2020-12-31-accounts - Abergavenny Ministry Area

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PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Charity number: 1137751

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2020

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ending December 31, 2020. The organisational structure, administration details and governance of the charity are set out later in this report while the activities of the church form the first part.

Summary

This year was one of great change on two fronts – the resignation of both stipendiary ministers as they were called to continue their Christian service within the Church of England, and the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the closing of our churches for many months and the suspension of the Holywell Community. However, the Parish continued to offer worship, both in person where possible, and online at least twice a week from March to the end of the year. Pastoral visits moved online or via the telephone and we were able to continue with our mission work, albeit in a more limited way.

Interviews were held for the position of incumbent at the end of November and subsequently the Revd John Connell, Vicar of Rumney, was appointed. He will take up his position in 2021, when he will also become Ministry Area Leader after the Abergavenny and Govilon groups of parishes join together to become a ministry area.

Our priests at the start of the year

The following report on the churches’ activities demonstrate what the charity has done during the year to carry out these purposes for the public benefit.

Activities

The Parish continued to endeavour to enable the wider community to live out their faith through wide-ranging activities, which can be split broadly into four categories:

 worship, prayer and pastoral care;

 mission and outreach;

 special events;

 fundraising, fellowship and hosting events.

Worship, prayer and pastoral care

As well as the usual weekday and Sunday worship during the year, whether online or in-person, there were a number of special services and events, including:

 In January, St Mary’s again hosted the town’s ecumenical services for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with people from across the area’s Christian churches taking part

 Also in January, St Mary’s and Monmouthshire County Council jointly hosted the Monmouthshire Holocaust Memorial Day Service, on the 75[th] anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, with the event attended by local schoolchildren, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, and the Chairpersons of Monmouthshire, Carmarthenshire and Gloucestershire County Councils as well as the Mayor of Abergavenny.

Our Lent offering was possible for the first four weeks of the season, with parishioners studying a course exploring Church & Kingdom . The Priory also hosted the Diocesan event God Who Speaks , with the Diocesan Spirituality Team, in prepara>on for Lent.

The Church’s work with children included All Age Worship every other Sunday, school assemblies and Little Footprints, a parent and toddler group held every week during term time. These continued until the churches were closed as we went into the first lockdown – they were unable to resume during the rest of the year.

Acts of worship, including some of the Benedictine Offices, were celebrated on almost every day of the year until mid-March, and in-person pastoral care continued throughout the first 12 weeks of the year, in particular, the visiting of, and on occasions taking Communion to, parishioners who through sickness or age were unable to come to church. After March, this pastoral care took place online and by telephone and it was not possible to take Communion out to the housebound.

A new look for St Mary’s as social distancing came into effect as the church re-opened in September

The churches closed for public worship in March, with Mothering Sunday being the first Sunday when no services were held. Despite the hope expressed at the time that this would only be for three weeks, it wasn’t until September 13 that we were able to join together again to worship collectively in person. In April, HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of St Mary’s Development Trust, wrote to the latter expressing his support during the pandemic.

After risk assessments were written and approved and St Mary’s re-ordered, the churches opened with permission for up to 40 people to worship at St Mary’s and up to 30 at Christchurch with one service taking place each Sunday morning at each church, and, additionally, Evensong on Sunday and Eucharist on every other Wednesday at St Mary’s.

Private prayer became possible at both St Mary’s and Christchurch from the end of June – this continued at St Mary’s in parallel with public worship while Christchurch chose to concentrate on Sunday opening when this became possible.

On October 23, Wales went into another lockdown and our churches closed for both public worship and private prayer, remaining so until November 15, although it was possible to hold a short, outdoor service for Remembrance Sunday the previous week. They remained open until Advent 4, but then the churchwardens, in conjunction with the Revd Jeff Pearse and Area Dean the Revd Julian Gray, took the difficult decision to close again so we were unable to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord in church.

While the churches were closed, worship moved online, with a Sunday and a midweek service being broadcast each week on both the Abergavenny Anglican Churches Together Facebook page and St Mary’s website. This was made technically possible in the first instance by the Revd Tom Bates-Bourne and, after he left, by churchwarden and director of music Tim Pratt. The online All Souls service included a scroll of the names of those who died during the previous 12 months, as well as parishioners’ loved ones.

In addition to our regular services, we continued, when able, to enable our community to celebrate and thank God in the milestones of the journey through life. This year, as expected, these life event services were much reduced, with two baptisms, one wedding and 25 funerals.

Ecumenically, the parish participated fully in the Abergavenny Council of Churches, although meetings were via Zoom and this year’s Walking Nativity was cancelled.

Streaming an online service

The number recorded on the Electoral roll for both churches on December 31, 2020 was 184.

Mission and outreach work

Much of the in-person mission and outreach work of the parish was curtailed by the pandemic. However, members of the congregations supported Abergavenny Food Bank, shopped for neighbours, and kept in touch with other worshippers, particularly the elderly and those shielding or ill.

Members of our Mothers’ Union continued to volunteer at a contact centre for children suffering family break-up.

We were able to collect for the Shoebox Appeal, sending 70 boxes to people in Eastern Europe. Nearer home, we assembled Christmas parcels of toiletries and small gifts for ‘looked after’ older teenagers and young adults who are living on their own.

Members of the church continued to be involved with the 7Corners project in Abergavenny, which aims to provide a safe place for young people to meet, albeit only online during lockdown.

The church’s mission and outreach stretched beyond the four walls of the churches or even the town, with our online presence. As well as the online services, our website (stmarys-priory.org) featured sermons from festivals during the year while

our Facebook and Twitter accounts kept people up to date with what was going on at the Priory. There continues to be a great deal of interest in the work of our artist-in-residence Jeremy Thomas as he completes his paintings of the life of Christ.

Music, bells and visits

The work of the church is greatly enhanced by St Mary’s Priory Choir, under the musical directorship of Tim Pratt. As for everyone, it was a difficult year for the choir, who were within a few days of Palm Sunday when the first lockdown was announced and who were biHerly disappointed that all the prepara>on they had put into the music for Holy Week and Easter came to naught.

However, within a few weeks, the choir started to use technology to try to keep things going. Pre-recorded choir prac>ce videos were shared on our Facebook page and website, and the younger choir members had their weekly singing lessons conducted via Zoom; they also started to record remotely both anthems and hymns. This involved each chorister singing their part to a “click” track and recording the result on their phone, which they sent to Mr PraH, who then mixed them together to create a “virtual” choir. As the weeks driKed into months, the choir became more skilled in producing these recordings, and by the end of 2020 had created in excess of 100 recordings for both Sunday and weekday services.

In the autumn we were able to resume socially distanced prac>ce in groups of six and were even able to provide singing at the Advent Carol service and the Fes>val of Nine Lessons and Carols. Sadly, shortly aKer this, we entered lockdown again.

It wasn’t possible for the church bells to be rung for services or by visiting bands during lockdown, although they were when the church re-opened.

St Mary’s continued to be visited by people from all over the world and from nearer home during the first 12 weeks of the year, although the building was only open for a very limited number of visitors for a few weeks in late summer.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Fellowship, Fundraising and Hosting Events

In January, the Bishop of the Highveld, the Rt Revd Charles Mthetheleli, who was in Wales for the consecra>on of the new Bishop of Monmouth, the Rt Revd Cherry Vann, visited St Mary’s. He met our parish priests and viewed the life of Christ pain>ngs with ar>st-in-residence Jeremy Thomas.

The many events planned for the rest of the year – from celebra>ng the 450[th] anniversary of Jesus College, Oxford, (the tomb of its first principal Dr David Lewis is in the church) to hos>ng the town’s 75[th] anniversary of VE Day, and from art and book fes>vals to concerts – were cancelled because of the pandemic. The Priory Centre did, however, con>nue to be used by the Blood Dona>on service.

Ar0st-in-residence Jeremy Thomas, le2, with the Bishop of the Highveld the Rt Revd Charles Mthetheleli

Reference and administration details

St Mary’s Priory Church and its daughter church, Christchurch, is in the Parish of Abergavenny, part of Abergavenny Ministry Area and Deanery of Abergavenny and the Diocese of Monmouth in the Church of Wales.

Incumbent and ministers

The Revd Canon Mark Soady continued to serve St Mary’s Priory Church with Christchurch as Vicar; St Peter’s, Llanwenarth Citra, as Rector; and Holy Trinity Church, Abergavenny, as Priest-in-Charge, as well as Prior of the Holywell Community until he left on March 31, having been appointed Rector of Tarleton & Rufford, in Lancashire, and as Secretary of the Committee of Anglican Religious Communities in England.

The Revd Tom Bates-Bourne continued to serve as Sub-Prior and Assistant Priest of Abergavenny, until he left on August 16 to become Associate Priest in the Benefice of Grimethorpe with Brierley, the Benefice of Ryhill and the Benefice of South Kirkby (Leeds).

The Reverend Jeff Pearse successfully completed his curacy and now serves the parish as a self-suppor>ng Assistant Priest. His ministry and care have enabled the parish to con>nue our work during the interregnum.

For the first few months of the year, the Holywell Community had two members, Brother Nicolas and Brother Nathaniel. However, the first lockdown led to the Parochial Church Council making the difficult decision to suspend the Community until

such time as their work in the community and church could continue. Br Nicolas moved to London and Br Nathaniel returned to his homeland of New Zealand.

The worship in the parish was made possible through the on-going contribution of our Licensed Lay Minister Gaynor Parfitt; retired ministers the Revd Malcolm Lane, the Revd Ian Aveson and the Revd Jeremy Dowding.

Objectives and activities

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year, looking at what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous twelve months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and benefits of activities in a wide variety of cultural areas. The review also helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remained focussed on our stated objective.

When reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning and considering our activities for the year, the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

The objective of the Charity is promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church. Encouraging and facilitating the practice of the Christian Faith by the Churches includes the following – these remain our objectives and we aim to fulfil all of them when allowed to do so under Covid-19 regulations:

The Revd Canon Mark Soady, le2, hands back his Holywell Community pectoral cross to the Revd Tom Bates-Bourne at his last service before moving to Lancashire

Conducting regular Christian worship in both Churches.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist on seven days each week at St Mary’s Priory Church.

Marriages, funerals and baptisms.

The provision and maintenance of the fabric of St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, and of Christchurch, Abergavenny and their associated buildings.

Opening St Mary’s daily for the public to enter and benefit from personal spiritual contemplation and to be able to view the medieval monuments and learn about the Benedictine foundation of the Church and its place in the history of Christianity and of Abergavenny.

The maintenance of Christian burial places.

Promoting the study of Christian teaching, practices and Scriptures.

The provision of means and encouragement to promote fellowship within the membership of the Churches and the wider community.

In addition to the above, Christian devotional acts and outreach work are carried out, when permitted, including:

Visiting the sick.

Administering the Sacraments to those unable to attend regular acts of worship, and to the sick and dying.

Supporting pastoral work.

Fostering ecumenical links between differing Christian denominations.

Supporting the work of other charities through, among others, the Mothers’ Union, the Bridge to Cross Trust (7Corners), the Rachel Herbert Trust, and AACT’s Mission and Outreach Committee.

The work of the Church is governed by safeguarding policies of the Church in Wales, responsible adults are required to have DBS checks and the joint parishes have appointed a safeguarding co-ordinator who liaises with the Provincial safeguarding officer if necessary.

Further achievements in the year

Monies were raised by freewill offertory and by the limited number of visitors. These were used to support the work and administration of the churches and wider mission, where possible. Volunteers have donated their time to help at each act of worship to support the clergy and to ensure the churches are Covid-19 safe. They have stewarded the churches, re-ordered the seating, run booking systems, telephoned members of the congregations and distributed pew leaflets, pastoral letters and magazines.

The Parish will continue with acts of worship and pastoral care during 2021 and will continue actively to try to increase the Electoral Roll, through our mission work in the community.

The Trustees

The trustees who served the Charity during the period from the Annual Vestry Meeting on March 17, 2020, until the end of the year (unless otherwise stated) were as follows:

The Revd Canon Mark Soady Vicar (Chairman from January 1, until the end of March, when he left to take up a position in Lancashire) The Revd Tom Bates-Bourne Assistant Priest (Chairman from April 1 to August 16 when he left to take up a position in Yorkshire) The Revd Jeff Pearse Self-supporting Assistant Priest (Chairman from August 16 to end of year) Mr Robin Alldred Mrs Sheila Davies Assistant People’s Warden, Representative on the Deanery Conference Mr Lyndon Evans Assistant Vicar’s Warden at St Mary’s (until December 17) Mrs Catherine Jones Assistant People’s Warden Mr Steven Lamerton Gift Aid Treasurer Mrs Jenny Lloyd Mrs Eunice Marsh PCC Secretary until the Annual Vestry Meeting, thereafter PCC member Mrs Wendy Pendry Mr Tim Pratt Parish Vicar’s Warden Mrs Patricia Ransome Mr Robin Smith St Mary’s Treasurer Ms Ann Tuxworth PCC Secretary after the Annual Vestry Meeting Mrs Sheila Woodhouse Vicar’s warden at Christchurch, Christchurch Treasurer Ms Caroline Woollard Parish People’s Warden, representative on the Diocesan Conference and member of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, Lay Canon of Newport Cathedral

In addition, Mr Sam Hunt and Mrs Jenny Macpherson served as Trustees from January 2020 to the Annual Vestry Meeting.

Eunice Marsh retired as PCC Secretary at the Annual Vestry Meeting, having held the post for 22 years. The Revd Mark Soady thanked her for her hard work and loyalty throughout that time. Mrs Marsh will continue to serve as an elected member of the PCC. Ms Ann Tuxworth was then elected as PCC Secretary.

Structure, governance and management

The Parish of Abergavenny is part of the Diocese of Monmouth within the Church in Wales. The Church in Wales is a Province within the Anglican Communion and, as such, exists to advance the Christian Religion through world-wide mission. The object of the Parochial Church Council is to ensure that the life and work of the Church within the Parish helps to fulfil that mission, both locally and more widely.

The Representative Body of the Church in Wales holds the land and property of the Church in Wales, including St Mary’s Priory Church, Christchurch and other church buildings, and including the Garden of Rest at St Mary’s, and their contents. The Representative Body is an exempt

Eunice Marsh is presented with a gi2 by Canon Mark Soady as she re0res from being PPC Secretary

Charity and was set up under Section 13(2) of the Welsh Churches Act 1914. It acts on behalf of the Province in paying the stipends of the full-time clergy, and administers the Church in Wales scheme of covenanted and gift aid giving, recovering tax on behalf of the parishes.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is not a body corporate, its composition, procedure and powers being regulated by the Constitution of the Church in Wales as amended from time to time by its Governing Body set up under Section 13(1) of the Welsh Church Act 1914. Elections are held at an Annual Vestry Meeting which must take place on or before 30[th] April each year. All persons whose names are entered on the Electoral Roll are entitled to vote and stand for election. Before assuming office, every member of the PCC publicly makes a declaration that he or she will be bound by the Constitution. The Members and Officers of the PCC, including the Incumbent, on appointment, become Trustees of the Parish of Abergavenny Parochial Church Council.

The PCC also appoints the Priory Trustees, a body set up under a 1925 Deed of Trust to administer certain lands and properties held by the Representative Body as Custodian Trustees on behalf of and for the benefit of the Parish. The Trustees report to the PCC and their accounts are kept separate but consolidated with those of St Mary’s and Christchurch within the Charity Accounts presented with this report.

Property administered by the Priory Trustees includes the Priory Centre, the Tithe Barn and the Holywell Community House. The latter two have been purchased in recent years and their freehold values are shown in the Accounts of this Charity. The proper>es also include the Priory Meadow, which is leased to Monmouthshire County Council and is used as an extension of their Swan Meadow Car Park

Members of the congrega0ons and visitors to the Tithe Barn added palms to Jeremy Thomas’ pain0ng of Palm Sunday

Commercial Opera>ons in the Priory Centre and the Tithe Barn are also managed and controlled by the Trustees. Unfortunately both the University Health Board and the Canolfan y Ddegwm group gave no>ce to terminate their use of parts of the Tithe Barn with effect from March 31 and this, coupled with the pandemic lockdowns precluding external organisa>ons arranging mee>ngs, conferences and exhibi>ons, has significantly reduced the income of the Trustees.

Risk Review

The PCC has conducted its own review of the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. The risks facing the Charity include the state of repair of the Churches and the financial requirements to meet its stated activities, including payment of its Annual Parish Share, bearing in mind the fall in the numbers of regular worshippers and the reduction in regular giving. The structure of the Churches is continually monitored by the Finance & General Purposes Committee and the Church’s professional advisers and the finances are controlled by careful budgeting together with encouragement and appeals to the worshippers and visitors.

The Trustees continue to develop an evacuation plan in the event of a major incident. This plan will include the safe removal of both people and major artefacts.

There have been no serious incidents or other matters relating to this charity over the previous financial year that we should have brought to the attention of the Charity Commissioners but have not.

Organisational Structure

The PCC is responsible inter-alia for promoting the mission of the Church, the parochial budget and all expenditure thereunder, the care and maintenance of the fabric of the Churches and associated buildings and of the Garden of Remembrance, and for action on any other matter referred to it in accordance with the constitution. The PCC is also the normal channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop of the diocese. All members of the PCC are volunteers.

In addition to the election of members, the Officers, i.e. The People’s Warden and the Assistant People’s Warden are elected at the annual Easter Vestry; the Vicar appoints the Vicar’s Warden and two Vicar’s assistant wardens at the same meeting. New representatives are told of their responsibilities and of the issues facing the Churches by existing representatives, and receive such additional training as required. Other Officers, including the Secretary, Treasurer and Gift Aid Treasurer are appointed at the first meeting of the PCC after the Vestry Meeting.

As indicated, members of the PCC also serve as representatives on the Deanery and Diocesan Conferences and the Governing Body of the Church in Wales. St Mary’s and Christchurch are active members of Abergavenny Council of Churches and volunteers help run mission events in Abergavenny, including activities for Christian Aid Fortnight, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Easter and Christmas.

The Churches are run entirely by volunteers as the clergy are remunerated by another charity from the Parish Share payments made by all the Churches in the Diocese. Without the work of these volunteers, who, for example, enable St Mary’s to be kept open every day for members of the public to visit and to pray, the Churches would not function.

As of December 2020 the Charity employed three people (two full-time equivalent), although the church did take part in the Government’s furlough scheme (see below).

Committee structure

The PCC met four times, either in person (before end of March) or via Zoom, and, in between, there were meetings of a number of committees which support the work of the Churches, including:

The Mission and Outreach Committee (members of which are from all four churches in the incumbency working under the auspices of AACT) – which met in person at the beginning of the year.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee, which met in person and online.

The St Mary’s Co-ordinating Committee, set up as a liaison committee between the work of the church and that of the Tithe Barn/Priory Centre, which met online.

Assembling gi2s for teenagers and young adults—one of the church’s outreach projects

The Priory Trustees met online.

FABRIC

The >ght financial situa>on of the Charity noted in our previous annual report has persisted throughout 2020, exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. For the second year running few repair schemes were embarked on during the year except those dictated by immediate requirements to maintain the integrity of the fabric of our various buildings.

In the period between lockdowns, as they applied in Wales, moves were made to undertake the repairs to the North Aisle, North Slope roof where a significant number of slates had been dislodged during Storms Ciara and Dennis in February and March. In the event we were unable to commence work before the second lockdown was imposed and the task was completed in January/February 2021. The presence of the extensive scaffolding, required for the roof repair, created the opportunity to complete the outstanding repairs to, and refurbishment of, the guHers and downpipes serving this roof slope.

The storm damage repairs, which eventually involved replacing and/or reseRng 140 slates, were fully funded by our Insurers (less our excess) and the repairs to the water goods were largely funded through a grant from Allchurches Trust. Although the work took place in early 2021, the funding and expenditure has been included in the 2020 Accounts incorporated in this Report.

One other scheme completed in 2020 was the installa>on of a replacement boiler in the Tithe Barn. The previous boiler was unreliable and life expired.

Some progress was made during the year towards undertaking one of the major projects detailed last year involving the pinning of the cracks that have developed in the walls of the turret staircase in the north east corner of the North Transept and the underpinning of the adjacent external buHress. The cracks con>nue to be monitored when the building can be accessed. Faculty approval for the repair has now been granted and a detailed two stage process has been proposed by our Structural Engineers: A Development phase to monitor the cracks and map in detail the surrounding stonework to create a plan for the repairs followed by the Delivery phase.

There has been no progress in 2020 regarding the other major project detailed in last year’s Report for repairs to the bulging Grade 1 Listed wall between the Church Forecourt and the Prince of Wales Courtyard.

At Christchurch, work upda>ng the kitchen of the Hall was carried out, including repairs to the floor and walls and installa>on of new cupboards and worktops.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Results

Reflec>ng the lack of services possible for substan>al periods during the year, including both the Easter and Christmas periods, and the limited aHendance possible at services during the period between the lockdowns, the direct voluntary contribu>ons received during acts of worship, excluding tax reclaimed through GiK Aid, amounted to £57,546 (2019: £91,413). Another significant contributory factor to the reduc>on was the much lower number of funerals held in the Churches.

Other general income, including that generated from fundraising ac>vi>es but excluding legacies, was reduced to £122,762 (2019: £212,381), the decrease reflec>ng the almost total closure of the Tithe Barn and Priory Centre from the middle of March. The figure also included £14,060 recovered through the Government’s “Furlough” scheme (meaning we were able to con>nue employing all our three members of staff), and a £10,000 Business Disrup>on Grant received from Monmouthshire County Council.

During the year the Trust was no>fied that under the terms of the Will of the late Gerald Jones and following the death of his Mother, Irene Jones, the Church had received a most generous bequest of £151,348, in the form of a Bond PorUolio. Soon aKer the news was received the value of the Bond dropped significantly and the Trustees decided to leave it with the Solicitors un>l its value was restored. In the event the Bond was surrendered, and the funds received in early 2021. Meanwhile, in accordance with their previously recorded policies, the Trustees minuted that the legacy funds were to be “Designated” to specific purposes only and were not to be used to cover general expenses.

A total of £17,600 (2019: £26,946) was received by way of Grants from a number of external agencies including the £10,000 Business Disrup>on Grant noted above. In addi>on a Grant of £5,000 was received from the Addi>onal Curates Society (on behalf of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament) towards the s>pend of the Sub-Prior.

The Charity received no other grants for services delivered, from central or local government during the year. However, Welsh Assembly and Local Authority groups, along with the NHS (including the Wales Blood Service), are users of the mee>ng and event accommoda>on provided in the Priory Centre and Tithe Barn.

Being filmed for the Church in Wales Centenary video

Further repayments of the loans received from members of the congrega>on in March 2018 were made in 2020. Of the £12,000 outstanding at 1 January 2020, £6,500 was repaid, meaning the loans outstanding at 31 December 2020 were £5,500.

The level of general expenditure, excluding excep>onal items, amounted to £200,186 (2019: 266,057), the reduc>on reflec>ng the much lower levels of ac>vity of both the religious and more secular ac>vi>es undertaken across the Parish.

The Parish Share payable to the Diocese during the year was £83,180 (2018: £80,425) including the Charity’s contribu>on to the S>pend payable by the Diocese to the Sub-Prior which con>nued to be levied by the Diocese even aKer his departure. As a result of the significant reduc>on in the Charity’s income during the year the Parish was only able to make a contribu>on each Quarter, aKer the first Quarter had been paid in full meaning that by the year end the payment shorUall, including that incurred in previous years, had increased to £62,585.84 (2019: £15,241).

Expenditure on excep>onal items during the year amounted to £17,666 (2019: £38,502) including two significant projects detailed in the Fabric sec>on of this Report:

Costs associated with the repairs to the North Aisle North Slope Roof and associated water goods, mostly funded through an insurance seHlement and a Grant (£13,034)

Installa>on of a new boiler in the Tithe Barn (£4,128)

The net assets of the Charity at December 31, 2020, amounted to £443,220 (31/12/2019: £324,961) including freehold proper>es valued at £362,641 (unchanged). The principal liabili>es remain the shorUall on the Parish Share, the loan on the Holywell Community House (£59,004), which is due for repayment in September 2023 and the £5,500 in outstanding loans received from members of the congrega>on.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the Charity during the year has again been the management of its cash flow par>cularly due to the reduced levels of income and the limited level of financial reserves within which it operates, contrary to its policy but reflec>ng current reali>es.

Reserves Policy

The Parochial Church Council recognises the need to hold reserves to ensure funding is available to provide continuing mission should income levels fall. Reserves are also required to meet the future maintenance programme for the Churches and Church buildings.

A minimum level of reserves also needs to be retained to ensure the PCC can meet its legal commitments should the Charity be unable to continue due to a lack of a sustainable income stream. The Officers of the PCC have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not designated for specific use by the PCC or invested in tangible fixed assets, ie the free reserves held by the Charity, should ideally be between three and six months of the resources expended in general funds.

The Charity is dependent on donations, grants and investment income. The economic climate remains uncertain and interest rates continue at historically low levels, both of which factors are likely to have an on-going negative impact on future income streams.

Investment Policy

Despite the continuation of historically low rates of interest, the PCC (through its Finance & General Purposes Committee) has

concluded the most appropriate policy for investing funds remains to achieve the best possible rate from our bankers commensurate with maintaining the capability of rapid access to the funds in the event of a call on them.

Bankers

Lloyds Bank, 54 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5HB

HSBC Bank plc, 2 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AF

Barclays Bank, 57 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AT

Independent Examiner

Dorrell Oliver Limited, Linden House, Monk Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5NF

Professional Advisers (Historic Buildings)

Arnold Bartosch Ltd, 1 Bath Mews, Bath Parade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7HL

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by the Revd Jeff Pearse on 12th May, 2021

Doves displayed on the locked gates of St Mary’s Priory Church as a symbol of hope during lockdown. They were made by Simon Meredith, the son of former lay reader the late David Meredith. The idea spread throughout the town and province with doves appearing in windows of shops, homes and churches.

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Charrty Nurnber 113775 Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2020 DORRELL OLIVER LTD Linden House Monk Street Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 5NF

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Independent Examiner's Report Year ended 31 December 2020 Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of the Parlsh of Abergavenny Parochial Church Council I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020 whKh are sel out or. pages 2 to 9. Respective responsibilities of Trusteos and Examlnor: The tru51ees of the Parish of Ab¢rgaVennyParhIa1 Church Council (the PCC) Ilrusleesl are responsible for the preparation of the account$. The Irustees wnsider that an audit Is not requiied for this year under secb'on fj44121 of the charities Au 2011 jthe 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The gross in¢ome in +he PCC accounts ex¢eeded £250.000 and l am qualified lo undertake the examinaoon by being a qualified member of the ICAEW. It is my responslbility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 of ihe 2011 Act., follow the procedure5 laid down in the general Directions given by the Charty Commission (under section 1451511b} of the 2011 Act),. and stale wholher particular Matte have come lo my attenOn. Basis of independgnt •xamlner's report My examinab.on wa5 carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the ac¢ounts'ng records kept by the Paro¢hial Church Council and a comparison of the accounts pres8ntad with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual iteFns or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the Parochial Church Cguncil Gonceming such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden¢e'that would be required in an audil, and nSequent1Y no opinion is given a5 to whether the a¢counts present a "true and falrf, VI 8nd thg report 1$ limlled to those matters set oui in the slalement below. Independent ExamIn05 Statsmgn¢ In connection with my examinatson, no matter has come to my attentlon.. 1. leh gives me &Sonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements-. to keep accouotsng record5 in accordance wth secb¢x$ 130 of the 2011 Act., and to ¥epare accounts which accord With the accountirg records and comply with the accounting requlrements of the 2011 Act have not been meL or 2. to which. in my opinlon, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper Understanding of the accounts to be Teached. P. E. Lea FCA Dorrell Oliver Limited Linden House Monk stt Abergavenny mOnNuthSh1re NP7 5NF Date.. l D-C- Zo21 Pag¢ 1

PARISH OF ABERQAVENNY PAAOCHL4L CFPJRCH COUIKIL ststsm•ntol FInanCl A¢tlYltl Y[ ended 31 Oecember2020 2020 2019 IN¢014WG IIESOURC&SIRECEIPTS Resbiciod Tctsl Voluntsry In¢omg Plannèd iY Loo$¢¢oiiéc4kns DoDabans Fty MISGIL r¥A refLtyJS r25 GASDS VATrecov8r•d anls 48.¥8 40,448 53.863 37.550 613 37.55D 13.174 1572 1S.515 2,942 9,178 26,940 5.751 9.754 2.572 13.146 912 13.146 912 2.942 9.179 8.916 17.6fy) 151.348 17.6QD 151.348 enerated Incorne Klonty Ra15ing Siryity week ChUh F¢¢¥ Tithe BaThd Prw Cer 22.709 8.947 32.397 .444 22,7GS e,947 32.397 5q444 13.560 18,C07 13. 16.LlQ7 lThw4wn•nt Iorn• 12,538 12.538 14.850 14.856 OthErlnromE Share RebBte Ptiory CLYnpAry Liqwdation 4,021 67 HMRC Furfough l$urart• UMI83 refu 14.rD 12.534 S.221 14.L 12.534 S,221 TOTAL INCOkllNG RE8OURCESIRECEI 1.856 RESOURCE5 EXpENDEPAyMENTs pSh 5hwe Pwothial exp¢nx 03,180 83.180 80.4 4,872 parfBh msintoI Sér¥K tsenE[ P5tsh Ewgnye Tltha 8am PTryCeMr4 15,5 10,694 45,881 15. tO.694 45.981 20.785 20.3ta 62.103 62.? hiirth Prop•rty aithwKtofChurd¥ meinoI0thWpr0FertY 15,329 14,94D 15.3 14.949 17.686 3.U67 8.712 )&S76 16J$3 15.578 18,283 38.502 9.2SO 31.12D Gr•nts Nnan<til SyFVQrt p3 Fkm•JVVorb 3,867 8,712 31.?20 Oth•rr•source• Exp9ndgd Cosi r4money r*8 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPtNDEtYPAYMENTS 217.852 NET AIOVEMENT IN FUNOS 11J.004 115.BQ4 116 601 8al•Dt•biDwhtforwi TraTh6l¢r Fun48 l jry 324.961 324.561 324.191 1.535 326,ns 11.$35) Unr•alls•d galn on Lqq•cy B•lin¢•¢irrf•dfon¥ar 31 443.220

PARISM OF ABERGAVENNYPAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL srATEMEP4f OF ASSETS AND LIABILlllES AS AT J1 DECEMBER 2019 2020 Totsl 2019 Total Uni•gthc¢•d R•strfctAd Unrestrftthd R•sbtt•d Notes FiXED AsseTS Flee1 Prop6rbOS 362,641 382.b41 2.641 362,641 2,641 2.841 382,841 362.641 CURRENT ASSETS Cash Funds.. C•sh. B•rk DÈpO¥itAun1S Bank CurrenlAccouMS Cash In Hantt 21.012 32.692 200 ?1.012 32.692 20Q 5.932 45,1fi 200 9.932 45.127 200 stock Oebttys Portrc410 fram Legacy 10.0 10.085 155,803 10.000 10.085 155,803 9.600 8.833 9.800 6.833 TOT ASSETS i92,433 592,433 434.333 .333 CURRENT LiA8ILTrIES AnnA9 dLWtnin on8 iar {90.2091 180.2091 (50.3681 NET CURRENfAssErs 502,224 502224 383,¥Yfj ?83.$65 LONG TERM UABILITIES ArnouTrts I9Jeaft0r moro than yeor 12 159,004} 159.0041 159.0041 159.D041 NET A3SET3 443.220 443.2£0 324.961 324.981 REPRESENTED BY: FUN Brouqhtfc4ward 324.961 324 861 324,191 1,535 325.726 SurpiudldWt) r¢rfvyear 113,804 113.804 17651 (TQJI Transf8rbèts%$n fu$ 1,5?5 I1,5) on lea9wvaltse 4.455 4455 Cam•J fmrd 13 443.220 443.220 324.961 324.981 12-4-2oll Th8finan¢4al 5tstsmtsvJEte aprn by the tt80n............................... TFusts•

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 Deetmber 2020 Charlty Informatlon The Parish ol Abergavenny Parochial Church Council lthe PCCI 15 a UK unincorporat&d charity Charity Number 1137751. 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1.1 Basis of preparatlon The èccounls have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The accounts have been prepared In accordan¢e with applicablè accounting standards. the Statement ol Recommended Practi. "Accouniing and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005 and ttte Charities Act 2011. 1.2 Golng conc•m At tha tim8 ol approvirg the financi81 staternenls. the trustees have a reasonable 8xpect8tion that the PCC has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the I0seeable future. Thus the tru$tee$ ¢onlinue lo adopt the going concern basis of accounling in prepaiing Ihe finanrjal s181gment$. 1.3 Charitable fundg Unr&stricted fund5 are av8ilabl* ftsr vsè at thè dis¢relion of the trustee5 in furtheranc8 of their charitab objeciwes unless the funds have been desigftated for other purposes. The accounts an transactions. assets and liabilrt8 for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not includ6 the accounts of church groups that ows thair main ffili8tion to another body nor those that are infomial gatherings of Church members. 1.4 Incomlng re8ource8 Ino)me is recognis£d whan the PCC is legally entitled to it aft81 any perform8nce wrKlitK)ll5 havg begn met. the amounts can b& measured r•liably. and11 Is probabl8 that Incom& will bè rèc8iv8d. Cash donatn$ a recognised on receipt. Olhtrr dtsnallons are re¢ognised once the PCC has been otlfled of the donallon. unless perlormance CondOn$ require deferral of the amount. Income tax iecovetable in relakn'on lo donations Teceived under GTft Aid or deeds ol covenant 13 recognised 8t the time ol the donatK)n. All income is recognised in th8 Statement of Finana31 Activities oncè the thaitty ha5 &ntitlem•nt to the fund5. it Is probable that the income wll be received and the amount can be me85ured reliabty. Paoe 4

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the A¢counts Year ended 31 December 2020 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES ICONTD.) 1.5 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are intiially measured at cost and subsequ8nlly measured at cost or valuation. net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets over their useful lives on the following basis.. Freehold properties .' no depreciation charged The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the Carrying value of the asset and is credited or charged lo the Statement of Financial Activities 1.6 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held al call wlth banks. other short-term liquid investments with original maturitie$ of three months or less. 1.7 Financial instruments The PCC has ele¢led to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Inslruments, and Section 12 Other Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of tts financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the PCC balance sheet when the PCC becomes paty to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabililies are off58t. with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to sel off the recogr¢ised amounts and there i¥ an intention lo settle on a net basi$ or to realise Ihe assel and settfe the liability simultsneously. Baslc flnanclal assets Basic financial assets. which include debtors and cash and bank balances. are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and subsequently cariied at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial asyets classrfied ay receivable within one year are not SMOtSed. Basic ffnancial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including ¢reditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price. 1.8 Taxation The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. 1.9 Stocks Stocks have been valued at the lower of cost or nel realisable value. Page 5

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notés to the Accounts Yèar ended 31 December 2020 2. MONEY RAISING 2020 2019 Fund ralsing Proceeds Costs Ngt Ngt Sl. Marfs chrlstchuh Olner Groups 3,901 1,860 436 6,197 467 820 3,081 1,814 251 5.146 437 8,340 4,654 612 13.6C6 1,785 1,873 17.264 185 1,051 30 Bookstall ChrislchuKh Hall income 7,529 1,081 6,448 3. PRIORY CENTRE & TITHE BARN 2020 Nel 2019 Nel Proceed5 Costs Catering and Bar Room Hi, Leaming Space and Tourist Centre FaCi.11eS Co-ordinator salary 5,605 10,402 4,393 20,953 20,335 45,681 1.212 110,5511 20.335 29,674 2.687 12,126 20,472 5,6591 16,007 4. INVESTMENT INCOME 2020 2019 Interest Car path rent and Piince of Wales Courtyard 13 12.525 46 14,810 12,538 14,856 Page 6

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the Accounts Year ended 310e¢ember 2020 2020 2019 S. MAIKfENANCE OF SERVICES Remuneration of Organist Candles. Vvine and Wafers Choir. Ofgan & Bells Other Churches 9,124 1,159 230 5.070 15.583 11.155 1,546 4.630 3,454 20.785 6. GENERAL PARISH EXPENSES 2020 2019 Sundry expenditure Clergy Leaving gifts and function Singing Week Printing and Stationery Postage Var$ PA 902 2.435 2,298 10,349 1.006 253 6,480 20,386 533 344 6,480 10,694 7. MAINTENANCE OF CHURCHES 2020 2019 Light and Heat Insurance General r8pairs 6,947 3,483 4,899 8,116 3.389 4,073 15,329 15,578 8. MAINTENANCE OF OTHER PROPERTY 2020 2019 Oulgoings Vicarages: St Mary's Holy Trinity Oulgoings Loan interest 2,363 2,302 4,005 2,065 3,697 438 70 14,940 2,794 2,522 6.581 2.065 1,071 628 622 16.283 4 Holywell Close Outgoings Christchurch Hall Car park and Prince of Wales Courtyard Garden of Rest Page 7

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notos to thfr Ac¢ounts Year ended 31 December 2020 2020 2019 9. EXCEPTIONAL EXPENDITURE North rool Norih Walkway Boilers Boiler Tithe Bam Christchurch rep3lr8 13,034 174 330 4,128 15,191 12,WJ 11,31t The North rool work5 were funded by insurance daiffl5 made in [eSpe of slorm damage suffered spring 2020. 10. 14llSSION PARISH Holwell Community Magazines. notices et 1.887 5,430 9.260 11. FREEHOLD PROPERTIES Cost Estimated Value Total 4 Holywell Close, Abergavenny The Priory Meadow, Abergavenny Ttthe Bam 260,889 260.889 25.000 76,752 25,000 76.752 337 641 25,000 12. LOANS Due wilhin ong year Included wthin amounts due within 1 year are parishioners loans of £5,50012019-. £12.000) whS¢h are repayable upon demand. Due after more than one year 2020 2019 Loan re.. Property Holywell Clos8 59,004 59.004 59.004 59 004 The Loan lor Holywell dose property was partsalty repaid in a previous year from 1he proceeds of a legacy, and subsequently repaNI in full in Spring 2021 from the prcwEeds of a legacy bequeathed in 2020. Fage 8

PARISH OF ABERGAVENNY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 December 2020 13. Funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Totsl Fund Balances al 31 December 2020 are represented by.. Fixed assets 362.641 362.641 Currènt assets 229,792 229.792 Creditors.. Amounts due within one year {90,2091 190,2091 Amounts due after one year (59.0041 159,0041 443,220 443,220 Unrestricted funds include5 fund5 received from alggary, which have been designated by the tru$l89s 10 repay the loan for the propety at Holywell Close and all oulslanding parishioners loans. with the balance held to fund major repair works undertaken in 2021. 14. Truste$$ Mrs M Pratt. the spouse of one of the Iruslees, reiVed remuneration as Vicar8 PA during the year of £6,48012019.'£6.4801. 15. Employe&s The av6rag8 number of persons employed by the PCC during the year was 3.12019.. 3). 16. Rolated partles Theie were no disclosable related party Iransa¢tions during the year {2019-none}. Page 9