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2022-12-31-accounts

The Parish of The Upper Wreake Annual Report 2022

The Parish of The Upper Wreake Parish consists of the churches of :- BROOKSBY St. Michael & All Angels; FRISBY on the WREAKE St.Thomas of Canterbury; HOBY, All Saints; KIRBY BELLARS St.Peter; RAGDALE All Saints; ROTHERBY All Saints.

Introducton:

This annual report has been produced in order to comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 1993, and the Church Accounts Regulations 1997. The intention is to provide a fuller picture of the life of the Church during the year than could be obtained from the accounts alone.

Objectves of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and District Church Councils (DCC):

The PCC of the Parish meets at least four times a year to deal with any matters which concern the mission, development and administration of the Church, and is responsible for auditing decisions of the DCCs.

The DCCs function with delegated authority from the PCC in the care of the church buildings (held jointly by the local Churchwardens and the Incumbent), finance and the local mission of the Church.

Electoral Roll (as at Easter 2023)

Brooksby Frisby Hoby Kirby Ragdale Rotherby Total
2023 6 21 40 17 11 15 110
2022 9 22 38 20 12 13 114

PCC Members

PCC Members
Chair: The Revd David Harknet
Vice-Chair: Simon Blake & Rev’d Crystal
Secretary: Simon Blake & Rev’d David
Treasurer: Rev’d David (supported by Steve Hardy)
Pioneer Curate: The Revd Crystal McAllister
Elected Members:
Frisby-on-the- Wreake: Pru Smith (CW), Simon Blake (CW)
Hoby: Vic Allsop (CW), Nicola Wheeler (CW), June Allsop
Kirby Bellars: David Davies_(observer Rep)_
Ragdale: Jane Burgess (CW), Penny Coates_(observer Rep)_
Rotherby: Sue Smith (CW_),_Lesley Poter (CW),
Brooksby: Malcolm Briton (CW), Jeanne Knowles (CW)
Co-opted Members: Janet Norburn_(Safeguarding Ofcer)_

CW = Churchwarden

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1.0 Priest in Charge’s Report

Rev'd David

“Then we shall see face to face … then shall we know fully.”

St.Paul to the Corinthians

As I look back on 2022, I see faces. Faces are such a powerful image & reality in the Bible – individuals are often turning their face away from God in fright; or lifting their faces up to God in delight. More powerful when you think that Isaiah describes the Lord’s servant as one who; “did not hide my face from mocking and spitting”. He was despised as one; “from whom people hide their faces”. And yet, in the heavenly city or New Jerusalem, the throne of God & of the Lamb is found, where they; “...will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads”. The light of life!

As I look back on 2022, I see the faces of John & Jan Pascoe. Moving into Frisby during Lockdown, the Pascoes joined us for Zoom worship, but found it unsatisfying. They prefer, need, to be with people in person. And so it has proved, as with the lifting of restrictions, John & Jan have immersed themselves in village and church life. From Sunday refreshments to Little Butterflies; from Indoor Bowls to Village Hall Committee; from dog-walking to Quizzes.

As I look back on 2022, I see the faces of Rich & Jo Perry. Moving into Hoby eighteen months’ ago, they have quickly become an integral part of the community there. From the local pub to the Church Council; from Story Bearers to Bell-ringing; from dog-walking to piano-playing; from Men’s gatherings to 95[th] Birthday celebrations! And we often have the pleasure of worshipping with them across the parish.

As I look back on 2022, I see the faces of Sharon & Ian Kettlety. Moving into Brooksby a little over a year ago, they live now in Thrussington. And, just like the couples above, they have been attracted to the spirit of/in the Upper Wreake. Once again, committing and contributing to a host of activities and relationships. From Sunday worship to Midweek fellowship. From leading Intercessions to helping with Refreshments. From acting in Dramas to planning Men’s gatherings.

As I look back on 2022 and see these faces, I see the face of God… and delight! As the New Testament puts it, they have refreshed our hearts with their God-given spirit of; “What can we do?!” . John & Jan, Rich & Jo, Sharon & Ian also refresh our eyes; the way we look at one another. I see in the faces of Vic & Crystal a passion for mission, and for pulling together our Minster Communities’ reflections. I see in the face of Janet & Jan a desire to introduce young families to safe, creative, lovefilled spaces. I see in the face of Sue an unswerving commitment to helping others seek God’s face in scripture and prayer. I see in the face of Dennis & Jenny a steadfast love that spans decades and is forever young. I could (and want to!) go on. The divine image in each of us.

As I look back on 2022, I am grateful for the opportunity to take a Sabbatical break. And grateful too for all who made that possible, particularly Rev’d Crystal who is such a channel of God’s peace and shalom. Crystal’s curacy ended as the year ended, but she continues to give generously to Hoby DCC and ‘Faith in Nature’, and will be a friend to the parish still as we journey through the Minster Communities conversations. As we prepare for those, please read the following Upper Wreake and SWF ‘testimonies’ to the transformative power of the gospel with expectancy. May you see the face of God more & more in the everyday and in everyone, called as we are to be a reconciling presence in this area – as a parish, and as a (future) Minster Community.

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1.1 Pioneer Curate's Report

Rev'd Crystal

The 25% / 75% split curacy still stood for the year of 2022, although this was becoming increasingly more difficult as the demands on both became quite high whilst also a need to fulfil criteria for IME training, I committed to leading and preaching every Sunday along with weddings & funerals in SWF and across the fXc that are established in the Deanery, realising the need to be signed off the parish part of my curacy as soon as possible. I continued to build on ‘Faith in Nature’ at Hoby once a month and weekly with Story Bearers fXc.

January The delivery of The Forge course material to the 15 participants. Speaking to new ordinands about Fresh Expressions of Church and pioneering. Eco Refills continued being a temporary resident once a month in All Saints Church, Hoby. Regular visits continued with Brooksby College residential students. We welcomed Bishop Saju into the diocese this took place at Brooksby Hall. All Saint’s Church, Hoby was awarded the Eco Bronze Award.

Prayer points – The start of something new, for new leaders to emerge who are outward focussed. For creation and the care that has been entrusted to us to look after it.

February Active on Diocesan Synod, Chapter, Greater Chapter and standing committee meetings, helping to shape some of the Deanery thinking with others. This was also a month of preparing people for confirmation. My first baptism. My IME review with Revd Dr Rob Hay, Revd Jonathan Dowman and Revd David highlighted to be signed off for my curacy on the return of Revd David’s from his sabbatical at the end of August.

Prayer points – for those who are going through baptism and confirmation, the importance of passing on the baton of the Gospel.

March The Lambing service was a highlight, led ecumenically and a lamb was born too. Mothering Sunday welcomed Superintendent Pat for the first time. I led a retreat day for pioneers and spoke at the Vocations Day for pioneering.

Prayer points – for collaboration and partnership with others, ecumenically and other organisations.

April Easter came and went, this month allowed me to have a retreat day which gave me space to write my reflections on my learning in curacy. This month was a difficult month as my brother was having an operation to remove cancer. Revd David started his sabbatical at the end of the month.

Prayer points – the importance for us all to have time for reflection with our Creator. To remember to just ‘be’ rather than just ‘do’.

May I attend training on ‘ministry to the dying’. I completed Bat Detector training (with others) and with others a bat count was planned for June at All Saints in Hoby. The standing committee of UW PCC met in the pub to plan for the next three months. The PCC/CWs began to write their own analysis for Minster Community document, this was completed in July.

Prayer points – to continue be open to seeing where God is at work in the most unlikely places.

June Queens Jubilee. A beacon. Dedicating a tree. Community shared lunch in Hoby, a joyful time in many ways. Many other events over the parish took place. Hoby Open Gardens which really allowed me to get to know the community on a deeper level. This was also the

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weekend when a former church warden of Hoby was admitted to hospital, which affected so many people, sadly after a short period her death was a shock to many. ‘Kindling’ for pioneers was held. A baptism in a paddock. The month when COVID hit so many of the church family including me.

Prayer points – for those that we love and those that we miss. The importance of being in relationship with each other.

July This was a month to breathe, but also recover from COVID. I attended a five-day Christian conference with my daughter, which gave both of us time to stop. I also managed to celebrate a party in the garden too from my March birthday. Old and new friends together.

Prayer points – for rest and opportunities to build community.

August Amongst regular services & weddings I spent a week volunteering in Calais providing care and services for refugees reminded me that life is so tough for so many people. This was a joy to be spending time with my family all together for the first time since March.

Prayer points – for those fleeing from their homes away from persecution, death and in search of a future with hope. For opportunities where we can serve others.

September The return of Revd David and the handover of the Upper Wreake parish took place. I continued to support priestly ministry across SWF with the incumbent still off with illness. Bishops Study day. Preaching conference in York. The Queen died. Kindling for pioneers meeting with German visitors. Wild Harvest Service in Hoby. Music event evening at All Saints Hoby Church which was a huge success.

Prayer points – for those in leadership in the new structure of Minster Communities.

October A Bishops Quiet Day at Launde gave me time to complete my curacy papers. Wedding Fayre at Brooksby Hall. This was a great day chatting to potential couples and other stall holders. I completed the pilot of the reshaped Diocesan Leadership Programme for clergy.

Prayer points – for wedding couples and those in same sex relationships in the C of E.

November I attended a Climate Resilient Workshop. Remembrance Day Service. The parish part of my curacy was signed off by Bishop Martyn. I took a week’s leave. Bishop’s Study Day.

Prayer points – to listen, love, build community, share Jesus, repeat...

December A month of so many Carol Services, a big difference to the previous year. Christmas Day in South Croxton. A great end to 2022 but also I led the start of the New Year with Reader Canon Malcolm Britton as we shared the service at St Andrews, Church Twyford as I started my new Deanery role for 2023, leaving the parish of Upper Wreake but still with oversight and support of ‘ Faith in Nature’ in Hoby.

Prayer points – For new beginning’s, hospitality, risk taking, vulnerability, honest conversations, safe spaces.

Thank you for bearing with me in what has been a year of vast amounts of juggling. Thank you for praying for Ollie, Daisy, and myself. For feeding me in so many ways. For the giggles and the times of tears for both of us. I will continue to hold Upper Wreake in my prayers as the new year brings new adventures.

‘ Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news’.

Reverend Crystal McAllister

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2.0 South West Framland Group Council

Canon Vic Allsop

2022 started with some of the Parish Churches in SWF closed and COVID-19 restrictions continuing to be in place. It was a familiar habit but one which we had all not wanted to be repeating at the start of a new year. Thankfully after a period of time some normality did return and many of our churches started to hold services again. Zoom worship has continued and now features as a regular part of our monthly worship pattern.

We have had sadness during the year in that Revd Neil Stothers was diagnosed with a brain tumour towards the end of 2021. It was decided that an operation was the way to proceed and from the end of January he began his sick leave. The operation was a success but Revd Neil has gone on to have radiotherapy and of late chemotherapy. A phased return to work in September sadly did not materialise and a second period of sick leave commenced towards the end of the year and will continue in to 2023. Please pray for Revd Neil and his family at this difficult time.

Also in 2022 Revd David Harknett had a sabbatical for three months and returned to work towards the start of the autumn term. The Upper Wreake worked well together as a team during his absence and we thank Canon Malcolm Britton and Revd Crystal McAllister for making that possible.

Revd Jane Walker has continued her support of the Burrough Hill Parishes. We have been blessed by the support of our curate, Revd Crystal McAllister in 2022, in particular for her support of the South Croxton Group benefice which she has provided help to. We also sincerely thank The Archdeacon of Leicester Ven. Richard Worsfold, The Area Dean Revd John Barr, Canon Philip Norwood, Revd David Cowie, Canon Malcolm Britton, Janet Norburn and Revd Julie Hutchinson for their invaluable support during the year.

In 2022 we lost some stalwart supporters of our churches in SWF. These were Maureen Coleman, sometime churchwarden at Hoby, Barry Carr, sometime churchwarden at Kirby Bellars and for some time regular Friday morning support at the office and Sir David Samworth who gave great support to the SWF Group, in particular to the churches in the South Croxton Group benefice. May they rest in peace, and rise in glory. Amen,

We also noted the retirement of Vanda Pitcher as Churchwarden and also as a member of Somerby PCC for many years. In the autumn we were able to thank Vanda in person at a lunch arranged for her at The Stilton at Somerby by her friends and colleagues. The rural church is privileged to have such devoted volunteers who give generously to the life of the church in their communities. SWF is certainly not short of those who give freely of their time to continue the Christian presence in all of our villages.

The finances of the Diocese continue to be a challenge with a deficit budget for 2023 agreed at the last Diocesan Synod of 2022. The parish churches in SWF also face challenging times with the cost of living crisis affecting most if not all the church buildings. The cost of energy in particular has risen greatly. We were all grateful to receive at the end of December 2022 £1,087.00 each from the Diocese, distributing money made available from the Church Commissioners to each Diocese. We are all grateful for this recognition of the hard times we have faced during 2022 and will continue to face

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in 2023. On a more positive note SWF was able in 2022 to pay off its remaining debt to the Diocese. SWF is now debt free and running at as little cost as it possibly can. We are pleased that although Alan Smith retired as SWF treasurer at the Annual SWF meeting in 2022 he agreed to continue in a supporting capacity. His offer was gratefully received and means we continue to run with a close eye on our income and expenditure during the course of the year.

It was reported last year that Great Dalby Chapel was to close and that during 2022 we would have to leave the office we had occupied at the Chapel for 15 years and which had been opened by Lady Gretton. The building was sold in the summer and we finally left the building at the end of August and moved into the vestry at Twyford Parish Church. Many thanks are due to Twyford PCC, Dorothy Edwards, Sandy Johnson and Christine Bates for the kind invitation to move to Twyford vestry. The move went well and we are now well settled in.

Minster Communities have been very much in our thoughts this year and have featured significantly in the SWF Group Council meetings. As we came to the end of the year a target of completing three benefice documents was set. Each report was about where we are as churches at this moment in time sharing our strengths, weaknesses and hopes. These documents will be sent with an SWF cover note to the Archdeacon of Leicester. The Group Council felt that it was important that we send our reports together to the Archdeacon confirming our desire to continue working together in the future. As SWF Chair I have read all the reports, they have a common thread. They express yes, our vulnerabilities but what does come through is a determination to continue our work together which as churches in our local contexts and at the centre of our communities we have carried out for generations. We have much to offer each other and those who might be working with us in the future. With two of the three Minster Community pilots having a boundary with SWF we are now well placed for the conversations that we will no doubt be involved in during 2023.

In a year that gave us three Prime Ministers, 2022 also brought us much sadness when in September Her Majesty The Queen died after more than 70 years as our monarch. Our Churches were open for those who needed them at such a time of national mourning for the Country and for each of us as individuals. We heard many times of the depth of the Queens faith which supported her throughout her long reign. King Charles also spoke in his Christmas address to the nation in his tribute to his late mother of her strong faith. He spoke of the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem and the words in the first verse ‘The everlasting light’. The light shines in the darkest of places and is never diminished. Help us to find the light we need for our churches and ourselves as we continue to be the church during the challenging times ahead of us.

Chair SWF Group Council. February 2nd 2022

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3.0 School

Rev'd David

Winter Term : In January, the Governing Body began the process of appointing a new Headteacher at Frisby Primary, to succeed Stuart Northedge. Credit to Lindsay Apps (since appointed Chair of Governors), who led the intense Recruitment Process. Janet & Rev’d David contributed as Foundation Governors. Rev’d David continued to lead fortnightly Collective Worship, along with half-termly school Services in Frisby St.Thomas. Thanks to Pru & Simon for their dedication to the link with staff & pupils.

Spring/Summer Term : Mrs Charmaine Ainge was appointed as the new Head, joining us from St.Mary’s Primary, MM. The Education & Schools Funding Agency (ESFA) initiated a formal review of Governance. Janet & Rev’d Crystal ensured that Year 6 pupils “moving-up” marked their transition/ end of school life with joy & prayers. Stuart Northedge’s tenure was marked, though sadly in his absence.

Autumn Term : Charmaine Ainge took up her post at Frisby Primary, bringing immediate energy and fresh eyes. The ESFA began to explore school Finances, asking Mr Michael Whitehead to act as temporary School Business Manager. The process of joining a Multi-Academy Trust was restarted, with potential benefits of economies of scale; improved staff CPD; expert advisors in areas such as Finance, HR, Curriculum, Premises and more. In January 2023, a unanimous decision was made to join RISE Academy (a ‘church’ MAT), likely to be approved in November 2023. Mr Stuart Thwaites from Frisby offered as a Foundation Governor to replace Leanne Chidlow. After conversations, including with PCC members, Stuart was recommended to the Diocesan Board of Finance.

Rev’d David worked with Mrs Watts (Year 6) to bring clearer planning, involvement of & impact for pupils themselves in worship & services. Harvest & Christmas were both marked in StThomas. Rev’d Crystal met with the Headteacher to nurture relationships with Hoby and ‘Faith in Nature’, which has borne immediate fruit. Another focus will be ‘Prayer Spaces’ in the school itself.

4.0 Rotherby House Group

Sue Smith

We continue to meet weekly either at Rotherby Church or in each other’s homes, David Parr introduced us to a book called ‘How to be a bad Christian’ we have shared each chapter and discussed this through the year and it has really opened our eye’s to different ways of praying and opened up lots of interesting conversation, we have welcomed Sharon into the group this year and have advertised the group several time in Church and in the local magazine, the group is open to everyone and all are made welcome where ever they are in their journey with God. We join in with the rest of Church Members for Advent and Lent courses throughout the year.

5.0 Little Butterflies (Carers and Toddlers’ Group)

Jan Pascoe & Janet Norburn

The group began with a couple of coffee morning sessions and then began officially in February 2022 and has gone from strength to strength since which is good news!

We received a generous grant from the Methodist District of £900 to help us start up, improve our activity and toy provision, and to expand it. Today we have 21 families “on the books” but it alters monthly as the area has a growing birth rate! The mothers really appreciate our provision to date and we ask for involvement with provision and activity suggestions. Jan has been Safer Recruited under the Methodist guidelines (as the group is active in the Methodist building). She has also attended the required safeguarding training and now leads the group. I am there as Local Lay Pastor, though in reality the group is jointly run. We do have to be careful of the needs of some children as well as their carers hence we ask all visitors to give notice that they are coming. Visitors to date have

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included Matt Forsyth the Methodist Mission Enabler, Revs Pat, David and Crystal as well as Santa. We have 2-3 people who step in to help at short notice. We would like to form a rota of volunteers who are able to help with teas and coffees around 11 o’clock each week, or go on a rota (monthly/ bimonthly). We do have mothers that are breast feeding and a couple of children with special needs. During the summer we held two activity mornings for families on the theme of the seaside. (to be repeated in 2023). This helps the children to remember us and the building as well as providing somewhere families can come to that isn’t trying to make a profit from them! We do ask for donations weekly and at the theme days and these are used to continue the supply of resources to enable us to hold weekly activity sessions. There is a separate accounting system for the group. The Parish contributed a small gift to each child at Christmas in the form of a book which Rev Crystal came and presented to them at our Christmas party. Thank you PCC for those gifts. Santa also visited with the appropriate DBS provision and a small gift! We have also been given gifts, of now unused toys, from several grandparents which we gratefully accepted as they are in pristine condition. We do have to be careful and mindful of our health and safety responsibilities towards children and carers. In February 2023 we celebrated our first birthday with a party which was great fun. If you would like to volunteer some time to help with this group, we would love to hear from you.

5.1 Methodist Local Lay Pastor

Janet Norburn

~ The Hot Potato Group

Now run by Dennis Hurst, continues to thrive having between 19 and 37 people each month! The Hot Potato is supplied some people bring food to share others make a donation. We have supported both Storehouse and Emergency Rucksacks for the Homeless this year. There is a Storehouse box in both of the UW Methodist buildings although the Frisby one is the most used. There are plans to put a labelled dust bin on the chapel steps for community goods to be placed in.

~ The Tea and Cakes Group

Run by Jenny Hurst and Pru Smith has also continued to thrive. Home made cakes are a draw and the group provides a warm and friendly meeting space for several more isolated people.

~ DVD Ministry

Continues, with plans for a hybrid service in 2023 once the technology has been mastered!

6.0 Safeguarding

Janet Norburn (SWF Safeguarding Co-ordinator)

The Parish achieved level 3 status on the Diocesan Dashboard which means that we are now operating at the Safer Practices level. We need to regularly review some policies so that we remain current, follow the safer recruitment document, maintain and update risk assessments, fulfil training and DBS checks as they reach their renewal dates, keep displays in churches up to date and follow faithfully the policies of the Church of England.

We are endeavouring to do this but there are still some people who find it difficult to accept the fact that safer recruiting has to happen and is an important to step to take in terms of our

accountability to the wider church and our community. Safeguarding training has to be renewed at 3 yearly intervals and DBS at 4 yearly intervals. We continue to seek to improve the situation as regards the acceptance of policies we are asked to follow.

A sincere thank you goes to all those people on the PCC who have followed the policies and made great efforts to understand and adhere to them. If we keep up these endeavours, we will continue to lead in this sphere of Church life. Well done the Upper Wreake PCC members.

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7.0 St Michael & All Angels Church, Brooksby Malcolm Britton & Jeanne Knowles (CWs)

2022 was a historic year nationally, internationally and locally.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June and services were held at Brooksby and for the wider parish at Frisby. To celebrate the event, the DCC presented a commemorative booklet for each household and pencils for the children resident in Brooksby. In September the Queen died at the age of 96 and was succeeded by King Charles III. That weekend we were due to host Leicester Cathedral choir for a harvest thanksgiving service at Hall Farm but instead there was a service of commemoration and reflection in the church.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February and many appeals were made for supplies to be sent to Ukraine and fund-raising events were held. Brooksby DCC donated £150 in March to UNICEF for that cause. Due to the war and other causes the cost of living rose dramatically in the UK resulting in widespread financial hardship with more and more people depending on foodbanks.

In Brooksby the first houses of the new Spinney development, south of the A607 were occupied and Brooksby DCC contributed information for a very attractive welcome pack for . each household produced by the Parish Council and financed by the builders

Mission, Worship and Events

During the year we had 11 Holy Communion Services, 4 baptisms and 9 weddings. A highlight of the year was the well-attended service on 30th January when the poet Jay Hulme from Leicester was the speaker.

We distributed gift bags at Christmas and Easter to the residents of Brooksby which were well received.

The remembrance service was very well attended and the lambing service was held at Hall Farm as usual. Christmas was celebrated with the Ratcliffe Chorale concert and carol services for the local WI and the QHSA. The First Communion of Christmas was celebrated in Brooksby Church.

The church was open as usual for Ride and Stride in September and again we were represented at the Brooksby Hall Wedding Fair in October.

Fabric and related topics

The stonework repairs identified in the past two quinquennial inspection reports have now been completed by Stephen Anstey Stonemasons Ltd. New louvres and polycarbamate sheeting have been fixed in the lucarnes of the spire to reduce the ingress of water during storms. This work was carried out by Cedars Steeplejacks who also installed a new rope handrail up the tower steps.

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Derek Oldfield continued to mow and maintain the churchyard and Candice and Garry Barker have overseen the various bird nest boxes. The safety of the gravestones was checked and, after some were vandalised, the opportunity was taken to have as many of the gravestones as possible which had been laid low over the years to be repaired and/or re-erected. The fire extinguishers were serviced and the portable appliances tested.

Fund-raising

As well as a number of grants received for building work more tea towels and raffle tickets were sold. An organ recital had to be cancelled in respect for the Queen’s death. Tours were conducted for Birstall and Smisby WI members.

People

We are very grateful to those individuals who have supported St Michael & All Angels financially during the year as well as those who have devoted their time and talents. Once again we have benefited from our collaboration with the Hall and College staff which is a huge asset for the Church. Thanks are due to Revd David Harknett for his oversight and involvement and to Revd Crystal McAllister who completed her curacy with us at the end of the year. Vic Allsop undertook sterling work, not least during David’s sabbatical, to keep us fully staffed for baptisms and weddings. We are grateful to him as well as to those clerics who stepped into the breach. John Norburn has been our very versatile organist again (even providing and playing an organ in a farmyard when required). Janet Norburn is always ready to step in at short notice when others have Covid etc and works hard to oversee safeguarding here and in many other churches which is much appreciated. Derek Overfield continues to maintain the churchyard and Alan Odom has exercised his many skills in repairing the wafer box and any other skilled maintenance work that requires doing to a high standard. Tom Lovegrove has taken over as our independent examiner after Judith Wells has diligently fulfilled that roll for many years and we are grateful to both of them.

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8.0 St Thomas of Canterbury, Frisby on the Wreake Simon Blake & Pru Smith (CWs)

Mission

Although the contractors were still with us in the 1st quarter of 2022 until the end of April completing the Toilet & Servery (T&S) project , we managed to have our Wednesday morning services as usual during the week.

We hosted 2 school services at Easter and at Christmas when it is believed that we had the largest number of children with adults ever : 163. There were also 2 weddings , 2 baptisms and 2 funerals the most recent being that of Peter Crowder who was a great supporter of the church (plus Leicester City football club) along with his membership of the Upper Wreake choir in the time of the Rev’d Graham Spencer.

The main Mission highlight of the year was on October 16th when Bishop Saju came to bless and give thanks for the successful completion of the T&S. Apart from his very charismatic input he enticed as many of us as possible to gather in the toilet at the end of the service and ended up taking a selfie with 17 of us standing bunched up in the toilet!

We had the Generation Gap band back again on 26th Nov and as usual served drinks in the interval which one churchwarden took advantage of by helping to finish off the opened bottles with his serving mate!! The year ended with a very well attended Christingle : 129.

Main projects/maintenance

We saw the finishing touches put to the T&S project in April. Both are functioning well and we are enormously blessed in now being able to provide much more of a welcome than ever before especially to the larger congregations we see at funerals and weddings. . The area where the rear pews once were provides much more “socialising” space.

It was disappointing to find that damp was accumulating not very long after completion and John Billings conducted a thorough analysis of the quantities of water permeating through the walls (we suspect) . As the damp was appearing mostly on the screen above the kitchen surface it was thought that this could be alleviated by drilling just above the screen to let air circulate better. To date many fewer damp patches have occurred now that this has been done. What will also help is the redesigning of the high vestry window which will be an opening window. (Although this was originally part of the contract it was taken out because it would have taken Kirk & Bills too long to complete and would have altered the overall completion date.) Thus , as a separate item we will have to pay for this : approx. £1k . We owe enormous gratitude to the main 3 grant providers : Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust (£4k) , Capital grant from the Diocese (£9400) and from the Cook Partnership (£42.5k). Without the largest of these grants the project could not have been carried out.

Plans for the future

Simon has drawn up a very comprehensive list of tasks for 2023 amongst which there are 2 more projects : a new infrared heating system and a new sound system . The downside is that

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most of these tasks have been allocated to the 2 churchwardens ! New cleaning equipment, cleaning out the Bell Tower , finish snagging items from T&S project are amongst the 32 items he has highlighted.

We are delighted to host the Leicester Cathedral Choir on 19th March in the late afternoon on Mothering Sunday The Ratcliffe Chorale will also be coming again in June 2023. Tickets will be on sale nearer the time .

As part of our drive to look more closely at gaps in the pastoral care in the community David & Simon have set up a men’s group currently calling itself “Coffee , Cob & Conversation” which is taking place on the first Saturdays of each month at the Methodist chapel in Frisby. It is a place where men can meet just to converse and , if they choose , to open up to each other.

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Nicola Wheeler and Vic Allsop, Churchwardens

9.0 All Saints Hoby

In 2022 we mourned the sad loss of our Churchwarden Emeritus, Maureen Coleman after many years of devoted service to the Parish Church. Her contribution can be noted in her hard worked for legacy of the toilet and servery which we are pleased she was able to open by the symbolic pouring of a cup of tea at Pentecost refreshments in 2021, We miss Maureen so much and thank God for all she was to us and Hoby Parish Church

In 2022 we enjoyed having Revd Crytsal McAllister as our Pioneer Curate. She has made such a difference to the life of the church in Hoby and has worked pastorally across our village, which has been welcomed and appreciated by so many people. Her work to introduce new ways of thinking to our worship has been enjoyed across the parish and we are delighted that she will continue to be with us (now that her curacy in the Upper Wreake has come to an end) to take our Faith in Nature project forward in 2023.

We also thank Revd David and Canon Malcolm for their support in 2022 and in particular we thank Canon Malcolm who is stepping down from Hoby DCC in 2023 after many years of service. Efforts and thoughts about finding new members for the DCC in 2023 started in 2022 and we hope that new members can be confirmed at the 2023 Annual Church meeting. We continue our close relationship with the Methodist Church and have enjoyed many services together in 2022 and moved to Hoby Methodist Church during the winter months to share our worship together.

After a pause since 2020 of holding any major events, fund raising and events returned in 2022.

Projects and maintenance work at church during 2022. Plans to repair the gates and pillars and the church path and introduce disabled access have been put on hold as a grant from the Parish Council to enable this work to happen was turned down. We are now focussing on fund raising again in 2023 to help bridge the gap to hopefully make this project a reality.

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Projects and maintenance on hold or requiring some preparatory work.

Finance of the Parish Church.

In 2022 there was still little income from fund raising as the Open Gardens monies did not arrive with the DCC until 2023. The finances of the church will again require close attention in 2023 as the running costs of the church exceed the income we receive, and this does not include finance required for repairs and maintenance etc. Energy costs have gone up significantly in 2022 and will do so again in 2023. We were grateful to have received a grant from the Diocese of £1k to help with these increased costs. A letter to the village encouraging regular giving to the church has had modest success and needs to be followed up. The Church was very grateful to receive a £1k legacy from the estate of the late Audrey Gatward, these funds are for the upkeep of the church fabric.

Nicola and Vic thank the villagers again for the support the community gives the church. As we continue to work to provide a welcome to all in our community, in 2023 we will press on to provide the church with the disabled access that it needs.

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10.0 St. Peter’s, Kirby Bellars

David Davies & Rev’d David

2022 was a quiet year after the range of preparatory work that we did during 2021 thanks to funding from Historic England. Toward the end of the year we went to initial tender for the remedial work that is needed and it emerged that the cost is likely to be of the order of £350,000 which poses an enormous fundraising challenge.

As part of regular maintenance we held a work party to clear drains and gutters in October. Derek Overfield has continued to maintain the grass and hedges in the churchyard. Gravestones were inspected for safety, and several laid flat, having broken, fallen or in danger of doing so.

Worship services took place on their usual, monthly basis. Evening Prayer was the main diet, giving way to a walking Rogation Service and a Christmas Eve carol service.

Following several attempts to negotiate Faculty resolutions with the PCC for the major works, Vic Allsop and Janet Norburn were able to meet with the DCC & Roof Resurrectors in 2023. There is a renewed energy this current year for the work and worship around St.Peter’s and the life of the church in the community.

10.1 Kirby Roof Resurrectors

=> Report to follow …

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Jane Burgess, Churchwarden

11.0 All Saints, Ragdale

MISSION AND MINISTRY

Contemporary Communion Services have been held on the 2[nd] Sunday of each month during the year. During the period from May to August, whilst Revd David took sabbatical leave, we were very fortunate to be able to welcome Revd Philip Norwood, Archdeacon Richard Worsfold, Dean David Montieth and Revd Liz Rawlings to lead our communion services. It was decided that the Harvest Service would be held in the church on September 11[th] , a change from being held on the farm. However, it was the first Sunday after the

announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II therefore the service was designed as a tribute and thanksgiving for the life of the Queen and ended with thanksgiving for the harvest.

It was a very cold evening in December when we held the Carol Service which was enjoyed by all and raised £120 for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. We were treated to Melody signing again and this year it was to Oh What a Glorious Night. The service concluded with mulled wine and mince pies with most people staying to enjoy the refreshments.

The year began with the sad death, on 1[st] January of Eunice Fox, Eunice had lived in the village for many years and had been an active member of All Saints’ church and had also been the organist in previous years, her marvellous wisdom and sense of humour is missed by many villagers. Eunice’s funeral was held at All Saints’ and her ashes are interred with those of her husband Les in the churchyard.

There were no weddings or baptisms held in Ragdale during the year.

At the ADCM meeting in March we were delighted to welcome Penny Coates to the DCC and very grateful to her for agreeing to fill the role of Treasurer. The resignation from the DCC was received from Mark McMorran and there were no more new members.

There had been one historic safeguarding issue disclosed, not connected directly to either Ragdale All Saints’ or village residents. The Diocesan safeguarding advisor guided the incumbent and churchwarden to a satisfactory conclusion to this Disclosure.

SPECIAL EVENTS

There were no special services held at All Saints Ragdale during 2022.

FABRIC OF CHURCH BUILDING

There has been very little maintenance to the church building during 2022. The work to maintain the churchyard continues to be gifted by a member of the Church and is very gratefully received. A large tree, which is leaning, is causing some concern and a request for an Archdeacon’s License has been applied for, we are currently awaiting a decision. The roots of the tree are damaging the boundary wall which will be repaired when the tree is removed. A meeting was held with an architect to look at the East window which is showing

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signs of crumbling stonework and buckling metalwork and a decision has been taken to seek tenders for this work.

FUNDRAISING/SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Following a decision taken at last year’s ADCM it was decided to trial a coffee morning in the church. The first one held in May saw a few villagers attend, people were keen for more to held and these are now held approximately every six weeks and numbers have grown, giving people the opportunity to stop and chat for a short while in their busy lives. It is very encouraging to see people chatting together over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake and the events so far have raised a welcome £250.

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Sue Smith & Lesley Potter, Churchwardens

12.0 All Saints, Rotherby

Looking back we have had a busy year in Rotherby, also sad times loosing Bob our treasurer, we realize just how much he did over and beyond his duties of treasurer and l know Gary will confirm this as he has had to carry on Bob’s duties and unravel all the banking which froze at Bob’s death, just want to say a big thank you to Gary and all members of the DCC who work so hard with fund raising and any area where help is needed. Also thank you to Rev David who is a great support and encourager to Lesley and myself.

We hold services here in Rotherby once a month, Lesley and Sue helped with services during Rev David’s sabbatical, congregation numbers have not increased but we continue to welcome members of the village into Church and to share fellowship with them, with the winter walk, winter warmer, cream tea’s etc, and we hope our Church and social life in Rotherby will increase now that we have all our facilities.

Jubilee celebrations took place in Rotherby on June 5th as the weather turned late morning it was decided to hold the party in Church where about 70 people had a wonderful time; the children were all given a silver coin as a memento.

The Kitchen was completed in November after many setbacks and we are all thrilled with the final finish it looks so in keeping with the rest of the Church as if it has always been there. Gill Seager cut the ribbon and officially opened the kitchen at the Winter Warmer.

Sadly our Church was broken into in June but with minimal damage, our greatest loss being the main door key which is being replaced with a modern lock. We are ever hopeful that it will turn up in the future.

A wedding took place in July on a beautiful sunny day, a real treat for Rotherby Church. Sue and Lesley served coffee and cake after the event.

Several events took place during the year; The New Dishley Society gave a talk about an 1800 century farmer who lived at Rotherby Manor, cream tea took place again in August, a village BBQ held in Gary’s barn on a lovely warm evening, an outstanding firework display on Nov 5th in Gary’s field and the winter walk followed with soup. All of these making funds to help with Church expenses.

A successful Christmas at Rotherby with an Advent Sunday Service also a carol service both were well attended the Church beautiful as always with a real tree outside the porch paid for by the friends the collection from the carol service is going to the Ukraine appeal. DCC meetings were held in March, June and August.

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Martin Paling, Tower Captain

13.0 Bellringers

The bells, frames, fittings and ropes at both Hoby and Kirby Towers remain in good condition for ringing. As we move on from, but still live with, the presence of Covid-19, ventilation of the ringing rooms remains an issue at both Towers. The free flow of fresh air is very limited at Hoby and there is no such airflow at Kirby. These matters still need to be addressed. The Belfry floor at Hoby was swept in September.

At Kirby, in December, Tom Lovegrove and Richard Ingham removed an old pigeon's nest, deserted for many years, from within the Eastern louvres of the Belfry. Sunday 27 February, the bells at Hoby were rung for a Service of Baptism.

During March a single bell was tolled at Kirby, prior to two separate services, to remember two long time local residents who had died in February 2022:

~ for Nurseryman Stewart St John, who operated the Plant Nursery next to the church

~ for Elizabeth Burgess, who had been a bellringer at Kirby and Hoby.

A single bell was tolled also in April before and after the funeral service for Bob Luke, who died in March. Bob had learnt to ring the Tower bells at Kirby and often joined the rest of the local band to ring at other churches in the area. Bob also rang Kirby's Handbells.

At Hoby on 4 June, a band of five ringers rang Rounds and call changes to mark the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, as she celebrated 70 years on the Throne.

Again, a single bell was tolled on 17 June, before the service to celebrate the life of long time Kirby resident, Margaret Brewster, who died in May. Margaret and her late husband, Bernard, had made donations towards the cost of Kirby's Millennium Bell, the new Treble, purchased & installed in 1999.

Death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle on 8 September.

A single bell was tolled, half muffled, at Hoby on 8 and 9 September. One bell was tolled half muffled and another one chimed at Kirby on 9 September in memoriam.

One bell was tolled half muffled and another chimed at Kirby on 19 September, during the hour before HM's Funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Proclamaton of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III on 10 September.

To mark the occasion, a single, unmuffled, bell was rung at Hoby. At Kirby, five bells were chimed, including four of them by Emma, Tom, Evelyn and Eliza Lovegrove, all first time ringers.

Emma Lovegrove from Kirby has learnt to ring Tower bells this year. Emma first touched a bell rope on 9 September, when she asked if she could help to toll a bell in memoriam to The Queen. From chiming a bell that day we have pursued The Association of Ringing Teachers' 'Learning the Ropes' programme, to ring full circle, with one to one training sessions at Hoby and Kirby. Emma has progressed quickly and has rung with others now at Hoby, Kirby, Ab

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Kettleby & Saxelbye. A confident ringer already, she copes well with Call Changes and is starting to master Plain Hunt on 3, 4 & 5 bells.

Handbells.

The Handbell ringers started meeting again in March, after a two year break due to the Covid19 pandemic. It was noticed that the normally free movement of several of the Handbells' clappers had become restricted during the two year lack of activity. That meant that a bell would not strike as freely as it should when being played. Team member Graham Porter kindly worked on the bells, to restore the clappers to move freely again and to clean light, dusty, debris from inside the bells.

The Handbell ringers gave a performance at Welby Church's 'Traditions of Christmas' Open Day on 10 December. We rang a range of tunes, read a few stories about Kirby's Handbell ringers of the early 1900's, then finished off our performance with Christmas Carols and our rendition of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'.

14.0 Deanery Synod

Five gatherings took place, open to anyone who wanted to attend, beginning with refreshments at 7:00 pm, concluding by 9:00 pm. All meetings after the first were in person.

Thursday 10th February (Zoom) SBGT & Minister Communities Where are we, and what next? Wednesday 27th April (Melton Mowbray) Finance How do we resource our mission and ministry? Thursday 16th June Working in partnerships How can we work together as churches & with schools? Wednesday 21st September (Wymondham) Responding to God’s call Deanery Eucharist for St Matthew’s Day Thursday 1st December (Frisby Chapel) Pioneer-led Advent Evening Reflection

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