2025-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe

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St Mary Magdalene Clitheroe - Annual Reports 2025/ 2026

dignitleS. at the Civic Sunday service on 8 March. Other ways in which I have tiied to reach out to the wÉder community included one visit to the Playgroup. attending rneetings of the SMC Management committee, the Clitheroe Parish Church Amateur Operatie and Dramatic Society committee, Clitheroe Christian in Partnership, Quiz night at the Buck Inn. Quiz night at St. Paul's and visits to Pendle Primary School - to meet staff and pupils and more recently to lead their 'Easter' assembly. There have also been many conversations with members from U3l C]itheroe Civic Society and Rotary Clubsl A secret weapon fr)r general outreach to the local community is Gloria. who {wtth her majestic magnetism) enables me to talk to many people on our da]ly walks. She is already quite familiar to some stall holders at the market and to staff at the Knead & Grind coffee shop and Bne s Wine shopl This year I look for more opportunities for networking and Teaching out to the wider community. I hope all those who attend services at St Mary's will appreciate my fide]ity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is always my intention in leading worship that the central focus of our devotion is our Lord and Saviour jes Christ. This is one of the reasons I reinstated a Gospel procession at the main service.. to highlight the central importance of the Gospel. In preaching, my aim is to focus our attention on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel, and my objective is to Telate and apply those teachtngs to our lives as Christian disciples today in our context here in C]itheme. Providing opportunities for studying the Word of God is key element of my role as vicar. I delight in studyÉng the scriptures with other people and have enjoyed our Lent Bible study eourse on the Psalms of Lament. I plan to offer more Bible studies throughout the year. I am also looking at ways of sharing the Gospel through including articles from interesting contemporary theologians in our parish magazine. I have also tried my best to share the Good News of the Gospel at the (many} funera]s I have conducted thus far. The Life Communi Worship is the beating heart of our Church community. It is what brings us together to offer God our prayers, our praises and the honour due unto Him. The Holy Eucharist is vital to our lives as Christians, as it nouTishes our souls and is a sacrament of grace which unites us with Christ in a profound way. With this in mind. and with episcopal blessing. at the beginning of this year, I reordered that chancel (back} to a more traditional Anglican/monastic layout. This was to the ensure that the main altar and the high altar cross are the centra] focus of our Worship I have also ensured that the main altar is dressed with antependia in the colour of the season. I also moved the standing torches to the main altar and purchased larger altar candles. This (literally) highh.ghts the importance of the altar. I returned the large candlesticks to the high altar. to flank the eTOSS. They are much more visible and fitting 4••q

Churchwarden’s Report – Howard Riley

GENERAL : This last year has seen the appointment of Revd Paul Sherwood as priest for the new benefice of St Mary’s Clitheroe and St Leonards, Downham. He has been most welcome and his ministry goes from strength to strength with the refreshed Sunday services, regular morning prayer and midweek communion plus bible study and the recruitment of a new and dedicated Director of Music in Mr James

Chaucer. Following a some�mes troublesome interregnum our church is ge�ng back on its feet and to help us do that, Jo Robinson has stepped up as a second church warden.

congrega�on shrunk in 2025/26 and outgoings overtook our income. The ques�on of mee�ng the full payment of our parish share was integral to our current and projected posi�on therefore the treasurer arranged a mee�ng with the diocesan finance board to iden�fy the emerging problem and establish op�ons for the financial future of the church. In consequence we received a significant reduc�on in our parish share for the year. Our thanks to our treasurer for his dogged services in this respect. With quinquennial works looming we have no choice but to examine our personal giving, consider fundraising op�ons and most importantly to do our level best to grow our church. The establishment of a dedicated fundraising team was agreed at the 16/3/26 PCC mee�ng.

SIDESPERSONS:

Thanks to all on the rota for your commitment over this last year and for all those who help open and close the church most days. Special thanks goes to Keith Robinson who modestly supports so much at St Mary’s. Keith oversees all our funeral arrangements with Jenni and has recently organised the 5 yearly renewal of our Parish Electoral Roll. Serving the parish since an incredible 1961 Keith has decided it is �me to re�re which he does with our sincere blessing and gra�tude for all he has done over the decades. Bishop Philip has wri�en to Keith on the occasion of his re�rement at the age of 86! Thanks to Steve Cunliffe who has covered more than his share of funerals over recent months ably supported by Keith Jackson. Howard Riley will temporarily work to the vicar in overseeing funeral arrangements with four new volunteers having kindly stepped forward to assist.

a smile and a chat with the many visitors whilst keeping us all organised and resourced. During interregnum Jenni worked hard with Patricia Duxbury in keeping all our services up and running by securing regular ministry cover, planning the services and choosing hymns and music for our worship. Can we record our hear�elt thanks to them both and those faithful re�red clergy who s�ll suppor�ng us through periods of uncertainty.

BUILDINGS: Our 2025 quinquennial inspec�on went ahead the last year with our new conserva�on architect Jill Cowgill from North West design collec�ve of Preston.

inspec�on has not all been completed so some issues will roll over into the next five year programme. The full inspec�on by Jill Cowgill took place on 20[th] March 2025 and we are in receipt the full report. We need to priori�se the water ingress and damp in the walls of the ringing room, south east nave and Alleys Chapel. The repair to the roof flashing above the organ has proved successful. On receipt of the inspec�on report we have drawn up a work schedule and specifica�on to put out to tender iden�fying 12 priority pieces of work to the fabric and roof. Following recent receipt of a diocesan list of conserva�on heritage builders we are progressing the invita�ons to tender for thew work. On receipt of all the quotes we can then look at what range of grant funding is available to apply for and consult with the fund raising team.

replace them in 2024 and received a number of generous dona�ons. The Town Council commi�ed to match funding the project which has been quoted to include an� vandal cages to protect the new LED lights which can be seasonally removable. The replacement system was installed in 2025 and is working well highligh�ng the presence of our church on dark evenings.

recommended a complete new system that has automa�c winding and seasonal adjustment and which can be adjusted remotely via a phone App at a cost of £3850 with a ten year warranty. RVBC annually

cover the annual maintenance cost for the clock and have generously agreed to fully fund the new installa�on. This op�on ‘future proofs’ the clock and we are in receipt of the funds from RVBC and the work is planned to commence in April this year.

So, we have soldiered on as a team to meet a range of challenges. There are so many willing helpers and unsung heroes who give hours of their �me cleaning the church, making the brews, our Ladies Group, the ‘Flower People’ , the churchyard gardeners, our organist and choir, our servers and home communion team, our Mums and Toddlers volunteers, our sides persons, our bap�sm team, our magazine editor and vision champion, our PCC and secretariat, our funeral vergers and our ‘locker uppers’, so the list goes on including those who faithfully a�end and worship on Sundays !

A huge thankyou to our organist Simon Emery who has done so much to keep us worshipping and our steadfast choristers singing. Simon and the choir set up the St Marys Pop Choir who have occasionally supported our regular singers for events and special services. We remain grateful for the commitment of our choir who have kept going through ‘thick and thin’ and look forward to their development under our new Director of Music.

I would also like to pay tribute to our stalwart team of bellringers and Tower Captains who ring so regularly and con�nue to develop quality bell ringing performance in the tower whilst encouraging visits from other ringing bands and pealing across our town and the valley pu�ng our church on the map. Thank you all for all those hours of regular commitment to keeping our church func�oning, may God hold you all in His hands.

PCC Secretary’s Report – Merle Allen

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) At the beginning of last year the PCC consisted of one Churchwarden - Howard Riley - plus nine elected members – Linda Ainsworth, Merle Allen (Deputy Warden and Secretary), Ann Binnie, Patricia Duxbury, Keith Jackson, Luke Lowry, Ken Robinson (Treasurer), Susan Robinson, and Diana Wilkins. In addition, the two Deanery Synod representatives – Colin Scott and Jo Robinson - attend the meetings.

Now, happily, we have a new Vicar – Rev Paul Sherwood, who started his ministry with us in November of last year. We hope he has settled in and look forward to many years under his leadership. Sadly Patricia will not be standing for re-election this year – she blames old age but where are her wrinkles?!! The PCC will have met for formal business, on six occasions from May 2024 to March 2025, not including the APCM.

The Standing Commi�ee – The Vicar, Churchwardens, Treasurer, Special Advisor during the Interregnum – Patricia Duxbury - and Secretary met for business on seven occasions. Patricia has now stood down as advisor, now that our Vicar is in post.

The work of the council is supported by nine commi�ees – Finance, Magazine, SMC (St Mary’s Centre) Hall Management Team, Social commi�ee, and Clitheroe Chris�ans in Partnership. Other officials;

Our ‘Vision 2026’ Vision Champion is Linda Ainsworth. Our Associate Champion is Patricia Duxbury. Our Safeguarding Officer is now Luke Lowry.

Administrator.

Keith Robinson has stepped back from being our Electoral Roll Officer (and many other roles) - due to ill health.

Our Archivist is Dorothy Jackson. Our Calligrapher is now Norman Kelly.

I personally would like to thank all of the above and in fact everyone who is part of one or the other ‘teams’ which contribute in a very vital way to the running of the church. There are several such teams; Church coffee rota Counting team The Flower Ladies The Cleaning Team All the sides persons Play Group helpers

Chalice Bearers / People who deliver home communion Readers People who write and deliver intercessions Key-holders who close the church People on the ‘prayer network’ Holy washers There is always room on any / all of the rotas for more volunteers!

Treasurer’s Report – Ken Robinson

We have experienced another hard year: Rev Judith was on long-term sick leave from September 2024 and le� the post at the end of April 2025. We have effec�vely been in vacancy for 25 of the last 36 months This has caused weekly a�endance to decrease, whilst expenditure has been kept almost Income

our income was £134,013.

Income was therefore £45,000 above budget.

This is mainly a�ributable to:

reclaiming costs of vicars covering services during vacancy
renego�a�ng the parish share request. The Diocese have supported the parish share by alloca�ng us £29,760 to set against it.
Payments for funerals and weddings and other items that do not have budget es�mates due to their unpredictability.

Planned Giving [bank standing orders and pledged envelopes] reached £44,407, which is 10% less than the average of the previous five years, although along with gi�-aided white envelopes and loose-plate giving has increased slightly from 2024.

Fund-raising events added £2,500 more than in 2024.

Ladies Group have recently donated £500. Ken will send a le�er of thanks.

Expenditure

few areas exceeded budget es�mates, one being insurance due to the revised charges a�er the St. Mary’s Centre took out their own insurance.

We renego�ated our Parish Share, but the full amount of £74,960 is shown in the accounts, as the Diocese allocated support to the request, saving £29,960 but didn’t reduce it.

Assets

At the end of 2024, our assets had a value of £106,040, this year the balance on 31st December 2025 is £101,960 showing a decrease in assets of £4,080 due to a vola�le share price. Our assets comprise:

Varley Bequest £62,526
Varley Income £11,192
Organ Maintenance Fund £ 4,280
General Purposes Fund £19,958
Deposit Account £ 4,001

The Future

We will have another challenging year ahead but can face it with op�mism following the arrival in November 2025 of Fr. Paul as our new Vicar.

Our parish share is due to be reviewed in September 2026, as the Diocese want to support us in our efforts to grow the church.

We s�ll have a lot of repair work planned to go ahead in 2026 following on from the quinquennial report this year, which will require grant aid to accomplish. The organ also requires major work to bring it to full working condi�on.

Budget 2026

Ken has increased all categories by 4%.

Church Insurance Policy – Our updated policy has now been received. Our premium is £800 per month

Fundraising Commi�ee – It was agreed that a small commi�ee of suitable people could be formed to address fundraising and would include applying for external grants. Paul and Ken have volunteered. Other possible interested par�es will be approached.

Parochial Fees 2025 / 2026
	2025	Proposed for 2026
Hea�ng	£50	£60
Verger	£55
Organist Funeral	£90
Wedding	£140
(If a professional videographer is present - an extra £100 will		go to the organist)
Travel [if not in undertaker’s vehicle]	£10	£15
Bells	£240
Flowers [weddings]	£80	£100
Live streaming [£100 to organist]	£125
Recorded/Projected Material	£50 - this has never been charged but will be in future
Orders of Service [unlimited]	£60 - this seems a random fgure – needs inves�ga�on.

Vision Champion’s Report – Linda Ainsworth & Patricia Duxbury

In 2025/6, the Vision Champion and/or the Assistant Vision Champion:

Maintained links with Beavers and Cubs, inviting them to services and delivering input for badge activities.
Publicised and updated events on the A Church Near You website and the Church website and revised the information under the Prayer tab.
Established the Manga Café, a Fresh Expression of Church for teenagers aged 13+, providing the opportunity to read manga, enjoy free south-east Asian-themed cup noodles, snacks and drinks and talk with adults in a relaxed setting.
Produced, distributed and displayed publicity material for special events in Church.
Maintained the Prayer Board, praying for all those using it and those for whom they pray and arranging for space to be available for new posts.
Continued to lead the after-service Prayer Group on Sundays to pray for St Mary’s, our community and the wider world and to supply a prayer based on what had been prayed for to be printed on the weekly notices for general use.
Produced AI copyright-free images and PowerPoint presentations for services and publicity.
Reported through articles and photos for the Parish Magazine on the search for and appointment of a new incumbent to inform readers about the changes taking place in our Church.
Updated and rewrote the St Mary Magdalene’s Statements of Need and Significance as part of a programme of funding bids for grants to repair the fabric and furnishings of the Church, making them available for use by all bidders.
Joined the proposed new fundraising group and shared ideas about future possible events.

Safeguarding Officer – Luke Lowry / Howard Riley

There have not been any reported incidents during the year 2025 – 2026. DBS checks for PCC members, Home Communion Visitors, Tower Captains, Music Director and Toddler Group Leader are all due for renewal this spring. All those individuals who are eligible for DBS cer�fica�on have already undergone the mandatory online Founda�on refresher training including the Domes�c Violence package to increase our awareness. We s�ll have permission from the diocese to do the online training as a group where some others are doing it online themselves. The group sessions proved to be successful with the subject ma�er provoking meaningful discussions.

Luke Lowry has taken over as PSO and the necessary notices been amended. Both Luke and Revd Paul have been enabled on the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard system and will be maintaining the necessary oversight. Similarly, they have both been registered with the diocese DBS desk for access to the 31:8 Basic to Enhanced Recruiters DBS online system. Both are undertaking the necessary diocesan training programs.

The Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is an online comprehensive so�ware package that covers every aspect of our safeguarding requirements. We have iden�fied all the specific church ac�vi�es that we rou�nely engage with looking at any risk associated with par�cipa�on by children, young people or vulnerable adults. Ma�ers such as risk assessment, insurance cover and related policy and procedural issues are all involved in popula�ng the dashboard which is monitored from the Diocese. We have iden�fied the following Church Ac�vi�es to date:

PCC members (Church based)
Holy Communion Pastoral Visitors ( Home visits)
Music director and Choir Master (Church based)
Bell Tower Captain & Deputy (Church based)
Visi�ng Bell Ringers (Church based)
Toddler Playgroup (St Mary Community Centre based)
Clitheroe Chris�ans in Partnership (CCP) Events

On the 16[th] March 2026 the PCC endorsed the Safeguarding Ac�on Plan and the reviewed risk assessments for the aforemen�oned church ac�vi�es.

have now updated it as of the 16/3 PCC mee�ng endorsements.

Recruitment Strategy and the role risk assessment process. This can now be managed via the new Parish Safeguarding Hub which compliments and underpins the main Dashboard. This program can be used to design and record role profiles and associated risk assessments and may be developed to do that for us by the PSO during 2026. Luke Lowry has recently been enabled on the parish admin computer on which he will conduct his safeguarding work and use to access the Dashboard and Hub going forward. The church safeguarding policy remains featured on the St Mary’s website with the 2024 revised repor�ng procedures.

Both the Vicar and Howard Riley have completed the safer recrui�ng training and were able to lead the recruitment and selec�on process for the new Director of Music who will formally be appointed 1[st] April 2026.

Thanks to all for their willing commitment to the safeguarding procedures.

Health & Safety Officer – Howard Riley

There have been no reportable H&S incidents during this last year 2025 to 2026 . Following the 2024/5 incident in the churchyard where a lady walking her dog le� the footpath and slipped on a gravestone and broke her pelvis, the incident was reported according to H&S Execu�ve process, and I reported the ma�er to our insurers. In consequence we have erected three signs warning off slippery gravestones and direc�ng people to remain on the pathway.

facilitated the removal of the tree and bush to recent further risk. The Police were asked to patrol the churchyard and there have been no further incidents to date.

Following the tragic death of a child last year caused by a toppled gravestone RVBC/LCC have inspected our churchyard and erected two warning signs.

documents are available for scru�ny at the west door entrance to the nave. Any issues then please contact a church warden.

All the necessary inspec�ons and surveys have been completed to date.

The poor state of repair of the pathways and some ligh�ng issues have been repeatedly reported to the Council and Highways Authority with li�le progress to date although a couple of lights have been replaced on the rear passageway and steps.

Deanery Synod Report – Jo Robinson

26/3/2025 at St.Peter’s Church, Salesbury
Led by Bishop Jill this meeting focused on how Vision 2026 came into being, what it has done for the Diocese and what has it done for our Parishes.
Carolyn Barton, Director of Vision Delivery at Blackburn Diocese, then presented the major themes emerging from Parish consultation on the NEW VISION. At this stage she emphasized that this was a listening phase. It is hoped that the New Vision would be launched by November 2026. We must now look forward to 2033- 2000 years since Christ’s death.
10/6/2025 at St. Paul’s Church, Clitheroe
Hosted by Assistant Area Dean Catherine Hale- Highway and opened by Ruth Haldene.
Rev. Steve Hackett and Sarah O’Donoghue, from the Diocesan Growth and Renewal team, set the scene for the Diocesan Centenary celebrations in 2026. A Whit walk event in Blackpool. We were shown a video from Bishop Philip encouraging us to look back over the last 100 years and to look forwards with a renewed commitment to spreading the Gospel. He hopes every Parish will put on simple events over the Mission weekend aiming for out-reach growth and mission. Mission weekend September 11-13.It should not be about fund-raising!

A video message from Bishop Joe reminded us that mission is always invitational and that we should not be afraid of personal invites.

3/12/2025 at St. Peter and St. Paul’s, Rishton and AGM

The meeting began with a Eucharist service lead by Father Eddie Carr.

Rev. Liz McLean opened the meeting with a round-up of the year and asking “Where has God been with us this year”.

The New Vision was announced “Joyful followers of Jesus” to be launched to coincide with the Diocesan centenary on 12th November 2026.

Lead by Ruth Haldene ideas were discussed about the Mission and Outreach weekend 11-13th September 2026.

AGM business- Whalley Deanery representatives up for election in 2026.

18/3/2026 St. Leonards Langho .

The meeting was opened by Rev’d Liz McLean with the Leading Your Church Into Growth

prayer(LYCIG).

Rev. Karen Herschell gave an overview of her role in the Diocesan Renewal Programme. She described three main types of growth:-

Numerical (numbers coming to church). Spiritual ( becoming more like Jesus) Missional ( taking more of Jesus’ mission to the world).

The programme is extended to 2027. Funding for this is not from the Parish Shares or Diocese. Three clergy who are on/ have done the renewal programme shared their pearls of wisdom. We were then split into groups to discuss how different churches were achieving growth. Finally we were given notices including the Archbishop of Yorks ‘Pilgrim Places’ initiative encouraging our churches to be welcoming and reflective spaces. An invitation was given to attend a morning at Whalley Abbey where Theo Sheridan-Watts will give help and advice.

Next meetings :

o 29.07.26 – St Mary’s Gisburn – AGM

o 17.11.26 – St Mary Magdalene Clitheroe

New members would be welcomed – Jo is stepping down since she will have extra duties as a new Churchwarden. Minutes of the meetings are circulated and available from the website. Colin Scott was elected as our representative on the Deanery Synod for the next three years.

Reports of Parochial and General Interest

St Mary’s Centre – Lesley Howarth

The St. Mary’s Centre continues to offer the local community a very flexible building to put on activities. But, yet again, over the last 12 months we have seen energy costs continue to increase significantly and our financial reserves are continuing to deplete.

Our diary of regular users continues to be very active although we always have room for new groups to meet on a regular basis, especially during the daytime. New activities over the last 12 months have seen a regular Line Dance class on a Thursday evening, a monthly junior herbalist’s class, and Dog Behavioural classes.

We have hosted several Valuation Days, Residents meeting groups, several Dance Shows, the annual Operatic Society Musical, and Play, a Burlesque evening, an Abba tribute band and other Summer and Christmas shows.

We also hosted several concerts as part of the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Festival weekend and will once again be hosting more concerts this year.

The Hall Management committee has also started fundraising by holding a Tabletop sale and a Family Bingo Night. Both proved popular and we’re hoping to continue to hold these in the coming year along with other events. A Ladies Fashion Show is planned for May.

The Mutual Room continues to hold many workshops and on-off meetings.

Some of our regular users have also run extra one-off full day events, including Hush Art Group, Jujitsu and Line Dancing.

We are actively trying to recruit new regular user groups and would like to thank the whole St. Mary’s Centre team for their continued hard work on this. Marketing leaflets continue to be distributed, and the website and Facebook page continue to be used to publicise the space and flexibility that we have as a venue within Clitheroe. We also send out a monthly Newsletter to our distribution list of schools, regular users, volunteers, and potential users giving details of what’s currently going on at the Centre.

The last of the money set aside from the sale of the Institute, (retained in a separate account, opened by the Trustees of the St. Mary's Centre, to be used for specified jobs that had been agreed with Ribble Valley Borough Council, for work within the St. Mary's Centre) has now been spent on the repointing, replacement gutters, downspouts and valley gutters on the North side of the building where there was significant water ingress. This work has now been completed. There is however, still work to be completed in the Main Hall to replaster the wall where the water damage has caused the plaster to come away from the wall.

Grants have been secured from several sources including the Lancashire Environmental Fund to carry out work on the internal insulation of the Main Hall roof. The plan is to complete this work over the summer months when many users will be on summer break, as the Main Hall and stage will be out of action for approximately four weeks. This is necessary work following an energy survey completed on the Hall showed the significant heat loss through the Main Hall roof was contributing to the Hall being cold during the winter months. This was affecting users and complaints had been received about the cool temperatures.

A grant has been received from Ribble Valley Borough Council, along with a donation from the Operatic Society towards replacing the projector in the Main Hall. This has now been replaced and is fully functioning and used by groups showing slideshows and films etc.

Turnover for the year to 31st December 2025 is down in 2025 at just under £55k compared to just over £75k in the previous year. However, the previous year includes just over £16k received from Lancashire Environmental Fund for the grant towards the solar panel installation.

We continue to look for ways to save money and apply for grant funding to carry out much needed work within the building. We are also looking at more fundraising ideas, and we are approaching our user groups to see if they would be willing to help with this.

We continue to be very grateful to our volunteers without whom we could not run the Hall, and we look forward to being able to continue to involve them with our activities. The Bar continues to raise much needed funds, and we continue to be very grateful to all the volunteers who staff and help run the bar. New volunteers are always welcome.

In conclusion the St. Mary’s Centre is not in a good financial position and the coming year will again prove another challenging one, but thanks must go to the Centre staff, Management Team, and volunteers for their invaluable work.

Susan Robinson – Ladies Group

Well, what a busy, fulfilling and enjoyable first year it has been for me in my role as Chairperson for the group. I feel both privileged and blessed to be an integral part of this wonderful group. Each member is so precious and brings a special value to each meeting.

During the year we welcomed, Alison, Christine and Lorraine to the group, with membership now standing at 21.

2025 brought a full calendar of very interesting speakers and events. We were thrilled to be able to donate to the charities linked to the speakers, and in doing so helped to support their excellent work. The May Fair was a very successful event, which brought everyone in the church together in terms of donations and practical support. A real day of fellowship. - hard work of course, but very rewarding. We had our own stalls as well as outside stalls. How wonderful it was to have comments from these stall holders saying that our church is most welcoming, caring, and has a wonderful atmosphere. For the first time we held a Mango Café, run by Linda Ainsworth. Monies raised from the Fair were given to Christian Aid, UNIICEF and our church.

In June our outing took us to visit Salmesbury Hall , which was very interesting, as we explored the ancient rooms, priest hides, visited the former Chapel and enjoyed the elegance of the stately rooms. Afternoon Tea at The Garden Room Eatery was then enjoyed by all.

In July the ladies had a delicious cream tea at Corbridge Court where the AGM was also held in December, followed by an excellent Christmas lunch provided by outside caterers. At this meeting Father Paul was welcomed as the new President of the Ladies Group.

The Christmas Fayre had many seasonal stalls and even brought Father Christmas from the North Pole to visit and sample our mince pies and mulled wine,( non-alcoholic of course )

At the end of the year we had surplus in our financial account and were thrilled to be able to donate to the Nightsafe Project, the Melanesian Brothers and our church.

I would like to sincerely thank Christine, Anne, Jenny and Janet for all their constant support on the Committee, John Wilkinson for setting up the Mutual Room at the St Mary's Centre, Jenni Carysforth for her tireless support to me in the Parish Office and to our dear friend Howard Riley for looking after us in the absence of having a Vicar. Grateful thanks must go also to the Reverend Jane Bury for stepping in and officiating our Corporate Communion earlier in the year.

Finally to the ladies in the group - thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, care and most loyal support, both to me and in attendance at the meetings - coming out in all weathers.

We pray that God will guide and richly bless our group in 2026 and take special care of those members going through difficult times at the moment.

St Mary’s Play Group – Sarah Dent

Play Group numbers have increased steadily over the last few months, with some weeks seeing 20+ children with Grandparents, Mums and Dads. Which is great to see.

Our team remains unchanged with a coffee and snack rotation from Anne, Jo, and Diane. Julie Ascroft continues to come up with weekly craft activities which often link to the seasons and festivals.

Play dough continues to be popular it allows great opportunities to chat whilst manipulating the dough. The jigsaws are a weekly activity with some added threading and board games. We have purchased a play table which is multipurpose, so far we have used it for sand and wood savings very messy but great fun. In the summer we hope to add some compost and plant pots and maybe some water on a hot day so it becomes a shallow water tray.

Play group provides a great space to run ride and scoot and of course slide as the weekly “sit on toys” Slide etc are always available. We have a quieter area for reading and babies, with books and play mats baby chairs etc.

The small world toys such as the farm cars and train sets remain and we look out for bargains from local charity shops to top up and replenish our stock.

Patricia and Sue arrive around 10 for song and story time. Patricia always says a prayer and keeps us up to date with church news and events. Sue keeps us on our toes learning new songs as she guides us with her great guitar playing .

Patricia more recently has taken photos of our weekly antics and posted them on the Church Facebook page, which I hope people have enjoyed. Play group has its own Facebook page so its really helpful to be able to reshare the post. Keeping our presence on social media is important to help keep numbers up. We’ve had some lovely comments from families recently who have said how much they enjoy coming and what a lovely group it is. This is great to hear, we have a fantastic team of volunteers who continue to make this such a lovely experience for everyone.

Parish Magazine – Linda Ainsworth

The Parish Magazine for the church of St Mary Magdalene aims to provide information, seasonal resources, articles and material for reflection to build up our common life, and to reach out to those in the local community, that they may see in it something of the Lord’s glory reflected, and desire to know more of Him. Subscriber numbers stand at around 100 copies a month.

The magazine continues to generate some income from advertising, but we have still been unable to replace the majority of our half-page ads. This has necessitated an increase in the cover minimum price to 80p and for subscribers to £6 minimum for 10 issues. Thanks go to those advertisers who have stuck with us, and Jenni, our Parish Administrator, is seeking any suggestions as to whom we might approach to advertise in the magazine: please contact her in the parish office if you have any ideas. Advertising costs remain at £40 for a one-sixth page and £80 for a half-page advertisement for 10 insertions: in the current economic crisis afflicting small businesses, it might well prove counter-productive to raise prices. Annual postal subscriptions are available for £20.

Articles on any subject are always welcome, especially when accompanied by photographs. In order to facilitate editing, contributors are asked to submit articles as Word files, preferably unformatted, rather than PDFs, and any accompanying pictures as separate files not integrated into the text. Those without word processing facilities may submit articles in longhand to the Parish Office for typing. We look forward to hearing from you.

A new method of collecting subscriptions seems to have proved practicable this year: recycled church envelopes labelled with the subscriber’s name and instructions for payment being attached to each magazine and being returned either to the magazine deliverer or directly to the Parish Office (via the letterbox if necessary). Thanks go to Jenni for her work on this innovation. Our distributors continue to take out the magazines efficiently and in a timely way. I can only thank you all very much for your assistance.

Clitheroe Christians in Partnership – Howard Riley

CCP has con�nues to meet each quarter. They con�nue to promote the monthly prayer theme for use across the fellowships and which St Mary’s has contributed to and published in the parish magazine. A number of us assisted on the se�ng up and delivery of this year’s Carols at the Castle which a�racted over 2000 people.

We have con�nued to support the CCP door to door delivery of HOPE and EXLORE magazines to most of the housing estates in the town. CCP con�nues to support the Ribble Valley Climate Ac�on Network (RVCAN) although St Mary’s contribu�on has been minimal. CCP has facilitated the establishment of community warm spaces over the winter, but St Mary’s was not considered a viable venue but volunteer support was offered. CCP have run holiday club style venues with ac�vi�es and provision of refreshments over February half term at St James’s, Trinity and the Community Church and are planning to run some sessions over the summer holiday period. This will be published in the newsle�er with an invita�on for volunteer support. CCP have con�nued to work with Turret House on Edisford Road

The CCP remains in support of outreach through drama using church space with the Lamps Drama Company ‘PASSION’ being performed at St Pauls Low Moor and ‘The Romans at Easter’ performed at Trinity

Coming up there will be a CCP Good Friday service and Walk of Witness at the URC and then walk up to the castle with the cross for outdoor worship. The Summer Town BBQ went ahead with a number of our fellowship assis�ng in various roles. There was an emphasis on reaching young people in the park area for this event. CCP will be overseeing Chris�an Aid week as usual. This summer offers an exci�ng weekend of ‘Love Clitheroe’ outreach with Live at the Castle and Church at the castle events. Publicity material has been sent to CCP churches.

The organisa�on is closely linked with the ac�vi�es of the Gateway Trust which includes the Foodbank and they need more trustees to sit above this valuable local charity and ministry. Please speak to the churchwarden if you feel you wish to get involved.

PCC of St Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe- 1139479 End Of Year Financial Statements Year Ending 31st December 2025

Statement of the Res onsibilities of the Parochial Church Councll The PCC is responsible for all parlsh finance. Its management and control. These responslbilities include:_ al Keepin8 "proper accounting records" which are sufficient to show and explain all the PCC'S transactlons and must Include a record of all relevant assets and liabllltles, bl En5urln8 that the finances of the PCC are under its control and only delegated if the PCC can ensure Its wlshes wlll be followed, c) Preparing annual finanaal statements and reports which shall be presented to the Annual Parochlal Churth Meetlng In accordance wlth the requlrements of the Church Representation Rules, d) Arran8ln8 for a sultable Independent examlnatlon of the financlal statements. The financlal statements and reports for the year endln8 31st December 2025 have been produced and Independently examined. They have been approved by the Parochlal Church Council and authorlsed for Issue on 16th March 2026. Fr. Paul Shernvood (Incumbentl Kenneth John Roblnson (Treasurer)

Accounts of tho PCC of St. Mary Magdal•n• Parlsh Church, Clitheroo to 31 December 2025 Treasurerfs Report We have experienced another hard year: Rev Judith was on long-temi slck leave from September 2024 and left the post at the end of April 2025. We have effectlvely been In vacancy for 25 of the last 36 months This has caused weekly attendance to decrease, whilst expenditure has been kept almost at a level due to parlsh share, insurance, utilities and salary of the parlsh admlnlstrator still havlng lo be paid. Income The budget figure for income in the calendar year 2025 was set at £89,000. The actual total amount for our Incorne was £133,987. Income was therefore £45,000 al)ove budget. Thls is malnly attrlbutable to: reclaiming costs of vicars covering ServIS during vacancy renegotlating the parish share request. The DI0Se have supported the parish share by allocatiNJ us £29,760 to set agalnst it. Payments for funerals and weddings and other items that do not have budget estimates due to thelr unpredlctablllty. SpecSal donation8 for floodlightlng and the tower clock Planned Giving [bank stsndlng orders and pledged envelopesl reached £43,398, whlch Is 1 OOA less than the average of the previous five years, although along wlth gift-aided whlte envelopes and loose-plate giving has increased SIh11Y from 2024. Fund-ralsing events added £2.500 more than In 2024. Ex enditu The budget figure for expenditure was set at £134,960. The athual lotal expenditure was £123.785. Very few areas eXded budget estimates. one being insurance due to the revised charges after the St. Marfs cent took out their own Insuran. We renegotiated our Parish Share. but the lull amount of £74,960 Is shovm in the accounts, as the DI0se allocated support to the request. saving £29.960 dldn't redu It. Assets At the end of 2024, our assets had a value of £106,040, Ihis year Ihe balan on 31 December 2025 is £101,960 showing a decrease in assets of £4,080 due to a volalile share pri.

Our assets comwise: Vartey Bequest Varley Income Organ maintenan Fund General Purposes Fund Deposit Account £62,530 £11.192 £ 4,280 £19.958 £ 4,001 Res rves Polic It Is PCC policy to ty to maintain a balance on unrestrlded funds that equates to at least three Months, unrestrlcted payments. This is equtvalent to £33,740. It Is held to smooth out Iluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. In additlon, £2,567 Is belng held back to fund the repairs to the church tower clock. This money was given to us in 2025 by Ribble Valley Borough Coun(al for thls purpose, but the paIrS are not expected to start before the end of Aprll 2026. Futu We will have another challenging year ahead but can face It with optlmlsm follng the arrlval in November 2025 of Fr. Paul as our new Vlcar. Ouf parish share Is due to be revSewed Sn September 2026, as the Dloce8e want to 8UPPOrt U8 Sn our efforts to grow the church. We stlll have a lot of repalr work planned to go ahead in 2026 following on from the quinquennial report this year, which will require granl ald to accomplish. The organ also requires major work lo bring it to full working condition. Personal I yUld like to thank all who assist with the financial dealings of the Church, and to everyone in the congregation who has continued givlng generously via envelopes, standing orders and loose plate collections. Ken Robinson PCC Treasurer

St Mary Maqdalon• c111h- 1139479 B•lane• •hMt (ChuKh of England) A• aL" 31 OK•mbw 2026 Al •t JfM212026 A• at 31MIQ024 FIM•d IrNYslmenlJ 97, 102.039 102.039 D•bior• 1.297 4,iK$1 13,858 2.117 4.thJ1 10,095 Cash 81 bbnk aThl kn hwd 18,853 16.213 Ll•bllU•• CmdNoTr.' tsllkng due kn orn 9.147 Il•t cuff•nt••••i• IM• ¢urnntll•bllth• Tol•1 •M•l• l••• ¢uff•n¢ 114.773 114.77> Unmtrtcthd 33.119 25.818 0••1gMtsd O•ilgnat8d. aw•1 0(}•0 C83020059 4,001 Rtsirtltsd. Orym FL Restrkknd. VI¥ (Ths CB31Y20663 Re•tithd. cel•cllon 4284 4,408 3531 12,2641 Enth)vrnl.Varley Bpqu•a¢ CB S0 62,030 86.133 ol lh• ¢fvh 114.77) 104104 16 Jarw 2028 P•lle 1

8t Mary Magd•l•n• Cllth•ro•. 1139479 8tat•m•nt of Fin#ncid ActlvNi Fortho p•rfod from 01 January 2025 to J1 D•¢•mb•r 2025 T)i•l Prr f4lll• t•l•l fvrtd• fund• fvnth h)p)mlng rearCe0 frcln Vduntwry irwno lorgonorn¥ng 100J69 8,2XJ 3,013 109J33 73.567 4,817 3,046 044 11,OS4 3,013 6.144 29) T•t•l IbK¢m• 133.703 1x107 101.02• JT4 1.183 110205 574 1.165 111.102 973 Cost olynwaung Charttat48 aL¥Me8 110.078 773 314 8.321 1.718 314 8.321 Co•ts T *mndItl• G•lMI bJ•M• on IMi•bnqnt 122,970 (8511 IIJ.706 14,0761 ia3,472 12,7051 12.0041 Ino•m•ll•xp•ndltw•l V••our• b•knrn ¢rwwlJr 6041 4127 (240 &11KI 1[)) 113 4127 1122 7&134 Tot•1 Gffjl•d ltywwd 7{690 1149>2 101805 12 Jwu8ry 2026 Pagts 1

St Mary Magdalene Cllthero&- 1139479 Analy•l• of Incom• •nd pendItUr• 8•l•ct•d p•rlod: 01 January 2025 to 311)0¢gmbgr 2025 Trt•yMr L•bty4 Incomlng Tesourc Incomlnq r•sourcu from g•nw•(•d ld8 0101 . Plwjgeil GWI Njd. Bank 0110- Pledged Gfft NJd- Erwew 1)201 . Whlte E[OF 0301 . Loo$¢ plale ¢oHecllLM• 0401 . Regr d• 0410. ColknU(Th ffL¥n •al¢ 0420. W•ll Cowt ColmiOn ¢c41ect 0430- Sum Up Don&llo 0501- Ofttroif Gbll Ajd gNI• 0510. OMIOnI QR Col• 0520. Speu81 Dcnal 0530. Websile 0540- Rod•¥elt¥wII DOnra 0550. Dongllw• frtyn [0. s11 (Q01- To% reGMr4bki Gffi ljd 0701- Legados gTrJ aequesls 0801- Recwrfng grant• 08A1 . Nondrncuthng onerf w8rt1 1380. FIMr Donatk)s 0901- otr luTrJs 98n0r4t....fj 0902- Organ Recllil R•cl8 1210. Catorl 12ZO- Falr Tr•de $1811 1240. HI ol Chw¢h R(yns 1250. Mffjazkno ITKoTThJ- •J%rfl8lnu 126fl. M4azlne Inc¢Th- •4kn$ 11KlI - CCtA In$1m?nt 1015. Short T¢rm D•posili Inllrnit Relalnod 1020. Bk and socwy 32.495 10.gJ3 6,513 32,495 10,903 6.513 6.998 32.111 10.232 6.370 S.391 620 553 372 373 401 85 816 5,318 14 815 5,316 14 448 2.840 13.809 I3,9 13,853 30,210 40 2,434 1,841 30.210 1301 2,434 1,841 216 130 (70) 723 2M75 2.875 280 532 72 99) 3Mt3 3.013 1030- R1 from la• or 120,592 120,588 81,429 ll•n•rnl•dfund8 Tot•l Incomlng r•sourG•s from chartl•bl• aellvlll• 1101 . PCC F••• for 2.881 funerals 1102-319 FO Iwv*JdlngB ner¥ 1103. Cleryy Trnwl lo F815 •rM1 W8ddlrvJ¥ 1230. Pa H81 RoknlxKvn 2,881 4,025 130 130 160 4,217 4.217 In¢omlng from ch•rft•ble •ctlvhleJ Tol•ts 7,028 7,028 18 January 2026 Pty8 1

Total Unrg1tr1¢ts Dwly•i•d Thl4y••r LTy Other incoffllng Te8ourc 1110- Fee5 Bell riTwJer5 at Wld5 1270- Satt and LvJhl 12BO- Sunday School and EdtTr 1290. gan Mainlenanca recaipts 1310. In$uianc8 clalm 1320. Surtytss. sale8 olllxed asaais 1330- Printkng serv1$ 1350- VAT R¥funds r•c•N•d 1370- LN8 Streaming of SeNic88 1400- Cx98nL%I & V•igor Fo•$ for weddings & fu 1410- Sl Leonardj Re¥nbursern¢nl$ 1420- Chalburn Church Roimtsursement¥ 1430- $1 Paul¥ Rernburnem¢n 1500. Olb•r Syndry Inc( 20 250 270 5,115 324 250 250 2.485 125 2,240 2.24D 85 Oth•r Ineomlng rnsour¢u Tol•ls 6.144 250 8.394 11.054 Incomlng ro•our¢o• Grand total• 133.783 224 133.987 101.528 RMourc•8 u•ed Cmt olpn•r•ting lun¢ts 25Q1 - magazi •xpen888 2510- F•li Tradfr Siall co$1• 1710- C05t• ol applyini foi grint• 1730- C0515 ol fetei & other w•nls 1735- OigBn Reall costs 1740. In¥e$lmonl mgna9•Thnt co•1• $74 574 973 1.124 42 1,124 42 178 13 Cost olgenerntlng lund8 Total¥ 1.739 1,739 1,184 Charll•bl• 4¢tlvltl•• 1910- PA119h Sh&re 1920- CrgY As$igned Fe 2101- VitArs Exp•ns•s 2106- Support Staff ExF4JnJeJ 2120- W1[age Council tax 2130- Vlcar4ge other house •Apen• 2140- Vi¢ai•ge WAt¢r Ratè8 2150. ONi¢o Pho 2151- Vicaroge BmadbaThJ & Landli Phono 2152- Chch Inl•rnet, W•bsil•. ZOLV etc 2170- SuThJay S¢hool antt Edtscalbn 2175- Payments to B811 Riryis for Weddings 2180. &ganist8 Honoiarium ONLY 2190- ChoirF8es 8nd Exp8n8e$ 22tKI- Sah and Light 2301 - Churth mnning- $ran 2320- Offjan I piano tuning 8nd ropair# 2330- Church mnl8nanc• & ropair¥ 2331 - CbAning 2335- Ihinquennkgl Surwy 2340- Alar and General 2350. Chuich Op8nirMJ Gro Expenstrs 74.960 1,727 74,960 1.727 83.414 454 57 1.435 342 60 266 210 57 1,435 342 3.318 879 407 210 I,M4 1,444 720 720 1,200 390 137 2.747 137 7.263 7,263 6.455 7.105 4,170 161 279 279 959 1,252 Th8rnm•yb• minordls¢ry¢l•s lft th• toi•l$ Illh•pw¢¢ •r• notbWng•ho 18 Jwuary 2026 Page 2

Total En&ment Thhyq•r L•iiy 2360- PNnllng and Stalion8ry 2370- Paymenl lo OrganislNerg8r funèravwtddi 2401 . ChuFch runnirJ- eb¢trf¢ 2410- Church running- gas 2420- Chureh running" wthr 2520- CalenTrJ c05t& 2590- Parish Hall Rechargeab c0515 26SO- Church Equiprnenl for Church 2701 - Church major repaI- strtUre 2710- Church maioi r8pair8. 1n5iaiiaO 2715- Churchyrdioard•n rnaintsin8nr 2720. Church iN•rior w)d extwknf ¢¢or81it¥J 1801 . Glvkng to missionary s1815 1830. Gh4YJ. relw d8¥Wopm8nl 1.021 1.360 1.021 1,380 1,959 1.880 1,744 4.399 1,744 4,399 1,528 4,814 377 4.217 1.707 4.217 1,707 4.869 1,028 1,137 1.137 359 350 350 26 10) 1850. Gmnls 673 Ch•rft•bl• •ellvlll•8 Tot•l8 110,837 111,e44 110,849 Go¥•rnan¢e ¢08ts 2601- Governance co¥lB •XoMknBl8udll lee 314 1.633 Go¥om•nc• fot•l 314 1.633 Support Costs 2001 . A$$tIn1 $1off colts 2050- SaLgry ol p•rl$h lrthl•tra 2741 - Fina[lJ SyBi•m LK•nc• I M•lnt•nAnc• 31 8,140 31 8.140 160 2,032 0,997 support Toial 8,321 8.321 9.080 h•rr•SOure us•d 2380. Other Sundry Pymerf• 2390- Wiile Off 2560. Sl Paulj Low Moor R•¢h•ro••bli ¢o•ls 2570- Downham Sl LeonardB Rechargèab Cost& 2580. ChAlburn Chflst ¢Ayrch Rechafgèable Coit 2740- ChargeB 335 65 501 05 501 327 13 401 401 441 Other rpsour usgd Tot•lJ 1.706 Rosourco• d Grand lotab 122,978 123.785 123,872 18 January 2028 Paoe 3

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church - Charity No. 1139479 Independent Examiner's Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2025 This report on the financial ststements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2025, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2CXJ6 {°the Regulations.) and s. 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the ArtJ. Res ective res onsibilities of the Parochialchurch Counciland examiner As members of the PCC, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s. 144 {2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the term5 of the Regulaiions. Basis oflnde ndentExaminer s re My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission and to be found in the Church guidance 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures to the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Inde ndent Examiners Statent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: _ l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Art and 'to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signature: ............... Name:......................................................Io.q.d 141.(?.Jo nJ Qualification.. Address:................ ........... LL I i i.l¥go Date., (.

PCC of St Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe- 1139479 End Of Year Financial Statements Year Ending 31st December 2025