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Annual Report of the
Parochial Church Council for the year ending 31 December 2021
St James’ Church Little Paxton
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| INDEX The Reverend Canon Annette Reed introduces the Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2021 Administratve Informaton and Charity Registraton ………………………… The PCC - Aims and Purposes ................................................................. - PCC members from May 2021 ………………………………………………. Structure, Governance and Management ……………………………………….. Achievements and Performance - Electoral Roll …………………………………………………………………………. - Church atendance – some summary statstcs ………………………. Social Media outreach …………………………………………………………………….. Benefce website …………………………………………………………………………….. KIT (Keeping in Touch) Newsleter Quartet …………………………………………………………………………………………... Community use of Church building …………………………………………………… Events and special services in 2021 …………………………………………………. Funding the Mission of St James’ Church …………………………………………. Parish Giving …………………………………………………………………………………… ‘Thank You’ to those who make the weekly life of our church possible Church Fabric Report ………………………………………………………………………. Deanery Synod Report ……………………………………………………………………. Churchyard Team Report …………………………………………………………………. Tower Captain’s Report ………………… ……………………………………………….. Safeguarding Report ……………………………………………………………………….. Simply Saturday Report ………………………………………………………. Development Acton Plan (DAP) Report …………………………………………… Contact details ………………………………………………………………………………… |
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Appendix
Balance Sheet for year to 31 December 2021
Income and Expenditure Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 are available to view in church
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Canon Annette Reed introduces the Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2021
An end of year report is always an opportunity to take some time out to reflect back on the previous year in the life of our church community. In the introduction to the 2020 report, I wrote about the effects that the Covid pandemic was having on our lives and, of course, the hope that it would all be over by summer 2020 proved not to be the case.
2021 was a year when despite the challenges of ongoing restrictions life began to get back to a ‘normal’ we were more familiar with. Our first in-person services started again at Easter 2021 and then as we moved into summer and early autumn, many of the much-loved community events returned to St James. Slowly at first, folk came back, getting confident about being with others although we had to live still with face coverings.
It seems that many of our regular groups are flourishing more than ever as we move into spring 2022 and bookings for our community space keep Nicci, our Benefice Administrator and Graeme, our Community Space Manager, on their toes.
Reflecting back, many new ideas and initiatives came out of lockdown and the pandemic. As you will read in other articles in the report, our online presence flourished with the use of YouTube videos. The Keeping in Touch leaflet was born and the number of people who engaged with the Benefice Facebook page grew. St James PCC were able to secure a Covid Recovery Grant to live-stream services and record them so that they could be watched subsequently on YouTube. The grant also gave a new lease of life to the Tots and Carer’s group with their purchase of new and hygienic play equipment. With a predicted growth in number of people using the community space, the PCC decided to create the post of Community Space Manager and Graeme Anness was appointed in April 2021. He hasn’t stopped moving chairs and carrying out many other tasks since. He also bakes a mean cake!
It needs to be said that we have an extraordinary team of committed people at St James who give countless hours to making things happen safely. I know just how dedicated they are, and I can’t begin to name individuals for fear of missing anyone out. It is probably true to say that sometimes we can feel there is too much to do and not enough time to do it in. But somehow, after a particularly enjoyable community session or event or service, the smiles of those who have taken part says it all; and it’s on to the next challenge!
No thriving church community can exist without generous financial giving. A big thank you must go to everyone who gives regularly to St James to allow us to pay our annual ministry share and meet our many other regular costs. That thank you extends to those who give a donation at a coffee morning just as much as those who give through a monthly direct debit. With many items increasing in price, we need to take care that our income meets our expenditure in the coming months and that we can comfortably continue to be a church which reaches out in love and friendship to the ever-growing community around us.
I would like once again to thank by name our LLM Mel Eyeons for her constant support in leading worship and her calm and thoughtful input into our church life. Unlike most of us who live in Little Paxton, Mel has to travel over from Papworth and is always on time!
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Do enjoy reading this report and as you read the names of the different people who have contributed to the text or who are involved in various events at St James, give thanks for them and all that they give to the church community at St James Little Paxton.
May we also pray for our Bishop Stephen who, in 2022, is covering both Ely and Peterborough Diocese in his duties and for Bishop Dagmar who has additional responsibilities now in Ely Diocese. Farewell to Archdeacon Hugh as he steps down as Archdeacon of Huntingdon after 17 years in post at Easter 2022. He has been a great encourager of our vision and mission at St James over the years.
Thank you to each and every one of you who is part of the St James story. We continue on a journey together and have much to look forward to. So, as with last year, I will round off this introduction with the Ely Diocesan Prayer.
Canon Annette Reed 22 February 2022
An Ely Diocesan Prayer.
We praise and thank you, God of the journey, for all your gifts to us in the past. We look to you as fellow-traveller and faithful companion on the way ahead. Shelter and protect us from all harm and anxiety. Give us grace to let go of all that holds us back. And grant us courage to meet the new life You have promised us in Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Administrative information
St James’ Church of England parish church is situated in the village of Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire. It is within the Deanery of St Neots (Diocese of Ely), and is part of a benefice of four churches with St Laurence’s Church, Diddington; Holy Trinity Church, Great Paxton; and St Leonard’s Church in Southoe and Midloe. The Pastoral Scheme creating this benefice came into force on 1 June 2015.
Charity Registration
During 2011, the Church registered with the Charity Commission. (Registration No. 1144292)
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The PCC
Aims and Purposes
St James’ Church PCC has the responsibility of working with and supporting our incumbent, The Reverend Canon Annette Reed, in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St James’ Church.
The PCC members who have served from 1 January 2021 until the date this report was approved are as follows: (please note * denotes an ex-officio member):
Incumbent:
The Reverend Canon Annette Reed* Chair
Churchwardens:
Helen Young Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Nicci Jones Elected from APCM 16 May 2021
Deputy Churchwardens:
Leslie Tennant (Church Army Evangelist Officer Ret’d)
Ken Heley
LLMs
Barbara Evans (Moved away September 2021)
Mel Eyeons
Leslie Tennant (Church Army Evangelist Officer Ret’d)
Representatives on the Deanery Synod for three years from their election date:
Anita Bailey (PCC Secretary) Elected from APCM 20 September 2020 Nicci Jones (Churchwarden) Elected from APCM 20 September 2020
Elected PCC Members:
Leslie Tennant Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Ken Heley Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 June Griffin Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Lesley Werb (Safeguarding Officer) Stepped down w.e.f. APCM 16 May 2021 Lee Duncan Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Lyn Harris Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Jean Matheson Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Anita Bailey Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Graeme Anness Elected from APCM 16 May 2021 Glen Doick Elected at PCC Meeting 13 September 2021
Co-opted Members:
Kate Bywater (Treasurer) Co-opted member from APCM 16 May 2021
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Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At the APCM on 21 April 2013 it was agreed that all PCC members should stand for a period of one year only and then stand for re-election year by year. This policy will be reviewed by the APCM at least once every six years and will be reviewed again by 2025.
A new Benefice Administrator was appointed in 2017 and due to the continual growth in the benefice, the PCC of St James’ Church, (meeting on the 20 March 2019), with the support of Diddington, Southoe and Great Paxton PCCs, agreed to increase the hours of this role to 12 hours per week with effect from 1 April 2019 and this arrangement continues.
A new Community Space Manager for St James’ Church, Graeme Anness, was appointed in April 2021 and has become a strategic member of the St James’ team.
In 2021
PCC meetings held on: Standing Committee meetings held on: 20 January (via zoom) 6 January (via zoom) 17 March (via zoom) 10 March (via zoom) 28 April (via zoom) 19 April (via zoom) 30 June 9 June 13 September & 22 November
In 2016 the Diocese of Ely encouraged PCCs to work closely with their ministers to create a Development Action Plan (DAP). The plan was for growth in all areas of church life within the Diocesan Strategy ‘Towards 2025’. A small group identified areas for growth and have been working on this project since January 2018. The group continue to monitor their work and also meet to organise events and activities. The Development Action Plan (DAP) Group had zoom meetings on 25 March and 13 April, with the PCC being kept fully updated.
Achievements and Performance
Electoral Roll
The electoral roll is the foundation of the whole structure of synodical government in the church. It contains the names and addresses of everyone who can vote at the Annual Parochial Church meeting (APCM). In 2021 there were 101 people on St James’ Church Electoral Roll. The Electoral Roll is revised annually. A notice announcing the revision of the Roll is displayed on or near the church door for at least two weeks before the commencement of the revision. The only people who need to fill in an application form are those who have recently moved into the parish, joined the church or reached the age of 16. The revision should be completed between 15 and 28 days before the annual meeting.
The PCC would like to thank Nicci Jones for her work in this role in 2021.
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Church attendance
With the Covid-19 pandemic still with us in 2021 and the resultant subsequent national lockdowns, there were far fewer services in church than were held in pre-pandemic years.
We cautiously opened our church doors again on 31 March 2021 when we were open for quiet time and then, with reserved seating, on the 2 April (Good Friday) open for Reflections with Music, followed by Morning Prayer with music on the 4 April (Easter Sunday). We then opened for regular services of Morning Prayer on Sundays at 9.15am. From the 2 June we re-introduced Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings and on Sundays alternated between Morning Prayer and Holy Communion. Our All Age worship returned on Sunday 7 November.
| * Atendance which was limited by various Covid restrictons |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of services | 167 | 157 | *64 | *91 |
| Total footall of adults atending services | 5004 | 4692 | *1503 | *2232 |
| Total footall of children atending all services | 1097 | 1027 | *54 | *359 |
| Average number of people at main 9.15 am Holy communion service (only 5 were held in 2021) |
39 | 38 | *31 | *26 |
| Average number of communicants at main 9.15 am Holy communion service |
38 | 36 | *31 | *19 |
| Number of home communions | 47 | 30 | 5 | *0 |
| Number of weddings | 8 | 3 | 4 | *1 |
| Number of funerals | 5 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Graveside service | - | - | - | 1 |
| Services held at crematorium | - | - | - | 5 |
| Interment of ashes | - | - | - | 7 |
| Memorial Service | - | - | - | 1 |
| Number of baptsms | 10 | 13 | 1 | 10 |
| Average number of adults at 1stSunday Forty Minutes) (only 2 held in 2021) |
37 | 32 | *40 | *30 |
| Average number of children at 1stSunday Forty Minutes | 6 | 6 | *7 | *0 |
| Number of Morning Prayer services | - | - | - | 27 |
| Average number at Morning Prayer services | - | - | - | 23 |
| Mothering Sunday Service YouTube viewing fgures | - | - | 430 | 194 |
| Christngle, Christmas Eve & Christmas in-person services(2020 & 2021 include viewing fgures for YouTube Christmas services) |
312 | 290 | 260 | 213 |
| Easter Day atendance(with viewing fgures for YouTube Easter Sunday 2020 and 2021) |
42 | 70 | 231 | 213 |
| Wed a.m. Holy Comm. average atendance (2021 from June) |
8 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
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Church Attendance Cont’d ..
A few YouTube statistics:
Since March 2020 Annette and her son Mike have produced 80 YouTube Benefice services with total viewing numbers of 14,743 – that’s an average viewing number of 189! 75% of the audiences are from the UK. From January 2022, Annette and Mike are producing one video for the first Sunday of each month.
With the introduction of the St James’ media equipment, it is now possible to live-stream inperson services and also send out recordings on YouTube. Statistics for those viewings will no doubt appear in the 2022 Annual Report!
Extra statistics for 2021 YouTube Benefice services:
31 January - 14 March (Mothering Sunday) - 4 April (Easter Sunday) - 22 August - 10 October (School Harvest theme) - Christmas - |
Viewing Figures 236 194 177 128 138 - 105 |
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YouTube mid-week services produced by LLM Mel Eyeons
Mel has been producing a regular mid-week YouTube service of high quality since Palm Sunday 2020. As at February 2022, Mel has produced 54 videos with regular viewing figures of 20-25. Mel’s service comes with downloadable/readable resources and are very well planned and delivered. We are very grateful to Mel for providing this invaluable way of reaching out to people online.
Social Media outreach
The Paxtons Benefice Facebook Page
The Benefice Facebook page was created on 21 October 2012. It first appeared just after the CHUFT Project was completed and St James opened again after the re-ordering.
Since then, the Facebook page has reported on hundreds of benefice events and services, offered some prayer space and reflections and frequently shares thoughtful pictures from across our four churches.
We now have 701 followers and, for reasons which are hard to fathom, some posts reach over 1000 people and others just over 200! We, naturally, have to be mindful of obtaining permission from people to post their picture and hope that we are always sensitive to this important safeguard.
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We are always pleased when we have positive comments about the page. It is a very good vehicle to use when commending our YouTube videos and we are grateful that there is no cost in having a Facebook Page account.
If you do engage with our Facebook Page, please do post something and say ‘hello’! Address for our Facebook Page is on Page 18.
The Benefice Website
Another source of news and events is the benefice website which is maintained by our administrator, Nicci Jones. There is a wealth of information about our benefice churches along with publicising the many activities which happen across the benefice. Among the pages, you will find a calendar with benefice events and a library of the Keeping in Touch weekly newsletters and back issues of the Quartet magazine. (Website details on Page 18)
KIT (Keeping in Touch) Weekly Newsletter
Keeping in Touch (KIT) was another product of lockdown. The first edition came out on 28 March 2020 as a way to keep in touch with one another as we faced what we hoped would be a few weeks of restrictions on meeting together.
Covering four sides of A5 in a leaflet format, originally produced to accompany the Sunday YouTube service, with prayers, readings, reflections and news. Distributed via email to folk on our parish data base and, indeed, to anyone who expressed an interest in receiving it! About 25 copies are also hand delivered to folk in Little Paxton. We developed the design and incorporated some colour pictures and generally followed the bible themes of any particular Sunday.
KIT was produced throughout 2021 and was particularly helpful in keeping in touch with those who were needing to stay at home.
Thank you to those who have written articles for the KIT and Helen Young for formatting the Vicar’s text (often challenging!) and printing off the colour copies.
In March 2022 we hit the 100[th] edition, have no plans to stop its production and appreciate the positive feedback we have received.
Quartet – Monthly Benefice Newsletter
As with many local church magazines, our run of Quartets stopped abruptly with the March 2020 edition and didn’t reappear until October 2020, only to stop again at the Christmas edition. Copies were next produced from April 2021 onwards as restrictions began to be eased and the deliverers felt able to assist with the vital work of getting the magazine out to our readers.
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Thank you to Nicci’s husband, Dave Jones, for printing the Quartet at his school and to Ken and Alison Bowles who distribute it to the deliverers and for their efforts walking the streets of Little Paxton. Several people contribute to the magazine regularly from across our benefice for which we are again grateful. Quartet is delivered to folk in Little Paxton who have signed up to receive the Newsletter at a cost of £5 per year. It can also be read on our benefice website. It is also sent out to households in our other three church communities and 450 copies are produced each month.
Community use of Church building
Throughout a ‘normal’ year St James’ Church is used by many different groups.
The Groups who normally beneft from use of the church are:
Line-dancing group (Tuesday mornings)
Tots and carers group (Wednesday mornings)
K-fit group - Pilates (Thursday mornings) Bell Ringing practice (Thursday evenings) Tea, Coffee and chat group (Friday mornings) Local History Group (monthly) Fish and chip lunches (monthly) Jubilee Knitters Group (2[nd] Monday of the month)
Little Paxton W.I. (3[rd] Monday of the month)
Little Paxton Pictures Cinema (last Tuesday of the month plus extra in school holidays) Simply Saturday – for those who like company on a Saturday (1[st] Saturday of the month) Coffee Pot Memory Café members – Film (every 5[th] Wednesday of the month)
Occasional choir practice nights
Children’s parties for church linked families One off meetings for village groups, e.g. AGMs, Brownie events Deanery Synod meetings Deanery Chapter meetings Diocese trainings
As you can see from the extensive list … our church is normally busy on most days and from the middle of 2021 we started to gently begin opening up. In July 2021, we opened up for our Friday morning coffee group and Little Paxton Pictures with our Tots and Simply Saturday group starting back in the September.
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It is hoped that in 2022 we shall be able to further increase the use of our church for the benefit of the community. All bookings are managed by our Benefice Administrator (Nicci Jones) and there is an on-line calendar which can be viewed on our benefice website.
Events, Films and special services that took place in 2021
| 2021 | |
|---|---|
| 22 June | ‘SWITCH’groupfilm show |
| 10 July | PAXFEST |
| 27 July | First Film Show forpublic - Hairspray |
| 31 Aug | Film – South Pacific |
| 28 September | Film - Casablanca |
| 29 September | Coffee Pot Café Film – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers |
| 3 October | Harvest Thanksgiving Service (collected non-perishable items for Jimmy’s Night Shelter) |
| 19 October | ‘SWITCH’groupfilm show |
| 18 October | Presentation bySt Neots Museum for W.I.group |
| 26 October | Film – Calendar Girls |
| 31 October | Annual Benefice All Souls service |
| 14 November | Remembrance Sundayservice |
| 30 November | Film – The Man Who Knew Too Much |
| 10 December | Christmas Cheer Pop-op Event with Bedford Brass Band, Carols around the tree, mulled wine, pizzas, ‘snow’ fun, tombola and the sale of seasonal treats. |
| 12 December | Carols byCandlelight |
| 20 December | Two Children’s Christmas Parties with Jazzythe Elf! |
| 21 December | Film – The NativityStory |
| 24 December | Christingle and eveningHolyCommunion |
Funding the mission of St James’ Church
Our Treasurer, Kate Bywater, reports that we had another challenging financial year but, thanks to the generosity of so many people and with the receipt of grants, we have managed to stay afloat and balance our books at the year end. During the year we had received two more grants totalling £6,000 from Huntingdon District Council to help us keep going through the pandemic. We also received a grant of £12,600 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; this was specifically to support organisations to make the transition towards full reopening during Spring/Summer 2021. This grant had extremely tight criteria, both in timelines and how the money must be spent but, our team put in a huge effort that allowed us to replace the carpet, install the streaming systems, buy equipment for the Tots group and stock up on face masks, hand sanitiser etc.
The Balance Sheet can be found in the Appendix to this Report. Please feel free to view the Income and Expenditure Report – copies are available in church.
Regular giving remains an essential element to our annual financing and helps us to cover our Ministry Share. In 2021 we paid our Ministry Share.
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A big thank you to:
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Kate Bywater for her much appreciated work as our Treasurer.
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Helen Young for running the 100 Club and to everyone who subscribes to it – it continues to provide a valuable source of income for the maintenance of the church building. The 100 Club had 97 members in 2021, ( some members had moved away during the year ) which brought in a brilliant profit for the year of £2840.
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Alison Bowles for completing the Gift Aid returns.
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Sarah Symonds for auditing our accounts.
In 2020, due to the challenging circumstances, we were unable to allocate funds for the benefit of all our usual charities but, in 2021 we were very pleased to reinstate our Missing Giving totalling £1000, split between Little Paxton Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Little Paxton Scouting, Caring for Cambridgeshire’s Homeless Project, Ely Diocesan Association of Bell Ringers, Save the Children, St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger, Church Army Explore and Cambridge Emmaus.
However, as can be seen in the accounts, additional donations were made to:
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Jimmy’s Night Shelter (£230 from Harvest Service)
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St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger (£255 from the All-Souls Service)
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Children’s Society (£35 from the Christingle Service)
Thank you to everyone who contributed to these charities.
Parish Giving Scheme
A small number of our regular congregation have signed up for the Parish Giving Scheme - a form of tax efficient giving by Direct Debit and we are hoping to expand this during 2022 - all applications can now be completed on-line.
The PCC would like to say a very big ‘THANK YOU’ to the many wonderful people who work hard to make the usual weekly life of our church possible – you are all very much appreciated.
Church Fabric Report
Repair work to the churchyard wall between the church and St James’ Cottage was completed in 2021, with a Faculty received for the section where part of the wall needed to be rebuilt to accommodate the tree that was currently in its path. Once again, we would like to express our appreciation to the Parish Council, who had to cover the cost of this very necessary work. A new boiler was installed in the Spring which has greatly improved the reliability of having a warm church and new ‘Live-streaming’ equipment was installed and an oak housing cabinet designed and built by Alan Smith and Eric Young – we are very grateful to both of them.
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| Item(s) inspected | Inspecton Frequency |
Inspecton Date |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock | Annual | 5 Aug 2020 | Maintenance survey carried out by Ken Heley, Eric Young and Alan Smith. PCC keeping under review the need for an annual inspecton. |
| Efuent Pump | 5yearly | 12 June 2019 | Due in 2024 |
| Bells and Bell Frame | 17 May2018 | Service not required annually | |
| PAT Testng | Annual | 7 July2021 | |
| Guters | Annual | Feb 2019 | To be done in 2022 |
| Electrics | 5yearly | 17 Sept 2018 | Due in 2023 |
| Boiler Service | Annual | 21 Feb 2022 | New boiler installed 6 February2021 |
| Lightening Conductors |
5 yearly | 7 June 2021 | |
| Fire Extnguishers | Annual | 3 Feb 2020 | Delayed due to church not being in use and carried out 23 February 2022 |
Deanery Synod Report
In 2021, St Neots Deanery Synod met physically on 7 July and virtually, via zoom, on the 11 March, 19 October and 10 November.
Anita Bailey and Nicci Jones served as our elected Deanery Representatives.
In early 2021, Rev Nikki Bland of the Staughtons and Hail Weston became our Rural Dean.
In March 2021 we had a presentation on ‘Inherited Church and Fresh Expressions’ – given by Revd Phil Marsh, Mission and Ministry Development Officer and Revd Mark Rodel, Fresh Expressions and Pioneer Adviser. The meeting took the form of benefice breakout rooms to discuss 3 questions which referred to the previous 12 months of lockdown. The questions: What are you celebrating? What are our challenges? What are our hopes? The discussions highlighted that the Diocesan Strategy had been upended by Covid and that God had other ideas. We have to change and move on and constantly rethink our path. The things we had learned during Covid would hold the keys for the time ahead.
Deanery Synod members were advised that in early 2022 there would be a meeting for Clergy and Deanery Synod members with Bishop Stephen to discuss the Deanery Plan for the way forward. The meeting took place at St James’ Church on Saturday 2 April 2022.
– Finance Ministry Share - The Deanery Treasurer, Martin MacFarlane, thanked all parishes for their efforts in ensuring the Deanery Share was being met in full for 2021. He also confirmed that The Ministry Share increase for 2022 was to be 1.5%.
During 2020 St James’ Church PCC had reviewed its Ministry Share to see how it could best help our benefice churches. St James’ Church agreed that with effect from 2021 it would increase the percentage of its benefice share and ministerial expenses, in line with the percentage increase in population numbers in Little Paxton. Anita Bailey (Deanery Synod Representative)
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Churchyard Team Report
The churchyard team are very grateful for the new lawnmowers, bought towards the end of last season. We had a few teething problems with them, hopefully now sorted, and they will be back in action very soon, weather permitting!
We are pleased to say we gained a new team member this year, Richard, who is in charge of strimming. But, we will probably be a man down for mowing, so are always on the look-out for willing volunteers.
The bulbs have started to flower by the headstones. We had planted more at the end of last year, so looking forward to them appearing soon as well.
Frankie Lovelock (Feb 2022)
The PCC and congregation are extremely grateful to Frankie, Barbara and the team and for the wonderful way they continue to look after our churchyard; and doing so even during lockdowns. Villagers who walk through the churchyard tell us what a lovely picture of colour it is and how much pleasure it gives to us all. Thank you Frankie and team!
Tower Captain’s report
The 20 May 2021 saw the return to ringing all our 6 bells since the lockdown began. We have managed to ring for most Sunday services, sometimes with masks and then without as the restrictions were lifted. We have also been able to continue with our practice sessions on Thursday evenings.
On 27 February, 100 half muffled blows were rung at each of our towers to mark the funeral of Captain Sir Thomas Moore, who died aged 100 years. We tolled at all our towers on 23 March at 12.01 to mark the National Day of Reflection.
On 10 April, 99 half muffled blows were rung on the tenor to mark the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and on 17 April the tenor was tolled for 5 minutes to mark the funeral of Prince Philip.
On 5 July, along with towers across the country, we rang rounds on 3 bells to celebrate 73 years of the NHS.
The bells have been rung for 6 funerals, a confirmation service, a baptism service and to celebrate our very own bellringer, June, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
We have 2 new recruits this year. Graeme has been learning to ring since September and, in November, Michael joined us from St Neots/Hilton. We have also had a couple of visitors to our practice nights.
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A quarter peal was rung on 27 November to mark the 10th anniversary of the bells being reinstated. Nicci and Alex both rang in the band and are to be congratulated on achieving their 1st quarter peal. There will be a plaque in the ringing room to commemorate this.
I would like to finish by saying thank you to all the ringers who support St James and dedicate their time to the Thursday practice and service ringing. It is important to keep the art of ringing alive and to give service to the church in this way.
Mary Parnham Tower Captain/Ringing Master The PCC and congregation are very grateful to Mary and her team.
Safeguarding Report for the Benefice of the Paxtons with Diddington and Southoe
Our work is based on the House of Bishops statement:
The Church of England safeguarding policy statement is based on five foundations and offers six overarching policy commitments:
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Promoting a safer environment and culture
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Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church
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Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
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Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
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Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
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Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others
In 2021 our Benefice Safeguarding team were: Lesley Werb (DBS Checker), our Church Wardens, Helen Young and Nicci Jones with our vicar, Annette Reed. Nicci Jones kindly agreed to be our named Safeguarding Officer when Lesley requested to step down from this role. However, Lesley kindly continued as our DBS Checker. During 2021 the team continued to use the Diocesan website Dashboard for monitoring and recording safeguarding practices required of each church community. The team endeavoured to keep up-to-date with all the regular Safeguarding matters, and deal with any requests for action from Ely Diocese. Two members of our team completed the Ely Diocese Safer Recruitment training early in 2021 that led to the safe recruitment of our new Community Space Manager.
Every three years, all Church officers are required to repeat their highest level of training course completed. Safeguarding is on every agenda of all benefice PCC Meetings and AGMs to ensure we are all very conscious of this important caring responsibility. Safeguarding contact details are available in all four of our benefice churches.
From 2022 all PCC members will have to have a DBS check every 3 years, rather than the previous 5 yearly renewal process.
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The PCC would like to take this opportunity to thank Lesley Werb for her all work in the essential roles of Benefice Safeguarding Officer and DBS Checker. We would also like to thank Nicci Jones for being our interim named Officer.
The PCC are currently looking for a person (or persons) who might like to be involved with this very important work of safeguarding. If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested, in being our DBS Checker or Safeguarding Officer, please do get in touch with one of the team.
Simply Saturday Report
The past year and a half have been challenging for Simply Saturday as we were unable to meet for many months due to the Covid 19 restrictions.
During lockdown we maintained contact with the Group by keeping in touch with cards and Newsletters, our own Christmas card with goody bags were delivered at Christmas, a potted plant for Mothering Sunday for all the ladies who attended Simply Saturday and a specially designed card for Easter.
We relaunched with a stall at Paxfest in July with a game, a board showing the previous year’s entertainment and leaflets. This gave an opportunity to tell people who we were and what was planned for the rest of the year.
Meetings started again in August 2021 with Trevor Gunton, giving a talk on Paxton Pits Nature Reserve; we had a Quiz in September; a Men’s Voice Chorus in October; a solo singer in early November; and at the end of November our Christmas Lunch with an Entertainment Group.
We have a full year’s entertainment booked for 2022 many of which have been transferred from 2021.
Simply Saturday meetings are usually held on the first Saturday of each month, 12.30 – 2.30pm, and start with a bring & share lunch followed by some entertainment or games/activities from around 1.30pm. Posters are displayed and information shown in various publications, detailing any variations to the meeting dates and what entertainment and activities there will be. You are welcome to come for the activity time only if you prefer. We ask for a £2 donation towards costs, and also usually have a raffle to help raise funds. We have been very grateful for various grants to help towards providing entertainment, most recently one from Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ scheme; and one from the Parish Council which also helped towards deliveries made during the lockdown.
The PCC would like to take this opportunity to thank Leisa Hunt and Sheila Cooper for this report and all their hard work organising entertainment for the Simply Saturday group.
17
Development Action Plan (DAP) Group
The DAP Group continued to plan, keeping in mind the five ‘Levers of Change’ , part of the Diocesan Strategy ‘Towards 2025’.
-
Nurture a confident people of God
-
Develop healthy churches and leaders
-
Serve the community
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Re-imagine our buildings ( St James’ Church had already completed this )
-
Target support to key areas
-
In 2021, ensuring relevant Covid restrictions complied with, we:
-
provided the refreshments in the village hall for Paxfest in July
-
re-opened Little Paxton Pictures in the summer
-
Hosted Village Pop-up Christmas Carols event
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Rebranded and arranged the production of new church logo and feather banners
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Successfully applied for third round of Co-op Community Funding for our ‘Warm Welcome’ project – bringing members of our community, who are often unable to access community events, together for social and shared activities including events for young people with learning difficulties; older people with dementia and others with particular special needs.
We are very grateful to the Co-op for the wonderful support of our projects over the last three years.
Anita Bailey (DAP Chair)
18
Contact details:
The Reverend Canon Annette Reed
The Vicarage, 24 St James’ Road, Little Paxton, PE19 6QW Tel: 01480 211048
Email: canonannetereed@gmail.com
Churchwarden
Helen Young 10 Little Paxton Lane, Little Paxton, PE19 6EP Tel: 01480 216255 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com
Benefice Administrator (and Churchwarden)
Nicci Jones
c /o The Vicarage, 24 St James’ Road, Little Paxton, PE19 6QW
Tel: 01480 877215
Email: admin@thepaxtonsbenefce.org
Treasurer
Kate Bywater Email: kbywater.church@gmail.com
PCC Secretary
Anita Bailey 15 Jubilee Close, Little Paxton, PE19 6QG
Tel: 01480 535002 Email: ajlbailey@aol.com
Benefice Website www.thepaxtonsbenefce.org
Facebook www.facebook.com/ThePaxtonsBenefce
(All information contained in this report is correct at the time of printing)
19 Appendix Iiiiibiil Iiiuuiiu
IIIIEIIU Iiiu
St Jam85 Little Paxton PCC
nts for Year to 31
zoii
Z020
Income
ndaywotship
Weddin
Funeralsard Mernsbr
eaptisrns
HèTve5t
3.998.09
4,796 10
33.47
288
43.93
S72.81
376.56
188 28
Chnsirn?5
T4)1
s9.
34.273.08
9.880.50
5JOS.IS
5.133 69
9,841.45
500 CK
41.BOO.16
644.S5
Donaiion5
CovenaDt51RegularGi¥jnB
Loans received
Ely 08 GIftd Refund
CBF Income Fund
3.918.96
624.56
Net
Gross
Ner
Gross
Specrdl Events
Brnsscthxort
Chrtrna5 Baiaarlmarkei
Arnazon Smile
Pa¥lest
Ctrop L11 Commuhrty Fund
Re( 4Ch•rrtv
CHUFT Chaiis
Towef Fund
k5
Pre5eryes
PUEEI
Chiklrth'SWiyksWP•rts
Film sh
Face Mask5
Toi
her 911¢r1btM)fi$
696.67
34.11
1.237 4S
1.274.65
916.96
34.11
1.636 50
1.274.65
1.243 2g
15.
114.CQl
1.243 2
15 LKI
4.27
21.80
6.25
10 c¥)
1383 681
189 91
2l.80
6.25
io.ty)
31.00
12.74
(go)
365 81
31.LKI
491.42
539 07
so.
3.091.41
4.3gS.?6
1.424.57
I6.6.ri?
1,661.94
IM99.20
1.5912A
7.000.
6LX).W
Sundty
Grave re5er¥atknn lee
(hottseftes
retained f$
Heatin& Ibe15 etc
TI
Fe¢$
2.878.
2.526.
210.
5,247 CX)
2.497 LKI
270.CN)
I14.c
450 (MI
761.45
6fy7.50
761.4S
81S.Q)
1.589.89
Quartetl rSntin
Churth U5t
e View$del
Sub toi•l
1,214.32
9)5.
47,755.91
General aECOUnt balance at 15tJanuary
19.101.32
19.928.51
Tiansfers
Transferwt
112.515.201
ProlectsAc
St Jam85 Little Paxton PCC Lottery LKence Orawpaw)ierts 120 (X)) I2.980.> 120.QKII 12,980.Crf)I 13.71S.DJ 10.905.C siMY Saturdaymow held by PCC T¢)tal 110.515.13 iozo Expendrture Min15try Miilisttyshare VKar'5 Expense5 Lav MinMerlLLMI Expen5e5 Copyirwjadmin Quartèt rn 3123S.56 1.682.40 292.05 1.189.60 2B.691.88 1.783 79 577 13 120.OD nt 7.60 St Neot5 DEaerySHI 8enelite fjathen eerlice adMtrolOr TIX Restoration Caraker Ingjrance Churthyatd MaintenèncÈ Étncrty Ga5 Awlian Water 3.748.SO 3.114.iK) 39.91S.?I 31323.31 Fatsrlc & Maintenance 189.241 1.957.50 1.707.72 1.408.96 1SJ8.6UI 1,6S8.84 168 02 60B 1.280 25 253 OD 324 OD 337 20 70.47 664.62 4.476 (K) 318. 123.74 nd Maintewt Hcvsekeepnl 8Èll Mainiènancè To11 Eva(v•tKffj3ere Copwn¢yr Fhx¥ers Tth 175.86 6663 11.213.56 4.575.11 Loan re Fund ialSbn8 eApense5 Jimmrfs N hi Shehor Rwal 8rit15h ChiWren'5 soci Sue Ryder HOspe Southoè PCC CJmb5 HistwKOwJrthu Tefflp)r•ry SU ParishGM 1.454.31 230.th) 125.tM) 35. 25S. 237 26 150 OD Sund Oonatlons 50 LKTr 2.430.65 1,767 20 2.430.6SI l.S3S.ty) 1253.61 4h35.11 Sund P rnents Fees E 2.878. 5.247. CufturÈRet Fr*e StrearnAI Cwboard Tot5 GrP E4uwment The Go(Mlkn Co & Sumu Sundry Fuh¢Gr•Tht 12.707.70 199.99 307.31 358.61 152.85 16.604.46 7417.•1 5,145.87 Sub totsi GeneralAccount balance Irua15 Pro (ts 8ankAciaunt 13,677.13 12.2t)).461 95.92 20,602.79 95.92 4.727.iK) 4,496.06 9.500. 10.905. 97MO8.40 CCLA Account 2- Robin5 CCLA Account 3- lohnstone CCLA A(CDunt4- Restoration FutKI IQO ClubAccouni Total 31.240.03 13.715. 140.545.13 Check Totsl.. CCLA Ac(ount614142WIS. (hur<h land5 1.03l 5hare5at 2341fjl PEncepertharelmI wicel 4.144.( Pa8e2af2 2021 Frnts. F1kn
Independent examinerfs report to the PCC of St James Little Paxton This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31, December 2021, which are set out on pages l and 2, is in respect of an examination carried out in accord3nce with the Church Accounting Regulations 20061'the Regulations'l and s.43 of the Charities Act 19931'the Act'l. Respective responslbilitles of the PCC and examiner As a member of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the f inancial statements,. you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations ènd 5.43121 of the Act does not apply. It IS my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations. Basi5 of this report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charitv Commission under s.43171 Ibl of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the firbancial statements and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be reQIred in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention- 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements To keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act,. and To prepare financial statement, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirement5 of the Act and the Regulations, have not been met.. 121 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Sarah E Symonds 6 Elm Croft Little Paxton Date- I" March 2022