2020-12-31-accounts

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY, HADLEIGH

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Saturday 24 April 2021 at 10am

In St Mary’s Church

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY, HADLEIGH

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS TO BE HELD ON 24 APRIL 2021 IN ST MARY’S CHURCH, HADLEIGH

AGENDA

1. Minutes of the previous Annual Meeting held on 10 October 2020 (postponed from 26 March 2020)

2. Election of Churchwardens

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

AGENDA

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held

3. on 10 October 2020

4. Matters arising

5. Presentation and Revision of the Electoral Roll

6. Presentation of Annual Accounts

7. Appointment of the Independent Examiner

8. To receive the review of the year 2020 (page 14)

9. To receive 2020 Parish Reports (page 15 onwards)

10. Review of Safeguarding Policy

11. Election of Representatives to the Parochial Church Council

12. Election of Sidesmen / welcomers

13. Any other business (which should be notified to the chairman prior to the start of the meeting)

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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL MEETING

AGENDA

1. Minutes of the previous meeting of 25 February 2021 ( previously circulated)

2. Matters arising of an urgent nature only

3. Election of Officers:

i) Secretary

ii) Treasurer

iii) Lay Chairperson

• iv) Deputy Churchwardens

4. Election of the Standing Committee

1. Any other business (which should be notified by Thursday 22 April)

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FUNCTION & MEMBERSHIP OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)

The Synodical Government Measure 1969 states clearly the purpose of the PCC:

It shall be the duty of the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council to consult together on matters of general concern and importance in the parish.

It then goes on to set out a number of functions of the PCC, of which perhaps the most important - and certainly the widest - is:

co-operation with the incumbent in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

The incumbent and the PCC each have their own particular rights and responsibilities in the life of the church but the important theme here is partnership and co-operation.

More specifically, the PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings and churchyard, and, with the incumbent, for deciding how the church's money is to be spent. The PCC has the right to be consulted about major changes to the forms of worship used in the parish and about the appointment of a new incumbent. It is also consulted about any pastoral scheme affecting the parish.

The PCC will have on it members of the Deanery Synod, who have an important role in linking the parish into the wider structures of the church. Lay Readers are ex officio members.

Given its wide responsibilities (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical), the PCC should provide strategic direction. Membership of the PCC also provides active hands-on work for everyone.

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PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY, HADLEIGH

Minutes of the annual meeting of parishioners held on 10 October 2020 (Postponed from March due to the COVID19 pandemic)

The meeting commenced at 10am with prayer. The meetings were chaired by the Very Revd Jo Delfgou, Rector.

1. The minutes of the meeting of parishioners held on 28 March 2019 were approved unanimously.

2. Election of Churchwardens:

Jo reported that Lesley had decided not to stand again, after many years’ service as churchwarden. Jo thanked her for all her work, and for her huge commitment to the role; she had achieved much, including through some difficult times. She was presented with a gift as a token of our appreciation.

The following nominations had been received:

Jessica Janas Proposed: Andrew Janas Seconded: Trish Pitt James Wilding Proposed: Gloria Powell Seconded: Terry Powell There were no other nominations, so both were elected unanimously.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

1. Apologies: apologies were received from: Jill Bloomfield Graham Brook Sandra Brook Trudy Crowfoot Anne Green Doris Green Roger Kennell Bill Martin Gloria Powell Terry Powell Joan Rudman Mary Rye Sue Wells Jon Woods

2. Minutes: The minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 28 March 2019 were approved unanimously, subject to a small correction (in item 9, ‘John’ should have read ‘Jo’) and signed.

3. Matters Arising: No matters arising.

4. Presentation of the Electoral Roll: There were 118 names on the roll after its annual revision, complete at the end of March. A copy was available for members to see and is displayed in church. The meeting accepted the electoral roll.

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5. Annual Accounts: The Treasurer re-iterated the main points of his report on pages 14-and 15 in the APCM booklet. In 2019 our total receipts had decreased and our payments had increased, but we were still able to pay our parish share in full. This meant a reduced ‘closing balance’ at the end of the year though. In response to a question, John clarified that the amount we pay to the diocese each year (our parish share) is approximately £48,000.

Claire had produced a report on charitable giving in response to a request, and she outlined the main points; copies were available for anyone who wished to see it in detail.

Walter Wright accountants had seen and approved the accounts.

The accounts for the year were received with unanimous agreement, and John was thanked for all his work.

6. Appointment of the Independent Examiner:

It was proposed that Walter Wright be appointed the independent examiner for 2020. Proposed by John Perry Seconded by Andy Scott

The meeting agreed unanimously.

7. Incumbent’s Annual Report:

The Review of the Year appeared on page 14

Jo simply added that when he wrote his report, we had very little idea about events would unfold during an extraordinary year. He thanked everyone for their continued hard work, perseverance and kindness.

8. Parish Reports:

The reports appeared on pages 16-32 of the booklet.

Jo ran through them briefly, and thanked all who had contributed reports. On error was corrected; in the Deanery Synod report, €350,000 was corrected to £ 350,000.

Jo reported that Richard Finch had stood down after 15 years as Tower Captain; he thanked him for his service and said that we would find a more tangible way to express our thanks to him. Andrew Cummins had also recently stepped down as a bellringer after 53 years, and he too was thanked for his commitment and service.

9. Review of Safeguarding Policy:

This is required by law to be checked every year. Our policy was completely reviewed in 2019, and is currently in use throughout the Benefice as required by the Diocese. There have been no changes, and it is posted on the notice-board, and on the church website. There is a link from the front page of the website to basic information and contacts, and to the policy itself.

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Safeguarding cannot be ‘bolted on’; it must be an integral part of all that we do, limiting risks and caring for each other. Jo thanked Trish Pitt and Gloria Powell for their work in the roles they fulfil.

10. Election of Representatives to the Parochial Church Council: Jo detailed the list of ex officio , Deanery Synod and elected members.

2 nominations had been received:

Hilary Ferry Proposed: Andy Scott Seconded: Chrissie Scott Sarah Nicholson Proposed: Lesley Turner Seconded: Jess Janas

The meeting agreed unanimously to elect them for a period of 3 years.

All Lay Readers are automatically ex officio members of the PCC. PCC minutes are available to the public, with the exception of any confidential matters. PCC meetings are open to the public but only PCC members can vote.

As the total annual turnover of the church now exceeds £100,000 the church has to be, by law, a registered charity. PCC members are the trustees of the charity.

11. Election of Deanery Synod Representatives The following nominations had been received:

Jeff Delves proposed by Olive Martin Seconded by Lesley Turner Jessica Janas proposed by Andy Scott Seconded by Andrew Janas Andy Scott proposed by Alison Crockett Seconded by Jim Wilding All were elected unanimously to serve for a period of 3 years.

12. Election of Sidesmen:

Claire Woods had prepared a list of welcomers/sidesmen. It was proposed by Jess Janas and seconded by John Parry-Williams that these be re-elected en bloc . The meeting agreed.

Jane Baston Maureen Bell Jill Bloomfield Sid Cleaver Rosemary Cleaver Ian Dinwiddie Andy Janas Roger Kennell Ned Long Bill Martin Gloria Powell Brian Richardson Ann Smith Linda Sulit Barbara Tryon Rose Welham (Baptisms)

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All wardens and deputies are automatically sidesmen.

The ministry of welcome is very important, and more volunteers are always needed. It was also noted that sidesmen and welcomers should undergo Safeguarding training.

13. Any Other Business: There were no items of other business, but there was one brief question about the proposed closure of the TSB and how this might affect us. John Perry suggested that it might be more difficult to pay into the church account, but that there should be ways round it.

The meeting closed at 10.35am

Signed………………………………………………………………………

Date……………………………………………………………….

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PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY HADLEIGH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Minutes of the PCC Meeting held following the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 10 October 2020

1. Minutes of the previous meeting : The minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2020 had been previously circulated, and were received. They will be approved and signed at the next full meeting of the PCC

2. Matters arising of an urgent nature only: There were no matters arising.

3. Election of Officers :

4. The following were unanimously agreed:

5. i. Secretary – Claire Woods was proposed by John Parry-Williams and seconded by Olive Martin

6. ii. Treasurer – John Perry was proposed by Brian Richardson and seconded by Claire Woods

7. iii. Lay Chair – Jim Wilding was proposed by Jess Janas and seconded by John Parry-Williams

8. iv. Deputy Churchwardens – Aileen Ker and John Parry-Williams were proposed by Jim Wilding and seconded by Trish Pitt; both were carried unanimously.

9. Election of the Standing Committee : It was agreed that, as previously, this should comprise the Churchwardens, Treasurer and Secretary, together with a small number of elected representatives. Andy Scott was proposed by John Parry-Williams and seconded by Aileen Ker.

10. Any Other Business: There was no further business, but Jo noted that there would be much to consider for the November meeting, including finance, internal re-ordering, and the recent works to the vestry.

The meeting closed with the grace at 10.55am.

Signed…………………………………………………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………………………………………………

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St. Mary's Church, Hadleigh

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2020

Rector: Very Rev Jo Delfgou

Bank:

TSB High Street Hadleigh

Independent Examiner:

Walter Wright High Street Hadleigh

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Administrative Information

St. Mary's Church is situated in Church Street, Hadleigh. It is part of the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Deanery, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 5DT.

Ministry Team: Rector: Rev Jo Delfgou

Readers: Elders: Mrs Hilary Griffin Mrs Jackie Cork Mr Graham Brook Mrs Trish Pitt Mrs Olive Martin Mrs Jane Crowe Mr Brian Hempstead Mrs Christine Coe .

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission.

PCC members are: Rector: The Very Revd Jo Delfgou Wardens: Mrs Jess Janas Mr James Wilding

Representatives on the Deanery Synod:

Mr Jeff Delves Elected 2020 for 3 years Mrs Jess Janas Elected 2020 for 3 years Mr Andy Scott Elected 2020 for 3 years

Elected Members: Mrs Claire Woods (elected 2020: PCC Secretary) Mr John Perry (elected 2020: Treasurer) Miss Aileen Ker ( ex officio , Deputy Churchwarden) Mr John Parry-Williams ( ex officio , Deputy Churchwarden) Mrs Glenys Morris (elected 2018) Mrs Trish Pitt (elected 2019) Mrs Gloria Powell (elected 2019) Mr Brian Richardson (elected 2019) Mrs Sue Wells (elected 2019) Mrs Hilary Ferry (elected 2020) Mrs Sarah Nicholson (elected 2020) Mrs Hilary Griffin ( ex officio ) Mr Graham Brook ( ex officio ) Mrs Olive Martin ( ex officio ) Mr Brian Hempstead ( ex officio )

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Structure, Governance and Management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

Churchwardens are elected/re-elected yearly.

Deanery Synod members are elected to serve for three years.

PCC members are elected to serve for three years and under our current agreement, are encouraged to have one year's break before being re-elected.

: Standing Committee This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

Objectives and Activities

St. Mary's PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, worship, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. It also has responsibilities for St Mary's Church, Hadleigh. There is also the Churchyard surrounding the Parish Church though this is closed and maintained by the Town Council.

Church Attendance

There are 127 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll in March 2021 (compared to 118 at the 2020 APCM), five of whom are not resident within the parish. Five names were removed during the year through death, and one person moved away.

The average Sunday attendance (for all services) based on typical Sundays in October was 67.

There were no services at Easter as churches were closed. There was no Christingle service in 2020; the Christmas Crib Service was attended by 18 children and adults. At Midnight Mass 38 attended and on Christmas Day there were 54 people.

The Friday morning Eucharist has only taken place intermittently when restrictions permitted, with an average of 10 people attending.

Between January and December 2020 there were 2 baptisms and one wedding, although baptisms and weddings were not permitted for much of the year. In the same period there were 32 funerals which took place either at St. Mary's Church or at a crematorium.

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REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2020

It is fair to say that 2020 was not the year we expected. Having entered it with optimism and drive we began the first lockdown in March, Easter was virtual and the pattern of our lives both personally and as a worshipping community was radically challenged.

February had seen a very creative and exciting meeting to look at how we could, as a town, help the young people who seemed so disaffected and, not least, gathered in our church south entrance. We can only hope that as we finally emerge, we will be able to draw on this initial excitement.

The church being ‘closed’ for three months meant that our connectedness needed to be reworked. Telephone and informal ‘out-for-a-walk’ meetings meant that we stayed in touch and that those who might feel the isolation more acutely where still connected. It is good that this continues.

Our Church Wardens and the Renewal Committee did not rest and plans for redevelopment and restoration moved forward. The time and space allowed good conversations and connections with the architects to flourish. Likewise, the opportunity to clear and tidy the church and the vestry/sacristy was taken. The Benefice Office moved into the newly prepared space and quickly became home for our administration.

During 2020 we had a change of Church Warden and our heartfelt thanks are offered to Lesley Turner for the many years she gave as warden, through some complex and difficult times. Although we did give our thanks at the 2019-20 APCM, I would like to reiterate them here.

We are blessed that the Mothers’ Union, Joyce Willis, and others have ensured our pastoral care has flourished. Graham Brook’s dedication to FIND has encouraged our giving to those less fortunate. Likewise, we have been able to help with the Porch Project’s collection of health products for the young.

What could have been a diminishing and difficult time has proven to be the grit that has produced pearls of the Kingdom!

There are many people to thank for their tenacity, care, kindnesses and sense of God as community. I am excited as we continue to move through 2021 that these pearls are being polished and we are finding a renewed energy and excitement that change and development are not to be wary of.

So, many thanks to you all for your commitment, dedication and kindness.

Very Rev Jo Delfgou Rector

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL REVIEW 2020

Total receipts on unrestricted funds totalled £69,067 which was a massive decrease of £15,902 over the comparable figure for 2019 of £84,969. The planned giving through banker’s standing orders and envelopes actually increased by £2,295 but this was offset by an increase in loose plate collections of £5,817. All other voluntary income, including donations, decreased by £4,620 in 2020 and income from church activities (i.e. weddings, funerals, cards, magazines votive candles, lettings etc.) decreasing significantly by £4,563 and there was a reduction of £2,632 from fund raising events.

The contribution to the diocesan share that mainly provides the stipends and housing for the clergy totalled £49,807 and was fully paid for the year but only after a transfer of £21,000 from Designated Funds. The intention is to repay this in 2021.

Payments on unrestricted funds totalled £88,935 and this was a decrease of £5,179 over the comparable figure for 2019 of £94,114. The reduction was attributed primarily to reductions in expenditure on maintenance (£1,610) and utilities (£3,564).

Given the above, the net result for the year was a significant excess of payments over receipts of £19,869 on unrestricted funds, but with the transfer from Designated Funds, the balance carried forward at 31[st] December 2020 increased to £6,407.

The Unrestricted Designated Fund has been created for the income from the sale of the Marieschi painting and is a correction on the inclusion in Restricted Funds in last year’s accounts. Total receipts for the year were £125,477 and expenditure in respect of maintenance and Deanery Tower alterations was £32,970. The balance in hand at 31st December 2020 was £284,119.

Restricted Funds totalled £10,552 at 31[st] December, 2020 and this was an increase of £3,948 over the corresponding figure for 2019.

RESERVES POLICY

It is the PCC policy to try and maintain a balance on unrestricted funds of £5,000 to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. This position is proving difficult to achieve on an ongoing basis. It is the policy to invest our fund balances with CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

John Perry Treasurer

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PCC SECRETARY'S REPORT

The PCC met 4 times during 2020, including the delayed APCM in October, and the average attendance was around 73%. Additionally, there was one ‘virtual meeting’ by email during May. The Standing Committee also met once. Up to 2 members and one deanery synod representative will need to be elected at the APCM. There is a list of current PCC members on page 12 of this report.

Claire Woods, PCC Secretary

CHURCHWARDENS' REPORT

A frustrating year but also one during which we achieved a lot.

After many months of waiting for the Vestry to dry out enough, we were able to get the walls decorated, we suggested window bar designs which were passed by the PCC and are now ready to be installed when restrictions are lifted and a new lock has been fitted to the stairs door. Permission has also been granted to have the East window changed to improve ventilation. So we are well on the way to having a secure area in the church which will allow us to bring home the church plate, that has been stored off site for far too long, and have it on display. Credit to Jess for her detective work in tracking down the whereabouts of the church silver.

The inventory has been checked and updated, plus we now have a comprehensive pictorial record to complement the documents.

Lockdown helped enable us to carry out many important maintenance works to drains and lightning conductor testing points and moss has been removed from lower stone work.

SmartWater was applied to most of the lead roofing and all down-piping so that, in addition to the roof alarm, we now fully comply with the insurance requirements.

Permission has also been granted to fit wire mesh guards to the Betton window which was another insurance requirement.

We are very appreciative of the financial support we continue to receive from the Friends of St. Mary’s for much of this work.

Thanks to Andy Scott we now have a very comprehensive Building Maintenance Plan in place that should ensure that all maintenance gets carried out as and when needed. My understanding is that this plan is likely to be recommended to all parishes across the Diocese, so well done Andy.

The Quinquennial Inspection, carried out in April 2020, identified a lot of repair work with varying degrees of urgency (£750k worth!!), which should be carried out over the coming five years. Fortunately, due to money from the sale of the Marieschi painting and following PCC approval, we were able to instruct our

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architects to put a lot of stonework repairs out to tender. This instruction was given many months ago but, again because of lockdown and/or furloughing, the process has only just started. Fortunately, we were able to get the lead repairs done, so we have no more leaks and, hopefully, no more roof repairs will be needed for a few more years.

Work continues on reordering plans to ensure the sustainable future of our glorious church.

A Disaster Management Plan / Business Recovery Plan had been on the back burner for far too long and, finally, we found space to start drawing one up last year. Having consulted widely as to the best way to proceed we are now close to having a plan in place. Because of what such a document seeks to help us do, it will need to be reviewed on a regular basis. It has been passed to Stoke by Nayland as a template, to save them re-inventing the wheel.

Our thanks to anyone and everyone who helped us during 2020 at St Mary’s and I think it must be a measure of just how resilient we all are.

It is a joy and privilege to serve Fr. Jo and St Mary’s. Thank you.

Jess Janas and James Wilding, Churchwardens

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

There was only one Deanery Synod meeting in 2020 on 10 December in St Mary’s, being a large Covid-safe space. All churches were closed on 20 March 2020, reopened for private prayer only on 15 June and public worship resumed, albeit with many safety restrictions, on 12 July. Fr Jo provided weekly online services, which continue still. Printed newsletters, service sheets and magazines were emailed and hand delivered weekly to those in need in Hadleigh.

Synod welcomed four new members.

Parishes’ News

After two and a half years in the Stoke by Nayland benefice and as Rural Dean, Rev Mark Woodrow is leaving to work in the Box Valley parishes around Clare/Cavendish. The process has begun to find his successor.

The Archdeacon invited Fr Jo to be the next Rural Dean from 1 January 2021 and he accepted.

Rev Manette Crossman was installed in the Higham benefice.

Treasury

Parish Share 2020: After some negotiation, a reduction of 5.8% (£16,839 ) was ratified by the Diocesan Board of Finance on their proposed allocation of Parish Share for the Deanery for 2020 The full amount required from the Hadleigh Deanery for 2020 was £299,552 which is higher than 2019 (£274,317) but lower

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than the 2012 figure (£304,126 !) As at the end of November 2020, 74.21% had been paid. The quota for the Hadleigh Benefice for 2020 was £69,971 – a small uplift on the 2019 figure of £68,317.

Parish Share 2021: £292,922. 2021 will be a tough year as some parishes have had to pull funds out of reserves to cover their 2020 portion and varying Covid restrictions look set to remain in place.

The levy of 40p per head (agreed in November 2017) on the Electoral Role remained unchanged for 2020 and 2021, with no spend during 2020.

After over 20 years as Deanery Organiser, Jeff Delves is looking to stand down as soon as a successor is found.

Deanery Plan

Each Benefice had produced a plan which was worked into a full Deanery Plan by Fr Jo and Claire Woods. It was commended as a working document reflecting the individuality of each Parish and Benefice and encourages the sharing of information and skills between Benefices. The Plan was formally agreed by Synod and now has to be signed off by the SUDMAS Committee.

This is the first such Plan for nine years and grateful thanks were offered to all Benefices for their input and to both Fr Jo and Claire for their hard work in drawing up the document.

Other Matters

Church Representation Rules changed in January 2020 giving more power to Deaneries in terms of managing Clergy and Deanery planning.

A new Head Teacher, Julia Shaw, has be appointed to Whatfield & Bildeston Schools. Whatfield is a church school. She takes up her role in the New Year.

Jess Janas (Deanery Synod Representative)

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OTHER REPORTS OF PAROCHIAL INTEREST

BELLRINGERS’ TOWER REPORT

Like virtually all organisations, our activities have been severely limited this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions. When the first lockdown was eased in May, 6 bell ringing for Sunday services resumed and this continued over the summer until the second lockdown caused us to stop our ringing again. Practice evenings on a Wednesday had to be stopped in March and have not yet been able to resume.

Our very popular bell ringing tour was not able to take place last year.

We did manage to toll the tenor bell for Remembrance Sunday but our Christmas and New Year ringing was also cancelled due to the pandemic restrictions. This was hugely disappointing for us as ringing at that time of year is very popular amongst the ringers and hopefully gives pleasure to many others.

Change of Tower Captaincy

Richard Finch, our Tower Captain for the last 15 years let it be known in May that he wished to step down from the post and I was persuaded to step forward and attempt to fill his shoes. Richard took over the Tower Captaincy at a difficult time for ringing in Hadleigh and without his efforts there is real doubt that there would still be ringing here in Hadleigh today. Richard deserves a very grateful vote of thanks from us all and as a small reminder of his time as Tower Captain we all contributed to a table bell with inscription that was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Attached photo shows Richard with his presentation bell as well as a picture of the socially distanced ‘ceremonial’ handing over of the keys to the tower back in the summer.

Moving forward in 2021

Once restrictions allow, we are very keen to start ringing again, both for Sunday

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services and our own Wednesday evening practice nights. Like all similar groups, we always look for new people coming on board especially as we have lost a couple of our stalwart ringers over the duration of the pandemic - after 50 years of ringing, they both feel they have done their bit! We will therefore be putting together a recruitment campaign for new people to come along and learn to ring. Despite popular misconception, bell ringing is not an activity requiring Herculean strength, but is more about learning technique and control of the bell. It is an immensely rewarding activity when the bells are rung well and new ringers will become part of a tradition that has existed in Hadleigh for almost 300 years. We are a very sociable bunch, so if you, or anyone you know has ever thought that you would like to learn, then perhaps now is the time! Please contact me for more information via the details below:

Mobile: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

Kevin Ward (Tower Captain)

BENEFICE OFFICE

I was in the fortunate position of being able to continue working safely in the office during the various lockdowns, and much of my work continued as normal. The initial lockdown in March saw us rapidly updating and consolidating contact details for as many people as possible to enable Jo and others to keep in touch. This has been an ongoing task during the year, and one which is probably never truly finished.

Lockdowns aside, the main excitement of 2020 was moving the office into the base of the Deanery Tower during October and November. The new space is working very well and is a much more pleasant place to work. I also enjoy regular visits from Izarra, one of the Deanery cats!

We have also begun reviewing my job description, ensuring that it reflects what I really do and is sustainable. Since the post was created 10 years ago, the role has inevitably changed and evolved in all sorts of ways, partly as a result of needing to work with and for three very different incumbents during that time. The review will ensure that I’m giving Jo the support he needs, and will ultimately form part of a wider clarification of roles and responsibilities.

It goes without saying that I’m very grateful for the support and commitment of the small number of volunteers – and most particularly to Aileen – who do so much behind the scenes and contribute to the smooth running of the office.

Claire Woods (Benefice Administrator)

BEREAVEMENT FRIENDS

Sadly, as with so many groups, we have been unable to meet for over a year, although with the situation apparently improving, we are hopeful that it won't be too long before we can all meet at least for our usual coffee together, then start

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thinking about what else we can plan. We were able to be in touch with everyone at Christmas, and to hold everyone in our thoughts as we try to phone one another and it is always good to see friends, even if disguised behind facemasks and different hairstyles.

Hoping there will be good news soon.

Lesley Turner Jane Harrison

CAFÉ CHURCH

There is inevitably very little to report as far as Cafe Church is concerned. We served our last coffee on the 13[th ] of March 2020 and are looking forward to opening again when restrictions allow - whatever the format might be.

Jackie Cork and the Café Church Team

CARD SALES

As the church building has been closed for parts of the year and there have been few visitors, it has been a lean year for card sales. However, there are still greeting cards for sale, so please support us to raise money for St Mary's.

Jane Baston and Jane Harrison

CARE HOMES

Residential Care Homes: Canterbury House, Hadleigh Nursing Home, Magdalen House, Waterfield House, Sydney Brown Court.

In January and February our usual monthly services continued, and plans were afoot for another Growing in years Family Praise at Canterbury House and then… the great pause began. In the second week in March even before National Guidelines had been issued, some of the Care Homes started to impose their own Lockdown procedures. Saying ‘Goodbye – I don’t know when I will be back’ to tearful residents at Waterfield House is a memory that will stay with me forever.

However, different ways of keeping in contact have been created, including liaising with the member of staff designated as the lead in Wellbeing. At Easter, cards were sent to residents and staff of all Care Homes. When Bishop Martin has prayed for all Care Homes, Care Staff and residents during his Facebook Morning Prayer as he does frequently, these messages of prayers and our continuing concern have been sent on to the Homes via email. Some residents have their own phones and contact has been made directly.

I feel it should be acknowledged that Jill Bloomfield has phoned Canterbury House every Sunday afternoon and speaks to one or other of the residents there. She has also kept in touch with the Team Leaders there.

The shocking news that the virus had reached some of our Homes in November focused our prayers even more and the Homes are now named on our weekly

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news sheet for health and wellbeing.

At Christmas, every resident in all of the five Homes was sent a Christmas Card with a greeting from our Church. Thanks to Andy Scott and Claire for enabling the printing and supply of these cards.

Rev Joyce Willis

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

FROGs and Tadpoles on Tuesdays

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic we have been unable to meet since March.

We usually enjoy an activity day prior to Christmas but that was not possible this year so instead I organised an Advent Trail for children to enjoy with their parents. This involved discovering Nativity characters in various shop windows along the High Street with the last one in the church where the children were able to see the complete Nativity tableau on the altar before receiving a sweet and a star to add to their decorations at home. I am really pleased to report that over 30 children and their families took part in this and from the feedback I received very much enjoyed this chance to revisit the Nativity story in a different way.

I have kept in touch with the children at various times throughout the year and hope that it won’t be too long before we can meet in person once again.

Trish Pitt

OPEN THE BOOK

Due to the Coronavirus we have been unable to go into schools since March. However, this does not mean we haven’t been reaching out to the schools in a different way. We have been videoing the stories and sending them into schools via Youtube. We are very lucky to have Hilary’s husband Nigel who has been an absolute whizz recording, editing and downloading the stories.

If you would like to see any of the videos they can be accessed via Youtube and search for OTBHadleigh. You will see by these videos that we have great fun putting these together and if any of you fancy being an actor please come along or speak to one of us about joining. We have other schools that would like us to visit so can always use more man-(or woman)power!

We hope to be able to resume our once-a-month visits to the school as soon as Government guidelines allow.

Trish Pitt

INSPIRE

It is with much sadness that there is nothing to report due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We were all prepared to greet the Reception children from Hadleigh Community Primary School to take part in Easter workshops and a general look

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around St Mary’s when the pandemic struck, schools were closed, and the nation embarked on the first lockdown. We hope that we will be able to start up once again when Government guidelines allow.

Trish Pitt

CHURCH MUSIC

At the beginning of the year, things were looking up on the music front. The choir, led by Sandra Brook, gained a few new members, which was very good to see. Marylou supported and enhanced congregational singing with her gorgeous flute-playing, which often helped to pick out top lines and clarify the sound of the organ - or, with the piano in quieter hymns and songs, made for a very musically sensitive accompaniment.

The closure of churches was of course a little like a slap in the face, echoed when singing was declared forbidden after the reopening. We gradually introduced more music during this period, with two or three hymns played while we followed the words - perhaps that was sometimes a good thing, to be allowed to focus on the meaning without worrying about how we sounded. Or perhaps I'm revealing too much about myself there! In retrospect, I wish we had been more inventive about instrumental music, or we'd made more of suitably distanced soloists, but I think at the time the pall of the pandemic was strong. It makes me realise afresh what a herculean effort was put in by Fr Jo and the ministry team to keep the show on the road.

There were no concerts during the year. All Hadleigh Choral Society events were cancelled, including a planned Midsummer Festival of Flowers and Music, as were events involving the Suffolk Villages Festival, Community Light Orchestra, Hadleigh Orchestra, and film and TV music maestro Jason Frederick.

Towards the end of the year we began to re-introduce music sung by the choir or subsets thereof. Bob Smith played for 'not the Row Chapel' when Row services were tentatively resumed for a while in St Mary's. And at Christmas the Carol Service worked well within restrictions, with choir and soloists, and was much appreciated by those who attended.

The organ has been mercifully low-maintenance and just had some minor faults repaired in the autumn. We even had advice from central Church of England to give it a blast every now and then so that disuse didn't see it go the same way as my car battery! We are grateful to Mike Osborne for his care of the instrument, and to Peter Tryon for tuning the piano.

Jonathan Woods (Organist)

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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HADLEIGH (CTiH)

Like so many societies, organisations and groups, Churches Together has not been able to meet in any meaningful way since the beginning of the first Lockdown in March 2020.

Before this happened, we were able to share 2 significant events. The first was the annual Pulpit Exchange in which all our local member churches participated. The other was a Pancake Party on 25th January, which as well as being tasty raised over £450 for 2 charities. These were The Memories Café that meets at the Ansell Centre and Ipswich Town Street Pastors. Like ourselves, neither of these have been able to function during the pandemic but hope soon to resume activities.

Churches Together is hoping to function again in the summer months with a sharing of some of the initiatives included in the “Week of Prayer” publication, “Abiding in Christ.”

Watch this space and help us come together again.

David Atkins – Moderator CTiH

HADLEIGH RANGERS, GUIDES, BROWNIES AND RAIANBOWS

As with all groups, Guiding has had it challenges this year.

Up until March we all happily enjoyed all the Guiding activities that are on offer to girls, and we were all devastated when just like that we had to suspend our meetings without notice.

During the lockdown we have sent out challenges for the girls to do at home and kept in contact with WhatsApp messages and pictures of what the girls have achieved with the challenges. Whenever we were able, we had face to face meetings and this was enjoyed by both Leaders and girls,

We were pleased to have Sarah Hargin join us as a Leader with Guides and Rangers and for the few times we have met face to face she has become an asset to our team.

Let us all hope that we will be able to get back to normal in 2021 and do double the fun activities to make up for such an uneventful Guides year this has been.

Well done to all the Leaders for going the extra miles to make it safe and fun for the girls when we have been able to meet during 2020.

Gloria Powell - District Administrator to Hadleigh Guiding.

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HOME GROUPS

I have been asked to write a short piece explaining the value and benefit of being a part of a home study group. Being new to the church, and new to studying bible inspired literature, this home group has been central to my spiritual wellbeing, as it has been for all of us. The group of which are usually eleven, meet weekly, and choose a book to study, which have often been written by Rowan or Jane Williams, and Stephen Cottrell, but we talk about many other religious writers.

Wherever possible we try to make our studies relevant to the church calendar, for example “The things he carried” written by Stephen Cottrell, which is for Lent and Holy Week, and “Walking backwards to Christmas”, again by Stephen Cottrell. It’s been a unique experience as we are all at different stages of our learning and journey with Christ, and find that talking through our thoughts about subjects helps to gain wider understanding.

Home groups by definition are meant as a microcosm of the church, whereby you are made to feel a part of something, listened to and safe to explore your learning. And that is how our home group works, we all have differing understandings, but all respect each other’s ways of working and talking through subjects, especially as we take turns in leading the group by researching a chapter each week and working it through with the group. While originally we met as an actual home group, during the pandemic and restrictions we have evolved to meeting via Zoom, which has been very successful, and a life-line for us all during these strange and difficult times. We looked at one of the Pilgrim Courses for the Christian Journey, looking at the Creeds, at the beginning of our zoom meetings.

Although the group is predominantly about learning, it is also about a coming together of like-minded people, to spend quality time in each other’s company and saying prayers for our community and wider world.

written by Alison Sargeant, on behalf of Joyce Willis’s home group

MOTHERS’ UNION

Like many of the reports this year, this one is not going to be very long! I was not around for a lot of the time, and I must thank Sarah Nicholson and Jane Harrison, as well as all the committee for their help and great kindness to me throughout the year.

January AGM February Favourite hymns and poems March When lockdown became unavoidable, we set up a telephone contact web which is still being used August Wave of Prayer service in the church

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September Committee meeting in church

December Very short sharing service in the church.

We have done our best to keep in contact with everyone and Gloria Powell has very kindly sent out birthday cards. I know too that we have also been praying in true MU fashion for everyone in our group, our Diocese and across the world. There has been more time for prayer and it has been powerfully used. Both Mary Sumner House and our Diocesan organisation are trying very hard to keep the contacts going and change ways of doing things. Much is now coming by post directly to homes and Zoom is being used a lot. We are all learning a lot of new skills, but finding great strength in the eternal truths we believe in.

Alison Crockett (Branch Secretary)

ROW CHAPEL

A very short report for the year. The coming of the pandemic and places of worship closed meant that services ceased, and one effect of this was that the planned visit of Bishop Martin had to be postponed. For a while during relaxation periods, we were able to hold Matins services in the South Chapel which were of limited success, with some unable to get to the services; of course without the heating of the Row Chapel and with the need for social distancing, the feeling of fellowship which had previously existed was to a great extent absent.

A service of lessons and carols was held in December using a combination of CD’s and Bob Smith playing carol tunes but again with no singing allowed it lacked the feeling of previous events.

Graham Brook (Lay Reader)

ST MARY’S C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our Christian Vision: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Unconditional love underpins all we do at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School. We value and embrace the individuality of every child as they discover, learn and flourish in a place of security and love.

On behalf of St Mary’s C of E Primary School, I have written Annual Reports for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting for many years. Usually, I write about special events, such as school productions and educational trips, and the school’s academic performance in national tests. As we all know, 2020 was certainly not a typical year! For much of the year, schools were closed to most pupils. Trips and national tests were cancelled and audiences could not come into school to watch productions. It was a year like no other…

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School Closures

Schools were closed to most pupils for a large part of 2020. However, we remained open for ‘vulnerable’ pupils and the children of key workers. This meant that the school was actually open throughout the lockdown. There was a lovely atmosphere in school. The children in attendance were happy, settled and very resilient. One of the things we enjoyed was planting flowers and vegetables supplied to us generously by QD.

We kept in touch with the children at home through an online learning platform and lots of telephone calls. As a church school, it was very important that our Christian vision should shine through our actions during the pandemic. We tried hard to show our care for the children and families in practical ways. For example, we put together care packages of household items for our families eligible for free school meals. We also loaned out school laptops and purchased book vouchers for them to make sure they could access new reading material. For those families who needed us to, we delivered these items and food parcels to family homes, which gave us the opportunity to see some of the absent children.

We used our discretion to invite children into school we thought were particularly vulnerable and, consequently, the number of pupils actually in school was higher than the national average throughout the lockdown.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Girl Guides and the army based at Wattisham for loaning us large tents in the summer term. These were used like outdoor classrooms and enabled us to invite lots of children into school to say goodbye to their teachers and meet their new teachers for September. This transition and induction support really helped children when they were eventually allowed to return to school. The help we received with the tents was yet another example of how well our community can come together supportively in a crisis.

Even when children did return, there were strict safety measures in place and many restrictions on school life. For example, the children had to stay in ‘bubbles’ throughout the day and could not mix with any other children. This meant that they had to have staggered start and finish times, designated spaces to play outside, lunches in the classroom and no collective worship in the hall. Parents were not allowed to come onto the school site. We did not let that stop us doing our usual Christmas productions! The nativity performances were recorded and the videos were shared with parents online. If nothing else, the pandemic has led to lots of interesting innovations and new ways of doing things!

Ofsted

Just before the pandemic, the school had an Ofsted inspection. The report was published just days before schools were closed. Although such a lot has

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happened since, we must still celebrate the outcome as inspections are very important in the ‘life’ of a school. It was a very positive experience and the inspectors were very complimentary about many aspects of school life. Overall, the judgement was ‘good’. However, the Early Years provision was judged to be ‘outstanding’. In particular, the inspectors were impressed by the school’s pastoral care, the teaching of reading and the positive start children make at the school.

Staffing

During 2020, we said goodbye to two midday supervisors who had served the school for a number of years. We have welcomed two new midday supervisors and two part-time teachers into our St Mary’s family. Generally, our staffing remains stable and unchanged. The staff team has coped admirably with the many changes and challenges of 2020. They have supported our school community with compassion, dedication and boundless energy. Throughout this difficult year, staff members have faced adversity with positivity and supported one another well. I am thankful for all their contributions to St Mary’s School.

Church Links

It was more challenging to maintain our physical links with the church during 2020. The children were unable to visit the church for services or learning experiences. However, we have been grateful for videos of stories from Father Jo that the children have watched in school. We have continued to study a different Christian value each half term, which is the focus for collective worship. Regular worship has been a ‘virtual’ experience! We have used recorded Bible story videos (I now have my own YouTube channel – who would have thought it?) and livestream video sessions for collective worship. Also, we have continued to give out weekly certificates to children for displaying our Christian values through their daily behaviour and actions.

We are all hoping and praying that everyone in our school and church communities and beyond stays safe and healthy and that 2021 sees a return to a more ‘normal’ state of affairs in school!

Andrew Frolish (Headteacher)

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ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH

RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Receipts Voluntary Generating Funds Investments Church Activities Other Receipts Total Receipts Payments Church activities Total Payments	Planned Giving Collections @ services All other voluntary Gift Aid Sub-total Fund Raising Investment income Church Activities Parish Share Clergy & Staffing Church Running Exps Mission Giving & Donations Sub-total Cost of Generating Funds Governance costs All Other Excess of Receipts over Payments Transfer between funds Cash at bank & inhand 1 January Cash at bank & inhand 31 December		Notes 5(a) 5(b) 5(c) 5(d) 6(a) 6(b) 5(b) 6(c) 6(d)		Unrestricted Funds £ 42,752 3,691 4,163 11,388	Unrestricted Funds £ 42,752 3,691 4,163 11,388		Unrestricted Designated Fund £ - - - -	Unrestricted Designated Fund £ - - - -	Unrestricted Designated Fund £ - - - -		Restricted Funds £ 76 - 4,806 65	Restricted Funds £ 76 - 4,806 65		Total 2020 £ 42,828 3,691 8,968 11,453		Total 2019 £ 40,937 9,508 14,644 12,251
						61,994 1,000 39 6,034 -				- - 1,854 - 123,622			4,946 - 732 206 -		66,940 1,000 2,626 6,240 123,622		77,339 5,266 1,100 11,250 212,315
						69,067				125,477			5,884		200,428		307,270
						49,807 19,191 19,083 25				- - 11,826 -		-	- 146 1,823 200		49,807 19,044 32,732 225		48,630 21,938 36,387 1,687
						88,106 150 679 -				11,826 - - 21,144			1,876 - 60 -		101,809 150 739 21,144		108,642 660 798 -
						88,935				32,970			1,936		123,842		110,100
					-	19,869 21,000 5,276		-		92,507 21,000 212,612			3,948 6,604		76,586 - 224,492		197,170 - 27,322
						6,407				284,119			10,552		301,078		224,492

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ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Statement of Total Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2020

Current Assets Bank Current Account/ Instant Access - General General fund Unrestricted General fund Designated Bank Current Account/Instant Access - Fabric General Restricted Organ Fund Restricted Social Area Fund Restricted Vestry Clock Restricted FROGS Restricted Inspire Project Restricted Grand Piano/Music Project Restricted Learning Task Group Restricted Bank Current Account - Vision Restricted Total (Cash Funds) Investment Assets 1222 Shares in 'The Harold Grimwade Bequest' CBF Investment Fund Restricted Liabilities Loan for purchase of souvenir goods	2020 2019 6,407.06 5,275.57 283,735.04 212,228.42 3,832.86 3.92 6 80.05 1304.01 1104.01 30.00 30.00 965.32 979.96 649.17 2,008.53 0 264.64 150.00 150.00	2019
	6,937.36 4,621.11
	3,998.25 2,366.66
	301,077.71 224,491.76
	24,985.87 23,424.64
	900 900

Liabilities Loan for purchase of souvenir goods

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ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH

The movements in restricted funds during the year were:

Restricted Vision Account Fabric General Organ Fund Grand Piano/Music Fund Social Area Fund Vestry Clock Fund Learning Task Group Fund FROGS Inspire Project		Bal b/fwd £ 2,366.66 3.92 80.05 264.64 1,104.01 30.00 150.00 979.96 2,008.53	Receipts £ 1,631.59 4,046.72 6.00 200.00	Payments £ 217.78 80.05 264.64 14.64 1,359.36	Transfer £	Bal c/fwd £ 3,998.25 3,832.86 6.00 0.00 1,304.01 30.00 150.00 965.32 649.17
		6,987.77	5,884.31	1,936.47		10,935.61

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERsrrRUSTEES OF ST MARY'S CHURCH, HADLEIGH, PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL I report on the accounts for the year erxied 31A December 2020. whth a￿ sel oul on p4es 1 to Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The members of ihe PCC are resp>nsitJe for the preparation of the accounts. They conshjer that an audit is not required fix this year (under sectK)n 144(2) of Charities ￿1 2011 Ithe 2011 Actll and that an independent examination is needed. It 1$ my responsibilty to.. xamine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 kL -to follow tt)e procedures laid down in the Gen￿al Dir￿￿"0n5 9Nen by the Chanty Comrnissh)n (under Section 14515llbl of the 2011 Adl- and -to state whether particular matters have come to my atten￿n. Basis of independènt exarnineVs report My examlnalion was carried out in acc￿lanCe wilh the General DiredKJns given by the Charty Commission. An examination include5 a review of the ￿coUnti[¥j records kept by the Ghartty and a comparison of the accounts kyesented with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual ri8ms or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking exP￿natIOnS from you as trustees Boncerning any Such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be reqUI￿d in an audit arKI consequently Th) win¥)n Is given as to whether the ac¢ounls present a 'lrue and fairf view and the rewrt is limited to those matters set out in the next stalemerrt. Independent examinerfs statement In connectson with my examÉnatDn. no matter has come to my attent￿n". which gives rne reasonable ￿use to belwe that in any material ￿sPeCt the requirements to keep accounting records in ￿￿dance with section 130 of the 2011 Act". and tr) prepare accounts, wh￿h accor<1 with these accounting recorts have not been mel,. or 121 whrh. in my opinion, atlenkn'on shouky ￿ drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. P R Garrard Walter Wright Charte￿￿ Accountants 89 High Streel Hadleigh. Ipswich Suffolk IP7 SEA Dated 2021