2024-12-31-accounts

All Saints’ Church, Dulverton Parochial Church Council Annual Report 2024

Aims and Purposes of All Saints Church 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 Wardens.

The PCC, working with the people of Dulverton including 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.

Objectives and Activities

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 though:

• 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 the 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 ( The Dulverton Schools and the Exmoor Youth Project in particular).

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

1

Rector’s Report

It has been another busy year here at All Saints’ Church.

In March our beloved administrator Debbie Gale died quietly, surrounded by her family and love in her home. Deb was a huge power for good in this place for many years, and her funeral service was poignant but filled with her enduring enthusiasms and joy. Our love and prayers continue for Ian and for the girls.

On a more joyful note, in December our lovely and very historic clock was repaired, installed and began, once again, to beautifully tolling out the quarter hours across our town. A huge thank you to everyone who helped administer and raise the funds for this to happen.Particular thanks to Steve and to Arwen for their amazing fund raising, and to Jane and to all the clock winders, old and new, who now diligently wind the repaired mechanism and keep the time so wonderfully.

On the 29[th] of June, after a year as a Deacon, The Revd Mary Louise Southgate was priested by the Bishop 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. The next day, Sunday, Louise celebrated her first Mass/Holy Communion/Eucharist as officiant and this was followed by an incredible bring and share lunch. The Church was full of joy and laughter as together, we celebrated with Louise and Jeff this important milestone and achievement in her response to God’s call.

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. My thanks to Andy for drawing up the rotas and encouraging people to read, offer intercessions and lead these services. The pattern of services has been established and seems to be working well to the glory of God.

Gary Cooper, our Director of Music and resident organist, whose abilities, skill and warmth, joyfully continues to add so much to so many events, our regular worship, and our occasional offices. We are so blessed to have him, Sabine and the children here with us. Also, whilst we could do with more people, I continue to be delighted and amazed by the singing of our talented and wonderful choir who, under Gary’s gentle and encouraging lead, sing so skilfully in hymnody and song throughout the year.

Our Tower Captain, Anne Markwick, has continued to encourage and attract new and established ringers of the bells. Their skills ring forth God’s glory across the town and a huge debt of thanks is owed to Anne and to the team of dedicated and gifted ringers.

Once again, the Flower ladies have created miraculously beautiful displays throughout the year. The Harvest Festival was a particular highlight, and I was delighted that so many people paid tribute to Tina and her team. Their dedication adds so much to our welcome and our worship.

2

Louise and I take it turns to offer a monthly Holy Communion on the second Thursday of each month at 1100 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 what is more important is our connection with these blessed people and to assure them of God’s continual loving care for them too. Home communions continue to be taken to the housebound over this year

The School has also had another busy year. The new Head teacher is Nicola Stenner, previously at Exford. Nicki has deepened our relationship and our interaction with our School have further developed with Lyn from the Exmoor Youth Project, Louise and I all being involved this year. I now regularly take Collective Worship there. This is in addition to their special termly services in All Saints, where the children and staff are now being joined by their parents, carers and loved ones too. The school is now part of The Moorland Federation, and I am honoured to continue as a Foundation Governor to this wider community.

During Lent and Holy Week Fr David came and led the ecumenical blessing of palms down by the war memorial by the Barle. The Maundy Service of communion was particularly poignant. On Good Friday, as well as the midday solemn Liturgy, the Barle Singers produced an amazingly moving and appropriate concert in the evening and our grateful thanks to Stephen Pugsley and all their singers for adding such a beautiful occasion on that day. Thanks to them also for the performance of Puccini's Messa di Gloria in May.

Louise led two different book courses this year, one in Lent and another in Advent. These proved so popular that we are planning on another one in Lent 2025.

Frances Harrison continued to lead ‘Art Talks’ throughout the year. This has, and is, attracting a really good number of people from across the area, and is so well received. ’. Despite his illness, Howard continued to add so much with his stunning and creative posters;and for his encouragement to Frances. These talks have been sensational, and in addition to thanking Frances and Howard, I have to thank all those who have helped to provide the lovely refreshments and welcome to all who come before the talks. Thanks goes to Steve and Ed too, for their technical wizardry in setting up screen, PA, and projectors.

The Lent and Harvest lunches were very well attended this year. These take a huge amount of dedication and hard work to deliver, and without the help of Jenny and her team would not happen. Thank you to Jenny and all the helpers, who provide food, setting up, packing away, cleaning, and serving. I know from the comments of those who came to these two occasions how grateful they are for these lunches, and all credit must and rightly goes to Jenny and her team; thank you.

In its third of use, the new format for our civic Remembrance Day Service worked very well and was incredibly well attended and deeply moving. I must thank the local Branch of the Royal British Legion, led by Peter Maggs, for attending the rehearsal and adding their superb professionalism to this important act of Remembrance.

3

Our Choir performed a beautiful new (ish) service of seven lessons and carols, which was very well attended, and on Christmas Eve both the Crib service, thank you to Joyce and her team, and Midnight mass, led by Louise, were also well attended as we welcomed the Christ child.

Financially it has been a hard year, and I am most grateful to Robin Nichols for volunteering to act as our Treasurer and guide. Robin’s skill, dexterity and huge experience have helped us develop better practices beyond that role, and I wish to formally thank him for everything he has done over 2024.

A few final ‘thank you’s’ are also needed: To our cleaner Lyndsy, 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 Jenny and Ed the Church Wardens, and to Steve our Safeguarding Officer, without whom none of the above would have happened.

And a final and heartfelt thanks to the Parish and to all the peoples of Dulverton, thank you for all of your kindness and support. May God bless you.

Safeguarding

The PSO ( P arish S afeguarding O fficer) is pleased to report Safeguarding issues raised with him over the last year have been dealt with locally. The two individuals causing difficulty for members and visitors to the church have been addressed in cooperation with the PCSO (Police Community Support Officer), with whom we have a good relationship. The diocese was kept abreast of the situation and have the incidents on record.

There have been no individual cases raised with the PSO other than the above. The PSO reported at every PCC meeting and updated the situation with regard to statutory responsibilities, a update of the Dashboard and The Safeguarding Hub.

The PSO has expanded his remit to become benefice PSO and as such has access to our sister churches’ Dashboards to ensure legal compliance.

The Dashboard and Safeguarding Hubs are an on-line method of keeping the Safeguarding records up to date and properly tracked. It has been set up by the diocese.

The Church of England has had long and engaging discussions this year regarding outsourcing the Safeguardingmanagement to a third party. The synod of the Church of England has decided that only part of this responsibility will be outsourced.

4

There are a number of PCC members that have completed safeguarding training and qualifications this year as the courses are to be updated every 3 years.Both Wardens have renewed their training, our Incumbent, curate and PSO have all updated training this year.

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

All Saint’s Church is at 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. (Available on request and circulated at PCC meetings to PCC members.

The PSO has renewed his training in Leadership in Safeguarding and has delivered an action plan to the course provider and received a certificate of compliance.

The PSO has delivered a training session to a mixed group of PCC members from All Saints and sister churches on how the Dashboard, Safeguarding Hub an DBS work together. This will be repeated on a further occasion.

If you feel there are issues of safeguarding that need to be raised, please do not hesitate to contact the PSO

E-mail [e-mail] Other contact: 07812343212 Ben Goodhind Safeguarding Manager Tel: [phone] Email:[e-mail]

If someone is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, please contact 999. This helpline is available via phone at 0303 003 1111 or via email at [e-mail] .

All Saints Church as a supporter of people in need and the people in significant and responsible roles in the church,clearly identify that safeguarding is an important part of our work. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all, we are all God’s Children, and we all need to be treated with care and respect. God sees all (omnipresent), we humans are not, it relies on our church and wider community to be our eyes and ears and promote good Christian care and safety.

Steve Ford

PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer)

5

Wardens Report

Wardens – Ed Thomson and Jenny Barker

2024 saw Steve Ford step down after 8 years as Churchwarden and Jenny Barker taking on this role. Steve mentored Jenny during 2023, so she was ready to take on the role. A great deal of thanks is due to Steve for all the work he has undertaken to keep All Saints free from problems.

Since the last Quinquennial inspection in 2021 Steve and Ed were kept busy with a variety of building works within and outside the Church. During 2024 there was very little in the way of building work left to be undertaken.

Jenny and Ed have taken on some of the work previously undertaken by our Parish Administrator which by and large has not been onerous. Jenny and other members of the PCC have written several policies which were approved by the PCC.

During 2024 the Parish Office was moved from 1 Church Walk up to the room on the first floor of the church. The PCC decided in late 2024 to sell 1 Church Walk so the Wardens are responsible for selling this property. We had a rough sleeper for a while during the summer, but he eventually left Dulverton. We now have a Rough Sleeper Policy in place which gives clear guidance on what to do in this situation.

We had and still have some anti-social behaviour occurring in the church. In one case the individual has been successfully dealt with by our local Police and in the Courts. We have an ongoing problem with another individual which the Police are dealing with. Due to this anti-social behaviour we had to install CCTV in the church so we can keep an eye on what is occurring. During 2024 there have been times when we felt it safer to leave the church closed, now we have the CCTV in place we hope this will not need to happen again.

During the year our lovely clock was fully overhauled and was returned to us in November and reinstalled during December. The Clock Winders were given training by the company who repaired it, and the clock has been working ever since. An annual maintenance contract is in place with Cumbria Clocks.

The annual Health and Safety inspection took place, and the actions required to mitigate the identified risks were completed. PAT Testing, a Lightening conductor test and Fire Extinguisher testing took place during the year.

Painting of the Loos was undertaken, and they look a lot better for this.

The water boiler had to be fixed during the year.

A Hive system was installed, this allows Ed to work the church heating system remotely. We have not required as much oil as in previous years due to this system.

We had ongoing problems with our heating system during the year and work is now being carried out to try and improve the system.

6

The looking after of the Memorial Garden has been taken on by a local resident and her neighbour. It looks a lot better for this.

Jennifer our lovely cleaner decided she didn’t want to continue to do this for very understandable reasons and we now have Lyndsy doing a monthly clean and several people doing it in between these cleans. A Spring Clean was undertaken in the early part of year with volunteers giving up a Saturday morning to help with this.

We have had problems with the PA system and the Hearing Loop has failed. During 2025 we will look to replacing both systems so we can be confident that congregations and audiences can hear what is being said, sung or played.

Jenny attended a Churchwardens Day at Flourish House run by Bath and Wells. She found this particularly useful being a new Churchwarden.

We have continued to have lovely flowers provided by our fabulous Flower Ladies led by Tina.

Anne and her Bell Ringers have continued to ring out loudly on a Sunday morning and at other events. Anne had several new ringers start during the year.

Jenny and Ed have ensured that paperwork and returns required by the Diocese have been completed and submitted on time.

Steve continues to lead Lay services as does Ed and the service schedule remains the same as in the previous year.

The wardens have assisted at other events in the church during the year including weddings, funerals, school services, musical events and Starlight.

We are grateful to Nick for his Verging at the Eucharist services.

Ann Van Praag moved house at the latter end of 2024 and now no longer opens and closes the church, so Jenny and Ed are undertaking this now.

Our lovely Churchyard has been kept beautifully tidy by Sean who cuts the grass each week during the grass growing season. He also strims the bank to keep the grass down. In conclusion it has been a busy year with many things happening and we expect 2025 to continue in the same vein.

Finally, I would like this opportunity to thank our wonderful Rector, Dowell Conning and his wife Jackie who have undertaken and continue to undertake such wonderful pastoral work in our community. Ed and I also appreciate the support and advice from Dowell without which our job would be that much harder.

Compiled by Jenny Barker

7

Events at All Saints

Several events were held during 2024 which have all raised money for the Church coffers. There was a lovely concert given by Tamsin Waley Cohen in May as part of the Simonsbath Festival. Two Moors Festival held two concerts as part of their October festival. It was lovely to see the church full of people enjoying fabulous music.

Arwen and her Woodwind groups have entertained us during the year, and we enjoyed an afternoon of music in the church during Starlight.

Frances Harrison’s Art Talks continue to enthral us all. Its lovely to see so many people enjoying these monthly Thursday morning events.

The Lent and Harvest lunches continue to attract many people who come together to enjoy homemade soup and Dowell’s delicious homemade bread. These are two very enjoyable events with a lot of chatter. Gary and Sabine entertained us with music throughout these two events.

We didn’t hold the Cream Tea during 2024 but hope to hold it again in 2025. Starlight continues to be an annual event in Dulverton. The Church is open for the afternoon serving Tea and Cake and Bill’s delicious and potent Mulled Wine. It’s a lovely place to sit and rest one’s weary feet and enjoy a cuppa listening to relaxing music.

The Churchyard still plays host to the famous Starlight Fireworks display which seems to be bigger and brighter each year.

We no longer lead on the carols around the Christmas Tree in Bank Square. The Rector still starts the Carols, but a choir has taken over the leading of the singing. As always, the community singing of the carols was a fitting lead up to the Firework display.

Compiled by Jenny Barker

Volunteers

We would like to thank all 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 locals alike. We do sincerely thank you for all 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.

8

Moorland Foodbank

The Food bank continued throughout 2024. During the summer of 2024 it became apparent that with the changes to the Junior School it was likely the Food Bank would become homeless. It was also decided by the PCC that it longer wished to continue to run the Foodbank after the end of 2024 and Jenny Barker said she would be stepping down from running it at the end of 2024 as well.

During the Autumn of 2024 a project team was set up to look at the future of the Food Bank including looking for new premises. After much work new premises were found and a new Charitable organisation was set up. A Food Bank Volunteer offered to take over the running of the Food Bank. On 1[st] January 2025 the PCC transferred over the remaining Food Bank monies to the new organisation and the responsibility for running it was transferred too.

Music Report

Since the last APCM report, in which I gave primary attention to the state of the organ, and outlined decisions made to secure its well-being and future, I am happy to report that plenty of progress has been made. So I’ll start by addressing this.

State of the historic J.W. Walker Organ

Since the difficulties we faced with the instrument, early in 2023, and the consequent commencement of an agreement for the organ to be maintained and tuned by a new company, William Drake Organ Makers of Buckfastleigh, I feel far more confident in the continued welfare of our historic instrument.

While it may not be the Albert Hall organ, or even of such a distinguished lineage as the recently restored Lewis instrument at Brompton Regis church, it is a fine instrument of its type and period, and is in close to the original state when built by the Walker workshop, somewhere between 1860s-70s. I gather one reason to suspect it could have been built as early as the 1860s is that the decorated front diapason pipes include zinc, a metal that was first introduced into organ building workshops around that time. It has a lovely mellow tone, and adds warmth as well as power (when needed) to services and events; it is very responsive to the player, and most reliable when treated with respect.

Joost de Boer, of William Drake Ltd, has now attended the organ on three occasions, and has already made considerable headway in terms of restoring the fine-workings of the mechanism within the casework. He has noted various damaged pipework, particularly within the Swellbox, which could only have occurred through bad handling and practice by previous attenders to the organ’s maintenance over the years; he has adjusted countless trackers, which convey the connection mechanically between key and pipe, and secured smooth operation over the keyboard, as well as the consistent speech of both reed pipes.

9

Joost made a key recommendation on his second visit, by a chance look into the blower motor - finding a note from the last maintenance visit, dated as sometime in the early 80s! So we engaged a well-respected West Country firm of specialists, Watkins & Watson Ltd, and the work was done early in the year. Hopefully, the motor won’t need any further attention for quite some time - although another 40 odd years may be pushing it! During the next maintenance visit, Joost’s team plan to investigate that weird, loud, vibrating anomaly occasionally emitting from the instrument. He surmises it may have something to do with the piping connected between the bellows which may not be the required gauge, creating unnecessary vibrational pressure within the instrument that, when reaching a critical pitch, creates some kind of standing wave effect through the woodwork. As always, it is a project that - he anticipates - will come within the budget & timeframe of a regular maintenance visit.

State of the Grand Piano

As I mentioned last year, our equally hard-working grand piano is required to fulfill a whole range of tasks; and in those terms, serves us all extremely well and with little complaint.

Alan Ewing (Piano Services) of Wellington maintains and tunes the instrument, and I continue to be grateful for his advice and technical know-how. While he may be booked to make two official tuning visits per year, I have counted at least a further two emergency call-outs during 2024, in which he popped by to rescue a stuck pedal or key. So in that regard, I also find myself grateful for Alan regularly going well beyond the extra mile in his service and assistance. On the last visit, he noted that the piano was very unusual since it had no pedal guard system, which ensures the pedal mechanism remains exactly in place within the instrument while it is manipulated by the player’s foot. I wonder if this guard was omitted by mistake when originally transported from China, and re-built over here? A mystery.. Well, at least the problem has been solved by Alan for now, with a little, ingenious spur-of-the-moment-created safeguard that he constructed himself! I didn’t ask what he used to create it, but can vouch for it working just fine.

All Saints' Choir

Our wonderful, loyal choir members continue to amaze me, as well as everyone else, with their outstanding weekly attendance and support of our singing for services. Come rain or shine, there they are! Week in, week out. It is a miracle to behold, especially these days. So many keen local singers have enthusiastically expressed their interest in joining the choir; they have come, and then - just as quickly - they have gone. The experience has reinforced, for me, the incredibly precious gift proffered by those choosing to offer continued, reliable, consistent, devoted service in this form. And I, for one, am ever mindful and grateful for this. One particular high point in the last year, I would say, was the attendance of a whole row of singing school children who, I discovered, felt it was a real shame they no longer sang or learnt carols at school, so decided they would join All Saints’ choir for the Carol Service. Well, why not?? In truth, all who attended felt it was a very memorable event owing in large part to the children’s joyful, lusty contribution. And, judging by the number of sweet wrappers I later found under the pedalboard, they really

10

enjoyed messing around on the organ afterwards! Well, what curious child wouldn’t? The sweet wrappers are another matter..

Barle Singers

Another venerable Exmoor musical institution that makes almost weekly use of All Saints (as rehearsal venue) is the Barle Singers. Consistently providing the church with uplifting concerts - we had Puccini’s Messadi Gloria, Coleridge - Taylor’s Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, plus a carol concert of works by Holst & Vaughan-Williams during last year’s season - this choir is another very welcome mainstay in All Saints’ musical life. It’s membership is also growing quite markedly, as far as I can see. Long may that continue! And special thanks goes to Steven Pugsley, director of the ensemble, for his tireless inspiration and passion.

Music Teaching & Arwen’s Wind Ensembles

I’ll only make brief mention of Arwen Lewis and her consistent hard work and dedication here that, suffice it to say, without her presence, musical life on Exmoor - notably for wind players - would be that much the poorer. All Saints is the primary venue for her teaching and concerts, as well as recipient of the generous time and playing of Arwen and all the members of her groups for such events as Starlight, as well as, most recently, during some All Saints services. We look forward to a continued, and long, connection with Arwen & thank her for all her hard work and joyful enthusiasm.

Sheet Music Donations

I’m still amazed by how many lovely (usually anonymous) people leave sheet music on the organ stool in the church. I sometimes arrive at church on a Sunday morning to find bags or boxes of music lying there, awaiting sorting! Thanks to Jenny and Ed’s kind patience, the ever-expanding organ music library is presently occupying a pew on the North Aisle, awaiting the opportunity to befiled away in a more organised environment ie. not a stack of boxes propping up the organist! When you think about it, this is a further demonstration of the musical heritage of our area, as well as yet more evidence - if needed - of people’s generous spirit. There’s also plenty of piano music in the collection, some quite unusual or old; plus a lot of vocal and church music. My sincere thanks to all those kind and thoughtful people. Hopefully - once appropriate storage space is arranged - I’ll be able to play more & more of the keyboard music collection at services in the future.

Gary Cooper Musical Director

11

Annual Financial Report for the Financial Year of 2024

Please find at hand the Annual Financial Accounts for 2024 which have been examined and agreed by Antony Porter FCA of Amherst and Shapland, a local accountancy firm. The figures occurring in this report are taken from these Annual Financial Accounts. I would be very happy to respond to any questions or suggestions you have regarding the financial situation.

First and foremost, I would like to express the PCC’s appreciation for all those individuals who have donated money to the work of All Saints Church during the 12 months of January to December 2024. Without your financial support, the Church would simply not be able to carry out the established pattern of worship, sacraments, teaching, pastoral support, outreach and social activities. We are very grateful to all of you who give your time, money and gifts to support the Church.

It is important that all those on the Electoral Roll and all those who support the Church are aware of the challenging financial situation that faces the Church. Although the task of managing the finances is the responsibility of the PCC, the Church’s financial wellbeing largely lies in the hands of the Electoral Roll and the supporters of the Church. Our financial year runs from January to December. The headline financial figures for 2024 are given below with the 2023 figures:

	2024	2023	Change 2024 from
			2023
Income	£59,356	£72,818	-£13,462
Expenditure	£76,282	£100,846	-£24,564
Operating Loss	£16,926	£28,028	-£11,102

Income

Unfortunately, our 2024 income of £59,356 fell significantly below the income enjoyed in 2023 of £72,818. This fall in income of £13,462 represents a fall of 18%. This reflects the long-term decline in our income over the past 10 years. It was also significantly below the budgeted income of £76,224. If this trend continues, it will significantly curtail our ability to carry out the existing level of Church and Ministry activities.

Our annual income comes from the following sources: Property Income £13,750, Donations (outside of services) £11,811, Investment Yields £9,382, Collections £9,062, Gift Aid £4,345, Grants £3,000, Events & Fundraising £2,985, Standing Orders £2,831and Parochial Fees £2,190.

12

We are very fortunate that, due to the generosity of past generations, we have a strong portfolio of property and financial investments. The combined yields of these two assets provides us with 41% of our income in 2024.

The other striking feature of these figures is the low proportion of our grants coming from events & fundraising, grants and standing orders – only 16% of our income in 2024.

Expenditure

Our total expenditure in 2024 was £76,282. This represented a reduction in expenditure from 2023 of £24,564. Our end of year expenditure was below our budgeted expenditure. The reason for this fall in expenditure is that we now no longer have the services of a Parish Administrator, we spent less on maintenance/minor repairs, and the Food Bank operations reduced in scale.

It is possible that our 2025 level of expenditure may increase as we have a backlog of repairs that need attention.

Operating Loss

Our operating loss (i.e. expenditure was higher than income) in 2024 was £16,926. That is a significant figure, but it represents a large reduction from the 2023 deficit of £28,028. However, that serious situation was mitigated by an increase in the value of our financial investments of £13,168. Therefore, the net movement in funds was a negative outflow of £2,338.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet provides a somewhat more encouraging picture. Our financial assets increased in value by £13,168(alas, this fell significantly below the 2023 increase of £40,657). Our policy is to record the value of our two properties at the original purchase value; it is possible that the current market value may be in excess of these book values. Our cash position (bank account, short term investments and float) declined from £39,012 (31 Dec 2023) to £19,882 (31 Dec 2024) – a reduction of £19,130. This fall was due largely to passing over of the Food Bank monies to the successor Moorland Food Bank and to the payment of the repairs to the Church Clock. As the cash balance has declined, we will need to pay greater attention to cash flow if we are to maintain our objective of keeping a cash reserve of 3 months operating expenses.

The effects of this increased investment value and a reduced cash position meant that our net asset position fell from £739,566 (31 Dec 2023) to £737,228 (31 Dec 2024). The difference of £2,338 is reflected in the negative funds outflow identified in the Operating Loss section above.

The PCC is currently in the process of selling one of its properties. Once this is achieved the PCC will need to decide how this release of capital will be used.

13

Overall, the balance sheet is in reasonably good shape – largely due to the gain in our financial investments. Although fixed asset values do not directly affect the operating loss or pay bills, the yields in rent, dividends and interest keep the PCC finances afloat – just.

Summary

From a financial perspective 2024 has been a difficult year for the Church with a significant operating loss of £16,926 – albeit a reduction from the 2023 deficit. The main cause for this disappointing performance is the large fall in income from 2022 and 2023 levels.

The PCC, Electoral Roll members and Church supporters will need to consider whether and how this decline in income can be addressed. It is unlikely that any further reductions in expenditure can be made as repair liabilities are now beginning to mount up. If we cannot increase collections and donations, we will have to look to grants and fund raising to reduce the deficit.

In addition, we need to consider the expectation of the Diocese that All Saints Dulverton Parish Share will increase from £25,000 to £42,000 over the next six years. If that happens then in 2031 we will be paying 75% of our income as a Parish Share if our income remains as present.

If expenditure and income remain on their present patterns, then in effect we have a structural deficit with annual operating losses becoming the norm. Deficits cannot go on year after year. There comes a point when we simply run out of cash. In this situation, the only way to address this lack of cash will be to sell some of our financial investments or the remaining property.

I am sorry that this picture is not particularly encouraging. However, it is important that you all know the reality of the financial situation.

Robin Nicoll, Treasurer. 4 April 2025.

You may contact me at [e-mail]

14

ALL SAINTS CHURCH DULVERTON ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INDEPkNDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH DULVERTON I roport on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of All Saints ChLJrch Dulverton (the PCC} for the ygar ended 31 Oecember 2024, Mthlch incorporate the Receipts and Payments Ac¢ounL The Statemenl of Assets R8spective responslbllltios of twst8&s and examiner The 'PCC' as Trusl@8s ar6 r6spon8ible for the preparation of tho aG¢ounb, The 'PCC as tnjstees considgr that an sudit is not required for Ihis yoar under section 144121 of the Charities ACÉ 2011. Th8 'PCC' trustees have requgsled me to undertake an indeyondent eKaminaliDn and l am qualified lo undertake the examSnalion by being a qualified m8mb6r of the Institute of Ghartored Accountants in England and W8188. It is my r8sponslbllity lo.. examine th? accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act., to follow proGgdur88 laid down in the General Directions givell by the Charity Commissioner und8r secllon 14515)(b) of the 2011 Act,. and to slate thelher any particular matter3 hav8 come to my attention. Basis of indepondent examingrfs report My examination Vds Carried out In accordance wth the General Dir8Ctions given by the Charity Commissioner. That 8xaminallon includes a review of the accounting ro¢ords maintain8d by the Trustaos and a comparison of the accounis wth those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disGlosures in the accounts and seeking oxplanations from you as TnJstee8 conceming any such matt&rs. Th8 procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requirod in an audit, and consequently no audit opinion is given as to elhgr th8 accounts present a 'lrue and fair view and th8 report is limit8d to those matters sel out in the statement b810w. Independent examinerfs statement In conne¢Uon my examination, no maller has come to my attention: {1} which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements lo keep accounting records in accordance with seGlion 130 OF the 2011 Act,. and lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements ofthe 2011 Act as also contained wthin the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. Have nol been met. or (21 to which, in my opinion, altenb'on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. G Porter FCA Amherst & Shapland {Taunton and Wiveliscomb8} Chart8red Accountanls Unit 2 Old Brewery Road Wiv8liscombe Telephone.. [phone]

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 TOTAL FUNDS Unrestricted Restrlcted funds funds 2024 2023 INCOMING RESOURCES Notg Voluntary Income 28,049 3,000 31.049 37,412 Actlvities for Generating Funds Events 2,985 2,985 2.190 5,915 7,797 21,694 Church Activities 2,190 Income from lllveslm&nls 23,132 23,132 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 56,356 3,000 59,356 72,818 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charltable Giants 4,703 4,703 414 Church Activities 71,039 71,039 98,599 Fuiidrdising 356 356 1,689 Governance 184 144 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 76,282 76,282 100,846 NET INCOMING I OUTGOING RESOURCES (19,926} 3,000 (16,9261 128,028) Gaino and losses on revaluation of fix￿ assels for the PCC'S own 14,588 14,588 40.657 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (5,3381 3,(X)O 12,338) 12,629 Balan￿S brought forward 739,566 739,566 726,937 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 734,228 3,000 737,228 739,566 The Dotes on Pages 3 to 5 form part of these accounts Page 1

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Note 2024 2023 FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets Investment assets 16D,000 160,000 553,972 540,804 713,972 700,804 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 4,413 Cash al Bank 19,882 39,012 24,295 39,012 LIABILITIES.. Amount8 falling due within one year (1,039) {2501 NET CURRENT ASSETS 23,256 38,762 NET ASSETS 737,228 739,566 FUNDS Unrestricted 734,228 739,566 ReslriLled 3,000 737,228 739,566 The Financlal Slalemenls were approved by the Parochial Church Council on il's behalf by.. arKI signed on The notes on Pages 3 to S form part of these accounts Pagg 2

PAROCHIAL CIIURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 DECEMBER 2024 l ACCOUn￿ng Policies lal The financial stalemenls of the Parochial Church Counci5 have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations using the aC￿ual5 basis and Fund accounting. Ibl Fixed assets retained for church use are included al cosl or valuation al the time of Its acquisition. Moveable church fittings hold by the chur¢h wardens on special trust for the Parochlal Church Council and which require a fuadly for disposal are considered to bè hÈritage assets and inallienable from bonefice properly and as such are not valued in the financial slatèmènls. Consecrated and beneficed properly of any kind is excluded from the accounts. Icl Plant and Equipment used in the church or churchyard are wrillen off lo the Statement of Financial Aclivllies on acquisitlorb. Idl Incoming ReSoUr￿s- Ml incoming resources are rocognised On￿ the charlty has entitlement lo the resources, 11 is certain Ihal the resources wll be received and the monetary value of In￿mIng resources can be measured w(Ih suFficiènl reliability. lel Resources expend￿. Liabllitles are recognised a8 reSoUr￿S expended as soon as Ihefft is a legal or constNclive obligation commltting the charity lo the expÈndilure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and ha5 been dasslfied under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. (fl Funds.. Unrestricted funds represent funds of the Parochial Church Council Ihal are not subject lo aiiy reslriclions regarding their use and are 8vailable for application to general purposes. Reslrioted funds aro funds which are lo be used in accordance wlh specific reslriclions imposed by the donor or trust deed. {gl Change of accounting policy.. The purpose of the accounts is to give a true 8nd fair vlew. To Ihis end it was decided 10 adopt the accruals basis of accounting in Pla￿ of the re￿ip1S and payments basis. This meanl instiluting a Balan￿ Sheet inwrporaling the assets and liabilities of the PCC. In addition the stslus of the Gardiner Trust was reviowed and the PCC confirmed that in tha light of thè 1969 modification Ihis should be accounted for 8s a Designated Fund and not a R6Stricted Fund. Having previously been included In restricted funds the 2022 accounts have been restsled to show these assets in the Unrestricted Funds. (h} Offsotting.. There has been no offselling of as8els and liabilities or income and expenditure unless required by Chuych Accounting Regulations. (i) Legacies- Lega¢ies 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 Sn the Estate. lj) tk)naled goods and servi￿$.. Donated goods and services are not included in the Statement of Financial Activities where (hey relale to the ongoing work of the Parochial Church Council due to the eX￿S of cost over benefit of this exercise. Page 3

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATkMENTS Icontinued} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 TOTAL FUNDS Unrèstriclod Restricted funds funds 2024 2023 2 Voluntary Income Planned giving Tax recoverable Collections and other givlng Legacies and other donalions Grants 2,831 4,345 9,062 11,811 2,831 4,345 9,062 11,811 3,000 19,176 5,022 8,056 5,158 3,000 28,049 3,000 31,049 37,412 3 Church Activltles Church Fees Bookstall and maggzine Other income 2,1 2,190 5,266 525 2,006 2,190 2.190 7,797 4 Incomé from Invostments Properly CCLA 13,750 9,382 13,750 9,382 12,610 9.084 23,132 23,132 21.694 5 Church Actlvltl•s Parish Share Mission and evangelism Clergy expenses Church maintenance Church Tunning costs 22,628 9,851 2,016 1,297 2,424 3,835 2,704 10,86D 3.000 22,628 9,851 2,016 1,297 2,424 3,835 2,704 10,860 3,000 23,323 13,505 5,021 10.901 2,867 3,472 3,598 12,789 Insuranco Major rgpairs Outgoing resources Mis¢elleneous Salaries and support costs Repairs- investments 100 23,023 11,044 1,380 11,044 1,380 71,039 71,039 98,599 Page 4

PAROCHIAL CHIIRCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS DULVERTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {contlnuedl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 TOTAL FUNDS Church use Listed Investment Investments properties assets 2024 2023 6 Tanglble Flxed Assets Number 3 Church Lane Number 1 Church Walk CCLA Setturilles Fund CCLA Inveslm&nl Fund CCLA Equities Fund CCLA Passmore-Jones 105,000 105,000 160,000 71,674 116,901 97,77S 162,622 105,OOQ 160,000 69,574 114,979 96,527 154,724 160,000 71,674 116,901 97,775 162,622 160,0(XI 448,972 105,000 713,972 700,804 Listed Investmenls are included al valuations al 31 De￿mber as provided by CCLA. Investment properties are includsd at tx)sl in 2010 in tho case of Number 1 Church Walk, Nutnb8r 3 Church Lane is valued on the basis of curr6nt income flows and the expeclad rale of return ol the PCC. 2024 2023 7 Cash at Bank Current Account CBF Account- G2rdiner CBF Account- Reserve Cash in Hand 14,889 2,597 2,296 100 34,109 2,507 2,296 100 19,882 39,012 Page 5