 - 202,530 167,537 Current Asset - Debtors Z05: Accounts Receivable 16,054 - 1,325 - 17,379 15,688 Total 16,054 - 1,325 - 17,379 15,688 Liability - Agency Accounts 6699: Agency collections - - 1,045 - 1,045 265 Total - - 1,045 - 1,045 265 Liability - Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year Z04: Accounts Payable 5,685 - - - 5,685 8,140 Total 5,685 - - - 5,685 8,140 Net total assets 426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453 Represented by General (Unrestricted) 426,706 - - - 426,706 430,391 Designated - Choir Legacy - 4,206 - - 4,206 4,492 Designated - Fabric - 201,417 - - 201,417 145,278 Designated - St Gabriel's - 9,390 - - 9,390 8,274 Restricted - Choir Music - - 152 - 152 112	- 100,477 - - 100,477 95,597
	- 100,477 - - 100,477 95,597 342,728 - - - 342,728 332,626 1,859 - - - 1,859 2,411
	71,750 114,535 16,245 - 202,530 167,537 16,054 - 1,325 - 17,379 15,688
	16,054 - 1,325 - 17,379 15,688 - - 1,045 - 1,045 265
	- - 1,045 - 1,045 265 In One Year 5,685 - - - 5,685 8,140
	5,685 - - - 5,685 8,140
	426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453
	426,706 - - - 426,706 430,391 - 4,206 - - 4,206 4,492 - 201,417 - - 201,417 145,278 - 9,390 - - 9,390 8,274 - - 152 - 152 112

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

Restricted - Fearn Restricted - Music Restricted - Preservation Total	- - 10,251 - 10,251 10,686 - - 5,822 - 5,822 5,822 - - 300 - 300 400
	426,706 215,013 16,525 - 658,243 605,453

3 Fund movement summary

Fund

Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/Losses Journals Closing

Choir Legacy Designated 4,492 - 500 - 214 - 4,206 Sub-totals 4,492 - 500 - 214 - 4,206 Choir Music Restricted 112 100 60 - - - 152 Sub-totals 112 100 60 - - - 152 Fabric Designated 145,278 21,848 10,475 40,100 4,666 - 201,417 Sub-totals 145,278 21,848 10,475 40,100 4,666 - 201,417 Fearn Restricted 10,686 19,864 20,298 - - - 10,251 Sub-totals 10,686 19,864 20,298 - - - 10,251 Music Restricted 5,822 - - - - - 5,822 Sub-totals 5,822 - - - - - 5,822 Preservation Restricted 400 - - (100) - - 300 Sub-totals 400 - - (100) - - 300 St Gabriel's Designated 8,274 4,024 2,908 - - - 9,390

4,492 - 500 - 214 - 4,206

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

	Sub-totals	8,274	4,024	2,908	-	-	-	9,390
General
Unrestricted		430,391	180,439	144,124	(40,000)	-	-	426,706
	Sub-totals	430,391	180,439	144,124	(40,000)	-	-	426,706
	Totals	605,453	226,275	178,365	-	4,880	-	658,243

4 Transfers Between Funds

An amount of £40,000 has been transferred from unrestricted funds to the Fabric Fund. This represents the regular transfers which the PCC makes towards the cost of larger maintenance works and the transfer of a legacy.

An amount of £100 was transferred from the Preservation Trust to the Fabric Fund. This represents a grant made by the Preservation Trust to the PCC.

As the value of unrestricted funds was above the minimum required by our financial reserving policy, it was not necessary to transfer any funds from the Fabric Fund to unrestricted funds as at 31/12/2024 to meet the necessary minimum reserve.

5 Explanation of Funds:

Designated Funds

Designated Funds are fund set aside for a particular purpose. However, the PCC may resolve to use such funds for any other purpose.

The St Gabriel's Fund is used for all matters relating to St Gabriel's Church, and the PCC has given the St Gabriel's Committee limited financial authority over these finances.

The Fabric Fund holds monies set aside for the maintenance and repair of church buildings, including the Parish Rooms and the Curate's House. The PCC intend to make regular transfers into this fund from unrestricted income.

The Choir Legacy Fund was established in 2020 with a bequest from Frank Gee, a former choir member. It is intended to be used for the benefit of the choir.

Restricted Funds

St George's Church Preservation Trust was established under a trust deed in 1990. The objects include the restoration and repair of the fabric and contents of St George's church, the parish office, the parish rooms and other PCC property.

In 2024 the trustees made a grant of £100 from the Preservation Trust to the Fabric Fund, and have stated their intention to transfer the remaining amount over the coming years.

The Preservation Trust is considered to be a connected charity, consequently the transactions and balances have been included in these accounts, but are restricted funds.

The PCC Restricted Fund represents donations given and monies raised for specific objectives.

An annual grant from the Fearn Trust of £19,864 (2023: £20,000) was received to pay for insurance for St George's Church and St Gabriel's Church, including the cost of cover against acts of terrorism.

The Music Fund holds any grant income received in respect of musical activities. No further grant was received during 2024 (2023: £0) from the Pilling Trust to support our Choral Scholars.

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

6 Analysis of income and expenditure

	Total
	Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: 6.a Donations and legacies 0101 - Standing orders: Gift Aid 0102 - Standing orders: non-Gift Aid 0110 - Weekly Envelopes: Gift Aid 0201 - Weekly envelopes 0202 - Gift Aid Envelopes 0301 - Plate collections: GASDS 0302 - Plate collections: non-GASDS 0303 - Baptisms: plate collections (GASDS) 0304 - Baptisms: Gift-Aid envelopes 0305 - Funerals: plate collections (GASDS) 0306 - Weddings: plate collections (GASDS) 0307 - Funerals: gift-aid envelopes 0308 - Funerals: plate collections (non- GASDS eligible) 0501 - Donations: other, gift aided 0502 - Donations for specific projects 0503 - Donations to social fund 0520 - Donations: floodlighting, gift aided 0521 - Donations: floodlighting 0550 - Donations: other (GASDS) 0560 - Donations: other 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 0701 - Legacies 0802 - Non-recurring one-off grants Donations and legacies Totals 6.b Income from charitable activities 0901 - Fundraising: festivals	46,196 - - - 46,196 46,041 2,400 - - - 2,400 2,890 7,025 - - - 7,025 9,279 3,016 - - - 3,016 1,525 2,073 - - - 2,073 2,056 7,006 41 - - 7,047 6,787 15 - - - 15 30 576 - - - 576 658 202 - - - 202 150 805 - - - 805 267 36 - - - 36 - 4 - - - 4 - 355 - - - 355 - 1,191 5,000 - - 6,191 2,634 532 350 100 - 982 107 66 - - - 66 - 120 - - - 120 110 10 - - - 10 55 1,168 - - - 1,168 1,407 3,107 - - - 3,107 2,484 18,462 27 - - 18,489 17,345 20,000 13,318 - - 33,318 5,000 2,256 500 19,864 - 22,620 24,358
	116,621 19,236 19,964 - 155,820 123,184 9,489 - - - 9,489 10,770

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Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

0902 - Fundraising: other 1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals 1102 - DoM fees 1106 - Church fees - other than statutory fees for weddings and funerals Income from charitable activities Totals 6.c Other trading activities 0910 - Sales of goods, etc 1240 - Parish Room lettings 1241 - Church letting 1250 - Magazine income - advertising 1260 - Parish magazine sales Other trading activities Totals 6.d Investments 1020 - Bank and building society interest 1030 - Rent from lands or buildings Investments Totals 6.e Other income 1310 - Insurance claims 1320 - Surplus - sales of fixed assets Other income Totals Receipts Grand totals EXPENDITURE ON: 6.f Raising funds 1720 - Costs of printing envelopes 1730 - Costs of festivals & other events Raising funds Totals 6.g Expenditure on charitable activities 1840 - Giving - local relief 1910 - Ministry parish share etc 2001 - Assistant staff costs 2101 - Working expenses of incumbent 2120 - Council tax - vicarage	470 - - - 470 1,043 3,932 - - - 3,932 3,241 1,138 - - - 1,138 1,457 1,410 - - - 1,410 1,390
	16,439 - - - 16,439 17,902 160 - - - 160 - 10,477 - - - 10,477 10,351 22,344 3,025 - - 25,369 7,454 2,175 - - - 2,175 3,585 871 - - - 871 981
	36,027 3,025 - - 39,052 22,372 3,158 3,611 - - 6,770 5,617 8,194 - - - 8,194 -
	11,352 3,611 - - 14,964 5,617 - - - - - 167 - - - - - 359,983
	- - - - - 360,150
	180,439 25,872 19,964 - 226,275 529,225
	161 - - - 161 140 773 - - - 773 1,821
	933 - - - 933 1,961 90 - - - 90 - 75,344 - - - 75,344 71,757 12,966 - - - 12,966 11,229 2,075 - - - 2,075 1,168 3,846 - - - 3,846 3,687

A-10

Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

2130	- Curate's house maintenance	400	-	-	-	400	56
2131	- Curate's house - insurance	398	-	-	-	398	486
2132	- Curate's house - electricity and gas	273	-	-	-	273	(393)
2140	- Water - vicarage	646	-	-	-	646	839
2145	- Water - curate's house	-	-	-	-	-	(180)
2150	- Vicarage telephone and internet	495	-	-	-	495	425
2301	- Church running - insurance	-	-	20,298	-	20,298	20,320
2310	- Church office - telephone	643	-	-	-	643	570
2320	- Organ / piano tuning	874	-	-	-	874	1,512
2321	- Other music costs	2,617	700	60	-	3,377	2,750
2330	- Church maintenance	3,859	7,267	-	-	11,126	3,051
2340	- Upkeep of services	2,151	-	-	-	2,151	1,973
2350	- Upkeep of churchyard	1,382	234	-	-	1,616	3,667
2360	- Administration	2,786	-	-	-	2,786	2,222
2401	- Church running - electricity	7,199	1,667	-	-	8,866	9,279
2410	- Church running - gas	17,987	-	-	-	17,987	23,212
2420	- Church running - water	234	176	-	-	410	653
2501	- Magazine expenses	2,502	-	-	-	2,502	2,090
2520	- Parish Room running - consumables	543	-	-	-	543	375
2530	- Parish Room running - electricity	300	-	-	-	300	300
2540	- Parish Room running - gas	2,678	-	-	-	2,678	4,280
2560	- Parish Room running - maintenance	793	3,839	-	-	4,632	917
2830	- Hall + interior and exterior decorating	108	-	-	-	108	-
	Expenditure on charitable activities Totals	143,191	13,883	20,358	-	177,432	166,242
	Expenditure Grand totals	144,124	13,883	20,358	-	178,365	168,203

Staff costs

Wages and salaries National Insurance Total:	2024 2023 12,966 11,229 - -
	12,966 11,229

During the year the PCC employed a Director of Music and a secretary at St George's, both on a part-time basis.

Payments to PCC members

James Hibbert was a PCC member throughout 2023 and in 2024 until 25[th] September 2024. In 2024 the PCC paid him a salary as the Director of Music (including payment for weddings and funerals) of £8,071 (2023: £7,121) and paid £160 (2023: £280) towards his professional development.

A-11

Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

7 Fixed Assets

ixed Assets
7.a Tangible fixed assets Cost or valuation At 01/01/2024 Additions Disposals At 31/12/2024 Depreciation At 01/01/2024 Charge for year at 31/12/2024 Net Book Value At 31/12/2023 At 31/12/2024	Freehold land and buildings Office printer 30 Maple Close £ £ 332,626 2,760 10,102 - - -
	342,728 1,859
	- (349) - (552)
	- (901)
	332,626 2,411
	342,728 1,859

The freehold land and buildings at the beginning of the year comprised the curate's house at 30 Maple Close, Stockport, purchased on 29[th] June 2023 for £316,798 plus costs of surveys and capitalised improvements, totalling £332,626 up to 31[st] December 2023. Further capitalised improvements totalling £10,102 were made to the property in 2024. This property is not being depreciated (see Assets in Note 1 above).

Those meeting rooms owned by the PCC are integral parts of the school premises and were donated by the Founder in 1901. As such the rooms are deemed to have no value for the purposes of these accounts.

The copier/printer in the parish office was purchased on 15[th] May 2023 at a cost of £2,760, and is being depreciated linearly over five years.

7.b Investment assets

Investment assets
Movements in the year: Opening market value Purchases at cost, less disposals at carrying value Net gains/(losses) on disposals and annual revaluation Closing market value	2024				2023
	Designated Choir legacy £	Designated Fabric Fund £	Designated Total £	All Funds £	All Funds £
	4,492 (500) 214	91,105 500 4,666	95,597 - 4,880	95,597 - 4,880	84,926 - 10,671
	4,206	96,271	100,477	100,477	95,597

No investment assets were held in Unrestricted Funds or in Restricted Funds.

Holdings at 31 December in CBF Church of England Investment Fund Accumulation Units:

	2024	2023
Choir legacy	97.02	75.23
Fabric Fund	1533.90	1525.69
Total	1600.92	1600.92

A-12

Parochial Church Council of St George, Stockport Charity number 1134170

8 Debtors

Debtors
Income tax recoverable Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors Total	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total Funds 2024	Total Funds 2023
	£	£	£	£
	13,338	-	13,338	12,336
	2,716	1,325	4,041	3,353
	-	-	-	-
	16,054	1,325	17,379	15,688

9 Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year

Accruals for utilities and other costs Creditors for goods and services Agency accounts Total

Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total Funds 2024	Total Funds 2023
£	£	£	£
5,285	-	5,285	5,902
400	-	400	2,239
-	1,045	1,045	265
5,685	1,045	6,730	8,405

A-13