2025-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Mary Hadleigh

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PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY, HADLEIGH Registered Charity no: 1140776

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

SATURDAY 23 MAY 2026 AT 10AM IN ST MARY’S CHURCH

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY, HADLEIGH

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS TO BE HELD ON 23 MAY 2026 IN ST MARY’S CHURCH, HADLEIGH

AGENDA

Minutes of the previous Annual Meeting held on 24 May 2025
Election of Churchwardens

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

AGENDA

Apologies
Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held
on 24 May 2025
Matters arising
Presentation and Revision of the Electoral Roll
Presentation of Annual Accounts
Appointment of the Independent Examiner
To receive the Review of the Year 2025 ( page 14 )
To receive 2025 Parish Reports ( page 16 onwards )
Review of Safeguarding Policy
Election of Representatives to the Parochial Church Council
Election of representatives to Deanery Synod
Election of Sidesmen / Welcomers
Approval to offer The Chalice
Any other business (which should be notified to the chairman prior to the start of the meeting)

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL MEETING 2026

AGENDA

1. Minutes of the previous meeting of 24 May 2025

2. Matters arising of an urgent nature only

3. Election of Officers:

i) Secretary

ii) Treasurer

iii) Lay Chairperson

iv) Safeguarding Officer

4. Election of the Standing Committee

5. Any other business - which should be notified to Fr Jo or the Churchwardens by Tuesday 19 May 2026.

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, as Trustees of a registered charity, has legal responsibility for the maintenance of the church buildings and churchyard, and, with the incumbent and churchwardens, 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.

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY, HADLEIGH, 2025

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners held on 24 May 2025 The meeting commenced at 10am with a reading of Nada Te Turbe by Teresa of Avila. The meetings were chaired by the Very Revd Jo Delfgou, Rector.

1 The Minutes of the Meeting of Parishioners held on 25 May 2024. Trish Pitt proposed and Jeff Rudman seconded, that the Minutes be approved, and this was unanimously agreed.
2 Election of Churchwardens:

The following nominations had been received:

Jess Janas: Proposed: Trish Pitt, Seconded: Anne Green

Dee Fleming Ovens: Proposed: Emma Fleming Ovens, Seconded: Jess Janas

There were no other nominations, so both were elected unopposed.

Grateful thanks were offered to Jim Wilding for his long and dedicate service in this role and everyone is delighted that he will still be very active in church matters. A gift to mark his considerable contribution will be given separately.

It was proposed by the Rector that the six-year rule of tenure of Churchwardens be set aside. This was unanimously agreed.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING, 2025

Present:

Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou, Jess Janas, Jim Wilding, John Perry, Jeff Delves, John Cunningham, David & Wendy Atkins, Lynda Kruger, Trish Pitt, Anne & Doris Green, Jo Ellis, Lesley Turner, Ann Smith, Gloria & John Harris, Sheila Webb, Sarah Nicholson, Rosemary Cleaver, Stella Scanlon, Jon Woods, Jeff Rudman, Marylou Delfgou, Dee & Emma Fleming Ovens, Aileen Ker, Olive Martin, John & Maude Parry Williams, Lucinda Salway, Brian Richardson, Gloria Powell, Iris Simkins, Jane Harrison.

Apologies: were received from:

Hilary Ferry, Andy Janas, Jane Baston, Alison Crockett, John & Millie Goulbourn, Glenys Morris

1 Minutes: The minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 26 May 2024 were approved unanimously and signed, their approval proposed by Jon Woods and seconded by John Parry-Williams.

2 Matters Arising: None

3 Presentation of the Electoral Roll: A copy is displayed in church and numbers for 2025 are 99. In 2024, numbers were 126. Further names may be added in the next ten days.

4 Presentation of the Annual Accounts:

Parish Share for 2024 has been paid in full even though we had to use a £15k funds-transfer to accomplish this. Using funds from other sources will not be possible in future and fund raising needs to be undertaken to avoid this situation. Fund raising should be focused on the church’s unrestricted, general account rather than the restricted or designated accounts. As at 31 December 2024 monies held in hand and at the bank were: Unrestricted Fund £6,653, Unrestricted Designated Fund £98,226, Restricted Fund: 32,373, giving a total of £137,252.

Walter Wright accountants had seen and approved the accounts and it was agreed unanimously that we should accept them. Proposed by Jess Janas, seconded by Trish Pitt. John Perry was thanked for all his work during the year.

Ann Smith feels strongly that the worshipping community should “put their hands in their pockets” and contribute more to the fund-raising efforts of the church – particularly to help cover the full amount of the Parish Share where we are paying, inter alia, for our Priest. A number of events have been planned for 2025 to raise such funds and it was requested that if the congregation is unable to actively support these events, then they could support them financially. It should be remembered that the wider Hadleigh community contributes to the upkeep of the building itself, through the Friends of St Mary’s and the PCC’s Renewal Team.

Everyone was reminded that the Parish Giving Scheme was a good thing to join and also, anyone paying income tax should make use of the Gift Aid scheme.

5 Appointment of the Independent Examiner:

It was proposed by John Perry and seconded by Sarah Nicholson that Walter Wright be appointed the independent examiner for 2025. The meeting agreed unanimously. For 2025 Walter Wright’s fees will rise to £690 inc VAT from £504 inc VAT in 2024.

6 Incumbent’s Annual Report:

The Review of the Year appeared on pages 14-15 and was received by the meeting. Jo commented that recurring themes are generosity and welcome. It is hugely apparent from the review that we engage in so many different aspects of worship and the parish’s community life, working alongside each other to show the Kingdom of God. St Mary’s has become a beacon for welcoming so

many people for so many different reasons. Jo warmly thanked all those that contribute to the life of St Mary’s in its diverse and varied ways. He particularly thanked all those whose work goes largely under the radar, or behind the scenes; the Administrator, Emma for her contagious enthusiasm, her ability to “get things done” and for regularly going above and beyond what could be expected; the Churchwardens, Jimmy and Jess and Deputy Churchwardens, Aileen & John.

7 Parish Reports:

The reports appeared on pages 15-31 of the booklet.

Jo ran through each report briefly and thanked all who had contributed and for their hard work throughout the year. The following points were highlighted:

He thanked Stella for having taken on the role of PCC Secretary and for Jess’ support of her. He also pointed out that anyone was welcome to attend the PCC meetings (but could not take part in any voting). People were also welcome to attend Deanery Synod Meetings where they would hear interesting and varied speakers.
Charities supported by the PCC for 2025 are Water Aid and Mind.
The Ministry team, Café Church team, Children and Family’s team and our organist, Jon; our flautist, Marylou and our choir all received grateful thanks as their energy and skills adds hugely to our overall offering. Grateful thanks to Monica Hardy and Andrew Cummins for the care of the Row Chapel, which is owned by the Grand Feoffment.
From the Learning & Growing Group, there is a Quiet Day coming up on 23 August at Shelley, organised by Cris Coe and others. This offers a chance to read, to meditate, to pray, simply to be still. A quiet space in a busy world.
Added to the home group hosted by Trish, there is now another group headed up by Marylou which meets regularly in church. It is hoped other groups will be started.
Everyone was encouraged to come to a Churches Together in Hadleigh meeting to see if they might like to join the team.

8 Review of Safeguarding Policy:

This is required by law to be checked every year. Our policy has been reviewed and remains current best practice. It is 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. Jo thanked Trish for her hard work behind the scenes. Safeguarding training for everyone needs to be kept up to date. Safeguarding representatives are now in place at both St Andew’s Layham and All Saints Shelley and report into Trish.

9 Election of Representatives to the Parochial Church Council:

Jo detailed the list of ex officio, Deanery Synod and elected members. Three PCC nominations have been received: Trish Pitt (proposed by Jess Janas and Sue Monks), Emma Fleming Ovens (proposed by Dee Fleming Ovens, seconded by Jess Janas) and Glenys Morris (proposed by Jess Janas, seconded by Sue Monks). The meeting agreed unanimously to elect them for a period of three years.

Margaret James and Alison Crockett have completed their three-year terms. They were thanked for their commitment and contribution as they stepped down.

Lucinda Salway and John Perry remain on the PCC and Co-Opted members, Jon Woods, Sarah Nicholson and Stella Scanlon also remain. All Lay Readers are automatically ex officio members of the PCC. PCC minutes are available to the public: the latest approved Meeting minutes are displayed in church, 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 continues to exceed £100,000 the church has to be, by law, a registered charity. PCC members are the legal trustees of the charity.

10 Election of representatives to Deanery Synod

Jess Janas and Hilary Ferry remain as representatives to the Deanery Synod without the need for re-election.

11 Election of Sidesmen (Welcomers):

Churchwardens and their deputies are automatically sidesman. The Administrator had prepared the list of current sidesmen, being: Lesley Turner, Cathy Pryke, Jane Baston, Brian Richardson, Gloria Powell, Ann Smith, Emma Fleming Ovens, Dee Fleming Ovens, John Parry Williams (8am) and Aileen Ker (8am) and more are needed, please.

People are needed to be trained to offer the Chalice, following approval by the PCC.

12 Any Other Business:

Jo had hoped John Druce would be present so he could be properly thanked for his long ministry in St Mary’s, the Benefice and the Deanery. John has chosen not to have his Licence to Officiate renewed. A card and gift will be presented to him at tomorrow’s Sunday Service where he will be leading the Intercessions.

A request was made that a full explanation of the Renewal plans be laid out for the congregation. A future date will be arranged.

However, Jo informed the meeting that, following the installation of the new heat/light units and 40 new under-pew heaters in the choir stalls, the old gas heaters have now been removed and the gas system decommissioned and made safe. We are in discussion with EON to remove the gas meter and with other professionals to have the upgrade in power connected and brought into the church. A meeting has been organised with a lighting specialist to discuss appropriate lighting for the aisles and other areas as appropriate because the new units were specifically ordered to cover the Nave. A GeoPhys inspection has taken place of the Nave floor in preparation for putting in a new floor and of the outside area where it is planned to house the new extension. When the report has been received, an archaeological dig will take place inside church. The QI (Quinquennial Inspection) report is still awaited.

Ann Smith offered grateful thanks to Jo, on behalf of the congregation, for all that Jo does for the church family and wider community.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 11.13

Signed………………………………………………………………………

Date…………………………………..

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY, HADLEIGH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE meeting held following the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

on 24 May 2025

Present : Jo Delfgou, Jess Janas, Stella Scanlon, John Perry, Trish Pitt Emma Fleming Ovens, Dee Fleming Ovens, Sarah Nicholson, Lucinda Salway, Aileen Ker, John Parry Williams, Jon Woods

1 Minutes of the meeting of St Mary’s PCC on 25 May 2024, were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting and signed.
2 Matters arising of an urgent nature only : There were no Matters Arising.
3 Election of Officers : The following were unanimously agreed
Secretary – Stella Scanlon. Proposed by Sarah Nicholson, seconded by Trish Pitt
Treasurer - John Perry. Proposed by Jess Janas, seconded by Emma Fleming Ovens
Lay Chair – Dee Fleming Ovens. Proposed by Emma Fleming Ovens, seconded by Trish Pitt
Safeguarding Officer – Trish Pitt. Proposed by Emma Fleming-Ovens, seconded by Sarah Nicholson

Deputy Churchwardens for 8am : Aileen Ker, John Parry Williams

4 Election of Standing Committee : It was unanimously agreed that, as previously, this would comprise the Rector, Churchwardens, Treasurer and PCC Secretary, with Hilary Ferry as an additional PCC representative. This was proposed by Sarah Nicholson, seconded by Dee Fleming Ovens.

5 Any other business :

The Archdeacon’s Visitation for swearing-in of Churchwardens will take place at All Saints Shelley on 17 June at 7pm.

All were asked to let Trish know the expiry dates of their current safeguarding training certificates as all training must be strictly adhered to. Trish will circulate a note on how to complete all training.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 11.26am

Signed: ………………………………………

Date: ……………………..

Next Meeting: 24 July 2025, 4pm. in Church

St. Mary's Church, Hadleigh

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2025

WILL BE AVAILABLE IN CHURCH AT THE APCM

Rector: Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou

Bank: TSB

Independent Examiner:

Walter Wright High Street Hadleigh

Administrative Information - 2025

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: Reader: Rector: Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou Mr Brian Hempstead Curate : Rev’d Dr Glenda Hall

Elders: Mrs Trish Pitt Mrs Marylou Delfgou Mrs Cris Coe Mrs Sarah Nicholson Mrs Alison Crockett

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission no. 1140776.

To re-apply Representatives on the Deanery Synod: @ APCM Mrs Hilary Ferry Elected 2023 for 3 years 2026 Mrs Jess Janas Elected 2023 for 3 years 2026 PCC members are: Rector: Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou Wardens: Mrs Jess Janas Mrs Dee Fleming-Ovens Elected Members: Mrs Lucinda Salway (elected 2023) 2026 Mr John Perry (elected 2024: Treasurer) 2027 Mrs Dineka Fleming-Ovens (elected 2024) 2027 - Co opted Members Mrs Alison Crockett (co-opted 2022) Mrs Trish Pitt (co-opted 2022: Safeguarding) Mrs Stella Scanlon (co-opted 2024: PCC Secretary) Mr Jonathan Woods (co-opted 2024) Mrs Sarah Nicholson (co-opted 2024) - Ex Officio Members Graham Brook Miss Aileen Ker Asst to Churchwardens Mr John Parry-Williams Asst to Churchwardens David Hoyle in attendance (Friends of St Mary’s)

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 annually.

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.

The PCC maintains an overview of worship and suggests ways in which the whole community can feel involved enabling as many as possible to come to St Mary’s and feel welcome, putting into practice our faith through offering service in many ways.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commissioner’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our community through offering worship, prayer, understanding the Gospel and developing their knowledge of the Holy Trinity.

We also offer pastoral care for all people of the parish, whether part of the church family or not, and undertake outreach work. Many community events are run in St Mary’s to encourage people to come into church and, hopefully become more involved and the following Reports give an indication of the reach of our church life. We are a fully inclusive church and welcome everybody without prejudice or judgement. To this end it is important to maintain the fabric of the church and upgrade facilities as required. Adherence to proper training and qualifications is maintained for all aspects of church life.

Church Attendance

There were 99 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll in May 2025. The number for May 2026 will be displayed on the noticeboard before the 2026 APCM. The number was not available in time to include this report.

The average Sunday attendance (for all services) based on typical Sundays throughout 2025 was 69 adults and 4 children.

On Easter Day 2025, 96 adults and 10 children attended services, and there were 86 communicants. The Christmas Crib Service was attended by 191 people. At Midnight Mass 106 attended, and on Christmas Day there were 64 adults and 9 children.

On average 12 people attended the Friday morning Eucharist.

Between January and December 2024 there were 10 baptisms and 2 weddings at St Mary’s. In the same period there were 32 funerals which took place either at St. Mary's Church or at a crematorium. St Mary’s school carol service and St Mary’s own carol service attracted a total (adults and children) of 439. The Civic Remembrance Service attracted c.200 – many army personnel being away. Including all the services recorded in the Register of Services book during 2025, St Mary’s was attended approximately 6,520 times throughout the year but this figure obviously does not include any of the many other events held within the church.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2025

2025 has seen a great deal of hard work and commitment from so many. and, as you look through the reports, please notice all that has been generously given in time and money. We are certainly committed to being an example of the Kingdom of God, both within our Church life and within the community that we serve.

This year has seen us saying farewell to a number of our regular worshippers, whose earthly journey has shaped this church and us individually. We thank God for them.

The graft and vitality that echoes through the work of St Mary’s Church, be it PCC, Friends, Pop-Ups, Renewal and the many other connected and coordinated events. As the year progressed, we enjoyed another fete in the Deanery garden and another incredibly moving Remembrance event. There was a Haunted House concert, orchestras and choral society concerts. We welcomed almost 1000 for our school events, more for our various events, for we have enjoyed a Quiz Night, a Harvest Supper, a “Light and Bright Party” and paused for a Day of Prayer for Peace.

Our Sunday worship has continued to grow in depth and our Cafe Church (with its monthly market) has welcomed so many. FROGS continued to welcome our young people, with a new Y7UP? Which began in early ’25. Thank you to Trish Pitt and Sarah Nicholson, our newly licensed Children and Families Workers. Our Sundays continue to have a regular welcome for the young, for which we particularly thank Cathy Pryke.

The middle of our year was marked by a Confirmation service at St Mary’s Church where candidates were drawn from across the benefice. And merely a week after, our wonderful curate was ordained deacon. We are very thankful for the energy and dynamism of the Rev Dr Glenda Hall. Amongst the many activities that she has brought, we now have a regular chaplain presence at The High School.

The Row Chapel continues to witness to those in the Alms Houses and others. We thank Graham Brook, David Atkins and Glenda for their ministry there, as well as the Grand Feoffment Charity that owns and maintains the building. We also thank Daphne Parsons for her music and Monica Hardy and Andrew Cummings for their care of the people and the chapel. During the year Graham stepped back from his role there and we thank him for all that he has offered over the years.

The Renewal Team, as a subcommittee of the PCC, worked tirelessly to ensure the arrival of the heating and lighting (and the electricity to power it!). We are fortunate to have such a dynamic team focussing on the building’s development and readiness for the future.

At the last APCM, Jim Wilding chose not to be re-elected as Warden, but his love of the building, its witness and its people means he continues to be a strong part of the team. I would especially like to thank our two Church Wardens, Jess Janas and Dee Fleming-Ovens, for all of their hard graft, gentle (and not so gentle) reminders, for guidance and care. Also, our two assistant wardens, John Parry Williams and Aileen Ker, who care primarily for our 8am BCP Holy Communion congregations, but also add many thanks to Aileen for her dogged attention to detail.

We are indebted to our ministry team of readers, elders and others who engage in ministry, both liturgy and pastoral care. There are so many of you to thank, from choir leaders and singers, organists, flautists, pianists, funeral and wedding vergers, brass cleaners, linen washers, deacons and servers, welcome givers and cleaners, readers and intercessors, chef, coffee makers and cake providers, chair stackers and table folders, kind word givers and listening ears, care home visitors and home communion givers. The list goes on and on.

We certainly have a passion for generosity and welcome, for creativity and stability, for looking out and reflecting in (and here I thank Marylou Delfgou for keeping these as a focus).

I would like to thank our administrator, Emma Fleming-Ovens, whose contagious enthusiasm and getting-stuff-done, has enabled and enriched our work here, much of which is unnoticed.

Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou – Rector

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Review 2025

Total receipts on unrestricted funds totalled £116,112, which was a massive increase of £21,014 over the comparable figure for 2024 of £98,098. There were increases totalling £24,086 in planned giving through banker’s standing orders, envelopes, donations and loose plate collections. This was offset by reductions in Income from church activities (i.e. weddings, funerals, cards, magazines votive candles, lettings, cafe church etc.), gift aid, investment income and fund raising of £3,072.

The contribution to the diocesan share that mainly provides the stipends and housing for the clergy totalled £54,165 and was fully paid for the year, which was possible because of the increase in income and higher contributions from both Layham and Shelley PCCs towards the running costs of the benefice office.

Payments on unrestricted funds totalled £116,966, which was an increase of £5,490 over the figure for 2024 of £111,476. Maintenance costs for the year were £5,188 higher, with little change in other headings. Utility costs showed a small decrease of £450.

Given the above, the net result for the year was an excess of payments over receipts of £854, which reduced the balance carried forward at 31[st] December 2025 to £5,799.

The Unrestricted Designated Fund had been created for the income from the sale of the Marieschi painting. The Renewal Committee, having raising funds from pledges and grants for the major renewal project in 2024, completed phase 1 with the installation of the new heating system. Expenditure for the year was £149,529 and income was £65,101, which reduced the balance in hand at 31st December 2025, to £13,798.

Restricted Funds totalled £35,450 at 31[st] December, 2025 and this was an increase of £3,077 over the corresponding figure for 2024.

Reserves Policy

It is the PCC policy to try and maintain a balance on unrestricted funds of at least £5,000 to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. This position is proving increasingly difficult to achieve on an ongoing basis but it was as at 31 December 2025.

It is the policy to invest our fund balances with CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

John Perry, Treasurer

PCC SECRETARY'S REPORT

The PCC has met six times during the year. All meetings were well attended. At the APCM there were three members who had completed their three years of service and they were thanked for their contribution to the PCC. We welcomed three new members which included our newly ordained Curate, Rev’d Dr Glenda Hall. There is a full list of members on page12.

Stella Scanlon, PCC Secretary

CHURCHWARDENS' REPORT

At the APCM we welcomed our new churchwarden, Dee Fleming-Ovens, to work alongside Jess. Jim may have stepped down as CW, but we are delighted to say he still plays a vital role in helping us both with so very many things – we simply cannot do without him !

All the usual (and required) maintenance and servicing has taken place. A lot of tidying up and sorting things out has gone on behind the scenes following guidance from this year’s Quinquennial Inspection. In addition, the northeast wall has been repaired so the area can now relieve some of the storage requirements. We are still trying to outwit the jackdaws who manage to find entry into the tower despite our best efforts. The bell chamber has been repainted and the kitchen has been rewired so all sockets can now be used safely. We now need to sort out a badly leaking sink, a replacement ramp, roof leaks and more …. there’s always something to keep us busy !

Well, we finally got the new heat/light system in place after many frustrating moments and UK Power networks created the required upgrade so we are now basking in a warm (for some, too warm !!) church and learning how best to adjust the heaters for maximum effect and minimum cost (electricity is not cheap!) People have been seen shedding jackets or moving to a different seat

because they were too warm. The old heaters have been removed and the gas decommissioned. We are now looking at our second-phase lighting which will provide sufficient light in the aisles, spotlights where appropriate and aesthetic lighting – e.g. uplighting the rather magnificent pillars and parts of the roof. Needless to say, a faculty will be required so off we go again! This faculty will also cover the requirement for a permanent drop-down screen for use with our state-of-the-art projector. This will greatly benefit a number of events and services not just for the congregation but for the wider community.

The Friends of St Mary’s has been busy securing funds for which we are massively grateful and we were privileged to receive a most generous donation covering most of this project. The two main Friends’ events, Hidden Gardens of Hadleigh in June and the John Bloomfield Lecture in October are both established and successful events which help raise funding alongside generous donations.

In our bid towards net zero carbon, we have changed electricity suppliers for the office in the Deanery Tower to Octopus who provide us with renewable green energy and this is also planned for the church now that the new system is up and running. When this has been achieved, we will apply for the Silver Eco Award for St Mary’s,

Most importantly, we would like to thank you all for your continuing help, your support of us and your welcome encouragement throughout 2025.

Jess Janas and Dee Fleming-Ovens St Mary’s Churchwardens

BENEFICE OFFICE

With the exception of an increase in the use of the office’s printing service (up by 26%), 2025 saw a decline in all other areas. Based on figures from 2024, baptisms dropped by 42% and weddings by 34%. Events bookings decreased by 24% and funerals by 6% (which could be interpreted as a good thing!).

Was it just a slow year for celebrations, or were there other factors affecting the community’s use of our Church? Perhaps we have grown a reputation for being an uncomfortably chilly space in the colder months: something we can now say is untrue. Has a reduced connection between the Church and the wider community developed or has word of mouth simply declined? When someone is searching for a community space, do you tell them all about our amazing building? Do we have low visibility on socials ? Is it the outdated website or

even the pressures of the cost of living? Whatever the reason, I aim to do all I can to improve these figures for 2026 and I know, with certainty, that I have the support of the St Mary’s family.

The coming year will be another opportunity to continue to support the Parish’s ministry and mission, with a focus on clear communications and effective improvements to systems and processes where possible. But of course, many things would not have been achievable without the continued benevolence of all our volunteers, who I appreciate immensely.

Emma Fleming-Ovens, Benefice Administrator

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

There were three Deanery Synod meetings in 2025: 29 March at Hintlesham, 19 June at Lindsey and 6 November at Stoke by Nayland, . Following the APCMs, Synod has welcomed new Lay & Clergy members.

Speaker in March (Hintlesham Church): James Rolls , Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer.

The CofE has set 2030 as its aim to be net zero carbon. This will include decarbonising of energy – electric and gas use in churches and clergy buildings; reduction of carbon emissions in buildings and energy use and removing fossil fuels; through travel, with sustainable transport (not easy in Suffolk!) and encouraging Eco Church awards (Bronze, Silver & Gold). He used St Mary’s Hadleigh as a great example of applying all these measures. He encouraged use of the online EFT (Energy Footprint Tool) in the Annual Parish Return so progress can be tracked. As with residential homes, behavioural change can help: LED lighting, turning lights off, lagging pipes, draught excluders, correct settings on heating timers, over-curtain doors renewable energy tariffs for heating. In time, it is hoped solar panels will become the norm.

Speakers in June (Lindsey church): Shelley Thomas & Alison Baalham , Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

The importance of a good safeguarding culture was made clear. A national safeguarding audit is underway. The team is available Mon-Fri 9am – 8.30pm for advice & guidance. The team deals with all contacts made to them as well as recruitment & training and pre-employment DBS checks etc. There are five national safeguarding standards: Culture, leadership & capacity; prevention;

recognising, assessing & managing risk; victims & survivors; learning, supervision & support. Being part of Growing in God, the courses give you the tools to help the keep yourself and others safe. Courses, monitored by Parish Safeguarding Officers, must be undertaken and updated as required by the Diocese, without exception. Some can be undertaken online but face to face courses are available.

Speaker in November (Stratford St Mary Church) Archdeacon David Jenkins

David, a Presbyterian by birth, was drawn to Anglicanism by the poetry of John Betjeman. He is the longest serving Archdeacon in the country and became Archdeacon of Sudbury in 2009. He ran through how the Diocese is run and how different it was n 2009. It is now a happy, supportive, efficient and collaborative vehicle. Staffing has undergone major changes in the last sixteen years. Bishops Martin and Mike, a good team, have left a solid platform for Bishop Joanne to start work from. The church is right at the heart of most communities, especially with 56 of the 57 foodbanks in Suffolk being churchconnected. A pastoral reorganisation is currently underway of which Hadleigh is a part. He feels that the Rural Deans in this Archdeaconry are outstanding and that the Parish churches are the glue that hold communities together although it is becoming harder to find Churchwardens and Safeguarding officers. David is starting to think about retirement and accepts he will miss what he considers to be “the best job in the Church of England.” He is very optimistic for the future of our Diocese.

Deanery Organiser’s / Treasurer’s Report – Derek Johns

All parishes were encouraged to contribute to their Parish Share on a regular basis. At the end of 2025 100% of the Parish Share has been paid by the Hadleigh Deanery.

Diocesan Synod & General Synod

Diocesan Synod: Details of the Diocesan Synod meetings are available on the Diocesan website. One main topic is the re-instatement of the clergy pension rate back to ¾ from ½ the annual stipend. Housing stock for retired clergy is greatly diminished so they will need to buy a property and will also have to pay for costs formerly borne by the Diocese (some heat/light, water, council tax, some house repairs).

General Synod will be debating a rise in clergy pay, bearing in mind investments which have done far better than hoped, but nothing has trickled down from the top. It is expected there will be greater provision for disabled people in churches – for physical disability, sight impairment, dyslexia etc. The DBF has decided, and Synod agreed, that the Parish Share for 2026 and 2027 should stay the same as set for 2025. The current system for representation of Parishes on deanery Synod was coming to an end and in future each Parish would have two representatives.

General Synod: Finance is a major issue with national spending plans 20262028 of £1.6bn, with an extra £4.7bn over the next nine years. Included in these figures is a 10.7% increase in clergy stipend and an increase in pensions with extra funding for parishes with high deprivation.

Rural Dean’s Notices

In February the Rt Rev’d Bishop Graeme Knowles became Acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich.
Electoral Rolls were revised this year for all parishes.
There were nine confirmations performed on 22 June by Acting Bishop Graeme in St Mary’s Hadleigh from within the Hadleigh Benefice – four adults and five under 16’s.
Glenda Hall (Hadleigh Benefice) & Teresa Lester (Brett Valley Benefice) were licenced as Deacons in the Cathedral on 28 June.
The Rt Rev Dr Joanne Grenfell has been legally confirmed as the new Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in Suffolk. Her confirmation was formalised in a historic service at St Mary-le-Bow in London on 5 September, completing the legal process for her appointment. Bishop Joanne has previously served as Bishop of Stepney in the Diocese of London since 2019 and is currently the Church of England’s national lead on safeguarding.
Clergy agreed that the 2026 Parish Share figures will be calculated on a more equitable basis than has previously been the case. Som benefices will increase and two will be reduced.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Elect is Dame Sarah Mullally, the first woman and 106[th] ABC. She was elected at a centuries-old service in Canterbury Cathedral and will officially take up her post on 28 January 2026 at a Confirmation of Election service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Jess Janas, Deanery Synod Representative

OTHER REPORTS OF PAROCHIAL INTEREST

CHARITABLE GIVING

2025 PCC Nominated Charities: National: MIND £239.54 International: Water Aid £233.80

Other charitable support for specific charities and causes continued throughout 2025 and St Mary’s is proud to have supported, inter alia, the following:

Pop Up meals throughout the year, every other week in term time and every week in school holidays, providing free heat/light, food and drinks along with entertainment, crafts and games for all ages
Suffolk Historic Churches Ride & Stride
FIND food bank – weekly donations, with extra at Harvest
Churches Together in Hadleigh
The Deanery Gardens are used to run a popular and successful forest school by the local primary schools and other local charities have used the gardens either for free, or at a greatly reduced rate.
Charities and some community groups hiring the church for an event receive preferential hire rates.

SAFEGUARDING

At St Mary’s our culture is that the safety and well-being of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, is taken seriously.

As Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) I have undertaken all the relevant training necessary for the post. I work closely with Fr Jo, and others where necessary, to manage any Safeguarding concerns raised. Also, we have the support and guidance of the Diocesan Safeguarding team for which we are extremely grateful.

We are grateful for people at St Mary’s who volunteer for various groups and activities. Thank you for continuing to have firm commitment to a safe culture, one way to show this is a willingness to undertake the appropriate training. All training must be renewed every three years and it is the duty of each individual to ensure that their training is up to date. As PSO I try to ensure that people are reminded before their training runs out and that new volunteers are able access training promptly, either online or face-to-face. I also remind people if they need to renew their DBS certificates and ensure that any new volunteers requiring this are helped to complete the application forms and then check documents.

I report to the PCC at each meeting where Safeguarding is always an agenda item. The Safeguarding Dashboard is a helpful aid in ensuring that we continue to be compliant with the policies and procedures of Safeguarding. I am working

with others to ensure that all the necessary documentation for each group is in place.

I am very pleased that Safeguarding now has its own noticeboard situated near the south-west entrance and recommend that everyone takes a look. This was one of the items I highlighted on my action plan when renewing my Leadership training last year. The posters show that Safeguarding is something that everyone should be aware of and explain who to contact if they have any concerns. The list of training courses is updated as soon as I receive notification of dates from the Diocesan team.

If there is anyone who would like to work alongside me in the role of PSO at St Mary’s I would be delighted to hear from them and I thank everyone who has supported me over the past year, whilst carrying out this very necessary, but sometimes daunting, task.

Trish Pitt, Parish Safeguarding Officer

CAFÉ CHURCH & MONTHLY CRAFT MARKET

I cannot thank our dedicated, wonderful team enough for their reliability, enthusiasm and willingness to go that extra mile. Their flexibility to swap sessions or cover for absences is simply incredible and means we can always give our best to all who visit St Mary’s. Recommendations have spread by word of mouth with new people visiting and our regulars have all enjoyed their varied breakfasts again this year. Our incredible chef, Andy Janas, works tirelessly both as front man and behind the scenes. He does all the planning, shopping and preparing for this as well as baking scones, muffins and cakes for all to enjoy. This has meant our home being visited, examined and certified by Babergh District Council. Grateful thanks too, to Jan Devey for her delicious bread pudding, courtesy of a recipe from her gran. It disappears almost as soon as it is put out ! Special mention, too for our new sous-chef-cum-waiter, Franklyn Nevard who is now a permanent fixture working cheerfully and efficiently alongside Andy and masterfully taking up the reins when Andy is unavailable.

Our monthly Craft Markets are as popular as ever, with new stallholders joining all the time. Many months see a sell-out. Stall holders who come mainly for the fellowship and (in their words) “because they love the atmosphere and it is a great place to catch up with everyone.” Some weeks they do not make any money, but still they come back ! Again this year, grateful thanks are offered to David & Wendy Atkins and Jean Ashbee. David and Wendy raised £454.80 for

St Mary’s and Jean has raised a fabulous £615.84 – over £100 more than last year.

We also encourage “community service” tables at no charge, so visitors can receive free advice. We regularly have Hadleigh Town Council, Hadleigh Care Homes, Sudbury Citizen’s Advice and the Police (PC Niall Johnson)

With profit from the Café Church donations and the income from the Craft stalls and donations, we were able to give our Treasurer £8,534 plus, £314.50 taken on Sum Up (less charges of c. 1%) from August. So, we only just missed last year’s result, but all retail prices have gone up by quite a considerable amount. We look forward to seeing everyone and serving you all in 2026.

Jess Janas, Café Church and Craft Market Organiser

CHILDRENS’ & FAMILIES MINISTRY

Frogs continues to be a major part of our outreach on a Friday afternoon after school. Although the lack of numbers is concerning, we have built up some great relationships with the children who attend. The availability of a noticeboard at the back of church has meant we can showcase our activities. This has included a display on the Armour of God and some Christmas messages. We also made Easter and Christmas cards for the care homes in Hadleigh from everyone in St Mary’s.

The Y7UP? group for the older girls has been running for just over a year. We still try to do different activities from what Frogs are doing, where possible, but with erratic numbers and so few helpers, this is not always possible. Our greatest achievement was sewing a new advent altar cloth for St Mary’s Primary School to use for their collective worship. We hope to complete some more of the liturgical colours next year.

The groups wouldn’t be able to function without the help of Brian, who provides musical accompaniment for our singing, and Cathy who also continues to organise children’s activities most Sundays as well. More helpers in all these endeavours would be welcomed.

There seemed to be little interest for a holiday club so we cancelled our plans. The Narnia-inspired notes Sarah prepared will be recycled for Frogs before Easter 2026.

The area of our ministry that continues to flourish is the Pop-up where we provide the children’s activities. Craft is a key part of every session. As with Frogs we are building some great relationships with the children who return to us with huge smiles on their faces. If we have been into school with the

Storytellers team, this gives us an opportunity to discuss the story of the week. We have also been blessed with new helpers, some youngsters from the High School doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Hadleigh Storytellers team is still a very important part of our ecumenical outreach. Stories this year have included stories about Elijah, David, and Zaccheaus, as well as some stories Jesus told. We have performed some stories to the residents of Sydney Brown Court, as part of their regular monthly communion service, which has been very well received - particularly the Christmas story.

Sarah Nicholson & Trish Pitt Licensed Lay Children’s & Families Ministers

- SILENT PRAYER MEDITATION

These meditative meetings have continued throughout the year at St Mary’s every Tuesday at 4.30pm for half-an-hour. They start with music and, after 25 minutes of silence, end with music. We are now in our 12th year of meeting. We usually number 6-7 people, who come from a variety of churches in Hadleigh or just from a wish to be at peace.

We would welcome more! Why not give silence a try and the peace that it can bring. There are books on Silent Prayer that can assist in understanding how to practice it which are available. If you would like to know about them, please contact me.

John Parry-Williams

HOME GROUP

The Late Rev’d Joyce Willis started this group in about 2018 and it expanded until we filled every available space in her living room. It has continued meeting fortnightly since her death in 2022, in various people’s houses but of late, largely at Trish’s.

By the beginning of 2025 we ended a study of the first half of St John’s gospel following the commentary by Tom Wright in his ‘John for Everyone’ (chaps. 1- 10). We shared presenting the successive chapters and discussing them.

To make a change from New Testament biblical study, we then chose to look at the major prophets in the Old Testament using EW Heaton’s ‘A short introduction to the Old Testament Prophets’. We also watched some trendy TV features on certain of the prophets, which was amusing as well as informative. We have also discussed parts of ‘I, Julian’, a fictional autobiography on Julian of Norwich by Claire Gilbert. In addition, we had some one-off’s, such as a Reith lecture on Evil by Gwen Adshead, poems by George Herbert and a viewing of the film ‘Conclave’.

It’s been an exhilarating year. However, members Cris and David Coe have moved on to be part of a new group in Shelley and others have retired.

John Parry-Williams, on behalf of the Home Group

RENEWAL TEAM

The Renewal Team was set up a many years ago to oversee renewal plans for the church and has gone through many incarnations. It now has loyal and dedicated members of the wider community alongside church members and its own sub-group of fund-raisers. It reports into the PCC who receives reports of all meetings

Heating & Lighting

The focus for the Renewal Team for 2025 has been to find an effective way to adequately heat and light the Church and pay for the new installations. This has involved:-

Researching the companies producing appropriate units.
Researching companies specialising in lighting, both functional and atmospheric, for the aisles.
Obtaining quotes and deciding which company will take on the work.
Investigating all that is needed for decommissioning & disconnecting the gas heaters and upgrading the power supply for the new units.
Viewing and sharing information with other Churches where the units are in use.
Obtaining a Faculty to enable the work to proceed.
Exploring all possible funding sources to finance the projects including our vitally needed private donors.
Where possible, making sure the wider community is given a progress report on all the above.

Despite occasional setbacks with the power upgraders - mostly trying to determine who does what - the work was completed in November, enabling the new units to be successfully installed and now enjoyed by all who visit the Church. The fund-raising group took on the task of raising the necessary funds. They have approached several large funding bodies, councilors and private individuals, all of whom have made a contribution, as did the “Last Night at the Proms” evening. This has enabled the group to meet its present financial obligations and still have a small amount of funding in hand for the next phase. Further fund raising has already begun for this.

In addition to the upgrading of the heating and lighting arrangements, a Ground Penetrating Radar survey has taken place inside the church prior to a

preliminary archaeological dig. Mindful of financial resources further investigations are on hold until necessary. The next phase of renewal is under discussion.

Planned extension to the Church: Exceptionally large grants are available from the Heritage Lottery Fund but as the application is so complex it has been decided to hire professionals to deal with this. A company has been chosen to take this forward and the Renewal Team await the outcome of initial efforts. We are supporting all grant applications with feedback via a survey, requested from anyone who worships or visits the Church.

The Renewal Team has its own column in the monthly Hadleigh Community News, giving worshipers and the wider community a monthly progress report on activities. This is vital if the townsfolk are to engage with the ambitious aspirations for the Church’s continued future as a place of worship and a vibrant community asset.

Jan Devey

LEARNING & GROWING

After meeting in early January 2025, the Learning and Growing group took a brief hiatus. The Lent course and night prayer were organised by Jo without the group.

In the summer John Parry-Williams, Cris Coe, Marylou Delfgou and Glenda Hall organised a quiet day at All Saints’ Shelley. This took place on 23[rd] August. The theme of this day was ‘Close to God’, with a focus on listening to God in the silence. Around 20 people attended, enjoying the peace of the church, the churchyard and the surrounding countryside.

The full Learning and Growing group reconvened in late August. It was decided to hold quiet mornings for Advent, Lent and Pentecost and another quiet day during summer 2026. The quiet morning, ‘Be Still for Advent,’ took place on Saturday 29[th] November at All Saints’ Shelley. This was followed by a service night prayer every Friday during Advent, which moved around the three churches of the Benefice. The quiet morning and the services of night prayer each centred around a reflection on one of the titles of Jesus given by Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful Counsellor (John Parry-Williams), Mighty God (Jonathan Gibbs), Everlasting Father (Cris Coe), Prince of Peace (Marylou Delfgou).

Diana Gibbs decided to leave the group this year. We thank Diana for all she has contributed and will miss her ideas and her organisational skills that have kept us on track!

Rev’d Dr Glenda Hall, for the Learning & Growing Group

- POP UP MEALS

The Pop-Up is a community project under the auspices of St Mary’s PCC.

In 2025, because of ongoing concern as a church about food poverty, economic challenges, soaring energy costs, and social isolation, we have continued with our twice-monthly term-time pop-ups. These begin at 2:30pm welcoming all comers and from 3:30pm are specifically for children and their carers. We continue to offer a shorter 12noon to 2pm Wednesday lunch-time Pop-Up in school holidays.

From January – December 2025 we held 28 Pop-Ups and a Christmas Party. Attendance ranged from 55 – 148 people per session, with an average of 97 people, about half of whom were children. The age range was from babies to over 90 years old. We welcomed adults, children with their parents, carers or grandparents, local military families, Ukrainian refugees, anyone who wanted a cup of tea, some food or a chat and, of course, a warm welcome. All the food, drink and activities are free.

We have received generous financial donations from St Mary’s church members, as well as financial support from other interested parties. Sometimes attendees donate money but we never ask for money as we do not want people to feel they have to pay to come.

Our wonderful volunteers are from St Mary’s, St Andrew’s, All Saints, St Joseph’s and the URC, as well as from the wider community, including volunteers from Hadleigh High School. We have up to 20 volunteers each session.

Anecdotal evidence gathered from Pop-Up attendees is that this community support is valued and needed. It helps alleviate social isolation, fosters a sense of community and helps some people financially with the practical provision of food and refreshment. People return session by session and report that they appreciate the welcome, food and the safe space to meet and talk. The children flock to participate in the craft activities co-ordinated by Sarah Nicholson and Trish Pitt, and they also enjoy playing games and having fun in a large space. It is noisy and lively. Children who may not come to Church services, nevertheless describe the Pop -Up as “Church”. The Church building is used as a community space and our aim is to be generous and welcoming to all those who come through our doors.

Our motivation is to respond to human need by loving service and to welcome and offer unconditional support to all those who attend. This, we believe, is a way of showing God’s love.

Whilst we would want to thank the many regular and occasional volunteers for their hard work, generosity and amazing capacity to welcome, above all our thanks and appreciation is offered to Marylou Delfgou for her tireless encouragement and ability to care for those who arrive, stay and return.

Jo Delfgou

EVENTS REPORT

Wow, what a year for the Events Team at St Mary’s! Having only come together in April 2025, the Events Team managed to successfully organise and execute six events throughout the year, including our first Deanery Fete, supporting the fundraising efforts to reach over £5000!

I have no shame in admitting we were quite unprepared for how stressful organising some of the larger events would be. However, our Church family is blessed with an abundance of generous people, giving their time and gifts towards building a loving and compassionate community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single individual who helped in any way to support the quiz night, the Deanery fete, the boot sale, the harvest supper and the Light and Bright party.

Our aim for 2026 is to not only provide a wider variety of events, but to repeat last year’s and make them bigger and better. But to consider ourselves successful, we must strive to improve on the feeling of inclusivity, making everyone feel welcomed and supported and we will do this by remaining community focused, grace-filled and led by our faith.

We always have room for more like-minded people, and so if anyone would like to join the team, please do come and have a chat!

Emma Fleming Ovens – Events Team

MUSIC AT ST MARY’S

We are very blessed to have the excellent talent of Jon Woods as our regular organist. Not only has he generously not asked for any remuneration for leading our Sunday (and other) worship, but plays with a gentle touch that lifts our singing. We are fortunate, too, to have the skills of Sandra Brook, who will step in when necessary and we thank her for her generosity too. Alongside our organ and piano, we have Marylou Delfgou’s flute playing to lead us through the melodies and assist as a solo musician at some services. Jon has also assumed responsibility for the cover of funerals and weddings and we are fortunate to have an organ that visiting organists seem to enjoy. This is regularly checked and repaired as necessary.

2025 saw a string of monthly free recitals that drew in a variety of players and were appreciated. All collections were split between St Mary’s Church funds and our designated charity.

Likewise, the church is seen as an excellent venue for music. We regularly welcome the Hadleigh Choral Society and the Hadleigh Orchestra, as well as the Suffolk Villages Festival and recently Lumos. As well as the moving Remembrance Event and enticing Halloween show, the pinnacle of musical extravaganza was the Last Night of the Proms.

Our choir, though small in number, has led us well and has helped us focus during the distribution of the Elements. Many thanks to them for their dedication and creativity, not least at our Carol Service.

Jo Delfgou

BELLRINGERS’ TOWER REPORT

Sunday service ringing has continued throughout the year with again excellent numbers and we regularly have more ringers turning up than bells available (8). As before, this has meant that we have had two shorter rings so that all those attending are able to ring. We are very fortunate to be so well supported and are the envy of most other towers locally. This is a repeat of my opening statement from the 2024 report, but is worthy of repetition as we are so fortunate to currently be in this happy position.

Bellringing practice on a Wednesday is also well attended and is a combined event with the ringers from Boxford and alternates weekly between Hadleigh and Edwardstone in the summer and Hadleigh and Boxford in the winter.

During the year, our newer ringers have established themselves as members of the band and continue to improve their skills both at practice evenings and during Sunday service ringing. I have now attended the second level ART (Association of Ringing Teachers) training course which has increased our strength in this area. Despite our current buoyancy, none of us are getting any younger so we are not sitting back but are planning a recruitment campaign in 2026 to get more people learning to ring. We plan to have poster campaigns as well as social media adverts as we would like to reduce the age demographic of the ringers.

Our effort to support and develop the re-establishment of bell ringing at Hintlesham continues. Our ringer Yvonne Mowles is now established as Tower Captain and continues to run monthly practices on the first Friday of the month. She has three new learners in the pipeline with another couple wanting to start in January. Our hope for 2026 is that she can have a band of six Hintlesham based ringers all ringing together by the end of 2026.

Our Christmas meal in January this year moved to a very nice room in the reopened Boxford Fleece and as always was well attended with 26 ringers and

partners in attendance.

Our great success in 2025 was the annual striking contest for the SW district of the Suffolk Guild of ringers. The event was held at Polstead this year and comprised two categories – call changes (for all levels of ringer) and change ringing (for the more accomplished). We entered a call change team who finished down the field but were chuffed that our change ringing team held off all-comers and won a very nice shield which we now hold for a year. The team was led by Richard Finch who is still very happy to tell everyone all about his success whenever asked!

We held our annual bellringing tour in September this year and as usual took advantage of the Hadleigh Community minibus for our transport. We shared the event with other local towers and approximately 24 ringers came along for the day. The towers we visited were: Rayne, Braintree, Bocking, Earls Colne and Great Tey with lunch at The Retreat in Bocking.

As the year progressed, we practiced carols on our handbells and played for two Café Church events in church just before Christmas. We were also asked to play the handbells at a private function near Bures which, as well as being most enjoyable, resulted in a nice donation to the bell fund. We also went and played at Waterfield House care home and, as in previous years, the reaction to the bells was enthusiastic which made it all very worthwhile.

We finished the year with a busy period of Christmas ringing in the tower and, as always, were well supported by the ringers (our thanks to Jo for the contributions on New Year’s Eve!).

Kevin Ward, Tower Captain

MOTHERS’ UNION

Mothers’ Union is a worldwide Christian mission organisation open to all, whether male, female, single, married or partnered and their mission is to support families worldwide, especially through times of adversity, aided by subscriptions, fundraising and charitable donations from its members, of which St Mary’s branch donated £374.55 during 2025.

St Mary’s Mothers’ Union continued to flourish during 2025, meeting at 2.00 pm on the 3[rd] Wednesday of the month in the Baptist Church Hall, with a membership of twenty-six including four indoor members: one of the largest groups in Suffolk. Sadly, we lost one loyal indoor member shortly before her 100[th] birthday during 2025, namely Christine Law.

We have a varied and interesting programme of worship, speakers, activities and outings, whilst supporting one another in friendship and prayer. Our 2025 programme included: AGM with two members also telling us about their Rhine

Cruise; Lisa Matthews from HEAT on Energy Efficiency; Glenda Hall on her Journey Towards Ordination; Jackie Sephton on an Easter Theme, Jimmy Wilding on My Life and Times, Lucinda Salway on Osteopathy, Wave of Prayer service led by Janice White, Outing for Afternoon Tea, Trish Pitt and Sarah Nicholson on Children and Family Ministry, Jeanette Appleton our Diocesan President, and a Christmas Party with Quiz.

Why not check out our noticeboard at the back of St Mary’s church, where you will find a copy of our 2026 MU Programme, which includes an excellent variety of interesting speakers. You will be very welcome to join us at any of our meetings when you will receive a warm welcome and might feel encouraged to join us as a member. Alternatively, you can become a Friend of Mothers’ Union.

Rosemary Cleaver, MU Secretary St Mary’s Hadleigh

ROW CHAPEL

The year started with the usual pattern of services - Holy Communion on the first Tuesday of each month then Matins for the other Tuesdays, led by me except for holidays etc. Easter was, of course, celebrated, but as time progressed I began to have doubts - having been involved in planning and leading worship for over ten years I began to wonder if I was getting stale, losing the edge and saying the same things, as is sometimes the case with those who have been leading worship at the same place for a number of years. So, I made the decision that I would retire from leading worship at the Row Chapel at the end of 2025. Following some changes, I then decided to bring forward my finishing date to the end of October and announced this at the Harvest Festival. My last service was at the end of October and I was pleased and touched to receive a gift and a thank you card from the Grand Feoffment Committee in recognition of my years of service.

Worship continues at the Row, but now with others at the helm.

Graham Brook

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HADLEIGH (CTiH)

Churches together is made up from representatives from the Salvation Army, who also kindly let us use their Hall for the meetings, the Church of England (St Mary’s Hadleigh and St Andrew’s, Layham) the URC, Hadleigh’s Roman Catholic church (St Joseph’s) and the Methodists. We also welcome all other traditions and are hopeful of informally welcoming the Baptists.

We meet every two months and the meeting is chaired, voluntarily, by rotation. The standard Agenda items cover Praying the Roads of Hadleigh (which are reproduced in the Hadleigh Community News each month), Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christian Aid Week, Lent course, our Care Homes and Hadleigh

Storytellers. Other items are discussed as the need arises e.g. Good Friday’s Walk of Witness and any items of interest happening in the churches including a united presence at the Hadleigh Show.

The bank balance hovers around the £2k mark with virtually no call on funds. If anyone would like to consider joining the team, you would be most welcome to come along to a meeting to see if you would like to join us.

Jess Janas Secretary to Churches Together in Hadleigh

HADLEIGH RANGERS, GUIDES, BROWNIES and RAINBOWS All our Units are flourishing at the moment with girls and Leaders.

A big year for Hadleigh Rainbows! They celebrated 35 years of Rainbows in Hadleigh. They heard memories from previous Leaders and Rainbows, had a party, and were really supported by the community through their cake sale, which even made the front page of the Community News! Their brilliant volunteers pulled off some lovely activities for the Rainbows, including a festival, putting up tents, a walk which included a stop at the chip shop, and a visit to Banham Zoo with 3,000 other Girlguiding members. They also visited two care homes—Silver Springs and Hadleigh Nursing Home—and thoroughly enjoyed making new friends. We were lucky enough to have the stars we made with Hadleigh Nursing Home displayed in the URC over Christmas. Congratulations to Vicki Keeble for completing her leadership training. She is now a fully qualified Leader and a valuable member of our team in Hadleigh.

The two Brownie units have had a busy year. A visit from a guide dog and its owner was one of their highlights, and they too went to Banham Zoo. They also enjoyed a fantastic Pack Holiday at Stoke Ash, themed Alice in Wonderland. Vickie, our Rainbow Leader, joined us and can’t wait to come again next year. Four Brownies from 4th Hadleigh gained their Gold Award, and one of them also achieved a Special Platinum Award after completing every badge available to her as a Brownie—well done, Evie!

4[th] Hadleigh Brownies: - VE Day celebrations were marked with a variety of engaging activities, such as a history scavenger quiz, cooking, den building, and singing songs sausages together.

Barn Owl Ebonie Carter became Barn Owl Ebonie Sewell in November. The Brownies enjoyed seeing photos of her wedding, sharing some wedding cake, and receiving a wedding favour from her on the Wednesday after the wonderful day. The original plan was for Ebonie and her husband to visit in their wedding attire, but the awful weather got the better of that plan!

The Guides have enjoyed a busy and varied year. They took part in all the usual activities, as well as visiting Banham Zoo and going to the Spinney to enjoy

open-fire cooking. The younger Guides had an adventure weekend at Hautbois, as they were not yet old enough to go to the Chalet. They had a great time and wished they could have stayed longer!

One of our Guides, Fraya, decided she would like to complete her Camp Permit. This involved planning and running a weekend camp with three other Guides taking part. A great deal of work went into preparing for the event, which was a real success, and Fraya was presented with her Camp Permit Licence in December by the County Commissioner. Thank you to the Dean for allowing the use of the bottom of the Deanery Garden for the camp.

Well done to all our older Guides, who have moved on to Rangers, for completing their Gold Award.

The Rangers also had a fun year, despite having to fit in revision for their exams. They managed to complete their Gold Award before finishing their Guiding journey in December, apart from one Ranger who is continuing on to complete her Young Leader qualification and, hopefully, her Leadership qualification when she is old enough, with Hadleigh Rangers.

An amazing experience, highlight of the year, was had by the Guides and Rangers who went on an international expedition to The Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland—the first World Centre for Girlguiding. They rose to the challenges of high ropes, zip wiring high over a river, and walking across a suspension bridge which, although very wobbly, was perfectly safe! Hiking, a boat trip, and visiting an amazing castle were also enjoyed by all. On their free day, they rode a mountain coaster with lots of twists and turns, then hiked to a nearby lake where they enjoyed lunch and a lovely paddle. Every evening, activities were organised by the Chalet staff, and by taking part the girls and Leaders gained their Chalet Challenge badge—although on some evenings the activities were far too long! On the final night, the Guides and Rangers were presented with their Gold Awards. Well done to them all—what a fantastic backdrop of Swiss mountains in which to receive such a special award. Congratulations to the girls, and to the Leaders, for all the work they put into making this opportunity possible. The girls really interacted with other participants from Canada, Hong Kong, and Yorkshire, and some are still in contact with them.

Thank you to all members of the Church community and the people of Hadleigh for supporting our quiz night. We made an amazing profit of over £1,400, which greatly helped towards the cost of the trip. One of our Leaders, Sarah Hargin completed her International Licence – a lot of work and time went into this qualification – hopefully she will use it in another international trip one day.

We had a District Thinking Day with all the Units taking part (the joint birthday of Lord and Lady Baden Powell 22[nd] February) at the Ansell Centre celebrated with activities inspired by Aboriginal art, including the creation of a collaborative

emblem. Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides took part in hands-on activities such as making fruit kebabs, chocolate truffles, and decorated boxes.

Thank you to all the parents who have supported us throughout the year by helping at meetings when needed and transporting girls to various activities. This support is greatly appreciated by the Leaders.

Well done to all the Leaders for going the extra mile to make Guiding safe, fun, and enjoyable for the girls over the past year—especially those who gave up some of their holiday to take the girls to The Chalet.

The activities, challenges, and awards the girls have achieved are something to be very proud of. We are so lucky to have such a fantastic group of young people.

Gloria Powell - District Commissioner, Hadleigh Girl-Guiding

CARD SALES

The display of greeting cards aims to provide a welcoming feature in the church, as well as being a useful resource for the congregation and visitors. There is a good variety of reasonably priced cards, including Caroline's popular cross stitched initial cards.

A cash profit of £400 was made, plus additional payments via the card reader which cannot be identified from general donations.

Jane Baston & Jane Harrison

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Hadleigh, IP7 5DT Registered Charity No: 1140776 www.stmaryshadleigh.co.uk

Rector: The Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou delfgou@live.net 01473 822 218

Curate: Rev’d Dr Glenda Hall glendahall@ymail.com 07966 421 590 Administrator: Mrs Emma Fleming-Ovens office@stmaryshadleigh.co.uk 01473 824 987 Office open 10am-12noon Tuesday – Thursday

Churchwardens: Mrs Jessica Janas

jessicanevard@btinternet.com 07873 484 252

Mrs Dee Fleming-Ovens dineka90@aol.com 07856 499 666

For ways to donate, to offer voluntary support, or for any enquiries, please speak with Emma or the Churchwardens.

Friends of St Mary’s –

(ino St Mary’s Hadleigh Church Trust) Registered Charity No: 289784 - www.fosm hadleigh.co.uk

The Friends of St Mary’s raises funds for works to the fabric of the church and supports the preservation of the architectural heritage of this beautiful building.

For further details and information on how to join, speak with either Gordon or David, or go to the website.

Chairman: Mr Gordon McLeod - gordon_mcleod@yahoo.com Treasurer: Mr David Hoyle - davidhoyle1967@gmail.com

MARY'S CHURCH HA El RECEIPTS & PAYMENTSACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED31 DECEMBER 2025 Unrestricted Fund5 Unrestrlded Desl nated Restricted Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Notes Fund Rec•1 Voluntary Planned Gwing Collections @ 5ervi¢es All other voluntary Gift Aid SUtOtal Fund Raislng Investment income Church Activities 45,890 5,791 28,524 11.475 91,680 5,264 91 19,070 138 1.977 3.200 51 5,366 46,028 7.768 94,010 11.781 159,587 5.264 3,915 19,029 42,747 5,489 130.844 22,582 201.662 12,478 3,394 21.199 62,286 255 62,541 3131 31bl Generating Fund5 Investments ChLtr¢h Activitles Other Receipts Tota5 Re5Pts 2,560 1.263 1411 31cl 31dl 116,112 65.101 6.588 187.801 238,733 Pa ments urch actlvities Parish Shafe Clergy & Staffing Church Runnlng Exp5 Mission Giving & Donations SuErtotal Cost of Generating Funds Governan¢è costs All Other 155,4951 120,1471 135,1321 14181 1111,1921 18321 15041 14,4381 1116,9661 155,4951 120,1751 1185.7171 12,8451 1264,2321 18321 15041 14,4381 1270,0061 154,1651 123,9661 1119,5961 19,1531 1206,8801 13,0401 17SS1 1751 1210,7501 41al 41bl 1281 11,0561 12,4271 13,5111 1149.5291 1149.5291 31bl 41cl 41dl Totsl Pjyments 1149.5291 13.5111 Excess of Recei ts over Pa Transfer between funds Cash at bank & In hand l Janua ents 18541 184,4281 3.077 182,2051 27,983 6,653 98.226 32.373 137,252 109,270 Cash at bank & in hand 31 December 5,799 13,798 35.450 55,048 137,252

ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 ststement of Total Assets and Llabilitles as at 31 December 2025 2025 CurrentAss•ts Bank Currert A¢¢ounV knstani Attess- Genernl General fund General fund Unrestricted Deslgnated 5.798.71 13.797.80 6,653.07 98.226.19 Bank CurrentAc¢ourfllnstanl A$5 - Fabrlc General Pop Vp Lunches FROGS Restiicted Restrlcted Restrirted 34,324.94 962.72 162.94 35,450.60 31.873.18 32.373.18 Total Icash Fd$) 55.047.11 137.252A4 Other Asse*s CollertTon5 not banked at year-end Gift Aid recoverable Unrestrficted Unrestrirted I,og6.$4 5.967.69 7.064.53 934.54 5,807.45 6,741.99 vestment A%ets 1222 Shares In'The Harokl Grlmwade Bequèst, CBF Investment Fund Restrlcted 27.126.32 28.255.94 Liabllkles loan for purchase of souvenlr8ochJs Trade Credttor5 Accrual for examlnolon fee Unrestrxted Unrestricted UnrèstrFrted 900.C(I 8554.32 504.CLI 9,958.32 7,659.12 9,249.12

ARY'S CHUR HADLEI The movements in restrirted funds during the yearwere.. 8alb Transfer Bal¢ fwd Fabric General Pop Up Lunches FROGS 31,873.18 4,446.65 2,141.54 11,994.891 11.178.821 1337.061 13,510.771 34,324.94 962.72 162.94 35,450.60 5(K).00 32,373.18 6,588.19

ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Notes l The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using Receipts and Payments basis. The PCC holds a number ol a55ets which have been purchased over the years. The purchase date and the cost values are unknown. These include.. Deanery office- furniture & equipment Cafe church and Pop-up lunches- catering equipment including crotkery Painting by Maggie Hambling Church tables, cupboards and seating CCTV PA and Hearing Loop 5y5tem Safety gates and display cabinet in Sacristy Panasonic Projector RECEIPTS Unrestrlrted Funds Desi Pa ated Funds ents Recei Restrlrted Funds TOTAL 2025 TOTAI 2024 31al Voluntary Receipts Planned Givin8: Gift Aid Donations Tax Recoverable Other 41,723 11,475 4,167 5,791 797 27,727 138 51 41,861 11,781 4,167 7,768 39,102 54,908 42,746 22,582 255 Collections Grants Donations Legacies 1,977 6,602 41,888 69.201 18,643 201,662 38,305 23,981 3.200 91,680 62,541 5,366 159,587

ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH 31bl Fund Raising Quiz Nights Deanery Fete Raffle Boot Sale Harvest Supper General advertlsing Teddies from Tower Other 2024 events 1211 17581 1331 806 3,463 427 207 336 785 2,705 394 207 336 1201 25 2,774 1201 11,6541 25 8,319 9,439 18321 5,264 4,432 Unrestricted Funds Pa ents Recel ts Desi nated Funds Pa ments Recei Restricted Funds TOTAL 202 TOTAL 2024 31cl Church Activities Wedding/ Funeral fees Cards / Social area Lettings Total 4,277 11,334 3,459 19,070 4,277 11,293 3,459 19,029 4,256 11,053 5,890 21,199 141} 1411 3{dl Other Recelpts- Total 4 P 41al Clergy & Staffing Clergy expenses Benefice office expenses 11,6491 118,4981 120,1471 11,6491 12.4951 118,5261 121,4711 120,1751 123,9661 1281 1281

ST MARY'S CHURCH HADLEIGH 41bl Church Running Expenses Education Insurance Maintenance Cleaning Upkeep of seNi¢es Organ/Grand Piano Utilities Other 12161 18,5331 112,4551 11,4061 12,6201 11,761} 18.1161 {251 135.1321 13001 1516} 167GI {8,5331 18,2881 1161,9841 197,8981 11,4061 11,1421 12,6201 {2,5601 12.5171 14731 18.1161 18,5661 1251 185,7171 1119,5971 1149,5291 17561 1149,5291 11,0561 41cl Governance Costs Independent Examination Fee Deanery Synod levy Bank charges 15041 15041 14801 12751 17551 15041 15041 Unrestrirted Funds Pa Desl nated Funds Pa ments Recei Restrirted Funds Pa TOT 20 OTAL 2024 4Idl Other Other 14.4381 14.4381 14,4381 14,4381 1751 1751 Approved by the PCC at its meeting on 19 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by The Very Rev'd Jonathan Delfgou I PCC Chairman) and Jessica Janas IChurchwarden} The Very Rev'd Jonathan Delfgou Jessica Janas- Churchwarden

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