2022-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Winchcombe With Gretton, Sudeley Manor And Stanley Pontlarge

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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF WINCHCOMBE

WITH GRETTON, SUDELEY MANOR AND STANLEY PONTLARGE

ANNUAL REPORT

for the year January – December 2022

presented at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday 21 May 2023

WINCHCOMBE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT January - December 2022

1. LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Meets to share with the Priest-in-charge in deciding, and in implementing, parish policy. It is legally responsible for the church buildings & furnishings and for parish property. The PCC is a charity, and registered with the Charity Commission during 2009.

The members of the PCC are (as of 21 March 2023):

CLERGY (EX OFFICIO)

Rev’d Capt. David Penny CA – Chair (2023)

CHURCHWARDENS (EX OFFICIO)

Simon Andrews (2018) (Lay Chair 2019, Churchwarden 2020) Judith Skinner (2020) (Churchwarden 2021)

ELECTED PARISH REPRESENTATIVES

ST PETER’S, WINCHCOMBE

Abbie Andrews (2019) Felicity King (2020) Cathy Wilcock (2020) Elizabeth Atkinson (2021) Sue Crownshaw (2022) Charles Bagnall (2022) Geof Adlington (2018) Rob Stone (2018) 4 x vacancies

CHRIST CHURCH, GRETTON

Geof Adlington (2018) – Treasurer Rob Stone (2018) – Deanery Lay Chair (2023) 2 x vacancies

DIOCESAN SYNOD

Geof Adlington Rob Stone

CO-OPTED TO STANDING COMMITTEE (F&GP)

Treasurer

PCC CO-OPTED TO FOSP

Rob Stone (2018) Simon Andrews (2023)

METHODIST OBSERVERS (NON-VOTING)

Trevor Upton

THE LOCAL MINISTRY TEAM 2022

Revd Mike Holloway Revd Michael Hand Steve Carter Cliff Cocks Felicity Hall Chris Haslam

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

St Peter’s Centre, Gloucester Street,

Winchcombe, GL54 5LU Telephone: 01242 602067 spc@winchcombeparish.org.uk www.winchcombeparish.org.uk

CHARITY NUMBER: 1138071

Susan Fleck (2017) (Deputy Churchwarden 2019)

ST MICHAEL ’ S, STANLEY PONTLARGE

Lizzy Watson (2021)

ST MARY’S, SUDELEY

Simon Andrews (2018) (Deputy Churchwarden 2022) Rosemary Hancock (2018) (Asst Deputy Churchwarden 2021)

DEANERY SYNOD (EX OFFICIO – ELECTED EVERY 3 YEARS)

FINANCIAL ADDRESSES

PCC’S BANKERS

Lloyds, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham (from 2023, The Cooperative Bank)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mrs Jennifer Soltau, F.C.C.A. Cotswold House, Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LX

Co-opted Members

Geof Adlington (Treasurer) 2022 Lizzy Watson (Secretary ) 2022

WINCHCOMBE PARISH With Gretton, Stanley Pontlarge and Sudeley Manor Sunday 21 May 2023 at 11.30 – St Peter’s Church, Winchcombe

AGENDA

1. WELCOME AND PRAYERS

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

3. ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

a) Minutes of the AMP held on Sunday 29th May 2022
b) Election of churchwardens

4. ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

a) Minutes of the APCM held on Sunday 29th May 2022
b) Matters arising from the Minutes
c) Review of progress and achievements
d) Annual Report of the PCC as tabled:
i. Treasurers Financial Report on the Accounts and matters arising, including Independent Examiner of Finances Report
ii. Priest-in-Charge’s Report 2022
iii. Churchwardens’ Report including notes from the Deputy Churchwardens
iv. Report from the Deanery Synod
v. Notes on Safeguarding
vi. Pastoral Care report
vii. Music report

viii. St Peter’s Flower Arrangers’ report

ix. Report from the Bellringers
e) Stewards’ report
f) Questions and discussion on reports
g) General questions and discussion

5. ELECTIONS

a) PCC Members

6. ELECTORAL ROLL

7. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

8. CLOSING PRAYER

Parish of Winchcombe

Minutes of The Annual Meeting of Parishioners held on Sunday 29[th] of May 2022, at St Peter’s Church, Winchcombe

Present: (PCC Members and officers, Simon Andrews and Judith Skinner (Churchwardens), Geof Adlington (Treasurer), Lizzy Watson (Secretary), Rob Stone, Rob Davies, Sue Fleck, Felicity King, Rosemary Hancock, Cathryn Wilcock together with approximately 50 others on the electoral roll – either in person or via on-line.

1. Welcome and Prayers: Simon Andrews welcomed those present and said how wonderful it was to be gathered here. The Reverend Mike Holloway opened the meeting with a prayer.

Apologies for Absence were received from Anne & Michael Hand, Abbie Shurmer, Stewart and Rosemary Aylward, Lynne Banks, Elizabeth Atkinson, Sue Crownshaw, Lynn and Martin Gorman, Charlie & Katy Bagnall, Jeanie McGowan.
ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS: for those on the Electoral Role and those resident in the Parish – ie the whole community.

a) Minutes of the AMP held on 16[th] May 2021

The minutes were made available prior to the meeting – in hard copy or by email.

The minutes were approved.

There were no matters arising.

b) Election of two Churchwardens

The meeting was asked to elect the Churchwardens for the coming year. The current Churchwardens agreed to stand for re-election and a vote was carried unanimously. Therefore, Simon Andrews and Judith Skinner will continue to stand as Churchwardens and the meeting expressed their support and thanks for their work.

There being no other business the annual meeting of parishioners closed and was followed by the Annual Parochial Church meeting.

LWatson

PCC Secretary May 2022

Approved: Date:

b) Election of churchwardens

4) ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

a) Minutes of the APCM held on Sunday 21[st] May 2022

The minutes were distributed prior to the meeting. They are reported here as follows:

a) Minutes of the APCM held on 16[th] May 2021

The minutes were adopted as accurate.

b) Matters Arising: nil
c) Review of progress & achievements: The main point of discussion was the Vacancy for a new Priest-inCharge. Simon Andrews expressed his and the PCC’s thanks to the Profile Team who wrote a strong and effective Parish Profile, which had been very well received. The structure of the team that will review candidates and undertake interviews was reviewed, and the timetable was set out.
d) Annual Report of the PCC as tabled – Hard copies were available in the back of Church for three weeks before the meeting, and the report was available electronically.
i. Treasurer’s Report on the Accounts: The Treasurer, Geof Adlington gave a short summary of the financial situation. He explained: 2021 was another difficult year for our churches due to Covid19 related restrictions. Church attendance was hit hard and initially had severe consequences for the churches’ income. The restrictions on attendees at funerals and weddings initially moved funerals to crematoria and weddings to registry offices with a consequent negative on income from parochial fees for our churches. But money was saved on utility bills and fund raising was very positive too. The parish benefited from several generous legacies which have helped. Equities also performed well. Planned giving continues to be an area of concern and relates to the downturn in church attendance.

Comments and questions:

Rob Stone expressed congratulations to Geof for managing the finances through hard times. He stressed the importance role that financial stability plays in allowing us to employ a full time Priestin-Charge and how this cannot be taken for granted in current times.

Simon Andrews also expressed his thanks to Geof for all his hard work. He reminded the meeting that we are still looking for a new Treasurer. He also thanked Jennifer Soltau for her valuable work as Independent Examiner of Finances.

ii. Churchwardens’ Report:

The Churchwardens’ Report had also been circulated. Simon Andrews highlighted certain elements of his report: he thanked Judith Skinner for her work, especially in the area of pastoral activity and for the outgoing Margaret Batterbury and Pookie Shaw for their work in pastoral care and Covid related actions with the community. He noted that work is ongoing in the search for a Family and Child Worker. Teacher’s House has been sold, and a sub-group of the PCC are meeting to confirm the allocation of funds that has resulted from this sale. Gill Worthington and the wider team were thanked for their work with Toddlers. The Bronze Award that had been achieved by the Eco-group was noted and commended and support was offered in their goal to secure a Silver Award next. Simon gave a brief outline of the progress of transfer of ownership of St Mary’s. The Church fabric had been looked after well during the year and buildings are in good repair. The loss of some very valued community members was noted and lamented, notably Tom Hancock who made such a valuable contribution the Parish and the wider community, and the Revd Rachel Forrest, who contributed so much and who has now joined a new Parish in Longlevens. Simon Andrews also thanked the clergy and readers, who are working especially hard in the absence of a Priest-inCharge. He also thanked the choir and the music team.

There were no questions.

e) Questions and discussion on other reports as tabled : The other reports were noted and there were no questions.

4. Elections:

a. Election of PCC Representatives: All current PCC members agreed to stay on to provide continuity during the Vacancy period and potential early months of any newly selected priest-in-charge, and were re-appointed for the coming year. The exception was Rob Davies who has decided to stand down,

although he will continue to play valuable a role in organising events for the Church. Simon Andrews thanked Rob for his work on the PCC and for his willingness to continue his hard work. Two new PCC Representatives were elected: Sue Crownshaw and Charles Bagnall.

6. Electoral Roll: Jennifer Soltau explained that there are now 221 people on the roll. She asked that if anyone knows of people who have moved or deceased to inform Mark Mulley in the office. Simon Andrews thanked Jennifer for all the work she does on this issue.

7. Appointment of Independent Examiner: Jennifer Soltau offered to continue in this role. The meeting gratefully agreed.

8. Forthcoming Events:

Book Fair: 13 June – 2 July; Choir concert: 24[th] June; Fete: 2 July 2022; PCC meeting: 18[th] July 2022 (Please note minutes of all PCC meetings can be found on the Church website); Music & Arts Festival in St Peter’s : 17 Sep; Son-et-Lumière: 4 November 2022, Christmas Fair: 10 December, Curry Night: Jan/Feb 2023, Progressive Supper Party : Spring 2023..

AOB: Simon Andrews reminded those present that volunteers are always sought to support the Parish’s activities.

9. Closing Prayer

The meeting closed at 12.35 with the Reverend Mike Holloway singing the Grace.

b) Matters Arising from the Minutes

c) Review of Progress and Achievements d) Annual Report of the PCC as tabled:

i. Treasurers Financial Report on the Accounts and matters arising, including Independent Examiner of Finances Report

PCC Finance report for 2022

Thank you to Geof Adlington

During the 2022, after six years’ exemplary service, Geof Adlington gave up the role of Church Treasurer. I would like to put on record my thanks for all the work he has done, and especially for his patience and thoroughness during the handover.

End of Year Results

Income and Expenditure

Our overall deficit for the year was £65,000 against a budget of £45,000. A significant component of that deficit was a fall in planned giving and the associated gift aid recoverable, which is over £10k down on 2021. The other main factor was the value of our investments . 2022 was not a good year in the markets generally, and our CCLA investments lost approximately £25,000. We should consider deferring major expenditure until they have recovered.

We also had the major repairs to Stanley Pontlarge roof and the St Peter’s organ totalling over £60,000 excluding the VAT we were able to successfully reclaim. Energy costs were very much on the agenda last year. We are protected for a while from energy cost increases by a fixed term contract, but heating is clearly a concern for the future, so the work of the group addressing this remains a priority. Administration expenses were also up because several factors including changing of supplier contracts.

Balance Sheet

The most significant transaction of the year was the disposal of Teacher’s House in May 2022, which was sold for £310,000, representing an investment gain of some £32,000 after costs. Most of the proceeds were invested in CCLA equity portfolios in line with standard practice. However, we did need to call on some of the proceeds to cover our cash flow while completing the Stanley Pontlarge Roof restoration, and as stated above, these investments lost value during the year. While major repair costs during 2022 were covered by grant fundraising in 2021, our restricted funds were depleted by some £10,000. Designated funds were up overall because of an allocation from the Teacher’s House sale to the Pioneer Minister fund.

2023 Budget

The main point on our 2023 budget is that it appears at first glance to show an £11K surplus. However, this includes a legacy we are due to receive from the estate of Frances Holgate for £15,000. Taking this unbudgeted item out, there is a planned deficit of over £3,000 . This would be higher but for our proposal to the Diocese re Parish Share that we reduce our commitment to reflect that fact that the curate’s house is no longer in use. This means our parish share this year is down £3000 to just over £80,000. This is still £18,000 more than our budgeted income from planned giving, so we will need to maximise income from all sources to meet the target.

Charlie Bagnall, PCC Treasurer

Ind¢peNlent b•mlnees Reportto the mem11$ ofthe Ettltstastbral rf$b of Wlnthcomb• Gr•tton. Sudelry Manorand Stanley Pontlarye rOthI•1 Churth Councll I report on the accounts forthe yearended 31° December 2022 which are set out on pa8es 2 to 6. Res¢11¥• Rtspmlblllthsof tht Tntstets and Independent ExamIr As trusteesof the charity, the membtr5 of the PCC are responslble forihe prepad0 of the accounts. They con5iderthat an audlt Is nol required for this yeaf under section 144121 of the CharftlesAct 2011 (the 2011 Att'l and that an independent e¥amlnatfon is needed. ft is responsibility to Examine the accounts under sedion 14S ofthe 2011 Att; Follow ihe procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioner 5echon 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act- and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. 8a5iS Ot Independent ExamTnerfs Statement My eyamination was carried out In 1rdance with the General Direcbon 8wen by the Charity Commission. An examination include5 a review of the accounting CordS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wilh those Cords. It also includes consIderaOn of any unusual r(ems or disclosu5 in the accounts. and seekln8 explanation5 from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedure yndertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be quired in a full audit. and consequentty I do not exp5$ an audit opinion on the ID (onnection with my eyamination. no matters have come to my attention: l. WhKh 8ive me aSOnable cause to believe that in any maierial respect the requifements: o To keep accountire records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act, or o To prepare atcounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met, 2. Which, in my oplnlon, attentfon should be dTrwn in Ofderto enable a proper understaftdi tsf the accounts to be aChed. -<.1 - datedl.-...Lo.Is/z3 Jennifer Sottau FCCA Cots*xJld House Wlnchcombe Pagtlof6

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2022

31 December 2021		Total	Unrestricted Funds	Designated Funds (note 2)	Restricted Funds (note 1)	Properties
£		£	£	£	£	£
	Fixed Assets
271,440	Teacher's House(at cost)	-	-	-	-	-
57,000	St Peter's Centre(at cost)	57,000	-	-	-	57,000
328,440		57,000	-	-	-	57,000

115,854	Investment Assets (stated at 31 Dec 2022 value)	330,024	286,725	43,299	-	-

	Current Assets
55,842	Bank balances	45,276	10,938	24,787	9,551	-
445	Cash balance	205	205	-	-	-
56,287		45,481	11,143	24,787	9,551	-
	Current liabilities

56,287	Net current assets	45,481	11,143	24,787	9,551	-

£500,581	Net Assets	£432,505	£297,868	£68,086	£9,551	£57,000

	Represented by:
475,583	Reserves brought forward at 1 January 2022	500,581	93,652	59,058	19,431	328,440
15,314	Net excess of receipts over payments on unrestricted funds	(64,665)	(64,665)		-	-
1,000	Receipts and allocations to designated funds made during the year	-	(8,254)	8,254	-	-
	Adjustment for Sale of Property	(271,440)				(271,440)
10,273	Adjustment for change in investment values over theyear	277,909	277,909	-	-
(1,590)	Adjustment for restricted funds used during the year	(9,880)	-		(9,880)	-
£500,581		£432,505	£298,642	£67,312	£9,551	£57,000

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022	Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022	Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022	Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022	Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Summary Receipts and Payments Account
		Unrestricted Funds		Restricted Funds
		2022	2021	2022
		£	£	£
Receipts

VoluntaryReceipts:
	Plannedgiving	61,818	64,734	-
	Collections at services	6,267	4,157	-
	All othergiving/voluntaryreceipts	7,661	7,562	-
	Legacies received	700	12,701	-
	Gift Aid recovered	14,565	18,353	-
	Special Appeals and Grants	19,843	31,068	-

Activities forgeneratingfunds		7,467	8,179	-

Investment Income		7,486	3,033	-

Church Activities		11,906	6,873	-

Other income		21,964	19,636	-

Total receipts		159,678	*176,297*	-


Expenses
Church Activities:
	Parish share	(83,640)	(78,900)	-
	Clergyand Staffingcosts	(21,369)	(10,526)	-
	Church runningexpenses	(93,776)	(54,478)	(9,880)
	Missiongivingand donations	(2,450)	(2,830)	-
	Costs of trading	(4,775)	(4,734)	-
	Third party costs relating to baptisms, weddings and funerals		-	-

Administration Costs		(5,881)	(4,478)	-

Cost ofgeneratingfunds		(476)	(509)	-

Other costs		(11,976)	(4,548)	-

Totalpayments		(£224,342)	*(£161,003)*	(£9,880)

Movement in thisyear's balances after allocati		(£64,665)	*£15,294*	(£9,880)


11 A more detailed analysis of the receipts and payments can be found in notes 3 and 4 to the accounts

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2022

Note 1 - Analysis of Restricted Funds

Chime Machine Bells St Peter's Organ Fresh Expressions Christ Church, Gretton St Peter's, Winchcombe Vicar and Churchwardens	Opening balance Receipts during year Payments during year Closing balance £ £ £ £ 5,696 - - 5,696 6 - - 6 9,880 - (9,880) - 723 - - 723 - - - - - - - - 3,126 - - 3,126
	£19,431 - (£9,880) £9,551

Note 2 - Analysis of Designated Funds

Christ Church, Gretton - general St Peter's Church - flower fund St Peter's Church - organ fund St Peter's Church -bell fund Stanley Pontlarge - general Pioneer Minister Reserve IT&Video Project for St Peter's	Opening balance Receipts during year Allocations used during year Closing balance £ £ £ £ 803 503 - 1,306 - 375 (252) 123 18,458 200 (5,502) 13,156 1,084 - (269) 815 27,714 12,943 (32,975) 7,682 11,000 32,299 - 43,299 (1) 1,000 (68) 932
	£59,058 £47,320 (£39,066) £67,312

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Note 3 - Detailed Analysis of Receipts

	Note 3 - Detailed Analysis of Receipts
Code	Description	Unrestricted Funds 2022 *2021* £ £		Restricted Funds £
1	Totalplannedgiving	61,818	64,734	-
3	Other collections at services	6,267	4,157	-
4	Other Giving& Donations - Recurring	100	-
5	Other Giving& Donations - Non-Recurring	7,661		-
8	Legacies received	700	7,562	-
7	All tax recovered through Gift Aid	14,565	12,701	-
6	Special Appeals	1,080	18,353	-
9			3,068	-
10	Non-RecurringGrants	18,663		-
11	Fund RaisingEvents	7,467	28,000	-
15	Bookstall,Magazine etc	5,596	8,179	-
12	Dividends & Interest	7,486	6,384	-
14	Total Parochial Fees Income	11,906	3,033	-
13	Income from Properties	600	6,873	-
16	Hall Lettings	255	8,310	-
17	Income from other Church Activities	151	135	-
18	Insurance Claims	-	20	-
19	Reimbursement of costs byother Parishes	-	-	-
20	Sale of Fixed Assets	-	-	-
21	Service Fee Reimbursement byDBF	5,400	-	-
22	Income from solarpanels	9,961	- 4,788	-
22	Other income
		£159,678	£176,297	£0

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Note 4 - Detailed Analysis of Payments

		Unrestricted Funds 2022 *2021* £ £	Unrestricted Funds 2022 *2021* £ £	Restricted Fund for 2022 £ -
Code	Description
32	Parish Share	(83,640)	(78,900)
33	Salaries & Wages	(14,171)	(8,016)	-
37	Local Mission and Evangelism Projects	(1,521)	(809)	-
38	Children/Youth Work costs	(354)	(552)	-
34, 35 & 36	Clergyand Other Expenses	(1,498)	(2,510)	-
39	Insurance costs	(12,748)	(11,473)	-
40	Cleaningcosts	(552)	(991)	-
41	Minor Repairs/Routine Maintenance	(6,407)	(6,241)	-

43	Other Church Expenses/Provision of Services	(1,777)	(1,611)	-
44	Churchyard Maintenance	(1,333)	(1,418)	-
45	Flowers	(6)	(243)	-
46	Music costs	(2,383)	(8,175)	-
59	Major Repairs/Redecoration to Church Building	(51,995)	(12,856)	(9,880)
60	Major Repairs/Redecoration to otherproperties	(1,696)	(1,043)	-
47 & 48	Utilities(incl Heat,Light and Water)	(9,374)	(3,831)	-
31	Donations/Grants to Charities & Mission Giving	(2,450)	(2,830)	-
49	Costs of Trading	(4,775)	(4,734)	-
51	Parochial Fees Remittance to DBF	-	-	-
52	Parochial Fees Remitted to visitingMinisters	-	-	-
53	Parochial Fees Remitted to other 3rdparty	-	-	-
54	Parochial Fees Remitted to other PCC	-	-	-
55	Service Fee Remittance to visitingMinister	(5,700)	-	-
56	Payment of costs to other Parishes	-	-	-
42	Administration costs	(5,881)	(4,478)	-
50	Governance Costs	-	-	-
30	Fund RaisingCosts	(476)	(509)	-
57	DeaneryCosts	(85)	-	-
58	SundryExpenses	(11,890)	(4,548)	-
61	Alterations/Extensions to Church Building	(3,630)	(5,236)	-
	Total Expenses	(£224,342)	(£161,003)	(£9,880)

Winchcombe Parish Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Note 5: Sale of Teacher's House Sale Price Miscellaneous credit Less costs of Sale Estate Agents fee Service Charges Legal fees Total Costs Net proceeds of sale to General Account (a) Book value of Teachers House Profit on Sale: Net proceeds less book value of property Note 6: Investments Value brought forward 1st January 2022 Additional investments from proceeds of Teacher's House (b) Adjustment for change in market value Net change in value Balance carried forward Adjustments to net change in Investments Receipts from Teacher's House not invested (a) - (b) Total change in investments	£	£
	3,720 318 2,234 240,000 (£25,829)	310,000 11 6,272
		303,738
		271,440
		£32,298
		115,854 214,171
		330,025
		63,738 277,909

APCM COVERING 2022: PRIEST-IN-CHARGE’S REPORT

Clearly, Revd David Penny was not present in the Parish during the Vacancy period this report covers. Therefore, whilst he will welcome us all and lead the APCM, there is no formal incumbent’s input into this report and any points to be made have been included within the Churchwardens’ report.

APCM COVERING 2022: CHURCHWARDENS REPORT

As noted earlier in this report, the Parish was in Vacancy in 2022 and so this Churchwardens’ report includes some themes perhaps that a priest-in-charge might have mentioned.

The year has been dominated by the Vacancy. The maintenance of the number and geographical spread of services with associated musical support within the Parish was a key objective of the Churchwardens during the Vacancy which was largely achieved and it is with enormous thanks to our retired clergy, Readers and Directors of Music that service and music provision was maintained. We remain very lucky to be so relatively well endowed with such a pro-active team. However, we were also supported by individuals from the wider Diocese, so allowing breaks to be achieved by our own Ministry team; thank you to them. We achieved full Easter, Advent and Christmas service schedules in the Parish as well as a performance of the Fauré Requiem for All Souls (a first for St Peter's), with the strong support of a number of welcomers and supervisors who made themselves available to manage the anticipated numbers of attendees at the major services. Our bells are still ringing but it is clear that new recruits are needed.

We also needed to find a candidate to end the Vacancy. After considerable work in producing an effective Parish Profile – and our repeated thanks to Elizabeth Atkinson, Lynne Banks, Rob Davies, Sarah Inman, Peter Methven and David Thomas for their careful and thorough research – in conjunction with the PCC, and particularly Abbie Shurmer and Judith Skinner for their final editing/formatting, we were able to interview three strong potential candidates and were delighted to offer the position to the Revd David Penny who, joined by Deborah and Ash, accepted and joined us in February 2023.

Whilst Covid appeared to be waning, its impacts were still felt in the reduced numbers of attendees at services, particularly reinforced by the occasional local spikes we suffered. The Parish remained engaged with the wider community through the Winchcombe Community Covid Action Group (WCCAG) although this group formally closed in mid-year. However, in its place was created the Winchcombe Community Network, a wide-spanning coordination group representing civic, medical, academic, business and volunteer groups aiming to identify issues in the town and collective responses to them. In the latter part of the year it was particularly concerned with the cost-of-living crisis with active programmes to identify and mitigate impacts upon the vulnerable. Our Parish was actively involved in the provision of volunteers to support other groups (toy and clothes banks), in the ramping up of food bank support, and the provision of

a warm space area in conjunction with WAM. These pastoral areas have also been supported through the continued proactive oversight of Judith Skinner through her pastoral care coordination.

We had hoped to have recruited a families' and children's worker. Sadly, no candidates came forward for interview so we were not able to progress this area to support efforts to grow our representation in these age groups. However, with the knowledge of the acceptance and arrival timeline of the new priest-incharge, it was decided that any further interviewing should wait until our new incumbent was able to input.

Whilst our entertainments were limited as a Parish, we did achieve several significant money earners: the pudding evening, choir concert, fête, book fair and son-et-lumière. All got terrific support from the wider town and our thanks to those who led and supported them.

The weekly Parish “Signpost” bulletins as well as access to the PCC’s meeting Minutes available on the Parish website have, we trust, continued to keep Parishioners up to date with wider goings on. We understand that effective information flow plays an important part in maintaining the cohesion of our community.

Other major achievements or events include:

Continued working towards the A Rocha silver award as a result of the direct action and overall coordination by the EcoChurch group and wider in the Parish. We continue to enjoy the fruits of their work whether it be Christ Church’s and St Peter’s insect hotels and wildflower areas, swifts nests in Christ Church and St Peter’s or the general willingness to maintain our churches by the groups who support our churches’ maintenance days.
Toddler Time continues to be well supported and our thanks to Gill Worthington and Anne Hand who head up the team. Messy Church, remains an ambition to restart in 2023.
The selling of Teacher’s House. The capital accrued will be a source of not only future funding via interest, but a considerable element has been set aside specifically for the employment of a families and children worker.
Initiation of two longer term projects in St Peter’s to: review and recommend how we heat the people, not the building; and to review and recommend future IT and audio-visual support.

Regardless of the day to day demands during the Vacancy, much practical work has been achieved and below is a summary of some of the projects that have been taken forward. Our thanks to the work of Geof Adlington, Rob Davies and Deputy Churchwardens for their involvement in work in addressing many of these issues, and Friends of St Peter’s and St Michael’s for their respective financial support.

Parish Wide;
Documents quinquennial review by Diocese. Passed with much praise of its ordering.
St Peter’s, Winchcombe:
Major organ refurbishment.
Quinquennial deep electrical inspection and fixes.
5 yearly deep tower lightning conductor inspection and refurbishment.
Christ Church, Gretton:
Gloucester County Council Highways inspection of drainage.
North wall and Chancel arch subsidence related cracking repairs.
St Michael’s, Stanley Pontlarge:
Restoration work of external drainage and South facing Nave roof completed.
Initiation of the seeking of grant funding for the refurbishment/replacement of the North facing Nave roof.
St Mary’s, Sudeley Castle:
Stonework and downpipe repairs completed from the tasks identified in the Quinquennial Review.
5 yearly deep tower lightning conductor inspection and refurbishment.
Loose pinnacle fixed.
St Peter’s Centre:
VoIP installed to replace copper land line phone access.

Finally, whilst we inevitably will not have thanked everyone who deserves it, the continued voluntary contributions by the PCC, choir, bellringers, stewards, welcomers, sacristans, vergers, holy dusters, coffee makers, etc, etc are not taken for granted. Thank you to all our volunteers but we remain ready to accept new names to fill more gaps.

Simon Andrews

Judith Skinner

Churchwardens, Winchcombe Parish

St Mary’s

All of the planned six Evening Prayers were held with attendance ranging from 3 to 12. Work continues between Sudeley Castle, the Church Commissioners and our PCC regarding the potential transfer of ownership of St Mary’s to the Castle. The Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee sitting as the Bishop’s Council approved the way forward in October and, after some more detailed refining , the process has reached the stage where Diocesan overseen stakeholder consultation will start in Spring 2023. Whilst we received some £780 via the Alms Box, this in no way covers insurance, let alone annual maintenance, costs.

Christ Church

Services at Christ Church continue to be held on 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays, alternating between Holy Communion and Morning Worship, following which we enjoy a social time with refreshments. Morning Prayer is held as a short informal service on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am.

Our Mini Team continues to meet every two months; thanks go to Revd Mike Holloway and Judith Skinner for attending when they can.

Thanks also go to Peter Harris, who donated to us one of the beautiful wooden processional crosses he made, and which he installed on the end of the choir pews.

In June we decorated the churchyard with bunting and held a Service of Celebration for the Jubilee of the late Queen, followed by a Pimms and nibbles reception in a marquee in the churchyard, which was much enjoyed by all. In November we had much needed masonry work in the church done to repair various cracks in the walls, and the tiled aisle in the nave was repaired along the entrance to the pews where the mortar was falling into the void below. Following a very large bough falling from the cedar tree at the front of the church, it was recommended that we have a professional tree survey done – we have over a dozen very large trees of various varieties which require constant monitoring for safety. The survey was carried out in November, and the recommended work was done to make sure the cedar was safe.

As in the previous year, under the auspices of Revd Mike Holloway, we held Carols in the Churchyard in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, which was again very well attended, with many people going into the church to view the crib. Susan Fleck Deputy Church Warden

St Michael’s

We continue to hold Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. In July we had planned to hold our traditional Evensong service which had not been able to go ahead for a number of years. However, this coincided with the heatwave and so a decision was made to postpone to September. The choir from St Peters sang and afterwards we had afternoon tea and Pimms in the churchyard. It was a wonderful occasion.

Also in September work started on re roofing the South side of the nave roof. The church was closed whilst this work was carried out, but the contractors finished the work slightly early and under budget and did a splendid job. (Fundraising is now taking place to raise money to re-roof the North side of the nave).

Our harvest festival took place slightly later, because of the roof work, in October. A group of local residents and members of the congregation cleaned the church from top to bottom following the building work and decorated the church with flowers and produce from our gardens and hedgerows. Afterwards we had drinks and nibbles in the churchyard, as well as collecting food and other items for the foodbank.

Our annual maintenance day was later this year in November. We paid special attention to cleaning out the gutters following the roofing work and planted hundreds of the wild daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, in the churchyard. In December, the weather was the other extreme for our Carols by Candlelight. It was extremely cold and icy with snow on the ground. We decorated the church with foraged greenery and candles. We had a wonderful Carol Service of nine lessons and readings and nine carols. Several people chose poems to read and some people had to step in with no notice to read because people had been unable to attend because of the weather. After the service we kept warm around the brazier in the churchyard and had refreshments. Another special evening. Gill Badger

Deanery Synod Report for APCM of 21[st] May 2023

Two meetings were held in 2022. During the first in January Revd Stephen Walker introduced the Life Together Diocesan Vision; and Barrie Voyce (Diocesan vision for Youth Connectors) presented the Diocesan vision for Youth Connectors.

To support Deaneries and Parish Churches to prioritize Young People’s Ministry
To grow young people as disciples and leaders
To enable Young People to explore the Christian Faith
To connect Young People, Churches and Schools
To create meaningful “rites of passage”
To utilise Social Media
To connect ecumenically

The focus in the second meeting in June was a presentation by Revd Cate Williams, the Diocesan Environmental Engagement Officer, in which she highlighted the following three priorities, and asked for assistance to strengthen our work within the deanery in:

Achieving carbon net zero by 2030
Addressing the biodiversity crisis
Spreading the word on the importance of green evangelism

Anyone wishing to become an Environmental Ambassador for Tewkesbury and Winchcombe Deanery would be most welcome.

January to December 2022 was an unusual and challenging time for the Deanery of Tewkesbury and Winchcombe. We lost 6 of our 8 full time stipendiary clergy. Even with the help of retired clergy and other Lay Leaders it was difficult to get cover for all the services in the Deanery, and it was feared that the service pattern might not sustainable in the short term. However, there was some good news. Two vacancies were filled:

The Revd Timothy Michael Garrett, currently the Vicar of Holy Trinity, Twickenham, became the Team Rector for the Benefice of Bishop's Cleeve (including Southam) and Woolstone with Gotherington and Oxenton.
The Revd David Penny vicar of the church of St Matthew and St Luke, Chadderton, became the Priest in Charge for Parish of Winchcombe.

Having been without an Area Dean since Stephen Walker resigned at the end of June 2022. The Revd Julia Hook was then appointed to the role of INTERIM Area Dean by Bishop Rachel for one year for one day a week in addition to her House for Duty role.

Prior to his departure Revd Stephen Walker was central to the new Strategic Planning Group for the Deanery to enable parishes to work together to:

Listen to God together to shape our specific mission and ministry in this deanery
Share our expertise and resources so as to increase our effectiveness and fruitfulness
Make new disciples by finding new ways of telling our story, explain our faith and

give a reason for the hope that is within us

Serve our communities by working in partnership with others to witness to God’s

love and address global issues confronting our generation that all may flourish Be a channel of communication (up and dobwn) to Diocesan structures for reporting

and envisioning.

Thanks to the work of parish treasurers and particularly Geofrey Adlington, the current Deanery Treasurer, the Deanery of Tewkesbury and Winchcombe met its parish share targets for yet another year. This was something of an achievement during a period of reduced giving when our churches have been struggling.

Notes for APCM re Safeguarding May 2022 SAFEGUARDING

The PCC has complied with the duty to have “due regard” to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. The PCC also has a Parish Safeguarding Policy, which is reviewed annually.

Our Commitments:

Promoting a safer environment and culture
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
Responding to those who may pose a present risk

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.

1. DBS

Gill Worthington continues to do an excellent job ensuring that those who work with children or adults at risk and any others in roles eligible for DBS clearances apply for and have their DBS clearances approved and renewed as required. This includes all members of the PCC as Trustees of a charity that provides services for children or adults at risk.

Clearances were sought for the members of the newly re-formed Pastoral Team.

2. Safer Recruitment

All those working for the church in activities involving children or vulnerable adults, whether the role is paid or voluntary, should now be recruited using the Safer Recruitment process. The Parish Safeguarding Officer and the Churchwardens have completed Safer Recruitment Training.

The members of the newly re-formed Pastoral Team have been recruited using the Safer Recruitment Process. This process is also being used for the Toddler Time helpers.

3. Parish Dashboard

We have begun to use the Parish Dashboard, which is an online Safeguarding Tool provided by the Church of England. The Dashboard acts as an audit of safeguarding for the Parish and produces an action plan.

4. Safeguarding Training

The Church of England has produced a new list of Safeguarding Training courses available and of those who should take the different courses. Most of the courses can be taken online at any convenient time via the C of E training portal. The courses available at present are: Basic, Foundation, Leadership, Safer Recruitment and Domestic Abuse. The Parish Safeguarding Officer, in conjunction with the PCC, will contact those whose roles require training to explain what is needed. Training should be renewed every three years.

Pastoral Team Report

APCM 2022

Thanks must go to our Pastoral Team, Lesley Davies, Jill and Roger Hargreaves, Shelley Hoban, Gaye Kimber and Margaret Lloyd, who have continued to contact and visit those in the parish who are at a particular point of need or who may feel lonely and isolated.

I am happy to report that more than thirty parishioners were either telephoned or visited on a regular basis during the year, 2022.

At a meeting early in the year it was felt that there is an obvious synergy between the Pastoral Team and the Home Communion Team. So following a meeting with the Home Communion Team it was decided that they would ask those they were taking Communion to if they would like a pastoral visit and vice verse for the Pastoral Team if that seemed appropriate.

This has worked well and the offer accepted by several home bound parishioners meaning that on average they see someone from the church twice a month.

As a team we look forward to regular meetings with our newly appointed priestin-charge, Revd David Penny.

Judith Skinner

Co-ordinator Pastoral Team

Music Report

From January 2022 the choir resumed business as usual post Covid. Highlights of the month included the final service for John Paul Hoskins - the choir was out in force with 30+ singers and specially requested music. A regular pattern of Choral Evensong was reinstated with the choir delivering the 1[st] , 3[rd] and 5[th] Sundays every month.

February presented little in the way of curveballs and good attendance helped to get the choir back on track. Then on March 2[nd] we sang at the Ash Wednesday service with good choir attendance and commitment. March also saw the choir support the wedding of Curate Rachel Murray and ex chorister George Forrest, with a nuptial Mass. The choir numbered 35+ and the music was well delivered and much admired.

The choir delivered the services for Palm Sunday and Holy Week; Palm Sunday with restored procession from the Back Lane carpark, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday with a full church. There was no Good Friday service with choir in 2022.

In June the choir was asked by Bishop Rachel to sing at Gloucester Cathedral for the service of Ordination of Priests. This was done at a week’s notice and the choir acquitted themselves very well indeed. Also in June, the choir concert returned to its summer slot. The new template for this concert was a community concert with a choir Bring and Share buffet and bar, and a percentage of ticket sales supporting the organ fund. The theme was Jubilee / Last Night of the Proms, and we were joined by Winchcombe Brownies and their families to sing and join in the festivities. The audience was encouraged to join us for a number of communal items. Feedback was both appreciative and positive that this template and style of delivery was uplifting, fun, social and inclusive. The audience numbers for this concert were near the 200 mark.

The annual Choral Evensong at St Michael’s, Stanley Pontlarge was postponed because of the weather and so took place in September; the choir sang for the service and we enjoyed hospitality in the churchyard afterwards. Later in the month, some members of the choir took part in a Fauré Requiem ‘Come and Sing’ at Upton upon Severn, hosted by the Hanley Swan Singers, directed by John Holloway. Participation was funded by a donation to choir funds from the Diocese of Gloucester for our singing at the cathedral in June, and was useful preparation for the Churches Together All Souls Requiem in October.

On October 16[th] the choir supported the Methodist Church in Winchcombe for the final service before the closing of their church building. On Sunday 30[th] October we sang the Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine , both by Fauré, for the inaugural St Peter’s All Souls Requiem. This was a Churches Together initiative replacing the In Memoriam service previously held at the Methodist

Church. The congregation numbered nearly 200. The choir was fortunate to have been given a generous donation by two of our choristers to enable the purchase of the scores for the Fauré Requiem which we hope to sing biennially.

November saw the choir support Christ Church, Gretton, singing Evensong for their Patronal Festival; we also enjoyed their hospitality after the service. Then on November 27[th] we sang an Advent Carol Service followed by a full programme of Christmas services - Nine Lessons and Carols, a more reflective ‘Blue Christmas’, Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. The choir was back to full strength for these services for the first time since Covid, and intermittent Covid spikes, with attendance sometimes numbering 35+ and often full and always appreciative congregations.

From the organ loft some problems caused by lack of heating and lack of use during lockdowns resolved themselves as the organ was played more regularly. The long awaited work to some of the electrical systems and wind supply was carried out by the organ builders Nicholsons during September and October. A minor part of the instrument could not cope with the proper wind pressure restored after the leaks had been repaired, so a small amount of remedial work to replace some pneumatic and electric motors is still required. And the mains wiring to the blower has yet to be completed. Of course, Covid delayed many projects and there is a decreasing number of organ builders capable of carrying out such work. But the majority of the work has been done and has proved most effective.

Shelley Everall Andrew Horton Joint Directors of Music

ST PETERS FLOWER ARRANGERS – REPORT TO THE ANNUAL MEETING 2023

The Flower Group has continued to provide a single arrangement next to the altar, except during Advent and Lent when there are no flowers in church. We also aim to provide more arrangements to decorate the whole church at Christmas, Easter, Harvest and other special occasions. This is the most that is possible with our small numbers and finances.

In line with St. Peters eco policy we no longer use floral foam (Oasis). This is because the foam cannot be recycled and does not biodegrade, breaking down into microplastic particles which are a biohazard. This has involved relearning old techniques and thinking outside the box to provide alternative displays. It is still a work in progress, but we are getting there. We have also been looking into using locally, or British grown flowers, or at least those that have not been flown in from great distances, to help lower our carbon footprint.

Thank you to everyone who purchased an Easter Lily in memory of a loved one. A list of all those remembered is up in church and we understand the Revd. David included them in Morning prayers.

Pam Tustin, one of our longest serving members sadly died at Easter. We were pleased to be able to decorate the church for her funeral. We shall miss both her expertise and help and friendship to us all and send our deep condolences to her family.

There are now only 6 of us. This limits what we can do and puts pressure on us, especially at Festival times. Some of us are experts and some of us are just enthusiastic amateurs, but we all work together and help each other. Some of us are church members and some of us are not, but we all love flowers and get great satisfaction and joy from what we do. We would love to welcome anyone who would like to give it a try. Talk to Margaret Bearne or Margaret Holloway to find out what is involved if you are in the least interested.

Margaret Bearne 01242 604593 Margaret Holloway 01242 603421

R eport to the APCM 2023 from the bellringers

We are generally managing to ring for services on a Sunday morning, and for our practice night on a Wednesday. By the time you read this we will have rung on the morning of the Coronation.

We are also hoping to have some kind of demonstration/recruitment session over Bell Sunday weekend (13/14th May). We are a rapidly aging band, and while we are managing to maintain our numbers, at present, the ringers are beginning to show signs of wear & tear.

Our recruitment drives last year amounted to nothing, unfortunately. We are still desperately short of ringers, and the holiday season is approaching, so we will be struggling to maintain 6 bells for Sunday mornings, and for any weddings coming up. Fortunately we are paid for weddings, so this means that we can ask for help & pay any necessary additional ringers.

Edward Kain, as usual, is seeing to it that the bells are in good repair. We had a new set of ropes in February 2010, and the tail ends of these have all been repaired as they were beginning to wear.

Stewards’ Report

Firstly, a very sincere Thank You to all those wonderful volunteers who turn up in the cold, wet and dark days as well as the sunny and warm ones. Their presence is really appreciated by all the visitors who do come to St Peters.

We are thrilled that Rosemary Hancock has joined the team and it is obvious that she is enjoying herself.

One paper saving introduction has been the appearance of the A3 laminated tour sheet. The advantage is that it has larger print and can be reused. We are hoping that as a result this will reduce the number of printed A4 threefold sheets.

We could say that this is just one tiny step for the ECO Church.

In the meantime, we are still hopeful that one or two people will step forward to become Stewards. Just one hour a week is all that is needed.