Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ending 31st December 2023 St James, Church, Little Paxton 5T JAME5. CHURCH
Index Page 3/4/5 The Reverend Canon Annette Reed introduces the Annual Report for the year to 31st December 2023 Administrative Information and Charity Registration The PCC Aims & Purposes PCC Members from May 2023 Structure, Governance & Management Achievements & Performance Electoral Roll Church Attendance-some summary statistics Some YouTube statistics Social Media outreach Benefice Webslte 10 KIT (Keeping in Touch) Newsletter Quartet 10 10 Community Use of Church Building Events & Special Services in 2023 Funding the Mission of St James, Church Pa rish Giving Church Fabric Report Safeguarding Report Deanery Synod Report Churchyard Team Report Tower Captain's Report Simply Saturday Report Contact Details 11 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 endix Balance Sheet for year to 31 December 2023 19 Income & Expenditure Accountsfor year to 31st December 2023 ore available to view in the Church.
Canon Annette Reed introduces the Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2023 and looks forward to the future. Thank you for the opportunity to look back to 2023. Once again it was a very busy year in all respects for the life of St James, Church. Looking through the report you will see a summary of the number of Sunday services we held along with the much appreciated occasional off ices.. baptisms, weddings and funerals. As you will see from the statistics in the report. we held 91 acts of worship including occasional offices during 2023. The total adult footfall from those services was 3384. Many of our Sunday services were also live streamed and these are watched either live or recorded by a varying number of people and the total increases for each recording as the weeks go by and people click on the You Tube site. For the 1st August Sunday service in 2023 at the time of writing there have been 158 views and most services receive over 50 views. Of course we are very happy when people can come along in person but understand that for some that isn't possible due to a variety of reasons. We even have a family who regularly watch from Kenya I Alongside all of these services of course, the church continued to host a large number of community and social events which have now become well established in the daily calendar of events. Our ever popular Tots and Carers Group and Friday morning Drop In have been running since Autumn 2012 and it is always lovely to welcome new people. Although not introduced until early 2024, Winter Warmer Soup lunches have also proved very popular. Social media has also continued to be a useful way of keeping in touch for those who use Facebook and online websites. We have 782 followers on our Facebook Page which we try to keep updated with news and pictures. Our website page also carries current news and receives a good number of hits. The benefice Quartet magazine continues to be well received and is printed by a local printer, enabling us to have some quality colour pages. In Little Paxton village it is distributed to households who ask for it to be hand delivered and pay £5.00 a year for the 10 editions. The 'Keeping in Touch, leaflet originated from Covid times and goes out by email every Saturday evening to a large number of people on our mailing list as well as about 25 copies being delivered by hand. We appreciate the positive feedback which we receive about KIT. We also aim to have regular articles in the various village magazines. 2023 of course saw a very memorable occasion nationally with the Coronation of King Charles 111 on Saturday 6th May at Westminster Abbey. The event was broadcast live in church with some Coronation refreshments. During the year several fund raising events took place which brought in essential income for the parish, not least our PaxFest involvement, Quiz Night and the May plant Sale in the churchyard.
It goes without saying that offering such a busy programme of events and services needs an energetic and efficient team to make sure arrangements are in order and everyone who comes into church is safe. Our annual meeting is an opportunity to thank everyone involved in enabling the St James, community to flourish and who often go the extra mile to offer hospitality and kindness to everyone who comes through the south porch door. It is never a very good idea to thank everyone by name as it risks missing someone out but the roles of Community Space manager and Benefice Administrator undertaken so well by Graeme Anness and Nicci Jones respectively are a vital factor in the efficient running of St James. Our thanks of course as well to Nicci Jones and Helen Young, serving for a further year as our church wardens. Thanks to Kate Bywater for continuing to look after our accounts with much diligence and care. I'm sure all of us at St James have been appreciating the ministry of LLM Mel Eyeons who often helps to lead worship at St James. Mel decided in March 2024 to step down from her role as an LLM here and explore some new avenues in her spiritual and church life. We are all deeply grateful for all her input into our worship, not least her thoughtful preaching and preparation of service texts. Our ever appreciative thanks to our esteemed bell ringers with their tower captain Mary Parnham. They ring most Sundays and for special occasions when asked. Their ringing is most appreciated, as is their availability for weddings and for the tolling of a single bell for a funeral. Outside, our lovely churchyard continues to be cared for by the Churchyard Team and you will find a report from Dave Gutteridge on page 17. Our thanks to the Parish Council for their financial support with churchyard maintenance. given as it has been a closed churchyard for full burials since 1989. We are still able to inter ashes in the churchyard but as space in the current area has been diminishing rapidly, the PCC are putting together proposals for a new ashes plot area along the north end of the east boundary wall. This will require a faculty from the Ely Diocesan Registry. When is the Vicar retiring. As I write, it is nearly 18 years since I came to be Vicar in the benefice. Then , it was just three parishes and Southoe was added in June 2015. The time has gone by so quickly. But, in all the very many wonderful times and occasional challenges, it has been a great privilege to have been part of the village community at Little Paxton and to have seen exciting growth in all aspects of church and community life. I will be 70 years old on 29th July this year and normally it is mandatory that a vicar retires when they reach 70. However, I began a dialogue in January 2023 with the archdeacon to explore whether I could be granted a year's extension. After quite a lengthy process, and after each PCC was consulted in January 2024, it seems very likely that I will be granted an extension to my license as incumbent until 29th July 2025. Not least. I hope to work with the Southoe Church and village community to raise £500,000 for their new re-ordering project and see this to completion. l am very grateful for this extension of time and know there is a lot still that I would like to reach fruition but am realistic to know that in church life things are never really finished.
I will find it very hard to leave when the time comes as this will have been my home for nearly 20 years and to leave home, neighbourhood and friends upon retirement can be quite a challenge for clergy. As retirement isn't a word that makes much sense to me. I will refer to it as leaving one type of ministry for another. I'm sure that God will find me something useful to do! If anyone asks what I would like as a leaving gift, its simple. To know that when I go it will be possible for this post to be advertised as a full time post so that the four parishes can be sufficiently supported in such a way that leads to growth in all areas of Christian life and ministry. In the meantime. I will give my very best in these closing months to serve you all and have a lot of fun along the way. I will round off this introdurtion to the onnuol report with the 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. Canon Annette Reed March 2024 ST JAMES, CHURCH LITTLE PAJKTO 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 Elyl, and is part of a benefice of four churches with St Laurence's Church, Diddington- Holy Trinity Church, Great Paxton; and 5t Leonard's Church in Southoe and Midloe. The Pastoral Scheme creating this benefice came into force on l June 2015. Charity Registration During 2011, the Church registered with the Charity Commission. (Registration No. 1144292)
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 l January 2023 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. Nicci Jones Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 (Sofeguarding Officer) Deputy Churchwardens: Ken Heley LLMS Mel Eyeons Representatives on the Deanery Synod for three years from their elertion date: Anita Bailey IPCC Secretary) Elected from APCM 20 September 2020 {stepped down 5th February 20231 Nicci Jones Ichurchwardenl Graeme Anness Elected from APCM 20 September 2020 Stepped in from Spring 2023; (Elected from APCM 24 March 20241 Elerted PCC Members: Ken Heley June Griffin Lyn Harris Jean Matheson Anita Bailey Graeme Anness Glen Doick Iris Slade Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Elected from APCM 30 April 2023 Co-opted Members: Kate Bywater (Treasurer) Co-opted member from APCM 30 April 2023
Strutture. 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, Nicci Jones, was appointed in 2017 and due to the continual growth in the benefi'ce, the PCC of St James, Church, (meeting on the 20 March 20191, 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 l April 2019 and this arrangement continues. The Community Space Manager for St James, Church. Graeme Anness. was appointed in April 2021 and is now a strategic member of the St James, team. In 2023 PCC meetings held on: 9th January 2023 20th March 2023 30th April 2023 IAPCMI 23rd May 2023 10th July 2023 25th September 2023 21 November 2023 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 {APCMI. As at 31 December 2023 there were 108 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 required 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. As at the meeting in March 2024, there were 112 people on St James, Church Electoral Roll. The PCC would like to thank Nicci Jones for her work as Electoral Roll Officer in 2023.
Church attendance The world opened up again in 2022 and the total footfall rose to 3734 adults. The total foorfall for 2023 was at 3384. The numbers at All Age Worship are still particularly encouraging. We began livestreaming our Sunday services in January 2022 with Annette and Mel doing some additional YouTube videos during the year. We continued to provide live streamed services during 2023 which are well received. Numbers look positive moving into 2024. Attendance which was limited by various Covid re- strictions 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Number of services 167 157 .91 120 91 Total foorfall of adults attending services 4692 '1503 '2232 3734 3384 Total foottall of children attending all services 1097 1027 .359 719 723 Average nutnber of people at main 9.15 awn Holy commun- ion service (only 5 were held in 20211 Average nurnber of communicant5 at main 9.15 am Holy communion service 39 38 .31 .26 29 31.5 38 36 .31 '19 28 30.5 Number of home communions 47 30 Number of weddings Number of funerals io 13 Graveside service Services held at crematorium & FD PMiseS li Interment of ashes io Memorial Services I"for the Queen 20221 Number of children baptised io 13 io 15 Average nLJrnber of adults at I Sunday All Age Worship) (only 2 held in 20211 Average number of children at All Age Worship 37 32 '30 39 41 Number of Morning Prayer services on Sundays 27 13 12 Average number at Sunday Morning Prayer 5ervice5 23 28 28.25 Christingle. Christmas Eve & Chri5tma5 Day in-person ser- vices12020 & 2021 include viewing figuresfor YouTube Christmas services ond202¥2023for Outdoorcurols) Easter Day attendance l+ viewingfiguresfor YouTube Eost- erSunday2020 & 2021. 12022/2023 without YouTube) Wed a.m. Holy Communion average attendance12021 from lune) Imonthly in 20231 312 290 260 213 270 276 42 70 231 213 72 53
Church Attendance Cont'd .. Some random examples of YouTube statistics for numbers engaged with our livestreaming/ recordings during 2023. You will see from the figures that our on-line presence is highly valued. Most of these views take place subsequent to the senlices. Date 15 January 2023 15 February 2023 26 February 2023 2nd July 2023 16 July 2023 10 December 2023 Service Morning Prayer Funeral YouTube Viewing 133 141 Holy Communion All Age Worship Morning Prayer Carols by Candlelight 118 255 141 90 During 2023 our livestreaming facility continued to be used frequently for Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings together with many services having photograph presentations being projected onto a screen. Social Media outreach The Paxtons Benefice Facebook Page www.facebook.com/thepaxtonsbenefice 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. As mentioned in Annette's introduction. we now have over 780 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. We are always pleased when we receive 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 or comment on something and say 'hello'l
In an average month of posts roughly every 28 days a post reaches around 2,500 people. Of these, in terms of people, at least 500 people engage with these posts, according to Facebook statistics. Of those engaging, 77.80% are women and 22.20% are men. Of these women, the two highest categories who engage are 65+ closely followed by the 35-44 age range. The majority of people who engage are from the St Neots/Huntingdon areas but not all. The Benefice Website Another source of news about 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. KIT IKeeping in Touch) Weekly Newsletter Keeping in Touch {KITI 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, it contains prayers. readings. reflections and news. Distributed via email to folk on our parish database and, indeed, to anyone who expressed an interest in receiving itl 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 parricular Sunday. KIT was produced throughout 2021 and 2022 and was particularly helpful in keeping in touch with those who were needing to stay at home. Annette continues to produce KIT, and has done throughout 2023. It is always well received. Thank you to those who have written articles for the KIT and Helen Young for formatting the Vicar's text and printing off the colour copies. At this point I would also like to thank Helen and also Angle Small for preparing our Pews News during 2023. We have no plans to stop its production and appreciate the positive feedback we have received. By April 2024, we will have hit our 200th edition. Quartet- Monthly Benefice Newsletter Several people from across the benefice contribute regularly to the Quartet magazine across for which we are again grateful. Our thanks go to Ken and Alison Bowles who kindly distribute Quartet to the deliverers and for the efforts of those delivering around Little Paxton. 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. io
Community use of Church building Throughout the year St James, Church is used by many different groups and we frequently receive requests for new bookings. The Grou s who benefi't from use of the church are: Line-dancing group {Tuesday mornings) Tots and carers group (Wednesday mornings) Chair Pilates (Wednesday and Thursday afternoons) K-fit group - Pilates (Thursday mornings) Bell Ringing practice (Thursday evenings) Tea, Coffee and chat group (Friday mornings) Local History Group Imonthlyl Fish and chip lunches {monthly) Little Paxton W.l.13' Monday of the month) Little Paxton Pictures Cinema (last Tuesday of the monthl th Coffee Pot Memory Café members- Film (every 5 Wednesday of the monthl Simply Saturday- for those who like company on a Saturday (I, Saturday of the monthl SWITCH Group - Film shows when their timetable allows Little Paxton Pre-school Committee Meetings {every six weeks) Little Paxton School Concerts and Harvest services 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 meetings and trainings Our communit ace was additionall used for the followin events: Clergy Chapter meetings-where a St James team provided refreshments. Catering for Funerals as and when required for church linked families Refreshments and live broadcast for King Charles111 Coronation. As you can see from the extensive list .. our church is busy on most days! 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. Moving forward in 2024, we are providing more community based events, including a Winter Warmer session providing hot lunches on two Mondays of the month during winter/spring. This will adapt to a brunch club moving into Spring/Summer. We are exploring our options with regards to food hygiene etc so watch this space. li
Events, Films and special services that took place in 2023 24January 28 February 28 March 29 March 30 March Film- Downton Abbey (20221 Film- Grease Film- Philadelphia Coffee Pot Café Film- Downton Abbey120221 Clergy Chapter Meeting Children's Easter singalong Film-The Wedding Singer King's Coronation Live Streaming with refreshments Plant Sale 8 April 25 April 6May 20 May 30 May 23 June Film-sabrina David Duker history talk 'One of our Own, about Battle of Britain Squadron Leader Victor Ekins Film- Blue Hawaii Deanery Synod Meeting Visit by Little Paxton School Clergy Chapter Meeting PAXFEST 27 June 28June 29 June 6 July 8 July 25 Julv 29 August 8 September 26 September 30 September Film Remains of the Day Film - Chicago Quiz Night Film Notting Hill Morning Tea Chapter Meeting l October All Age Harvest Thanksgiving Little Paxton School Harvest services x 3 Pre School Harvest service Deanery Synod Meeting Annual All Souls Benefice Service Film - Dead Poet's Society Annual Remembrance Service Film -The Full Monty Simply Saturday Christmas Meal Carols by Candlelight Little Paxton School Christmas Concert Little Paxton School Christmas Concert 2 October 5 October 11 October 29 October 31 October 12 November 28 November 2 December 10 December 11 December 12 December 18 December Scouts Christingle Outdoor Carol Singing with refreshments Carol Singing at Paxton Hall with Southonian Singers Benefice Songs of Praise with Communion 20 December 21 December 31 December 12
No church community can thrive without steodyfinoncial support. As in previous years, in 2023 St James Church was able to pay its requested Ministry Share in full and you can see the statements of income and expenditure in the report. We give our ongoing thanks to everyone who supports us financially including supporting fundraising activities such as the 100 club administered by Helen Young. However, it needs now to be stated that over the years. The Paxton's Benefice. whilst always paying what was requested by the Deanery, has been subsidised to some extent by other Deanery churches. Pre Covid we were paying about 85% of the true costs of having a full time priest looking over the four churches. Since Covid, we have fallen behind that figure and in real terms, the benefice is only paying the equivalent of a 0.8 post. To put it in simple terms, unless the benefice pays 100% of the true costs of a full time vicar, when Annette retires at the end of July 2025, it is very unlikely that there will be another full-time minister. Every benefice PCC is aware of this, but the burden of finding extra funding falls mainly on Little Paxton Church Community being the largest of the four churches. Little Paxton PCC has agreed to pay £3.547.00 per month in ministry share from February to November 2024 but even with that amount we would still need to find an additional £4,000.00 to reach our target for the year. It will be essential by this autumn 2024 to be able to demonstrate that the benefice can raise their share suff iciently to warrant a full time vicar. We have been told clearly that if we can, then a full time appointment will be offered. It is unfortunate that we have to stress financial matters so much at this time, but we need to be realistic about the challenge so that the benefice can continue to offer an effective Christian ministry which seeks in a compassionate and creative way to respond to the ever expanding village community- The PCC have been promoting the £1 challenge over the past few months -seeking 500 new regular givers to each give £1.00 per month using the Parish Giving Scheme. Although we haven't got 500 new givers yet, we are a third of the way towards the target we set as many of those new givers are giving more than £1.00 per week. If you would like to know more about the challenge or the Parish Giving Scheme, do see Kate our treasurer. We do want to say a big thank you to: Kate Bywater for her much appreciated work as our Treasurer. Alison Bowles for completing the Gift Aid returns. 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 and upkeep of the church building, appliances and equipment. The 100 Club had 102 members by the end of 2023. Sarah Symonds for auditing our accounts. 13
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 continue this during 2024 by continuing to push our £1 Challenge promotion. We have been trying to make people within the Village, who don't use the church regularly but do still enjoythe benefits of our community space, aware that we require continued funding to maintain the space and to provide all the wonderful events and services on a regular basis. We have made a positive start so far. All applications can now be completed on-line. Church Fabric Report 2022 saw the PCC begin investigating and considering a suitable replacement for the South Porch Door which has become warped and difficult to lock. This is an involved process with architects, the Diocesan Advisory Committee and Huntingdonshire District Council, including a Faculty application Church of England. We are pleased to report that a new door is currently being produced and we are hoping it will be installed in May/June 2024. With a grand opening ceremony to come... Item{s) inspected Inspection Frequency Annual Inspection Date Notes Clock 12 May 2023 Maintenance survey carried out by Ken Heley and Eric Young. PCC keeping under annual review the possible need for a professional inspection. Due in 2024 Effluent Pump Bells and Bell Frame 5 yearly 12June 2019 25 May 2022 Service not required annually PAT Testing Gutters Annual 21June 2023 Collins Electrical Annual 13 Jan 2023 Checked outside soakaway drains Due in 2028 Electrics 5 yearly Annual 12June 2023 Boiler Service 20 Feb 2023 New boiler installed 6 February 2021 Due in 2026 Lightning Conductors Fire Extinguishers Drains, Gulleys & lighting Copper Strip on Nave Roof 5 yearly 7 June 2021 Annual Iljan 2024 New extinguishers installed Drains and accessible gulleys cleaned Jan 2023. Abbey Roofing fixed length of copper strip on nave roof which was insecure. No charge Unofficial Not inspected July 2023 14
Safe uardin Re ort for the Benefice of the Paxtons with Diddin 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- Promoting a safer environment and culture Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others Nicci Jones kindly agreed to be our named Safeguarding Officer. During 202212023 Graeme Anness has been assisting Nicci in carrying out the required three yearly DBS checks for benefice PCC members. We continue to use the Diocesan website Safeguarding Dashboard for monitoring and recording safeguarding practices required of each church community. The team endeavours to keep up-to-date and deal with any action requests from Ely Diocese. on and Southoe Every three years. all Church officers are required to repeat their highest level of training course completed and training has been taking place across the benefice during 2023. Safeguarding is on every agenda of all benefice PCC Meetings and APCMS to ensure we are all very conscious of this important caring responsibility. Safeguarding contact details are available in all four of our benefice churches. The PCC would like to take this opportunity to thank Nicci Jones and Graeme Anness for their work in the essential roles of Benefice Safeguarding and DBS Administrator. The PCC are currently looking for a person lor 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 DB5 Checker or Safeguarding Officer. please do get in touch with one of the team. Deanery Synod The synod met 3 times during 2023. In March Archdeacon Richard Harlow led a discussion about where we are as churches. The June meeting focused on finance and Fiona McGregor was elected as Deanery Treasurer. Prof Nigel Bastin has been co-ordinating the Deanery Plan which was approved at the October meeting, to which parish treasurers and churchwardens were invited. The Archdeacon was also present at this meeting and parish representatives expressed their particular concerns about fi'nances and resources. Our thanks to Nicci Jones and Anita Bailey for serving as our representatives on the Deanery Synod during 2023. Anita Bailey stepped down as Deanery Synod Representative in February 2023. We would like to thank Graeme Anness for stepping in as our second representative during the rest of 2023 and into 2024. 15
Churchyard Maintenance Notes from Dave Gutteridge. There is always plenty to do for the churchyard team of four who are- Mary, Dave, Winston and Gary. We keep the grave areas tidy, there is always plenty of weeding, Strimming, mowing plus the thousands of leaves to clear at the year's end. We are very pleased to have some new mowers and rakes- a great help for sure! We also clear the guttering when needed. All in all the churchyard is a very nice place to keep tidy. And we always have tea and biscuits at half time. We would be delighted to welcome any new volunteers so do give me a ring on 07895390400 if you would like to know more. Dave Gutteridge The PCC and congregation are extremely grateful to the churchyard team. Thanks and all good wishes to Dave Gutteridge and the team. The churchyard gives much pleasure to us all. Tower Captain'5 report- January 2024 2023 has been a busy year for the bellringers. We have rung for most Sunday services and continued with our practice sessions on Thursday evenings. We have tolled a bell for 7 funerals and rung for I wedding. and also for the wedding blessing for our ringer David & his wife Nellie, which was a lovely occasion. We had 3 visiting bands, 2 of which rang quarter peals, and St James th hosted the Hunts District Bell Ringers meeting on 18 February. th On 6 May the bells were rung to celebrate the coronation of King Charles111 and Queen Camilla. th Also to celebrate the coronation, the bells were rung on 16 May, with 600 changes of Plain Bob th Doubles, and on 30 May a quarter peal {1260 changes) was rung. l am delighted to say that 4 members of our band were ringing for the latter. A great achievement for us. Nicci, Alex, Eric and I rang, supported by Jane & Richard. We have a board in the ringing room to commemorate this. In September we had to splice a replacement tail end to the tenor rope as it was badly fraying and becoming dangerous. We also have fraying issues on a couple more ropes and will be looking to replace them sometime soon. Also in September we had a cleaning session in the belfry, hoovering up the cobwebs, dusting down the frames and generally checking the bells over and tightening nuts and bolts. Thank you to everyone who helped. Once again, 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. We are very sad to have had to say goodbye to two of our ringers in January 2024. Dick Saw and Phil Baines, both of whom were enthusiastic and dedicated members of our band, both sadly passed away- and we were honoured to be able to ring the bells at Southoe and Great Paxton, to celebrate their lives. Dedications have been put into three of our towers in the benefice. Mary Parnham Tower Captain/Ringing Master The PCC and congregation are extremely grateful to Mary and her team. 16
SIMPLY SATURDAY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023 At our monthly Simply Saturday meetings (with a 'bring and share, lunch followed by entertainment) we have seen the numbers of attendees growing steadily over the past year. ENTERTAINMENT: We have had a mixture of Singers, Talks and Bingo over the year, all of which proved very popular. At the end of December we had a catered Christmas lunch with the Southonian Singers singing Christmas Carols which all members enjoyed. We involved our members in Paxfest in the Summer, asking for donations to make up hampers, to be raffled off to raise funds so we could continue the group. this proved very popular. We have a full and varied list of Entertainment booked for 2024 which we hope will be very popular. Our members look forward to coming each month and interacting with other members too. Leisa Hunt 17
Contact details: The Reverend Canon Annette Reed The Vicarage. 24 St James, Road. Little Paxton. PE19 6QW Tel: 01480 211048 Email.. canonannettereed mail.com Churchwarden Helen Young 10 Little Paxton Lane, Little Paxton, PE19 6EP Tel: 01480 216255 Email.. oun axton ntlworld.com Benefice Administrator (Churchwarden. PCC Secretary and Safeguarding Officer) N icci Jones c /0 The Vicarage, 24 St James, Road, Little Paxton, PE19 6QW Tel: 01480 877215 Email.. admin the axtonsbenefice.or Treasurer Kate Bywater Email.. kb water.church mail.com Community Space Manager Graeme Anness Email.. raemeanness mail.com Benefice Website www.the axtonsbenefi'ce.or Facebook www.facebook.com hePaxtonsBenefice (All information contoined in this report is corrert at the time of printing) 18
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St James Church 2023 ST JAIIE5' CNURCH £1 Challenge! We ha ueaied a challenge to help us continue M provide a wa com1ortab space for crDmunity use. Can you help us ach ouw goal of finding 500 PEopIE Io doDate£l per monlh? To Donaie By Phone". SryAyCa103332 1271.M(4tts FW.9am. srffti0É30y•£t DÉtin Ythll nÈéd toh&¥erlaIba ¢(Afftttetal&thCh no1$EjrIe$. 140614221 To Donate Online= TrA5& theORcothbtlow47rgoto.' "P¥i&llhMt"paKknI-sl-jmeS.St.
St James Little Paxton PCC
Accounts for Year to 31st December 2023
| Income | Income | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collections | SundayWorship | 4,267.49 | ||
| Weddings | 0.00 | |||
| Funerals and Mem Svc | 90.00 | |||
| Baptisms | 113.12 | |||
| Harvest | 288.92 | |||
| Christingle | 217.27 | |||
| Christmas | 28.00 | |||
| Easter | 84.26 | |||
| Total | 5,089.06 | |||
| Donations | 4,876.30 | |||
| Covenants/Regular Giving | 9,790.34 | |||
| 100 Club | 8,197.42 | |||
| Loans received | 0.00 | |||
| ElyDB Gift Aid Refund | 4,367.29 | |||
| CBF Income Fund | 1,831.94 | |||
| Net | Gross | |||
| Special Events | Garden Plants & Tools Sale | 801.00 | 801.00 | |
| Christmas Bazaar/Market | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Amazon Smile | 19.94 | 19.94 | ||
| Paxfest | 1,423.19 | 1,423.19 | ||
| Co-opLocal CommunityFund | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Quiz Night | 245.36 | 279.01 | ||
| Gilbert & Sullivan SocietyConcert | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Recycle 4 Charity | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Tombola at The Anchor | (20.00) | 0.00 | ||
| Tower Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Books & Cards | 80.75 | 80.75 | ||
| Preserves | 19.00 | 19.00 | ||
| Puzzles | 17.00 | 17.00 | ||
| Open Day | 42.05 | 42.05 | ||
| Film Shows | 796.83 | 1,245.35 | ||
| Carols Around the Tree | (26.93) | 174.54 | ||
| Total | 3,398.19 | 4,101.83 | ||
| Sundry | Other - Benefice contributions | 2,310.99 | ||
| Grant | 9,550.00 | |||
| Grave reservation fee | 900.00 | |||
| Fees | Diocese fees | 3,895.00 | ||
| Statutoryretained fees | 3,274.00 | |||
| Heating,flowers etc | 750.00 | |||
| Total | 7,919.00 | |||
| Parish Council | 717.43 | |||
| Rent | 1,522.90 | |||
| Quartet/printing/stall | 720.00 | |||
| Church Use | 5,669.88 | |||
| Village Views delivery | 0.00 | |||
| Sub total | 67,564.38 | |||
| General account balance at 1st January | 10,489.97 | |||
| Bank account 1 at 1st January | 0.00 | |||
| general a/c | Interest | 0.00 | ||
| Transfers in | 0.00 | |||
| Transfer out | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Projects Account balance at 1st January | 95.92 | |||
| Interest | 0.00 | |||
| Transfers in | 0.00 | |||
| Transfer out | 0.00 | 95.92 | ||
| Restoration account at 1st January | 31,240.03 | |||
| 61412003D | Transfer in/donations | 0.00 | ||
| Grants | 0.00 | |||
| Payments | 0.00 | |||
| Interest | 0.00 | 31,240.03 | ||
| 100 Club balance at 1st January | 15,040.00 | |||
| Donations | 5,948.99 | |||
| Transfer out | (8,226.32) | |||
| HDC LotteryLicence | 0.00 | |||
| Drawpayments | (2,150.00) | 10,612.67 | ||
| Fish & Chips Club moneyheld byPCC | 0.00 | |||
| SimplySaturdaymoneyheld byPCC | 0.00 | |||
| Total | 120,002.97 |
Page 1 of 2
Book1 : Final Acs
St James Little Paxton PCC Accounts for Year to 31st December 2023
| 2023 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure | £ | £ | ||
| Ministry | Ministryshare | 34,113.69 | ||
| Vicar's Expenses | 1,836.71 | |||
| LayMinister(LLM)Expenses | 218.70 | |||
| Copying/admin | 761.10 | |||
| Quartet magazine | 1,300.00 | |||
| Wafers/Candles/Bibles/Certs/Crosses | 484.78 | |||
| St Neots DeanerySynod | 0.00 | |||
| Benefice Gathering | 0.00 | |||
| Benefice administrator | 4,766.74 | |||
| Total | 43,481.72 | |||
| Fabric & Maintenance | Restoration | 2,530.24 | ||
| Caretaker | 4,314.91 | |||
| Insurance | 1,893.93 | |||
| Churchyard Maintenance | 100.00 | |||
| Electricity | 1,429.71 | |||
| Gas | 1,004.10 | |||
| Anglian Water | 313.96 | |||
| Boiler | 204.00 | |||
| SundryMaintenance | 1,153.18 | |||
| Housekeeping | 476.08 | |||
| Bell Maintenance | 0.00 | |||
| Toilet Evacuation service | 0.00 | |||
| Copier/Toner | 82.84 | |||
| Flowers | 254.85 | |||
| Total | 13,757.80 | |||
| Loan repayments | 0.00 | |||
| Fund raisingexpenses | 703.64 | |||
| SundryDonations | Jimmy's Night Shelter | 100.00 | ||
| Royal British Legion | 120.00 | |||
| Children's Society | 115.00 | |||
| Sue Ryder Hospice | 200.00 | |||
| Cambs Historic Churches | 50.00 | |||
| Scout Jamboree | 0.00 | |||
| Temporarysupport | 0.00 | |||
| Parish Giving | 198.14 | |||
| Total | 1,486.78 | |||
| SundryPayments | Fees ElyDBF | 5,396.00 | ||
| Culture Recovery Fund Grant spending |
0.00 | |||
| Fridge | 0.00 | |||
| Defib Pads & Battery | 397.74 | |||
| Tots GroupEquipment & expenses | 394.91 | |||
| The Goodbox Co. & SumUp | 7.78 | |||
| First Aid Training | 0.00 | |||
| Sundry | 0.00 | |||
| Total | 6,196.43 | |||
| Sub total | 64,922.72 | |||
| General Account balance | 15,866.02 | |||
| Accruals | (5,204.15) | |||
| Projects Bank Account | 2,565.68 | |||
| CCLA Account 4 - Restoration Fund | 31,240.03 | |||
| 100 Club Account | 10,612.67 | |||
| Total | 120,002.97 | |||
| Check Total: | 0.00 |
CCLA Account 614142001S - Church Lands
1,031 shares at 2260.53 pence per share
£23,306.06
Page 2 of 2
Book1 : Final Acs
Independent examinerfs report to the PCC of 5t James Little Paxton Thi5 report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31" December 2023, which are set out on pages l and 2, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 20061'the Regulations'l and s.43 of the Charities Act 19931'the Act'l. Respertive responsibilities of the PCC and examiner As a member of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements- you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s.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. Basis of this report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General D1ctionS given by the Charity Commission under 5.43171 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 financial statements and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required 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 a. 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 requirements of the Art 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 2024