Melksham Church Annual Report & Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2025 Charity number: 1138038
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2025 at a glance
Electoral roll:
New staff: APPOINTED
170
Open the Book: LAUNCHED
Volunteers:
68
Avg Sunday attendance: 177
Parish share paid: £92.5k Life Group members:
Church House: 58 COMPLETED
Adults baptised:
16
Christmas attendance: 900+
Alpha guests: 53
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| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF | |
|---|---|
| MELKSHAM, SALISBURY | 5 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 5 |
| Rector’s Introduction | 7 |
| Churchwarden’s Report | 7 |
| Electoral Roll | 9 |
| Treasurer’s Report | 10 |
| St Barnabas, Beanacre | 11 |
| PRIORITY 1: EVANGELISM | 13 |
| Alpha | 13 |
| Special Events, Services & Festivals | 14 |
| Cricket | 15 |
| PRIORITY 2: DISCIPLESHIP | 17 |
| Sunday Teaching | 17 |
| Life Groups | 18 |
| Beanacre Bible Study | 19 |
| Reset Women's Day | 19 |
| Eco Church | 20 |
| Serving Teams | 21 |
| PRIORITY 3: WORSHIP | 24 |
| Worship Team | 24 |
| Production Team | 24 |
| New Wine | 25 |
| Verger Team | 26 |
| Church House | 27 |
| Bell Ringing | 28 |
| PRIORITY 4: PASTORAL CARE | 30 |
| Pastoral Team | 30 |
| Care Home Services | 30 |
| Coffee and Conversation. | 31 |
| Anna Chaplaincy | 31 |
| Safeguarding | 31 |
| Crafty Cafe | 32 |
| PRIORITY 5: NEXT GENERATION | 34 |
| Sunday Club | 34 |
| Youth | 35 |
| Young Adults | 36 |
| Open The Book | 37 |
| The Manor C of E Primary School | 38 |
| Forest & Sandridge C of E Primary School | 38 |
| Bradford Deanery | 39 |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT | 40 |
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The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Melksham, Salisbury
Annual Report & Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2025
Charity number: 1138038 Principal Address: Church House, 11 Canon Sq, Melksham, SN12 6LX
Structure, Governance and Management Philip McMullen - PCC Secretary
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a registered charity which has the responsibility of working with the incumbent in promoting in the community the whole mission of the Church of England, pastoral, evangelistic and social. The PCC also has the maintenance responsibilities for the fabric of our three churches and their respective church rooms.
Members of the PCC are each Trustees of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Melksham Charity (1138038). The clergy are appointed by the Bishop of Salisbury. All other elections take place at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where the members vote for their representatives, Churchwardens, Secretary, Treasurer and representatives to serve on Bradford Deanery Synod.
Those who served on the PCC in 2025 were:
Rev Charles Thomson Chair
Rev Charles Thomson Chair Timothy Just Peter Maslen Churchwarden Stephen Fivash Gwen McLean Churchwarden to May ‘25 David Flower Rev Francis Moloney Team Vicar Jeremy Hartley Philip McMullen Secretary (EO) Christof Masheder Hongxia Shi Treasurer Hannah Thomson Stanford Cole Assistant Warden Matthew Verrell Gillian Blackham Deanery Synod rep Andrew Close Deborah Couzens Deanery Synod rep Gwen Mclean Jennifer Allen Jonathan Trueman Richard Hucknall Gregory Wilkinson
Until May ‘25 Until May ’25 Until May ‘25 Until May ‘25 Until May ‘25 Until May ’25 From May ’25 From May ‘25 From May ‘25 From May ‘25
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The full PCC has met five times since the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held in May 2025: in June, September, November and in February and April 2026. The PCC also has a Standing Committee which comprises the Wardens, the Clergy and up to 2 elected members of the PCC which meets on a regular basis between meetings of the PCC itself.
Major decisions made during the year include finalising the redevelopment and overseeing the opening of Church House (11 Canon Square) and the letting of accommodation therein; acting upon a Quinquennial inspection at St Andrews’ which identified a number of issues which required urgent attention; refurbishing the Clock face and heating and authorising the hanging of two new bells at St Michael’s Church; commencing refurbishment of the Church Room and receiving regular updates from maintenance works at St Barnabas. The PCC also oversaw the appointment of an Operations Manager, a Youth Worker and a Children’s Worker Coordinator during the year following a successful application for funding from the Church of England.
The Treasurer’s formal, independently audited accounts were received and agreed at the APCM in May 2025, since when the PCC has reviewed the church’s overall finances on a regular basis. The Accounts are detailed in a separate report.
The PCC also has a designated Safeguarding Officer who issues regular reports and maintains updated policies to that effect. During the year, the PCC reviewed and adopted the House of Bishops safeguarding policies, and agreed to the adoption of a new Safeguarding Data Dashboard.
Reporting serious safeguarding incidents is the responsibility of the Diocesan Secretary supported by the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA). The Secretary continues to work closely with both the Diocese and the Charity Commission on an ongoing basis.
PCC June 2025
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Rector’s Introduction
Charlie Thomson - Team Rector
A few years ago we rebranded the APCM (which frankly sounds rather boring) to be Vision Sunday; the idea being that it’s an opportunity not just to look back and celebrate everything that God did last year, but to seek his perspective for where we’re going in the year to come.
Well as we approach this year’s Vision Sunday, although I’m feeling huge excitement about everything that God is doing in our church (baptisms; new ministries launching; new staff appointments; increasing attendance etc) if I’m honest I’ve also got a bit of a question mark about what’s next! In preparation for Netty’s retirement after an amazing 35 years as parish administrator, and Peter Maslen also coming to the end of his fantastic tenure as warden (a humungous thank you to both!) we had hoped the newly created role of Operations Director would facilitate a smooth transition for the next chapter of the church’s leadership, but our clever plan doesn’t quite seem to have come together!
However, we’ve been in a series of Sundays looking at Romans 12, an inspiring chapter in which Paul paints a picture of the church as like a body made up of many parts. The call is not to place our confidence in any one individual, but for every member to play their part, contributing their different gifts as a blessing to serve the whole.
The report below is a beautiful illustration of the body at work - gifts of caring, teaching, welcoming, serving, singing, strumming, gardening, cutting, sticking, cleaning, counting, camping, ringing, painting, baking, visiting, acting, bowing, batting, projecting, hosting etc etc etc… so I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every member who has contributed to the life of the church over the last year - and who knows what gifts might be waiting to be released over the next 12 months!
So as we look to the coming year, although I am hoping for good appointments to key positions, my biggest prayer is that we’d grow together as one body; that we would be the kind of church where every member is able to be a blessing to the whole.
Churchwarden’s Report Peter Maslen - Churchwarden
This will be my last report as Churchwarden of St Michaels. The PCC have been either extending or ignoring the rule that Wardens have to step down after 6 years in post. I have exceeded this by many times, having become a warden at the start of Michael Pain’s time as Rector - you can work out for yourselves when that was from the Rectors board in church!
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The last year has been very successful regarding the numbers of people attending most of our services, Christmas and Easter in particular. Also our children’s ministry has been beating all records, thanks to the excellent staff who are able to concentrate on preparation and running the children’s ministry in all age groups, and the expanding number of younger families coming along.
Churchyard
There are two current themes going on within our churchyard walls. Firstly the Churchyard was “closed” to burials back in 1985 and therefore regular maintenance of grass, trees, shrubs and walls falls (or should fall) to the Town Council. After a struggle this year, they have only recently achieved the second cut. Secondly under our ECO Church scheme there is a plan for ongoing eco management of the churchyard where Mike Saunders and Lindsay Poulton have been working on such areas as wilding, composting and preparation for wild flower areas. This is only in the immediate area of churchyard around the building, with the greater area of the graveyard past the Lychgate being left solely to Council maintenance.
Buildings
Our building maintenance is governed by our Quinquennial (5 yearly) architect’s inspection and report. We are lucky that the building is in a reasonable state of repair with no urgent areas of major concern to worry us. Earlier in 2026 we have had some electrical problems but these have now been repaired and a full electrical inspection carried out.
Tower clock maintenance has now been completed, and our bells as you will read elsewhere are now fully functioning as a ring of 10 and were recently rededicated by Bishop Andrew. Well done to our ringers for fully funding this augmentation project!
Our Staff team and PCC are looking at the possibility of keeping St Michaels open for visitors during daylight hours without the need to have our Church Watch volunteers as at present. There are some basic security factors that we are investigating before this can progress.
During autumn 2025 we were able to progress our heating upgrade with replacement of some of the old, furred and silted up cast iron pipes dating from 1904. We now have stainless steel pipes and 4 new radiators, all designed to be compatible with the planned reordering. The next upgrade when funds allow will hopefully give us full heating at the front of the nave and into the Lady Chapel and Chancel areas.
St Andrew’s
It’s now 3 years since we started the process of closure of St Andrews Church. The last Sunday Service at St Andrews was Easter Sunday 2023 and thereafter only occasional weddings and funerals have been held. However we are working with the Diocese and Wiltshire Council on possible community uses for the building and currently have a potential tenant interested in using the building under a long lease. Watch this space, although it is not at all straightforward! Meanwhile, St Andrews churchyard cannot be closed and we as a parish are responsible for its ongoing maintenance, in addition to the building.
Thanking you all for your support over the years.
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Electoral Roll
Last year, the numbers on the roll totalled 148; with 3 deletions and 30 new members, the new roll stands at 170.
Official Certificates, with the new roll figure will be forwarded to the Deanery and Diocesan Secretaries after the Parish Roll has been formally adopted at the APCM.
In 2025 we held 2 weddings in St Andrew’s and 1 in St Michael’s. So far for 2026 we have 7 booked for St Michael’s. Last year we were involved in reading banns for 7 weddings taking place elsewhere, with 4 scheduled for this year so far.
Average St Michael’s Sunday Attendance (excluding festivals/baptisms)
----- Start of picture text -----
Adults Under 16s
200
150
100
50
0
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
----- End of picture text -----
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Treasurer’s Report
Susan Shi - Treasurer
| Melksham Team Ministry 2024 2025 Unrestricted Income £169,683 £164,308 Unrestricted Expenditure £159,767 £166,888 |
Melksham Team Ministry 2024 2025 Unrestricted Income £169,683 £164,308 Unrestricted Expenditure £159,767 £166,888 |
|---|---|
| Net | £9,916 -£3,781 |
In-year activity saw the charity generate a net surplus of £ 23,567 of income over expenditure including restricted and unrestricted funds. The charity’s total funds as of 31 December 2025 were £889,588 (2024: £866,021), which were split between Unrestricted: £52,542, and Restricted: £837,046 (2024: £56,323 Unrestricted and £809,698 Restricted).
Thanks to many church family members’ generous giving, we were pleased to be able to pay our Diocesan Share of £92.5k for 2025, and all of the necessary expenditure of running the churches, although 2025 accounts show a small deficit £3,781 of income over expenditure in Unrestricted (General) fund.
By summer 2025 we completed the renovation work for Church House with £20k surplus, and the building has been put into good use ever since.
May we continue to put our trust in God in 2026 for His provision and pray as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:8 – And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Thank you to everyone who gave generously in 2025! To start giving, visit www.melksham.church/give
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St Barnabas, Beanacre
David Flower - Honorary Assistant Minister, St Barnabas
We continue to serve God at St Barnabas Church, as a small but welcoming fellowship. There have been comings and goings, but we remain in good heart. A number of folks completed an Alpha Course, ably led by Revd Francis, Ruth Fivash and Barry Scarlett. We also appreciated Simon’s technical support. A new Bible Study will commence shortly, in a study on the Acts of the Apostles.
The pattern of services on Sundays remains unchanged with Café Church on the first Sunday of the month with Holy Communion on the second Sunday led by Revd Charlie or Revd Francis. The third Sunday and fifth Sunday are led by Revd Ant Rose and Gillian Blackham. The Sunday Service contains a variety of teaching, prayer, hospitality, and fellowship. All are welcome.
Our musicians continue to offer their talents in leading worship. Thanks go to Jocelyn Scarlett, Sue Phillips, and Jenny Adams. Thanks also to Simon Bull and Sue Phillips for the Audio-visual display of music and songs. David and Marilyn Flowers continue to host ‘Tea@StBs’ on the first Thursday of each month. It is open to all and is time for tea, cake, and a warm chat!
Our intrepid ChurchWarden Stanford Cole continues to keep the Church wind and watertight. This year the focus has been on the flooring with new varnish applied which has had the effect of making the Church much brighter. Stanford doesn’t rest on his laurels though. Plans are afoot for further work coming soon. Thank you Stanford.
We must also thank Ian McLean for keeping the Church grounds in pristine condition, which visitors frequently comment on, and for Ruth Cole for her work and generosity with the Church flowers. It is also worth giving thanks to the whole fellowship for the way everyone does what they can to make St Barnabas the lovely community it is.
Financial generosity abounds too at St Barnabas. From weekly, monthly, and annual giving, plus ‘one off’ donations for special projects means that we are able to pay our ‘Parish Share’. Thanks to Dale our Treasurer for keeping our books and funds in first class order.
Corsham Cricket Club and the St Michael’s Church Team use the Cricket Field during the season. We have five table tennis teams using the Schoolroom throughout the winter season. The Boules Pitch is used by a group that meets on Wednesdays during the warmer weather. Soon a Walking Cricket Initiative will begin, so watch this space!
We continue to miss Sara Banks (RIP) who died last year. Sara was a much-loved Worship Leader who led a monthly service, took minutes at the Church Council Meeting, and inspired the Beanacre Netball Team. We commend her family, Sandra, and Vicky to your prayers.
Thanks be to God. To him be the glory.
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Priority 1: Evangelism
Alpha Mark Rollinson - Alpha Group Leader
It has been a privilege and joy to have been involved as one of the facilitators on the Tuesday evening Alpha course that has recently finished its run at the Kings Arms and, as a fairly new Melksham churchgoer, a great way to get to know others in the church community and those new to it. Thank you for this opportunity!
As a group, we explored a wide range of discussion on topics over the 10 week course. Topics were covered from ‘is there more to life than this’, to ‘why and how should I read the Bible’, to ‘how can I resist evil’. As you might guess, sometimes the chat was quite deep, but we did have lots of more fun moments, too! We also partook of some lovely cake that was provided for us (thanks very much to the bakers!), plus the odd sneaky pint and discussion after the session!
Those professing their faith and those exploring Christianity came together, growing together as almost a close knit family, through the weeks. Alongside this, there was a Wednesday Morning Alpha group at St Barnabas and we came together for the Alpha away day (… all the way over at the Griffin in Lacock!). That was a really moving experience, learning about the Holy Spirit and many being clearly moved by the spirit on that day!
Altogether we had about 40 people across the two adult Alpha groups, plus there was a Youth Alpha group running at the same time. So many who attended either strengthened their faith, or have made a commitment to begin their journey with Christ, with several committing to baptism on Easter Sunday.
Others are now exploring their next steps and we even have a new Life Group that has been initiated from the Tuesday Alpha Group! All thanks to God for His blessing on this group and for everyone’s continued prayer for His work.
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Special Events, Services & Festivals Charlie Thomson - Team Rector
In April 2025 we held what’s thought to have been the first full-immersions baptisms in the history of the parish.
At the time I was quietly hoping it might become an annual tradition, and even if we didn’t repeat the bumper crop of the inaugural service (11 people ‘dunked’), we could pray there might be 3 or 4 who would want to be baptised.
I never dreamed we might be baptising 20 people the following Easter Sunday! But it was amazing to see the church packed as we heard the good news of resurrection life being lived out in the lives of the candidates, each of whom shared moving testimonies of God at work in their lives bringing freedom, hope and peace through faith in Jesus.
Having borrowed a baptistry for the past two services, perhaps it’s time for us to invest in a pool of our own, and for us to expect to see many more go through the waters of baptism as we continue to Make Jesus Known in our community!
Christmas was a really special time, with the church packed with guests for a range of memorable services. New this year was ‘Carols in the Pub’, with a great turnout for an acoustic singalong in the Kings Arms, and our Christmas Eve Spectacular, with several hundred people gathering outside in the churchyard for a special retelling of the Christmas story with guest speaker Bob Hartman.
During the past year we’ve been really encouraged by special guest speakers including Bishop Andrew, Jez Barnes, Bob Hartman, and Richard Moy - all of whom have brought fresh energy and passion with their preaching.
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Cricket
Jonny Trueman - Cricket Captain
This season has been a positive and encouraging one for our church cricket team. We were pleased to host fixtures against Corsham Baptist, St James Trowbridge, and St Nicholas Bristol. Across these three matches, we secured two victories and one defeat, reflecting both strong performances and closely contested encounters.
Each game was played in an excellent spirit, with a clear sense of fellowship and sportsmanship shared among all teams. The matches were competitive and enjoyable for players and spectators alike, showcasing a well-rounded display of batting, bowling, and fielding throughout the side.
We are also excited about the prospect of the new pavilion at St Barnabas. Corsham Cricket Club has worked diligently behind the scenes to bring this project to life, and we look forward to seeing its progress in the coming season.
Beyond the results, the season has been valuable in strengthening relationships with neighbouring churches and providing meaningful opportunities for community engagement. We are grateful to everyone who participated, supported, and helped organise the fixtures.
Overall, it has been a successful and rewarding season. We look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead, with five fixtures already scheduled as well as an inaugural six-a-side tournament to look forward to.
Also, a big thank you to Gareth Grant (AKA Can You Cricket) for capturing crucial video coverage, giving MCCC (Melksham Church Cricket Club) valuable insight for future team selection!!!
2025 Results
May 25th
2026 Fixtures
May 31st
vs Corsham Baptist Church (WON) vs Corsham Baptist Church
Jun 15th
Jul 20th
vs Corsham Cricket Club (no show)
Jun 7th
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Priority 2:
Discipleship
Sunday Teaching Charlie Thomson
Every week as we read the Bible, we declare that ‘ this is the Word of the Lord ’, and we give thanks to God that he hasn’t left us wondering what he might say to us, but actually speaks to us powerfully through the Scriptures!
This year we’ve had a mixture of ‘topical’ teaching series (the Creed, Creationtide, Spiritual Disciplines) and series that have worked systematically through a Bible book (Ephesians, 1 John) or chapter (1 Corinthians 15, Romans 12).
Some of the Life Groups have followed along midweek to discuss and apply them to daily life.
It’s also been great to welcome a number of inspiring guest speakers - Richard Moy, Jez Barnes, John Dunnett, and Bishop Andrew have all preached passionately and powerfully.
Let’s pray in the year to come that we’d have open Bibles and open hearts as we’re shaped by God’s living and active word!
Catch up online:
youtube.com/@melkshamchurch
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Life Groups
Kate Ocock - Life Group Leader
Life Groups are a brilliant way of going deeper in friendships as well as growing in our Christian faith. These weekly/fortnightly gatherings across Melksham are wonderful and have usually (but not always) sprung forth out of the Alpha experiences. There is never a pressure to have to attend but it’s interesting how, over time, you begin to find real connection and a spiritual thirst to read the Bible together and hear what God is saying to us as a group and personally. There is no special format as such, just meeting up and spending time together and being ready to receive nourishment, through the Word (and biscuits!)
A typical Life Group (ours runs on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm - 9pm) starts with a bit of a chat and refreshments. Sharing and connecting like this about our daily lives or about what’s going on in the world around us is a great way of building friendships. We then light a candle as a reminder of God being in our midst before opening up the Bible. The beauty of these groups is that we are all in this together. Learning and discussing and asking questions.
This past year we have studied 1 Peter, Ephesians and 1 John in an informal, conversational way. We end the evening with prayer for each other. No prayer request is too little or too big that we can’t bring it before the Lord. “Belonging to a small tight knit
“Belonging to a small tight knit group where we grow together share the ups and downs of our lives, and eat a lot of biscuits!”
| Leader | Where? | When? | Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ant & Jane Rose Barry Scarlett & Ruth Fivash Celia Shill Dan Stuchbury, Mark & Alison Rollinson Francis Moloney Gillian Blackham Kate Ocock |
The Spa St Barnabas Place Road Bowerhill Thyme Road Bream Close Woodrow Road |
Mondays at 19:30 Wednesdays at 10:30 Fridays at 10:30 Mondays at 19:30 Alternate Wednesdays at 19:30 Mondays at 19:15 Tuesdays at 19:30 |
8 9 8 8 9 9 7 |
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Beanacre Bible Study Barry Scarlett
Post Christmas at Barnabas has become highly encouraging. The Wednesday morning Alpha led by Francis Moloney has been very well received. During the course joining with St Michael’s on the Alpha away day has been inspirational.
Post Alpha Bible studies have taken place and continue at St Barnabas. The study is open to not only Alpha people but anyone who wishes to join in.
A new course led by myself and Ruth Fivash based on Acts of the Apostles will begin at the end of May, and is open to all.
Reset Women's Day
Korah Casey
On Saturday 7th February a group of us ladies convoyed to Cheltenham Trinity Church, one of the eleven locations New Wine hosted the event, for fellowship, worship and reflection. The theme for this session was Psalm 46 - holy dwelling place, steady and radiant in God's presence.
Reset began at 9am with delicious pastries and hot drinks, shortly followed by worship to a live band, and our first session reflecting on John 4 - Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, or as the presenter memorably put it -
“It’s me, babes!” We then took a break with some delicious rocky road and more hot drinks, followed by breakaway panels. I stayed in
the main church room for a talk on faith and managing mental health which encouraged us to leave our woes to the Lord rather than rely on our coping mechanisms, with other breakaway sessions including Parenting and faith, faith in the workplace and creative ways to receive from the Holy Spirit.
After lunch, we united as a full group for more worship, followed by a second session of ministry, including the opportunity to come forward to be prayed for by the prayer ministry team, encouraging prayer for healing. There was then a third presentation on The Rescuer, and how God encourages us to be part of His mission through GAME: Gift, Anointing, Mission and Exchange, with emphasis on Isaiah 61.
We then had a final session of worship, followed by a small gift of a beautiful candle as we left. I found the day deeply peaceful and full of reflection (and delicious sweet treats), and would strongly encourage other women in the congregation to join us next year!
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Eco Church
Gillian Blackham - Eco Church Lead
The Eco Church program from A Rocha gives a framework for local churches to take practical action to care for God’s creation. We have a group of people who are taking this forward and we have met as a whole group termly.
Within the group we have smaller groups focusing on five areas of church life. We need to reach bronze level in each of these groups to achieve a bronze award.
Land and Nature: Mike, Lindsay and Deborah
The group have great plans for developing the churchyard as a nature haven and have been busy creating a nature friendly environment with a log pile, bird boxes, wild areas and citizen science. They are planning a project day for all those interested to take the work forward and to inform and inspire on the first Saturday of the month. The group have already reached bronze level. Keep an eye out for activities.
Buildings and energy: Peter, Dave and Ruth
Despite the challenges of the church building we are doing well and have also reached bronze level in this category.
Community and global engagement: Gillian
This is an area in which we have a little way to go, though I’m sure many members of the congregation are involved in community activities that support the environment in Melksham. Do let me know about groups or projects you are involved in.
Lifestyle: Gwen, Erika, Louise and Gillian
The Lifestyle group has made a plan to take this forward. We’re not yet at bronze level and would like to encourage you to help us along the way by bringing your own cup for tea and coffee to save resources and money.
Erika’s Eco Cleaning Tips:
-
Great cleaning products can be made with simple household ingredients such as lemon, white vinegar, olive oil and baking powder.
-
For homemade kitchen cleaner use 2 cups of water, ½ cup vinegar, ¼ baking soda and shake well.
-
Glass cleaner: 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water, shake well.
-
Grout can be cleaned with toothpaste.
-
Fabric conditioner: add ½ cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle (really good for sensitive skin)
-
Ketchup can be used to clean rust, burnt on food, brass, silver, copper and stainless steel.
-
Carpets – sprinkle baking soda, leave a few hours, then hoover.
Worship and teaching: Charlie
Underpinning all we do. We have already achieved silver level in this category.
Do ask, sign up to the WhatsApp group, join a small group, or come to our next main meeting. We’d love you to join in!
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Serving Teams Charlie Thomson
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body , and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” - Romans 12: 4-6
If the church is one body made up of many body parts, then every member is valued, and has something to contribute! That means whether you’ve only recently started following Jesus or have been on the electoral roll for longer than you can remember, you are an integral part of the body and have something to offer.
Every Sunday we gather for a church ‘ service’ - but it’s not just our chance to be served by others - it’s an opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ!
The chart below is an attempted snapshot of the different teams at church; who leads them, and how they’re currently doing. Our prayer is that everyone in church would have the opportunity to serve the body with their gifts - which team might you join?
A massive thank you to everyone who has served our church in different ways this year!
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| TEAM | LEADER | COMMITMENT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNDAYS | |||
| 9am Serving Team | Charlie | Sunday morning bimonthly | Established |
| 9am Chalice Assistants | Ruth Fivash | Sunday morning bimonthly | Established |
| 9am Tea & Cofee Team | Mary Seaman & Lesley | Sunday morning monthly | Established |
| Windebank | |||
| 10:45 Worship Team | Dave Scott | Sunday morning twice monthly | Needs more musicians |
| 10:45 Tea & Cofee Team | Jane Brown | Sunday morning monthly | Established |
| 10:45 Welcome Team | Jane Rose | Sunday morning monthly | Established |
| 10:45 Projection Team | Andy Close | Sunday morning monthly | Established |
| 10:45 Sound Team | Andy Close | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| KIDS & YOUTH | |||
| Kids Team | Sarah Grant & Annabel | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| Moloney | |||
| - Creche | Sarah Grant | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| - Scramblers | Hannah Thomson | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| - Climbers | Jonny Trueman | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| - Explorers | Jenny Allen | Sunday morning monthly | Needs more team |
| Open the Book | Vicky Just & Jane Brown | Half termly thursday afternoons | Needs more volunteers |
| Youth Team | Francis Moloney & Dave | Sunday morning twice a month | Needs more team |
| Luckett | |||
| LEADERSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP & PRAYER | |||
| PCC | Charlie | 4 evening meetings per year | Established |
| Alpha Team | Charlie | Tues evenings, Jan - Apr | Established |
| Pastoral Team | Francis | Ad-hoc | Needs more men! |
| Life Group Leaders | Francis | ||
| Prayer Ministry Team | ?? | Needs relaunching | |
| BUILDINGS & FACILITIES | |||
| Verger Team | Dave Martin | Sunday mornings; ad-hoc | Established |
| weekdays | |||
| Eco-church Team | Gillian Blackham | Termly Wednesday evenings | Newly established |
| Buildings Team | Patrick Wintour | ||
| Church Cleaning Team | Dave Martin | Saturday morning monthly | Needs more volunteers |
| Church Watch | Alistair Banks | Weekly midweek | Needs more volunteers |
| Facilities Team | ? | Ad-hoc | Needs relaunching |
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Priority 3: Worship
Worship Team Dave Scott
This past year, the four songs we sang most often in worship were Goodness of God, All the Earth, I Speak Jesus and Holy Forever and I’d like to think it’s more than coincidence that each one speaks to ‘making Jesus known’. Throughout the year we’ve united as a church family in declaring his incomparable goodness, calling all the earth to worship and speaking his name over ‘fear and all anxiety’. We consider it a privilege to play our part in this collective worship each week.
One of the most memorable moments of the year came at Easter, when we were joined by extra singers and musicians to form an eight-strong band- quite a step up from our usual two or three! It was a joy to lead worship that morning, supporting a packed congregation as they celebrated together and witnessed the testimonies of those being baptised. A morning none of us will forget.
We're a small team with a simple aim- supporting our church family to praise, worship and draw closer to God. If you've ever thought about getting involved, whether singing, playing, or helping with the tech, we'd love to hear from you.
Finally, a huge thank you to our tech team whose behind-the-scenes work at the back of church makes everything possible each Sunday.
Production Team
Andy Close
It is a joy to be part of a growing church, and our sound and AV teams play a quiet but vital role in making our services the best they can be each week.
Last year saw significant investment in our sound and projection systems, and our volunteer teams have embraced the new technology brilliantly. The next important step is upgrading our speakers, which will allow us to fully realise the benefits of everything that has already been put in place. This is a project we are actively planning for.
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We have also been recording sermons for our YouTube channel and have live streamed services for those who are unable to join us in person, which has been a lovely way of keeping people connected.
Our sound and projection teams now provide consistent cover every Sunday, and they do a fantastic job. We are always looking for more volunteers to join them. Full training and support is provided and no prior experience is needed.
New Wine
Louise Pedersen & Caitlin Gibbs
We had an incredible time at New Wine 2025! It was the first time for both of us, and while there were some mistakes made (always buy the bigger tent!), we truly felt the presence of God.
As we were in our 20s, we were able to take part in the New Wine Young Adult group catered for 18–29-year-olds; it was here that we really felt connected. They had 5 talks across the 5 days from different people, followed by a chance to be prayed for, as well as a morning Bible study (with free coffee!).
We made some great friends (who did think we were sisters – we can’t blame them), and there was something so unique about it that really opened our eyes and increased our longing for the Lord. What really stood out was the worship, prayers and welcoming atmosphere.
This extends to the entire New Wine experience; the worship is incredible. Think thousands of people worshipping God under one roof, it is truly indescribable. The main worship took place in the evening in the ‘Big Top’ venue, but there were a range of venues all with different forms of worship: something for everyone. There were daily sermons at around
10am, with different talks and activities throughout the day until the evening worship, followed by latenight activities (concerts, silent disco, board game café etc).
Our camp was not disturbed by the late-night noise from the worship or band nights, just in case that isn’t your cup of tea! What also left a mark was the small in-between moments with the church family. Early morning or late-night chats, eating together, sitting together in Big Top, meeting new people, hearing about other talks; there was such a sincere
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sense of community.
Louise’s favourite memories were the uncontrollable laughs that would start anywhere in camp, day and night, which just elevated the mood further, and the ability to sing and dance and rejoice in worships made the connection to God so freeing and enjoyable. And just a heads up, don’t have late night phone calls, people can hear you and you will discover it later…
Caitlin’s favourite memories were the moments of quiet in the Big Top broken up by sudden bursts of worship that spread through the crowd, worshipping wholeheartedly and proudly at the front of the venues, eating with the church family, and the final talk in New Wine Young Adults.
We really hope to see more of our church family at New Wine 2026!
Verger Team Dave Martin
What a Blessing it is to be part of a such a very lively and growing Church! Throughout the year, it has been wonderful to see so many new faces regularly at Sunday services – we are certainly Making Jesus Known throughout our community.
From a Verger team perspective, our work does not vary much throughout the year. This past year has again been busy on a weekly basis in preparing for and ensuring that the Sunday, weekday and other services run smoothly and problem free. Additionally we have again welcomed the Aloeric, Manor, and the Forest and Sandridge schools for their termly services at St Michaels which, together with an afternoon Baptism and a number of Funerals, resulted in an additional 23 services held in the Church.
In providing Verger cover for all the various services in our Church, I am very grateful for the continuing support received from Margaret Brinkworth and Margaret Inchley in their roles as part of the Verger team and also to Terry Inchley and Paul Timbrell who have regularly helped throughout the year at Sunday morning services. Thank you all for your willing support and commitment.
The one area where the Verger team continues to struggle somewhat is the periodic “Church Cleaning” sessions which are scheduled on the third Saturday each month from 9.30 am until 11.30 am. The Church is a very large space to keep clean and tidy. To be on top of this task, it would be enormously helpful to have a few more willing and regular pairs of hands to ensure that we can get all the dusting, floor sweeping/vacuuming and brass cleaning etc. done. There are invariably other bits and pieces to do. All additional help will be most welcome, with tea, coffee, nibbles and good music provided. Come when you can for as long as you wish. Many thanks.
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Church House
Hannah Thomson
Following on from last year, where we stood on the brink of opening Church House, we are delighted to share that the building is now fully open—and we are still pinching ourselves at God’s provision.
Over the past year, Church House has quickly become a life-giving hub for both church and community. The office space has enabled our growing team to be based together (a welcome move from the Rectory kitchen!), providing a healthier environment with room to grow as we navigate a busy and fruitful season of church life.
The flats are now fully occupied, and it has been wonderful to see the homes we hoped to create now being lived in and enjoyed. The building is also being well used by the wider community: hosting activities ranging from Singing Mamas and Bible journalling workshops to charity team meetings, with a CAP course launching soon. We are excited to see this continue to grow, with the building increasingly serving and blessing our town.
Of course, Church House also plays a key role in our Sundays—regularly filled with the joyful energy of children and creche groups. It has enabled the continued health and growth of our Sunday Club, and (despite the inevitable wear and tear!) is serving us incredibly well.
Encouragingly, through rental income, the building is financially sustainable. This not only secures its future but also allows us to continue using it as a resource to bless the wider community.
A particularly visible sign of transformation is the front cottage garden, lovingly envisioned and maintained by Mike and Lindsey. Once derelict, it now reflects the wider journey of No. 11—restored with care and creativity. It stands as a simple but powerful reminder of God’s provision, for which we are deeply grateful. (look out for a refreshed back garden hopefully coming this summer!).
Looking ahead, we are beginning the next phase of our building journey. The church room is about to receive a much-needed refresh (wonderfully supported by a community grant), and we are continuing to pray and explore the potential of a wider reordering project within the church building itself - a long-held vision to bring to fruition in order to serve our community and bring glory to God.
We remain thankful for all that God has done and expectant for all that is still to come.
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Bell Ringing Chris Bush - Ringer
The project to augment the bells of St Michael’s from eight to ten was first conceived around the millennium, but gained fresh momentum around the coronation of King Charles III and the centenary of the current bells, cast in 1924.
After receiving permission to include the King’s Royal Cypher on two new bells, the order was placed just before the end of 2023. Generous donations quickly followed, including one bell given in memory of local ringer Eric Hitchins and another donated by the Keltek Trust. Fundraising and grant applications then enabled the frame and fittings to be commissioned, with the necessary Diocesan Faculty granted during 2024.
Despite some delays, installation began in December 2025, and the bells were first rung as a peal of ten on 9 January 2026. Bishop Andrew Rumsey dedicated the bells at a special service on 22 April 2026 shortly before leaving the Diocese.
Bell ringing has a long history in Melksham, stretching back to at least 1553. Over the centuries the bells have marked royal occasions including the reigns of Queen Anne and Queen Victoria; our ring of eight were recast by John Taylor & Co in 1924 and are regarded as one of the finest in the country.
Alongside the augmentation project, a “dumb bell” and simulator have been installed to help train new ringers. The tower band continues to welcome new members of all ages, with practices held on Friday evenings.
New bells ready to be hung
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Priority 4: Pastoral Care
Pastoral Team Francis Moloney
Pastoral care remains one of our core priorities, expressed through the faithful ministry of our pastoral visiting team. The team continues to visit those who are housebound, offer support in times of crisis, and provide a consistent, prayerful presence to many across the church family.
We are encouraged that the team is growing, with two new members joining this year, strengthening our ability to respond and extend this ministry. To do this we have developed a new volunteer role working alongside more experienced in pastoral care. Creating an on-ramp for those who are interested. Alongside this, we are beginning to explore more structured ways of offering care, particularly through initiatives such as the CAP Life Skills programme. This reflects a desire not only to respond to immediate needs but also to support people more sustainably over time.
We remain deeply grateful for those who serve in this ministry demonstrating the love of Christ in often unseen but significant ways.
Care Home Services
Marilyn Flower
Visits to Care Homes and Retirement Living Units have continued. Monthly Services are held at Crown House, Brookside, and Alpine Villa. This will be extended to other settings if we are given the opportunity. Holy Communion is arranged when required. Pastoral Visits to individual residents are made as requested and our team is available for ongoing support to residents, staff, and family members.
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Coffee and Conversation.
Several groups offer friendship and fellowship on a regular basis. Welcoming our own Church members, those from other churches and those yet to find faith, we strive to offer support and hospitality with a smile, a hot drink, and a piece of cake.
T@StB – 1st Thursday of each month, 2-3.30pm, St Barnabas Church, Beanacre.
St Michael’s Wives Club – open to all – second Wednesday of the month@2pm – meeting in St Michael’s Church Room.
Coffee in the Park 4th Thursday each month – 10-12noon. Evie’s kitchen in St George’s Park.
Anna Chaplaincy
Marilyn Flower licensed Anna Chaplain (Chaplain for Older People) works within the Pastoral Team alongside Clergy and LPA’s (Lay Pastoral Assistants). Together we have continued to develop ministry for older people, particularly for those in Care settings. This includes those living with dementia and their families and members of staff. Regular training and support are given via the Anna Chaplaincy Network, sharing resources, research, and good practice. Opportunities have arisen to promote Anna Chaplaincy within the Deanery and the Diocese; also, to explore ways to offer Bereavement support to staff and residents in Care Home settings.
Safeguarding Gwen McLean
It has been a very busy, exciting and successful year in terms of Safeguarding.
The amazing work carried out by the team at St Michaels has resulted in an ever-growing congregation, requiring more volunteers to run the various groups. All volunteers have now received DBS clearance and the majority have completed the required Safeguarding courses. My thanks to all of you for your time and effort in completing them.
The exciting news is that we now have a new Safeguarding Administration system run by a Christian organisation. It is extremely efficient and answers any queries quickly. This important part of Safeguarding has been taken over by Annabel and Mike to whom I am very grateful.
We have also been actively working through the Diocesan Framework to ensure that both our churches are " Safer Churches" This entails everyone in our congregations feeling welcome, safe, loved and
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valued . The comments I have heard from visitors and new families is that "both churches are welcoming and very friendly”
A Safer Church also requires us to have all the required policies and procedures in place which we have. There is still more work to be done but my sincere thanks go to the everyone for making our churches "Safer Churches”
If you would like to raise any safeguarding concerns, please contact safeguarding@melksham.church, or safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org
Crafty Cafe Karen Attfield & Heather Mcmullen
Crafty Cafe has continued to flourish throughout 2025 -2026, continuing to be a cherished staple of our Tuesday mornings. This year our small but mighty group has seen incredible engagement, fuelled by the many and diverse talents of our own members, from member led art demonstrations, to more specialised craft sessions such as Iris Folding. The atmosphere has been one of shared learning and encouragement.
A significant highlight was our Christmas Craft Table Event , which not only brought the community together in festive spirit, but also raised funds to support the on going mission of St Michael ‘s. It has been a real joy for Heather and I to see our small group flourish and make an impact through simple acts of service and creativity.
Beyond the finished projects and successful fundraising we have both seen Gods hand clearly at work in the relationships blossoming across the craft tables. Recently one of our members has set up her own Crafty Cafe at another Church in another town, we like to think maybe partly inspired by the success of St Michael’s Crafty Cafe.
Crafty Cafe has become more than a workshop, it has become a sanctuary of helpfulness and grace where people feel they are seen and supported. We see the Holy Spirit in the way group members teach one another and in the quiet conversations that offer comfort in a busy week, looking back on the year we are reminded that when we offer our hands and our time to the Lord, he weaves us together into a vibrant tapestry of faith, and how he uses this group to spread warmth and light within our church family and wider community.
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*p
Priority 5: Next Generation
Sunday Club Annabel Moloney & Sarah Grant
Over the past year, we have seen such encouraging growth and joy in our children’s ministry, and we are truly grateful for all that God is doing among our children and families.
In September 2025, we celebrated the creation of two new Sunday Club groups, reflecting both the growth in numbers and the desire to better serve different age groups. It was also exciting to see two of our groups move into new rooms within the newly renovated Church House, providing welcoming and dedicated spaces for the children to gather, explore the Bible together, play and pray!
Throughout the year, the children have been actively engaging in church life—praying for our community, building friendships, enjoying crafts, and hearing stories from the Bible. It has been wonderful to see their faith growing in such a joyful and creative environment. We regularly see around 35 children on a Sunday!
Good Friday 2026 marked a special milestone with the launch of a new Good Friday family experience. The format of the event involved prayerful, hands-on engagement with the Good Friday story at a number of stations spaced around the church building. Around 20 families attended and were all engaged in what was happening. We’re grateful to the strong hosting team who helped facilitate this meaningful space.
We were also delighted by our Christmas celebrations in 2025. In a change from previous years, our Christmas Eve service was held outdoors! The event included speaking from Bob Hartman, donkeys, singing, and marshmallows, and welcomed over 400 people, including many children and families from our wider community.
Towards the end of last year, Annabel Moloney stepped into position as our Children’s Coordinator and this year Sarah Grant has also joined the team as Children and Families’ Lead. We are so excited to have Annabel and Sarah working together in the area of children and families’ ministry. We also thank God for Hannah Thomson’s faithful leadership of this ministry up to this point, as well as the incredible children and youth team - currently a team of 37 volunteers, who generously give their time, gifts and energy to
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serve our young people and their families week by week. We’re praying for our new leadership and the whole team as they step into the chapter ahead.
We recognise God’s hand of provision and blessing in the area of our children and families and trust His continued leading as we look forward with expectation. There is a sense of excitement as we sense a current “rising tide” of opportunity and faith. We are trusting that the Lord will equip us to steward this moment as we seek to be part of “each generation telling its children of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4).
Youth
Dave Luckett
We’ve seen a really promising year with the youth groups at St Michaels over the past year with a weekly get together on Sunday morning during the 10.45 service where the young people, read, discuss and engage with the Bible, whilst building friendship and fellowship with each other.
The midweek Youth hangout is proving to be successful with a steady group of regulars attending to discuss and explore our faith, what it means to be followers of Jesus, study passages within scripture, play games, pray and enjoy each others company as they navigate life together, whether that be new experiences at college, exams and all the other challenges our young people face. We have had several new attendees to the midweek group and hope and pray to see more growth as we move into the next year.
At Christmas 2025 we enjoyed a “Bowling and Maccies” night where the youth and several leaders enjoyed an evening of good-hearted cheer, comradery and good spirited competition with a night of tenpin bowling followed by a feast at Mcdonalds at Cribbs Causeway.
We have run an Alpha youth course where several new young people attended to learn more about the Christian faith with several of the older youth stepping up into helper roles and we have enjoyed a funfilled away day at Woodhouse activity centre in Bristol where we had a whole day to learn more of Jesus, Invite the Holy Spirit and burn off some steam with snow tubing!
We have a Youth weekend away planned with Spree coming up in June 26 which is going to be a really fun weekend for all ages to build on friendships and explore Christianity with loads of fun-filled events and activities with youth groups from all over the South West.
We Thank God for our Young people and pray for continued growth, friendship and fellowship as we continue to support our youth in following Jesus in 2026.
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Young Adults Louise Pedersen & Caitlin Gibbs
In late 2024 we started envisaging a new group in St Michaels, a connection point for young adults, hoping that, with time, someone would create such a group.
Heavily inspired by our transformative time at New Wine Young Adults, our craving for a new kind of connection and community for our amazing church grew. In response, we have been planning and praying over a group of young adults ~18-30s to come together to worship, and to connect meaningfully, with more purpose. We both felt struck by the idea that we might have been called to serve in this way, by organising the group. After several late-night phone calls, and hours brainstorming in our cars, picturing this community, we finally got the courage to ask – and here we are!
While it is still in the works, the young adult group will hopefully be launching fully later in 2026, to provide a space for younger adults from all different walks of life, in different stages and with different religious experiences. So far, we have been meeting once a month to discuss new inspirations, updates, ideas, and finishing with worship; we can safely say it has been really moving to see what God started, finally flourishing.
We have been motivated by the way God and the wonderful people in our church have been shaping our children’s groups and team, with our ever-growing list of names for Sunday club. What we would really love is a space for those of us on the other side of 18, who would like to meet and learn, worship and talk together. It will be similar to a life group, but hopefully bigger and would take place within the church, with more of a structure. Our big goal is to have the doors wide open for young adults in Melksham to walk in and feel welcomed, enjoying the social aspect and find what they are in need of.
Please keep this in your prayers and if you or anyone you know would be interested, please speak to Louise Pedersen or Caitlin Gibbs (the tall, blonde girls).
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Open The Book Jane Brown
‘Open the Book’ is a Bible Society initiative. It is a story-telling project whereby Bible stories are shared with children in an interactive way. In January, three of us attended ‘Open the Book’ training in Pewsey and then other team members attended a training session at St. Michael’s in March. The programme is scripted - there is a welcome before the story is read and afterwards there is a time of reflection and an invitation to pray. We use props and costumes to enhance the story-telling and we are currently visiting the Manor School once every half term.
We have presented 2 Bible stories so far and Year 6 children have joined us in the acting. The first story was ‘The Flood’, which told the story of Noah building the Ark. All the children in the school were invited to imitate rain with their hands and to recite part of a list of animals entering the Ark. They were asked to reflect about God setting Noah a very difficult task and about difficult things they have been asked to do.The second story was ‘The Resurrection’, which centred around the disciples discovering Jesus’ empty tomb. The children were asked to contribute by saying ‘Wow!’ when something amazing happened in the story. They were invited to think about what it was like for Jesus’ friends when they found out he was alive again.
We are currently a small team and would love others to join us. We meet on a Thursday, either to rehearse for about an hour or for a short rehearsal followed by the actual story telling, which takes about 10-15 minutes. The children at the Manor school are really enjoying hearing Bible stories and this is proving a great way of strengthening our link with the school.
If you are interested in joining the team, please contact me or Vicky.
A recent Open The Book assembly
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The Manor C of E Primary School Vicky Just
There are many reasons to give thanks for all the amazing things happening at The Manor during the last 12 months. The school was rated “Good” in all areas following a visit in April 2025. It has been a long journey but this is a fantastic achievement, all credit due to the staff and senior leadership team who have worked tirelessly to give the children a consistently excellent quality of education.
This is evident in the significant improvements in attainment; with Year 1 phonics results, Year 4 times table checks and Year 6 SATs scores all expected to exceed national average scores for the country. Little Lights Nursery opened its doors to 3- and 4-year-olds in January, in a newly refurbished building in school grounds with a dedicated outdoor play area separate from the main playground. The new nursery is staffed by experienced teachers and Teaching Assistants giving the children the best start and a gentle transition into school life.
This year we have recruited two new parent governors and two co-opted governors, meaning for the first time in several years we have a full governing body. The school has continued embedding its new Christian Vision into daily life, based on Matthew 15:6 “Let your light shine”, focusing on the values of wisdom, aspiration, community, love and joy. In March a new team of volunteers from St Michael’s restarted Open the Book, bringing Bible
stories to life in their collective worship Could you serve as a foundation assemblies. governor for the Manor or Forest & We look forward to seeing what God has Sandridge? Speak to Vicky, Charlie or
planned for the next 12 months! Francis to find out what’s involved!
Forest & Sandridge C of E Primary School Francis Moloney
It has been another very positive year in our partnership with Forest & Sandridge School, and I remain deeply grateful for the relationship we share. The pattern of connection continues to be strong. The school has visited St Michael’s for key services throughout the year, and I have continued to visit the school regularly to lead assemblies. These moments remain a real privilege, creating space to share the hope of Jesus in our local school.
I also continue to serve on the Local Governing Body, which is a joy and an important way of supporting the life and direction of the school. The governing body plays a key role in oversight, encouragement, and accountability, and is a significant expression of the church’s commitment to the school.
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At present, there is a particular need for Foundation Governors. These are governors appointed to help ensure the school’s Christian foundation is upheld, supporting its vision and ethos while contributing to the wider governance of the school. It is a valuable and influential way to serve both the church and the local community. If you would be interested in exploring this, please do speak to me. We look forward to continuing to deepen this partnership in the year ahead.
Bradford Deanery Jake Eggertsen
It continues to be a privilege to serve as Rural Dean of Bradford Deanery, and over this past year I have been increasingly conscious of the Lord’s faithfulness among us. In ways both seen and unseen, God has been at work in our churches: sustaining congregations through change, encouraging perseverance in ministry, and bearing fruit through the ordinary, faithful proclamation of the gospel week by week.
In view of that faithfulness, I want to encourage us to renewed faithfulness in our own calling and service. Much of parish ministry is unspectacular and hidden. It involves the regular rhythms of prayer, preaching, administering the sacraments, pastoral care, administration, and presence in our communities. Yet it is precisely in these ordinary, everyday acts of obedience that the Lord so often does his extraordinary work. My prayer is that we would not grow weary in doing good, but continue to serve Christ and his people with patience, joy, and hope.
One of the great personal encouragements of this year has been the friendship and mutual support of our clergy chapter. Through both the ups and downs of parish life, it has been a gift to share honestly, pray together, and remind one another that we are not alone in this calling. I pray that this spirit of fellowship and trust will deepen further in the years ahead.
We have also had much to give thanks for in terms of ministry developments. In 2025, it was a joy to celebrate the ordination of Judy Wright and Chris Adams, both curates within the deanery. We rejoiced in the licensing of Simon Pope as Vicar of St Thomas’, and we continue to pray God’s rich blessing on his ministry among the people there.
Synod Meetings in 2025:
11th February 2025 – St Leonards, Keevil - Jake Eggertsen, “A Safer Church”
11th June 2025 – St Barnabas, Beanacre - Bob Hartman, “I Love to Tell a Story”
16th October 2025 – Holy Trinity, BoA - +John Inge, “Lessons From the Ministry”
As we look ahead, my hope is that Bradford Deanery will continue to be a place where clergy and lay leaders are supported, parishes are encouraged in times of vacancy and transition, and we keep before us the central calling to make Jesus known in our communities. I am very grateful for Jenny Nelson’s appointment as Assistant Rural Dean and look forward to partnering with her in enabling this shared work across our deanery.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
I report to the Council Members on my examination of the financial statements of The Parochial Church Council of the Melksham Parish of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Melksham, Salisbury (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Council Members of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Julian Pocock FCA CTA
17 The Market Place Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1HT Date: ............................
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 3 134,171 111,286 Charitable activities 4 21,534 - Other trading activities 5 1,090 1,248 Investments 6 7,513 105 Total income 164,308 112,639 Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 - 230 Charitable activities 8 166,888 81,480 Total expenditure 166,888 81,710 Net gains/(losses) on investments 13 - (4,782) Net income/(expenditure) (2,580) 26,147 Transfers between funds (1,201) 1,201 Net movement in funds (3,781) 27,348 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 January 2025 56,323 809,698 Fund balances at 31 December 2025 52,542 837,046 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 245,457 140,424 231,741 21,534 23,651 - 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,618 3,513 1,289 276,947 169,683 238,016 230 271 10,346 248,368 159,496 70,184 248,598 159,767 80,530 (4,782) - 2,525 23,567 9,916 160,011 - (8,290) 8,290 23,567 1,626 168,301 866,021 54,697 641,397 889,588 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2024 £ 372,165 23,651 7,081 4,802 407,699 10,617 229,680 240,297 2,525 169,927 - 169,927 696,094 866,021 |
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 Investments Current assets Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 18 Unrestricted funds 19 |
2025 £ 10,462 77,486 87,948 (6,723) |
£ 693,523 114,840 808,363 81,225 889,588 837,046 52,542 889,588 |
2024 £ 12,783 326,733 339,516 (9,434) |
£ 416,317 119,622 535,939 330,082 866,021 809,698 56,323 866,021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Council Members on .........................
.............................. Miss Hongxia Shi Council Member
.............................. Reverend Charlie Thomson Council Member
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The Parochial Church Council of the Melksham Parish of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Melksham, Salisbury is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and is a registered charity.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Council Members have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Council Members continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Council Members in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
43
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability when incurred.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and service for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, whereas others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Land and buildings No depreciation charged Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Fixed asset investments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
44
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.8 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
1.10 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Council Members are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Donations and gifts 134,171 54,286 Grants - 57,000 134,171 111,286 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 188,457 140,424 107,441 57,000 - 124,300 245,457 140,424 231,741 |
Total 2024 £ 247,865 124,300 372,165 |
|---|---|---|
45
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
4 Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Wedding, funeral and other fees | 21,534 | 23,651 |
5 Income from other trading activities
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising events - 1,248 Parish magazine sales and advertising 1,090 - Other trading activities 1,090 1,248 Income from investments Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Rental income 3,867 - Income from listed investments 3,646 105 7,513 105 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 1,248 - 4,986 1,090 2,095 - 2,338 2,095 4,986 Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 3,867 - - 3,751 3,513 1,289 7,618 3,513 1,289 |
Total 2024 £ 4,986 2,095 7,081 Total 2024 £ - 4,802 4,802 |
|---|---|---|
6 Income from investments
46
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
7 Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising and publicity Staging fundraising events - 230 Fundraising agents - - - 230 Expenditure on charitable activities Support Governance 2025 2025 £ £ Direct costs Staff costs 15,105 - Deanary share 92,337 - Clergy expenses 12,308 - Fees 7,150 - 126,900 - Grant funding of activities (see note 9) 2,284 - Share of support and governance costs (see note 10) Support 115,284 - Governance - 3,900 244,468 3,900 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 162,988 3,900 Restricted funds 81,480 - 244,468 3,900 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 230 271 6,556 - - 3,790 230 271 10,346 Total Support Governance 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 15,105 - - 92,337 86,347 - 12,308 8,070 - 7,150 11,115 - 126,900 105,532 - 2,284 2,599 - 115,284 117,949 - 3,900 - 3,600 248,368 226,080 3,600 166,888 155,896 3,600 81,480 70,184 - 248,368 226,080 3,600 |
Total 2024 £ 6,827 3,790 10,617 Total 2024 £ - 86,347 8,070 11,115 105,532 2,599 117,949 3,600 229,680 159,496 70,184 229,680 |
|---|---|---|
8 Expenditure on charitable activities
47
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9 Grants payable
| Grants to institutions: Church charities Secular charities |
2025 £ 1,391 893 2,284 |
2024 £ 882 1,717 2,599 |
|---|---|---|
10 Support costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Clergy expenses Insurance Utilities Repairs and maintenance Upkeep of services Subscriptions Other ordinary expenditure Magazine and newsletters Audit fees Accountancy Analysed between Charitable activities |
Support costs Governance costs £ £ 7,500 - 3,804 - 2,072 - 15,431 - 10,985 - 70,616 - 1,004 - 1,469 - 1,882 - 521 - - 1,125 - 2,775 115,284 3,900 115,284 3,900 |
2025 £ 7,500 3,804 2,072 15,431 10,985 70,616 1,004 1,469 1,882 521 1,125 2,775 119,184 119,184 |
2024 Basis of allocation £ 6,750 3,804 2,113 12,148 11,509 74,681 896 1,497 1,907 2,644 1,040 Governance 2,560 Governance 121,549 121,549 |
|---|---|---|---|
Governance costs includes payments to the accountants of £1,125 (2024- £1,040) for independent examination fees.
48
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
11 Council Members
None of the Council Members received any remuneration for serving as a Trustee. During the year 2025, 2 ministers (2024: 1) received £8,222 and £1,276 (2024: £3,247) for reimbursement of Ministerial fees, travel and other expenses.
Statutory fees and expenses were paid to the following Council Members:
S Cole £526 (2024: £1,104) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. R Hucknall £136 for other expenses reimbursed (2024; £220 for Verger's fees). P Maslen £nil (2024: £148) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. G McLean £118 (2024: £217) for other expenses reimbursed
Mrs A Hucknall, the wife of a council member, received £7,500 (2024: £6,750) for her role as the Parish Clerk and £320 (2024: £646) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed.
H Thomson, the wife of a council member, received £8,528 for her role as Children and Family Worker and £8,044 for reimbursement of other expenses (2024: £1,021 for providing childcare and for reimbursement of other expenses).
Mrs P Fivash, the wife of a council member, received £nil (2024: £73) for reimbursement of expenses. Mrs A Moloney, the wife of a council member, received £3,059 (salary and pensions contributions) for her role as Kids & Youth Co-Ordinator and received £770 for reimbursement of expenses.
I McLean, the husband of a council member, received £26 (2024: £50) for other expenses reimbursed.
12 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| 2 | 1 | |
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 22,605 | 6,750 |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
13 Gains and losses on investments
| Restricted | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Gains/(losses) arising on: | £ | £ |
| Revaluation of investments | (4,782) | 2,525 |
49
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
14 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
15 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 December 2025 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2025 Depreciation charged in the year At 31 December 2025 Carrying amount At 31 December 2025 At 31 December 2024 The carrying value of land included in land and buildings comprises: Freehold 16 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
Land and buildings £ 388,636 281,010 669,646 - - - 669,646 388,636 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 93,559 - 93,559 65,878 3,804 69,682 23,877 27,681 2025 £ 669,646 2025 £ 10,462 2025 £ 1,950 4,773 6,723 |
Total £ 482,195 281,010 763,205 65,878 3,804 69,682 693,523 416,317 2024 £ 388,636 2024 £ 12,783 2024 £ 4,974 4,460 9,434 |
|---|---|---|---|
50
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
| At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | losses | December | ||
| 2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Team Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 |
| Rector's fund | 2,654 | 170 | (467) | 2,357 | ||
| Church Clock | 718 | 250 | 968 | |||
| Children & Family Worker | - | 8,780 | (8,528) | 252 | ||
| Kids/Youth/Operations | ||||||
| Worker | - | 7,365 | (6,577) | 788 | ||
| Vestments | 132 | 132 | ||||
| Organ Fund | 776 | 776 | ||||
| Bell Project | 18,622 | 6,561 | (18,888) | 6,295 | ||
| Church Fabric | 10,085 | (10,085) | - | |||
| Church Reordering | 1,430 | 1,926 | (3,356) | - | ||
| St Andrew's Restricted Funds | - | |||||
| Building fund | 13,199 | 105 | (1,500) | - | 11,804 | |
| St Barnabus Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Church Fabric | - | 2,000 | (237) | 1,200 | 2,963 | |
| VIsion for growth | 308 | 308 | ||||
| Building to serve | 224,421 | 85,482 | (41,709) | (267,568) | 626 | |
| Restricted investments | ||||||
| Everett investment | 4,301 | (172) | 4,129 | |||
| Stewart investment | 33,574 | (1,342) | 32,232 | |||
| Watson investment | 1,319 | (53) | 1,266 | |||
| Old Cottage Hospital | ||||||
| investment | 48,858 | (1,953) | 46,905 | |||
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,520 | (421) | 10,099 | |||
| St Michael's Hall | ||||||
| investment | 21,051 | (841) | 20,210 | |||
| St Barnabus Fields | 39,500 | 39,500 | ||||
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | 281,010 | 630,146 | ||
| Other equipment | 27,680 | (3,804) | 23,876 | |||
| 809,698 | 112,639 | (81,710) | 1,201 | (4,782) | 837,046 |
51
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
| Previous year: | At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | resources | expended | losses | December | |||
| 2024 | |||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Team Restricted Funds | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 | |
| Rector's fund | 2,954 | - | (300) | - | - | 2,654 | |
| Church Clock | 4,600 | - | (3,882) | - | - | 718 | |
| B2S | 1,172 | 6,080 | - | (7,252) | - | - | |
| St A's investment | 3,409 | - | - | (3,409) | - | - | |
| Portman Terrace | 10,644 | - | - | (10,644) | - | - | |
| Bell Project | 37,509 | (18,887) | - | - | 18,622 | ||
| St Michael's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | |||
| Church Fabric | 12,965 | - | (2,880) | - | - | 10,085 | |
| Church roof | 602 | - | - | (602) | - | - | |
| Church Reordering | 17,294 | 5,033 | (79) | (20,818) | - | 1,430 | |
| Vestments | 132 | - | - | - | - | 132 | |
| Organ fund | 776 | - | - | 776 | |||
| St Andrew's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | |||
| Building fund | 17,857 | 155 | - | (4,813) | - | 13,199 | |
| St Barnabus Restricted | Funds | ||||||
| Other restricted | 40 | - | - | (40) | - | - | |
| Men's Ministry | 128 | - | - | (128) | - | - | |
| VIsion for growth | - | - | - | 308 | - | 308 | |
| Building to serve | 30,191 | 189,239 | (50,697) | 55,688 | - | 224,421 | |
| Restricted investments | |||||||
| Everett investment | 4,356 | - | - | - | (55) | 4,301 | |
| Stewart investment | 32,823 | - | - | - | 751 | 33,574 | |
| Watson investment | 1,289 | - | - | - | 30 | 1,319 | |
| Old Cottage Hospital | |||||||
| investment | 47,765 | - | - | - | 1,093 | 48,858 | |
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,285 | - | - | - | 235 | 10,520 | |
| St Michael's Hall | |||||||
| investment | 20,580 | - | - | - | 471 | 21,051 | |
| St Barnabus Fields | 39,500 | - | - | - | - | 39,500 | |
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | - | 349,136 | |||
| Other equipment | 31,485 | - | (3,805) | - | - | 27,680 | |
| 641,397 | 238,016 | (80,530) | 8,290 | 2,525 | 809,698 |
52
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
Details of restrictions on Melksham investments are as follows;
-
Book of Prayers – A donation from Pamela Muller for children’s ministry.
-
Rector’s Fund – These are monies donated to promote Christian Mission within the Melksham Parish.
-
• Church Clock – to repair and restore the church clock in St. Michael
-
B2S – Building to Serve project is to invest in St. Michael’s facilities to meet the growing needs of our church and community.
-
Bell Project - To augment the bells at Melksham from eight to ten. It was anticipated to have the new bells finished in time to celebrate their centenary in June 2025.
-
Church Fabric – To maintain St. Michael church buildings and churchyard.
-
Church Roof – To maintain St. Michael church roof.
-
Church Reordering – To adapt the St. Michael church building to better serve the congregation’s need and the wider community. This has now merged into B2S project.
-
Vestments – To provide for clergies liturgical garments at St. Michael
-
St. Michaels Organ Fund – These are monies donated and raised specifically for the purpose of maintaining and upgrading St. Michael’s pipe organ
-
St Andrew’s Building Fund – To fund for any building work at St. Andrew
-
Other Restricted – Any other specific restricted funds.
-
Men's ministry – To provide for spiritual and social needs of men in St. Barnabas
-
Vision for Growth – A fund raised for re-ordering of the St. Barnabas church i.e. re-wiring, new heating, replace pews with chairs, install full disabled access, install a new kitchen, install the grass concrete in the car part etc.
-
Stewart - funds to be used for fabric/church repairs.
-
Watson - funds to be used for roof repairs.
-
Old Cottage Hospital - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
-
Portman Terrace - proceeds of sale of curate's house £100 to Church Commissioners if capital expended.
-
Smith/Keen - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
-
St.Michael's Hall Investment – The fund is to be applied to maintaining St. Michael’s church.
-
11a Canon Square – A property purchased in 2023 for use as a Church Centre to serve the community.
-
• St Barnabas Field - This area of land adjoining St Barnabas Church was bequeathed to St Barnabas Church for the its use.
53
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE MELKSHAM PARISH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM, SALISBURY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
19 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2025 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 56,323 | 164,308 | (166,888) | (1,201) | 52,542 |
| Previous year: | At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 |
| 2024 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 54,697 | 169,683 | (159,767) | (8,290) | 56,323 |
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ At 31 December 2025: Tangible assets - 693,523 Investments - 114,840 Current assets/(liabilities) 52,542 28,683 52,542 837,046 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ At 31 December 2024: Tangible assets - 416,317 Investments - 119,622 Current assets/(liabilities) 56,323 273,759 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2025 £ 693,523 114,840 81,225 |
|---|---|
| 889,588 | |
| Total 2024 £ 416,317 119,622 330,082 |
|
| 866,021 |
54
melksham.church
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
Charity registration number 1138038 (England and Wales)
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 5 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
I report to the Council Members on my examination of the financial statements of THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Council Members of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
-
2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Julian Pocock FCA CTA
17 The Market Place Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1HT Date: ............................
- 6 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 3 134,171 111,286 Charitable activities 4 21,534 - Other trading activities 5 1,090 1,248 Investments 6 7,513 105 Total income 164,308 112,639 Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 - 230 Charitable activities 8 166,888 81,480 Total expenditure 166,888 81,710 Net gains/(losses) on investments 13 - (4,782) Net income/(expenditure) (2,580) 26,147 Transfers between funds (1,201) 1,201 Net movement in funds (3,781) 27,348 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 January 2025 56,323 809,698 Fund balances at 31 December 2025 52,542 837,046 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 245,457 140,424 231,741 21,534 23,651 - 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,618 3,513 1,289 276,947 169,683 238,016 230 271 10,346 248,368 159,496 70,184 248,598 159,767 80,530 (4,782) - 2,525 23,567 9,916 160,011 - (8,290) 8,290 23,567 1,626 168,301 866,021 54,697 641,397 889,588 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2024 £ 372,165 23,651 7,081 4,802 |
|---|---|---|
| 407,699 | ||
| 10,617 229,680 |
||
| 240,297 | ||
| 2,525 | ||
| 169,927 - |
||
| 169,927 696,094 |
||
| 866,021 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 Investments Current assets Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 18 Unrestricted funds 19 |
2025 £ 10,462 77,486 87,948 (6,723) |
£ 693,523 114,840 808,363 81,225 889,588 837,046 52,542 889,588 |
2024 £ 12,783 326,733 339,516 (9,434) |
£ 416,317 119,622 535,939 330,082 866,021 809,698 56,323 866,021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Council Members on .........................
.............................. Miss Hongxia Shi Council Member
.............................. Reverend Charlie Thomson Council Member
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and is a registered charity.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Council Members have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Council Members continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Council Members in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability when incurred.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and service for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, whereas others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Land and buildings No depreciation charged Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Fixed asset investments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
- 10 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.8 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
1.10 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Council Members are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Donations and gifts 134,171 54,286 Grants - 57,000 134,171 111,286 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 188,457 140,424 107,441 57,000 - 124,300 245,457 140,424 231,741 |
Total 2024 £ 247,865 124,300 |
|---|---|---|
| 372,165 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
4 Income from charitable activities
| Wedding, funeral and other fees Income from other trading activities Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising events - 1,248 Parish magazine sales and advertising 1,090 - Other trading activities 1,090 1,248 Income from investments Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Rental income 3,867 - Income from listed investments 3,646 105 7,513 105 |
Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ 21,534 23,651 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,248 - 4,986 4,986 1,090 2,095 - 2,095 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,081 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,867 - - - 3,751 3,513 1,289 4,802 7,618 3,513 1,289 4,802 |
Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ 21,534 23,651 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,248 - 4,986 4,986 1,090 2,095 - 2,095 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,081 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,867 - - - 3,751 3,513 1,289 4,802 7,618 3,513 1,289 4,802 |
|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 £ 4,986 2,095 |
||
| 7,081 | ||
| Total 2024 £ - 4,802 |
||
| 4,802 |
5 Income from other trading activities
6 Income from investments
- 12 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
7 Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising and publicity Staging fundraising events - 230 Fundraising agents - - - 230 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 230 271 6,556 - - 3,790 230 271 10,346 |
Total 2024 £ 6,827 3,790 10,617 |
|---|---|---|
8 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Support Governance 2025 2025 £ £ Direct costs Staff costs 15,105 - Deanary share 92,337 - Clergy expenses 12,308 - Fees 7,150 - 126,900 - Grant funding of activities (see note 9) 2,284 - Share of support and governance costs (see note 10) Support 115,284 - Governance - 3,900 244,468 3,900 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 162,988 3,900 Restricted funds 81,480 - 244,468 3,900 |
Total Support Governance 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 15,105 - - 92,337 86,347 - 12,308 8,070 - 7,150 11,115 - 126,900 105,532 - 2,284 2,599 - 115,284 117,949 - 3,900 - 3,600 248,368 226,080 3,600 166,888 155,896 3,600 81,480 70,184 - 248,368 226,080 3,600 |
Total 2024 £ - 86,347 8,070 11,115 105,532 2,599 117,949 3,600 229,680 159,496 70,184 229,680 |
|---|---|---|
- 13 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9 Grants payable
| Grants to institutions: Church charities Secular charities |
2025 £ 1,391 893 2,284 |
2024 £ 882 1,717 2,599 |
|---|---|---|
10 Support costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Clergy expenses Insurance Utilities Repairs and maintenance Upkeep of services Subscriptions Other ordinary expenditure Magazine and newsletters Audit fees Accountancy Analysed between Charitable activities |
Support costs Governance costs £ £ 7,500 - 3,804 - 2,072 - 15,431 - 10,985 - 70,616 - 1,004 - 1,469 - 1,882 - 521 - - 1,125 - 2,775 115,284 3,900 115,284 3,900 |
2025 £ 7,500 3,804 2,072 15,431 10,985 70,616 1,004 1,469 1,882 521 1,125 2,775 119,184 119,184 |
2024 Basis of allocation £ 6,750 3,804 2,113 12,148 11,509 74,681 896 1,497 1,907 2,644 1,040 Governance 2,560 Governance 121,549 121,549 |
|---|---|---|---|
Governance costs includes payments to the accountants of £1,125 (2024- £1,040) for independent examination fees.
- 14 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
11 Council Members
None of the Council Members received any remuneration for serving as a Trustee. During the year 2025, 2 ministers (2024: 1) received £8,222 and £1,276 (2024: £3,247) for reimbursement of Ministerial fees, travel and other expenses.
Statutory fees and expenses were paid to the following Council Members:
S Cole £526 (2024: £1,104) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. R Hucknall £136 for other expenses reimbursed (2024; £220 for Verger's fees). P Maslen £nil (2024: £148) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. G McLean £118 (2024: £217) for other expenses reimbursed
Mrs A Hucknall, the wife of a council member, received £7,500 (2024: £6,750) for her role as the Parish Clerk and £320 (2024: £646) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed.
H Thomson, the wife of a council member, received £8,528 for her role as Children and Family Worker and £8,044 for reimbursement of other expenses (2024: £1,021 for providing childcare and for reimbursement of other expenses).
Mrs P Fivash, the wife of a council member, received £nil (2024: £73) for reimbursement of expenses. Mrs A Moloney, the wife of a council member, received £3,059 (salary and pensions contributions) for her role as Kids & Youth Co-Ordinator and received £770 for reimbursement of expenses.
I McLean, the husband of a council member, received £26 (2024: £50) for other expenses reimbursed.
12 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| 2 | 1 | |
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 22,605 | 6,750 |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
13 Gains and losses on investments
| Restricted | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Gains/(losses) arising on: | £ | £ |
| Revaluation of investments | (4,782) | 2,525 |
- 15 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
14 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
15 Tangible fixed assets
| 15 Tangible fixed assets |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 December 2025 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2025 Depreciation charged in the year At 31 December 2025 Carrying amount At 31 December 2025 At 31 December 2024 The carrying value of land included in land and buildings comprises: Freehold 16 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
Land and buildings £ 388,636 281,010 669,646 - - - 669,646 388,636 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 93,559 - 93,559 65,878 3,804 69,682 23,877 27,681 2025 £ 669,646 2025 £ 10,462 2025 £ 1,950 4,773 6,723 |
Total £ 482,195 281,010 |
| 763,205 | |||
| 65,878 3,804 |
|||
| 69,682 | |||
| 693,523 | |||
| 416,317 | |||
| 2024 £ 388,636 |
|||
| 2024 £ 12,783 |
|||
| 2024 £ 4,974 4,460 |
|||
| 9,434 |
- 16 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
| At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | losses | December | ||
| 2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Team Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 |
| Rector's fund | 2,654 | 170 | (467) | 2,357 | ||
| Church Clock | 718 | 250 | 968 | |||
| Children & Family Worker | - | 8,780 | (8,528) | 252 | ||
| Kids/Youth/Operations | ||||||
| Worker | - | 7,365 | (6,577) | 788 | ||
| Vestments | 132 | 132 | ||||
| Organ Fund | 776 | 776 | ||||
| Bell Project | 18,622 | 6,561 | (18,888) | 6,295 | ||
| Church Fabric | 10,085 | (10,085) | - | |||
| Church Reordering | 1,430 | 1,926 | (3,356) | - | ||
| St Andrew's Restricted Funds | - | |||||
| Building fund | 13,199 | 105 | (1,500) | - | 11,804 | |
| St Barnabas Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Church Fabric | - | 2,000 | (237) | 1,200 | 2,963 | |
| VIsion for growth | 308 | 308 | ||||
| Building to serve | 224,421 | 85,482 | (41,709) | (267,568) | 626 | |
| Restricted investments | ||||||
| Everett investment | 4,301 | (172) | 4,129 | |||
| Stewart investment | 33,574 | (1,342) | 32,232 | |||
| Watson investment | 1,319 | (53) | 1,266 | |||
| Old Cottage Hospital | ||||||
| investment | 48,858 | (1,953) | 46,905 | |||
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,520 | (421) | 10,099 | |||
| St Michael's Hall | ||||||
| investment | 21,051 | (841) | 20,210 | |||
| St Barnabas Fields | 39,500 | 39,500 | ||||
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | 281,010 | 630,146 | ||
| Other equipment | 27,680 | (3,804) | 23,876 | |||
| 809,698 | 112,639 | (81,710) | 1,201 | (4,782) | 837,046 |
- 17 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 18 | Restricted funds | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previous year: | At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 | |
| 2024 | resources | expended | losses | December | ||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Team Restricted Funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 | ||
| Rector's fund | 2,954 | - | (300) | - | - | 2,654 | ||
| Church Clock | 4,600 | - | (3,882) | - | - | 718 | ||
| B2S | 1,172 | 6,080 | - | (7,252) | - | - | ||
| St A's investment | 3,409 | - | - | (3,409) | - | - | ||
| Portman Terrace | 10,644 | - | - | (10,644) | - | - | ||
| Bell Project | 37,509 | (18,887) | - | - | 18,622 | |||
| St Michael's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | ||||
| Church Fabric | 12,965 | - | (2,880) | - | - | 10,085 | ||
| Church roof | 602 | - | - | (602) | - | - | ||
| Church Reordering | 17,294 | 5,033 | (79) | (20,818) | - | 1,430 | ||
| Vestments | 132 | - | - | - | - | 132 | ||
| Organ fund | 776 | - | - | 776 | ||||
| St Andrew's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | ||||
| Building fund | 17,857 | 155 | - | (4,813) | - | 13,199 | ||
| St Barnabas Restricted | Funds | |||||||
| Other restricted | 40 | - | - | (40) | - | - | ||
| Men's Ministry | 128 | - | - | (128) | - | - | ||
| VIsion for growth | - | - | - | 308 | - | 308 | ||
| Building to serve | 30,191 | 189,239 | (50,697) | 55,688 | - | 224,421 | ||
| Restricted investments | ||||||||
| Everett investment | 4,356 | - | - | - | (55) | 4,301 | ||
| Stewart investment | 32,823 | - | - | - | 751 | 33,574 | ||
| Watson investment | 1,289 | - | - | - | 30 | 1,319 | ||
| Old Cottage Hospital | ||||||||
| investment | 47,765 | - | - | - | 1,093 | 48,858 | ||
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,285 | - | - | - | 235 | 10,520 | ||
| St Michael's Hall | ||||||||
| investment | 20,580 | - | - | - | 471 | 21,051 | ||
| St Barnabas Fields | 39,500 | - | - | - | - | 39,500 | ||
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | - | 349,136 | ||||
| Other equipment | 31,485 | - | (3,805) | - | - | 27,680 | ||
| 641,397 | 238,016 | (80,530) | 8,290 | 2,525 | 809,698 |
- 18 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
Details of restrictions on Melksham investments are as follows;
-
Book of Prayers – A donation from Pamela Muller for children’s ministry.
-
Rector’s Fund – These are monies donated to promote Christian Mission within the Melksham Parish.
-
Church Clock – to repair and restore the church clock in St. Michael
-
B2S – Building to Serve project is to invest in St. Michael’s facilities to meet the growing needs of our church and community.
-
Bell Project - To augment the bells at Melksham from eight to ten. It was anticipated to have the new bells finished in time to celebrate their centenary in June 2025.
-
Church Fabric – To maintain St. Michael church buildings and churchyard.
-
Church Roof – To maintain St. Michael church roof.
-
Church Reordering – To adapt the St. Michael church building to better serve the congregation’s need and the wider community. This has now merged into B2S project.
-
Vestments – To provide for clergies liturgical garments at St. Michael
-
St. Michaels Organ Fund – These are monies donated and raised specifically for the purpose of maintaining and upgrading St. Michael’s pipe organ
-
St Andrew’s Building Fund – To fund for any building work at St. Andrew
-
Other Restricted – Any other specific restricted funds.
-
Men's ministry – To provide for spiritual and social needs of men in St. Barnabas
-
Vision for Growth – A fund raised for re-ordering of the St. Barnabas church i.e. re-wiring, new heating, replace pews with chairs, install full disabled access, install a new kitchen, install the grass concrete in the car part etc.
-
Stewart - funds to be used for fabric/church repairs.
-
Watson - funds to be used for roof repairs.
-
Old Cottage Hospital - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
-
Portman Terrace - proceeds of sale of curate's house £100 to Church Commissioners if capital expended.
-
Smith/Keen - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
-
St.Michael's Hall Investment – The fund is to be applied to maintaining St. Michael’s church.
-
11a Canon Square – A property purchased in 2023 for use as a Church Centre to serve the community.
-
St Barnabas Field - This area of land adjoining St Barnabas Church was bequeathed to St Barnabas Church for the its use.
-
19 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
19 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2025 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 56,323 | 164,308 | (166,888) | (1,201) | 52,542 |
| Previous year: | At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 |
| 2024 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 54,697 | 169,683 | (159,767) | (8,290) | 56,323 |
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ At 31 December 2025: Tangible assets - 693,523 Investments - 114,840 Current assets/(liabilities) 52,542 28,683 52,542 837,046 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ At 31 December 2024: Tangible assets - 416,317 Investments - 119,622 Current assets/(liabilities) 56,323 273,759 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2025 £ 693,523 114,840 81,225 |
|---|---|
| 889,588 | |
| Total 2024 £ 416,317 119,622 330,082 |
|
| 866,021 |
- 20 -
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
Charity registration number 1138038 (England and Wales)
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
I report to the Council Members on my examination of the financial statements of THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Council Members of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Julian Pocock FCA CTA
17 The Market Place Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1HT Date: ............................
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 3 134,171 111,286 Charitable activities 4 21,534 - Other trading activities 5 1,090 1,248 Investments 6 7,513 105 Total income 164,308 112,639 Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 - 230 Charitable activities 8 166,888 81,480 Total expenditure 166,888 81,710 Net gains/(losses) on investments 13 - (4,782) Net income/(expenditure) (2,580) 26,147 Transfers between funds (1,201) 1,201 Net movement in funds (3,781) 27,348 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 January 2025 56,323 809,698 Fund balances at 31 December 2025 52,542 837,046 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 245,457 140,424 231,741 21,534 23,651 - 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,618 3,513 1,289 276,947 169,683 238,016 230 271 10,346 248,368 159,496 70,184 248,598 159,767 80,530 (4,782) - 2,525 23,567 9,916 160,011 - (8,290) 8,290 23,567 1,626 168,301 866,021 54,697 641,397 889,588 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2024 £ 372,165 23,651 7,081 4,802 |
|---|---|---|
| 407,699 | ||
| 10,617 229,680 |
||
| 240,297 | ||
| 2,525 | ||
| 169,927 - |
||
| 169,927 696,094 |
||
| 866,021 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 Investments Current assets Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 18 Unrestricted funds 19 |
2025 £ 10,462 77,486 87,948 (6,723) |
£ 693,523 114,840 808,363 81,225 889,588 837,046 52,542 889,588 |
2024 £ 12,783 326,733 339,516 (9,434) |
£ 416,317 119,622 535,939 330,082 866,021 809,698 56,323 866,021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Council Members on .........................
.............................. Miss Hongxia Shi Council Member
.............................. Reverend Charlie Thomson Council Member
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and is a registered charity.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Council Members have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Council Members continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Council Members in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability when incurred.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and service for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, whereas others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Land and buildings No depreciation charged Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Fixed asset investments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.8 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
1.10 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Council Members are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Donations and gifts 134,171 54,286 Grants - 57,000 134,171 111,286 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 188,457 140,424 107,441 57,000 - 124,300 245,457 140,424 231,741 |
Total 2024 £ 247,865 124,300 |
|---|---|---|
| 372,165 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
4 Income from charitable activities
| Wedding, funeral and other fees Income from other trading activities Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising events - 1,248 Parish magazine sales and advertising 1,090 - Other trading activities 1,090 1,248 Income from investments Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Rental income 3,867 - Income from listed investments 3,646 105 7,513 105 |
Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ 21,534 23,651 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,248 - 4,986 4,986 1,090 2,095 - 2,095 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,081 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,867 - - - 3,751 3,513 1,289 4,802 7,618 3,513 1,289 4,802 |
Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ 21,534 23,651 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,248 - 4,986 4,986 1,090 2,095 - 2,095 2,338 2,095 4,986 7,081 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,867 - - - 3,751 3,513 1,289 4,802 7,618 3,513 1,289 4,802 |
|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 £ 4,986 2,095 |
||
| 7,081 | ||
| Total 2024 £ - 4,802 |
||
| 4,802 |
5 Income from other trading activities
6 Income from investments
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
7 Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising and publicity Staging fundraising events - 230 Fundraising agents - - - 230 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 230 271 6,556 - - 3,790 230 271 10,346 |
Total 2024 £ 6,827 3,790 10,617 |
|---|---|---|
8 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Support Governance 2025 2025 £ £ Direct costs Staff costs 15,105 - Deanary share 92,337 - Clergy expenses 12,308 - Fees 7,150 - 126,900 - Grant funding of activities (see note 9) 2,284 - Share of support and governance costs (see note 10) Support 115,284 - Governance - 3,900 244,468 3,900 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 162,988 3,900 Restricted funds 81,480 - 244,468 3,900 |
Total Support Governance 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 15,105 - - 92,337 86,347 - 12,308 8,070 - 7,150 11,115 - 126,900 105,532 - 2,284 2,599 - 115,284 117,949 - 3,900 - 3,600 248,368 226,080 3,600 166,888 155,896 3,600 81,480 70,184 - 248,368 226,080 3,600 |
Total 2024 £ - 86,347 8,070 11,115 105,532 2,599 117,949 3,600 229,680 159,496 70,184 229,680 |
|---|---|---|
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9 Grants payable
| Grants to institutions: Church charities Secular charities |
2025 £ 1,391 893 2,284 |
2024 £ 882 1,717 2,599 |
|---|---|---|
10 Support costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Clergy expenses Insurance Utilities Repairs and maintenance Upkeep of services Subscriptions Other ordinary expenditure Magazine and newsletters Audit fees Accountancy Analysed between Charitable activities |
Support costs Governance costs £ £ 7,500 - 3,804 - 2,072 - 15,431 - 10,985 - 70,616 - 1,004 - 1,469 - 1,882 - 521 - - 1,125 - 2,775 115,284 3,900 115,284 3,900 |
2025 £ 7,500 3,804 2,072 15,431 10,985 70,616 1,004 1,469 1,882 521 1,125 2,775 119,184 119,184 |
2024 Basis of allocation £ 6,750 3,804 2,113 12,148 11,509 74,681 896 1,497 1,907 2,644 1,040 Governance 2,560 Governance 121,549 121,549 |
|---|---|---|---|
Governance costs includes payments to the accountants of £1,125 (2024- £1,040) for independent examination fees.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
11 Council Members
None of the Council Members received any remuneration for serving as a Trustee. During the year 2025, 2 ministers (2024: 1) received £8,222 and £1,276 (2024: £3,247) for reimbursement of Ministerial fees, travel and other expenses.
Statutory fees and expenses were paid to the following Council Members:
S Cole £526 (2024: £1,104) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. R Hucknall £136 for other expenses reimbursed (2024; £220 for Verger's fees). P Maslen £nil (2024: £148) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed. G McLean £118 (2024: £217) for other expenses reimbursed
Mrs A Hucknall, the wife of a council member, received £7,500 (2024: £6,750) for her role as the Parish Clerk and £320 (2024: £646) for Verger's fees and other expenses reimbursed.
H Thomson, the wife of a council member, received £8,528 for her role as Children and Family Worker and £8,044 for reimbursement of other expenses (2024: £1,021 for providing childcare and for reimbursement of other expenses).
Mrs P Fivash, the wife of a council member, received £nil (2024: £73) for reimbursement of expenses. Mrs A Moloney, the wife of a council member, received £3,059 (salary and pensions contributions) for her role as Kids & Youth Co-Ordinator and received £770 for reimbursement of expenses.
I McLean, the husband of a council member, received £26 (2024: £50) for other expenses reimbursed.
12 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| 2 | 1 | |
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 22,605 | 6,750 |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
13 Gains and losses on investments
| Restricted | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Gains/(losses) arising on: | £ | £ |
| Revaluation of investments | (4,782) | 2,525 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
14 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
15 Tangible fixed assets
| 15 Tangible fixed assets |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 December 2025 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2025 Depreciation charged in the year At 31 December 2025 Carrying amount At 31 December 2025 At 31 December 2024 The carrying value of land included in land and buildings comprises: Freehold 16 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
Land and buildings £ 388,636 281,010 669,646 - - - 669,646 388,636 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 93,559 - 93,559 65,878 3,804 69,682 23,877 27,681 2025 £ 669,646 2025 £ 10,462 2025 £ 1,950 4,773 6,723 |
Total £ 482,195 281,010 |
| 763,205 | |||
| 65,878 3,804 |
|||
| 69,682 | |||
| 693,523 | |||
| 416,317 | |||
| 2024 £ 388,636 |
|||
| 2024 £ 12,783 |
|||
| 2024 £ 4,974 4,460 |
|||
| 9,434 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
| At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | losses | December | ||
| 2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Team Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 |
| Rector's fund | 2,654 | 170 | (467) | 2,357 | ||
| Church Clock | 718 | 250 | 968 | |||
| Children & Family Worker | - | 8,780 | (8,528) | 252 | ||
| Kids/Youth/Operations | ||||||
| Worker | - | 7,365 | (6,577) | 788 | ||
| Vestments | 132 | 132 | ||||
| Organ Fund | 776 | 776 | ||||
| Bell Project | 18,622 | 6,561 | (18,888) | 6,295 | ||
| Church Fabric | 10,085 | (10,085) | - | |||
| Church Reordering | 1,430 | 1,926 | (3,356) | - | ||
| St Andrew's Restricted Funds | - | |||||
| Building fund | 13,199 | 105 | (1,500) | - | 11,804 | |
| St Barnabas Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Church Fabric | - | 2,000 | (237) | 1,200 | 2,963 | |
| VIsion for growth | 308 | 308 | ||||
| Building to serve | 224,421 | 85,482 | (41,709) | (267,568) | 626 | |
| Restricted investments | ||||||
| Everett investment | 4,301 | (172) | 4,129 | |||
| Stewart investment | 33,574 | (1,342) | 32,232 | |||
| Watson investment | 1,319 | (53) | 1,266 | |||
| Old Cottage Hospital | ||||||
| investment | 48,858 | (1,953) | 46,905 | |||
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,520 | (421) | 10,099 | |||
| St Michael's Hall | ||||||
| investment | 21,051 | (841) | 20,210 | |||
| St Barnabas Fields | 39,500 | 39,500 | ||||
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | 281,010 | 630,146 | ||
| Other equipment | 27,680 | (3,804) | 23,876 | |||
| 809,698 | 112,639 | (81,710) | 1,201 | (4,782) | 837,046 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 18 | Restricted funds | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previous year: | At 1 | January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Gains and | At 31 | |
| 2024 | resources | expended | losses | December | ||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Team Restricted Funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Book of prayers | 1,414 | - | - | - | - | 1,414 | ||
| Rector's fund | 2,954 | - | (300) | - | - | 2,654 | ||
| Church Clock | 4,600 | - | (3,882) | - | - | 718 | ||
| B2S | 1,172 | 6,080 | - | (7,252) | - | - | ||
| St A's investment | 3,409 | - | - | (3,409) | - | - | ||
| Portman Terrace | 10,644 | - | - | (10,644) | - | - | ||
| Bell Project | 37,509 | (18,887) | - | - | 18,622 | |||
| St Michael's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | ||||
| Church Fabric | 12,965 | - | (2,880) | - | - | 10,085 | ||
| Church roof | 602 | - | - | (602) | - | - | ||
| Church Reordering | 17,294 | 5,033 | (79) | (20,818) | - | 1,430 | ||
| Vestments | 132 | - | - | - | - | 132 | ||
| Organ fund | 776 | - | - | 776 | ||||
| St Andrew's Restricted | Funds | - | - | - | ||||
| Building fund | 17,857 | 155 | - | (4,813) | - | 13,199 | ||
| St Barnabas Restricted | Funds | |||||||
| Other restricted | 40 | - | - | (40) | - | - | ||
| Men's Ministry | 128 | - | - | (128) | - | - | ||
| VIsion for growth | - | - | - | 308 | - | 308 | ||
| Building to serve | 30,191 | 189,239 | (50,697) | 55,688 | - | 224,421 | ||
| Restricted investments | ||||||||
| Everett investment | 4,356 | - | - | - | (55) | 4,301 | ||
| Stewart investment | 32,823 | - | - | - | 751 | 33,574 | ||
| Watson investment | 1,289 | - | - | - | 30 | 1,319 | ||
| Old Cottage Hospital | ||||||||
| investment | 47,765 | - | - | - | 1,093 | 48,858 | ||
| Smith-Keen investment | 10,285 | - | - | - | 235 | 10,520 | ||
| St Michael's Hall | ||||||||
| investment | 20,580 | - | - | - | 471 | 21,051 | ||
| St Barnabas Fields | 39,500 | - | - | - | - | 39,500 | ||
| 11a Canon Square | 349,136 | - | - | 349,136 | ||||
| Other equipment | 31,485 | - | (3,805) | - | - | 27,680 | ||
| 641,397 | 238,016 | (80,530) | 8,290 | 2,525 | 809,698 |
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
18 Restricted funds
Details of restrictions on Melksham investments are as follows;
-
Book of Prayers – A donation from Pamela Muller for children’s ministry.
-
Rector’s Fund – These are monies donated to promote Christian Mission within the Melksham Parish.
-
Church Clock – to repair and restore the church clock in St. Michael
-
B2S – Building to Serve project is to invest in St. Michael’s facilities to meet the growing needs of our church and community.
-
Bell Project - To augment the bells at Melksham from eight to ten. It was anticipated to have the new bells finished in time to celebrate their centenary in June 2025.
-
Church Fabric – To maintain St. Michael church buildings and churchyard.
-
Church Roof – To maintain St. Michael church roof.
-
Church Reordering – To adapt the St. Michael church building to better serve the congregation’s need and the wider community. This has now merged into B2S project.
-
Vestments – To provide for clergies liturgical garments at St. Michael
-
St. Michaels Organ Fund – These are monies donated and raised specifically for the purpose of maintaining and upgrading St. Michael’s pipe organ
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St Andrew’s Building Fund – To fund for any building work at St. Andrew
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Other Restricted – Any other specific restricted funds.
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Men's ministry – To provide for spiritual and social needs of men in St. Barnabas
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Vision for Growth – A fund raised for re-ordering of the St. Barnabas church i.e. re-wiring, new heating, replace pews with chairs, install full disabled access, install a new kitchen, install the grass concrete in the car part etc.
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Stewart - funds to be used for fabric/church repairs.
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Watson - funds to be used for roof repairs.
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Old Cottage Hospital - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
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Portman Terrace - proceeds of sale of curate's house £100 to Church Commissioners if capital expended.
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Smith/Keen - funds to be used for churchyard upkeep.
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St.Michael's Hall Investment – The fund is to be applied to maintaining St. Michael’s church.
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11a Canon Square – A property purchased in 2023 for use as a Church Centre to serve the community.
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St Barnabas Field - This area of land adjoining St Barnabas Church was bequeathed to St Barnabas Church for the its use.
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Draft Financial Statements at 31 March 2026 at 10:15:55
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF MELKSHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
19 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2025 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 56,323 | 164,308 | (166,888) | (1,201) | 52,542 |
| Previous year: | At 1 January | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | At 31 |
| 2024 | resources | expended | December | ||
| 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 54,697 | 169,683 | (159,767) | (8,290) | 56,323 |
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ At 31 December 2025: Tangible assets - 693,523 Investments - 114,840 Current assets/(liabilities) 52,542 28,683 52,542 837,046 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ At 31 December 2024: Tangible assets - 416,317 Investments - 119,622 Current assets/(liabilities) 56,323 273,759 56,323 809,698 |
Total 2025 £ 693,523 114,840 81,225 |
|---|---|
| 889,588 | |
| Total 2024 £ 416,317 119,622 330,082 |
|
| 866,021 |
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