**The Parochial Church Council of** _St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick_ Charity Number: 1137972 ## **ANNUAL REPORTS 2021** to be presented at ## **The Annual Parochial Church Meeting** on Sunday 9th May 2021 during Parish Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. **Page 1** ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** St Mary’s Church is situated in Bathwick, Bath. It is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells within the Church of England. The correspondence address is :- The Parish Office, St Mary’s Church, Darlington Street, Bath BA2 4EB. Email: office@bathwickparishes.org.uk www.bathwickparishes.org.uk Phone 01225-447450 The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with Charity Commission. Reg Charity No 1137972 PCC members who have served from 11[th] October 2020 until the date this report was approved are: ||**_Name_**|**_Post_**| |---|---|---| |_Incumbent_|The Revd. Peter Edwards Chairman|| |_Readers_|Marilyn Kirby|PCC Secretary, Standing Committee,| |||Restoration Action Group| ||Thomas Bunn|Reader Emeritus| ||Stephen Howard|Deanery Synod, Finance Committee| ||Marcus Wedge|Finance & Fabric Committees| |_Churchwardens_|Nicola Parker|Standing Committee; Fabric, Finance, Safeguarding Officer| |||Children’s Church and Social Committees| ||Jan Howard|Standing Committee; Fabric and Finance Committees,| |||Mission Group| |_Diocesan Synod_|John Porteous|Vice Chairman PCC, Standing Committee; Fabric,| |||Finance, 2020 Group| |_Deanery Synod_|Julia Brownbridge *|| ||Stephen Howard|| ||Nicola Parker|| |_Elected Members:_|Ruth Beavin *|| ||Julia Brown|Children’s Church, Christian Outreach Group,| |||Mission Group| ||Julia Brownbridge|Social, 2020 Group| ||Clare Goodhart*|| ||Roy Hatch|Restoration Action Group| ||Nick Lennard|Treasurer, Finance and Fabric Committees,| |||Standing Committee| ||Carla Maddocks|Resigned March 2020| ||Nicola Mathiason|Mission Group| ||Helen Moss|Social Committee, Christian Outreach Group,| |||Mission Group| ||Andrew Parker|Fabric Committee, Electoral Roll Officer| ||Thelma Paterson-Fox ^|Walsingham Cell, Christian Outreach Group| ||Carole Stickney|Social and Fabric Committees, 2020 Group| |_Co-opted Members:_|None|| * _since APCM 2020. ^ until APCM 2020_ ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The method of appointment of 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. **Page 2** ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The PCC has considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and the advancement of religion. The aim of the PCC is to co-operate with the incumbent in promoDng in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelisDc, social and ecumenical. In addiDon it also has maintenance responsibiliDes for the church and its associated property. The PCC sees the Church's mission as witnessing steadfastly to the ChrisDan faith and proclaiming the gospel through prayer and preaching and the celebraDon of the sacraments through service to the people of Bathwick and further afield and to those in need. The Church Hall provides a safe haven for young people in the local area. ## **MISSION STATEMENT** By God’s grace and mindful of our heritage we aim to extend the Community of Faith where God is glorified and the Good News of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and lived ## **THE “WORSHIP” ETHOS** St Mary’s has been “Anglo Catholic” since “Oxford Movement” Dmes, when the Church of England was re-affirmed as Catholic, in worship and pracDce. That revered tradiDon, as demonstrated by the Sunday Morning Sung Eucharist, has been influenced by subsequent developments in Catholic teaching and pracDce of liturgy. Music, (generally tradiDonal classical and Anglican), is valued, with statues, art, incense and vestments adding to the sense of the numinous. CelebraDon of the Sacraments with awe and wonder at the mystery of the love of God is a priority. Two key texts are 1 Cor. 14:40 and Hebrews 12:22-24. ## **RECTOR’S REPORT** Dear brothers and sisters, This is now my eighth year as parish priest of Bathwick, and as I have said in previous years, I conDnue to be so very grateful to all members of the St Mary’s congregaDon for their warm support for me and my family – no more so than during this past year. As we entered 2020 we expected that the year would be dominated by the celebraDon of the church’s bicentenary – and our celebraDons duly began last February with a week of celebraDons covering the actual 200th anniversary itself on 4th February. We had drawn up plans to conDnue celebraDng this milestone in the life of the church and parish including musical events, a flower fesDval, visiDng preachers and other social acDviDes. **Page 3** Sadly, however, most of these plans for the bicentenary celebraDons were, of course, unable to take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic. LiKle did any of us know at the start of 2020 that the virus that was first idenDfied in China at the very end of the previous year would have such a devastaDng effect on us all. As reported six months ago in my report to last year’s delayed APCM, all church acDvity stopped during the middle of March 2020, and the church remained closed unDl July, as well as for a further period later in the year during the second lockdown. The pandemic has of course had an enormous impact on everyone, and we give thanks for all those who have courageously served the people of our own community as well as those across the naDon and beyond during these past twelve months. We give thanks in parDcular for those working in our NaDonal Health Service – parDcularly those who have treated Covid paDents in the RUH; for those who have researched the virus to create the vaccines that now give us so much hope, as well as those who have worked to manufacture and administer these; for our emergency services, teachers and supermarket workers, those involved in transport and distribuDon, our Council workers who have conDnued to perform their duDes, and many other groups besides. We give thanks for the sense of community that was generated during the first weeks and months of the first lockdown, as many of our neighbours and friends grew in their sense of community and loving service of the housebound, the sick and all those in need. I can vouch on a personal level for those who helped me and my household as we isolated with Covid at Christmas 2020 – thankfully, myself and my family only experienced mild symptoms. As a result of the restricDons placed upon us, there were inevitably fewer acDviDes taking place in the church than in previous years. However, we maintained our life of worship – with all of us learning how to engage with worship via the internet. For myself, I had to quickly learn how to “live stream” services onto Facebook, Zoom and YouTube; others had to learn how to access these various plaPorms to maintain the worshipping life of our parish. During the latest (third) lockdown imposed in early 2021, we have conDnued to keep the two churches of the Bathwick benefice open for public worship – in contrast with the other Church of England churches of the city and Deanery – many thanks to Churchwardens and all those others who have made this possible by ensuring that the necessary safeguards are in place to maintain Covid security. The reducDon in acDvity in the church and the hall over the past year has meant, however, that we have experienced a significant deficit in terms of our finances in 2020. Of course, this has been a common experience for the vast majority of churches and chariDes as well as many businesses both locally and naDonally. Details of the 2020 accounts are of course to be found later in this report. Thanks to Nick Lennard and the Finance team for their conDnued careful stewardship of our financial resources. **Page 4** As I write this report, we are looking forward to the full re-opening of all primary and secondary schools on 8 March 2021. But of course our own church primary school has been open throughout the past year – in person for the children of key workers and some vulnerable children; and online for its other pupils. Our school headteacher and staff have worked incredibly hard, displaying resolve and considerable versaDlity, to support all the children of our school. And thanks too to our co-Chairs of Governors, Lucy Spedo-Mirandola and MaK Cochrane, and to all our other Governors, for their work and commitment to enable this to take place. Other thanks are due from me personally to our Churchwardens Nicky Parker and Jan Howard, to our PCC members, our assistant clergy and Readers, to our Parish Administrator Kerry Hughes, and to all those who have maintained the life of our church as well as supporDng me personally over these past months. As I end this short report, may I commend to your prayers all those from our congregaDon who died in 2020 or for whom funeral or memorial services took place in St Mary’s church: Allen Gay, Roger Boothroyd, Stephen Cooke and Peter Lockyer. In early 2021 we also lost Doreen WinnicoK who had been a member of St Mary’s Church choir for many years. We conDnue to pray for those who mourn their passing. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. May God conDnue to bless this place and all that we seek to do in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. **Revd Peter Edwards Rector of Bathwick March 2021** **Page 5** ## **HON SECRETARY’S REPORT YEAR 2020-2021** The aim of the following report is to provide certain formal informaDon as well as noDng significant PCC decisions not otherwise covered in the separate CommiKee and other Church group reports. The Secretary apologies for any overlaps or omissions that may have occurred. The Standing CommiKee comprises the Chairman, the two Church Wardens, Vice Chairman, the Hon. Secretary and the Treasurer. There were 134 members on the Electoral Roll as reported at the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on 11[th] October 2020. In addiDon, we have a number of regular aKendees who are not on the Roll. Due to restricDons during the Covid pandemic there was only one meeDng of the PCC. The PCC MeeDng followed immediately the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on the 11[th] October 2020. Fr. Peter welcomed Ruth Beavin and Clare Goodhart as new members of the PCC and Nick Lennard and Carole SDckney as returning members (also Julia Brownbridge who returned as a Deanery Synod member) The following Ofcers were elected; Hon. Treasurer Nick Lennard, Hon. Secretary Marilyn Kirby, Vice Chairman John Porteous, and Electoral Roll Officer Andy Parker. The MeeDng then elected the Standing CommiKee: Fr. Peter Edwards, the Vice Chairman of the PCC (John Porteous), the Churchwardens (Nicola Parker and Jan Howard), the Secretary (Marilyn Kirby) and the Treasurer (Nick Lennard). There were no co-opDons to the PCC. The Parish Return was submiKed to the Diocese following this meeDng. At the Dme of wriDng this report the final meeDng before the APCM was sDll to take place (13 April 2021) at this meeDng the Accounts and Annual Reports will be presented for the Annual MeeDng. ## **Marilyn Kirby Hon PCC Secretary** ## **CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT ON FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS** Since our last report for the APCM in October 2020 very liKle has happened in terms of work on the fabric of the building. Fortunately, we have kept up to date with the maintenance of the building and there have been no emergencies to deal with. As part of our bicentenary celebraDons the PCC had decided to commission an icon from local icon painter, Silvia Dimitrova, showing the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, holding the church, as He gives a blessing. At the end of 2020 we finally had permission from the DAC to go ahead with the commission and Silvia has been asked to start work on the piece. Hopefully this will be completed some Dme this year. **Page 6** There have been no further addiDons to the inventory this year and the terrier remains unchanged We would like, once again, to record thanks to Marcus Wedge for his enthusiasm and all that he does to maintain the fabric of the Church and the hall complex. Also, we are most grateful to Jenny Jones and Dawn Lennard for their hard work, maintaining the garden; to Molly Wedge, Sarah Davies and Helen Lees, the dedicated sacristy team, for their unsung work behind the scenes; to the ladies who have helped out with flower arrangements whilst we look for someone to take over the flower team; and to the Friday cleaning squad. All of these have had a parDcularly difficult year but have sDll managed to keep St. Mary’s up and running in as normal a way as possible. ## **Nicola Parker & Jan Howard Churchwardens** ## **READERS** It's been as quiet a year for our Readers as for everyone else, at least in relaDon to our tasks carried out in our capacity “as Readers”. As many of you will know Thomas Bunn, who for a while has been more visible at St John's than at St Mary's, has stepped back from Reader office and now luxuriates in the venerable Dtle of Reader Emeritus. Thank you so much to Thomas for all the sterling work he has done for many years both as Reader and in many other ways, notably as heaDng supremo at St John's, from which he has also reDred. Thomas will naturally maintain his connecDons at St John’s but we also hope to see more of him at St Marys’ along with Deborah of course, provided the St Mary’s Service does not interfere with the golf. In the meanDme Marilyn, Marcus and I remain “on call” as it were if there is anything we can do as Readers to assist members of the St Mary’s family. ## **Stephen Howard** ## **SERVERS** I have no doubt that the dedicated team of St Mary’s servers feel the loss of the freedom to perform their liturgical tasks, as keenly as the congregaDon feel their absence. It seems unlikely that the form of our glorious Service will be restored in full as soon as we would like, but whenever the call comes the servers will answer it, or at least as many as are sDll available and can remember what to do! **Stephen Howard** **Page 7** ## **SIDESPEOPLE** The list of sidesmen and women remains the same as last year apart from saying a huge thank you to Jean Tanser who has decided to stand down aTer many years of service and also goodbye and thank you to ChrisDan BarreK (nee Whyte) who has moved back to Scotland with her family. Therefore there are now 23 sidesmen and women for 2021- 2022: Mr. M. Allsop, Mrs. D. Allsop, Mrs J. Brownbridge, Mr. P. Chilvers, Dr A. Crossland, Mrs. B. Crossland, Mr. R. Davies, Mrs. S. Davies, Mrs C. Goodhart, Mr. R. Hatch, Mr. G. Jones, Mrs. J. Jones, Mr. J. Lees, Mrs. H. Lees, Mr. N. Lennard, Mrs. D. Lennard, Mrs B. Llewellyn, Mrs. C. Maddocks, Mr R. Manaton, Mr. K. Moss, Mrs. H. Moss, Mrs. T. Paterson-Fox, and Mrs. M. Stoneham. This past year the role of our sidesmen and women has been crucial, not only in welcoming people to church but also in encouraging the use of hand saniDser and other anD- Covid measures. It has also been a difficult year with people shielding and self isolaDng so I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for being flexible and being prepared to swap duDes at a moment’s noDce. If you would like to join the team, and you are on the Electoral Roll, then please talk to one of the church wardens. Thank you. ## **Nicola Parker** ## **SACRISTY** Preparing for all our services this past year has had its challenges!!! But we have succeeded! Just long to be back at the High Altar!! Thank you to Helen and Sarah who have been thrown into the 'deep end' - You both have been amazing! Also, thank you to Neville and Judy for making sure all candles are refilled! To Sheila, Jan and new recruit Ruth for hoovering, dusDng and most of all Brass cleaning - all this happens to make sure our church is looking its best for Sunday each week. A special thank you to Marcus for help with 'heavy liTing' - closing and opening the reredos - banners away and brought out etc. and looking aTer our clock. All this would not happen without your support. ## **Molly Wedge** **Page 8** ## **MUSIC** The past twelve month period has certainly been like no other that we have experienced and it is hard to believe that our weekly rouDne has been so drasDcally affected. Needless to say, the toll on musical events has been heavy but I was able to give the adverDsed lunchDme recital on October 8th and it was good to see a pleasing number in the audience for that occasion. One of those aKending was our Assistant Organist, Stephen Cooke, and it was late that same evening that I was stunned to receive the news that Stephen had died in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work. I think we have all been in a state of shock and disbelief ever since and sDll expect to see him walk in on a Sunday morning. Stephen was a quiet and most unassuming colleague and was a huge support to me, taking over the playing for the Sunday morning services in 2018 thus enabling me to fulfill my Abbey commitments and arrive at St Mary’s in Dme to conduct the motet. Stephen was due to give the lunchDme recital on October 15th so I was privileged to play his programme that day, in the presence of family members, as a tribute. Thank you, Stephen, for all that you brought to St Mary’s in the short Dme that you were with us. At some stage in the future it is hoped to hold a concert at St Mary’s in memory of Stephen. Our only other event during the year was the Christmas CelebraDon service which took place in the evening of Sunday, 20th December. This replaced the usual service of Lessons and Carols as, sadly, congregaDonal singing was sDll not permiKed at this Dme. We all enjoyed preparing a slightly different programme for the occasion and it was good to be able make use of our excellent plaPorm area at the front of the nave. During the year we were extremely sad to lose two long-serving members of the choir – Roger Boothroyd in August and Peter Lockyer in November. We conDnue to miss them as they contributed greatly to all that we did and I would like to record my thanks to both of them for their loyal support of the music at St Mary’s over many years. Happily, towards the end of 2020, we welcomed back two former members of the choir – Nicola Mathiason (alto) and Graeme Stacey (bass) – and, since October, we have been delighted to have our alto Choral Scholar JulieKe LiKlewood back with us aTer her year’s work placement. We are also appreciaDng having Father Richard singing bass with us when he is not otherwise engaged in taking services. Numerically then, we remain at a healthy fiTeen but there is always room for expansion! Do contact me if you are at all interested in joining us. We have been unable to make very much progress on fundraising for the Organ RestoraDon project due to the many restricDons but, thanks to two generous anonymous donaDons, we are almost half-way towards our target and we shall resume our energies on this front as soon as we can. There is now a liKle more on the parish web site about the proposed restoraDon (with some more to be added in the near future) so please keep spreading the word! I am sure that we all yearn for a return to something like normality and I look forward to meeDng on a more regular basis with our wonderful choir – to whom, as always, I give my thanks for their support and friendship. **Gary Desmond** **Page 9** ## **BELLRINGERS** Like many things we may once have taken for granted, ringing at St Mary's Bathwick has been limited over the past year for reasons we are all too familiar with. Ringing has been suspended completely during all three lockdowns, with limited ringing for Sunday services in between. When restricDons ease to a point where enough ringers are comfortable, we hope to ring for services once again, though we are all looking forward to whenever we can return to regular pracDces and quarter peal ringing! This year we have taken delivery of the parts for a bell ringing simulator. Once we are able, we will be looking to get this installed, which will allow us to beKer analyse our ringing and help train up new learners with less disturbance for local residents. As and when normality returns, if anyone reading this would like to see what we do, have a go, or (beKer sDll!) consider joining the band and learning to ring, they will be made most welcome. Just get in touch with our tower correspondent for details :- Molly Waterson 07790-230767, molly_waterson@hotmail.com . ## **Ma8hew Skues** ## **FLOWERS** It is now over a year since Carol reDred and we sDll have that vacancy unfilled! Thank you to Marion and Felicity who have coped with silk flowers and at Christmas thank you to Jan, Judy and Marion who helped with fresh flowers at Christmas. BUT help is desperately needed!!! Please think and pray if God is calling you to join our Friday morning band of helpers. ## **Molly Wedge** ## **CHURCH GARDENS** As with so much during 2020, even the Church Garden took on a different aspect as, sadly, no one could use it. Ironically, the summer was one with perfect growing condiDons and everything flowered in abundance. The only way these blooms could be shared and enjoyed was through photographs on the weekly sheet, together with many arDcles in Bathwick News. Jenny and Dawn seKled into their new ‘lady gardener’ roles, and with the help of grasscuKer Stu, the garden has prospered and remains a peaceful oasis in the heart of Bathwick. ## **Jenny Jones and Dawn Lennard** **Page 10** ## **CAR PARK** What a year!!!! The loss financially is enormous!! as well as loss of the out-reach of meeDng visitors, shoppers and rugby fans etc. As we look forward to an improved half year and new beginnings, I hope to recruit and train others to help. ## **Marcus Wedge** ## **WALSINGHAM** Sadly, last July’s annual pilgrimage to Walsingham had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. However, we have made a booking for this year; Sunday 25[th] July to Thursday 29[th] July, half-board as usual. If all goes to plan, we will be sharing this year’s pilgrimage with a group from St Luke’s Swindon. They are also regular Walsingham Pilgrims and it seems an excellent idea to share the coach with them and hence reduce the final cost. Normally we would have asked for deposits by this stage, but this seemed unwise under the present circumstances. Understandably so far only a few people have indicated their intenDon to come. Therefore, if anyone is now in a posiDon to consider making a reservaDon please talk to Helen Lees. If you are one of those who have never been on a Walsingham Pilgrimage and would like to know more, then talk to Helen, who would be delighted to tell you more about this very special place. ## **Helen Lees** **Page 11** ## **BATHWICK ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL** ## Dear Friends, How much can change in twelve months! Just over a year ago it was a pleasure to meet many of you at EducaDon Sunday and to celebrate the bicentenary of St. Mary’s Church. Just a few weeks later, all our lives changed in ways we could have barely imagined. Whilst I am sure many of us long for a return to ‘life before lockdown’, there are posiDves on which we can draw both personally and from a school perspecDve. I last wrote in August 2020 and reflected on the first lockdown. Since then, our staff and children were delighted that September brought some sense of normality. Whilst we had to adapt many different school process and procedures to fit with the restricDons laid down by Public Health England and the Department for EducaDon, the building was alive with learning and laughter. Despite the wider naDonal restricDons, Autumn Term was a super start to the academic year. Our children were a credit to themselves, their families and the school and approached their learning with great enthusiasm. We were certainly blessed with no Covid cases in either children or staff at school and as such we did not need to close any classes for the enDre term. However, it was evident naDonally cases were rising and as such the further lockdown was announced late on Monday 4[th] January this year. I have wriKen before that we have an able and commiKed staff team who pull together through both good and more challenging Dmes. Once again, our staff have gone above and beyond to support the smooth running of the school. Teaching Assistants and teachers found themselves at just a few hours noDce completely adapDng our approach to learning as we moved online for most children. The school building once again was open only to vulnerable children and those whose parent or parents were criDcal workers. Due to a change in Government guidance, we had significantly more children at school than during the first lockdown. Since then, teachers have worked hard to provide a full curriculum for children via online videos and teaching assistants have worked admirably supporDng children in school. Our office, site and catering teams conDnued to adapt quickly and professionally to the many changes and demands placed on them. Thank you to all the staff and Governor teams who have worked Drelessly to support our school. We know many children have found this latest, and hopefully last, lockdown a real challenge. The poor weather and lack of social contact has been significant for many children. Whilst school has provided regular sessions for all children to socialise with classmates online and opportuniDes for them to connect with school in person as part of their daily exercise, we know that we have important work to do once all children return on Monday 8[th] March to support them pastorally. As headteacher, I would like to express my thanks for your prayers and support. In your prayers, please especially uphold the children of Bathwick School as they return to school **–** next week. Covid has impacted them all in different ways some quite considerably – and so knowing you are thinking of them will be a blessing to us all. ## **Kevin Purkiss, Headteacher** **Page 12** ## **HALL AND CHURCH HIRE** Hall bookings for the first three months totalled £2,610 from U3A, Bath Camerata and Pilates, but there have been very few bookings during the lockdown. Church bookings were made at the beginning of the year but it was necessary to make refunds for lockdown periods. The total income from hall and church bookings was less than £6,000 . In the previous year it was over £20,000 ## **Kerry Hughes** ## **SOUP RUN** Sadly, we were not able to conDnue with the Soup Run this year. Tony Coverdale donated our resources to the Genesis Gateway Centre, where they offer hope, support and a future to the homeless and vulnerable people in Bath. Many thanks are due to both St Mary’s and St John’s who conDnue to provide, through their generous donaDons, a valuable support for this very worthwhile cause. We wait, hopefully, for a Dme when we may be able to conDnue this acDon of Outreach from the Bathwick and Widcombe Churches. ## **Margaret Ledbury—Soup Run Coordinator** **Page 13** ## **DEANERY SYNOD REPORT** We welcome Julia Brownbridge who has joined your band of Deanery representaDves in place of the late Peter Goodhart. The rolling programme of Archdeacon’s InspecDons, administraDon of which was delegated to the Deanery and which was due to take place at St Mary's in May/June 2020, was in the event deferred, as were a number of other Deanery acDviDes I imagine. The popular Jeremy Key-Pugh, a Reader at Bath Abbey, stood down as Lay Dean to much acclaim, aTer many years of service in that role. The (ordained) Area Dean for Bath is now the Revd Stephen Girling, and at the November Synod (by Zoom) we were invited to pray for him, for trust in Christ in these Dmes, for God's vision for our city and deanery, for Bishop Peter’s healing, and for Bishop Ruth for managing the diocese in his absence. He was commissioned as Area Dean by the Archdeacon the Revd Adrian Youings for a term of six years unless earlier determined. The Archdeacon then delivered a pep talk about deployment of resources, emphasising that all are involved in mission not just the ordained. We live in difficult Dmes financially. There is in place a Parish Share Relief Scheme. ApplicaDon may be made to reduce payment of the Parish Share. This is funded out of Diocesan Board of Finance reserves. It is anDcipated that there will be a deficit of £750,000 to £1m over the next four years and that savings will have to be found. A major structural review is being carried out. The new Area Dean, Stephen Girling (from Bath Abbey) resolved to promote prayerfulness, hospitality and innovaDon, a disposiDon of risk taking, le[ng go of ego and seeing what is useful, releasing our grip on the reins and being willing to fail, but to learn thereby. At the February 21 meeDng, among those elected to the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group and known to us, were Dilwen Miller and Brenda Wall. Three speakers then shared their personal missions with the wider church (us). The major themes were: that God wants to unite us as one, one spirit and one mind, although unity is not to be the same as uniformity. We were called upon to build friendships and to love dearly, the prize being one body. We were encouraged to be pracDcal about these aspiraDons, for example by meeDng neighbours, knocking on doors and being tangible in loving our neighbours. By being a pracDcal friend: talking, phoning, shopping, visiDng. The Bath College chaplain, Eden Hunter (whom we have menDoned before) is a supporDng face within the college and undertakes pastoral care by “ge[ng involved” in the life of the college and of the students. The absence of formal worship at Synod in a church se[ng, was missed. Your representaDves hope that it will be possible to resume the regular paKern of Synod in the not too distant future. ## **Stephen Howard** **Page 14** ## **GREEN REPORT** |Energy
Audit year|CO2Foot-
print in
tonnes|Gas in
kWh’s|Electricity
in kWh’s| |---|---|---|---| |2018/19|33.2|144,156|16,288| |2019/20|33.2|151,117|12,754| |2020/21|27.1|124.245|9.866| The figures for the last year show the effect of the pandemic reflected in the decrease in use of the church and church hall. The percentage CO2 footprint in 2020/21 is 87.2% for Gas. ## **Keith Moss** ## **ZAMBIA—ST JAMES BUCHI** St Mary's Link is with St James Buchi and Fr Alfred and Monica As with most things 2020 was not a very producDve year for the St Mary Buchi link. I have kept in fairly regular contact with Fr Alfred on WhatsApp throughout the pandemic and Richard and I pray daily for him and the church in Zambia. The pandemic affected Zambia and like us the shops and churches in Zambia were closed from 29 March 2020 unDl June. In Zambia people were encouraged to keep social distance, wear masks and wash their hands, so life there was much like life here except harder as many people do not have fridges and need to buy food daily. Also, health care is very minimal. Fr Alfred says, 'greeDngs and we are remembering you in our prayer'. Fr Alfred sent a short video and picture of his daughter Temwani, whom you may remember came with him to England. He always sends Christmas, and Easter greeDngs. **Jo Hunt** **Page 15** ## **SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES** The following acDviDes were suspended during the period from the APCM on 11 October 2020 unDl the date of this meeDng, due to the conDnuing government restricDons during Covid-19 pandemic. BABY AND TODDLER GROUP JUNIOR CHURCH BATHWICK BENEFICE LUNCH CLUB SOCIAL MOTHERS UNION RESTORATION APPEAL GROUP ## **SAFEGUARDING** It is a legal requirement, under secDon 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults), that the PCC should appoint a relevant person who has due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on maKers relaDng to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The PCC of St Mary’s has complied with this by appoinDng me as the Safeguarding Officer. It is now a requirement, rather than a recommendaDon, that all PCC members should complete Basic Safeguarding Awareness training. Due to the pandemic this has to be completed online at the moment and details can be found on the Bath and Wells Diocesan website or by going directly to hKps://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org As Safeguarding Officer, I would like to remind you that our parish safeguarding policy is always available for you to read and if anyone ever has any concerns involving our young and/or vulnerable people please talk to me as soon as possible. ## **Nicola Parker** ## **GENERAL DATA PRIVACY REGULATIONS MAY 2018** The PCC’s General Privacy NoDce and the Electoral Roll Privacy NoDce are both published on the church’s website and/or are available on request ## **Revd Peter Edwards** **Page 16** ## **TREASURER'S REPORT** The finance commiKee met to receive reports on the financial situaDon of the church, to agree the following year’s budget and to discuss and resolve any financial issues. ## Overview The financial results for the year have been impacted by the Covid-19 Virus pandemic. The church was closed for 19 weeks which reduced income, but expenditure was reduced only a liKle. The Unrestricted Funds Deficit for the year was £14,481. It was parDally offset by £7,916 growth in our investments, and so the Net Expenditure was £6,565 and the Unrestricted Reserves are now £67,274. A generous parishioner gave £106,250 (including GiT Aid tax) as a contribuDon to the Organ RestoraDon Fund. That fund now stands at £141,900 and will need to reach over £350,000 before restoraDon work can commence. Unrestricted funds comprise the general operaDng expenses of the church and the other funds are for monies received and expended for certain specific purposes. In the summary accounts the Restricted Funds column contains five funds (Alms, RestoraDon, Emergency, Pastoral and Zambia), The Organ Fund accumulates funds for its restoraDon, and the Music Endowment Fund contains money given specifically for music at the church. ## Assets The Total Net Assets as at 31 December 2020 were £283,859 (2019: £162,358). Of these £67,274 (2019: £73,839) is for unrestricted use by the church for its general running costs) and the balance of £216,585 (2019: £88,519) is in restricted funds. ## Unrestricted Funds This fund records the income and expenditure of the church. The income from giving by the congregaDon (includes tax reclaimed GiT Aid) was £51,732 (2019: £51,645) which was an increase of £87 compared to the previous year. Hall hire and Church hire reduced by £14,125 Income from the car park reduced by £10,309 Fees for weddings and funerals reduced by £1,731 We had a contribuDon of £2,000 towards joint expenses from our sister church St. John’s. **Page 17** ## **TREASURER'S REPORT** Trade - Income of £220 came from the sale of FairTrade products; costs were £425 making a deficit of £205. Note that we have stock of £110 so that is a potenDal write off if it cannot be sold. ## Other Voluntary Income The church maintenance trust, (which is a separate fund which does not appear in our accounts) gave us £11,189, Interest received was allocated proporDonately to the Funds, Unrestricted was £1,402 making a Total Unrestricted Income of £90,728 (2019: £109,836) Expenditure was £103,781 (2019: £108,797) of which the largest components was our quota to the Diocese (which goes to meet the cost of the clergy) of £50,728 (2019: £49,959 and maintenance of the building of £13,661 (2019: £13,958. Of this: masonry works, lead roofing and refurbishing the war memorials boards cost £5,575, repairs following the burglary cost £1,584. The balance comprised smaller items of general maintenance of the church, hall and garden and security. A further £13,465 (2019 £15,532) went on heat and lighDng, cleaning and insurance The net result for the year was a deficit of £14,481 (2019: £478 surplus). Investments are revalued each year, and this year showed a gain of £7,916 The Unrestricted Funds carried forward are £67,274 (2019: £73,839). ## The Restricted Funds These balances carried forward represent the money received for specific purposes and not yet spent. |ent.|| |---|---| |**Alms**
**Liturgical Display**
**Restoration Appeal**
**Emergency**
**Pastoral**
**Zambia**
**Music Endowment**
**Organ Restoration**|**3,490**| ||**859**| ||**56,259**| ||**1,019**| ||**635**| ||**2,423**| ||| ||**64,685**| ||| ||**10,000**| ||**141,900**| **Page 18** ## The Restricted Funds Alms are collecDons received but not yet remiKed. RestoraDon Fund monies are the accumulaDon of fund-raising efforts less monies expended. We recovered VAT of £5,708 relaDng to expenditure in the previous year. Income totalled £13,939 which included £10,500 from the sale of the 1541 Coverdale bible. The lockdown prevented us from benefi[ng from the fete and Marilyn’s lectures. Emergency Fund has collecDons which are accumulated and disbursed to specific appeals e.g. a natural disaster. The Flower Fund donaDons of £40 just covered expenditure of £40 and so the Fund is exhausted. The Pastoral Fund is at the disposal of the parish priest. There was a collecDon of £63 and £499 was used for some pastoral grants. Zambia - £54 alms collected for our link parish and the seminary in Zambia. Organ RestoraDon Fund has benefiKed froma donaDon of £106,250 from a parishioner. The Unrestricted Funds Budget for 2021 It is difficult to anDcipate income and expenditure whilst the Covd-19 pandemic restricts church acDviDes. Income: We are budgeDng for £107,000. In 2020 Income totalled £90,728 ## Expenditure: We are budgeDng for a total of £108,000 (2019: £105,209). The main item (which is difficult to budget) is church maintenance. We have allocated a round sum of £15,000 We have agreed that it is prudent to maintain reserves of around 6 months of budgeted expenditure which amounts to around £54,000 The budgeted Deficit of £1,000 for 2021 will reduce the Unrestricted Reserves to £66,274 **Nick Lennard Treasurer** **Page 19** ST mARYTHEMRGWBATFrw￿K srATEFAETrtr(￿F￿OtKL4￿ACTNrr￿s roT*LFUNtrÈ Fw 2019 Vdvntary Ir<(ff¢ $5ffi5 1&711 I￿3￿7 183.743 21bl 11.1 11.18> 39.949 2(cl 2( 2181 167 $10 19378 167 110252 166.217 GiaThts 3(a) 197 4¢) 16T 11 ITJ.a39 3(dJ 147 2.497 9.917 8.556 1ts1.781 167 I￿.512 194.285 DEPRE￿ATwJN 15611 NEI 114.4B11 17M14 110352 113.585 128,&91 7.916 NETMI)VEIIENTIN FUNLts 17014 110352 I21￿1 119,52UI &ALANCEsER(MjGF￿F(￿Iw￿Ao AT 1 JW4UARY2020 31.648 181 67274 64MS 141. 1&.)$6 The No￿S on P*Je$ 22 1028 lomi wt oftss8 Page 20 ST MARY THE VIRGN BATHWICK PAROCHIALCHURCH CC¥JNaL *31 C*wniw20J) )19 FLXEDA&8ETS Taroible F￿￿*￿5$e￿ 175.669 1W).397 51.754 6J.198 CURREPtT ASSETS 23246 13.¢ C&5hal eank aThJ n Iwj .297 113.543 *,897 109.*5 LVIBILrriES'. Amrthswth I10.￿1> (10.834} NETCURRENT ASSETS 103.462 NET ASSETS 263.859 162,358 FUNDS $1274 ￿,￿9 46,871 10.IMYJ 10,IKI) n Fund 141. 31.648 162.358 Page 21 ST k14RYTHEV1F￿N￿TH￿￿￿ 14)TESTOTHE F1wK￿lSTAT£1￿N7s ToT￿FUNDs 2019 2(4} 11J. 22 34,877 12,*& 3437 1D4.630 183743 1&378 109357 11.189 11,1 11.949 11.189 11,189 39.949 4¢> E￿94 F*85. F￿rTrth￿ 5.745 4S7 3.179 3.074 1,441 11.W H￿1H 3.179 1.441 21.938 743 743 22,￿7 140 161 610 610 12 I9￿78 110252 If4217 Page 22 TESTOTHEFii&SIUISTATEIIENTS 19 476 157 7.057 4.387 1529 3.573 1&*1 VIT 7rA) 5215 7.1 3m5 2.fyJ7 IW4 1.874 &2$2 2.497 7SS 7S5 5.153 478 1W12 191285 Page 23 ST hlAStYThE WRGIN ￿ThW￿￿ PAR(￿H￿L¢HuRcH¢ouTrK1L Fty 31 9.* &3 A131 10.2 84259 .734 1.428 82.162 A131 tkntw20a) 5.517 Al31 D￿￿?(0) PJ31 D￿tr￿￿r2019 4.728 4.728 *•¥ESTMENTS 57.7S4 lio.( 7.915 175.669 31 S7.75 ANPLYSSOF M￿AsSE[s BY FUND 4.728 175.49 113.543 10.081 283.B59 10.¥XX) 110,( 31. urrentA5seis urrgnt F￿A BAlarte 16.•58 67274 1D.￿> 19 7.7 4019 140 255 89 13.098 5h25 140 Page 24 2019 8231 lo.￿• IOM4 31-12-a) *165 43)4 5 1n19 .$11 13.SJ9 1*7W FW 46A71 1ga 64N5 L￿Fur 31.648 110252 7È.519 IS 10.[ 141. ID.thO nM39 %.6Q los￿￿ 67274 01•1.19 6.401 7274 5.165 657 41AI5 T2ffi2 35hl1 79.621 49.*4 25.761 .714 46071 7BS19 10.( 12243 64261 11a.937 181. 175J18 191046 162JS8 2.391 Page 25 ST IOAFtYTHE VIRGIN BATHWICK JTESTO THE FIFi￿LILsTAT￿NTs 10 AELATED PART*S Page 26 ST IAARYThE VRGIN &4THW￿K P*AWHNLCHURCH C(YJNCIL 14JTESTO THE FINAPKL4LSTATEkENTS 137 75 LBfG $1 17 Chltsens S( 27 Fmdthe 144 &wRu St Ftat 10 4.157 Page 27 sTM4Ry￿￿$IM ￿TH*￿?( kEIR￿lF￿s l JwwyaJ151.lQw*5 5CWIPIFR5 ILWI. Page 28 Si Mirs 4)n 20to28. th¢t ¢tt¢trWU￿￿d￿r￿5y￿v￿&r4I[2￿of￿BLknucsA￿2oll {thc2011 Act>ahdth sI451SXblofthe201 l Ac4a comTh￿l0￿. Inchth aMryew0fthtattcAmkn8fet￿&￿ePtbyth￿Trrclr￿ rllT5ofibc 2011 ACitrAv¢￿ts￿DMer. BAI 6QB 24 W 2021 Page 29 ## **Minutes of the Annual Vestry Mee=ng held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday 11[th] October 2020, during the 10:30 Eucharist, with Fr. Peter Edwards in the Chair** Fr. Peter welcomed people to the postponed Annual Vestry MeeDng and following Annual Parochial Church MeeDng, which owing to the current restricDons due to the Covid-19 pandemic was being held during the Eucharist (taking the place of the sermon). Fr. Peter then opened the meeDng with prayer. Those present: Churchwardens Nicola Parker and Janet Howard, plus 60 people on the parish electoral roll and 16 as observers not on the electoral roll. Also, Fr. Antony Claridge (Assistant Priest) as an observer. Apologies for absence: Shelia Edwards, Judy Mason and Neville Mason. Minutes of the Vestry MeeDng 7[th] April 2019. Copies were provided before the meeDng rather than the normal pracDce of the minutes being read by the honorary secretary. Nicholas Lennard proposed and Molly Wedge seconded that they be accepted; agreed unanimously. ## ElecDon of Churchwardens Before proceeding to the elecDon of churchwardens Fr. Peter expressed his hearPelt thanks for all Nicky Parker and Jan Howard had done during the Covid-19 pandemic, in both supporDng him personally and within the life of the church, in parDcular for the pastoral support they had provided to many of the congregaDon through regular phone calls during lock-down. He then presented them each with a giT as a token of his appreciaDon and thanks. Nicky, on behalf of the churchwardens, then thanked Fr. Peter for all that he had done during the past difficult months of the pandemic. She also thanked Clare, his wife, for all the support she had given to him over this difficult Dme. Fr. Peter reported that there were 2 nominaDons for the posiDon of Churchwardens: Nicola Jane Parker; proposed by Thelma Ann Paterson-Fox and seconded by Marilyn Joan Kirby Janet Iris Howard; proposed by Marilyn Joan Kirby and seconded by Patricia Helen Moss There being no further nominaDons, the two people named above were duly elected to serve as Churchwardens in the Parish of St Mary the Virgin Bathwick for the ensuing year. ## Deputy Churchwardens: Fr. Peter then expressed his thanks for the work that Peter Lockyer, Keith Moss and Dawn Lennard carry out behind the scenes as “Tuesday Bankers”. Fr. Peter proposed from the chair that Peter Lockyer, Keith Moss and Dawn Lennard conDnue as Deputy Churchwardens with the role of “Tuesday Bankers”, Julia Brownbridge seconded this moDon and these three appointments were agreed unanimously by the meeDng. ## Any other business: None There being no further business the meeDng was closed. **Fr Peter Edwards, Rector of Bathwick** **Page 30 Page 30** ## **Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Mee=ng Sunday 11[th] October 2020 (following Annual Vestry Mee=ng)** ## **Held during the 10:30 Eucharist due to Covid -19 pandemic restric=ons** The list of Apologies and the AKendance is noted as being the same as for the Annual Vestry MeeDng. To confrm the Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng of the 7[th] April 2019. Julie Brown proposed, and Jenny Jones seconded that the minutes be accepted as a correct record. This was agreed unanimously by the meeDng. MaKers arising from the Minutes. None To receive the New Electoral Roll. Andy Parker reported the total on the Electoral Roll remained at 134 as two members had died, and two new members had been added. To receive the Annual Parish Reports. Copies of the report booklet were available for 4 weeks before the meeDng. In order to keep the meeDng as brief as possible, rather than going through each report individually Fr. Peter thanked all those who had contributed in so many different ways to the running of St Mary’s, before menDoning in parDcular Carole SDckney who was stepping down from organising the flower arranging team, a role she had carried out faithfully for a number of years. He then appealed for new people, either individually or as a team to offer to take on this important role. Fr. Peter added that reading through the reports it was clear that there are a number of other areas which would welcome support, of if anyone was interested “consider yourself invited”! Fr. Peter then asked for a proposer and seconder for the reports as published in the booklet (filed with these minutes). Marcus Wedge proposed, and Ross Manaton seconded that the reports contained in the said booklet be accepted; agreed unanimously. To elect 3 members of Deanery Synod to service for 3 years. Fr. Peter announced that he had received the following 3 nominaDons: Stephen William Charles Howard: proposer Nicola Jane Parker; seconder Janet Iris Howard Nicola Jane Parker: proposer Janet Iris Howard; seconder Helen Walker Lees Julia Rosemary Brownbridge: proposer Marilyn Joan Kirby; seconder Janet Iris Howard There being no further nominaDons these three were duly elected to serve on Deanery Synod. Fr. Peter thanks them for offering to serve in this capacity. ElecDon of members of the Parochial Church Council. Fr. Peter announced that there were 4 vacancies for three years, 2 vacancies for 2 years and one vacancy for one year and that he had received 4 nominaDons as detailed below: Ruth Rosemary Beavin: proposer Nicola Jane Parker; seconder Janet Iris Howard Margret Clare Goodhart: proposer Nicola Jane Parker; seconder Janet Iris Howard Nicholas Peter Lennard: proposer Marilyn Joan Kirby; seconder Janet Iris Howard Carole HarrieK Skepper SDckney: proposer Marilyn Joan Kirby; seconder Nicola Jane Parker There were no further nominaDons. Fr. Peter declared the above duly elected to serve for the normal 3 year term. He then thanked them for offering to serve in this capacity. Appointment of an Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC. Nick Lennard proposed, and Nicky Parker seconded that Graham Barber be appointed as Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC; agreed unanimously. AOB: None. The meeDng ended at 11:05 am **Fr. Peter Edwards, Rector of Bathwick** **Page 31** ## **ST MARY’S, BATHWICK, ANNUAL VESTRY & PAROCHIAL MEETINGS ON SUNDAY 9[th] MAY 2021 during the Parish Eucharist at 10:30 a.m.** AGENDA FOR ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING, 1. Apologies for Absence 2. To confirm the Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of Sunday 11[th] October 2020 3. Matters arising 4. To elect two Churchwardens to serve for the ensuing year 5. To appoint deputy Churchwarden(s) for the ensuing year 6. Any other business AGENDA FOR ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING, following the Vestry Meeting 1. To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of Sunday 11[th] October 2020 2. Matters arising 3. To receive the Electoral Roll 4. To receive the Parish Annual Reports (published in the booklet), secretary’s, churchwardens’ & treasurer’s reports need to be formally received 5. To elect 4 members of the Parochial Church Council to serve for 3 years 6. To appoint an Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC 7. Matters arising there-from: “any person may ask questions about parochial matters, or bring about a discussion of such matters, by moving to give any recommendation to the PCC in relation to its duties” (Rules of Business for Annual Meetings) AGENDA FOR THE PCC MEETING immediately following the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 1. Apologies for absence 2. To welcome newly elected members 3. To elect a Vice Chairperson 4. To effect co-options 5. To appoint an Honorary Treasurer 6. To appoint an Honorary Secretary 7. To appoint members to the Standing Committee 8. To appoint an Electoral Roll Officer 9. Dates of 2021 meetings 10. Any other business **Page 32**