**The Parochial Church Council of** _St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick_ Charity Number: 1137972 ## **ANNUAL REPORTS 2026** to be presented at **The Annual Parochial Church Meeting** on Sunday 26th April 2026 following 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 25[th] May 2025 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 (died 1stJanuary 2026)| |Stephen Howard|Vice Chairman PCC and Standing Committee ^, Deanery Synod,| |,|Finance and Fabric Committees.| |Marcus Wedge|Until 2ndSeptember (Emeritus from 1st October 2026)| |_Churchwardens_Clare Goodhart|Standing Committee, Fabric and Finance Committees, Mission| ||And Evangelism Working Group| |Nicola Parker|Safeguarding Officer**,**Standing Committee, Fabric, Finance, and| ||Social Committees, Restoration Action Group, Children’s Church| ||and Mission & Evangelism Working Group| |
_Deanery Synod_Thomas Bunn|
See above. Note resigned July 2025 due to deteriorating health| |Stephen Howard|See above| |Nicky Parker|See above| |_Elected Members_Naomi Heffer ^|Mission & Evangelism Working Group| |Jan Howard|Fabric Committee| |Alex Howe ^|Resigned 17thFebruary 2026| |Nick Lennard
|T**r**easurer, Standing Committee, Finance and Fabric Committee| ||Environmental Working Group| |Andrew Parker|Electoral Roll Officer, Safety Officer (from 26thNovember 2025),| ||Fabric Committee, Restoration Action Group,| ||Environmental Working Group.| |John Porteous
|Resigned 25thMay 2025| |Caroline Redfern|Mission & Evangelism Working Group| |Carole Stickney|Social and Fabric Committees| |Dominic Taylor|Environmental Working Group| _Co-opted Members_ None _^From APCM 25[th] May 2025_ ## **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. ## **RECTOR’S REPORT** Dear brothers and sisters, May I once again begin this short 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 would like to express a public and sincere thanks to all who enabled me to take a threemonth sabbaDcal break in the Spring of 2025, and especially to all those who took on addiDonal tasks during these months – to our assistant clergy (principally Bishop Alastair, Fr Richard, and Fr Robert), Readers, Churchwardens, PCC members, Kerry Hughes our Parish Administrator, and all those who enabled this break to take place. Highlights for me included an extended period of holiday, and the opportunity to walk one of the Camino routes to SanDago de Compostela, to the shrine of St James, a long-held ambiDon. **Page 3** 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. We all owe a huge debt of thanks to our Churchwardens Nicky Parker and Clare Goodhart, to our PCC members, to the assistant clergy and Readers of our Benefice, to Kerry Hughes, and to all those who have maintained the life of our church as well as supporDng me personally this past year. 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 2025 or early 2026, or whose funeral services were held in the church, and especially Julia Brownbridge, Thomas Bunn, Pat Cameron, Ronald Corp (priest), Tony Crossland, Sheila Edwards, Di Gibb, Gloria Gibson, Sadie Hancock, Terry Hardick, Jane Hargreaves, Roy Hatch, Paul Hobbs, Anne Richards, Sophie Stevens and Jean Uter. 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** ## **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 CommiLee and other Church Group reports. The Secretary apologies for any overlaps or omissions that may have occurred. The Standing CommiLee comprises the Chairman, the two Churchwardens, Vice Chairman, the Safeguarding Officer, the Hon. Secretary and the Treasurer. There were 85 members on the Electoral Roll as reported at the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on 25[th] May 2025. In addiDon, we have some regular aLendees who are not on the Roll. At the Dme of wriDng, this report 5 PCC meeDngs had been held, with two further meeDngs scheduled before the APCM. The first on 17[th] February 2026 being to discuss general business, and to approve the accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 prior to audiDng before the APCM, and the second on 25[th] March 2026 at which Annual Reports will be presented prior to the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng on 27[th] April 2025. The First PCC MeeDng 25[th] May 2025 followed immediately aNer 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 Steven Howard, and Electoral Roll Officer Andy Parker. The MeeDng then elected the Standing CommiLee: Fr Peter Edwards, the Vice Chairman of the PCC (Stephen Howard), the Churchwardens (Clare Goodhart and Nicola Parker), the Safeguarding Officer (also Nicola Parker), the Secretary (Marilyn Kirby), the Treasurer (Nick Lennard). There were no co-opDons to the PCC. The Parish Return was submiLed to the Diocese following this meeDng. **Page 4** The Second PCC MeeDng 27[th] May 2025 The convenors and members of the CommiLees and Working Groups of the PCC were appointed. While a wide variety of general items were discussed, ranging from Performing Rights Society Licenses to noDng that prinDng costs with the newly installed photocopier are significantly lower (black and white 0.25p/sheet and colour 2.50p/sheet), the major focus of the meeDng was an in-depth discussion on “ _Characteris#cs of Healthy and Safe Church Culture_ ”. This was introduced by Nicky Parker (Safeguarding Officer) and included consideraDon of CommunicaDon PaLerns, Behaviour PaLerns, RelaDonships, Self-ReflecDvity and Privacy/Data ProtecDon. Caroline Redfern summed up the feeling of the meeting by saying that it had been good to use PCC time to have this type of discussion. The Third MeeDng 3[rd] July 2025 During this meeDng a wide range of topics were considered. These included Nick Lennard presenDng the accounts for the first half of 2025, an update by Dominic Taylor on the considerable work he had carried out to improve the parish website, and Caroline Redfern reporDng on the provision of new artwork for the corridor (including a future children’s Art compeDDon for pupils at St Mary’s Bathwick School). Caroline Redfern reported on the first meeDng (13[th] June 2025) of the new Mission and Evangelism Working Group. This begun by defining their aims and objecDves and decided that a key would be to consider ways to build on the church’s strengths, as idenDfied by the recent Healthy Churches IniDaDve Survey, namely Worship, Hospitality and Friendship. The meeDng suggested several new outreach iniDaDves: a Quiet Day (held 19[th] August 2025), a monthly Book Club (first meeDng 21[st] September 2025), and revitalising the link with Buchi, our Zambia Link Parish Nicky Parker reported on the Deanery Synod’s MeeDng of 5[th] June 2025 which considered the results of the Bible Society’s survey “Quiet Renewal”. Overall, this UK wide survey showed that there are many reasons for opDmism, such as that between 2018 to 2024 there has been a significant growth in church aLendance, parDcularly young people, especially young men, However the survey did note that this has been mostly in Pentecostal, RC and Orthodox churches. The Fourth MeeDng 2[nd] September 2025 The meeDng considered two music related maLers. First Stephen Howard updated the meeDng on “saga” of the terms under which the University of Bath would loan, their unused Steinway Grand Piano. At the Dme of wriDng this report this maLer is sDll unresolved! The second item concerned the Organ, which recently underwent a major restoraDon by Harrison and Harrison. Subsequently, they idenDfied that the Bourdon Chest should also have been replaced. They apologised for providing incorrect advice and in the light of this agreed to carry out the work at the 2024 price of £22,039. The PCC agreed to this work being carried out and the cost being met from the Organ Fund. As this will only leave £952 for future maintenance, the meeDng agreed that organ fees from Weddings and Funerals will be allocated to the Organ Fund, rather than general funds. The FiNh MeeDng 26[th] November 2025. There were two important maLers considered at this very long meeDng, which ended at 10pm! The first considered the prosed Budget for 2026. Nick Lennard tabled the Finance CommiLee’s proposed Budget for 2026 which was accepted by the meeDng. The meeDng noted that budget has a deficit of £16,612. Therefore, it is **vital** that the church considers ways of raising addiDonal funds. The second issue was to consider nine complex Policy and Procedure documents, required by **Page 5** the Charity Commission. These range from invesDng charitable funds to idenDfying areas of conflict of interest. Fr Peter thanked Clare Goodhart for the very considerable Dme and effort she put in the preparing these documents, which were also considered by the Standing CommiLee before being tabled at the PCC meeDng. The Sixth MeeDng 17[th] February 2026 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 2025. The meeDng will also receive and consider a report of Deanery Synod postponed from the 26[th] November 2025 due to lack of Dme. The Seventh MeeDng 22[nd] March 2026 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** ## **CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT ON FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS** This year we had our Quinquennial Review report and have taken acDon on all our Grade A (most urgent) recommendaDons. These related to work on the roof and whilst undertaking this work, cracks in the lead of the Nave roof were found and repaired. As required for insurance purposes, our Church plate had been revalued, and this provides a complete report alongside the Arts Society record. Our Church Hall wooden floor has been resealed and cleaned and now looks very smart. We have been successful in geVng a grant from the B&W Diocesan AssociaDon of Change Ringers to undertake maintenance work on the clappers in our Church bells. The Bell ringers have very kindly offered to cover half the cost of the work, as a donaDon to St Mary’s. The Church inventory has been updated and the terrier remains unchanged. RouDne maintenance work has conDnued, and Fabric CommiLee has met regularly to review and manage projects. 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 wonderful Friday cleaning team; and, of course, Kerry Hughes whose skilful and efficient administraDve support underpins all our projects. **Clare Goodhart and Nicola Parker, Churchwardens** ## **HEALTH AND SAFETY** Having taken over the role of Health and Safety Officer, my first duty is to give a vote of thanks from the PCC to Marcus Wedge, my predecessor, who had held this post for several years. I have now updated the H&S Policy for the Parish and presented it to the PCC at the February meeDng. We do need to be vigilant regarding H&S, but this does NOT mean that everything suddenly becomes “Oh we can’t do that because of Health and Safety.” Most acDviDes are perfectly acceptable - provided a proper risk assessment is carried out. Regarding more every-day things, I have been looking at things such as trip hazards (floor surfaces, flagstones etc.) the kitchen, hall, toilets and car park. - There is nothing of great concern in these areas, but, of course, things can change very quickly. To finish, please do come to me with any concerns (if, by any chance, you don’t know who I am, just look for the bloke carrying the Cross in front of the Choir!!). **Andy Parker, Health and Safety Officer** **Page 6** ## **READERS** We are all very sad to have had to say goodbye to our dear friend Thomas Bunn, Reader Emeritus, who died at the turn of the year and whose funeral took place at St Mary’s on the 15[th] January. In former Dmes a regular preacher at St Mary’s he subsequently carried out much of his acDve ministry at St John’s (including the not very holy work of upgrading the heaDng system using the engineering skills he acquired in the Royal Navy), ulDmately returning to St Marys as a worshipper and popular member of the congregaDon. We conDnue to miss his jolly and opDmisDc personality very much, even in the face of adversity, which he bore with characterisDc bravery and spirit. God bless you, Thomas. May you rest in peace and rise in glory. Also, now Reader Emeritus, our greatly admired friend Marcus Wedge has also stepped back from the more visible aspect of ministry at the altar, which he has performed with great skill and dignity for many years. There is the possibility of a parDal return in the fulness of Dme, but we shall have to see how things go. In the meanDme, Marcus conDnues with the ministries of Home Communion and also Communion by Extension at Bridgemead. Less visible but no less important, and carried out with love and care, greatly appreciated by those on the receiving end. Thankyou Marcus for all you have done and conDnue to do. And then there were two. Marilyn and I conDnue with our licenced ministries in their various and overlapping aspects and remain open, and indeed delighted, to offer support where we can in relaDon to Church and other maLers within our respecDve skill sets. Together we pray for blessings upon all in our community **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. Keith Moss and Ashton Price have stepped back from their involvement as readers and John Lees as an intercessor, and sadly we lost Julia Brownbridge as reader and intercessor. Andrew Slegt has joined the rota as a reader. There are currently 25 on this rota for 2026-27: Maggie and Trevor Blackshaw, Sarah and Robin Davies, Clare Edwards, Jan and Stephen Howard, Naomi Heffer, Alex Howe, Gerald and Margaret Hull, Jenny Jones, Marilyn Kirby, Nick Lennard, Helen Lees, Carla Maddocks, Ross Manaton, Helen Moss, Nicky and Andy Parker, John Porteous, John Price, Caroline Redfern, Andrew Slegt 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** A great opportunity for me to say thankyou once again to the ladies and gentlemen who serve in the sanctuary at St Mary’s, for myself and on behalf of us all. The skill and aLenDon they bring to the various tasks aid us in our devoDons and help us to be closer to God at the Holy Eucharist. When I periodically write round to the servers enquiring about availability, I always say that **Page 7** allowing their names to go onto the rota for forward dates is not intended to stop them from doing things. So thankyou to them also for their willingness and their flexibility in covering one another when gaps open up in the rota during the course of a cycle, and for their collegiate spirit in so doing. So, Bravo servers. **Stephen Howard** ## **SIDESPEOPLE / WELCOMERS** The group of Sidespeople remains a commiLed group of parishioners. However, there are now only 10 Sidespeople on the rota for 2026-27 and we really need more helpers. During the year Keith Moss and Alex Howe have stood down from this role and sadly we lost Julia Brownbridge. The current list is: Paul Chilvers, Robin and Sarah Davies, Helen Lees, Nick and Dawn Lennard, Carla Maddocks, Helen Moss, Nicky Parker/Clare Goodhart, 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** The past six months has been enormous. As I write this report awaiDng knee surgery, I have been carried and supported by a fantasDc team- thank you to Sarah and Helen, with the back up from Paul Chivers who has done all the heavy work. You all are amazing! To Neville Mason, also thanks for keeping all the candles alight- a messy job!! Amazing team! Paul, since his reDrement has also been taking on most of the brass cleaning which is now shining brightly! That is apart from the high altar brass steps which Jan spends many hours on her knees doing! We have welcomed Patrick into the Friday Team who is willing to clean brass or any job that needs doing. All our work is done in love and service to our Lord and to support Fr. Peter, and our reDred clergy in all their ministry to us. ## **Molly Wedge** ## **BELLRINGERS** It has been another enjoyable year for the St Mary’s ringers. Our pracDces have been well supported, and we have rung for almost all Sunday morning services. We even managed to ring on the morning of the half marathon, as enough of us now live within walking and cycling distance. Some of the band, however, opted to skip ringing and run in the race! In September we went on an ouDng to Dorset, where we rang at four towers in Poole, Wareham, Kingston and Wimborne and tucked into a delicious pub lunch. These away days are great fun, and ringing on different bells definitely makes us appreciate our own well-maintained, easy-going bells when we get back. Bath is a popular desDnaDon for ringing bands from other parts of the country, with several towers within short walking distance, and in the last year we have had visitors from London, Devon and Berkshire. Several groups of visitors are already booked in to ring at St Mary’s in 2026. As well as enjoying our ringing, we bellringers also love our food, and in April around 20 _._ **Page 8** people devoured a large quanDty of curry at the Pearl of India. We have rung for a couple of weddings this year, and we also celebrated the wedding of one of our own ringers at Priston Mill in August. Bellringing is oNen a family hobby, and the groom’s friends and family arranged a special piece of ringing to mark the occasion. Although we have a solid band at Bathwick, we could always use more people. The reality is that there are not enough ringers to go around, especially when ringing is needed for naDonal occasions such as the VE Day commemoraDons. If you would like to have a go, please get in touch. All ages can learn, - all you need to do is count to 10! ## **Molly Waterson, Tower Secretary** ## **FLOWERS** Thank you to everyone who during the year contributed to the flower fund - much appreciated. We are in a very sad situaDon - with very liLle help! Julia Brownbridge was just geVng into organising helpers and successfully enjoying it herself and made Easter look great! When she became unwell and sadly died; much too young! She is greatly missed in many ways. It has fallen into the hands of Clare Goodheart, who has done well coping with the major fesDvals. Thank you Clare, also to Carole SDckney, Marion, and Jan who have helped in many ways keeping the silk arrangements up to date. Please keep this in your prayers and make it known that help is urgent. Also, thank you to Nicky and Andy who each year put up the Christmas tree (this year looking amazing), The Crib, and the Easter Garden and many other jobs nobody sees!!!! Well done! ## **Molly Wedge** ## **GARDEN** As we said last year the garden at St Mary’s conDnues to flourish whatever the weatherweeds keep on growing keeping us both very busy. We are indeed very fortunate to have assistance from Stu to do the heavy work, which is more necessary than ever as both of us are in our 80s and have had cataract operaDons this year meaning gardening was limited by instrucDon The grass suffered with the very hot weather in the summer -it is recovering but care and treatment are in hand. Now, aNer yet another wet winter, we are hoping the coming season will be gardening friendly. It is good that the garden is used and enjoyed for so many varied acDviDes and appreciated for its quiet tranquillity and peace. ## **Dawn Lennard and Jenny Jones** . ## **MUSIC** As I write this report, it is almost Dme for the Christmas music to be returned to the shelves once more aNer two memorable services – the Advent Carols and Nine Lessons and Carols. There is a wealth of music to choose from for these occasions, and it is a privilege to work with a choir which is willing to tackle the new with the familiar, although woe beDde me if I try to change some of the standard favourites! ## **Page 9** The second Gala Organ Concert on our newly restored Father Willis was given on 6[th] June by MarDn Baker, formerly Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral, who is one of this country’s finest and most respected players. ANer exploring all the colours of the Instrument in the pieces, he ended his programme with an exciDng improvisaDon which provided a perfect conclusion to the concert. I am delighted to say that the next of these annual recitals will take place on Saturday, 23[rd] May 2026 and it will be the inaugural ‘Anthony Crossland Memorial Recital’, acknowledging the valuable contribuDon that Tony made to the planning and preparaDon for the major rebuilding of the organ in 2023/24. I am also very pleased that this will be given by Timothy Parsons, the current Director of Music at Wells Cathedral. We conDnue to aLract small but appreciaDve audiences for our monthly lunchDme concerts, and I am pleased that we are conDnuing to include one of the local schools in each series. Financially, the reDring collecDons at these events have provided a welcome boost to our Student Choral Bursary Fund – in 2025, a liLle over £1100. Thank you to all who support them and especially to Nicky Parker for so faithfully and willingly providing the refreshments at each concert. It was hard to have to say farewell to four of our five students in July, having completed their university courses but, in October, we were pleased to welcome back two who had been away on their year’s placement, together with three new recruits. We are so fortunate to be able to maintain this important link with the University of Bath as the students contribute so much to the life of the choir. St Mary’s remains a major concert venue in the city with each year seeming busier than the last so I am very grateful to all who help in organising this part of the church’s life, parDcularly Fr Peter and Kerry Hughes, and I conclude with huge thanks again to our wonderful choir for all that they bring to the musical life of St Mary’s. **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. The U3A art group ran a summer term again last year, as well as their usual autumn and spring term so hopefully they will run a summer term in 2026. The hall conDnues to be under-used on Monday aNernoons, Tuesday mornings and aNernoons, all day Thursday and Friday aNernoons. 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 is used for occasional bookings and has once again 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. **Page 10** During 2025 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, VOCE Chamber Choir recital, Cappella Nova, Bath Bach Choir, Bath MozarZest, RSCM ‘Come & Sing’ event, a number of concerts by Musicke in the Ayre and two concerts by the University Chamber Choir. During Lent we had The Façade Ensemble concert. We had our second Gala Organ Recital this Dme by MarDn Baker. We also had a few concerts from Global Events and some book signing events with Toppings Book Shop. In December we had carol services for King Edward’s Junior School and Bathwick St Mary School. The diary for 2026 is geVng booked up with various bookings for residents’ associaDon meeDngs, concerts, workshops, children’s birthday parDes, rehearsals and regular bookings. In November MozarZest are returning for concert bookings each day for eight or nine days!! We haven’t got any bookings for 2027 at the moment, but I’m sure we will in the not too distant future!! ## **Kerry Hughes, Parish Administrator** ## **RESTORATION ACTION GROUP** During the year RAG ran a range of fundraising acDviDes including the very successful Summer Fete on 21[st] June and a Christmas Coffee Morning Plus on 29[th] November which included soN toys, craN, produce & cake and re-giNing stalls. The illustrated travel lectures conDnue to be popular and began in the spring with three on the Orkney Isles before conDnuing aNer the summer break with a further three lectures on northern Queensland, Australia. The Spring/Summer Travel Lectures restart on 23[rd] February and conDnue our exploraDon of Queensland. Karen and Andrew Slegt are running a second Dancing and Music Evening on Saturday 28[th] March. The Summer Fete will be held on 20[th] 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 aNernoon, if evenings would suit you beLer, we can fit round that. ## **Marilyn Kirby** ## **SOCIAL** Social events have followed the usual paLern this year. We had three Bring & Share lunches, one in February to celebrate our DedicaDon FesDval with Bishop Paul, Oswestry, one at Pentecost and one in September for our Patronal FesDval. In May we also had a Cream Tea followed by Choral Evensong to commemorate 80 years since VE Day. These were all very enjoyable occasions. and the cream tea also raised money for Combat Stress. Then in October we had our usual Benefice Harvest Supper, catering for about 50 people. 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 aNer the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, which is always well aLended. Many thanks to everyone who helps to make these events happen, parDcularly those who clear up aNerwards! **Nicola Parker** **Page 11** ## **ALMSGIVING** As the result of St Mary’s PCC in November 2024 **deciding** that the weekly collecDons in the blue envelopes should focus predominantly on local chariDes, this policy was implemented in 2025. Each month a local charity was given all the weekly charity collecDons for that month and there was a display on the designated noDceboard at the back of the church as well as informaDon leaflets when these were available. Where possible, the monthly Charity Parish Breakfast, hosted by Clare Edwards and her helpers, invited a speaker from one of these chariDes to give a brief talk which enabled us to get to know more about the charity.11 local chariDes and the pastoral fund have therefore benefiLed financially more, compared to the previous system where a different charity was supported each week. On November 16[th] we celebrated our Zambian link with St James’ Anglican Church in Buchi, and the collecDon that Sunday went to them. There were also three naDonal chariDes supported in the months with 5 Sundays – ChrisDan Aid, Mission to Seafarers (Sea Sunday) and Combat Stress (Remembrance Sunday). ## **Robin and Sarah Davies** ## **MISSION AND EVANGELISM WORKING GROUP** The Mission Group exists as a place where those who are involved in the various acDviDes through which we seek to reach out to the wider community, as well as encourage people to join in our worshipping and social life, can meet. In discussions ideas have emerged and projects taken forward, most of which are set out around this annual report. Some which might not have been menDoned include a Quiet Day held in our beauDful garden in the summer, a monthly book club which is taking us through the winter months and improvements to the website and presenDng our services online. Anyone is welcome to join us and meeDngs are publicised through the pew sheet. ## **Caroline Redfern** ## **PARISH BREAKFAST** Challenged by the church outreach assessments by Fr Gary Ecclestone-I proposed a parish breakfast once a month with speakers. As a starDng point I chose speakers from the chariDes we support as a church. The idea was to provide a social occasion to which non church members might come. I was delighted in the January breakfast here was a buzz of chaLer and several new faces. The speakers have been varied Bath City pastors, ChrisDans against poverty, Lux, Bath welcomes refugees, Bath Open Christmas, Genesis Trust. The breakfasts were not designed to raise funds for the chariDes but through your generosity we have raised about £100 each for the various chariDes. None of this would be possible without Nicky’s support and the help of Jo Hunt and Caroline Redfern. ## **Clare Edwards** **Page 12** ## **ZAMBIA** I feel that 2025 has been a much beLer year for our link with St James, Buchi, Zambia. I keep in fairly regular contact via WhatsApp with Fr Freddie the priest in charge. It was good to have Naomi Heffer come on board to help the church focus more on the link. We had a very successful Zambia service in October and Jeremy Key Pugh informed the congregaDon about Zambia and the link and Fr Freddie sent greeDngs and some videos of his congregaDon. There were lots of pictures of the church in Zambia and African arDfacts to help people engage. St Mary's has managed to transfer money to St James to help them with their building projects. This was very gratefully received and Fr Freddie informed St Mary's that the money was spent on roofing sheets and also on food for vulnerable people. ## **Jo Hunt** ## **WALSINGHAM** **I** t was a different pilgrimage journey to Walsingham this year as we were joined by two other groups - one from Midsomer Norton and the other from Swindon New Town. Our coach party was 46 strong; however, once at the Shrine we went into our separate groups for the rest of the Pilgrimage. Weatherwise, we didn’t have our normal sunshine as the weather was quite murky on some days and there was a day mostly of rain as well. This entailed changing our usual StaDons of the Cross through the garden to a shorter walk through the covered walkway where we used the BeaDtude StaDons, a series of woodcarvings by sculptor Jane Quail which depict Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount blessings. This offered us a walk for prayer and reflecDon on deeper ChrisDan living in the spirit of Mary’s humility and service. We enjoyed a dry warm aNernoon at Hindringham Hall Gardens, where we were welcomed by the owners, Charles and Linda Tucker, and aNer a lovely wander around the garden we partook of tea and cake, before returning to the Shrine. On another dry day we went to Wells -Next-the-Sea for fish and chips and a walk through the main street or through the harbour and along the raised walkway to the beach. Some of us then had ice-cream before returning to Walsingham. Our services were as spiritually nourishing as ever, and we enjoyed the fellowship with others as well as within our group. We returned home looking forward already to 2026! Dates for this are 29[th] June to 3[rd] July. ## **Chris Plummer** ## **CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES** The Babies & Toddler group conDnues to thrive, meeDng twice a week on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am. Both sessions are well aLended, with Fridays being parDcularly busy. This is an important outreach into the community and is much appreciated by the mums/dads/carers who aLend, and it is a privilege to watch these liLle children grow up.There is a small band of regular volunteers who run each session, either welcoming or in the kitchen, but we are always looking for more people willing to go on a rota. If you are interested, please speak to either Jo Hunt or Nicky Parker. (All volunteers are required to have a DBS check.) Thank you to Jo Hunt, Jan Howard, Rosemary Cumming, Clare Edwards, Clare Goodhart and Amy Mills for your help and enthusiasm. **Page 13** Unfortunately, the number of children aLending our Sunday morning service has dwindled making it difficult to organise any meaningful Sunday School for any young children who may turn up. Your prayers would be appreciated. **Nicola Parker** ## **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. Most of our ‘customers’ are guests at the local hotels and B&Bs, but we are also in demand for rugby matches and from people using the Narrowboat Centre at Sydney Wharf. However, many Saturday morning shoppers are happy to park in our car park, preferring to give their money to the church rather than the Council! Having someone ‘on duty’ in the car park also means that the church is open for private prayer and other visitors and it is surprising how many people will pop in. If you would be interested in taking a turn in the car park on a Saturday morning, please speak to me. . ## **Nicola Parker** ## **MOTHERS’ UNION** The Mothers’ Union is a ChrisDan organisaDon founded in 1876, now into its 150[th] Year. Mary Sumner, the wife of the vicar of Old Arlesford Hampshire, was concerned that the families in the village were not being brought up to know the “Love of the Lord”, so with her husband they invited families to the vicarage in a relaxed atmosphere, where the meeDng “took off”. The aim of the MU was to help families in prayerful and physical ways, at home and around the world. Today it does this in 83 countries. Thanks be to God. ## **Shelia Sims** ## **WORLD DAY OF PRAYER** The World Day of Prayer was founded in the USA in 1887 with the aim to pray for peace. This spread around the world and is held on the first Friday in March each year. ChrisDan women from various countries write a special service. The 2025 service was wriLen by the ChrisDan women of the Cook Islands. In 2025 this service was held at St Stephen’s Lansdown. ## **Shelia Sims** **Page 14** ## **DEANERY SYNOD REPORT** Deanery Synod has met three Dmes this year. Each meeDng begins with an act of worship and a short report on what has been happening in the host parish before moving on to other business. February - St Swithin’s, Walcot Deanery news: Revd. Stephen Girling from the Abbey has moved to Guildford. Revd. Roger Driver (St Michael’s) is now the Area Dean with Rev Jacky Wise the assistant Area Dean There are new priests at Christchurch, Widcombe and St Barnabas, Southdown. Finances: it was agreed 2 years ago that the amount parishes pay to the deanery should depend on the number of representaDves they are allowed rather than a flat fee. Last year nobody was asked for anything. Report on General Synod by Adrian Youings. The main discussions had been Safeguarding and the Makin Review on John Smyth, the Clergy Discipline Measure and the appointment of Bishops. Speakers from Bath City Pastors and Supported Lodgings, an organisaDon that supports people with spare rooms offering their homes to 16 – 25 yrs who need a home. June - Holy Trinity, Combe Down The meeDng began with a video about Nick Vujicic, an inspiraDonal evangelist born with no arms or legs, who travels the world preaching a message of hope and faith. Deanery News: - a new Deanery Administrator is needed. Speaker - Revd. Philip Hawthorn from St Stephen’s & Charlcombe spoke about The Quiet Revival - a survey, commissioned by the Bible Society, showing that there has been significant growth in church aLendance by young people. ## October - St MaLhew’s, Widcombe Deanery News: Revd. Ben Notley has been appointed as the new minister at St Andrew’s Foxhill. Finances: Synod agreed to give the £2,792.75 reserved for Chaplaincy and brought forward from 2024, to the charity Lux. Speakers were from: The Life Project – a charity helping adults and young people with learning difficulDes Lux (previously Bath Youth for Christ) - a charity with 3 areas of work- mentoring, youth work and faith exploraDon A 2 – Youth Together – a city-wide youth iniDaDve that brings young people from different churches and youth groups together for monthly gatherings. Hope in AcDon – a charity that enables churches to house the homeless. Flourish - a network of small worshipping communiDes in schools where the young people decide what ‘church’ looks like. **Nicola Parker** **Page 15** ## **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 2024/25 44.65 121,414 12,470 The Church of England requires all Churches to be carbon neutral by 2030. **Keith Moss** ## **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 always seems to be in the news for the wrong reasons, but it reminds us to be vigilant within our own church community, parDcularly those who are more vulnerable. It is important that our church community is welcoming to all and that everyone should feel that their voice is heard. Since taking on responsibility for the running of the Babies and Toddler group all PCC members are now required to have a DBS check as they are involved in the decisions made about the care of these youngsters. And, of course, they conDnue to need the appropriate Safeguarding Training. These online courses are available to anyone and help to highlight and recognise vulnerabiliDes that we may not have thought of before, so please feel free to access them at: ## hLps://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** ## **BATHWICK ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL** Dear Friends, I hope and report finds you all well and having had a blessed Christmas and 2025. 2025 was a great year for the diverse group of children and families we serve. Children have 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. Every term, one child in each class is nominated by their peers for living pray this out our ChrisDan Values and one child is declared the overall champion for each Value - it was a joy to celebrate these children recently. Embedded in our ‘ACE’ (AmbiDous, CreaDve, Ethical) Curriculum are many extracurricular and carefully planned trips and visits that enhance the children’s learning. 2025 saw residenDal trips to the Isle of Wight for Year 6, a high ropes and high adventure course in the Forest of Dean for Year 5, and a farm based residenDal in the south of Somerset for Year 4. In addiDon, there have been plenty of day opportuniDes for all classes – visits to castles, galleries, museums, a whole host of Bath based opportuniDes on our doorstep, Swindon’s brilliant ‘Steam’ museum, Bristol’s ‘Life Skills’ centre and the beach at Weston-super-Mare. The performing arts are a key part of our curriculum offer. Just last month our infant children performed an outstanding play, ‘Don’t be Afraid’ which brought the naDvity to life! In March, Year 3 and 4 put on a spectacular performance based around the Ancient Greeks. Year 5 enjoyed supporDng the Bath Carnival during the summer term. Finally, our Year 6 children staged a fabulous full theatrical performance called ‘Wonderland’ based on Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Cricket tournaments, sporDng events, a careers fair, ‘Rumble in the jungle’ workshops, NSPCC ‘Staying Safe’ presentaDons, Fr. Peter’s CollecDve Worship Dmes, Library visits and a whole host of other in school events realty added to the opportuniDes for all our children. Many of these were held in our fabulous new Library space, the ‘Wheatley Woodland Library’ which was finished last year following significant fundraising efforts from our whole school community. Renowned local author, Caroline Bruton, officially opened it for us in the spring. There are many opportuniDes for us to conDnue working closely together. Please do come to the EducaDon Sunday service which this year is on Sunday 1st March. Our Easter Service is on Thursday 2nd April at 1.30 p.m. and the Leavers’ Service on Thursday 16th July also at 1.30 p.m at St. Mary’s Church. Thank you to Fr. Peter for his prayers and support – do uphold him as he leads the Bathwick Parishes and all that entails. With warmest regards, **Kevin Purkiss, Headteacher.** **Page 17** Page 18 ## **TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025** The finance commiLee met to receive reports on the financial situaDon of the church, to agree the following year’s budget and to discuss and resolve financial issues. Unrestricted Funds comprise the general operaDng expenses of the church Restricted Funds idenDfy receipts that the donors wish to restrict for certain purposes such as Alms for chariDes, The RestoraDon Fund aLracts donaDons which are used to maintain the building. Flower Fund receives donaDons and meets the cost of flowers. Chorister Bursary Fund receives donaDons which enable it to aLract young choristers. The Organ Fund is also a restricted fund, but the scale of the income and expenditure has been so great that it is separately idenDfied. Endowment Funds are comprised of a £10,000 Music Fund whose investment income is allocated to the Choristers Bursary Fund, and the £190,665 Reserve Fund whose investment income is allocated to the Unrestricted Funds. ## **Unrestricted Funds Income £153,687 (2024 £125,961)** Direct Giving £56,591 (2024 £57,453) is from giving by the congregaDon and includes GiN Aid Tax. Other Voluntary Income includes a grant of £20,842 from the Maintenance Trust, and a legacy of £10,000. Events and AcDviDes include £43,681 from church use, hall use, and the car park. The VAT Grant £4,568 is the equivalent of the VAT element on certain items of expenditure. The scheme ended in March 2026 and it is not known whether a new scheme will take its place. Income from Investments £10,783 arises from the investments of £309,907 **Page 19** ## **TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **Unrestricted Funds Expenditure £164,338 (including DepreciaFon) (2024 £137,353)** Diocesan Common Fund £59,151 (2024 £58,668) is the parish share paid to the Wells Diocese, who meet the costs of our clergy and their administraDon. The general running costs of the building including heaDng and lighDng have been beLer controlled by the installaDon of LED lights and remote control of the heaDng systems, and are all in line with the budget. Major Projects £25,699 were excepDonal and not budgeted for this year. Following a Health & Safety review the PCC agreed to invest nearly £20,000 on replacing all the lighDng with LED lamps which also react in an emergency. The overgrown oak tree was reduced in size at a cost of more than £2,500 Unrestricted Net Expenditure for the year amounted to £10,651 In addiDon, some investments fell in value and so the Net ReducDon in Funds was £16,046 and the Unrestricted Reserves carried forward have diminished to £61,189 ## **Restricted Funds Income £24,514 (2024 £19,026) Expenditure £24,190 £2024 £30,770)** Alms Income £7,385 from Blue Envelopes and other donaDons, £9,664 was given to various chariDes (see Page 29) The RestoraDon Fund benefiLed from acDviDes and its share of investment income to grow by £4,593. It then expended £7,513 on relacing the garden fence and installing a handrail in the tower. The Choir Bursary Fund arranged events and also received a Legacy of £5,000. ANer supporDng the Choir, it made a surplus of £6,467 and its Reserves carried forward are £13,693 The Organ Fund aLracted giNs and carried out repairs cosDng £2,648. The Reserves carried forward are £24,021 **Page 20** ## **RESTRICTED FUNDS** At the year end some of the Restricted Funds remained to be distributed and the balances are as follows :- ## **Conclusion** The church benefiLed enormously from investment income and property income and has been able to meet its obligaDons, but the expenditure on major projects resulted in a deficit for the year. ## **Budget for 2026** The budget for 2026 cannot anDcipate legacies and generous donaDons and will show a Deficit of £17,165 unless the congregaDon increase their giving. ## **ResignaFon** It has been my privilege and pleasure to manage the finances for over 30 years, but the sudden deterioraDon of my eyesight makes it impossible for me to carry on as Treasurer, and we need to determine how the many financial tasks will be covered in the future. ## **Nick Lennard** **Page 21** STIiARYTHE BA7Trf*KK T￿￿JH 1*170 ST270 2¢ solo 21vTr lQ7&Y 14BI4 3[ 118 212 otTheGhurr I4VW 1i1SZ iTTX 17.135 17.1 17.W VW1Tr 1IOm7) 157W) 154.762) AT I J￿u*JIy >)25 361*3 41 Page 22 ST 111SIY THE VIRGIN BATIIWKK pAK￿NI￿ CHURCH C¢XJKIL BALANCE SHE ¥t31 FIXEDASSErs Tanglble Flxéd Jsgéis 315M 31S711 CURREKfASSET5 17*18 CBsh ot Bank and In hllnd 18291 56.Z07 LIABIUllES," wtthln fA*J*af 193281 DO.3551 NETCURRENT ASSE 45M52 361,563 FUNDS ilnr•stricted 61.1 5&616 Ovgan Fund 24,021 ),¢65 J61A63 •nd ¢)n its bow by: Page 23 2 IrKc IOIAL FVNL Glh *thdÉd GI￿ 37,7 37,742 11377 15 47 14.176 1q115 14Tto C*urch I 16ml 18,919 IrthThXIGrDs51 1Q7¢3 1Q7&3 179 Page 24 srM•mThE￿HGlN BATHW PNAOCII￿CMUACH COUNQL TOT￿ FUNDS 3(Bl Grw Hwne m566l0n3￿J 0lher¢h•rft￿s 176 10.577 212 X2 132 inisby.. Diocey•n Commn Fund Clqrsy Church Rwnlry ¢osis HÉaling affld ugh￿ 151 59,151 TJS 3,534 5M34 314 8.314 4.970 InSUr￿C•..8DI￿1Irnl￿ Plat••lc 1,188 14,673 54,332 3,35T 11,248 7.120 2An Church MaintoMnr• 14719 14,TJ9 7fv12 He81ino a￿d LkJhb Organisl 1.141 4115 5.259 irn BBnkCthw F￿￿8￿* 618 11152 I￿.248 177 3(dJ FundYBlthw*nd Pu￿kth1 3(¢) Cbur¢h ￿mInIS1r&I1 PrfntlThJand 11929 12.Y 11617 Page 25 AXED ASSEIS FOFI LtsE BY THEFCC Bwlkylr 13,735 81022 IN47 5,919 314W3 15.3961 >JY,907 Fil 25W7 S9 24 >Jg,9D7 39.029 F￿nd &knnc• 61,18 24W1 OEBTOAS 11310. Ixi. 11071 I7￿17 Page 26 5.1 4217 .747 45 31-1>25 m* 4Yi 146 O*l•y R•str￿l￿n Flmd 7J13 13.WS 19 154 FuTrJ 25 21.021 61.1 261 171.467 f¥470 .24 31-12Q4 ms l759 477 14757 616 9061 7T0 619 FUMY 99.74• 1rd)￿S 51 416x5 14SIW 361 Page 27 ST 1IARYnE￿RGW BATir 1ts RELITEDFUNC6 11 HE￿TEDp￿￿mES 195 Page 28 ST ¥ARY THE VIRGIN 8ATHWICK PAROCMIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE NNANCIAL STATEMEpirs Forthe yoar eTrJiThJ 31 tlecembef W25 IAISSIONARY AND CHARThABLE GIVING Gog Wl*an Centse Spallord Chlhlrnn8 Centse DEC Myanmar èarthquake St James 8u¢hi Zambia UNK B1ft1￿ Legion poFw pw8ai. 518 676 47T Dorothy Hwse Lux Youth Proie¢i Mission to Seo18rers Home klissions and Church st￿et*s Bath W¢Jmen$ Relu Children's Soeldy Christian •id Chrfstlans Po¥wry 122 Julk4n House hw Chartt*s 4756 PostrKo1 Fund 149 187 Page 29 IFFS1LW lef*¢1￿ l JwWyam5J.I¢IWit￿>￿pIFRs1021). in th•rqleVwrtxtt￿￿knr4 WKynulrfsl. FuTrJ* bysth 1r¥2) (al￿d(clo1￿￿Ch￿hkn *Lt2011 Page 30 Independent examiner's report tr*tbe hrothi*l Cbur¢b Cou*dl l-PCVlof St Mary tbE Bxtbwick I Teport olltbe th*]ne￿$ of (he pcc for the yeare0d￿}I D¢cerokn 2025. Ththicb ate Set out on ￿geS 22 to 30. pective respoD5ibili1￿4 of tbE PCC thè+x*knlts*t As mernbus of the PCC y¢u are resrx)nsible f4)r the preparnEton of the fi]w￿la1 Statemen￿ yw ¢OtySi41¢T tbai all audit is TLOI requ￿ed orthis yearuD(kr s.144(21 orthe Ctwihe5 A(12011 lthe 2011 Actland that an Indepelldtsi eAt￿l￿all0￿ ts Tequited. It is my TesponsÈbiliry to- examine the accounts u]Kkis145 ofihe 2011 Art: follow pTweaUr￿ laid dowi) in thc GrJKraJ yvcjj by ¢h¢ CbJTiiy Cwutus5ivJL (utthi s145151(bl of the 2011 Aci: a state whelknei particulat ￿￿tt£[S have cO￿e lo tlly atielliioll. B*sl$ olthl$ report My examu)#liop was ¢a￿led out in ¥ttydan¢e th¢ Gener31 Directions gii'en bythe Charity Commjssion. An eiaminarion iJKludes a revie￿. of theaCcou￿5n8 iecoTds kept by th¢ PCC 2nd a compartsollof ihe accoullts wilh those Tecords. 11 also includ¢5 CQDSi¢Jmng arty items or di5closutes in the tillOU¢iO1 ststeThents and srtk￿g e.%plwii¢)ns from you as tr￿[eeS coDcenllDg su¢h matters. Th¢ pw¢dur¢s U￿1¢rt￿th do w Pro￿lde all the would be Tequirvj irt an #udiL and CODsequentl> rLO opinion is giverlas to wbrfherthe accowitspte5eDI ¥'trueand fair. view and the report is limjied to ih05e I￿alleTS set out in Ihe slaietu￿¢ be]ow. ID CODnecrion with my exa[DU￿tI￿ ]MTr]JJattu ba5 ¢om¢ tomy atwot which gives reawnablecause to Ixlieve thai any rewt tberwuirements ) keep TttOTds ill ￿)[￿￿ with $130 of the 201 IAcr. and io piepaTe financial stslements. Ththi¢h a¢tOTd tka¢cthmtingrec4xds and C4Mnply th¢requiY¢m¢J)tS (Trf the 2011 Act have not beerL tr￿. 12 towhi¢h. in rny Opillio￿ Ottcntioll sjwuld be thawn in L￿ler ￿£￿ab]e a ptoperwthT5thnth'ng of the accouDts to be reached. Graham Bar CharteTed Accoun13nt Graba]n Bathi A¢¢ow¥tKy 18 Minster Way Bat BA2 6RH 10 ApTiI 2(J26 Page 31 ## **Minutes of the Annual Vestry MeeFng held in St Mary’s Church Hall on Sunday 25[th] May 2025, following the 10:30 Eucharist** Fr Peter Edwards welcomed people to the Annual Vestry MeeDng Those present: Churchwarden: Nicola Parker, plus 25 people on the parish electoral roll. Apologies for absence: Trevor Blackshaw, Margaret Blackshaw, Julia Brownbridge, Deborah Bunn, Thomas Bunn, Clare Goodhart, Joanna Hunt, Fr Richard Hunt, Gerald Jones, Jenny Jones, Ross Manaton, Neville Mason, Amy Mills, Keith Moss, John Porteous, Carole SDckney, Jean Tanser, Dominic Taylor and Marcus Wedge. Minutes of the Vestry MeeDng of Sunday 21[st] April 2024. Copies were provided before the meeDng. Andrew Parker proposed, and Janet Howard seconded that they be accepted; agreed unanimously. MaLers Arising from the Vestry MeeDng 21[st] April 2024: None ## ElecDon of Churchwardens Before proceeding to the elecDon of churchwardens, Fr Peter Edwards thanked Nicola Parker (and in her absence Clare Goodhart) for all the work they had done during the year, especially during his sabbaDcal. The Secretary, Dr Marilyn Kirby, reported that there were 2 nominaDons for the posiDon of Churchwardens: Margaret Clare Goodhart: proposed by Carole HarrieL Skepper SDckney and seconded by Janet Iris Howard Nicola Jane Parker: proposed by Marilyn Joan Kirby and seconded by Caroline Elizabeth Redfern 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 told the meeDng that it had been the custom to elect Deputy Wardens to act as “Tuesday Bankers” Nicola Parker proposed, and Naomi Heffer seconded that, Janet Howard and Dawn Lennard conDnue as Deputy Churchwardens. Andrew Parker proposed, and Janet Howard seconded that Keith Moss also conDnue as a Deputy Churchwarden. These appointments were agreed unanimously by the meeDng. Fr Peter thanked them for conDnuing to serve in this capacity. 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 MeeFng Sunday 25[th] May 2025 (following Annual Vestry MeeFng) aHer the 10:30 Eucharist** The list of Apologies and the ALendance was the same as for the Annual Vestry MeeDng. 1. To confrm the Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church MeeDng of the 21[st] April 2024. Janet Howard proposed, and Caroline Redfern seconded that the minutes be accepted as a correct record. This was agreed unanimously by the meeDng. 2. MaLers arising from the Minutes. None 3. To receive the New Electoral Roll. Before presenDng the total for 2025, Fr Peter explained that every six years parishes are required to formulate a new Electoral Roll, and we have just completed the previous six-year cycle. He then thanked Andrew for all his hard work in compleDng the new Electoral Roll. Andy Parker then reported the total on the Electoral Roll was 85, a significant fall from 136 in 2024. He explained this was mostly due to people moving away and deaths during the past six years. 4. To receive the Annual Parish Reports. Copies of the report booklet were available before the meeDng (a copy is filed with these minutes) Note the secretary’s, churchwardens’ and treasurer’s reports need to be formally received. a. Secretary’s Report.Fr Peter asked Marilyn if she wished to highlight anything in her report. She took the opportunity to say that while she was happy to conDnue as Secretary for another year, this would mean that she had served for 20 years and that it was very important that serious consideraDon was given to succession planning. Fr Peter thanked Marilyn for all the work she does as secretary and told the meeDng that serious thought needed to be given regarding finding someone to work- shadow and take over as Secretary. b. Churchwarden’s Report. Nicky told the meeDng that we are sDll waiDng for the Quinquennial Report (the Quinquennial inspecDon was carried out in December 2024). Fr Peter thanked Nicky, and Clare in her absence for all the work they have carried out during the past year, especially during his recent SabbaDcal. c. Treasurers Report. Nick drew the meeDng’s aLenDon to the “figures in blood” on page 22, which highlight that despite considerable income from investment income as well as the income from Church and Hall Hire and the Carpark, the deficit last year was ££11,382. Furthermore, the Budget for this year predicts an increased deficit of approximately £17,000. Clearly this worrying situaDon cannot conDnue. Fr Peter told the meeDng that work was in hand to send out an Appeal LeLer, which he was planning to co-ordinate with a similar appeal at St John’s Nick ended reiteraDng what Marilyn had said about the need for succession planning. He pointed out that he had been involved with St Mary’s accounts for 30 years and was now seeking help and assistance. Fr Peter thanked Nick for all his hard work as Treasurer and told the meeDng that it was again vital that we take the need for succession planning seriously. Fr Peter then asked the meeDng to formally receive the Secretary’s, the Churchwardens’ and Treasurer’s Reports. These were accepted unanimously. **Page 33** Molly Wedge told the meeDng she also wanted to publicly express thanks to Kerry Hughes (Parish Administrator) for all the work that she does for the church. 5. ElecDon of members of the Parochial Church Council. Marilyn Kirby announced there were 3 vacancies for three years and 3 nominaDons had been received prior to the meeDng. Marilyn also told the meeDng that due to health reasons Julia Brownbridge was stepping down for the Dme being from the PCC (her three-year term runs unDl 2026) - Naomi Rachael Heffer: proposer Marilyn Joan Kirby, seconder Carole HarrieL Skepper SDckneyAlexandra Louise Howe: proposer Julia Rosemary Brownbridge, seconder Nicola Jane Parker - Dominic Laurence Taylor, proposer Marilyn Joan Kirby, seconder Maragret Clare Goodhart Marilyn told the meeDng that Domanic Taylor had completed his form and confirmed his willingness to stand for re-elecDon. There being no further nominaDons Fr Peter declared the above duly elected as members of the PCC and warmly welcomed Alexandra and Naomi as new PCC Members. 6. Appointment of an Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC. Nick Lennard proposed, and Andy Parker 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. 7. AOB: a. Sound System Issues. John Lees told the meeDng that there had been an issue with the Sound System this morning. Nicky explained that one of the problems was it was a sophisDcated system and those hiring the church will alter the seVngs. Nick Lennard explained that each speaker could be set independently. What seemed to have happened was the front speakers had been inadvertently switched off (the sound for the chancel/choir stalls and the back of the church was fine). Sara Foster suggested that maybe producing a laminated instrucDon sheet to be placed by the Sound System Cabinet might help prevent these problems. b. Green Issues Helen Moss asked for an update on progress being made to meet the 2030 Net-Zero Carbon emission target set by the Church of England. In response Nick Lennard said £26,000 had been spent on ensuring all lighDng was now LED. The Hive Control System means that people can remotely check the level of church heaDng, important when hirers leave the heaDng on full aNer an event! Andy Parker said there had been an issue earlier in the year regarding a faulty value in the gas boiler, which had now been resolved. Nick Lennard said that both gas and electricity contracts had been renewed on a Green Energy Tariff Finally, the Fabric CommiLee are considering the feasibility of solar panels and storage baLeries. c. Nicky Parker expressed her thanks to Fr Peter for all that he does for St Mary’s and to his wife Clare, for her support. She also thanked Bishop Alastair and Fr Richard Hunt for all their support during Fr Peter’s sabbaDcal. **Page 34** d. Fr Peter drew the meeDng to a close by adding his thanks to both Bishop Alastair and Fr Richard Hunt for giving pastoral care during his 3-month SabbaDcal earlier in the year. He also expressed his thanks to the Readers (Stephen, Marilyn and Marcus) and Churchwardens (Clare and Nicky) for all they did. Fr Peter ended by thanking everyone at St Mary’s who had helped in any way, especially during his SabbaDcal. The meeDng ended at 12:30 pm, with Fr Peter leading the saying of the Grace together. Fr Peter Edwards **Page 35** ## **ST MARY’S, BATHWICK, ANNUAL VESTRY & PAROCHIAL MEETINGS ON SUNDAY 26[th] APRIL 2026** ## **AGENDA FOR ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING,** 1. Apologies for Absence 2. To confirm the Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of Sunday 25[th] May 2025 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 25[th] May 2025 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 2 members to Bath Deanery Synod, to serve for 3 years 6. To elect 3 members to Parochial Church Council, to serve for 3 years and 1 member to serve for 2 years. 7. To appoint an Independent Examiner for the Finances of the PCC 8. 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. Welcome to newly elected members 3. Elect a Vice Chairperson 4. Effect co-options 5. Appointment of an Honorary Treasurer 6. Appointment of an Honorary Secretary 7. Appointment of members to the Standing Committee 8. Appointment of an Electoral Roll Officer 9. Dates of 2026 meetings 10. Any other business **Page 36**