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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St John The Baptist, Beeston, Nottingham

2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist Beeston

Serving Christ in our Community

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Annual Report and Accounts of the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Contents

Page
Annual Reports 1
Financial Statements 7
Independent Examiner’s Report 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12
Reports from Parish Groups 13

Annual Report for the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ending 31 December 2024

Administrative Information

St John the Baptist is situated in Church Street, in the parish of Beeston and the Diocese of Southwell of Nottingham. The correspondence address is Beeston Vicarage, Middle Street, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 1GA.

PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2024 until the date of this report are:

Incumbent Revd Wayne Plimmer Chairman Revd Kirstine Buchan Associate Priest Jem Bloomfield Lay Reader Revd Rob Wiggins Permission to Officiate Revd Dawn Glen Permission to Officiate Revd Monika Doering Permission to Officiate Revd Paul Knight Permission to Officiate Wardens Pat Atkins Jackie Laats Deanery Synod Representatives Christopher Gray Julie Howson Parish Safeguarding Officer Laura Macdonald Elected Members Ian Buchan David Butler Kaye Ford Treasurer Pam Holland Steve Lowe Kate Lyons PCC Safeguarding Lead Val Sellars Helen Spiby Norman Vaughton Richard Whitaker Revd Rob Wiggins

Structure, Governance and Management

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils Powers Measure. The PCC is a registered charity with the Charity Commission and its registered number is 1134788.

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

Objectives and Activities

The PCCs objectives and operations are framed in the context of Church as a fellowship of believers whose main objective is to serve Christ in our community. This is worked out through a wide range of activities including:

Achievements and Performance

Church Attendance :

There are currently 108 members on the Church Electoral Roll, some of whom reside outside of the parish. This figure is 25 less than last year. The drop in numbers may be attributed to the fact that a new roll has been compiled this year.

Average attendance at the 10am Sunday Eucharist has increased to 106. At the Wednesday 10am Eucharist, 17 people, on average, attend.

Safeguarding Review for the Year:

The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy states that the Church ‘will train and equip church officers to have the confidence and skills they need to care and support children, young people and vulnerable adults and to recognise and respond to abuse”.

Since 2020 we have been using the Parish Dashboard to ensure we are following Church of England policy and procedure regarding Safeguarding.

Recently, the PCC have agreed a Photo and Video Policy and Social Media Policy which is to be rolled out to all church groups. We are committed to ensuring any personal data gathered, follows GDP guidelines.

All activity leaders agree to meet the safeguarding requirements as required by the Diocese and Church of England, that is, Enhanced or Basic DBS as required by each post and appropriate level of safeguarding training.

Our PCC safeguarding lead is Kate Lyons who is a child protection manager in County Council’s children’s service.

Posters are inside and outside of the church with Safeguarding contact numbers. PSO contact number is also on the church service sheet. Safeguarding information is also on the Parish website and Southwell and Nottingham Diocese website.

The Church of England has published a National Safeguarding Standards and Quality Assurance Framework.

The aim of the Framework is to:

1. To make sure that people are being protected and responded to with compassion and humanity.

2. To be transparent and accountable to key stakeholders (for example, victims and survivors of abuse, trustees, the wider community and public).

3. To inform resource and strategic planning in respect of safeguarding.”

For more information clink on the link below

https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/national-safeguarding-standards or type Church of England National Safeguarding Standards into your search engine.

Julie Howson, Parish Safeguarding Officer

PCC Review for the Year:

Each PCC meeting receives reports from our Treasurer. Deanery Synod meetings are also reported to the PCC which updates us on wider issues. Regular reports are presented by representatives of other church organisations for discussion and annual reports from all these sources are presented for consideration at the Annual Parish Church Meeting (APCM). During 2024, the PCC met 8 times.

The Finance Group supports the PCC in managing the finances of the Parish Church. It normally meets quarterly, prior to PCC meetings, reporting back to the PCC with recommendations and requests for decisions and approval if necessary. During 2024 the Finance Group met 3 times.

The Standing Committee normally meets prior to each PCC meeting to agree the draft minutes and agenda and to discuss matters and make decisions prior to full PCC approval. They take any significant

recommendations for action to the PCC. In accordance with Church Representation Rules, the Standing Committee may also ‘transact the PCC’s business between meetings of the PCC’. During 2024 the Standing Committee met 5 times.

PCC meetings during 2024 remained quite varied.

Several fundraising activities took place during the year, which all proved to be successful. They included a Patronal Festival Fayre, Bellringers’ Quiz, Carols and Wine and the Christmas Tree Festival. The church also played host to a number of events by local groups which included concerts, dance lessons, Shakespearean plays, social prescribing, dance lessons and an art exhibition. Again, all were well received.

The PCC reviewed and approved safeguarding plans of action, provisions, risk assessments and policies and well as reviewing all church activities.

The main work carried out was work to the North Aisle roof, as well as service and repair to the organ. Work to improve the lighting system was ongoing.

The loft space was cleared and storage areas reorganised and reallocated where appropriate.

It was agreed that David Butler would act as Deputy Churchwarden, shadowing the two people currently appointed to the role.

Kathryn Weller, Clerk to the Trustees

Chairman’s Review for 2024:

2024 has been another encouraging year and gentle growth has continued in lots of respects, as the after effects of the pandemic have subsided still further.

Particular congratulations to the Eco Group members of the congregation who have helped to ensure that we are now proud holders of the A Roche Bronze Award. For further details please see A Rocha UK – Caring for creation

I’d like to say thank you to everybody, both paid staff and volunteers, who have worked so hard throughout the year to ensure that St John’s continues to be a place of welcome and acceptance. I’d like to offer special thanks to our Church Wardens, Pat Atkins and Jackie Laats, for their wisdom, experience and hard work.

We seek to be a place of inclusion and need to continue to work together to make that a reality in every respect. Part of this is to ensure a high standard of safeguarding and working together with our colleagues in the Diocese and National Church. We are making good progress but without being complacent about maintaining high standards. Particular thanks to Julie Howson, our Parish Safeguarding Officer. For further details see Julie’s Safeguarding report above.

The financial challenges continue but we are making some good progress as we invite people to continue giving generously for the mission and ministry of the Parish Church. In particular there has been encouraging growth through electronic means of giving.

Thank you so much for your support.

God bless.

Fr Wayne Plimmer (Vicar)

Churchwarden’s Review and Fabric Report for the Year:

There have been problems with the church lighting since the 2024 APCM and they are still not resolved. Our architect, Graeme Renton, Fr Rob Wiggins and Deputy Warden David Butler have been dealing with it.

Repairs have been carried out on the N aisle roof.

At present we are awaiting an estimate for repointing the lower part of the exterior. When it arrives we shall apply for a Minor Repairs and Improvements grant from the Diocese.

Regular maintenance work, and some repairs, have been carried out on the boiler and pump. The hot water boiler in the kitchen has been repaired and serviced.

The storage above the toilet block has been tidied and the inventory brought up to date. Kneelers, hymn books, the old sound system and some garden party equipment have been disposed of. Surplus choir robes have been given to Inverness Cathedral where they were very gratefully received. Surplus candlesticks and servers' robes have been transferred to a new church in Sneinton.

The roof alarms and sensors have been serviced. The fire extinguishers have been serviced and replacements made where necessary.

We have been given two new crib sets, a very small one suitable for a windowsill and a larger floor standing one. It may be possible to display the larger one outside church if suitable housing can be made.

Pat Atkins and Jackie Laats, Churchwardens

Deanery Synod Review for the Year:

This year we have said goodbye to Rev’d Christopher Harrison (Nottingham All Saint and St Peter), Rev’d John Blakeley (Sneinton St Stephen) and have welcomed Marsha Farmer (Sneinton St Christopher), Rev’d Lee Dunleavy (Sneinton, St Cyprian), Rev’d Sam Watkins-Smith (Trinity Church Nottingham) and Rev’d James Saunders (St Mary’s in the Lace Market).

The Deanery Leadership Team has continued to meet during the year to plan Synod and to discuss ways to support parishes in the Deanery – particularly those in vacancy. We have held three Synods:

On 13 February we met at St Mary’s in the Lace Market and we invited the Jericho Road Project, Transforming Notts Together, Refugee Roots and 100 Homes. We spent time praying for these organisations and also for the Deanery.

On 10 July we met at St Mary the Virgin’s in Attenborough. We were joined by Rev’d Canon Richard Kellett who shared about the new Diocesan Vision of growing disciples with Compassion, Confidence and Courage and led a discussion around ‘how can we as the body of Christ work across our parish boundaries to realise the Diocesan vision?’. We also received a report from General Synod.

On 21 November we met at Christ Church, Chilwell where Rev’d Canon Richard Kellett led us in prayer for the Middle East. Julian Hodgson, the Diocesan Safeguarding Lead, shared about the National Safeguarding Standards.

Our November meeting was also our AGM and a report was provided on the work of the Deanery Leadership Team during the past year.

Following the AGM the Deanery Leadership Team was made up of:

We also voted the following people on to Diocesan Synod:

The Deanery paid 94% of its giving for ministry in 2024. Every parish is thanked for their generosity.

Kirsty Cowley (Deanery Administrator)

Financial Review

Our financial situation for 2024 has not changed significantly from last year. Although we have benefited from the improved utility costs we are still paying much more than we did three years ago and there is no obvious chance of this expense reducing in the near future. We have some very kind and generous members of our congregation who still make regular contributions to our heating costs and we are very grateful to them.

Our biggest expenses this year have been the work carried out on the lighting improvements and repairs to the North Aisle roof. We were fortunate to be able to reclaim the VAT on both of these projects from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.

We could not pay our Parish Share in full, which would have required £57,939, but we did pay £41,000. It is most unlikely that we will be able to pay much more than this in the next year, when the Diocese are suggesting our Parish Share should be £60,253. We have budgeted to pay £50,000, optimistically.

The amounts we have received from general donations have reduced considerably and our fundraising income has also reduced – despite having a very successful Christmas Tree Festival and the usual Quiz Night and Beer & Hymns but we are now benefiting from the introduction of Easy Fundraising and this has raised £332 at no cost to those using the scheme.

Our Coffee Stop continues to provide a welcome source of income and is much appreciated by all who come along on a Thursday morning.

Although the general donations has reduced we have been very lucky to receive a specific donation towards the work on the North Aisle roof. This donation, together with the Gift Aid on it and the reclaiming of the VAT, has covered the whole cost of the work done. However this work only enabled us to complete one third of the work required thus this will be an ongoing project for future years.

It has been identified that work needs to be done on re-pointing of the exterior of the building and this is another project that is to be considered further next year – particularly as there is a possibility of a grant towards some of this work.

We plan to introduce a new Planned Giving Scheme early in 2025 and hope that this will lighten the load on both the Planned Giving Officer and the Treasurer. You will hear more about this in the New Year.

Thanks again to the Finance Group for their continued support and also to Michael Gillie for all the work he does on our payroll matters all od which is very much appreciated.

Kaye Ford – Treasurer to the PCC

Planned Giving

Our main income comes through direct debits and standing orders.

The donations that have been gift aided from July 23 to December 24 are expected to accrue c.£18K which is to be claimed from HMRC March ‘25

In addition to the above we have CAF, Charities Aid Foundation, which was introduced in April 2021. This is an online method of donating to St John’s, Gift Aid is added automatically. Throughout 2024 CAF donations totalled £13,800

Another method is the GOOD BOX, the electronic box that sits on the welcome table. This was introduced in August 2022 and raised £3125 throughout 2024.

We are currently looking at an online method called Parish Giving which will make the Parish Giving Officer’s life a lot easier(!) as the Diocese will collect your contributions if you choose to sign up to the scheme.

If you do kindly donate to St John’s and you are able to gift aid your donations then please ask Kaye Ford, Treasurer or Julie Howson, Planned Giving Officer for a Gift Aid form. For every £10 donated we can claim £2.50 from HMRC.

Your financial support helps with the maintenance and mission of St John’s. The average cost of running the church is £269.27 per day.

Father Wayne and the PCC would like to thank everyone for their continued generosity.

Julie Howson, Planned Giving Officer

Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist, Beeston, Nottingham

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

See attached document – model set of accounting policies

2 Incoming Resources Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds
2024		 Total Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
2a Incoming Resources
Planned Giving -
Covenants/Gift Aid £66,520.79 £0.00 £66,520.79 £65,256.00
Tax Returned on Convenants £10,710.75 £0.00 £10,710.75 £13,495.00
Unconvenanted £2,885.00 £0.00 £2,885.00 £3,843.00
Collections All Services £3,024.57 £329.69 £3,354.26 £3,510.00
Sundry Donations £2,661.42 £0.00 £2,661.42 £15,343.00
£85,802.53 £329.69 £86,132.22 £101,447.00
2b Other Voluntary
Incoming Resources
Donations, Appeals etc. £0.00 £2,060.00 £2,060.00 £9,132.00
Legacies £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £2,000.00
Fundraising Events £1,820.47 £0.00 £1,820.47 £2,809.00
Easy Fundraising £332.03 £0.00 £332.03 £0.00
£2,152.50 £2,060.00 £4,212.50 £13,941.00
2c Income from Charitable
and Ancillary Trading
Candle Sales £67.18 £0.00 £67.18 £109.00
PCC Fees/Extras £4,161.00 £0.00 £4,161.00 £4,018.00
Booklets/BRF etc. £0.00 £120.00 £120.00 £157.00
£4,228.18 £120.00 £4,348.18 £4,284.00
2d Other Ordinary
Income Resources
Coffee Fund £2,467.91 £0.00 £2,467.91 £2,412.00
Hire of Premises £1,831.00 £0.00 £1,831.00 £1,327.00
Gifts £0.00 £265.20 £265.20 £0.00
Misc. Income £218.55 £0.00 £218.55 £125.00
Sale of Sound System £450.00 £0.00 £450.00 £0.00
Eco Grant £0.00 £250.00 £250.00 £0.00
£4,967.46 £515.20 £5,482.66 £3,864.00
2e Income from Investments
Dividends/Interest £544.95 £585.44 £1,130.39 £895.00
2f North Aisle Roof
VAT refund £1,938.41 £0.00 £1,938.41 £0.00
Grants/Donations £0.00 £8,000.00 £8,000.00 £0.00
Tax on donations £0.00 £2,000.00 £2,000.00 £0.00
£0.00 £11,938.41 £11,938.41 £0.00
Total Incoming Resources £99,634.03 £13,610.33 £113,244.36 £124,431.00

Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist, Beeston, Nottingham

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 3 Resources Used

3 Resources Used
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
3a Grants
Relief and Development
Agencies £240.00 £0.00 £240.00 £240.00
Home Missions and
other Church Societies £100.00 £223.18 £323.18 £278.00
Clergy/Other Gifts £0.00 £265.20 £265.20 £0.00
£340.00 £488.38 £828.38 £518.00
3b Activities Directly Relating
to the Work of the Church
Ministry -
Giving to Ministry £41,000.00 £0.00 £41,000.00 £40,000.00
Clergy Development £645.00 £0.00 £645.00 £510.00
Clergy Expenses £245.60 £0.00 £245.60 £583.00
Church -
Running Expenses £18,113.42 £2,060.00 £20,173.42 £34,492.00
Repairs and Maintenance £2,844.38 £0.00 £2,844.38 £2,270.00
Bell Tower Work £83.17 £0.00 £83.17 £845.00
Cleaners Fees £2,447.22 £0.00 £2,447.22 £2,096.00
Upkeep of Services £1,135.62 £0.00 £1,135.62 £2,329.00
Religious Education inc. BRF £158.47 £120.00 £278.47 £221.00
Salary of Organist/
Choir Leader £5,971.20 £0.00 £5,971.20 £5,320.00
Choir Expenses £380.46 £0.00 £380.46 £190.00
Roof Alarm £1,257.60 £0.00 £1,257.60 £499.00
Bank Charges £177.16 £0.00 £177.16 £161.00
Mission Opportunities & ARK £203.70 £0.00 £203.70 £139.00
Messy Church £206.15 £0.00 £206.15 £419.00
Noticeboard £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £2,358.00
Lighting Improvements £3,117.58 £5,000.00 £8,117.58 £1,074.00
£77,986.73 £7,180.00 £85,166.73 £93,506.00
3c Fundraising and Publicity
Costs of Fundraising Events £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £55.00
3d Church Management
and Administration
Print,Statnry,Phones,Pstge £3,919.12 £0.00 £3,919.12 £3,877.00
Parish Secretary £12,397.46 £0.00 £12,397.46 £11,340.00
Misc. Expenses £132.41 £0.00 £132.41 £30.00
Marketing and Publicity inc. Wifi & Licences £1,438.82 £0.00 £1,438.82 £1,673.00
Audit Fee £160.00 £0.00 £160.00 £160.00
£18,047.81 £0.00 £18,047.81 £17,080.00
3e Chancel Roof Repairs £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £675.00
3f North Aisle Roof Repairs £3,930.48 £8,000.00 £11,930.48 £740.00
Total Resources Used £100,305.02 £15,668.38 £115,973.40 £112,574.00

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist, Beeston, Nottingham

2024 2023
£ £
Fixed Assets
Investment Assets Capital £1,025.00 £1,025.00
Interest £2,825.89 £2,240.00
£3,850.89 £3,265.00
Current Assets
Debtors/Paid in Advance £31,887.75 £19,000.00
Short Term Investments £40,812.02 £40,267.00
Cash at Bank £10,607.60 £32,145.00
£83,307.37 £91,413.00
Liabilities: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year -£3,032.26 -£7,823.00
Net Assets £84,126.00 £86,855.00
Represented by Funds
Unrestricted £78,492.81 £77,576.00
Restricted £4,608.19 £8,254.00
Endowment £1,025.00 £1,025.00
£84,126.00 £86,855.00
Analysis of Net Assets by Fund
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment
Funds		 Total Funds
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets £0.00 £2,825.89 £1,025.00 £3,850.89
Current Assets £81,204.07 £2,103.30 £0.00 £83,307.37
Current Liabilities -£2,711.26 -£321.00 £0.00 -£3,032.26
£78,492.81 £4,608.19 £1,025.00 £84,126.00

It should also be noted that the following balances were held by a Church group at 31.12.2024 :- Bell Ringers £2,327.08

The market value of Endowments held at 31.12.2024 was as follows:Beeston Chancel Fund £21,573.48

The market value of the CCLA Investment Fund A/C at 31.12.2024 was £39,220.73 (£30,000 was invested in this fund and is included in the Short Term Investment figure).

Parochlal Churth Coundl ol Stjohn the 8zpti5t. Bee5ton. 140ttingharn Statement of Flnandal Activit5es for the ar ended 31 De￿fflber 2024 Unrestrictèd Restricted Endowment Funds Funds nd5 Totsl 2024 Trtal 2023 Incomlng Resources Donations & Legacies Charitable Activities £2.661.42 £94.489.25 £544.95 £2.060.(M) £714.89 £0. £4.721.42 £95.204.14 £1,130.39 £io.c£¥J.c £26.475.00 £9?,1￿1.00 £895.00 £0. Investments £585.44 £0. North Aisle Roof Funds VAT Refvnd on North Aisle Roof £0. £io.coJ. £0.00 £1.938.41 £o.tMJ £o.o) £o.(MJ £1.938.41 £250.00 £o.c4J Eto Grant £250. £o.¢JJ £0.00 £99.634.03 £13.610.33 £0.( £11324436 £124A31.iXI RÈsourtt5 Used Charitable ActNlties £96.374.54 £o.(KJ £7.668.38 £o.c4) £0. £104.042.92 £111.158.CM) £0.( £676.IXJ Chancel Roof RepaiT5 North Aisle Roof Repairs £O.t £3.930.48 £IOOa05.02 £8.￿. £15W.38 £o.(x) £11.930.48 £115,973.40 £IIZ574.00 £740.(X) £0. Incominglloutgoingl Resour 670.99 42058.05 £0. 41729.04 £IIA57.IXI Balance blfwd @ l Jan 2024 £127.157.18 441327.14 £1.025. £86￿55.04 £74W8.00 Balance dfwd @ 31 Dec 2024 £126A86.19 -£43385.19 £1.025. £84.126.IXI £86￿55.¢ counts prepared bv.. Foril- FMAAT Treasurerto the P.C.C knunts Approved by the P.C.C. Ofi 20th March 2025 Revd. W. Plimmer Ificar and Chair of the P.C.L

Independent examlnerfs rq)ort to the PCC of St John the Baptis( Beeston This report on the financial ststements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages1to las in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Acaiunting Regulations 2006 (Ihe Regulations.) and section 43 of the Charities Act 1993 (Ihe Acr). R•spective responslbllitits of the PCC and the examiner As members of the PCC you are resp)nsibk for the preparation of the financial statements. You constdeF Ihat the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 43(2) of the Act do not apply. ll is my responsibilty to issue thts report on these financial statements in accordance with the tems of the Regulations. Basis of this Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act and lo be found in the Church GuKlance, 2006 edition. issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishops. Council. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts wrth those re¢ords. It also includes considering ary unusual items or disck)sures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden￿ that woukd be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view glven by the accciunts. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examinalion. no matter has come to my attention: (i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material resped the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements, which accord wilh the accounting records arKI comply with the requirements of the Act and Regulations have not been met: or {2) to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in Ord￿ to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Deborah Whitaker MAAT 11 Old Road, Sutton-fft-Ashfield 9th March 2025

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1. Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2005 and SORP 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Funds

Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investments of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established.

Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.

Incoming Resources

Planning giving, collections and donation are recognized when received. Tax refunds are recognized when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognized when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Resources Expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognized when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.

Moveable church furnishing held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements.

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist Beeston

Serving Christ in our Community

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Reports from Parish Groups 2024

ABC2

This report covers the year January – December 2024 Since starting back in June 2023, the group has continued to have a steady group of children and parents/ carers attending with the addition of a few newcomers following a renewed advertising effort on social media. We have continued to meet on a Tuesday morning and offer the same activities and refreshments.

We sponsored a Christmas Tree on behalf of all the children’s groups in Church as part of the Church Christmas Tree festival.

We donated £20 from group funds to Children In Need and £60 to Church funds.

We make a point of doing something ‘special’ for the children at Christmas, Easter and the Summer break. This is usually a small party and small take home gift.

There are 5 members of the team that help run crafts, story time, singing and refreshments.

Thanks to all those who help run the group and also to those who attend. Pam Holland

Ark Youth Group

2024 was another action-packed year at Ark. In September we welcomed some more new members and it has been wonderful to see our young people’s faith and fellowship continue to grow over the year.

Our monthly social sessions are a great space for games, crafts and activities and of course a meal together allowing time for our young people to catch up and chat about things going on in their lives.

We have enjoyed a wide variety of activities this year including pancake tossing relays, persevering games and finding some of the lesser-known things in church (our leaders often learn a thing or two as well).

During 2024, following an increase in our young people taking a more active role within the wider church, we decided to increase the length of our monthly social events to allow for a longer teaching time. We’ve explored Paul’s missions and the spread of the Christian faith thinking about what it would have been like for the early Christians (pretty scary!) before broadening our understanding of the Christian faith through the Start course, led by Mother Kirstine.

On Sunday mornings we have continued exploring the Christian faith, getting more familiar with the Bible and discussing the readings of the church calendar whilst always enjoying a drink and a snack. Bible Bingo remains a firm favourite and everyone is getting much quicker at finding the verses.

In 2025 our focus is to build on the solid foundations made since we started Ark in 2022 and to reach out to other young people in our community.

To enable us to continue our work, we are in need of more people to support our young people in their faith journey, whether that is as a regular leader or helper, or as a one off. If you feel you have something to offer, please do get in touch.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year by practical actions or through prayer.

And finally… just a reminder that any young people in Year 6 or above are welcome to come along and see what we get up to.

Katy McBurnie, Ark Co-Ordinator

Bellringers

St. John’s continues to maintain a very healthy band of bellringers, with the number of regular attendees well above average for churches in the diocese.

Sunday 10th March saw us hold our AGM, at which all principal officers were re-elected, with the exception of Steeple Keeper: Michael Garle, who had previously held the position, decided to step down and was succeeded by Chris Glenton. We are very grateful to Michael for all his hard work as Steeple Keeper over the years.

In addition to ringing on Sunday mornings, for weddings and during our Wednesday evening practices, we rang a total of 18 quarter peals, including one to commemorate the 80 th anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6th June. Before ringing this piece, we were joined by the Mayor of Broxtowe, Sue Paterson, who stayed to observe the start of the performance from inside the ringing chamber. 2 full peals were also rung, one of which was to celebrate the life of Sheila Allton one year after her passing in 2023.

Our annual tower outing in June took us to a range of churches around Staffordshire, while our quarter peal day in November saw us ring at several towers around Grantham – scoring an impressive 8 quarter peals collectively, with many ‘firsts’ achieved by various members of the band.

We also competed in two ringing competitions in May – the W W Worthington 10-bell contest, held in Ranmoor, Sheffield; and the Crawford Cup 6-bell contest, held in Linby. Our band for the Crawford Cup emerged victorious, taking home the rather impressive-looking trophy which now sits proudly in the ringing chamber.

More competition success followed in July, when three of our young ringers – Lucy, Samuel and Ethan – took part in the annual Ringing World National Youth Contest in London. They were part of the Nottingham Young Ringers band, coming 1 st in the 6-bell call change competition and receiving their medals in the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral.

During the year, we held a number of open tower sessions as part of the welcome mornings lead by Fr. Paul. These, as always, were well-received, allowing visitors to experience a little-seen side of service to the church.

Social highlights have included delicious summer barbecues and homemade pizza afternoons, plus a very enjoyable croquet session and many, many trips to Beeston’s various curry houses. Our annual Christmas party was once again a success: members of the band were tasked with cooking food using an ingredient they had not used before – with very tasty results!

We also hosted the ever-popular church quiz in September; thanks go to Tom Langton, who took over from Tim as quiz master, and to all members of the band who contributed food to the event.

Overall, it’s been another great year of bellringing at St John’s. With our younger ringers continuing to improve in leaps and bounds and the more experienced members remaining actively engaged in a wide range of church- and diocese-based events, we look forward to even more successes in 2025. The Ringers

Children’s Society Box Collection

Following a couple of requests for the return of boxes/ donations to the Children’s Society , we managed to gather in 6 boxes and donations. This has now been banked and amounted to £184.51 .

I would like to extend thanks to those who donated.

Pam Holland

Church Flowers

After many, many years of arranging the flowers in Church, Pauline Wheelhouse stepped down from this duty in June 2024. I would like to extend my personal thanks to her for her patience and dedication in helping me and teaching me the ways of arranging flowers in Church!

Thanks to everyone who has and continues to donate money to enable us to have the beautiful flowers in Church. Pam Holland

Coffee Stop ~~Po~~

We continued into the new year as we left the last year providing a space for the community to pop in and out, have a hot drink, and cake and biscuits.

The numbers coming in has dropped slightly averaging 25 per week of ‘regulars’ but there has been many new faces calling in on an infrequent basis.

It was decided by those involved to do the sausage and bacon cobs just once a month, on the first Thursday of every month. This lightens the load and also means folks know when to expect the extras.

On September 26th we ran a Macmillan Coffee Morning event which was well attend with many new faces coming in. The total raised from the Thursday and Sunday 29th September after service drinks was £317.40. Many thanks again to all who supported this event on both days.

We also celebrated ‘Pink Day’ fundraising for Breast Cancer on October 17th as it was a cause close to team members. We raised £219.00 for this charity.

As Coffee Stop is part of the church’s mission to the community, there is no fixed charge – people make a donation. Having taken money out for the supplies - tea, coffee, milk etc. we still manage to donate a sum of money to the church each month which is purely from these donations.

Finally, once again I must thank Ros, Christina and David through this report for keeping this outreach going despite some very difficult times. Reverend Rob Wiggins

Eco Church ~~Po~~

Eco Church - Sharing God’s love through caring for Creation

Eco Church encourages churches to measure themselves and their creation care progress across the five categories of its survey. In December 2024 St John’s achieved its Bronze award. Thanks are due to everyone who has helped in any way to reaching this level, and a very special thank you to Beeston Wildlife Group for their practical support.

The Eco Church Group aims to help enable our whole congregation to become increasingly aware of the joys and responsibilities of caring for God’s world and everything in it.

Some actions in the year to February 2025

Beeston Wildlife Group installed a number of bird and insect boxes in the churchyard in February ready for the new nesting season. Members of the congregation were invited to sponsor the cost of the boxes which they did with great generosity.

We have set aside intentionally, and marked off, the ‘rough’ area behind the gravestones as an area for wildlife and a nature corridor, and created a log pile.

We received a useful amount from the Caring for Creation Small Grants Fund which was used for some small improvements to the building.

Work is ongoing to investigate grant funding for major works to reduce the church’s carbon footprint. Our regular worship includes prayers, hymns and other aspects exploring creation care.

One-offs have included an ‘eco’ focussed Harvest Festival; preaching from the Diocesan Environment Officer, Robert Cleave in May 2024; and a Godly Play session on Creation led by Revd. Monica.

Eco Church had a tree with natural decorations at the Christmas Tree Festival. The congregation were invited to add cards with their Christmas greetings to friends at church and make a donation. £30+ was donated to the National Trust’s tree-planting campaign.

Eco Corner appears most weeks in the Notices, and seeks to raise awareness of God’s whole creation in a variety of ways.

Our commitment to Eco Church appears on our website and on the public church noticeboards. There is also an Eco Church noticeboard in church to the right of the door into the toilets.

The Eco Group members are always happy to hear your thoughts and ideas. We are also keen to include more people from the congregation, so if you can help in any way with time and/or talents please get in touch with us. Please don’t wait to be asked! You can also contact us via Kathryn at the church office.

We are: Val Sellars, Ian Buchan, Fran Blackler, Jackie Laats, Helen Spiby, Favour Borokini and Revd. Dawn Glen. Buildings and Energy: David Butler. Val Sellars

‘Green Pastures’ Dementia Friendly Service

The Green Pastures Service, which is on the first Tuesday of every month 2-3pm, has been running since 2021. It continues to grow and attract new people as well as maintaining a core of regular worshipers. The service is Dementia friendly but everyone is welcome. We have people who attend other services at St John’s as well as this one, residents from Landermeads Nursing Home and Goodman House, and people who live outside Beeston who come because the service caters for them and their partners.

The service is of short duration with well-known hymns, a reflection, usually relevant to the time of year in the liturgy, and prayers. Tea and coffee, often with cake, is served afterwards to allow everyone to socialise in a supportive environment.

Thanks as ever to Rev Paul who manages to combine an informal, easily accessible approach with deep spirituality and to Chris for supporting us musically. Rosemary Carpenter

Messy Church ~~Po~~ During 2024 we ran 4 Messy Church sessions: in May, July, September and November. The themes were Noah’s Ark, Walking on Water, All About Me and in November our (always popular) Advent Messy Church.

It has again been lovely to see many regular faces as well as welcoming some new families. We have a strong community of regular attendees and this year have usually had around 20 children with their parents and carers. This year we’ve also again seen a number of young people want to be involved as young leaders at Messy Church; this is an area that would be great to develop in future.

Messy Church continued to run in 2024 under the leadership of Naomi Groves, Julie Howson and Father Wayne with a strong team of helpers as well as occasional supporters from the congregation; we couldn’t do it without this team and extend our thanks. This shared leadership, however, was only ever intended to be a short-term measure and, in the absence of anyone else able to step forward. we announced the last St John’s Messy Church at the end of the year, with the continued hope that the time will come when we can resume under new leadership.

There is a strong Messy Church community and a desire within that community both to resume meeting and to meet more frequently. Please continue to pray for those who are considering taking this vital mission work forward at St John’s. We hope and pray that 2025 will see a return of Messy Church at St John’s.

Naomi Groves

Stitch and Meditate

The stitch and meditate group have met regularly for fellowship, craft and cake. We’ve really enjoyed working towards our hat tree for the Christmas tree festival and are now looking towards donating these to hospitals and homeless charities over the coming weeks. We are also looking towards what we will do this year – or whether we focus on the coffee and cake. Thank you to everyone who supported us, and thank you to those who organise the sessions and meditations. Ash Shaw

Sunday School

Sunday school has continued to run each Sunday during term time this year. We have followed the lectionary most weeks, but have also covered topics on Fruits Of The Spirit and some of the Old Testament stories, such as Noah, Daniel, Jonah, David, Joshua and Jacob.

The format has remained the same where we meet downstairs on the carpet at the beginning of the Sunday Service, then all go upstairs together. Each session starts with a bible story which is accompanied with a craft or activity and then aim to finish with a prayer before re-joining the service downstairs for the Peace.

We have a lovely group of young people that attend with their families and have also welcomed a couple of new children during the year.

We are now a team of 6 people who are on a rota to lead and help each week.

Our thanks to all those who offer their time and help and those who come along. Pam Holland

Taizé Services

Taizé services have been running regularly over the last 12 months with around 15 members of the church joining us during this reflective time.

We have enjoyed learning new chants and we are looking forward to continuing to worship in this time. Thank you to everyone who helps with any aspect of running the services. Ash Shaw

Welcome Mornings (for newbies and others)

The welcome mornings take place about once a term-normally on a Saturday morning. They are intended to be a drop in/out session but we normally sense the time at which there is a core group. At this point a very brief welcome may be given.

The aim is to give people a longer time to be together than is generally possible after the services. There is an opportunity to explore areas of the church which are normally hidden-for example the bell tower, the altar [or in Fr Paul’s words the so-called sharp end]and also the vestries and offices. There is plenty of cake on offer as well as every type of hot drink. The key is structured informality and of course children are more than welcome.

We normally have 20-30 people attending and lasting contacts and friendships are made. Several of our clergy come and also other long-standing church members. Questions are welcomed and there’s normally somebody who can either answer or find out.

It’s actually great to have a mix as then in the following weeks and months people will be able to extend their contacts.

It is a complete privilege to be part of this initiative and to help demonstrate the warm fellowship which is a key part of St John’s.

Chris Taylor