BRIDPORT UNITED CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025
1. Administratve Informaton
Bridport United Church (Methodist and United Reformed) is part of the Dorset South and West Methodist Circuit (which is part of Southampton Methodist District), and the Wessex Synod of the URC, and is also a member of Churches Together in Bridport & District.
Bridport United Church is registered as Charity No. 1136354. Minister: Revd Jane Wilson
The Managing Trustees are appointed in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and Schedule (Governing Documents) of Bridport United Church and CPD.
Managing Trustees in 2025: Rev Jane Wilson (Chair) Jane Clinton John Darwood Susan Herman Ros Hilliard Judy Munden (to 28 April 2025) Wendy Plummer Tim Tarling Lyn Wells Allison White (from 28 April 2025)
Treasurer: Tim Tarling
Independent Examiner : Elliotts Accountants, Weymouth
All official correspondence should be sent to the Minister/Church Secretary/Treasurer at Bridport United Church, East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LJ
2. Aims and Objectves.
The aim of the church as set out in its mission statement is to work to proclaim God’s love to all ages through worship, fellowship, outreach, caring, teaching and prayer.
We aim to achieve this by:
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Developing the worship life of the church by offering weekly Sunday morning services and a range of other traditional and informal worship services and events, including Messy Church, Soul Space, Explore Together, Taizé, Café Church, Healing services and other special services.
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Offering ways to deepen understanding of our Christian faith through fellowship groups, prayer meetings, house & bible study groups, and courses.
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Providing pastoral care and support; the Minister and Pastoral Coordinator regularly review the Pastoral List and pastoral needs, with pastoral care and support for individuals and groups being provided by the Minister and a team of pastoral visitors/friends.
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Reaching out to and serving our local community through a variety of activities including twice weekly Coffee mornings, monthly Lunch Club, Fellowship Club, and Big Breakfast, Little Lambs Toddler group.
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Providing opportunities for prayer at worship services and weekly prayer meetings, and via the prayer chain and boxes for prayer requests on tables at Coffee Mornings and Big Breakfast, plus specific prayer-focussed events such as Praying the Labyrinth.
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Working with Churches Together in Bridport & District (CTiBD) supporting and participating in a variety of services and outreach events, including monthly Pray Bridport, Stand for Peace, outdoor Summer Services at West Bay, providing the Family Tent at the annual Melplash Show and hosting the CTiBD Christmas Day Lunch, as well as supporting local community groups such as Pathways to Care, Foodbanks and Helpful Hampers..
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Working towards a fairer, greener world; we have attained a Bronze Eco Church Award and are working towards the Silver Award.
3. Review of Actvites, Progress and Achievements
The Minister is Chair of the Managing Trustees/Church Council, which meets at least 4 times a year, and the Church Meeting, which meets at least 3 times a year, to review the various aspects of the life of the church and its ongoing mission to demonstrate the love of God in Jesus by witnessing to and serving the community. Trustees and officers are appointed by the Church Council and Annual Church Meeting.
The Managing Trustees have continued to review and update procedures to manage the risks to which Managing Trustees, church members and visitors are exposed, and risk assessments are carried out as needed. The Managing Trustees have undergone Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training.
Volunteers are recruited and checked in accordance with the Church Safeguarding Policy, which is reviewed annually by the Managing Trustees. The Church Safeguarding Officer ensures that appropriate Safeguarding training and DBS checks are completed by all relevant church officers and volunteers in accordance with the BUC Safeguarding Policy.
The GDPR Privacy Notice is reviewed annually.
This has been another busy year for Bridport United Church.
We continue to offer a variety of worship services and activities, in addition to the main 10.30am Sunday service, and additional services introduced during the year include Explore Together services, Healing services, an In Loving Memory service, and Holy Week Prayers and services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. During Holy Week this year we hosted a Labyrinth which was open to the public and visitors for prayerful comtemplation.
Our monthly Messy Church at 3.30pm on 4[th ] Thursdays is led by a team coordinated by our Children & Families Lay Worker, Peter Jenner, and is attended by around 15-20 local children and their families.
Soul Space , an informal space to, sing, pray, talk and connect with God (with cakes & refreshments ) at 4pm on 1[st ] Sundays, continues to attract an intergenerational group of people from the church and local community of around 20-30 people each month.
The Prayer Group meets in church every Wednesday morning to pray for requests received in person or by email, and requests from the local community via the prayer boxes at coffee mornings & Big Breakfast and prays for people, places and local, national and global concerns. Requests for prayer are also shared via the prayer chain. We hosted guided prayers each day of Holy Week and we regularly host the local Churches Together community Pray Bridport event.
Our community outreach activities continue to be well supported with an average of 60-70 people attending the twice-weekly Coffee mornings (including Knit & Natter and Walking for Wellbeing on Wednesdays). The weekly Little Lambs Toddler group has grown significantly and now welcomes 20-30 babies & toddlers and their carers every Monday morning during school term time, for play, stories, songs and snacks.
At the monthly Big Breakfast on Saturday around 90 breakfasts are cooked for people from the local community and visitors from further afield.
The monthly Wednesday Lunch Club also offers an opportunity for local people to meet for fellowship and a 2 course hot home-made lunch is provided for c. 60 people each month.
The monthly Thursday afternoon Friendship Club is open to everyone to come and chat, play board games, do puzzles, or creative crafts, with high tea included and around 10-12 people attend regularly.
The annual Christmas Tree Festival we host each year as part of the Bridport Town Christmas celebrations was well attended again attracting over 3500 visitors. We also hosted several visits from local schools, preschools and care homes.
The CTiBD Christmas Day Lunch hosted by BUC again provided Christmas lunch, entertainment and fellowship for around 85 people from the local community who would otherwise be on their own.
4. Finances and Resources.
The Resources Committee meets regularly to encourage good stewardship of the church’s financial and property resources in order to further the church’s mission activities and ensure that the premises are a safe and secure space.
The accounts include the employment costs of those directly employed by the Church. The church is grateful for and reliant upon donations and offerings, but inevitably regular giving has reduced due to the death of several church members and others who have moved away, and the usual annual donation from South Street was not made this year.
The DONA card machine has resulted in increased giving and it is hoped that the recent members Giving campaign, coupled with encouragement to visitors to Big Breakfast, Coffee monings and Lunch Club to pay online and Gift Aid where possible will have a positive outcome. The transition to online banking is now complete. Gift Aid is claimed on all donations where appropriate. Income from lettings was slightly increased from the previous year, but rates have been reviewed and increased this year.
Careful consideration continues to be given to the expenses of the church, most of which relate to essential expenditure in maintaining church life and buildings. The female toilets have been refurbished and work to the heating and drainage systems carried out which is essential to the church’s outreach activities. Ongoing maintenance continues to be scheduled and grants applied for where appropriate. The church has a Reserves Policy which aims to hold reserves of 50% of average annual operating expenditure to ensure that any unforeseen expenditure or short-term annual deficits can be met.
The on-going challenge of an ageing congregation remains, as does the need to be able to cover annual expenditure with annual income, and replenish reserves when it has been necessary to use them for urgent major work. This is regularly considered and monitored by the Managing Trustees.
Signed:
on behalf of the Managing Trustees
Bridport United Church
Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
Bridport United Church CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Accountant's Compilation Report | 3 |
| Income and Expenditure Account by Cost Centre | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
2
Bridport United Church CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT to Bridport United Church on the unaudited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
We have compiled the financial statements of Bridport United Church for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet, from the accounting records, information and explanations you have given to us.
As a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at
This report is made solely to you, in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our work has been undertaken so that we might compile the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet, that we have been engaged to compile, report to you that we have done so, and state those matters that we have agreed to state to you in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Bridport United Church, for our work, or for this report.
We have carried out this engagement in accordance with technical guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and have complied with the Rules of Porofessional Conduct and the ethical guidance laid down by the Institute.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of Bridport United Church. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial information.
ELLIOT & CO LLP
Chartered Accountants 7 King Street Weymouth Dorset DT4 7BJ United Kingdom
18 March 2026
3
Bridport United Church INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Collection | **4,502 ** | 6,703 | ||
| Standing orders | 18,339 | 20,760 | ||
| Car park | **2,589 ** | 1,344 | ||
| Other donations | **1,330 ** | 6,801 | ||
| J Stevens fund | - | 2,481 | ||
| Little lambs, big breakfast, lunches, coffee etc | 14,718 | 10,713 | ||
| Other non-fee income | - | 10,000 | ||
| Lettings | 17,872 | 17,326 | ||
| Dorset South and W Mission Award - Circuit grants | **2,700 ** | 8,164 | ||
| Service charges | 841 | 360 | ||
| Commission receivable | **6,448 ** | 11,816 | ||
| Sundry income | **6,229 ** | 1,582 | ||
| Bank deposit interest | 466 | 300 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| 76,034 | 98,350 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Purchases of goods | 4,141 | 1,225 | ||
| Admin, office and secretarial | 11,147 | 9,897 | ||
| Rent payable | - | 850 | ||
| Assessments | 47,352 | 43,232 | ||
| Insurance | 6,200 | 6,132 | ||
| Light and heat | 7,281 | 5,729 | ||
| Cleaning | 2,050 | 505 | ||
| Equipment | 5,444 | 13,560 | ||
| Repairs and maintenance | 8,965 | 9,156 | ||
| Printing, postage and stationery | 471 | 1,464 | ||
| Donations | - | 1,650 | ||
| Accountancy fees | 420 | - | ||
| General expenses | 953 | 343 | ||
| Subscriptions | 3,109 | 1,278 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| (97,533) | (95,021) | |||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| Net (deficit)/surplus | (21,499) | 3,329 | ||
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
4
Bridport United Church BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| Net Current Assets | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| Total Assets Less Current Liabilities | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ | |
| Capital Account | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
5
Bridport United Church
Approval Statement
Report and Financial Statements
for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
We approve the financial information which comprises the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet. We acknowledge our responsibility for the financial information, including the appropriateness of the accounting basis for providing Elliot & Co LLP with all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.
______ Revd Jane Wilson On behalf of the Managing Trustees of Bridport United Church
Bridport United Church
Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
Bridport United Church CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Accountant's Compilation Report | 3 |
| Income and Expenditure Account by Cost Centre | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
2
Bridport United Church CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT to Bridport United Church on the unaudited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
We have compiled the financial statements of Bridport United Church for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet, from the accounting records, information and explanations you have given to us.
As a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at
This report is made solely to you, in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our work has been undertaken so that we might compile the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet, that we have been engaged to compile, report to you that we have done so, and state those matters that we have agreed to state to you in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Bridport United Church, for our work, or for this report.
We have carried out this engagement in accordance with technical guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and have complied with the Rules of Porofessional Conduct and the ethical guidance laid down by the Institute.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of Bridport United Church. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial information.
ELLIOT & CO LLP
Chartered Accountants 7 King Street Weymouth Dorset DT4 7BJ United Kingdom
18 March 2026
3
Bridport United Church INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Collection | **4,502 ** | 6,703 | ||
| Standing orders | 18,339 | 20,760 | ||
| Car park | **2,589 ** | 1,344 | ||
| Other donations | **1,330 ** | 6,801 | ||
| J Stevens fund | - | 2,481 | ||
| Little lambs, big breakfast, lunches, coffee etc | 14,718 | 10,713 | ||
| Other non-fee income | - | 10,000 | ||
| Lettings | 17,872 | 17,326 | ||
| Dorset South and W Mission Award - Circuit grants | **2,700 ** | 8,164 | ||
| Service charges | 841 | 360 | ||
| Commission receivable | **6,448 ** | 11,816 | ||
| Sundry income | **6,229 ** | 1,582 | ||
| Bank deposit interest | 466 | 300 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| 76,034 | 98,350 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Purchases of goods | 4,141 | 1,225 | ||
| Admin, office and secretarial | 11,147 | 9,897 | ||
| Rent payable | - | 850 | ||
| Assessments | 47,352 | 43,232 | ||
| Insurance | 6,200 | 6,132 | ||
| Light and heat | 7,281 | 5,729 | ||
| Cleaning | 2,050 | 505 | ||
| Equipment | 5,444 | 13,560 | ||
| Repairs and maintenance | 8,965 | 9,156 | ||
| Printing, postage and stationery | 471 | 1,464 | ||
| Donations | - | 1,650 | ||
| Accountancy fees | 420 | - | ||
| General expenses | 953 | 343 | ||
| Subscriptions | 3,109 | 1,278 | ||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| (97,533) | (95,021) | |||
| ─────── | ─────── | |||
| Net (deficit)/surplus | (21,499) | 3,329 | ||
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
4
Bridport United Church BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| Net Current Assets | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ─────── | ─────── | |
| Total Assets Less Current Liabilities | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ | |
| Capital Account | 23,110 | 44,609 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ |
5
Bridport United Church
Approval Statement
Report and Financial Statements
for the financial year ended 31 December 2025
We approve the financial information which comprises the Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet. We acknowledge our responsibility for the financial information, including the appropriateness of the accounting basis for providing Elliot & Co LLP with all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.
______ Revd Jane Wilson On behalf of the Managing Trustees of Bridport United Church