2024-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick

Charity Number: 1137972

ANNUAL REPORTS 2025

to be presented at

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

on Sunday 25th May 2025 following Parish Eucharist at 10:30 a.m.

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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: [e-mail] www.bathwickparishes.org.uk Phone [phone] The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with Charity Commission. Reg Charity No 1137972 PCC members who have served from 21[st] April 2024 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	Emeritus, Deanery Synod
	Stephen Howard	Vice Chairman PCC and Standing Committee ^, Deanery Synod,
		Finance Committee, Car Park Working Group, Fabric Committee,
		Organ Restoration Working Group
	Marcus Wedge	Health and Safety Officer,
Churchwardens	Jan Howard #	Standing Committee#, Fabric and Finance Committees
	Clare Goodhart	Standing Committee, Fabric and Finance Committees,
		Organ Restoration Working Group, Mission & Evangelism
		Benefice Group
	Nicky Parker ^	Safeguarding Officer,Standing Committee, Fabric, Finance, and
		Social Committees, RAG, Children’s Church ,Mission and
		Evangelism, Car Park Working Group
Diocesan Synod	John Porteous *	Vice Chairman PCC#, Standing Committee#; Fabric and Finance
		Committees, Environmental Working Group^
Deanery Synod	Thomas Bunn ^	See above
	Stephen Howard	See above.
	Nicky Parker	See above
Elected Members:	Richard Andrews #	Mission & Evangelism & Environmental Working Benefice Groups
	Julia Brownbridge	Social Committee, Car Park Working Group *
	Jan Howard^	Fabric, and Finance Committees
	Nick Lennard	Treasurer: Standing Committee, Finance and Fabric Committees
	Helen Moss #	Social Committee, Mission and Environmental Working Benefice
		Groups
	Andrew Parker	Electoral Roll Officer : Fabric Committee, Environmental Working^
		Group, Organ Restoration Working Group
	John Porteous ^	Fabric and Finance Committees
	Caroline Redfern	Mission & Evangelism Benefice Working Group
	Carole Stickney	Social and Fabric Committees
	Dominic Taylor	Environmental Benefice Working Group

Co-opted Members: None

# Until APCM 21[st] April 2024, ^From APCM 21[st] April 2024, * Until 12[th] July 2024

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.

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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.

RECTOR’S REPORT

Dear brothers and sisters,

May I begin this report with a thank you to all members of the St Mary’s church family, not only for me and Clare and our family, but – more importantly – for your faithful prayers and worship of God, and the work that you do to support the vulnerable in our own society and across the world through financial support and Dme spent supporDng a wide variety of chariDes and aid agencies.

I write this report as I prepare for a three-month sabbaDcal break covering February, March and April 2025; may I take this opportunity to thank the Diocese of Bath & Wells and the Churchwardens and PCC members of our two churches for their support and encouragement to take this period of rest and renewal. I pray that I shall be renewed for the next months and years of ministry in our parishes on my return. Thanks too to our assistant clergy and others who will be leading worship and providing pastoral support during this period of extended absence.

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Elsewhere in this report, you will find details of the various acDviDes that have taken place during the past year in the life of St Mary’s church included in this Annual Report and Accounts, a range of acDviDes that characterizes all that we do in this place to worship God, to serve him in this community, and to provide a place for community groups and individuals to meet in safety.

Thanks are due from me personally to our Churchwardens Nicky Parker and Clare Goodhart, to our PCC members, to the assistant clergy and Readers of our Benefice, 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 (or known to members of the congregaDon) who died in 2024, or whose funeral services were held in the church, and especially Kenneth Bailey, Helen Earle, Anton Fluck, William Gosling, Jacky Medlock, Nigel Perrin, Gladys Powell, William Seal and William Stockley. 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 (January 2025)

Revd Peter Edwards Rector of Bathwick

HON SECRETARY’S REPORT YEAR 2024-25

The aim of the following report is to provide certain informaDon as well as noDng significant PCC decisions not otherwise covered in the separate CommiMee and other Church Group reports. The Secretary apologies for any overlaps or omissions that may have occurred. The Standing CommiMee comprises the Chairman, the two Churchwardens, Vice Chairman, the Hon. Secretary and the Treasurer.

There were 138 members on the Electoral Roll as reported at the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on 21[th] April 2024. In addiDon, we have a number of regular aMendees who are not on the Roll.

At the Dme of wriDng, this report 8 PCC meeDngs had been held, with two further meeDngs scheduled before the APCM. The first on 12[th] March 2024 being to discuss general business, and to approve the accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2024 and the second on 30[th] April 2025 at which Annual Reports will be presented prior to the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on 25[th] May 2025.

The First PCC MeeDng 21[st] April 2024 followed immediately aOer the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng. Fr Peter welcomed members to the first meeDng of the new PCC.

The following Ofcers were elected: Hon. Treasurer Nick Lennard, Hon. Secretary Marilyn Kirby, Vice Chairman Stephen Howard, and Electoral Roll Officer Andy Parker. The MeeDng then elected the Standing CommiMee: Fr Peter Edwards, the Vice Chairman of the PCC (Stephen Howard), the Churchwardens (Clare Goodhart and Nicola Parker), the Secretary (Marilyn Kirby), the Treasurer (Nick Lennard).

There were no co-opDons to the PCC. The Parish Return was submiMed to the Diocese following this meeDng.

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The Second PCC MeeDng 8[th] May 2024 The convenors and members of the CommiMees and Working Groups of the PCC were appointed. These included a new Website Review Group covering both St Mary’s and St John’s. Also, following Marion Stoneham (August 2023) and Molly Wedge (May 2024) deciding to formally resign from doing the Church Flowers, Julia Brownbridge agreed to oversee flowers with addiDonal people as required. The Third MeeDng 26[th] June 2024 The terms of reference for the use of money in the Endowment Reserve Fund were discussed and the meeDng resolved to request the Finance CommiMee to consider this further and report back to the PCC. Stephen Howard gave a detailed report of the meeDng of Deanery Synod held on 14[th] May 2024, which covered a range of acDviDes being run by parishes across Bath. The Fourth MeeDng 14[th] July 2024 The main item was discussion of the proposed loan or purchase of a Steinway Grand Piano from the University of Bath. (At the Dme of wriDng this report the maMer is sDll in process) Nicky Parker informed the meeDng that none of the present parents were willing to take on the running of the Babies and Toddler Group. The meeDng considered how best to ensure this much valued acDvity could conDnue. The FiOh MeeDng 10[th] September 2024 This was a Joint MeeDng with St John’s PCC, together with Fr Gary Ecclestone, to review progress with the Healthy Churches IniDaDve. The meeDng agreed to carry out a second quesDonnaire survey early in 2025. The Sixth MeeDng 2[nd] October 2024 This was a long evening, as the PCC had to consider the minutes from three meeDngs! We began by considering in depth a report from Nick Lennard, together with papers submiMed prior to the meeDng by Stephen Howard regarding the terms of reference for the use of the Endowment Reserve Fund. Following this the PCC resolved to accept the proposed terms of reference.

Nicky Parker provided an update on the Toddler group. She explained that although she received one response to her advert at Bathwick School, for a leader, they had since withdrawn. However, recently two mothers had expressed interest in possibly becoming involved in the running of the group.

Other maMers considered ranged from future plans to review the Healthy Churches IniDaDve to noDng that the Quinquennial Survey had been arranged for 12[th] December 2024. The Seventh MeeDng 20[th] November 2024. The main item at this meeDng was the proposed Budget for 2025. Nick Lennard tabled the Finance CommiMee’s proposed Budget for 2024 which was accepted by the meeDng. The Eighth MeeDng 11[th] February 2025 At this meeDng Clare Goodhart and Nicky Parker outlined the arrangements for services, pastoral care and administraDon during Fr Peter’s sabbaDcal. Other maMers discussed included noDng that £1,050 had been sent to our LINK parish St James Buchi in Zambia. The Ninth MeeDng 12[th] March 2025 was sDll due to take place at the Dme of wriDng this report. It is scheduled as a normal business meeDng of the council with the addiDon of approving the accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2024 The Tenth MeeDng 30[th] April 2025 is scheduled to be the final meeDng before the APCM and is when the Annual Reports will be presented in preparaDon for the Annual MeeDng.

Marilyn Kirby, Hon PCC Secretary

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CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT ON FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS

We have been pleased to improve our kitchen faciliDes with a significant upgrade. This has been a big project, but we have new flooring, cupboards and lighDng, a beMer hot water supply and had a full redecoraDon, which has been of benefit both to our Church community and also to commercial hirers.

Our heaDng system is now more easily operated with new HIVE heaDng controls. We have an energy contract with BriDsh Gas under their Zero Carbon Energy contract scheme. A review of our building for RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) has been undertaken and none has been found. The annual roof inspecDon and clearing of guMers took place in December but there have also been occasional call outs during the year due to water ingress.

The Church inventory has been updated, and the terrier remains unchanged. Maintenance work has conDnued, and Fabric CommiMee has met regularly to review and manage projects. The Quinquennial Review was conducted in December, and we await the Report at the Dme of wriDng.

We would like to acknowledge the work of others in caring for our Church: Jenny Jones and Dawn Lennard for their gardening work; Molly Wedge, Sarah Davies and Helen Lees for their dedicated sacristy work; the Friday cleaning team and Julia Brownbridge for her help with flowers.

Clare Goodhart and Nicola Parker, Churchwardens

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health and Safety issues relaDng to the Church and Hall have been monitored during the year.

Marcus Wedge

READERS

As always Marilyn Kirby, Marcus Wedge and I conDnued to offer our support to Fr Peter in the execuDon of his role as Rector, in our various pracDcal and advisory capaciDes both “as Readers” and in a variety of other ways. We will pursue our ministries with enthusiasm and diligence during the period of Fr Peter’s absence, happy to serve the Church and the congregaDon of St Mary’s.

Stephen Howard

LESSON READERS AND INTERCESSORS

We would like to record our thanks to all those who support our services by reading a lesson or leading our prayers. Fr Richard and Jo Hunt and also Julia Brownbridge, have stepped back from their involvement as intercessors, due to their other roles at Church, but Ashton Price has joined the rota as a lesson reader and Naomi Heffer is now also an intercessor. There are currently 27 on this rota for 2025-26:

Maggie and Trevor Blackshaw, Julia Brownbridge, Sarah and Robin Davies, Clare Edwards,

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Jan and Stephen Howard, Naomi Heffer, Alex Howe, Gerald and Margaret Hull, Jenny Jones, Marilyn Kirby, Nick Lennard, Helen and John Lees, Carla Maddocks, Ross Manaton, Helen Moss, Nicky and Andy Parker, John Porteous, Ashton Price, John Price, Caroline Redfern, and Marcus Wedge.

If you would like to read a lesson or lead the intercessions, please let the Churchwardens know.

Clare Goodhart and Nicola Parker

SERVERS

I am always very proud to celebrate the work done by our skilful team of servers who conDnue to dedicate themselves to these important ministries which enhance so much our worship at St Mary’s. There can never be too many lady and gentlemen servers on the roll, and I always welcome enquiries from anyone interested in taking part in this ministry. It is recognised that servers have private lives as well and there is plenty of flexibility built into our way of working. Please ring me on 01225 466590 if you are interested or speak to me on a Sunday morning.

Stephen Howard

SIDESPEOPLE

The group of Sidespeople remains a commiMed group of parishioners. There are 13 sidespeople on the rota for 2025-26 but we really need a few more: Julia Brownbridge, Paul Chilvers, Robin and Sarah Davies, Alex Howe, Helen Lees, Nick and Dawn Lennard, Carla Maddocks, Keith and Helen Moss, Nicky Parker, and Marion Stoneham. The role involves welcoming people to Church, assisDng with seaDng and any specific needs, and taking round the collecDon pouches. If you would be willing to go on the rota for an occasional duty and are on the Electoral Roll, please talk to the Churchwardens.

Clare Goodhart

SACRISTY

Another busy year and the coming months will be a challenge with different priests covering Fr. Peter’s sabbaDcal!

With the amazing support from Helen and Sarah we have coped with all the many jobs the Sacristy demands. Many grateful thanks to you both – we make an excellent team but always open to any offers of help. To our faithful Friday morning helpers – Jan for all her brass cleaning and many other jobs including keeping the Lady Chapel up together. Jayne Chorley who is such a willing helper with dusDng the sanctuary and general Ddying up!.

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Many thanks to Marion Stoneham who has stepped down from her role – she is greatly missed parDcularly with all her flowering arranging skills. Also to Neville Mason for keeping all the candles lit and many repair jobs. To Paul Chilvers an enormous thank you. He is always willing to help with moving the Nave Altar and many other jobs. All this work is done to the Glory of God

Molly Wedge

BELLRINGERS

2024 has been a steady year for the ringers at St Mary’s. We have rung for nearly every Sunday morning service, and conDnued to pracDce on a Wednesday evening. The bells have . also been well used by visiDng ringers from around the country. The summer months were parDcularly busy, with bands from London, HerXordshire, Worcestershire and even Windsor Castle enjoying ouDngs in Bath.

In May several of the band took part in a striking compeDDon – a contest for teams around the Bath area to see who can ring the best! The event was won by the team from St MaMhew’s Widcombe, but the bands represenDng the city and including Bathwick ringers were placed second and third – we were delighted.

.June saw the 80[th] anniversary of the D-Day landings, and we were proud to take part in a naDonal Ring Out for Peace commemoraDon of this historic event. Among the team on the day were our youngest ringer, 8 year old Ivy, and our newest recruit, Simon, who was taking part in his first published ringing. In September we had our own ouDng, a brilliant day out in London, where we were privileged to be able to ring on the famous Bow Bells and St MarDn in the Fields, Trafalgar Square. GeYng home was a challenge, as it was the day when Paddington staDon was closed for several hours. Most of us got home well aOer midnight, aOer a magical mystery tour around the rail network west of London, but this didn’t stop us being back at St Mary’s the next morning for Sunday service ringing !

It's always lovely to be able to ring for the Christmas services, and 2024 was no excepDon. To make it extra special, Simon was able to ring in his first quarter peal for the FesDval of Nine Lessons and Carols. This is a non-stop piece of ringing lasDng around 45 minutes, and requiring a considerable amount of concentraDon , and is a significant milestone for anyone in their ringing career. Anyone can learn to ring, so if you fancy giving it a go, come and see us on a Wednesday evening, or get in touch to arrange a lesson.

Molly Waterson, Tower Secretary

FLOWERS

A year ago it was reported that, following the reDrements of several wonderful ladies, the Friday team of regular flower arrangers had ceased to exist and that sadly no new volunteers had come forward. This has conDnued to be the case in respect of finding volunteers to do the flowers every week as has been the tradiDon in the past.

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However, although I can’t commit to every week, I am now trying to ensure that at least we have fresh flowers for the special fesDvals throughout the year.

Last Autumn, I began to assemble a list of people who would be prepared to help me, when they can, to achieve this. So far I have about 10 on the list, including a few of the former team, who may be able to offer guidance to those of us who are novices, even though they can no longer do the physical work themselves. The drawback with this arrangement is that we may reach a fesDval and find hardly any of the people on the list are available, which is what happened at Christmas!

SDll, I shall persevere, and I invite anyone who would like to join my list, to please get in touch with me on 01225 463594. No previous experience is necessary and it is really a lovely and saDsfying thing to help make our Church look beauDful.

Julia Brownbridge

GARDEN

The garden at St Mary’s conDnues to flourish whatever the weather. Weeds keep on growing which keeps both of us very busy.

We are very fortunate to have assistance from Stu to do the heavy work, which is more necessary than ever as neither of us are exactly in the first flush of youth. During the winter months he has spent Dme reducing the buddleias and some overgrowth in the bed where the Bishop’s hazel is starDng to grow.

AOer another wet winter, we are hoping the coming season will be gardening friendly as the garden is used and enjoyed for so many varied acDviDes and appreciated for its quiet tranquillity and peace.

Dawn Lennard and Jenny Jones

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MUSIC

The preparaDon of this report has highlighted for me exactly how much music happens in St Mary’s over the course of twelve months and also the fact that it is impossible to aMend all of it! The building – and its acousDc – conDnues to aMract many outside organisaDons who hold their concerts here and long may this remain the case.

The first main event of the year was the Gala Organ Concert given by Peter King on June 7[th] celebraDng the restoraDon of our Willis instrument. This was the culminaDon of many years of hard fund-raising by many people and also thanks to the remarkable generosity of our two principal donors, so it was quite amazing to see almost two hundred people in the audience, including the invited dignitaries, and to experience the wonderful performances given by Peter who has been a long-standing supporter of the project. It is the intenDon to establish an annual ‘celebrity’ recital to commemorate the restoraDon, beginning this year on Friday, 6[th] June at 7:30pm .

AMendances at our six LunchDme Concerts have been variable to say the least, leading us to consider if a Thursday at 12:30pm is the best Dme to hold them. Discussion resulted in the feeling that we should maintain the status quo at the moment and conDnue to strive to

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give these concerts as much publicity as possible, both locally and further afield. Financially, £1,090.80 was raised with £753.90 going to the Student Choral Bursary Fund and £336.90 from the September concert which was donated to Cancer UK in memory of Tony Cooper, the photographer of the organ restoraDon project.

I am sure that the Advent and Christmas carol services of 2024 will remain in our minds for some considerable Dme as both were such enjoyable and moving occasions. That our choir was willing to learn and sing a number of challenging pieces in each service is a tribute to their talents and it was a privilege to be a part of those services with them.

As I write, we are all very much looking forward to our visit to Salisbury Cathedral in early March to sing Choral Evensong and we hope to conDnue and expand these visits in future years. In menDoning this, it should be recorded that we are very pleased to have George Bevan with us currently as organist for our monthly Choral Evensongs at St Mary’s. Our weekly service music conDnues to benefit hugely from the contribuDons made by our five student members and I am delighted that each of them has been willing to sing an occasional solo during the past year. In September, we also welcomed JusDn Vyvyan Jones as an addiDonal tenor who has quickly seMled in and become a valuable asset. In conclusion, I think it safe to say that 2024 was a memorable musical year at St Mary’s and there is much to look forward to in 2025. When I look at it, we have a wonderful choir, a supporDve Rector and an appreciaDve congregaDon – oh, and I have a virtually ‘new’ organ to play. What more could a Director of Music require?!

Gary Desmond

HALL AND CHURCH HIRE

We conDnue to maintain our regular bookings with U3A art group, WI, Pilates, Camerata, HBRG, Vocal Works Gospel Choir and Simi’s Cookery Class. Again, we have had a couple enquiries for new regular hall hire but this conDnues to be difficult due to some groups meeDng once a month etc. In 2024 the U3A art group ran a summer term again, as well as their usual autumn and spring term so hopefully they will run a summer term in 2025. Unfortunately, the Yoga class on a Tuesday morning haven’t returned since the summer due to not enough people.

The hall conDnues to be under-used during the day in the week on Monday aOernoons, Tuesday mornings and aOernoons, all day Thursday and Friday aOernoons. The day-Dme discounted rate hasn’t encouraged any other new groups. Pilates are the only group which have the discounted rate for having the booking on a Wednesday lunchDme.

The hall conDnues to be used for occasional bookings and has been popular with residents’ groups such as meeDngs, AGMs, socials etc. Hall bookings for children’s birthday parDes conDnue to be popular during the weekend. A lot of the bookings are from our toddler group, children at Bathwick St Mary School and people who have been to a child’s party at St Mary’s hall before.

During 2024 we had various choir workshops and concerts by Bath Bachfest, Lucis Choir, The Handful, Bath Cantata Group, University of Bath Choral and Orchestral Society, Bath FesDvals, St Mary’s Choir and Horizons Choir choral event, Bath Choral Society, Bath Camerata (two concerts), Bath Bach Choir, Bath MozarXest, a number of concerts by Musicke in the Ayre and two concerts by the University Chamber Choir. During Lent we had

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The Façade Ensemble concert. We had Bromley Junior School morning coffee concert, and we had our opening Gala Organ Recital by Dr Peter King. In December we had carol services for King Edward’s Junior School and Bathwick St Mary School.

The diary for 2025 is geYng booked up with various bookings for residents’ associaDon meeDngs, concerts, workshops, children’s birthday parDes, rehearsals and regular bookings. In November MozarXest have a concert booking each day for eight days!! Again, we already have a booking for 2026!!

Kerry Hughes, Parish Administrator

RESTORATION ACTION GROUP

During the year RAG ran a range of fundraising acDviDes including the very successful Summer Fete on 1st June and a Coffee Morning Plus 23[rd] November which included craO and cake stalls. The illustrated travel lectures conDnue to be popular and focussed on Australia. Linked to these was a special “Pictorial CelebraDon of Australia Evening” on 29[th] June, which gave me the opportunity to showcase some of my best Aussie photos, especially wildlife .

The Spring/Summer Travel Lectures restart at the beginning of March where the focus will be on Orkney. The Summer Fete will be held on 21[st] June this year.

We really need some new people, with fresh ideas to join us. So, please speak to Andy or Nicky Parker or me, if you would be interested . It doesn’t involve many meeDngs. Also, although these are usually held during the aOernoon, if evenings would suit you beMer, we can fit round that.

Marilyn Kirby

SOCIAL

Social events have followed the usual paMern this year. We had two Bring & Share lunches, one to celebrate Pentecost and one on All Saints Sunday. As always these were most enjoyable. We were pleased to welcome Bishop Michael, Bath & Wells, to choral evensong on our Patronal FesDval in September and this was followed by drinks and canapés. This was Bishop Michael’s first visit to Bathwick and it was good to meet him personally.

It was St Mary’s turn to host the harvest supper in October and this once again proved to be a lovely evening. Fr Chris Kinch was our special guest, along with his family, and we used this occasion to thank him for his ministry to us in Bathwick over the past 10 years. As always the summer fete in June and the coffee morning in November were organised primarily as fund raising events but the social side of these occasions are just as important. Finally we started our Christmas celebraDons with mulled wine and mince pies aOer the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, which is always well aMended.

Many thanks to the members of the Social CommiMee and to everyone else who lends a hand. We are always in need of new people on the commiMee so please don’t wait to be asked.

Nicola Parker

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ALMSGIVING

During 2024 we conDnued our pracDce of giving away our weekly collecDons in the blue envelopes to local and naDonal chariDes, and we are grateful that members of the congregaDon conDnue to support a wide range of chariDes in this way. In total we donated to 27 chariDes – 11 local chariDes based in Bath of which 7 had three collecDons during the year, 2 chariDes with local connecDons (Goa Anglican Centre and Redearth Village Schools in Uganda whose founder lives in Bath),11 naDonal chariDes and 3 inhouse ones for Emergency Aid (4 a year), the Pastoral Fund (4 a year) and Bathwick honorary/assistant clergy ( one collecDon at Pentecost). The resulDng amounts collected meant that local chariDes received an average of £200-300 and one, Genesis, almost £1,000. There was one special collecDon for the DEC Middle East Appeal which raised £227.

At a joint meeDng of St Mary’s and St John’s PCCs in September 2024 to discuss Mission and Evangelism a decision was made to look at supporDng local chariDes more by not only giving them money but building up a relaDonship with them. As a result, St Mary’s will be supporDng one local charity a month in 2025 and three naDonal chariDes in those months where there are 5 Sundays, as outlined in both the January and February ediDons of the Bathwick News.

Robin and Sarah Davies

ZAMBIA REPORT

St James Buchi seems to go from strength to strength with a strong Mother's Union, youth groups and a men's group. Fr Freddie has sent me emails throughout the year with pictures and video clips of services and these groups and I have responded and sent him a video clip from the carol service.

They were very excited to receive a visit from Bishop Michael earlier in the year when he toured Zambia. He saw the houses that the church is building, and they told Bishop that we had helped by sending money with Fr Alfred. It was a great to joy to hear that we have at last managed to transfer the money St Mary's had raised to St James, Buchi. This is an extract from 2 WhatsApp messages I received from Fr Freddie thanking St Mary's.

“I am writing on behalf of St James Anglican Church, Buchi to express our heartfelt gratitude for the financial assistance you sent to our Church through Nick Lennard. Your generous support will make a significant impact on the building project that the church of St James has embarked on..

We are deeply grateful for the link between our two churches and your willingness to support the self-sustenance mission of our Church. We have bought some iron sheets for our housing projects at the St James church. Part of the money will go to assist our elderly and vulnerable people in the church by buying them Xmas hampers which will include our staple food of meal mealie. Over the years our aging sound system at St James, especially the Amplifier, have become outdated and difficult to use for our church services and community events. As a result, part of your financial support has been used to acquire the Amplifiermixer for the church to help in our evangelism. I shall con:nue upda:ng you on our happenings and progress at our church”

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I feel that, on my own, I do not do enough to make this link a reality within St Mary's and would appreciate it if we had a small group that could rejuvenate the link from our end and make it more visible in the life of St Mary's. We could learn a lot from our brothers and sisters in Zambia as well as helping support their mission.

Joanna Hunt

WALSINGHAM

Fourteen pilgrims (including 10-year-old Iona) went to Walsingham on the 28[th] July for 5 wonderful days.

We had our normal services of Morning Prayer, Mass, the Liturgy of Sprinkling, BenedicDon of the Blessed Sacrament and Healing, and the procession of Our Lady and BenedicDon. Plus, on Monday. a visit to Holkham Hall Gardens, on one of the hoMest days of the week. Tuesday, a walk to the Slipper Chapel, where, inspired by Iona, who wanted to do what pilgrims of old did, seven pilgrims walked back along the roadway bare footed! Wednesday a small number of Pilgrims went to Wells-Next-To-Sea, whilst others enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the Shrine gardens and the Shrine itself. AOer the evening service, we gathered for drinks and nibbles and a happy hour or so geYng to know one another a liMle more (there is always something new to learn about a person you think you know quite well).

It was my great pleasure to have three of our Pilgrims become members of The Society of Our Lady of Walsingham and to become a member of the Bathwick Cell. This small service was led by Fr Peter, who welcomed Di at Mass on Tuesday morning; and on Thursday, aOer our final visit to The Shrine, Wynn and Iona were welcomed, and this small service was led by the Shrine Priest himself, Fr Edward Gunn

Our journey home from Walsingham was slightly longer than usual due to road accidents and the sheer volume of traffic. We arrived back Dred but elated from a wonderful, happy Pilgrimage.

The Cell meets every 2[nd] Sunday of the month at St John’s, plus we honour the Marian fesDvals as well and go to the Glastonbury Pilgrimage. We have fourteen members but are always happy to welcome non-members to our services. Please come and join us if you would like to. The services are adverDsed in the weekly news sheets.

Chris Plummer

JUNIOR CHURCH

This past year there have been very few young people in church and consequently there have been very few actual Junior church sessions. However, I always have something prepared just in case.

Nicola Parker

BATHWICK BABY & TODDLER GROUP

The Babies & Toddler group meet twice a week on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am. Both sessions are well aMended, with Fridays being parDcularly busy. The group is an important outreach into the community and is much appreciated by the mums/dads/carers who aMend; one recently describing it as ‘a lifeline’.

When the group was first set up it was run by a commiMee of parents with help from church volunteers. However, this summer no one was prepared to take on the commiMee posiDons,

Page 13

so, in order to keep the group going, it is now run purely by church volunteers and the finances have been taken over by the PCC.

Our problem now is finding enough volunteers – 2 each session – one ‘on the door’ to welcome the mums/dads/carers and one in the kitchen making refreshments. We have considered paying for a Play Group Leader, but, despite adverDsing, no-one came forward. Thank you to Jo Hunt, Jan Howard, Clare Edwards, Clare Goodhart ,Amy Mills and Rosemary Cumming for your help and enthusiasm and if anyone else is interested in helping, parDcularly on a Friday, please speak to either Jo Hunt or Nicky Parker

Nicola Parker

MISSION REPORT

Of course, everything we do as a Church is witness to our faith and this set of annual reports sets out many acDviDes through which we do this. This parDcular group meets occasionally and explores ideas. We are a floaDng membership and those who have joined in over the year include Nicky Parker, Dominic Taylor, Sarah Davis, Julia Brownbridge ,Fr Peter and Fr Richard. We will set up another meeDng once the survey results are in – and if you would like to join us, please make yourself known.

The Church of England has provided central funding to enable all churches to explore how they might flourish and grow. We have been working through the Natural Church Development model, facilitated by Fr Gary Ecclestone who has aMended a number of meeDngs and who was our visiDng preacher in January 2025. The key principles of this model are that :

God brings health and growth to the Church Each church and its congregaDon have giOs which it can release and nurture Each church has limiDng issues and obstacles

If we build on our God-given giOs and strengths we will flourish and maybe we will grow as a ChrisDan community

The surveys helps this group understand what the whole church sees as its strengths and to open up conversaDons as to what we might build on. We look forward to the output of the current survey later in the year.

The two outstanding issues of the last survey were that people felt they could use their giOs within church life and that the worship we experience on a Sunday is inspiring and enjoyable. We also know that we are a Church which is hospitable and welcoming, with many members of the congregaDon acDve in their local communiDes and in places of need across Bath and with a core of people who welcome opportuniDes to explore their faith more deeply. The challenge is how we can all share this so more people might join us! One reason we like this model is because it is about building on who we are and what we already do. It is about doing new things because they emerge from who we are, not for the sake of some different. As an example, the Charity Breakfasts set up by Clare Edwards which have been a great success. If you have any thoughts, please share them with any one of us.

Caroline Redfern

Page 14

BATHWICK ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Friends, I hope and pray this report finds you all well and having had a blessed Christmas and 2024.

Over the course of 2024, our children conDnued to thrive as part of our Church school, where the six core ChrisDan Values of Love, Joyfulness, Respect, Forgiveness, Perseverance, Fairness permeate every aspect of all we do. Our EducaDon Sunday service was held on Sunday 19[th] January where children from every class in school presented some of their learning in the service. It was a joy to be part of the service and also wish Fr. Peter a resXul and beneficial sabbaDcal. We will miss his presence at school but are grateful to other members of our congregaDon, including Stephen Howard, who will kindly help maintain the wonderful links between school and church in Fr. Peter’s absence.

Over the past year there was much to celebrate. Firstly, staff have been busy updaDng the Bathwick Curriculum to ensure that it fits our diverse school community. There are some exciDng new topics and themes that children will learn about this year as well as many of the same topics staying in place with just smaller changes. Underpinning all of this is the word ACE. This stands for… AMBITIOUS, CREATIVE and ETHICAL …three words that represent Bathwick St. Mary as a Church school, our Bathwick curriculum and what we hope all our children aspire to be. Children were involved in this work and went on to develop ideas for how to represent these words as pictures or logos.

We have worked hard on further developing our extended curriculum, with many extra curricular and carefully planned trips and visits embedded, designed to enhance the children’s learning. Just a few examples of this are regular sporDng events, such as the Year 4, 5 and 6 Cross Country; a Roman Day in Year 4; RecepDon Trips to Sydney Gardens to beMer understand the seasons; ‘evacuaDng’ Year 6 as part of learning about the second World War, and some wonderful creaDve arts performances across the school. This includes our fabulous choir who performed at the Bath Abbey Carol service and our end of term Christmas Carol service at St Mary’s church in December, 2024.

Our Parent Teacher AssociaDon (PTA) raised around £20,000 last year, which we, this year, we are using to refurbish and enhance our Library in school. Over the next few months, we will be moving the library to a bigger space downstairs in order to conDnue to promote a love of reading and books in our pupils. Mrs Turner, our school Librarian, has been instrumental in pushing this forward and we hope to open the new ‘Wheatley Room Library’ aOer Easter There are many opportuniDes for us to conDnue working closely together. Please do come to our Easter Service on 4[th] April at 1.30 p.m. and the Leavers’ Service on Thursday 17[th] July also at 1.30 p.m. I would like to thank our staff team who work so hard to provide a brilliant educaDon for all our children. Thank you also to Fr. Peter for his prayers and support; we wish him well for his forthcoming sabbaDcal. We look forward to conDnuing to build on our close partnership with all at St. Mary’s and St. John’s throughout this year. With warmest regards ,

Kevin Purkiss, Headteacher

Page 15

CAR PARKING

The car park conDnues to be a good source of income for the church, but it is important to remember that church acDviDes always have priority.

In the past we benefited considerably from a local hotel with no parking of its own which used the church car park for its guests. However, in the summer this hotel changed hands and the new owners send their guests elsewhere to park. Several other hotels and B&Bs use us but not to the same extent at the moment. In the summer we have addiDonal income from the Narrowboat Centre and in the winter from Rugby matches and we also have a couple of regular weekly bookings.

Nicola Parker

SAFEGUARDING

I am happy to report that the PCC have complied with its duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops' Safeguarding Policy and PracDce Guidance.

Safeguarding in the Church of England has, unfortunately, been in the news this year and it has highlighted the need to be vigilant within our own church community. As I have said before it is not just a legal requirement , it should be part of our ongoing pastoral care looking out for each other.

All PCC members are required to take both the Basic Safeguarding Awareness and FoundaDon Training and I would also commend the course on recognising DomesDc Abuse. All these can be accessed on line by going to: hMps://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org These online courses are available to anyone and help to highlight and recognise vulnerabiliDes that we may not have thought of before.

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

MOTHERS’ UNION

The Mothers’ Union is a global ChrisDan movement which is acDve in 83 countries round the world. Their present programme is “one more step”, working with women in Burundi (in East Africa). Sabina joined her local MU Literacy Group and since then she has started a small business selling bananas, cabbage, potatoes and more, with the profit enabling her

to send her children to school .

Shelia Sims

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

The World Day of Prayer is held on the first Friday of March and is wriMen by ChrisDan women of countries around the world. Churches in Bath take part each year.

Shelia Sims

Page 16

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

Your acDve Deanery Reps are Nicky Parker, Fr Peter (who aMends in his own right) Thomas Bunn and myself. I have had a couple of clashes of events this Dme around and so this summary is a liMle patchy in relaDon to the later part of last year. The direcDon of travel on the plans and policies remains the same.

Bath Deanery has 43 parish-based and Deanery-based Anglican worshipping communiDes and chaplaincies. 32 are parishes, under the oversight of a reducing number of full-Dme sDpendiary clergy, self-supporDng clergy (including house duty) and Readers. There are ancillary projects including Pioneers in Magnificat Parishes. The Five Year Plan for the Deanery is to reduce sDpendiary clergy to 17 by 2027. This excludes chaplaincies. The Rev Charles Peer has become the new Archdeacon of Bath following the reDrement of The Rev Dr Adrian Youings from this role. The Rev Stephen Girling has taken up a post in another diocese and The Rev Roger Driver (of St Michaels Without) is the new Area Dean in his place.

The current focus is on pan-city ministries. We are urged to share with PCCs the movement for partnership between parishes and pioneering. Likewise student, youth and young adult ministries, new worshiping communiDes, and evangelism and pastoral care across the city. There are opportuniDes open for people interested in lay pastoral work or care.

The chaplains of both universiDes are passionate about building links with the churches and indeed Rev Nigel Rawlinson is becoming a regular visitor to St Mary’s during Fr Peter’s absence.

There is a new(ish) contemplaDve prayer group, open to non-ChrisDans run by Rev Philip Hawthorn of St Stephens Lansdown.

Methodologies for calculaDng Parish Share are being considered

Stephen Howard

Page 17

Green Report

Energy CO2 Gas Electricity Year Tonnes kWh kWh 2021/22 33.2 109,649 10,896 2022/23 38.9 128,680 12,835 2023/24 43.68 144,492 12,797

The Church of England requires all Churches to be carbon neutral by 2030. When are we going to make some progress?

Keith Moss

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 18

TREASURER'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The finance commiMee 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.

Unrestricted funds comprise the general operaDng expenses of the church and the other funds are for monies received and expended for certain specific purposes. The financial results for the year have been poor.

The income from giving by the congregaDon (includes GiO Aid tax reclaimed ) was £57,453 (2023: £61,410) which was an decrease of £3,957.

Income from the car park was only £14,770 which was a decrease of £10,044 Income from investments amounted to £12,808, and the church maintenance trust, (which is a separate fund which does not appear in our accounts) gave us £13,170,

Total Expenditure was £135,738 (2023: £128,436)

of which the largest component was our quota to the Diocese of £58,668 (2023: £51,015). Church maintenance of £13,023 exceeded the budget, following roof repairs and a RAAC inspecDon of the hall. The Unrestricted Funds Deficit for the year was £8,314 (2023: Deficit £987) The value of Investments increased by £3,078 (2023: increase of £11,565) The Unrestricted Reserves are now £77,236 (2023: £85,549)

Page 19

Restricted funds

Funds given for a parDcular purpose are known as Restricted Funds and include Alms, RestoraDon Appeal, Emergency, Pastoral, Zambia, and the Choir Bursary Fund.

The Emergency Fund has collecDons and is then disbursed to specific appeals such as natural disasters. The Pastoral Fund is at the disposal of the parish priest. CollecDons produced £387

The Choristers Bursary Fund received giOs of £4,649 and was used for bursaries. The remaining funds £7,226 will support choristers in forthcoming years.

The Restora@on Fund benefits from fund-raising acDviDes and was used to pay for replacement of the kitchen floor and cupboards. Also repoinDng the flagstones in the parking areas. The balance remaining is now £42,380.

The Organ Restora@on Fund benefiMed from a Grant of £6,808 equivalent to the VAT on the final instalment. Laura and Rando Howard elected (by Deed of VariaDon) to assign £40,000 of their giOs within the Organ Fund to the Endowment Reserve Fund, so the balance of the Organ Fund is now £25,044

and will be used to finance the maintenance of the organ in the future.

The Music Endowment Fund contains £10,000. The interest on this fund is given for music at the church. Endowment Reserve Fund . This fund of £190,665 was created from the giOs from Laura and Rando Howard. Income from the fund supports the church. The Capital may only be spent subject to prior resoluDon of the PCC and the donors.

RESTRICTED AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Assets

The Total Net Assets as at 31 December 2024 were £361.563 (2023: £416,324). which include Investments with the CCLA amounDng to £314,303

Page 20

The Unrestricted Funds Budget for 2025

Income: £119,027. (2024 £125,961) Income from parishioners is falling.

Expenditure

Expenditure: We are budgeDng for a total of £136,055 (2024: Expenditure was £137,353). The main item which is difficult to budget is church maintenance and we have allocated £14,000.

The Diocesan Common Fund payment has been increased to £58,974 from £58,668 in 2024

The Unrestricted Reserves on 1st January 2025 are £77,236

In the past we have agreed that it is prudent to maintain reserves of around 6 months of budgeted expenditure which amounts to around £68,000.

The budgeted Deficit of £17,027 for 2025 will reduce the Unrestricted Reserves to £60,209

Nick Lennard Treasurer

Page 21

STIJARYTHE VIRGYiwiiTrfbV PARCCHNL CHURCHCCXJtrKIL STATEklENTOF AcnvmES TOTAL FUNDS 21a) 5T.453 11.rn 1S5 ¥29.599 1&170 15.1 12.7&1 2(c> 41.751 47,113 54294 21dJ 72,912 Z¢èl 18 042 EXF•J￿r• a) 119BB 132 132 171 thr• WaatrV￿fvWryk ol Chut¢h c> 111W 21010 147 el 17,025 17P 15W6 DEPREU&TION I1￿15> 11.70n IIU4.IJL)I G￿N￿LOsSEs0M INVEsTI￿s 13 NET fthEMENfiN Fiv& (4314) 111,7441 ,7621 117DATL) BALANCES BAOUGHT FORWARD AT 1 JANUARY2024 ,748 1W65 AT31 Oecertw 2V24 416 The Notes on Pages 24 to &) fottn partol these axx)unts Page 22

ST MARY THE VIRGIN BATHWICI( PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL BALANCE SHEET ai 31 Oecemtw 2024 FIXED ASSETS Tangitle Fixed Asse1$ 314. 315.71 134471 137.494 CURAENT ASSETS 17.818 32.789 Cash al Bathk arKI In 254.7Y 287.543 LIABIUTIES.. Amwnts laliTra thJe vnlhin yeaf 110.SS51 18,7121 NET CURRENT ASSETS 45,852 278 831 NET ASSETS 416 324 FUNDS Unlesli￿ed 77 85.550 Restr￿e￿ 58.618 70,362 Organ Fund 99,748 Endoyment 2W.665 160.665 361. Apwoved by the ParochKal Ctrwrch CourKd on l*h Klarch 8)25 a￿j sigwd M rts behalf ty". Parker The N￿e5 pn Pages 24 to 301(wm part ot these Kc¢xJn15 Page 23

ST kWIVTHE VIRGIN BATHw￿ PARCtHIAL )TESTOTHE STATEMENTS Sg9 AwpTwJix to ￿￿(￿nts 2 ItKoM• TOTAL FUNDS FLXKI 214) Vglunlary Plant￿0 ts￿1￿". Gfft Athd GMf¥J 10.29) 2.1gl 12.37T 12D,387 4,715 8,39) 7242 7.242 4.JlY 57.453 69.327 T29,599 b) Othu ¥￿Un￿ Ir￿4￿n& 13.170 13.170 12,760 13.170 13.17Q Fetes. FarT￿2 2.147 2.275 2,618 855 1Q,075 12,149 1,783 24,814 all Hire Chutch Uso P¢¢ FF95 CarP 10. 2.740 14.770 3.104 14.178 2.740 14.770 5251 ¢• OthAw ordIn￿ Inc¢Nnfr Grant. VAT RecoveTed 72,912 IntWPSt lfy(w} 12. 12.WB 14.844 14.814 2U,286 20.286 125.*1 19.026 iS2.042 389.8Si Page 24

STlAARYTHEVIAGN￿IFN￿￿K PAACThWLCWRCH C(rtJNaL FK>TESTOTHE F￿￿K￿LsTATEME1{rS TOTAL FUNDS Futx15 Fu 3(al Grnnts 47T 2,957 Chuichf)rtseas.AwJ IM77 178 10.5TI 12. 7,07B 4bl S￿¢￿￿ts Put￿lC￿ts 132 132 l¢} rnlalr¥J thè¥JorofCtAY D￿￿Esan FutMI rth RunThty Co#s HÈatrng￿L￿ Ckani InSura￿.'￿Iky. Plaie8 4,378 6,194 4,532 1.1 1J.L 1.1 14.673 12.974 41.3Sg 430,827 &357 3.357 2,918 ganaThJChyr. Chyan lo.rn 475 11.248 7.128 2.473 2.192 9.￿3 6.760 740 2,354 x4Line 8arth Chatg85 120 497 113.439 22.010 41.759 171.208 tsc4 E¥erts 914 75D 4,147 Pnr•ro Crwiry 621 17.ro5 17.fQ5 135.rn ￿.770 41.759 572.374 Page 25

ST MARY THE WRGIN BATHW￿K PARWHNL CHLIRCH cou￿lL NOTES TOTHE FIPiAKWL STATEMENTS Forthe y ernSrrfJ 31 D￿￿bfftT 2024 XED ASSETS FOR LISE BYThE PCC FrBehold Land Equiwnent and Bulldlr Total GrLW Book 13.735 13.73$ tlepreciqllon Al l Januwy2024 10.713 79￿)7 1.615 81.421 Al 31 Dwitw %)24 12.327 Net Book Val Al 31 2024 At 31 20¥J 3.Q23 INVESTrAENTS IY.471 176.7Y 3.078 Aththor6 Nelgan on * 31 0￿be￿￿24 Al 31 Decerntwap4 At31 D￿rn￿er3￿13 314.3 ANALYStsOF NET A55ETS BY FUND Funds FuThJ$ Fu Fund Inve51rnents Current Current LIa￿lI￿eS Fund Baknce $5.019 31.163 SB.618 2(4J.665 314.y)J 10.355 3SI.563 58.618 25.044 2(X).665 OEBTOAS I￿Ome Tax ReL¥Jver 15 778 Prepawn•tts Fk)ats 16. 17.818 32.789 Page 26

ST k14RYTHE VIRGIN ￿THw￿K PAR(Kx￿LcF￿A¢H

TES TO THE F1PUKf￿LsTATE￿FFirs 8 UABILMES: lolll knwthlrOTr 1.750 5.747 1ll3 8.712 PaJ 014)1-24 31-12-24 3.507 427 7.947 367 7.ty27 767 Lituwd Dts￿y RfStO￿ti￿ Fu 477 477 75 14.757 616 254 Choir Butsary FUTh 9.461 19. .770 $8.619 Fund 99.74 160.665 247 34.￿1 140.IKK)I .665 71.236 361.5S3 125.%1 134.275 416.325 145.734 19J.996 014)l-ZS 31-12- 1224 3.n4 S.￿7 427 184 3218 378 Lrturw D**y Res￿ra￿￿ Fur 47T 47248 1(¢4 2Z37 477 4015 497 332 9.4fj1 cnoir sjrsary Furvj 11075 c•w Fund 99.748 1W.665 .550 10.LKK) 74.971 I￿,665 129_1 118.57B 389.851 .173 416 324 Page 27

STiiARYTHEWRGN &4THWKK )TESTOTHE FINATrK￿ STATEMEFUS 10 RELITEDFUNDS 11 HE￿TEDp￿￿rnES Page 28

ST MARY THE VIRGIN BATHWICK PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the >tar eThJirwJ 31 D￿rnter 2024 MISgONARY AND CHARITABLE GIIfjNG RedEarth Lbganda Goa ANJlican Cen Mercy in ActK)n Church thrseas. MissK)ns 151 156 USPG 8amaLxts AKI Childrens So¢￿ty DEC Klthle East Ar4)e St James BLthi Zamtya LINK Church Ovetseas. AIJ 74 510 227 1.877 BitrAes for Chiklren Miswn 10 Seafarers Home Missvjns aThJ Church SLtiètses 178 nal Curales Sc¢ Bath City Pastor5 Bath Wekx)rnes Refugees Baih Wornen'5 RelugB Cancer Research Christian Aid Cornbat Stre&s Connect al Christrnas DHI Dorolhy House FtKxI Bank Gene$￿ Tntsl Julian House Sw ol Mary & Martha So¢w of Si FTarKis Other Chariti8S 210 191 942 57 75 3x32 Pastoral Fund Balhwth St Mary Sc 2,350 C05t of E¥errtS 518 8.512 Page 29

STMAAYIHE MTHW PAR￿￿1 CHURCH ￿lF￿lL of IFRS 1(W letfthè l ja￿20151. IFRS 1Qlk {kn￿s￿￿2011. Sl PC¢ii￿%ts FFIS 102. FUTr 1￿2) lal ￿ Icl #al&iiwts. Page 30

rryorti•the Pr•thi￿￿•TchctsU￿rFCo ur Sl Mr) tht Vlrèkn, B•thTrirk l TWrtohth¢ fiMial 5WcllThtsofthrTfC hthEyearendEd31 D￿ethr2014.thh￿e s¢0 pagc5 22 ￿ ￿. Rtsfft¢r¢sPOA￿￿o￿s￿fIknPCc•￿ th•tanauttst ts nrtwirtd(Ythis vcarwth&144(2lofthECknitiesALg Wll lthe2011 AL*) athjth ¢xamin¢thtatc(HJlltsuth5145oCthe2011 Aci 514515Xblofthe2bll AcL4 (￿np￿t￿ofthCJ￿oUUtswrnb ￿?￿e r￿.11alsO ￿1￿&stOn5￿n83￿> unusual ithsor Ibett4uUetsK￿01lk2o1E Acl]HVE]NA I&M￿stE[waY BA2 6RH 24May2025 Page 31

Minutes of the Annual Vestry Meeting held in St Mary’s Church Hall on Sunday 21st April 2024, following the 10:30 Eucharist.

Fr Peter Edwards welcomed people to the Annual Vestry MeeDng Those present: Churchwardens: Clare Goodhart and Janet Howard, plus 33 people on the parish electoral roll. Also present as an observer Fr Richard Hunt. Apologies for absence: Richard Andrews, Beryl Desmond, Gary Desmond, Marion Stoneham, Dominic Taylor, Marcus Wedge and Molly Wedge. Minutes of the Vestry MeeDng 16[th] April 2023. Copies were provided before the meeDng. Andrew Parker proposed, and Helen Moss seconded that they be accepted; agreed unanimously .

MaMers Arising from the Vestry MeeDng 16[th] April 2023: Andrew Parker thanked, on behalf of the church members, Fr Peter for all the work he carries out throughout the year. ElecDon of Churchwardens

Before proceeding to the elecDon of churchwardens, Fr Peter Edwards thanked the churchwardens for all their support and hard work during the past year. He specially menDoned Janet Howard as she had completed six years of service as a Churchwarden. He pointed out this spanned years pre and post the Covid Pandemic, and during that Dme there had been a number of major restoraDon projects including the Organ. Fr Peter then presented her with a hydrangea, as a token of his and the congregaDon’s appreciaDon and thanks for all her work and support during this Dme. The Secretary, Dr Marilyn Kirby, reported that there were 2 nominaDons for the posiDon of Churchwardens:

Margaret Clare Goodhart: proposed by Janet Iris Howard and seconded by Marilyn Joan Kirby Nicola Jane Parker: proposed by Marilyn Joan Kirby and seconded by Margaret Clare Goodhart 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 Keith Moss and Dawn Lennard carry out behind the scenes as “Tuesday Bankers”. Fr Peter told the meeDng that Keith had carried out this work for a number of years before being joined by Dawn Lennard. He then recommended that Janet Howard be appointed as a Deputy Churchwarden so that she could step in when required.

Andrew Parker proposed, and Joanna Hunt seconded that Keith Moss, Dawn Lennard conDnue as Deputy Churchwardens with the role of “Tuesday Bankers” and that Janet Howard also be appointed as a Deputy Churchwarden. These appointments were agreed unanimously by the meeDng.

Any other business: None There being no further business the meeDng was closed at 12:10.

Fr Peter Edwards Rector St Mary’s Bathwick

Page 32 Page 32

Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Mee@ng Sunday 21st April 2024(following Annual Vestry Mee@ng) aEer the 10:30 Eucharist as members of the PCC.

The list of Apologies and the AMendance was the same as for the Annual Vestry MeeDng.

1. To confrm the Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng of the 16[th] April 2023. Nicky Parker proposed, and Jean Tanser seconded that the minutes be accepted as a correct record. This was agreed unanimously by the meeDng.

2. MaMers arising from the Minutes. None

3. To receive the New Electoral Roll. Andy Parker reported the total on the Electoral Roll was 138, an increase of two from 16[th] April 2023. During the year there had been three deaths, and five new people had joined the Electoral Roll. Fr Peter thanked Andy Parker for his work as Electoral Roll Officer. Note a full revision of the Electoral Roll is required next year.

To receive the Annual Parish Reports. Copies of the report booklet were available before the meeDng. Fr Peter began by thanking the Standing CommiMee and the PCC for their support during the year. He then thanked Nick Lennard and Marilyn Kirby for their work, especially in producing the Annual Reports. He concluded by thanking all those in the congregaDon who had contributed in so many ways to the running of St Mary’s.

To keep the meeDng as brief as possible, rather than going through each report individually Fr Peter asked if anyone wanted to add further informaDon or if anyone had any quesDons. Note a copy of the Annual Reports 2024 is filed with these Minutes and the page numbers following the reports referred to below relate to this Booklet.

A. Almsgiving (page 12) Sarah Davies explained PCC had considered the points raised in the final paragraph of this report, at their meeDng on 21[st] February2024. The first concerned the sending of funds to our link parish of Zambia. Nick Lennard explained that he and Joanna Hunt were currently in detailed negoDaDons with Annabel Capel, Zambia Link Co-ordinator to ensure the money (presently in the Zambia Restricted Fund) can be sent safely to Buchi. Once these issues were resolved the money will be sent. (Note there are similar issues regarding ensuring the safe sending of funds held for St John’s Seminary Zambia and the House of Hope in Bethlehem).

Secondly Robin and Sarah suggested profits from Sunday and Wednesday coffee be given to the Food Bank, for use in two new iniDaDves for the children of those receiving assistance (giving new books to children and a giO voucher for the Entertainer Bath Toy Shop so a parent can get a toy for a child on their birthday). The PCC had previously agreed to this suggesDon. The third quesDon concerned the allocaDon of GiO Aid Tax on charitable donaDons. Previously this was given to the Bathwick Church School to meet its obligaDon for a capital reserve, but regulaDons changed when the school joined the Bath and Wells Academy Trust, meaning this capital fund is no longer required. The PCC had agreed to give the money to Bathwick School for the support of disadvantaged children to pay for such things as school trips.

B. Flowers (page 9) Sarah Davies wanted to re-enforce the message of the need to consider how we continue to provide flowers for the church. Sarah explained that St Mary’s had benefitted from the sterling service of flower arrangers over many decades but Molly’s plea last year, recorded in the Minutes, for more support had not resulted in volunteers and her Sacristy duties alongside oversight of the flowers had been exhausting at Easter

Clare Goodhart expressed her thanks to both Molly Wedge and Marion Stoneham for all their

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work over many years and reiterated the need for new people to take on flower arranging; potenDally in a new way so as to minimize the Dme commitment.

Robin Davies suggested we should consider paying for a professional florist to provide floral displays, poinDng out there was £85,549 in unrestricted funds at the end of the year. Nick Lennard reminded the meeDng that we aim to retain sufficient funds to cover 6 months of outgoings to cover any unforeseen expenditure, and this amounts to £63,000. He pointed out that currently there was £322 in the Flower Fund.

Note PCC considered the suggesDons made by Marion Stoneham in her resignaDon leMer to find a long-term soluDon to this issue at their meeDng 21[st] February 2024.

C Zambia Link (page 14) Joanna Hunt told the meeDng it is vital the link is revitalised, if not then St Mary’s needs to consider whether we are going to retain the link in the future. She told the meeDng she needed at least one other person to work with her on this, otherwise she did not feel that she could conDnue.

D Toddler Group (page 14) Joanna Hunt stressed the need for extra helpers from the congregaDon. Otherwise, we will have to consider stopping this important area of outreach. Andy Parker reminded the meeDng that recently one of the parents was confirmed and there had been several bapDsms of Toddler Group children. Nicky Parker strongly supported Joanna’s plea. She then told the meeDng the Toddler Group (run by a parents commiMee) were also currently struggling to find people able to commit Dme to serving on their commiMee.

E. Rector’s Report (page 3-5) Fr Peter reiterated his thanks for the support received and for all those who contribute to the working of the Church, while recognizing more we could be doing more, especially regarding inviDng people to a range of different events.

F Churchwardens’ Report (page 6). Jan Howard told the meeDng that the refurbishment of the kitchen was being carried out at present.

G Health and Safety, Readers, Lesson Readers and Intercessors and Servers (page 7) Fr Peter warmly thanked all those who carry out these various roles within the church. H Sidespeople (page 8) Clare said that it would be good to have a few new Sidespeople and that the role was not onerous. As well as handing out service sheets and hymn books, an essenDal part is to welcome people as they come into church and also offer to take any new people through to coffee aOer the service.

I Garden( page 9) Fr Peter expressed thanks to Dawn Lennard and Jenny Jones for all their hard work in ensuring the garden always looked good.

J Music (page 10) Fr Peter thanked all those who have given money, Dme and commitment to ensuring that the major restoraDon of the Organ could be successfully completed. Note there is a special Gala Concert by Dr Peter King on Friday 7[th] June. Caroline Redfern told the meeDng that having the young choristers from the university was extremely beneficial to the choir, especially as we now have two tenors! Andy Parker also thanked Gary Desmond for all his hard work, not only with the choir but also Organ RestoraDon project. He told the meeDng that Gary Desmond will be giving the first of the new season’s Thursday LunchDme Concerts on 9[th] May.

K Hall and Church Hire (page 11) Fr Peter expressed his sincere thanks for all the work that Kerry does in the parish office.

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L Safeguarding (page 16) Nicky Parker emphasised that safeguarding importantly includes vulnerable adults; it is about caring for others. She asked anyone who had concerns about someone to speak to her. Fr Peter thanked her for carrying out this valuable work and suggested that if anyone was interested in shadowing Nicky and engaging in this area of work further, their interest would be warmly received.

M Deanery Synod (page 17 and 18). Fr Peter explained the Diocesan plan was to reduce sDpendiary numbers by 2027 and that within the Bath Deanery the plan was for a reducDon of 5 (which may now be 4). Fr Richard Hunt pointed out this was a naDonal issue. Caroline Redfern told the meeDng that the number of students at Theological Colleges had also been decreasing.

There being no further comments on the reports Julia Brownbridge proposed and Jenny Jones seconded that the reports, including those of the churchwardens’ and the PCC Secretary, be accepted as a correct record: agreed unanimously.

N Treasurers Report. (pages 19-31 plus insert spreadsheet with summary of accounts) Nick Lennard focused on the spreadsheet beginning with the Unrestricted Funds, poinDng out that this showed an operaDng deficit of £986. He pointed out that the total income from parishioners was £51,000 while our contribuDon to the Diocesan Common Fund was almost idenDcal at £51,015. This will increase to £59,000 in the current year, thus resulDng in a deficit of approximately £8,000. Nick pointed out that the combined Common Fund contribuDons for the Benefice were approximately £85,000, meaning that we are contribuDng to poorer parishes in the diocese, which is not inappropriate. Currently we pay between £700 and £800 for each regular worshipper.

Nick Lennard then explained the origin of the new Reserve Fund. Just before the end of December 2023 we received £110,000 as GiO Aid Tax Refund from the very generous giO from Laura and Rando Howard for the Organ RestoraDon Project and the south aisle roof repair. Following discussions with the Diocesan accountant this has been placed in an Endowment Reserve Fund, with the PCC able to use the income. However, some of the capital could be spent on a parDcular item, subject to the approval of the PCC. The Organ RestoraDon Fund currently has £99,747, with one final instalment of approximately £50,000 to be made for the restoraDon project, once any addiDonal costs are included. It is proposed that any funds remaining aOer this payment is made (approximately £50,000) will remain in the Fund to cover future Organ maintenance and possibly the costs of a replacement grand piano. John Lees asked why the Budget had not been seen by general members of the church in order that they could be aware of the thinking of the PCC. Marilyn pointed out that the Budget is considered and approved by the PCC at their November MeeDng. Fr Peter told the meeDng that he could see no reason why this should not be subsequently published.

John Lees then expressed his concern that carparking income had dropped since Marcus Wedge handed this over to the Car Park Working Group. Nick Lennard pointed out that the income from parking in 2023 was £25,000, a small increase on the previous year. John also felt Marcus had not received sufficient thanks for all his hard work in raising approximately £250,000 over 10 years. However, as was reported in the minutes of the APCM for 2023 (item 4c), Fr Peter presented Marcus with a giO on behalf of St Mary’s as a token of the appreciaDon for the work he had put into obtaining income from the carpark.

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There being no further comments Nick Lennard proposed and Jan Howard seconded that the Treasurer’s Report & Accounts be accepted, agreed unanimously

1. ElecDon of members of the Parochial Church Council. Marilyn Kirby announced there were 4 vacancies for three years and 3 nominaDons had been received prior to the meeDng. Janet Iris Howard, proposed by Marilyn Joan Kirby, seconded by Margaret Clare Goodhart Andrew Geoffrey Alexander Parker, proposed by Marilyn Joan Kirby, seconded by Sarah Ann Davies

2. John Stuart Porteous, proposed by Margaret Blackshaw, seconded by Andrew Geoffrey

3. Alexander Parker.

4. There being no further nominaDons Fr Peter declared the above duly elected as members of the PCC.

5. Appointment of an Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC. Nick Lennard proposed, and Carla Maddocks seconded that Graham Barber be re-appointed as Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC; agreed unanimously. Nick Lennard was asked to pass on thanks to the Independent Examiner for his work.

6. AOB:

7. A. Green Issues Fr Richard Hunt asked how the PCC planned to proceed having received the Energy Report referred to on page 18 of the Reports Booklet. Nick Lennard explained that currently discussions were on-going with a surveyor, who had recently completed checking the kitchens, choir vestry and toilet roofs for RAAC and was saDsfied that these were constructed from solid concrete. Therefore, potenDally they would be sufficiently load-bearing to fit solar panels. The church architect is carrying out further work to confirm whether this is feasible. As these roofs are largely hidden from view, we are more likely to gain planning permission than was the case with the south roof. The quesDon of storage baMeries would need to be considered. Nick Lennard said that a major way of reducing our carbon footprint was to ensure we used less energy and that to aid in this, the HIVE monitoring system had recently been installed. Fr Peter also referred to the role of the Environmental Benefice Working Group, which Helen Moss said are looking at the possibility of air-source heat pump systems.

The meeDng ended at 1:10 pm, with Fr Peter leading the saying of the Grace together.

Fr Peter Edwards

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