## **ALL SAINTS, DULVERTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023** 

## **Aims and Purposes of All Saints Dulverton Parochial Church Council (PCC)** 

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. 

The members of the PCC are also trustees of the Gardiner Trust which includes No. 1 Church Walk. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the fabric of the church building, insurance, church finances and No. 3 Church Lane. The PCC is also a registered Charity with the number 1142934 and a Charity Commission report and annual return is made yearly by the Warden. 

The PCC, working with the people of Dulverton including the Dulverton Town Council (DTC), are determined to keep a church presence and facility in this historic town. The church is in the centre of the community and provides services of marriage, baptism and funerals to every member of the community who wish it. We welcome community involvement in our church. 

## **Objectves and Actvites** 

The PCC has been committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at or with our church and when planning our activities for the year the Rector and PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance to charities for the advancement of religion. We endeavour to enable people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: 

- Worship and prayer; preaching the gospel in words and deeds through a variety of services. 

- Offering pastoral care for people living in the parish through the Ministry Team and other pastoral support workers. 

- Providing a warm welcome for the people of the town and visitors when possible. 

- Offering facilities accessible to all including accessible e-services and outside altar. 

- Providing help, support and guidance to anyone within our parish at the key milestones of life through the occasional offices of baptisms, marriages and funerals. 

- Working in and with our community with other Christian and charitable organisations to the benefit of our community (Dulverton Foodbank, The Dulverton Schools and the Exmoor Youth project in particular). 

- Supporting our Church School and education and provision for young people in our community. 

## **Rector’s Report 2023** 

It has been a tumultuous year with so many changes. 

In January we said goodbye to Martin and Sandra who after over a decade of leadership and help to the Parish and Benefice moved to Colehill on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset. A lovely farewell party was held for them on January 29[th] in All Saints. They were presented with gifts and a beautiful speech by Steve Ford. We wished the safe journeys, and they are now settled into their new home. 

On the 28[th] January, our beloved and long standing Reader, Jane Rees, died and passed into glory. Her subsequent funeral in Brompton Regis was, beautiful, poignant and appropriately funny. Over the year, we have frequently been reminded of her amazing talents, faith and humour, and she is deeply missed. We also lost the skills, the joy and the wisdom of Jenny Boyce at this time. Jenny was an absolute stalwart of the Flower Guild, the Gardening Club, the Bees and so much more. Her sudden death was a shock to many of us, and she too is deeply missed and mourned. 



On a much more joyous note, on the 6[th] May we celebrated, with the Nation, the coronation of our King, Charles III. A dignified and packed All Saints offered thanks to God for his accession to the Throne. The Bells rang out and the flag was raised and lowered and we began to get used to singing God save the King. 

On the 25[th] June, after many years serving as a Reader, and three years training for the priesthood, The Revd Mary Louise Southgate was ordained as a Deacon in Wells Cathedral. It was lovely to see so many people attend this service and to support and to celebrate Louise’s love and ministry. God willing, she will be priested at Wells next year and will serve a further two years of her ministry with and amongst us. It is wonderful for me to have an ordained colleague again, and the first six months of her training and formation have flown past. 

Over the course of this year the worship has further evolved and developed much due to the wonderful lay worship leaders offering and taking services on a Sunday. A regular pattern of services has been established, and seems to be working well to the glory of God. We continue to be blessed by Mr Gary Cooper as our Director of Music and resident organist, and by the singing of our talented and wonderful choir who together lead us so skilfully in hymnody and song throughout the year. The bells also continue to beautifully sing out over the town, and the numbers of ringers have grown over the year. A huge debt of thanks is owed to Anne Markwick, our Tower Captain for all of her work, enthusiasms and skills. The flowers in the Church have been magnificent and a huge thanks to Tina and all the kind and so skilled volunteers who create the wonderful displays and arrangements which do so much to enhance our worship and praise to God in this beautiful place. 

A regular monthly communion continues to take place at Hanover House for those members of our community who wish to receive a blessing or the sacrament, and to catch up with news from All Saints. Numbers vary but we are usually just in double figures, which is wonderful. In addition, home communions have been taken to the housebound by the Rector. 

Over the year, our relationship and interaction with our School have further developed. Keith Mansell has moved on and we have a new Head Teacher. The Rector regularly takes Collective Worship there, and they are now coming to Church for their special Services at least once a term, although due to the weather we held the fabulous Harvest Festival at the school; it was pouring down. The Rector is also a Foundation Governor and chairs the Children, Families and Community Committee, and our thanks to the new Head, Carys Barnett and all her staff for enabling this to be such a good and growing interaction and mission. 

Compline was held in the Benefice on Thursday evenings in Lent. Also, during Lent and Holy Week Fr David joined with us for the first time at the ecumenical blessing of palms. The Maundy Service of communion was particularly poignant. On Good Friday, the Barle Singers produced an amazingly moving and appropriate Concert which was dignified and very well attended. The Lent course was ‘Art for Lent’. This followed on from last year’s Advent course, created, led and offered by Frances Harrison, with huge help from Howard. This was a sensation, and was a deep, reflective and a joyous course. We were all transfixed and delighted by this, not least through her explanations, humour and wisdom. Thank you. Also, a massive thank you to Steve and Ed for their technical abilities and dexterity. These were supported by lovely refreshments. For which organisation a huge thank you to Jenny Barker for her, and her team’s support of this Course, and for the quite outstanding Harvest Lunch. During Advent, compline again was held on a Thursday evening at 1800 in the Benefice and was led by our assistant curate Louise. 

The Barle Singers, and our Choir performed a beautiful service of nine lessons and carols, and on Christmas Eve both the Crib service, thank you to Joyce and her team. Midnight mass was well attended as we welcomed the Christ child. 

A few final ‘thank you’s’ are also needed: To our cleaner Jen Gale, who takes such time and trouble ensuring that the Church is kept to such a high standard, and whose work is so often commented on in such favourable words in our visitors book. To Nick Friendship, for his generosity in printing our monthly sheet and especially for his work as our verger and whose assistance and diligence in setting the altar and setting down afterwards, and so much more, is deeply appreciated. From me, a huge thank you to the PCC for all of their help and 



guidance throughout the year, and especially to Steve and Ed the Church Wardens, and to Jenny our deputy Church Warden without whom none of the above would have happened. 

Finally, to Debbie Gale, our Parish Administrator, who has kept us all in line, and in due diligence for so many years. Debbie stood down at the end of November and has been such a stalwart of all of our works, that we will need peoples’ patience and forbearance as we learn to cope without her skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and humour. A presentation was made to her at her last PCC meeting in November, and we all wish her, Ian and all her family, all of God’s blessings. 

||**RECORD OF SERVICES 2023**|
|---|---|
|Eucharists|24|
|BCP Communions|25|
|Evensong|21|
|Family Services|11|
|Matns|14|
|Funerals|7 plus one Memorial|
|Ashes interred|2|
|Weddings|3|
|Baptsms|2|
|School Services|3|
|Ash Wednesday||
|Maundy Thursday||
|Good Friday||
|Easter Sunday||
|Ascension Day||
|Hanover House||
|King’s Coronaton||
|Remembrance Sunday||
|Nine Lessons and Carols||
|Crib Service||
|Midnight Mass||
|Christmas Day.||



## **Safeguarding** 

The PSO is pleased to report that he has not had any safeguarding issues reported to him since the last APCM. He makes a safeguarding report to every single PCC meeting in order to keep the members aware of the current situation and to engage all in the Safeguarding process and responsibility. 

All PCC members were offered and took up Safeguarding training this year and achieved qualifications in the awareness training. 

The PSO issued a Safeguarding resource to all PCC members on a memory stick enabling them easy access to all safeguarding resources including the Safer Church materials and the Parish safeguarding Handbook, including forms and assessments. 

Safeguarding posters, contacts for help and our policy have been made public in the Church. 

All Saints Church is now on level 3 of the Diocesan Parish Safeguarding Dashboard (the levels start at level 1 and count upwards) and has a Safeguarding development plan in place. 

The PCC have seen the safeguarding development plan and have a clear idea of where they need to focus the work. 



The PSO has been trained in Leadership in Safeguarding and has delivered an action plan from the course to the PCC. 

All Saints Church engaged with Safeguarding Sunday and the work of the Church and the church officers were recognised in the service. 

As a supporter of people in need and being in positions of trust All Saints Church clearly identifies that safeguarding is an important part of our work. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all, we are all God’s Children, and we need to be treated with care and respect. Steve Ford PSO (Parish Safeguarding Ofcer) 

## **Wardens’ Report:** 

## **Wardens - Steve Ford and Edward Thomson.** 

During the last year the Wardens have been busy with any number of activities. But less than previous years as the new incumbent and his wife, Jackie, have taken up full commitment to the Parish and benefice, we thank them for all their hard work and commitment to this Parish and benefice. They are a welcome asset to us all. 

The Wardens have been busy ensuring the running of the church building. This year we have completed almost all the quinquennial works that had been identified in the quinquennial report. A goodly amount of work that has been completed is unseen! 

- There has been improvements to the roof of the church with new ladders,( the old ones had rotted). 

- Some new tiles, resetting of ridge tiles 

- A new outside turret door and health and safety railing being established around the opening to the south parapet. 

- The West wall has been repointed and made firm. 

- Internally the stairs to the upper room have been repaired and the choir pews have been fixed more securely to the floor. 

- Work on the Lychgate to repair the bargeboards was also carried out. 

- They have ensured maintenance of the site with regular checks and inspections. 

Other works carried out this year have been, to secure the door to the upper room with an additional lock. The church experienced some vandalism mainly on the Telecommunications mast and the owners were called numerous times to repair damage. During one of these incidents the Church Router was stolen and has had to be replaced causing more expense to the church. 

The hearing loop has been tested this year and found to be adequate. Replacement of various electrical fittings by our preferred electrician Ian Yeo. 

The boiler had a number of issues this year and stopped completely for a time. The boiler was repaired and the flue needed to be relined. This was carried out and the heating system is now working. This was also a considerable expense 

The organ needed repair this year and a report of this work is included in the music report. 

Both Edward and Steve have been present at almost all main services held at church. Though not too many 8.00 clock services! Numbers at the 08.00 service are picking up and there is a regular attendance for this shorter said communion service, twice a month. 

Numbers at the main service at 09.30 on Sunday have been constant and slightly rising with two or three new worshippers attending. The main services are two lay led and two led by priest. One lay service being a family Service and one a Matins Service. Family service is usually led by Mrs. Joyce Vanstone. 



Evensong services have remained around 12 worshippers but sometimes more than this. This service occurs twice a month and is usually lay led. 

Both Edward and Steve led Lay Worship and have conducted a number of services in Church. 

Edward and Steve have been members of the Ministry Team meetings planning worship across the benefice throughout the year.  This group is now renamed the Rota Group. 

Steve has chaired and met with the Finance and General Purposes Committee to monitor and action work on the fabric of the building and control and monitoring of the Finance. 

Both Steve and Edward have ensured the necessary Diocesan paperwork and returns have been completed. The Parish Administrator has been working throughout the to ensure that the Church is up to date and all matters are dealt with. The Wardens are very grateful to The Administrator (Debbie) for all her work and dedication. 

Our Cleaner, (Jennifer) has worked tirelessly to ensure our Church is clean and safe. She has been in and cleaned between services when necessary. A huge thank you to her, we probably don’t see her much, but we could not do without her dedication. 

Ann Van Praag has been a wonderful support in regularly opening and shutting the church, a big thank you to her. 

In conclusion this has been a successful though expensive year for All Saints Church. However the Church is now in good repair and is growing. 

## **Compiled by Steve Ford** 

## **APCM Music Report, 2023** 

The main issue to present itself since the last APCM report is the state of the organ, and some decisions that have been made to secure its well-being and   future. So I’ll start by updating you on that. 

## **State of the 1860s-70s J.W. Walker Organ** 

Some of you may recall the organ seizing up, earlier in 2023. The company responsible for its maintenance and tuning was, at that stage, Michael Farley Ltd of Budleigh Salterton. Although only a small firm, this company serves a good deal of churches in the South West. For a while previously, I had my concerns at their over-commitment; that our level of attention would - through necessity - be relatively brief during each available visit, and once a year if we’re lucky. 

So when this crisis hit, I sought - with the PCC’s blessing - the expertise and experience of another South West-based firm, William Drake Ltd of Buckfastleigh, whose level of craftsmanship and attention to detail in organ building I have long found impressive. Another small firm, I thought they may be too busy too, or not interested in helping out. But they were, and during one day in May we had a crucial visit from their Director, Joost de Boer. 

Arriving early in the morning, and staying on well into the evening with little break, Joost spent hours solving re-balancing of the internal, intricate mechanism. During his inspection, he discovered many signs of neglect: the blower motor had not been oiled at all in recent years, for instance, which would in part explain why the blower can sometimes ‘complain’ rather loudly during services, and the motor subsequently need to be shut down for a moment. He also discovered various items within the organ that shouldn’t have been left lying around, including a whole array of water pails - presumably placed there during a dry period - and never moved since; as well as tools, and other pieces of wood and metal - one of which had fallen into a pipe and prevented it from speaking. He also corrected many damaged or non-speaking pipes. 



During this visit, Joost managed to fix every problem on my list; and explain a whole load of others. His solution to the organ’s upkeep is not a wildly expensive restoration, but a sequence of documented & systematic regular visits to correct issues that have been neglected in past years. 

We managed to secure a second visit this year, during November: another long session in the church, with over 9 hours of focused work. In his report, Joost made the following observations: 

_“Recommendation for works during running annual maintenance in order of importance:_ 

_1 Repair of Pedal action._ 

_2 Further tidying up the general tonal side of things by improving faulty speech / regulation in flue and reed stops._ 

- _3 Tune through the Swell Department to bring into line with the Great_ 

_The above-mentioned works to be tackled as part of an annual maintenance schedule which will include some tidying up of the tuning where needed. We have this session been able to greatly benefit from our work in May and build on this. This approach does work with making faults increasingly manageable as and when they occur during normal maintenance.”_ 

In other words, what we have here is an acknowledgement that maintenance and repair of the organ, as well as tuning, can be undertaken during regular visits - rather than the far, far costlier option of restoration in response to long-term neglect. So, with the help of William Drake Ltd, we can look forward to a healthy longterm future for this historical instrument - and without a huge price tag attached. 

## **State of the Grand Piano** 

Our hard-working piano has, by necessity, to fulfil a whole range of tasks: including recitals, concerts, services, weddings and funerals, teaching and practice, and meetings - for groups like the ‘Exmoor Musicians’. Given the extent of its use, and the number of people involved, it serves us all extremely well and with little complaint. 

An agreement was made recently, with members of the PCC, that we ensure only one tuner/maintainer looks after the instrument. The situation is similar to that of the organ: we are lucky enough to have an excellent local technician in Alan Ewing’s Piano Service of Milverton, who is widely respected and provides excellent support and tuning. It makes total sense that someone of this experience with intimate knowledge of the instrument in question be permitted to look after it. 

There can be a downside occasionally to an open church: during late summer we found one stuck key on the piano during a choir practice. With over the phone advice from Alan, I opened the mechanism, and found a used matchstick hindering the key’s free movement. And fortunately, no further harm resulted. 

Finally, rather better news: a very kind lady approached us after a service recently, offering to purchase a new cover for the instrument - which, it has to be acknowledged, has seen better days! We are most grateful for this generous offer to the church, in support of its musical activities. 

## **All Saints' Choir** 

Our beloved choir is such a feature of church life here. Many visitors to services have come up to me afterwards, saying how lovely it was to see a choir still operating at services, as well as hearing an organ too. What a shame many parishes find themselves with so few musical resources. It is a timely reminder of how lucky we are, I think. 

Choir members & numbers continue to fluctuate slightly, and we warmly welcome our latest two additions, Sarah (who returns to the choir after a gap) and Yvonne. At the time of writing, the choir is busy preparing for its carol items at the Nine Lessons and Carols. I think special mention this year need be made of the choir’s 



attendance and support of the still-new Family Service, taking place on the Second Sunday of most months. Their help and spirited participation greatly lift the congregation. 

## **Barle Singers** 

Another year in which we have welcomed the well-established Exmoor choir, directed by Steven Pugsley, and in which they have enriched musical life here. Their late summer concert, of music by Elgar and VaughanWilliams proved a success, and the audience’s donations - as so often these days - was kindly donated towards church funds. 

At the time of writing, rehearsals are well under way for a collaboration with our church choir, of choral music for Christmas - to be performed at the Nine Lessons and Carols on December 22: the second year in which they have been invited to participate in our carol service, enhancing the choral focus for the congregation. 

## **Music Teaching** 

The main teaching in the church is undertaken each term-time Wednesday by Arwen Lewis, who has long provided a life-line in terms of music & resources for this community. In addition, her various wind groups also participate in Exmoor Musician concerts, and also play seasonal music during Starlight at the church. We are grateful to Arwen for her hard work & support for many local budding musicians. 

## **Exmoor Musicians** 

This now-established group has, like the Barle Singers, become very much linked to our church. In return for annual provision of piano tuning, this group now meets monthly and gives the occasional concert - the next being at the end of November - after which, donations are also made in support of the church. As with Arwen’s groups, and the Barle Singers, it provides a valuable community-based resource for musicians on Exmoor. Indeed, some members live even further afield. I know that they value being able to use our larger venue since the group has dramatically increased in size. 

It may be worth adding at this point that there are various additional musicians - particularly younger ones - who are able to use this church to practice, have lessons, and to play on the piano. Two notable examples are Lewis, a talented teenage pianist/composer from Dulverton, and Daisy, an outstanding teenage flautist from Bampton, who is now learning the piano in church. 

## **Donatons** 

I continue to be grateful for all donations to All Saints, in terms both of sheet music and of instruments, such as electronic keyboards, drumkits and guitars. We can often find a home for the latter, so continue to welcome all who kindly offer unwanted musical items. And as regards sheet music, special mention needs to be made with regard to a collection donated by the widow of Derek Mott, formerly organist at the Priory Church in Dunster. It included a large selection of organ and piano music, as well as choral volumes. Such donations can be made freely available to local players, as a sort of informal sheet music library. 

**Gary Cooper Musical Director** 



## **Financial Review** 

Church Income for 2022 was £55,382 

Other managed funds as at 31.12.22 School Garden Project - £7,219 Clock Fund - £10,044 Food Bank - £10,443 Flower Fund £390 Total: 21,096 

Having appointed a new incumbent, the PCC is now developing its next 5- year plan for Mission Sustainability and Improvement. We own one tenanted cottage for which a a below market rent is taken. This contributes towards the everyday running of the church. 

Receipts from regular planned giving showed a slight reduction of about 3% over the year from last year. While receipts from collections, donations and other giving do not meet the current outgoings.  Fund raising for the year included the 100 Club, a Cream Tea in the summer and afternoon concerts. The church is used by a variety of small groups a low or no cost. 

Fortunately, our income continued to be boosted by the rent received for the telecommunications mast installed in the church tower which has helped enormously, together with the rent received for No. 3 Church Lane (which remained at its unchanged level). 

The Parish Share/Common Fund, which is paid to the diocese, is calculated largely on the size of the congregation. The number of people on our Electoral Roll has remained basically same over the last couple of years, although an increase in the Parish Share was approved in the DBF budget which saw our Share rise to £23,162 in 2021 from £22,738 in 2020. This remained the same for 2022 as there was no increase during lockdown and despite the lack of funds coming in this was paid in full, helped in the main part by drawing down from savings held. 

We continue to employ 3 staff, a Parish Administrator/Treasurer, Music Director and a church cleaner (all part-time). 

Our running costs following covid-19 increased in line with the church being used again and the economic crisis has created even further increases that need to be met. These costs continue to exceed income. Ideally, we need to raise in excess of £1,500 each week to meet our current running costs. 

In addition to this, required spending for 2023 is:Quinquennial repairs = £20,000 Clock Repair - £20,000 Parish Share - £23,625 

The Gardiner Trust is a restricted fund for the maintenance of the fabric of the church building. It owns the property at 1 Church Walk which is the parish office and meeting room for the Benefice. We no longer have any income from the lower ground floor of this property. Claire Savill of Printing of the Vicarage gave notice of her intention to retire at the end of March 2022. 

In addition, due to the economic crisis, although we started the year with unrestricted funds invested in charitable funds of approx. £455,350 plus cash funds of £66,324, we closed the year with a total of 395,147 plus cash funds of £66,722 – a loss of £60,202. We also have had to draw down funds from our Reserve cash funds twice through the year to cover the day to day running of the church in the sum of £20,000.  It has been suggested by Diocese that we hold an amount in our Reserve Fund sufficient to cover 3 months running costs 

Page | 8 



for emergency’s, however as insufficient funds are coming into the church, this account is currently keeping the church open. 

Apart from normal maintenance carried out on the church, there were no major expenses, however the Quinquennial work has yet to begin and  we are awaiting a Faculty from the Diocese enabling us to repair the clock. 

## **Events at All Saints** 

There were two major fundraising events in the year: we were kindly given permission to use the Vicarage garden for ‘Cream Teas at the Vicarage’ in August;  mulled wine, teas and mince pies were again on sale in the church during ‘Dulverton by Starlight’ in December.  The  provision of storytelling to entertain the younger generations, live music  and somewhere for people to sit and relax during ‘Starlight’ all helped to increase the attractiveness of these events which are proving very popular.  They seem to be as an effective way of raising income as the more traditional fete or bazaar which, with an aging and diminishing membership, we now find more difficult to promote. 

We have continued to develop our use of the church activities as a means of generating income and social interaction.  Opening out the Lent and Harvest lunches without the need for prior booking worked extremely well.  The income received from voluntary donations more than compensated for the expenses of providing food and drink and there was a significant rise in the numbers attending compared with previous years. 

We hosted three concerts for the Two Moors Festival.  At other events the use of retiring collections as opposed to formal ticket sales or church hire fees has also proved very effective.  The church is also in regular use as a venue for rehearsals and performances by a local choir, meetings of and concerts by an amateur piano group and on hire for professional music tuition. We have built upon the very successful  ‘Art for Advent’ course pioneered in 2022, providing similar courses on religious art.  These have proved very popular, regularly attracting audiences of over forty.   Refreshments are provided at all events and we are indebted to the small team of volunteers who organise them. 

## **Volunteers** 

We would like to thank all of our many diligent volunteers, who are not named here, who quietly work behind the scenes to keep the church running smoothly and looking so welcoming to visitors and regulars alike. We do sincerely thank you all for your time and expertise given so generously and your willingness to help. No matter how large or small the task, each is essential for the smooth running of the church and our continuing ministry. 

## **Moorland Food Bank** 

During the latter part of 2023 we have changed the name of the Food bank from The Dulverton Food Bank to The Moorland Food Bank. The reason for this is that the Food Bank has always supplied emergency food boxes to anyone anywhere on southern Exmoor. We cover Exford, Winsford, Wheddon Cross, Cutcombe, Simonsbath, Withypool, Hawkridge, Brompton Regis, Dulverton and Brushford. The name of Dulverton Food Bank did not represent the area we cover so hence the name change. 

During the year the volunteers numbers have grown to 10 which is a perfect number for having people available to deliver the boxes of food. 

The number of people receiving an emergency box of food has remained similar to 2022 with 228 boxes delivered up until the end of October. What has increased is the number of families we are delivering to. 

We continue to be supported by significant donations of food which now include donations dropped off at the shops in Brompton Regis, Winsford, Exford and the CoOp in Dulverton. 

Page | 9 



A  number of financial donations have been received and recently the food bank has received £2700 from the local CoOp Community Fund which is most welcome. 

## **Jenny Barker** 

## **Administrative Matters** 

Membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, the Revd. Dowell Conning, the churchwardens, Steve Ford and Edward Thomson, and members elected by the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. PCC members are responsible for making decisions concerning the parish and deciding how PCC funds are spent. The PCC has established the following committees: 

- Finance and General Purposes 

- Community/Events 

- Education 

- Mission 

## **Benefice Groups: Working across all the churches in the benefice** 

Rota Team 

Benefice Wardens Exmoor Deanery Synod 

**PCC Members: Ex Officio Members** Rector of Dulverton Benefice The Revd. Dowell Conning MTh Associate Curate The Revd. Louise Southgate Churchwardens: Steve Ford Edward Thomson Deanery Synod Representatives: Jenny Barker Andy Jeffries Safeguarding Steve Ford Elected Members Andy Jeffries 2020 - 2023 Jenny Barker 2019 - 2022 Frances Harrison 2022 - 2026 Bill Gash 2020 - 2023 

**Non-Members attending** : Administrator/Treasurer: Debra Gale 

**Average attendance on a normal Sunday** 

||<br>**2023**|**2022**|**2021**<br>**(Covid)**|**2020**<br>**(Covid)**|**2019**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|8am HolyCommunion(1662 said)||8|6|1|7|
|9.30am Parish Communion||26|19|15|38|
|6.30pm Evensong (whenpermited)||9|9|5|10|



## **Attendance** 

Page | 10 



|Easter||44|6|0|124|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Crib Service||97|60|12|192|
|Christmas(Eve + Morning)||82|65|40|142|
|**Number on electoral roll**||46|49|49|51|
|Funerals||8|9|10|11|
|Weddings||3|1|1|3|
|Baptsms||5|1|1|4|
|||||||
|School Service - Easter||140|0|0|0|
|School Service - Summer||137|0|0|241|
|Remembrance Service||97|114|0|107|
|School Service - Christmas||180|124|0|0|



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH DULVERTON STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (PCC) AS AT 31[st] DECEMBER 2022** 

|**Cash and investment Assets**<br>**(Auditor)**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**2022                           2021**|**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**2022                           2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Current Account<br>CBF Account – Gardiner Trust<br>CBF Account – Passmore-Jones<br>CBF Account – Investments<br>CBF – Reserve<br>**TOTAL**|£27,710<br>--<br>137,349<br>257,798<br>--<br>**422,857**|6,161<br>19,090<br>--<br>13,796<br>**39,077**|33,901<br>19,090<br>137,349<br>257,798<br>13,796<br>**461,934**|13,438<br>19,090<br>151,121<br>303,576<br>33,796<br>**521,021**|



Page | 11 



## **INVESTMENT ASSETS** 

In 2022, the Parochial Church Council owns two properties, No. 3 Church Lane, part of an unrestricted legacy from the estate of Joyce Burton in 2010. This property has recently been revalued to be in the region of £225,000 - £250,000. No. 1 Church Walk was purchased in 2009 with funds from the Gardiner Trust.  This property has been revalued to be in the region of £140,000 - £165,000. 

The Gardiner Trust, founded in 1956 was modified in 1969 to allow income not required for fabric repairs to be used in furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints, Dulverton. The Parochial Church Council are trustees of the Gardiner Trust. 

Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance act on behalf of the Parochial Church Council as custodial trustees in respect of 3 Church Lane. 

The Financial Statements are approved by the Parochial Church Council. 

Date: …………………………………………….. 

Signed:  ………………………………………… Revd Dowell Conning MTh on behalf of Dulverton PCC 

Page | 12 



# **ALL SAINTS, DULVERTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023** 

Full Financial Accounts Year Ending 31[st] December 2023 


Page | 13 



## **All Saints Dulverton -  Annual Financial Report for January to December 2023** 

The objective  of this report is to provide a summary view of the Church’s financials situation to the Annual General Meeting for the 1 January through to 31 December 2023. 

During the 12 months under review the total income of the church was £72,818.  Total expenditure for the same period was £100,846. Consequently, we made an operating loss of £28,028. That is to say, the overall cost of running the Church and its associated activities cost us £28,028 more than our total income. 

Our income from Voluntary Income (consisting of Planned Giving, Gift Aid Recovered, Collections, and Legacies)  was £37,412.  This included  £4,964 in donations to the Food Bank Standing Orders only generated £2,957 which is a disappointingly low proportion of total giving. 

Our income from Investments (Rent from Property and Yields from CCLA Investments) was £21,694. Thankfully the yields from our financial investments remained fairly buoyant throughout the year (£9,084) and higher than 2022. 

On the expenditure side, our largest spends were on the Parish Share (£23,323), Administration and Music Staff (£23,032), Major Repairs (£12,789), Food Bank costs (£11,024)  and Minor Repairs (£10,901).  Clearly the challenge involved in paying for Major and Minor Repairs will continue over the future years 

As you will appreciate this deficit of £28,028 has to be financed with some source of cash as we cannot apply for loans.  So, this deficit was paid for by selling some of our short-term reserves. When we compare the financial performance of 2023 against 2022, the picture is not a strong one. Our income reduced by £5,490 and our expenses increased by £23,001. Consequently, a small surplus of £463 in 20022 was converted into a deficit of £28,028 in 2023. 

When we turn to look at the value of our fixed and current assets, the picture is more encouraging. The market value of our long-term investments increased over the 12 months  by £40,657. This increase in our long-term investment more than offset our sale of short-term investments used to bridge the operating loss. As a result, we  ended the year with an increase of £12,629 in our Net Asset position. 

Apart from the main General Fund (which finances the core Church activities), the PCC operates a series of Designated Funds which essentially are separate buckets of resources that allow us to track assets, income and expenditure against separate defined purposes. We are not allowed to use resources from one Fund to pay for the activities in another Fund. 

On 31 December we had the following Designated Funds with the following bank deposits 

Clock Fund                                               £10,312 Food Bank Fund                                     £6,631.89 Community/School Garden Fund       £5,342.02 Bell Fund                                                  £245 Organ, Choir and Music Fund               £50 

In addition. there is the Gardiner, a historical legacy that was used to purchase Church Walk, and which has a value of £157,592.62. 

I am aware that viewing the Balance Sheet readers may conclude that we have a significant amount of fixed assets (£700,804).  That is undoubtedly the case.  We are grateful to the wise stewardship of previous generations who have left us with these resources. However, it is important to repeat that in 2023 we ran a significant deficit of £28,028.  We have to ask ourselves whether it is appropriate to sell the investments of the earlier generations in order to fund an operating deficit? Obviously, if we 

Page | 14 



continue to rely on this strategy, the value of our investments will decrease over time and the current income of £9,084 from investments will decline. 

The PCC have therefore decided that, with your help, over the next two years we should eliminate the operating deficit and establish a sustainable surplus year on year from 2026. In order to move us to move us to a surplus, the PCC plans the following activities starting from the current year. 

1. To establish a budget and to generate detailed monthly accounts to track income and expenditure 

2. To appeal to church members to consider making monthly donations by standing order. 

3. To initiate a programme of grant applications. 

4. To undertake more fundraising and event activities. 

5. To convert 1 Church Walk into a rented accommodation. 

6. To reduce the staff salaries by not seeking a replacement for the post of Parish Administrator. 

Any further suggestions for raising income would be much appreciated. 

In December 2023 the PCC decided to replace the existing accounting system - the Cash Book based on Excel spreadsheets – with a commercial accounting designed for Churches and Charities called Liberty Accounts. This new accounting system allows us to provide detailed financial reports, operates fund accounting, allows for creation of a budget, includes a Payroll/PAYE element, and produces Gift Aid submissions to HMRC. 

To end this report, the PCC wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of you who have provided financial support to the mission of the church whether this has been through standing orders, donations, fund raising and giving up your time and energy in countless different ways. 

## **Robin Nicoll Treasurer** 

Page | 15 



## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|||||**TOTAL**|**FUNDS**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||**2022**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|**2023**|**(restated)**|
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Voluntary Income|2|37,412|-|37,412|35,573|
|Activities for Generating Funds||||||
|Events||5,915|-|5,915|5,678|
|Church Activities|3|7,797|-|7,797|16,259|
|Income from Investments|4|21,694|-|21,694|20,798|
|**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**||72,818|-|72,818|78,308|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**||||||
|Charitable Grants||414|-|414|600|
|Church Activities|5|98,599|-|98,599|75,545|
|Fundraising||1,689|-|1,689|1,700|
|Governance||144|-|144|-|
|**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**||100,846|-|100,846|77,845|
|**NET INCOMING / OUTGOING RESOURCES**||(28,028)|-|(28,028)|463|
|Gains and losses on revaluation of<br>fixed assets for the PCC's own use||40,657|-|40,657|(59,550)|
|**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**||12,629|-|12,629|(59,087)|
|Balances brought forward||726,937|-|726,937|786,024|
|**BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD**||739,566|-|739,566|726,937|



**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON** 

Page | 16 



## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 BALANCE SHEET** 

|**Note**<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>**6**<br>Investment assets<br>**6**<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>Cash at Bank<br>**7**<br>LIABILITIES: Amounts falling due<br>within one year<br>NET CURRENT ASSETS<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>Unrestricted<br>Restricted|**2023**<br>**£**<br>160,000<br>540,804<br>700,804<br>-<br>39,012<br>39,012<br>(250)<br>38,762<br>739,566<br>739,566<br>-<br>739,566|**2022**<br>**(restated)**<br>**£**<br>160,000<br>500,150|
|---|---|---|
|||660,150|
|||-<br>66,787|
|||66,787<br>-|
|||66,787|
|||726,937|
|||726,937<br>-<br>726,937|



These Annual Financial Accounts for 2023 were reviewed and approved by the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Dulverton 

Signed on behalf of the PCC by 

Date 

Page | 17 



**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## **1 Accounting Policies** 

(a) The financial statements of the Parochial Church Council have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations using the accruals basis and Fund accounting. 

(b) Fixed assets retained for church use are included at cost or valuation at the time of its acquisition. Moveable church fittings held by the church wardens on special trust for the Parochial Church Council and which require a faculty for disposal are considered to be heritage assets and inalienable from benefice property and as such are not valued in the financial statements. Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts. 

(c) Plant and Equipment used in the church or churchyard are written off to the Statement of Financial Activities on acquisition. 

(d) Incoming Resources: All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

(e) Resources expended: Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 

(f) Funds: Unrestricted funds represent funds of the Parochial Church Council that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to general purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or trust deed 

. 

(g) Change of accounting policy: The purpose of the accounts is to give a true and fair view. To this end it was decided to adopt the accruals basis of accounting in place of the receipts and payments basis. This meant instituting a Balance Sheet incorporating the assets and liabilities of the PCC. In addition, the status of  the  Gardiner Trust  was reviewed  and the  PCC confirmed  that  in  the light  of  the  1969 modification this should be accounted for as a Designated Fund and not a Restricted Fund. Having previously been included in restricted funds the 2022 accounts have been restated to show these assets in the Unrestricted Funds. 

(h) Offsetting: There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities or income and expenditure unless required by Church Accounting Regulations. 

(i) Legacies: Legacies are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been a grant of probate and executors have established there are sufficient assets in the Estate. 

(j) Donated goods and services: Donated goods and services are not included in the Statement of Financial Activities where they relate to the ongoing work of the Parochial Church Council due to the excess of cost over benefit of this exercise. 

Page | 18 



## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|||||**TOTAL**|**FUNDS**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||**2022**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|**2023**|**(restated)**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**2 **|**Voluntary Income**|||||
||Planned giving|19,176|-|19,176|7,552|
||Tax recoverable|5,022|-|5,022|3,926|
||Collections and other giving|8,056|-|8,056|12,083|
||Legacies and other donations|5,158|-|5,158|-|
||Grants|-|||12,012|
|||37,412|-|37,412|35,573|
|**3 **|**Church Activities**|||||
||Church Fees|5,266|-|5,266|5,848|
||Bookstall and magazine|525|-|525|5,198|
||Other income|2,006|-|2,006|5,213|
|||7,797|-|7,797|16,259|
|**4 **|**Income from Investments**|||||
||Property|12,610||12,610|12,350|
||CCLA|9,084|-|9,084|8,448|
|||21,694|-|21,694|20,798|
|**5 **|**Church Activities**|||||
||Parish Share|23,323|-|23,323|24,079|
||Mission and evangelism|13,505||13,505|8,038|
||Clergy expenses|5,021|-|5,021|3,084|
||Church maintenance|10,901|-|10,901|2,302|
||Church running costs|2,867|-|2,867|3,536|
||Utility bills|3,472|-|3,472|9,745|
||Insurance|3,598|-|3,598|3,134|
||Major repairs|12,789|-|12,789|-|
||Parish magazine|-|-|-|1,541|
||Miscellaneous|100|-|100|209|
||Salaries and support costs|23,023|-|23,023|19,852|
||Repairs - investments|-|-|-|25|
|||98,599|-|98,599|75,545|



Page | 19 




Signed________________________________________The Rector Reverend Dowell Conning MTh 

Date:__________________________________ 

Page|20 




## **Dulverton 2023 Return of Parish Finance** 

## **Included Churches** 

Churches Included **[X] Dulverton: All Saints** Fresh Expressions of church included: Names: Description 

## **Incoming Resources** 

## **Income** 

|**Voluntary income**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|1 - Regular giving|£2,957|£0|
|3 - Collections at services|£8,056|£0|
|4 - All other giving and voluntary income,<br>including Special Appeals (recurring and<br>one-off)|£10,465|£0|
|6 - Gift Aid recovered (regular giving and<br>one-off donations)|£5,022|£0|
|7 - Legacies received (capital value)|£5,158|£0|
|8 - Grants (Include recurring and one-off)|£5,754|£0|
|TOTAL|£37,412|£0|



|**Activities for Generating Funds**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|9 - Fundraising activities (gross proceeds)|£5,916|£0|
||||
|**Investment income**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|10 - Dividends, interest, income from<br>property etc.|£21,694|£0|



|**Church Activities**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|11 - Fees retained byPCC (weddings,<br>funerals etc.)|£5,266|£0|
|12 - Trading activities (gross proceeds),<br>NOT fundraising|£523|£0|






|**Other incoming resources**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|13 - Any other income not already listed|£2,071|£0|



## **TOTAL INCOME (from Financial Statements.)** 

|Unrestricted|£72,882|
|---|---|
|Restricted|£0|
|Combined Total|£72,882|



## **Regular Givers and Legacies** 

## **Regular Givers And Legacies** 

|14 - Number of regular givers|10|
|---|---|
|16 - Number of new legacies received in year|1|
|For your information, weekly average total regular giving per<br>total regular giver|£5.69|



## **Resources Expended** 

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure from any fund which is under the control of the PCC needs to be accounted for on this form. Do NOT include money transferred out of one PCC fund into another. 

|**Costs of generating funds**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|17 - Costs of fundraising activities|£1,450|£0|
||||
|**Church Activities**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|18 - Mission giving and donations|£414|£0|
|19 - Diocesan parish share contribution|£23,323|£0|
|20 - Salaries, wages and honararia|£17,671|£0|
|21 - Clergy and staff expenses|£2,461|£0|



|**Church expenses**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|22 - Mission and evangelism costs|£13,505|£0|
|23 - Church running expenses (_Including_<br>_Governance_)|£22,714|£0|
|24 - Church utility bills|£3,459|£0|
|25 - Costs of trading|£239|£0|






|**Major capital expenditure**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|27 - Major repairs to the church building|£12,789|£0|
|28 - Major repairs to church hall or other<br>PCC property, including redecoration|£0|£0|
|29 - New building work to the church,<br>church hall, clergy housing, or other PCC<br>property|£0|£0|
||||
|SUB-TOTAL of all expenditure items<br>above:|£98,025|£0|



||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
|99 - Other expenditure not already listed|£2,821|£0|



## **TOTAL EXPENDITURE (FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS)** 

|Unrestricted|£100,846|
|---|---|
|Restricted|£0|
|Combined Total|£100,846|



## **Cash and Investment Balances** 

30 - On which basis were your accounts prepared? [  ]  Receipts and Payments **[✔]  Accruals** 

## **Cash and Investment Balances** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|---|
|31 - Cash and deposit balances (Receipts<br>and Payments) OR Net Current Assets<br>(Accruals) as at 31 December|£38,762||£0|
|32 - Investment assets as at 31st<br>December|£540,804||£0|
|||||
|Looking back across 2023, was there any exceptional financial<br>activity affecting movement on cash and investment<br>balances?Please provide details in this box||||



## **Question Specific Comments** 

All comments you have made against specific questions are listed below 

|Field|Comment|
|---|---|
|1 - Planned giving - Unrestricted|Standing Orders|
|24 - Church utility bills (gas, electricity, water, oil) -<br>Unrestricted|I believe that in 2022 accounts utility bills for our office were<br>included in the church costs. In 2023 these were included<br>under administration as a Parish Office expense.|
|4 - All other giving (recurring and one off) - Unrestricted|In 2022 all donations occurring outside of services/collections<br>were included in regular giving and collections. In 2023 we|






|Field|Comment|
|---|---|
||have separated these out and include such donations All Other<br>Giving.|
|22 - Church expenses: Mission and evangelism costs -<br>Unrestricted|Includes our outreach activities including food bank. Significant<br>increase in Food Bank Operations over past 12 months.|






## **ALL SAINTS, DULVERTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023** 

## **Aims and Purposes of All Saints Dulverton Parochial Church Council (PCC)** 

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. 

The members of the PCC are also trustees of the Gardiner Trust which includes No. 1 Church Walk. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the fabric of the church building, insurance, church finances and No. 3 Church Lane. The PCC is also a registered Charity with the number 1142934 and a Charity Commission report and annual return is made yearly by the Warden. 

The PCC, working with the people of Dulverton including the Dulverton Town Council (DTC), are determined to keep a church presence and facility in this historic town. The church is in the centre of the community and provides services of marriage, baptism and funerals to every member of the community who wish it. We welcome community involvement in our church. 

## **Objectves and Actvites** 

The PCC has been committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at or with our church and when planning our activities for the year the Rector and PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance to charities for the advancement of religion. We endeavour to enable people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: 

- Worship and prayer; preaching the gospel in words and deeds through a variety of services. 

- Offering pastoral care for people living in the parish through the Ministry Team and other pastoral support workers. 

- Providing a warm welcome for the people of the town and visitors when possible. 

- Offering facilities accessible to all including accessible e-services and outside altar. 

- Providing help, support and guidance to anyone within our parish at the key milestones of life through the occasional offices of baptisms, marriages and funerals. 

- Working in and with our community with other Christian and charitable organisations to the benefit of our community (Dulverton Foodbank, The Dulverton Schools and the Exmoor Youth project in particular). 

- Supporting our Church School and education and provision for young people in our community. 

## **Rector’s Report 2023** 

It has been a tumultuous year with so many changes. 

In January we said goodbye to Martin and Sandra who after over a decade of leadership and help to the Parish and Benefice moved to Colehill on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset. A lovely farewell party was held for them on January 29[th] in All Saints. They were presented with gifts and a beautiful speech by Steve Ford. We wished the safe journeys, and they are now settled into their new home. 

On the 28[th] January, our beloved and long standing Reader, Jane Rees, died and passed into glory. Her subsequent funeral in Brompton Regis was, beautiful, poignant and appropriately funny. Over the year, we have frequently been reminded of her amazing talents, faith and humour, and she is deeply missed. We also lost the skills, the joy and the wisdom of Jenny Boyce at this time. Jenny was an absolute stalwart of the Flower Guild, the Gardening Club, the Bees and so much more. Her sudden death was a shock to many of us, and she too is deeply missed and mourned. 



On a much more joyous note, on the 6[th] May we celebrated, with the Nation, the coronation of our King, Charles III. A dignified and packed All Saints offered thanks to God for his accession to the Throne. The Bells rang out and the flag was raised and lowered and we began to get used to singing God save the King. 

On the 25[th] June, after many years serving as a Reader, and three years training for the priesthood, The Revd Mary Louise Southgate was ordained as a Deacon in Wells Cathedral. It was lovely to see so many people attend this service and to support and to celebrate Louise’s love and ministry. God willing, she will be priested at Wells next year and will serve a further two years of her ministry with and amongst us. It is wonderful for me to have an ordained colleague again, and the first six months of her training and formation have flown past. 

Over the course of this year the worship has further evolved and developed much due to the wonderful lay worship leaders offering and taking services on a Sunday. A regular pattern of services has been established, and seems to be working well to the glory of God. We continue to be blessed by Mr Gary Cooper as our Director of Music and resident organist, and by the singing of our talented and wonderful choir who together lead us so skilfully in hymnody and song throughout the year. The bells also continue to beautifully sing out over the town, and the numbers of ringers have grown over the year. A huge debt of thanks is owed to Anne Markwick, our Tower Captain for all of her work, enthusiasms and skills. The flowers in the Church have been magnificent and a huge thanks to Tina and all the kind and so skilled volunteers who create the wonderful displays and arrangements which do so much to enhance our worship and praise to God in this beautiful place. 

A regular monthly communion continues to take place at Hanover House for those members of our community who wish to receive a blessing or the sacrament, and to catch up with news from All Saints. Numbers vary but we are usually just in double figures, which is wonderful. In addition, home communions have been taken to the housebound by the Rector. 

Over the year, our relationship and interaction with our School have further developed. Keith Mansell has moved on and we have a new Head Teacher. The Rector regularly takes Collective Worship there, and they are now coming to Church for their special Services at least once a term, although due to the weather we held the fabulous Harvest Festival at the school; it was pouring down. The Rector is also a Foundation Governor and chairs the Children, Families and Community Committee, and our thanks to the new Head, Carys Barnett and all her staff for enabling this to be such a good and growing interaction and mission. 

Compline was held in the Benefice on Thursday evenings in Lent. Also, during Lent and Holy Week Fr David joined with us for the first time at the ecumenical blessing of palms. The Maundy Service of communion was particularly poignant. On Good Friday, the Barle Singers produced an amazingly moving and appropriate Concert which was dignified and very well attended. The Lent course was ‘Art for Lent’. This followed on from last year’s Advent course, created, led and offered by Frances Harrison, with huge help from Howard. This was a sensation, and was a deep, reflective and a joyous course. We were all transfixed and delighted by this, not least through her explanations, humour and wisdom. Thank you. Also, a massive thank you to Steve and Ed for their technical abilities and dexterity. These were supported by lovely refreshments. For which organisation a huge thank you to Jenny Barker for her, and her team’s support of this Course, and for the quite outstanding Harvest Lunch. During Advent, compline again was held on a Thursday evening at 1800 in the Benefice and was led by our assistant curate Louise. 

The Barle Singers, and our Choir performed a beautiful service of nine lessons and carols, and on Christmas Eve both the Crib service, thank you to Joyce and her team. Midnight mass was well attended as we welcomed the Christ child. 

A few final ‘thank you’s’ are also needed: To our cleaner Jen Gale, who takes such time and trouble ensuring that the Church is kept to such a high standard, and whose work is so often commented on in such favourable words in our visitors book. To Nick Friendship, for his generosity in printing our monthly sheet and especially for his work as our verger and whose assistance and diligence in setting the altar and setting down afterwards, and so much more, is deeply appreciated. From me, a huge thank you to the PCC for all of their help and 



guidance throughout the year, and especially to Steve and Ed the Church Wardens, and to Jenny our deputy Church Warden without whom none of the above would have happened. 

Finally, to Debbie Gale, our Parish Administrator, who has kept us all in line, and in due diligence for so many years. Debbie stood down at the end of November and has been such a stalwart of all of our works, that we will need peoples’ patience and forbearance as we learn to cope without her skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and humour. A presentation was made to her at her last PCC meeting in November, and we all wish her, Ian and all her family, all of God’s blessings. 

||**RECORD OF SERVICES 2023**|
|---|---|
|Eucharists|24|
|BCP Communions|25|
|Evensong|21|
|Family Services|11|
|Matns|14|
|Funerals|7 plus one Memorial|
|Ashes interred|2|
|Weddings|3|
|Baptsms|2|
|School Services|3|
|Ash Wednesday||
|Maundy Thursday||
|Good Friday||
|Easter Sunday||
|Ascension Day||
|Hanover House||
|King’s Coronaton||
|Remembrance Sunday||
|Nine Lessons and Carols||
|Crib Service||
|Midnight Mass||
|Christmas Day.||



## **Safeguarding** 

The PSO is pleased to report that he has not had any safeguarding issues reported to him since the last APCM. He makes a safeguarding report to every single PCC meeting in order to keep the members aware of the current situation and to engage all in the Safeguarding process and responsibility. 

All PCC members were offered and took up Safeguarding training this year and achieved qualifications in the awareness training. 

The PSO issued a Safeguarding resource to all PCC members on a memory stick enabling them easy access to all safeguarding resources including the Safer Church materials and the Parish safeguarding Handbook, including forms and assessments. 

Safeguarding posters, contacts for help and our policy have been made public in the Church. 

All Saints Church is now on level 3 of the Diocesan Parish Safeguarding Dashboard (the levels start at level 1 and count upwards) and has a Safeguarding development plan in place. 

The PCC have seen the safeguarding development plan and have a clear idea of where they need to focus the work. 



The PSO has been trained in Leadership in Safeguarding and has delivered an action plan from the course to the PCC. 

All Saints Church engaged with Safeguarding Sunday and the work of the Church and the church officers were recognised in the service. 

As a supporter of people in need and being in positions of trust All Saints Church clearly identifies that safeguarding is an important part of our work. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all, we are all God’s Children, and we need to be treated with care and respect. Steve Ford PSO (Parish Safeguarding Ofcer) 

## **Wardens’ Report:** 

## **Wardens - Steve Ford and Edward Thomson.** 

During the last year the Wardens have been busy with any number of activities. But less than previous years as the new incumbent and his wife, Jackie, have taken up full commitment to the Parish and benefice, we thank them for all their hard work and commitment to this Parish and benefice. They are a welcome asset to us all. 

The Wardens have been busy ensuring the running of the church building. This year we have completed almost all the quinquennial works that had been identified in the quinquennial report. A goodly amount of work that has been completed is unseen! 

- There has been improvements to the roof of the church with new ladders,( the old ones had rotted). 

- Some new tiles, resetting of ridge tiles 

- A new outside turret door and health and safety railing being established around the opening to the south parapet. 

- The West wall has been repointed and made firm. 

- Internally the stairs to the upper room have been repaired and the choir pews have been fixed more securely to the floor. 

- Work on the Lychgate to repair the bargeboards was also carried out. 

- They have ensured maintenance of the site with regular checks and inspections. 

Other works carried out this year have been, to secure the door to the upper room with an additional lock. The church experienced some vandalism mainly on the Telecommunications mast and the owners were called numerous times to repair damage. During one of these incidents the Church Router was stolen and has had to be replaced causing more expense to the church. 

The hearing loop has been tested this year and found to be adequate. Replacement of various electrical fittings by our preferred electrician Ian Yeo. 

The boiler had a number of issues this year and stopped completely for a time. The boiler was repaired and the flue needed to be relined. This was carried out and the heating system is now working. This was also a considerable expense 

The organ needed repair this year and a report of this work is included in the music report. 

Both Edward and Steve have been present at almost all main services held at church. Though not too many 8.00 clock services! Numbers at the 08.00 service are picking up and there is a regular attendance for this shorter said communion service, twice a month. 

Numbers at the main service at 09.30 on Sunday have been constant and slightly rising with two or three new worshippers attending. The main services are two lay led and two led by priest. One lay service being a family Service and one a Matins Service. Family service is usually led by Mrs. Joyce Vanstone. 



Evensong services have remained around 12 worshippers but sometimes more than this. This service occurs twice a month and is usually lay led. 

Both Edward and Steve led Lay Worship and have conducted a number of services in Church. 

Edward and Steve have been members of the Ministry Team meetings planning worship across the benefice throughout the year.  This group is now renamed the Rota Group. 

Steve has chaired and met with the Finance and General Purposes Committee to monitor and action work on the fabric of the building and control and monitoring of the Finance. 

Both Steve and Edward have ensured the necessary Diocesan paperwork and returns have been completed. The Parish Administrator has been working throughout the to ensure that the Church is up to date and all matters are dealt with. The Wardens are very grateful to The Administrator (Debbie) for all her work and dedication. 

Our Cleaner, (Jennifer) has worked tirelessly to ensure our Church is clean and safe. She has been in and cleaned between services when necessary. A huge thank you to her, we probably don’t see her much, but we could not do without her dedication. 

Ann Van Praag has been a wonderful support in regularly opening and shutting the church, a big thank you to her. 

In conclusion this has been a successful though expensive year for All Saints Church. However the Church is now in good repair and is growing. 

## **Compiled by Steve Ford** 

## **APCM Music Report, 2023** 

The main issue to present itself since the last APCM report is the state of the organ, and some decisions that have been made to secure its well-being and   future. So I’ll start by updating you on that. 

## **State of the 1860s-70s J.W. Walker Organ** 

Some of you may recall the organ seizing up, earlier in 2023. The company responsible for its maintenance and tuning was, at that stage, Michael Farley Ltd of Budleigh Salterton. Although only a small firm, this company serves a good deal of churches in the South West. For a while previously, I had my concerns at their over-commitment; that our level of attention would - through necessity - be relatively brief during each available visit, and once a year if we’re lucky. 

So when this crisis hit, I sought - with the PCC’s blessing - the expertise and experience of another South West-based firm, William Drake Ltd of Buckfastleigh, whose level of craftsmanship and attention to detail in organ building I have long found impressive. Another small firm, I thought they may be too busy too, or not interested in helping out. But they were, and during one day in May we had a crucial visit from their Director, Joost de Boer. 

Arriving early in the morning, and staying on well into the evening with little break, Joost spent hours solving re-balancing of the internal, intricate mechanism. During his inspection, he discovered many signs of neglect: the blower motor had not been oiled at all in recent years, for instance, which would in part explain why the blower can sometimes ‘complain’ rather loudly during services, and the motor subsequently need to be shut down for a moment. He also discovered various items within the organ that shouldn’t have been left lying around, including a whole array of water pails - presumably placed there during a dry period - and never moved since; as well as tools, and other pieces of wood and metal - one of which had fallen into a pipe and prevented it from speaking. He also corrected many damaged or non-speaking pipes. 



During this visit, Joost managed to fix every problem on my list; and explain a whole load of others. His solution to the organ’s upkeep is not a wildly expensive restoration, but a sequence of documented & systematic regular visits to correct issues that have been neglected in past years. 

We managed to secure a second visit this year, during November: another long session in the church, with over 9 hours of focused work. In his report, Joost made the following observations: 

_“Recommendation for works during running annual maintenance in order of importance:_ 

_1 Repair of Pedal action._ 

_2 Further tidying up the general tonal side of things by improving faulty speech / regulation in flue and reed stops._ 

- _3 Tune through the Swell Department to bring into line with the Great_ 

_The above-mentioned works to be tackled as part of an annual maintenance schedule which will include some tidying up of the tuning where needed. We have this session been able to greatly benefit from our work in May and build on this. This approach does work with making faults increasingly manageable as and when they occur during normal maintenance.”_ 

In other words, what we have here is an acknowledgement that maintenance and repair of the organ, as well as tuning, can be undertaken during regular visits - rather than the far, far costlier option of restoration in response to long-term neglect. So, with the help of William Drake Ltd, we can look forward to a healthy longterm future for this historical instrument - and without a huge price tag attached. 

## **State of the Grand Piano** 

Our hard-working piano has, by necessity, to fulfil a whole range of tasks: including recitals, concerts, services, weddings and funerals, teaching and practice, and meetings - for groups like the ‘Exmoor Musicians’. Given the extent of its use, and the number of people involved, it serves us all extremely well and with little complaint. 

An agreement was made recently, with members of the PCC, that we ensure only one tuner/maintainer looks after the instrument. The situation is similar to that of the organ: we are lucky enough to have an excellent local technician in Alan Ewing’s Piano Service of Milverton, who is widely respected and provides excellent support and tuning. It makes total sense that someone of this experience with intimate knowledge of the instrument in question be permitted to look after it. 

There can be a downside occasionally to an open church: during late summer we found one stuck key on the piano during a choir practice. With over the phone advice from Alan, I opened the mechanism, and found a used matchstick hindering the key’s free movement. And fortunately, no further harm resulted. 

Finally, rather better news: a very kind lady approached us after a service recently, offering to purchase a new cover for the instrument - which, it has to be acknowledged, has seen better days! We are most grateful for this generous offer to the church, in support of its musical activities. 

## **All Saints' Choir** 

Our beloved choir is such a feature of church life here. Many visitors to services have come up to me afterwards, saying how lovely it was to see a choir still operating at services, as well as hearing an organ too. What a shame many parishes find themselves with so few musical resources. It is a timely reminder of how lucky we are, I think. 

Choir members & numbers continue to fluctuate slightly, and we warmly welcome our latest two additions, Sarah (who returns to the choir after a gap) and Yvonne. At the time of writing, the choir is busy preparing for its carol items at the Nine Lessons and Carols. I think special mention this year need be made of the choir’s 



attendance and support of the still-new Family Service, taking place on the Second Sunday of most months. Their help and spirited participation greatly lift the congregation. 

## **Barle Singers** 

Another year in which we have welcomed the well-established Exmoor choir, directed by Steven Pugsley, and in which they have enriched musical life here. Their late summer concert, of music by Elgar and VaughanWilliams proved a success, and the audience’s donations - as so often these days - was kindly donated towards church funds. 

At the time of writing, rehearsals are well under way for a collaboration with our church choir, of choral music for Christmas - to be performed at the Nine Lessons and Carols on December 22: the second year in which they have been invited to participate in our carol service, enhancing the choral focus for the congregation. 

## **Music Teaching** 

The main teaching in the church is undertaken each term-time Wednesday by Arwen Lewis, who has long provided a life-line in terms of music & resources for this community. In addition, her various wind groups also participate in Exmoor Musician concerts, and also play seasonal music during Starlight at the church. We are grateful to Arwen for her hard work & support for many local budding musicians. 

## **Exmoor Musicians** 

This now-established group has, like the Barle Singers, become very much linked to our church. In return for annual provision of piano tuning, this group now meets monthly and gives the occasional concert - the next being at the end of November - after which, donations are also made in support of the church. As with Arwen’s groups, and the Barle Singers, it provides a valuable community-based resource for musicians on Exmoor. Indeed, some members live even further afield. I know that they value being able to use our larger venue since the group has dramatically increased in size. 

It may be worth adding at this point that there are various additional musicians - particularly younger ones - who are able to use this church to practice, have lessons, and to play on the piano. Two notable examples are Lewis, a talented teenage pianist/composer from Dulverton, and Daisy, an outstanding teenage flautist from Bampton, who is now learning the piano in church. 

## **Donatons** 

I continue to be grateful for all donations to All Saints, in terms both of sheet music and of instruments, such as electronic keyboards, drumkits and guitars. We can often find a home for the latter, so continue to welcome all who kindly offer unwanted musical items. And as regards sheet music, special mention needs to be made with regard to a collection donated by the widow of Derek Mott, formerly organist at the Priory Church in Dunster. It included a large selection of organ and piano music, as well as choral volumes. Such donations can be made freely available to local players, as a sort of informal sheet music library. 

**Gary Cooper Musical Director** 



## **Financial Review** 

Church Income for 2022 was £55,382 

Other managed funds as at 31.12.22 School Garden Project - £7,219 Clock Fund - £10,044 Food Bank - £10,443 Flower Fund £390 Total: 21,096 

Having appointed a new incumbent, the PCC is now developing its next 5- year plan for Mission Sustainability and Improvement. We own one tenanted cottage for which a a below market rent is taken. This contributes towards the everyday running of the church. 

Receipts from regular planned giving showed a slight reduction of about 3% over the year from last year. While receipts from collections, donations and other giving do not meet the current outgoings.  Fund raising for the year included the 100 Club, a Cream Tea in the summer and afternoon concerts. The church is used by a variety of small groups a low or no cost. 

Fortunately, our income continued to be boosted by the rent received for the telecommunications mast installed in the church tower which has helped enormously, together with the rent received for No. 3 Church Lane (which remained at its unchanged level). 

The Parish Share/Common Fund, which is paid to the diocese, is calculated largely on the size of the congregation. The number of people on our Electoral Roll has remained basically same over the last couple of years, although an increase in the Parish Share was approved in the DBF budget which saw our Share rise to £23,162 in 2021 from £22,738 in 2020. This remained the same for 2022 as there was no increase during lockdown and despite the lack of funds coming in this was paid in full, helped in the main part by drawing down from savings held. 

We continue to employ 3 staff, a Parish Administrator/Treasurer, Music Director and a church cleaner (all part-time). 

Our running costs following covid-19 increased in line with the church being used again and the economic crisis has created even further increases that need to be met. These costs continue to exceed income. Ideally, we need to raise in excess of £1,500 each week to meet our current running costs. 

In addition to this, required spending for 2023 is:Quinquennial repairs = £20,000 Clock Repair - £20,000 Parish Share - £23,625 

The Gardiner Trust is a restricted fund for the maintenance of the fabric of the church building. It owns the property at 1 Church Walk which is the parish office and meeting room for the Benefice. We no longer have any income from the lower ground floor of this property. Claire Savill of Printing of the Vicarage gave notice of her intention to retire at the end of March 2022. 

In addition, due to the economic crisis, although we started the year with unrestricted funds invested in charitable funds of approx. £455,350 plus cash funds of £66,324, we closed the year with a total of 395,147 plus cash funds of £66,722 – a loss of £60,202. We also have had to draw down funds from our Reserve cash funds twice through the year to cover the day to day running of the church in the sum of £20,000.  It has been suggested by Diocese that we hold an amount in our Reserve Fund sufficient to cover 3 months running costs 

Page | 8 



for emergency’s, however as insufficient funds are coming into the church, this account is currently keeping the church open. 

Apart from normal maintenance carried out on the church, there were no major expenses, however the Quinquennial work has yet to begin and  we are awaiting a Faculty from the Diocese enabling us to repair the clock. 

## **Events at All Saints** 

There were two major fundraising events in the year: we were kindly given permission to use the Vicarage garden for ‘Cream Teas at the Vicarage’ in August;  mulled wine, teas and mince pies were again on sale in the church during ‘Dulverton by Starlight’ in December.  The  provision of storytelling to entertain the younger generations, live music  and somewhere for people to sit and relax during ‘Starlight’ all helped to increase the attractiveness of these events which are proving very popular.  They seem to be as an effective way of raising income as the more traditional fete or bazaar which, with an aging and diminishing membership, we now find more difficult to promote. 

We have continued to develop our use of the church activities as a means of generating income and social interaction.  Opening out the Lent and Harvest lunches without the need for prior booking worked extremely well.  The income received from voluntary donations more than compensated for the expenses of providing food and drink and there was a significant rise in the numbers attending compared with previous years. 

We hosted three concerts for the Two Moors Festival.  At other events the use of retiring collections as opposed to formal ticket sales or church hire fees has also proved very effective.  The church is also in regular use as a venue for rehearsals and performances by a local choir, meetings of and concerts by an amateur piano group and on hire for professional music tuition. We have built upon the very successful  ‘Art for Advent’ course pioneered in 2022, providing similar courses on religious art.  These have proved very popular, regularly attracting audiences of over forty.   Refreshments are provided at all events and we are indebted to the small team of volunteers who organise them. 

## **Volunteers** 

We would like to thank all of our many diligent volunteers, who are not named here, who quietly work behind the scenes to keep the church running smoothly and looking so welcoming to visitors and regulars alike. We do sincerely thank you all for your time and expertise given so generously and your willingness to help. No matter how large or small the task, each is essential for the smooth running of the church and our continuing ministry. 

## **Moorland Food Bank** 

During the latter part of 2023 we have changed the name of the Food bank from The Dulverton Food Bank to The Moorland Food Bank. The reason for this is that the Food Bank has always supplied emergency food boxes to anyone anywhere on southern Exmoor. We cover Exford, Winsford, Wheddon Cross, Cutcombe, Simonsbath, Withypool, Hawkridge, Brompton Regis, Dulverton and Brushford. The name of Dulverton Food Bank did not represent the area we cover so hence the name change. 

During the year the volunteers numbers have grown to 10 which is a perfect number for having people available to deliver the boxes of food. 

The number of people receiving an emergency box of food has remained similar to 2022 with 228 boxes delivered up until the end of October. What has increased is the number of families we are delivering to. 

We continue to be supported by significant donations of food which now include donations dropped off at the shops in Brompton Regis, Winsford, Exford and the CoOp in Dulverton. 

Page | 9 



A  number of financial donations have been received and recently the food bank has received £2700 from the local CoOp Community Fund which is most welcome. 

## **Jenny Barker** 

## **Administrative Matters** 

Membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, the Revd. Dowell Conning, the churchwardens, Steve Ford and Edward Thomson, and members elected by the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. PCC members are responsible for making decisions concerning the parish and deciding how PCC funds are spent. The PCC has established the following committees: 

- Finance and General Purposes 

- Community/Events 

- Education 

- Mission 

## **Benefice Groups: Working across all the churches in the benefice** 

Rota Team 

Benefice Wardens Exmoor Deanery Synod 

**PCC Members: Ex Officio Members** Rector of Dulverton Benefice The Revd. Dowell Conning MTh Associate Curate The Revd. Louise Southgate Churchwardens: Steve Ford Edward Thomson Deanery Synod Representatives: Jenny Barker Andy Jeffries Safeguarding Steve Ford Elected Members Andy Jeffries 2020 - 2023 Jenny Barker 2019 - 2022 Frances Harrison 2022 - 2026 Bill Gash 2020 - 2023 

**Non-Members attending** : Administrator/Treasurer: Debra Gale 

**Average attendance on a normal Sunday** 

||<br>**2023**|**2022**|**2021**<br>**(Covid)**|**2020**<br>**(Covid)**|**2019**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|8am HolyCommunion(1662 said)||8|6|1|7|
|9.30am Parish Communion||26|19|15|38|
|6.30pm Evensong (whenpermited)||9|9|5|10|



## **Attendance** 

Page | 10 



|Easter||44|6|0|124|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Crib Service||97|60|12|192|
|Christmas(Eve + Morning)||82|65|40|142|
|**Number on electoral roll**||46|49|49|51|
|Funerals||8|9|10|11|
|Weddings||3|1|1|3|
|Baptsms||5|1|1|4|
|||||||
|School Service - Easter||140|0|0|0|
|School Service - Summer||137|0|0|241|
|Remembrance Service||97|114|0|107|
|School Service - Christmas||180|124|0|0|



## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH DULVERTON STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (PCC) AS AT 31[st] DECEMBER 2022** 

|**Cash and investment Assets**<br>**(Auditor)**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**|**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**2022                           2021**|**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**2022                           2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Current Account<br>CBF Account – Gardiner Trust<br>CBF Account – Passmore-Jones<br>CBF Account – Investments<br>CBF – Reserve<br>**TOTAL**|£27,710<br>--<br>137,349<br>257,798<br>--<br>**422,857**|6,161<br>19,090<br>--<br>13,796<br>**39,077**|33,901<br>19,090<br>137,349<br>257,798<br>13,796<br>**461,934**|13,438<br>19,090<br>151,121<br>303,576<br>33,796<br>**521,021**|



Page | 11 



## **INVESTMENT ASSETS** 

In 2022, the Parochial Church Council owns two properties, No. 3 Church Lane, part of an unrestricted legacy from the estate of Joyce Burton in 2010. This property has recently been revalued to be in the region of £225,000 - £250,000. No. 1 Church Walk was purchased in 2009 with funds from the Gardiner Trust.  This property has been revalued to be in the region of £140,000 - £165,000. 

The Gardiner Trust, founded in 1956 was modified in 1969 to allow income not required for fabric repairs to be used in furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints, Dulverton. The Parochial Church Council are trustees of the Gardiner Trust. 

Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance act on behalf of the Parochial Church Council as custodial trustees in respect of 3 Church Lane. 

The Financial Statements are approved by the Parochial Church Council. 

Date: …………………………………………….. 

Signed:  ………………………………………… Revd Dowell Conning MTh on behalf of Dulverton PCC 

Page | 12 



# **ALL SAINTS, DULVERTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023** 

Full Financial Accounts Year Ending 31[st] December 2023 


Page | 13 



## **All Saints Dulverton -  Annual Financial Report for January to December 2023** 

The objective  of this report is to provide a summary view of the Church’s financials situation to the Annual General Meeting for the 1 January through to 31 December 2023. 

During the 12 months under review the total income of the church was £72,818.  Total expenditure for the same period was £100,846. Consequently, we made an operating loss of £28,028. That is to say, the overall cost of running the Church and its associated activities cost us £28,028 more than our total income. 

Our income from Voluntary Income (consisting of Planned Giving, Gift Aid Recovered, Collections, and Legacies)  was £37,412.  This included  £4,964 in donations to the Food Bank Standing Orders only generated £2,957 which is a disappointingly low proportion of total giving. 

Our income from Investments (Rent from Property and Yields from CCLA Investments) was £21,694. Thankfully the yields from our financial investments remained fairly buoyant throughout the year (£9,084) and higher than 2022. 

On the expenditure side, our largest spends were on the Parish Share (£23,323), Administration and Music Staff (£23,032), Major Repairs (£12,789), Food Bank costs (£11,024)  and Minor Repairs (£10,901).  Clearly the challenge involved in paying for Major and Minor Repairs will continue over the future years 

As you will appreciate this deficit of £28,028 has to be financed with some source of cash as we cannot apply for loans.  So, this deficit was paid for by selling some of our short-term reserves. When we compare the financial performance of 2023 against 2022, the picture is not a strong one. Our income reduced by £5,490 and our expenses increased by £23,001. Consequently, a small surplus of £463 in 20022 was converted into a deficit of £28,028 in 2023. 

When we turn to look at the value of our fixed and current assets, the picture is more encouraging. The market value of our long-term investments increased over the 12 months  by £40,657. This increase in our long-term investment more than offset our sale of short-term investments used to bridge the operating loss. As a result, we  ended the year with an increase of £12,629 in our Net Asset position. 

Apart from the main General Fund (which finances the core Church activities), the PCC operates a series of Designated Funds which essentially are separate buckets of resources that allow us to track assets, income and expenditure against separate defined purposes. We are not allowed to use resources from one Fund to pay for the activities in another Fund. 

On 31 December we had the following Designated Funds with the following bank deposits 

Clock Fund                                               £10,312 Food Bank Fund                                     £6,631.89 Community/School Garden Fund       £5,342.02 Bell Fund                                                  £245 Organ, Choir and Music Fund               £50 

In addition. there is the Gardiner, a historical legacy that was used to purchase Church Walk, and which has a value of £157,592.62. 

I am aware that viewing the Balance Sheet readers may conclude that we have a significant amount of fixed assets (£700,804).  That is undoubtedly the case.  We are grateful to the wise stewardship of previous generations who have left us with these resources. However, it is important to repeat that in 2023 we ran a significant deficit of £28,028.  We have to ask ourselves whether it is appropriate to sell the investments of the earlier generations in order to fund an operating deficit? Obviously, if we 

Page | 14 



continue to rely on this strategy, the value of our investments will decrease over time and the current income of £9,084 from investments will decline. 

The PCC have therefore decided that, with your help, over the next two years we should eliminate the operating deficit and establish a sustainable surplus year on year from 2026. In order to move us to move us to a surplus, the PCC plans the following activities starting from the current year. 

1. To establish a budget and to generate detailed monthly accounts to track income and expenditure 

2. To appeal to church members to consider making monthly donations by standing order. 

3. To initiate a programme of grant applications. 

4. To undertake more fundraising and event activities. 

5. To convert 1 Church Walk into a rented accommodation. 

6. To reduce the staff salaries by not seeking a replacement for the post of Parish Administrator. 

Any further suggestions for raising income would be much appreciated. 

In December 2023 the PCC decided to replace the existing accounting system - the Cash Book based on Excel spreadsheets – with a commercial accounting designed for Churches and Charities called Liberty Accounts. This new accounting system allows us to provide detailed financial reports, operates fund accounting, allows for creation of a budget, includes a Payroll/PAYE element, and produces Gift Aid submissions to HMRC. 

To end this report, the PCC wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of you who have provided financial support to the mission of the church whether this has been through standing orders, donations, fund raising and giving up your time and energy in countless different ways. 

## **Robin Nicoll Treasurer** 

Page | 15 



## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|||||**TOTAL**|**FUNDS**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||**2022**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|**2023**|**(restated)**|
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Voluntary Income|2|37,412|-|37,412|35,573|
|Activities for Generating Funds||||||
|Events||5,915|-|5,915|5,678|
|Church Activities|3|7,797|-|7,797|16,259|
|Income from Investments|4|21,694|-|21,694|20,798|
|**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**||72,818|-|72,818|78,308|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**||||||
|Charitable Grants||414|-|414|600|
|Church Activities|5|98,599|-|98,599|75,545|
|Fundraising||1,689|-|1,689|1,700|
|Governance||144|-|144|-|
|**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**||100,846|-|100,846|77,845|
|**NET INCOMING / OUTGOING RESOURCES**||(28,028)|-|(28,028)|463|
|Gains and losses on revaluation of<br>fixed assets for the PCC's own use||40,657|-|40,657|(59,550)|
|**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**||12,629|-|12,629|(59,087)|
|Balances brought forward||726,937|-|726,937|786,024|
|**BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD**||739,566|-|739,566|726,937|



**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON** 

Page | 16 



## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 BALANCE SHEET** 

|**Note**<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>**6**<br>Investment assets<br>**6**<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>Cash at Bank<br>**7**<br>LIABILITIES: Amounts falling due<br>within one year<br>NET CURRENT ASSETS<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>Unrestricted<br>Restricted|**2023**<br>**£**<br>160,000<br>540,804<br>700,804<br>-<br>39,012<br>39,012<br>(250)<br>38,762<br>739,566<br>739,566<br>-<br>739,566|**2022**<br>**(restated)**<br>**£**<br>160,000<br>500,150|
|---|---|---|
|||660,150|
|||-<br>66,787|
|||66,787<br>-|
|||66,787|
|||726,937|
|||726,937<br>-<br>726,937|



These Annual Financial Accounts for 2023 were reviewed and approved by the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Dulverton 

Signed on behalf of the PCC by 

Date 

Page | 17 



**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## **1 Accounting Policies** 

(a) The financial statements of the Parochial Church Council have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations using the accruals basis and Fund accounting. 

(b) Fixed assets retained for church use are included at cost or valuation at the time of its acquisition. Moveable church fittings held by the church wardens on special trust for the Parochial Church Council and which require a faculty for disposal are considered to be heritage assets and inalienable from benefice property and as such are not valued in the financial statements. Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts. 

(c) Plant and Equipment used in the church or churchyard are written off to the Statement of Financial Activities on acquisition. 

(d) Incoming Resources: All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

(e) Resources expended: Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 

(f) Funds: Unrestricted funds represent funds of the Parochial Church Council that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to general purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or trust deed 

. 

(g) Change of accounting policy: The purpose of the accounts is to give a true and fair view. To this end it was decided to adopt the accruals basis of accounting in place of the receipts and payments basis. This meant instituting a Balance Sheet incorporating the assets and liabilities of the PCC. In addition, the status of  the  Gardiner Trust  was reviewed  and the  PCC confirmed  that  in  the light  of  the  1969 modification this should be accounted for as a Designated Fund and not a Restricted Fund. Having previously been included in restricted funds the 2022 accounts have been restated to show these assets in the Unrestricted Funds. 

(h) Offsetting: There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities or income and expenditure unless required by Church Accounting Regulations. 

(i) Legacies: Legacies are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been a grant of probate and executors have established there are sufficient assets in the Estate. 

(j) Donated goods and services: Donated goods and services are not included in the Statement of Financial Activities where they relate to the ongoing work of the Parochial Church Council due to the excess of cost over benefit of this exercise. 

Page | 18 



## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

|||||**TOTAL**|**FUNDS**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||**2022**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|**2023**|**(restated)**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**2 **|**Voluntary Income**|||||
||Planned giving|19,176|-|19,176|7,552|
||Tax recoverable|5,022|-|5,022|3,926|
||Collections and other giving|8,056|-|8,056|12,083|
||Legacies and other donations|5,158|-|5,158|-|
||Grants|-|||12,012|
|||37,412|-|37,412|35,573|
|**3 **|**Church Activities**|||||
||Church Fees|5,266|-|5,266|5,848|
||Bookstall and magazine|525|-|525|5,198|
||Other income|2,006|-|2,006|5,213|
|||7,797|-|7,797|16,259|
|**4 **|**Income from Investments**|||||
||Property|12,610||12,610|12,350|
||CCLA|9,084|-|9,084|8,448|
|||21,694|-|21,694|20,798|
|**5 **|**Church Activities**|||||
||Parish Share|23,323|-|23,323|24,079|
||Mission and evangelism|13,505||13,505|8,038|
||Clergy expenses|5,021|-|5,021|3,084|
||Church maintenance|10,901|-|10,901|2,302|
||Church running costs|2,867|-|2,867|3,536|
||Utility bills|3,472|-|3,472|9,745|
||Insurance|3,598|-|3,598|3,134|
||Major repairs|12,789|-|12,789|-|
||Parish magazine|-|-|-|1,541|
||Miscellaneous|100|-|100|209|
||Salaries and support costs|23,023|-|23,023|19,852|
||Repairs - investments|-|-|-|25|
|||98,599|-|98,599|75,545|



Page | 19 




Signed________________________________________The Rector Reverend Dowell Conning MTh 

Date:__________________________________ 

Page|20