St Wilfrids Church - Mobberley Annual Parochiol Church Meeting Sunday 13[th] April 2025
Index
1) Churchwardens Report
2) PCC Report
3) Electrol Roll Report
4) Safeguarding
5) Faith and Worship Report
6) Finance Report
7) Mobberley School Report
8) Youth Report
9) Beacon Report
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10) Deanery Synod 11) Fabric Committee
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12) Rectors Report
Church Wardens Report – Church Life
It has been an eventful few months especially with our heating system deciding that it no longer wants to work, it couldn’t have happened at the worse time WINTER. Hopefully with much help from Ian, John G and John H sorting it out and the PCC approving their plans it should be sorted before this coming winter.
Thanks go to all Ian and all the members of the PCC and many others members of the Church, who are on committees that revolve round the PCC also to Sides people, Verger, Readers, Flower Arrangers and brass polishers all important jobs.
This year we have our 5 yearly Qiunnquenil. Our Architect is Mark Pearce and this is being done on the 24[th] April 2025.
There have been a few events during the year in June we had a concert, in July we had our Afternoon Tea in the Rectory Garden. but the one that stands out was the talk on Mallory which was well attended and a very enjoyable evening.
Thank you for all who have supported our Church, may you continue.
Carole Critchley and John Hennerley Church Wardens
– PCC Report Ann Grainger
The PCC met on six occasions with an average attendance of 89%.
At the 2024 APCM John Hennerley and Carole Critchley were elected as Churchwardens. Colin Whitely and Bridget Knight were re-elected to the PCC, and Vanessa France and Paul Thompson were elected as new members. In November Heather Walker resigned from the PCC.
Carole Critchley was elected in place of Pam Smith as Deanery Synod representative for the remainder of the 3-year term. remain as the other 2 representatives.
At the May PCC meeting the following officers were appointed:
Vice Chair: John Grainger
Secretary: Ann Grainger
Treasurer: Jean Underhill
Assistant Treasurer: John Grainger
Electoral Roll Officer: Linda Rushton
Health and Safety Officer: Carole Critchley
Envelope Secretary: Jean Underhill
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Tim Mort
Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Bridget Knight
Flag Officer: Neil Rowland
PCC Representatives:
PCC Standing Committee– John Grainger and Paul Thomson
Mobberley Trust – Ian Blay, Tim Mort
Deanery Synod – John Grainger, Jean Underhill and Carole Critchley (next elections 2026)
Friends of St. Wilfrid– Bridget Knight and Tim Mort
Victory Hall Committee – Carole Critchley
School Governor – Val Baker
Christian Aid – Celia Webb-Boalch
The majority of PCC members have completed their required Safeguarding Training. We have recently begun using the new Diocese dashboard facility, which highlights any safeguarding issues which require attention.
Once again we have concern for the gulf between our income and expenses, the majority of which is payment of our Parish Share, set by the Diocese. At our July meeting the PCC voted to reduce the amount of Parish Share we pay, to reflect our income.
Last September our heating system developed a major leak, and on inspection the whole system was deemed unrepairable. Much time and effort, particularly by John Hennerley and John Grainger, has gone into finding the best solution to this problem, and we are now at the stage of waiting Diocesan permission to begin work.
Another recurring topic at our meetings has been the state of repair at the edge of the road leading to church. Unfortunately, this has not been resolved, as ‘ownership’ of the tarmacked area outside the lychgate is disputed by Cheshire East Council.
I would like to thank all members of the PCC who have given their time and expertise in the care and maintenance of our church community over the past year.
Ann Grainger – PCC Secretary
Report of the Electoral Roll Ofcer – Linda Rushton
There are currently 94 names on the electoral roll.
– Safe Guarding Report Tim Mort/Bridget Knight
1.Incident Reporting
There were no incidents reported this year. There are no cases or attendance agreements currently being managed.
2. Actions completed
Safeguarding compliance
2.1 The following are safeguarding compliant in accordance with Diocesan standards and the requirements of the Parish Safeguarding handbook:The parish website;
Notices displayed in the church and in the “Beacon” parish rooms; The Good Practice guidelines for exercising pastoral care and working with children and vulnerable adults;
Procedures for dealing promptly with safeguarding allegations or suspicions of abuse; Completion of “Activity risk assessments “for each activity associated with children or vulnerable adults
and run in the name of the church; (these are shortly to be updated ) Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at each PCC meeting; Insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the PCC which involve children, young people and vulnerable adults.
2.2 DBS checks
Our clergy, church officers and members of the PCC have been DBS checked as have those specifically engaged in parish work with children and vulnerable adults.
2.3 Module completions
All of our PCC members have completed the modules“ Basic Awareness” ,“Safeguarding Foundation”, and ” Raising awareness of domestic abuse”
Completion of these modules by our Rector, Reader, and Pastoral Worker is managed by the Diocese .
2.4 Parish Safeguarding Dashboard
Our Parish has been incorporated into the Diocesan dashboard so that our parish safeguarding modules can be observed. We as a parish are required to comply with such modules and our compliance can be monitored by green lights indicating high levels of compliance ,
amber lights for medium compliance and red lights for low compliance. Our current compliance level is rated at 64% (08/04/2025) . we have several routine risk assessments to review and our safeguarding team are due to attend further mandatory courses in the near future . Once these steps have been taken our compliance level will be substantially increased. Bridget has now attended several courses relating to the Diocesan dashboard and I have attended one. The Rector has also spent time with us learning and explaining how the system works and he now is very familiar with it.
Our next stage is to explain the workings of the dashboard to the other members of the PCC in more detail.
3.Actions to be completed in next 12 months
3.1 Members of the safeguarding team to attend courses on safer recruitment and
safeguarding leadership
3.2 Members of the PCC to be introduced to the workings of the parish dashboard in more detail and a specific issue for dashboard compliance to be discussed at each PCC meeting
Tim Mort/Bridget Knight Safeguarding
– Faith & Worship Group Report Ann Grainger
The Faith & Worship group have met twice this year. We have maintained our watching brief on our service formats but deemed that, in general, no changes were necessary
One recommendation made to the PCC was that baptisms should in future be held during a family service and not as a stand-alone service, in accordance with canon law. The PCC subsequently accepted this recommendation.
Ann Grainger Convener, Faith and Worship group
Finance Committee Report for year ending 31st December 2024.
Despite the lack of central heating since October and the resulting reduction in those attending church services, contributions on the plate have remained similar to those of last year. Digital Giving has doubled, and contributions received from services at The Beacon have increased slightly. The total donated on Gift Day decreased, however as a result of a generous donation in memory of David Evans and a number of other donations in memory of loved ones, for which we are very grateful, overall donations increased. There has been an increase in church funerals but a decrease in church weddings resulting in an overall reduction in fees. Once again there have been a number of successful and enjoyable church events and our thanks go to those who gave their time and effort in organising and supporting these. Thanks also go to the Wilmslow half marathon committee for their donation. A grant towards the upkeep of the graveyards was received from Mobberley Parish Council, and Ray Britland Contractors once again gave their services in keeping the grass cut, we are very grateful for this support and also to Mike Boalch for tidying the graveyards during the year.
Due to a decrease in income the PCC took the decision not to pay the Parish Share in full, however despite this decision the PCC Accounts show a year end deficit of £21,052.28. As a result of not withdrawing funds from the Mode Cottage Fund the balance has increased by £19,990. The interest from our Mode Cottage investments remains a vital steady source of income as does the amount reclaimed from HMRC in respect of Gift Aid.
Jean Underhill for the Finance Committee.
Mobberley PCC Receipts and Payments for year ended 31 December 2024
PCC Account— Receipts AOI Standing Orders 18670.0 0
| A02 | Gift Aid at services | 9753 | 9753 |
|---|---|---|---|
| .50 | |||
| A03 | Cash at | 4545 | |
| services/coffee/alms | .14 | ||
| A04 | Cash — Services @ | 838 | |
| The Beacon | .00 | ||
| A05 | Cash — Sale of | 338 | |
| magazine | .00 | ||
| A06 | Gift Aid - Gift | 2400 | |
| Day/General | .00 | ||
| A07 | Cash - Gift | 145 | |
| Day/General | .00 | ||
| A08 | Fees | 17246.0 | |
| Weddings/Funerals | 0 | ||
| A09 | Digital Giving | 1067 | |
| .50 | |||
| AIO | Church Events | 3328 | |
| .00 | |||
| All | Interest from | 8432 | |
| investments | .28 | ||
| A12 | Gift Aid Tax reclaimed | 9352 | |
| .09 | |||
| A13 | Rectory costs refunded | 0. | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| A 14 | Sponsorship/Grants | 8635 | |
| .00 | |||
| A15 | Grant DBF/Crem. Grant | 0. | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| A16 | The Beacon | 2317 | |
| .20 | |||
| Total | 87067.7 | ||
| 1 | |||
| Capital Receipts | |||
| COI | 0. | ||
| 0 | |||
| Grants/Donations/Legacies/Re | 0 | ||
| stricted | |||
| C02 | Grants/Donations/Legacies | 0. | |
| [Unrestricted | 0 | ||
| 0 | |||
| C03 | Friends Donations | 0. | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| C04 | Tax Reclaimed | 0. | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| cos | The Beacon | 0. | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| Total | 0. | ||
| 0 | |||
| PCC Account - Payments | 0 |
| BO I Candles/wine/ bread/baptism B0 2 Literature/ envelopes/website B0 3 Messy Church/Youth Club B0 4 Donations to charities B0 5 Fees to Chester DBF B0 6 Parish Share B0 7 Organ/Organist/ Visiting Organist fees B0 8 Visiting Clergy Fees B0 9 Honorarium at weddings/funerals BI O Rectors expenses Bli Pastoral Worker expenses B1 2 PCC expenses B1 3 Church costs — gas/electricity/water 81 4 Church insurance B1 5 Churchyard maintenance B1 6 Rectory — Council tax/water/repairs B1 7 Licences/Deanery subs./other subs. B1 8 Rent to National Trust B1 9 Cost of events/hire costs etc. B2 0 Cost of refreshments B2 1 Cost of fowers B2 2 Cost of courses B23 Church maintenance B24 Church Broadband/Screen B25 The Beacon Total Capital Payments |
302 .55 379 .87 814 .56 600 .00 5176 .00 62847.8 4 5080 .00 396 .80 3690 .00 1868 .04 898 .65 50. 00 3932 .00 5731 .16 0. 0 0 4243 .67 1175 .37 56. 14 150 .00 0. 0 0 60. 00 0. 0 0 4458. 63 940.32 5268. 39 108119. 99 |
|---|---|
| DOI | Church | 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| D02 | Churchyard | 0.00 |
| D03 | The Beacon | 0.00 |
| Total Payments | 108 | |
| 119.99 | ||
| Deficit for the year | cit for the year | 21 |
| 052.28 |
Cheque issued but not cleared £979.60
| Bal | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| anc | |||
| Balance | e | ||
| 31/12/202 | 31/12/2023 | ||
| 4 | |||
| NatWest Account | 8 | 29 216.03 | |
| 613.75 | |||
| Balance £ | 8 | 29 216.03 | |
| 613.75 | |||
| Bal | |||
| anc | |||
| Mode Cottage Fund | Balance | e | |
| 31/12/202 | 31/12/2023 | ||
| 4 | |||
| CCLA Investment | 74,033. | 72,377.20 | |
| 80 | |||
| CCLA Globai Equity | 85,147. | 80,132.30 | |
| 85 | |||
| St. James' Place Unit Trust | 149 | 135 858.00 | |
| 176.25 | |||
| 308 | 288 367.50 | ||
| 357.90 |
The Beacon, 30 Town Lane, Mobberley owned by Mobberley PCC - notional value £200,000.00
Prepared by Jean Underhill January 2025
Jean Underhill
Deborah Hinson Independent Examiner
21/2/
– Mobberley Church of England Primary School annual report year ending March 2025
It’s a pleasure to start this years’ report with news of the long awaited Ofsted Inspection which took place during the Autumn Term. The school was last inspected in 2012 since when the Inspection framework has changed significantly. Although there is no longer an
overall grade for Inspections, a few of the key findings from the recent Inspection include the following:
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The school is aspirational for all pupils to achieve success.
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Pupils are happy and proud to attend this school.
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Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. They are kind and caring.
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Pupils of all ages treat one another respectfully and say that all are welcome at this school. They embrace diversity.
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Staff are passionate about education beyond academic achievement and pupils benefit from the school’s high expectations and well-thought out curriculum.
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The school and those responsible for Governance are committed to ensuring that all pupils benefit from a high-quality education.
This is a glowing validation of the work that goes on in the school everyday and our thanks go to Mr Stenson and his entire staff for their dedication, professionalism, quality of teaching and care shown to every pupil in the school.
Inspections are coming thick and fast as the next SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) Inspection is due in the summer term. This will be a chance for the school to show that “Through our vision and practice, Mobberley School is living up to it’s foundation as a Church School and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish”.
As most of you will be aware, the school has benefitted enormously from 25 years of dedicated service from our Chair of Governors, Helen Mountney. Helen’s commitment to the school has been exemplary and I know I speak for all Governors and staff when I say that it has been a privilege to work alongside her and she will be sadly missed as she steps away. We welcome Natalie Phillips into the role of Chair and wish her well in her new role.
Throughout the academic year, pupils (and staff) have fully embraced the many activities, trips, sporting events and theme days which have included: World Book Day, Red Nose Day, neurodiversity week, World Thinking day, trips to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chester Grosvenor Museum, the Year 6 residential to Robin Wood plus visits from Mr Johnston (pilot) and a Magistrate to talk about their jobs. In addition, the PTA have once again raised much needed funds through a range of events including discos, Fairs and pre-loved book sales.
As the summer term begins, Year 6 children will be preparing for SATs tests and we wish them well in their assessments. It will also be a wonderfully busy term of activities including the sports day, school trips, the Year 6 summer show and the Leavers service.
Finally, there are a small number of places available in Reception class for this September so please do let family or friends know if they are looking for a place in our wonderful village school. They can contact the school directly (Tel: 01625 800 920; email: admin@mobberley.cheshire.sch.uk).
Dr Valerie Baker Foundation Governor
– Youth Report John Hennerley
Let me begin with a big thank you to everyone involved within our youth ministry this past year. This year as last, has seen a steady growth of our youth club at the Beacon even though we have had to raise the starting age to nine years. This was to enable us to make sure every child was still supervised and safe with the reduced number of volunteers we have available. The youth club has a brilliant variety of activities available including air hockey, a pool table, games consoles' and now we even have a basketball hoop, not to forget football outside with nets. There is also a full tuck shop including drinks and sweets. At this time last year was asking for volunteers to help out within the
youth club but at the moment we are lucky enough to have a full complement of volunteers. with this said if you have the inclination to see yourself wanting to help out please do let me know, and I'm sure we could still accommodate you. We also have a healthy parents and toddler group with is held every Monday morning 10 till 12. This is well attended with many regulars and is a great opportunity for your little ones to meet and play with others including a great chance to meet other Parents, Grandparents. Again the church Nativity was run and produced by the youth club, with a puppet show and a guest appearance by Elvis. I thank all those involved Especially Christopher Mountford Booth who sang a song with him also playing his guitar. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps out looking after our children within all our church activities. Especially my wife Jo-ann Hennerley who without her help and support the landscape would be so very different, thank you.
This past year has been a privilege to work with all the leaders and helpers whom give their time so readily to make sure our ministry and the word of Jesus Christ reaches as many children and families as possible Let us remember that the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is the gift for us all to share. I end this report expressing all my thanks for everyone's help and time given. THANK YOU ALL Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Take Care and God Bless
.
– Beacon Report John Hennerley
The Beacon, our outreach hub in the centre of Mobberley, continues to be well supported with the youth club steadily growing in numbers, the parents and toddler group regularly attended and the Wednesday afternoon film club well received. We also hold a Wednesday morning communion service every week with tea and coffee afterwards. Other activities include a Wednesday afternoon knit and natter group, a monthly men's breakfast and a Saturday morning drop in café which is open 10 till 2 pm. Can I take this opportunity to thank all those who help in the volunteer staffing of the beacon, with special thanks to Jo-Ann Hennerley and John Grainger. We are open to all who wish to meet friends, have a rest or just a hot drink and a friendly chat, I hope that more people will see us as a place of warmth and welcome. May I just add that we are here to help and support you our congregation. If I as one of your church wardens can help in anyway please do not hesitate to contact me, my number is available on the back of the church magazine. Hope to see you soon, take care and God Bless.
John Hennerley Church Warden
Deanery Synod
No Report
Fabric Committee - Rev Ian Blay
Up until September of 2024 we were feeling quite pleased with ourselves as we had long completed all the work demanded by the last Quinquennial Report and were on top of most things. The only fly in the ointment at that point was the driveway, which was becoming badly damaged, particularly at the point where it meets the road. As the damage continued into the road itself we had tried to contact Cheshire East Highways but with little success but were still pursuing it.
Then, on the 29th September, the area in front of the north door turned into a steam room as a large crack opened in the heating pipe allowing hot water and steam to jet out. Every year for many years, when the heating system is turned on, we have had to get the heating engineers out to repair and replace heat seals but this time it was the
joint and pipe itself that had cracked. Our initial feeling was that this signified the end of the heating system, a feeling confirmed in meetings with the heating engineers, who refused to touch it, and the heating consultant who subsequently came to look at it. Although disappointing we recognise that the current system is most probably Victorian and will have done around 140 years’ service.
October and November were taken up with attempts to get people to bodge a repair to get us through the winter but that proved unsuccessful and in December, guided by the Diocese we looked to John Book to look at the system and prepare a heating report. This he did and in that report outlined various possible options all of which sought to do the same things, which were to replace the boiler, replace the existing 4” pipes and system, to make the place warmer, and, if possible, make it cheaper to heat. Alongside these requirements the new system would have to meet the Church of England’s environmental target of being Carbon Zero by the year 2030.The PCC agreed that we pursue the option for a near like-for-like flow and return system with additional Air Source Heat Pumps. This scheme went out for tender in February and at an Extraordinary Meeting of the PCC on the 16th March the PCC approved the scheme and the tender by JW Moore of £74192.
As well as devising the scheme Mr. Book is helping guide the scheme through DAC and, from what we have heard so far, we are hopeful for their approval. The scheme will also have to go to Cheshire East Council and that application will be made by our architect Mark Pearce.
We expect the total cost to be in the region of £85000.
Ian Blay Fabric
– Rectors Report Ian Blay
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” Ephesians 2:10
There is no doubting we have gone through some very difficult times. There was, of course, the Covid pandemic which caused all manner of confusion and difficulty and more recently we have had to go through a whole winter with no heating in the church building which has undoubtedly taken its toll on both regular but also occasional congregation members.
This means we have fewer members to fill critical roles in the life of the church here in Mobberley. For example, we have been carrying vacancies on the PCC for the last few years when, just a few years ago, we were having to hold elections because so many people wanted to stand. It also means that more work is falling on fewer and fewer shoulders, this can be discerned in the number of people that get repeated thanks in the rest of the report below. In reality most of the people below fulfil multiple, often critical, roles and responsibilities.
A role that has grown in importance over the last few years has been that of Safeguarding. Sadly, we have all seen the reports in the news over recent years of abuse that has taken place under the umbrella of the Church. Our own Diocese has not been immune with several historic and current cases coming to light. This has demanded a robust response from the Church at every level including parish, as you will see in this Annual Report. I am immensely proud of the way that our PCC members have responded, all have undertaken online Safeguarding Training as well as being DBS checked (CRB as was). Overseeing the checks and the training has been Tim Mort ably assisted by Bridget Knight. They have both put in a huge amount of work as you will see from the Safeguarding Report, and it hasn’t always been easy. Safeguarding often
means asking the awkward and uncomfortable questions, it involves challenging longstanding and established practice, and they have done so diligently and calmly.
As ever there is a long list of people to thank and many of our people fulfil more than one role so please don’t be disappointed if I don’t list all your functions, please accept the following as a thank you for all that you do. I must begin with our Churchwardens, John Hennerley and Carole Critchley. John and Carole do a huge amount behind the scenes, often meeting visitors, trades people, utilities workers and the rest. Whilst John was up and down the tower helping with the siting of the relay system for the Wilmslow Half Marathon Carole has been busy working with our architect prior to our Quinquennial Inspection later this month.
I would like to thank our PCC treasurer and Secretary, Jean and Ann, for all they do in that capacity, and all our PCC members for all their work over the last year and, as mentioned above, for all they have done to support Safeguarding here at St. Wilfrid’s.
I am immensely grateful to John Grainger our Reader, my thanks for all that you do. I also, of course, have to make thank Jean Underhill our Pastoral Worker who does so much to keep in touch with people in their times of sickness and keeping them involved in the life of the wider church as well as being our Baptism co-ordinator.
I would like to thank David and all the Choir for their contribution to our services over the last 12 months and filling the church with beautiful music.
My thanks to the bellringers for their contribution in calling people to worship. Speaking of worship thanks to all our Sidemen and Sideswomen, our readers and those on the flower and coffee rotas. We are running desperately short of both readers and sidesmen and women so if you would be interested in either role please speak to Ann Grainger. Our mission at The Beacon continues with the Youth Group, Parents and Tots, Wednesday Film Matinees, and Men's Breakfast. We are looking to expand what we do yet further so if you have any ideas for new mission from The Beacon please speak to John Hennerley or myself.
My thanks to Mike and Celia Boalch for all the work they do in keeping the graveyard neat and tidy, thanks are also due to our Flag Captain, Neil Rowland, who took over from Mike earlier this year. Thanks also to Sarah Baron who continues in her role as Flower Organiser. Thank you to everybody who helps decorate the church for Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
A number of our church family have passed into glory, we remember with love and affection Brenda Leech, Kaye Evans, Derek Trueman, Pam Savage, and Gwyneth Moores. May they rest in peace and rise in glory, good and faithful servants of our Lord. We also keep their families in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with their loss.
Thank you to those who represent the church on the various affiliated bodies, Val Baker our School Governor, Tim Mort on the Mobberley Trust, and those who represent the church on the Victory Hall TDC and the Friends of St. Wilfrid’s.
Finally, a note of congratulations to our one-time Reader, the Rev. Michelle Goodrich, who will be installed as a Canon at Mampong Cathedral, Ghana, in May this year.
As ever, if I have missed anybody out above please accept my apologies and be assured that as a co-worker with God nothing that we do in the name of his Son is ever ignored, dismissed or forgotten.
Rev. Canon Ian Blay