## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL 

## OF 

## ST. MARY THE VIRGIN 

## ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## Registered Charity Number: 1134776 

## The Parish Office 

9 Swan Street 

Ashwell Baldock, Hertfordshire 

SG7 5NY 

‘ 

Bankers: 

Barclays Bank plc 

Leicester 

LE87 2BB 

## independent Examiner: 

Jackie Pritchard 

6 Mill Street 

Ashwell 

SG7 5LY 

jpritchard1001@gmail.com 

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: 

## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## Independent Examiner’s report to the PCC of St. Mary the Virgin, Ashwell, Herts. 

Report to the PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary's Ashwell on the financial statements for the year ended 31% December 2025 which are set out on pages 3 to 21. 

## Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Independent Examiner 

The PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examiners report is needed. 

It is my responsibility 

To examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Charities Act. 

To follow the procedure laid down in the annual direction given by the Charities Commission (under section 145(5)9b) of the Charities Act, and 

To state whether particular matters have come to my attention 

## Basis of the Independent Examiner’s Statement 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements provide a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## Independent Examiner’s Statement 

In connection with my examination no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

- e Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or e The financial statements do not accord with the accounting records 

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

## Signed 

Jackie Pritchard BComm ACMA 6 Mill Street Ashwell Hertfordshire 

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## PROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025 

## Administrative Information 

St Mary's Church is situated in Mill Street, Ashwell, Baldock, Hertfordshire. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: The Parish Office, 9 Swan Street, Ashwell, Hertfordshire. SG7 5NY 

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary, Ashwell, became a registered charity on 10 March 2010. 

|During the 12 months to 31 December2025,thefollowing served as members ofthe PCC.|During the 12 months to 31 December2025,thefollowing served as members ofthe PCC.|During the 12 months to 31 December2025,thefollowing served as members ofthe PCC.|
|---|---|---|
|Rector|The Revd. Chris Campbell (Chair)||
|Churchwardens|Julia Mitchell||
||John Chilton||
|Reader|DrMark Eaton||
|||Treasurer and Asst|
|Representatives tothe|DrMark Eaton|Churchwarden|
|Buntingford Deanery||Asst. Churchwarden and|
|Synod|JoAdams|Safeguarding Officer|
|Elected members|Stephen ten Hove||
||Ruth ten Hove||
||Gaye Rowlands||
||Melanie Dawson-Dew||
||Jonathan Fisher||
||John Hare||
||David Richards (From April 2025)||
|Inattendance|BernardAllen|Secretary|



In June 2023 we welcomed the Rev Revd. Paulet Brown-Wilshire into the benefice as a curate. She was priested in June 2024. 

## Donations by the Trustees 

Total donations by the trustees and those closely connected to them in 2025 amounted to £10,470. 

## Reimbursement of Personal Expenditure 

No trustees or connected persons were paid any monies with the exception of reimbursement for items purchased on behalf of the PCC. The PCC pays the telephone and broadband costs for the Rectory directly. 

## Payment to a Connected Person for Services 

A relative of a trustee was paid £190.50 for taking occasional services in the church. Another relative of a trustee was paid £180 for relief organist duties. 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025 - Continued 

## Structure, governance and management 

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2025 part 9. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. 

## Objectives and activities 

St Mary's PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for St Mary's Church and 8 Swan Street and management responsibility for the separate trust covering the Parish Church Room. 

## Achievements and performance 

## Church attendance 

There were 85 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll in April 2025, down from 96 in 2024. Average weekly attendance was 69 up from 63 in 2024, and the number of children is increasing. Services continued to be available on Zoom to those who are unable to get to church, with around 5 people regularly making use of this facility. These numbers increased significantly at Easter, Christmas and other Festival services, and this year over 500 people attended the various Christmas services and 190 people over Easter, both up from last year. 

## PCC Meetings 

The full PCC met 9 times during 2025. The meetings were chaired by the Revd. Chris Campbell. 

These Accounts were approved by the PCC on 17 March 2026 and signed by the Revd. Chris Campbell as Chair. 

Sub Committees have met between meetings and notes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary. The Rector is an ex officio member of each committee or group. 

## Standing Committee 

The Parish has a Standing Committee comprising the Rector, The Vice Chair, the Churchwardens, and the Safeguarding Officer. 

## Mission Action Planning 

The PCC remain committed to Mission Action Planning, as a tool to help the church grow spiritually, numerically and in its presence and witness in the community. In the Summer of 2022, we held an away day, in which we agreed a vision of being a welcoming community, sharing God’s love, and a number of goals to help us achieve this. This plan has been reviewed regularly and promoted by the Mission and Discipleship Committee. In July 2025 we held another awayday to review and revise the plan. The updates plan was approved and adopted by the PCC at its meeting on 18 September 2025. 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025 - Continued 

## Sub Groups and Committees 

## Music Committee 

Looks creatively at ways to maintain and develop the tradition of music at St Mary’s to support worship and to encourage wider participation by the community. The membership comprises the Rector, Bene’t Coldstream (Director of Music, co-opted). Peter Eaglesfield (Organist, co-opted), Juliette Shackleton (co-opted), Ruth ten Hove (Chair) and Ann Mallinson (co-opted). In 2024/5 the Music Committee developed and implemented the plan to replace the old heavy 1960s Choir stalls with modern moveable furniture which is much more aesthetically pleasing. 

## Finance Committee 

Provides financial oversight for the PCC, though responsibility for the PCR Trust’s and PCC’s finances is shared by all members of the PCC. The membership comprises the Rector, Mark Eaton, John Chilton (to June 2025), Jonathn Fisher (from April 2025) and John Rowlands (co-opted). 

## Employment Committee 

Provides oversight of the terms of employment of staff who are paid by the PCC for various services and ensure compliance with Employment Law, Charity Commission and Church of England guidelines. The membership comprises the Rector, Mark Eaton, Stephen ten Hove (Chair) and Julia Mitchell. 

## Youth and Children 

Deals with all matters relating to the young people of the parish. The membership comprises the Rector, Jo Adams, Sarah Talks and Revd. Paulet Brown-Wilsher. 

## Fabric Committee 

Considers repairs and improvements which need to be carried out to the church property, including health & safety requirements. The membership comprises David Richards John Chilton (Chair to mid 2025 ) Mark Eaton, Graham Chandler (Health and Safety Officer, co-opted), David Richards (Chair from mid 2025 ) and Julia Mitchell. 

## Mission and Discipleship Committee 

Champions the sharing the love and life of Christ through our outreach teaching. The Group has been progressing the Mission Action Plan and oversees House Groups and the Advent and Lent Courses. The membership comprises The Rector (Chair), Mark Eaton, Rose Cooper (co-opted), Jo Adams and Revd. Paulet Brown-Wilsher (curate). 

## Communications Group 

Champions the effective communication of the parish’s mission and activities and the promotion of outreach though various media. It also oversees the Parish Website and the production and distribution of Ashwell Village News. The membership comprises The Rector, Mark Eaton, Julia Mitchell (Chair), Christa Bosch (AVN Editor, co-opted) and Jo Adams. 

## Safeguarding 

This is handled by the Rector and Jo Adams. Jo Adams and Srah Talks form a Safeguarding Standards subgroup. 

## Social & Events 

Melanie Dawson-Dew oversees these occasions with Ruth ten Hove and Gaye Rowlands. 

5 

## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025 - Continued 

## Financial Review 

In the year ending 31st December 2025, on restricted and designated funds there was a surplus of £28,504. This surplus was due largely to the receipt of a generous legacy of £40,000 from the estate of the late Judy Catterick. 

Compared to last year, other income was stable. The large proportion of our incoming resources was from our regular donors, to whom we are very grateful and who together contributed over £80,000 to the church, including tax recovered under Gift Aid. We also benefited from a range of fundraising events such as the Music Festival, Ashwell at Home, the Flea Market, and the Christmas Fair. As well as this, the Gift and Card stall run by Marjorie Fitt and Sheelagh Bennett brought in some very useful incremental income as did the Sale of Ashwell Mugs and Bags (organised by Julia Mitchell) and Christmas Cards (organised by Mark Eaton). 

In 2025 we completed the replacement of the choir stall using the anonymous donation of £27,500 received in 2024 and other funds raised by the Music Committee. 

Sadly, we lost a number of long-standing members of the congregation and community, which resulted in a rise in funeral fees and Special Collections from their services (the majority of which was passed, at the relatives’ request, to other charities). Rental income from 8 Swan Street was fully restored to its full level, following the refurbishment completed last year. 

The Parish Share remains the church's most significant item of expenditure. This pays for our priest, and all employment, housing and training costs, including training costs for new priests and Readers. It pays for the support the church receives from the Diocese and helps to support those parishes in the Diocese in need. The Diocesan Board of Finance is conscious of the financial pressures on parishes and working to contain costs and minimise increased in Parish Share. We are commended by the Diocese for the fact that all three parishes in the benefice have regularly paid their Share in full. 

Other expenditure was well contained and despite some increases in tariffs for electricity and gas . both for the church and the Parish Room. Efforts continue to contain utility costs, shopping around for the best deals on gas and electricity, and during 2025 we committed to choosing greener Energy Tariffs, as part of our Eco Church initiative. 

Aside from the purchase of the new choir stalls (£20,080 in 2025), a total of £30,789 was spent on repairs and restoration work in the church. Much of this was the defrassing of the stonework on the tower (removing loose material) for which we received a Repair Grant of £5,655 from the Diocese. 

Because of the ongoing pressures on the General Fund, the PCC continues to focus donations to external charities on funds specially collected for such purposes, for example by the "Charity of the Month" approach. The PCC continues to keep its approach to external giving under review. 

We continue to consider our own fundraising strategy for how we maintain this medieval building and having been advised that the criteria for applications for large projects has changed, the PCC will focus now on a smaller application for up to £250,000 where the criteria are more straightforward. The Quinquennial Inspection in 2024 indicated that there is urgent work required to re-roof the tower and the north side aisle. In early 2026 we are undertaking urgent remedial 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025 - Continued 

work on the roofs but the need for substantial expenditure remains. We still hope to commence work in 2026 on improving accessibility to the church, funded by a generous donation we received in 2022. Work on this has been slightly delayed, due to both the urgent remedial repairs to the roof and the resignation of our Church Architect, thus needing to recruit a new one before we could progress the Access Project. 

In 2025 the PCC, in partnerships with the Garden House Hospice and Ashwell Surgery established a Wellbeing Hub for older people in the area. This meets weekly providing an exercise Class, focused on balance and mobility, and a time for refreshments and fellowship. The church agreed to manage the finances for this and £1,254 was collected in donations and contributions from the participants and some grants were received from the local authority, paying to the fitness instructor directly. Training for volunteers and Safeguarding clearance was undertaken by the Garden House Hospice. Sadly for 2026 the Garden House Hospice has had to pull out of this venture because of their funding crisis and the PCC has agreed to sustain the venture by taking total responsibility for it for the coming year. 

The Parish Church Room (PCR) is set up as a separate trust with members of the PCC as the managing trustees. It is considered as a separate restricted fund, with the PCC retaining responsibility it’s financial operation. In 2024 we undertook a significant refurbishment project, redecorating the room and replacing the carpet tiles with a much more practical wood effect floor. This has been much appreciated by users. In 2025 we replaced the chairs, using an anonymous of £1,500 received in 2024. In 2025 we were grateful to receive a grant of £3,500 from the Ashwell Show Committee which will be used to refurbish the toilets early in 2026. 

On its current account the PCR continued to operate at a deficit. We hope the refurbishment might attract more hirers. As a service to the local community, the PCC continues to provide accommodation for the mobile post office in the Parish Room. Regrettably Post Office Ltd has decided to restrict the hours it will subsidise for the mobile post office service and as a result this will be reduced from three sessions per week to two. 

Taking the above into account the available (unrestricted) funds at 31 December 2025 have increased to £133,541 compared with £78,877 at the close of 2024, due in the main to the Catterick bequest. We are considering how to make use of this on a project or projects which would be close to Judy’s heart. 

The church remains heavily dependent on the services of the many people who offer their time voluntarily to support and facilitate its mission and activities. Likewise, with annual costs averaging £105,000 we know we could not operate without the very generous support of all our donors, to whom we are very grateful and the PCC would like to thank all those who offer their service and time in so many ways. 

The PCC has a safeguarding officer (Jo Adams) and maintains a safeguarding policy in line with the recommendation of the Church of England and the guidelines issued by the House of Bishops. No incidents were reported in 2025. All church Officers and PCC members have a DBS check as required by the Church of England, and complete Basic and Foundation Safeguarding Training. 

Signed on behalf of the PCC (liad. (lechy 19/03/26. 

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## Chris Campbell (Chair) PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|2025|Funds|Funds|Funds|2024|
|Note|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|INCOMING|RESOURCES|
|Incoming|resources|from|donors|2(a)|86.579|4.726|91,305|83,258|1,786|85|044|
|Other voluntary|incoming|resources|2(b)|§2,545|14.166|66,711|7,708|34.103|41812|
|Income|from|operating|activities|
|to|generate|funds|2c)|21,275|9 247|30.522|17|691|12.516|30,206|
|Other|ordinary|incoming|resources|2(d)|12.394|12.394|7,751|7,751|
|Income|from|investments|2ie)|3,866|61|3.927|4254|42|4.296|
|TOTAL|INCOMING|RESOURCES|176.660|28.199|204.859|120|662|48|446|169|108|
|RESOURCES|EXPENDED|
|Grants|3a)|2391|2.391|4.062|4.062|
|Actimties|directly|relating|to|the work|
|of|the Church|34d)|90.955|56,943|2.564|150 462|85.740|41,074|126.815|
|Costs|of|generating|funds|Xe}|8.284|8.244|53,678|53.678|
|Church|management|and|administration|3(d)|14.521|102|14.623|14,398|97|14.495|
|TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED|116.111|57.045|2.564|175,720|157|878|41.171|199.049|
|NET|INCOMING/(OUTGOING)|RESOURCES|60|548|(28,846)|(2.564)|29|139|(37,216)|7.274|(29.942)|
|GAINS|AND|LOSSES|ON|INVESTMENTS|
|Realised|4(a)|
|Unrealised|4{a)|(635)|(635)|397|397|
|’|60.548|(28,846)|(3,199)|28.504|(37,216)|7,274|397|(29|544)|
|TRANSFERS|BETWEEN FUNDS|(5.884)|5|884|(26)|26|
|NET MOVEMENTS|IN FUNDS|54|664|(22,961)|(3,199)|28,504|(37,243)|7,301|397|(29,544)|
|BALANCE|BROUGHT|FORWARD|
|AT|1st JANUARY|273.312|265|260|22.992|561.563|310.554|257.959|22.595|591|107|
|BALANCE|CARRIED|FORWARD|ee|
|AT|31st DECEMBER|327.975|242.299|19.793|590.067|273,311|265|260|22.992|561.563|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 

|||Note||2025||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||£|£|£|£|
|FIXED ASSETS|||||||
|Tangible fixed assets||4(a){i)||85 000||85,000|
|Tangible fixed assets - investment||4(a)(it)||194 434||194 434|
|Investments||4(b)||14,564||17,763|
|||||293,998||297,197|
|CURRENT ASSETS|||||||
|Short term deposits|||1,117||1,056||
|Cash at bank and in|hand||294 953||263.311||
|CURRENT ASSETS|||~<br>296.070si(iti‘~*‘«;* ET||||
|NETASSETS<br>(see page 18)||||~_590,067<br>i.||561.563<br>—_—|
|FUNDS||5|||||
|Unrestricted||||327,975||273,312|
|Restricted||||242299||265,260|
|Endowment||||19.793||22.992|
|||||590,067||561,563|
|Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 17<br>March <br>TREASURER<br>Y)ml\Se|||2026 and signedon its behalf by:<br>MWEaton<br>|‘4[a/2—||||



The notes on pages 7 fo 15 form part of these accounts 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the PCC 5th edition incorporating SORP 2015 which includes guidance on accounts, reports and scrutiny including the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 by the Business Committee of the General Synod of the Church of England. 

## prepared on a receipts and payments basis. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. 

## Funds 

General 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. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. 

The accounts 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 or those that are informal gatherings of church members. 

## Incoming Resources Voluntary income and capital sources. 

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. 

Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. 

Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. 

' 

Funds raised by social and fund raising events are accounted for gross. 

Sales of books and magazines from the church bookstall are accounted for net. 

## Gains and losses on investments 

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31st December. 

10 

## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 

## Resources expended 

## Grants 

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid. 

Activities directly relating to the work of the church 

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when paid. 

## Fixed Assets 

## Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings 

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993. 

Movable church furnishings held by the Rector 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 Inventory which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore, such assets are not valued in the accounts. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 have been capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their currently anticipated useful economic life on a straight-line basis. 

## Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment 

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Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 5 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £2,500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. 

## Investments 

Investments are valued at market value at 31st December. 

## Current assets 

Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank. 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

||NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||FOR|THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025||||||||||
||2.|INCOMINGRESOURCES|Unrestricted<br>Funds||Restricted<br>Funds|Endowment<br>Funds|Total<br>2025|Unrestricted<br>Funds|Restricted<br>Funds|Endowment<br>Funds|Total<br>2024|
|||||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
||2{a)|Incoming resources from donors||||||||||
|||Planned giving||||||||||
|||Gift Aid donations||64.168|||64.16|59,366|||59.366|
|||Tax recovered||16,989|4.726||21,74|15.603|1.786||17.389|
|||Specific Donations||2.171|||2.171|4.694|||4.694|
|||Collections (open plate) at all serices||3.261|||3.251|3,595|||3.595|
|||||86.579|4.726||91,30|83,258|1.786||85.044|
||2(b}|Other voluntary incoming resources||||||||||
|||Grants|||5.655||5,65|||||
|||Donations and appeals for charity||11,306|8511||19. 81€|7,708|34,103||41.812|
|||Legacies||40.000|||40.00|||||
|||Sundry||1.239<br>§2.545|14.166||1.238<br>66.711|7.708|34.103||41,812|
||2(c)|Income fromoperating activities togenerate funds||||||||||
|||Magazines (netofcosts)<br>Bookstall, cards andmugs (net ofcosts)||4.402<br>770|606||4.402<br>1,37€|3.657<br>806|49||3.657<br>854|
|||Fund-taisingevents||5.427|6.861||12.288|4568|8,982||13,550|
|||Church and room lettings ete||1,665|1.780||344|255|3.485||3.740|
|||Fees||9.010|||9.01|8.405|||8.405|
|||||21.275|9.247||30,522|17.691|12,515||30.206|
||2(d)|Other ordinary incoming resources||||||||||
|||Rent on 6 Swan Street||12.394|||12,394|7.751|||7.751|
|||||12.394|||12.394|7751|||7.751|
||2(e)|Income from investments||||||||||
|||Omdends and interest including||||||||||
|||any reclaimed tax||3.866|61||3.927|4254|42||4,296|
|||||3,866|61||3.927|4.254|42||4.296|
|||TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES||176.660|26.199||204 859|120662|48 446||169,108|
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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|”|3.|RESOURCES|EXPENDED|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Funds|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|2025|Funds|Funds|Funds|2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Xa)|Grants|
|Missionary|and|charitable|giving|142|142|
|Church|overseas|
|-|missionary|societies|
|Specific|Donations|2.249|2.249|4,062|4,062|
|Home|missions|and|donations|
|from|collections|
|2.391|2.391|4.062|4062|
|3b)|Activities directly|relating|to|the|work|of the Church|
|Ministry|pansh|share|63|759|$3,759|63,218|63.218|
|clergy|expenses|
|Church running|expenses|6.995|6.995|6.666|6.666|
|Church|maintenance.|restoration.|refurbis|4.596|50.570|2.564|57.730|3.709|32.563|36.272|
|Books|358|358|
|Mission|and|Outreach|811|811|
|Worship resources|1,727|1.727|1,772|1.772|
|Choir|and|music|6.506|6.506|4.882|4.882|
|Church|Hall|running|costs|5|588|§|588|7.775|7.775|
|insurance|5.247|784|6.032|4.929|737|5 666|
|Sundry|1,314|1.314|205|205|
|90.955|56.943|2.564|150.462|85.740|41.074|126|815|
|3c)|Costs|of|generating|funds|
|Fees|paid|6.084|6.084|§,175|5.175|
|Purchase|of candies|490|490|515|515|
|Swan|Street|expenses|431|431|1,467|1.467|
|Swan|Street|Refurbishment|1.239|1,239|46,521|46521|
|Purchase|of goods|for|resale|
|8.244|8244|53.678|53.678|
|3d)|Church management|and|administration|
|Secretarial|&|office|expenses|14.521|102|14|623|14.398|97|14.495|
|Web|site|
|Accountancy|
|14521|102|14.623|14.398|97|14|495|
|TOTAL RESOURCES|EXPENDED|116.111|57.045|2.564|175.720|157.878|41,171|199.049|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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## Total salaries paid in 2025 were £14,358 for The Parish Administrator, the Organist and the Cleaner. 

13 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## 4, FIXED ASSETS 

## (a) Tangible Fixed Assets (i) Assets Held for PCC Activities 

||Freehold Land|||
|---|---|---|---|
||and Buildings|Equipment|Total|
||£|£|£|
|COSTOR VALUATION||||
|At istJanuary 2025|85,000||85,000|
|Additions||||
|Disposals||||
|Revaluation||||
|At 31st December2025|85,000|0|85,000|
|DEPRECIATION||||
|At ist January 2025|||0|
|Charge forthe year||||
|Disposals||||
|Revaluation||||
|At 31st December 2025|0|0|0|
|NETBOOK VALUE||||
|At 31stDecember2025|85.000|0|85,000|
|At31stDecember2024|85,000|0|85,000|



The freehold land and buildings comprise the Ashwell Church Room. The gross value is based on the value estimated by the PCC as at 12th July 2011 for insurance purposes and is considered to be a fair estimate of the current value in use of the property. 

|(ii)|Assets Held for Investment|Freehold Land|
|---|---|---|
||(held in the UK)|and Buildings|
|||£|
|COSTOR VALUATION|||
|At|ist January 2025|0|
|Revaluation|||
|At|31st December 2025|0|
|DEPRECIATION|||
|At|1st January 2025|0|
|Charge for the year||0|
|At|31st December 2025|0|
|NETBOOK VALUE|||
|At|31st December 2025|0|
|At|31stDecember2024|0|



The freehold land and buildings comprise the property at 8 Swan Street, Ashwell, which was received as a bequest from Miss Simms in 1986. The gross value is the current market value estimated by the PCC. 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## Note 4 Continued 

|4.|(b) Investments|Value<br>2025|Value<br>2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|
||284 Shares in the CBF Investment Fund|||
||(Sale Bequest Fund - historic cost£200)|6,304|6,420|
||484.19 Snares in the CBF Investment Fund|||
||(Floodlight Fund - historic cost £8,700)||10,945|
||372.07" Shares in the CBF Investment Fund|||
||(Floodlight Fund - historic cost £6,907)|8,259||
|||14,564|17,365|



*On 23 July 2025, 112.12 shares in the Floodlight Fund were sold to fund the upgrading ofthe floodiights. The new lights will reduce the electricity used, in turn reducing the Church's carbon footprint and costs. Approval for this sale was sought and granted by the family of the original donor to this Fund. 

” 6. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND 

|ANALYSIS OFOF NET ASSETSASSETS|BY FUNDFUND||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted<br>Funds|Restricted<br>Funds|Endowment<br>Funds|TOTAL<br>2025|Unrestricted<br>Funds|Restricted<br>Funds|Endowment<br>Funds|TOTAL<br>2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|FixedAssets<br>CurrentAssets|194 434<br>133,541|85,000<br>157,299|14,564<br>5,230|293,998<br>296,070|194,434<br>78,878|85,000<br>180,260|17,763<br>5,230|297,197<br>264,367|
|Current Liabilities|||||||||
||327,975|242,20919,793<br>500,067)245,363|||245,363<br>122,267<br>23,219561,563||||



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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## 6 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - UNRESTRICTED FUND ANALYSIS 2025 

||General|Bequests|Swan|Street|Choir&Music WellbeingHub|Choir&Music WellbeingHub|Hardship|Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Fund|Fund||Fund|Fund|Fund|Fund||
||£|£||x|£|£|£|£|
|INCOMING RESOURCES|||||||||
|Gift Aid donations|64,168|||||||64,168|
|Tax recovered|16.989|||||||16.989|
|Collections (open plate)|7,561|||||||7,561|
|Donations& grants|7,013|||1,239|900|1,254||10.406|
|Legacies||40,000||||||40,000|
|Rent on 8 Swan Street|12.394|||||||12.394|
|Fees|9.010|||||||9.010|
|Other events & sales|12.265|||||||12.265|
|Interest|3.866|||||||3.866|
||133,267|40.000||1.239|900|1,254|0|176 660|
|RESOURCES EXPENDED|||||||||
|Charitable Giving|2.361|||||29||2,391|
|Pansh Share|63,759|||||||63.759|
|Fees|6 084|||||||6.084|
|Church Running Expenses|6.995|||||||6.995|
|Church Maintenance|4.596|||||||4.596|
|Books|811|||||||811|
|Worship Resources|2.134|||||||2.134|
|Choir and Music|5.353||||1,236|||6,589|
|Insurance|§247|||||||5.247|
|Swan Street Expenses|431|||||||431|
|Refurbishment ofSwan Street|1,239|||||||1,239|
|Parish Office|14.521|||||||14.521|
|Sundry|1.314|||||||1.314|
||114 846|0||0|1,236|29|0|116.114|
|Inter fund transfers|(5.820)||||(64)|||(5 884)|
|NETRESOURCES|nee<br>Re<br>—_12.600_40,000|||Ll<br>UU<br>4.239<br>400)||NW. eee<br>1225|||
|BALANCE SHEET|||||||||
|Freehold Property|194 434|||||||194.434|
|Bank current account|72.660|55.409||2.015|105|1,225|1,350|129.419|
|DBOF deposits||||||||0|
|FUND BALANCE|267,094|§5.409||2.015|105|1,225|1,350|327.197|
|Net movement|12,600|40.000||1,239|(400)|1,225|0|54 664|
|Balance b/fwd|255.272|15.409||775|505||1.350|273,311|
|Balancec/fwd|267872|55,409||2.015|105|1,225|1.350|327.975|



16 

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# PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## Note 6 Continued 

## FUND DETAILS 

## The Unrestricted Funds comprise the following funds:- 

## The General Fund 

The General Fund 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. Other funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. 

## The Bequests Fund (Designated) 

To set apart sums left to the church be beneficiaries in their wills to be reserved for special projects at the PCC's discretion. 

## The Hardship Fund (Designated) 

To set apart sums given the PCC specifically to support the vulnerable and those in need. Sums (up to £100) to be paid to appropriate recipients at the discretion of the Rector. Larger payments may be made with the agreement of the standing committee. Fund for the relief of hardship using funds donated to the PCC. 

## The Swan Street Fund (Designated) 

To set apart sums retained from rental income for future use by the PCC for major repairs to the Swan Street property. 

## Choir & Music Fund (Designated) 

To set apart sums retained by the PCC from income from fees received for the provision of choirs at services. 

’ 

17 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## 7. GENERAL FUND 

|Donations to Missions and Charities|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Collections|Donations|TOTAL|TOTAL|
||etc.|from PCC|2025|2024|
|HOME|£|£|3|£|
|Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust||42|42|25|
|Brave Trust||||240|
|Children Society|272||272|218|
|Salvation Army (note 1)|40||40|218|
|Ashwell URC (note 2)|222||222||
|Moggerhanger Hospice (nate 2)|145||145||
|Wellbing Hub|29||29||
|Mothers Union (note 2)|113||113||
|Life Boats (note 2)||||243|
|Alzheimer's Society ((note 2)||||170|
|Alzheimer's Research UK ((note 2)||||263|
|Garden House Hospice (note 2)||||683|
|Royal British Legion (Ashwell Branch)||||611|
|Sepsis (note 2)||||38|
|Cats Protection League (note 2)||||61|
|Dementia UK (note 2)||||255|
|British Heart Foundation (note 2)||||58|
|Hertfordshire AirAmbulance (note 2)||||58|
|Jimmy's||||327|
||821|42|863|3,250|
|OVERSEAS|||||
|Diapalante<br>Embrace the Middle East|120<br>203||120<br>203|75<br>0|
|Amnesty International (note 2)|315||315|0|
|Bishops Harvest Appeal|791||791|737|
|Christian Aid (note 3)||100|100|0|
||1.429|100|1,529|812|
|TOTAL|2.250|142|2,392|4.062|



Note 1 In addition to the above figures, as part of the Charity of the Month initiative the PCC also collects donations in the Charity’s own Gift Aid Envelopes for these charities. 

Note 2. Donation from collection at funeral and memorial services made at the request of the relatives of the deceased 

Note 3. Donations from the income from the Christmas Cards and Tea Towels. 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## 8 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - RESTRICTED FUND ANALYSIS 2025 

||Restoration|Legacies &|internal|Parish Church|Development|Organ|Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||&Tower|Collections|Reordering|Room|Music Fund|||
||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|INCOMING RESOURCES||||||||
|Gift Aid donations||||||||
|Tax recovered|3,664||1.062||||4,726|
|Donations & grants|6.054|||4.000|4.111||14.166|
|Legacies||||||||
|Income from Lettings||||1,780|||1,780|
|Teas|2.905||||||2.905|
|Music Festival|693||||||693|
|Other events & sales|3,767||||||3,767|
|Interest||||||||
|RESOURCESEXPENDED|17,083||1,062|5.780|4.111||28.037|
|Church maintenance.||||||||
|restoration, refurbishment|21,983||||20,080||42.063|
|Professional fees|8.507||||||8.507|
|Running Costs||||6.373|||6.373|
|Donation||||||||
|Purchase ofgoods for resale||||||||
|Bank Charges|102||||||102|
||30,592||0|6.373|20,080||57,045|
|NETRESOURCES|(13,509)||1,062|(692)|(15.969)||(29.008)|
|Withdrawal||||||||
|Unrealised gains/(losses)||||||||
|Inter fund transfers||||3.092|2.792||5 884|
||(13,509)||1,062|2.500|(13.176)||(23.124)|
|BALANCE SHEET||||||||
|Freehold Property||||85,000|||85,000|
|Bank current account||||||||
|DBOF deposits||||||||
|FUND BALANCE||||85.000|||85.000|
|Net movement|(13,509)||1.062|2.500|(13,176)||(23,124)|
|Balance b/fwd|29.253|4.883|127 308|86,500|13.476|3,838|265 260|
|Balancec/fwd|15.744|4883|128370|89.000|300|3.838|242,136|



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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 

## 9 FUND DETAILS 

The restricted funds comprise the following funds:- 

## Restoration and Tower Fund 

To provide funds for the repair and renovation of the church, including the tower. 

## Legacies and Collections 

Consisting of legacies and specific donations received, to be spent on purposes selected by the PCC. 

## Parish Church Room Fund 

To hold the asset of the Parish Church Room which is operated by the PCC on behalf of the Church and community. 

## Organ Fund 

To provide funds for repair and renovation of the organ. 

## Internal Reordering Fund 

To provide funds for the internal reordering of the church and the enhancement of its interior facilities, such as kitchen and toilet facilities. 

## Development Music Fund 

To provide funds for the development of provision of music to support Parish Worship. 

## The Endowment Funds comprise the following funds:- 

, 

## Sale Bequest 

Consisting of a legacy, the income from which is used for purposes selected by the PCC. 

## Floodlight Fund 

A donation, the income from which is used to fund the use of the floodlights. 

## 10 CONNECTED CHARITIES 

The Friends of St. Mary's is an independent charity whose aims are to provide funds for specific projects in connection with the Church fabric and fittings. The trustees of the charity include members of the PCC and all projects funded must first obtain the approval of the PCC. 

20 

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## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, ASHWELL, HERTS. 

## BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2025 

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||||2025||2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||£|£|£|£|
|FIXED ASSETS|||||||
|Tangible fixed|assets for use by PCC||||||
||Parish Room|||85.000||85,000|
||Equipment||||||
|Tangible fixed|assets - investment||||||
||8 Swan Street|||194 434||194.434|
|Investments|||||||
||Sale Bequest|||6,304||6,567|
||Floodlight Fund|||8.259||11,196|
|||||293.998||297,197|
|CURRENT ASSETS|||||||
|Short term deposits||General funds|||||
|||Other funds|1,117||1,056||
|Cash at bank|and in hand|General funds|73,438||60.838||
|||Other funds|221,514||202.472||
||||296.069||264 366||
|CURRENT ASSETS||||296.069||264 366|
|NET ASSETS||||590.067||561.563|
|FUNDS|||||||
|Unrestricted||||327,975||273,312|
|Restricted||||242,299||265.260|
|Endowment||||19.793||22.992|
|||||590.067||561,563|



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