## **Parish of Uffculme** ## **Parochial Church Council Annual Report** For the year ended 31st December 2022 Loving God, discovering Jesus, serving the community ## **www.stmarysuffculme.org.uk www.squarecorner.org.uk** Parish of Uffculme. Deanery of Tiverton & Cullompton, Diocese of Exeter Bank: CAF Bank Ltd; Independent Examiner: Marie Johns, Batchelor & Co Charity Commission No 1146940 1 ## **Parochial Church Council 2022 – Chair’s Report** PCC met six times over the course of the year on 11 January, 15 March, 17 May, 12 July, 13 September, and 15 November. Each meeting has reviewed our current situation with Safeguarding of vulnerable adults and young people and has discussed the implementation of our health and safety responsibilities. This has included risk assessments undertaken in response to the risk of spreading & contracting the COVID virus. The PCC has also discussed various items of business including the safe use of Square Corner and church as regulations changed, the financial situation, our Mission Community wide review of our outreach ministry, our Community Outreach Worker’s role and ministry, church services and general maintenance issues. Full minutes of the meetings are available by contacting our PCC Secretary Tony Kidd. ## **Rev Simon Talbot (PCC Chair)** ## **The following served as members of the PCC:** Mission Community Leader/Rector of Uffculme/Chair: Revd Simon Talbot Curate: Revd Gudrun Thomas Associate Minister: Revd Michelle Parton (to September) Churchwardens: Alison Milne, Richard Rutty Deanery Synod Representatives: Tony Kidd, Phil Mumby ## **Elected members:** Stephanie Burtchaell, Rosalie Fleet (from April), Tony Lane (from April), Matthew Nichols, Lucy Statton (from April) ## **Supporting roles:** Treasurer: Tony Jackson Electoral Roll Officer: Alison Milne PCC Secretary: Tony Kidd Health & Safety Officer: Tony Lane Safeguarding Officer: Martin Rock-Evans The PCC confirms that it has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. 2 ## **Rector’s Report** If I have to sum up 2022 in a metaphor I think I would say that it had the feeling of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Obviously, as with all metaphors, it can’t be stretched too far as I’m not saying that St Mary’s pre-covid was like a hairy caterpillar! Over the course of the year we endeavoured to re-start ministries that had stopped or changed, as we could. This included Coffee and Chat, Community Lunch, Film Club, our baby and toddler group to name a few. Alongside these regular features we were able to hold a lovely service and serve teas to mark Her Majesty the late Queen’s Jubilee, as well as events over the summer as part of our “Holiday at Home” sessions. All these events, groups and ministries emerging from the difficult period over covid, alongside steady growth in attendance of our regular Sunday services and festival or special services throughout the year have been a joy to see and I hope we can look back with immense gratitude, primarily to God, but also to the people he used in his service to enable this to all happen. It has been particularly lovely to welcome several new people into our church family, some who used to be part of other churches, some who haven’t been part of a church for a while. As I mentioned above it feels like a butterfly is emerging from the more dormant days of covid. For me personally it was an unusual year as I was finally able to take a sabbatical (only 5 years late!). I am very grateful for both the time it gave me to reflect on my own ministry and for those, both lay and ordained, who enabled me to have the time away. 3 One of the sadnesses of the year was saying goodbye to Rev Michelle as she decided to take some time out of stipendiary ministry. Her gifts and skills are very much missed, and I’m sure you will be joining me in continuing to pray for her and her family. Michelle’s ministry will particularly be missed in Ashill where she had the responsibility to oversee our work. Alongside pastoral care of the congregation, Michelle had run some sessions for mums and babies to encourage how they think about their spirituality, established a monthly service of Morning Prayer and a coffee morning on a Thursday, and changed our Sunday services to be focused on festivals at Easter, Harvest and Christmas. This sadly was also the last full year of Rev Gudrun’s curacy. It seems such a long time ago I was introducing her to the parish and explaining her role as a curate-in-training. Whilst more will be said about Gudrun in 2023’s report it was lovely to be able to give thanks for her ministry and I’m sure we will all miss her personality and positivity. I think we can be hugely thankful for the privilege it has been to be part of helping her “fan her gifts into flame” to use the apostle Paul’s phrase. As always there are so many people to thank for their dedication, love and service they have shown over the last year. Particular mention should go to Richard Rutty and Alison Milne our churchwardens. As they both step back from office I am sure we will all agree Richard and Alison have been a real blessing to our church family, so thank you both! It is also such a blessing to have Claire Nichols as part of our team. Whilst she also spends some of her time in Kentisbeare we benefit from her love, enthusiasm and creativity as she runs our thriving 4 baby’s and toddler group, seasonal special events for children and families, social media posts and has been able to re-establish links with the village pre-schools by running sessions for them to mark Easter, Harvest and Christmas. We were delighted on her behalf when she received the St Boniface Award from the Diocese of Exeter ‘honouring lay people who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Church in Devon’. There is always a wonderful network of people who help and support our worship and ministry, this includes those who help with our church services, help with home groups, refreshments, support our families ministry, Tony Jackson who oversees our finances, Tony Kidd our PCC secretary, as well as those who support our friends within the church family. Thank you to you all, we would all be the poorer without your support. As we reflect back on the last year, I hope you can see some of the many ways we can give thanks to God for His blessing. I also hope that as we continue to move forward we will all be praying for God’s guidance as we continue to understand how each of us is “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” **Rev Simon Talbot (Rector)** 5 ## **Curate’s Report** ## **Services and ministry in 2022** Well, 2022 flew by as we settled back into Church life and things began to return more to as normal as it could be after covid. In February 2022 I was away from the parish for a month as I had a short placement with the Sid Valley Mission community in the Sidmouth area. It was great to look at the contrast between seaside ministry and rural ministry although I was surprised how close to more rural areas Sidmouth is. I gained valuable experience of what it is like to work as part of a larger Clergy team. I finally led Easter services after none in 2020 and my falling accident in 2021. I had my first experience of leading the Maundy Thursday meal which was very well attended. In the May we had a special celebration of marriage service as we celebrated with David and Beryl Lewis. Simon went off on sabbatical in May 2022 and I was pleased that he trusted me enough to work alongside Reverend Michelle to oversee the parishes of Willand and Uffculme. In June we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a wonderful service and then unfortunately the weather beat us and we couldn’t have the afternoon tea in the vicarage garden. However, in the usual Uffculme style we decamped to the village hall and an amazing number of people still came… over 80 people throughout the afternoon. We had several Baptisms throughout the year, some coming from the connection with the Uffculme toddler group. 6 We held a Candles to Remember service in November which was very well received and attended by people from across the mission community. Christmas service numbers seemed to have returned to similar numbers to the pre Covid years and the church looked fabulous with all the decorated Christmas trees. ## **Community engagement** The **film club** has continued, and numbers have remained consistent with donations still gratefully received. The **community lunches** restarted officially in February 2022 and have been very well attended ever since. The food is fab, and our thanks go to Sally Hickmott for her culinary skills and her team of volunteers for their hard work on the day. The Christmas dinner was excellent and the hall was packed with happy diners. **Holiday at Home** returned but on a slimmed down scale. The two main events were the family community picnic which was held at Magelake. it was a very hot day and the attendance was more than Claire or I had dreamed it would be. The rock and roll afternoon tea was once again very well supported. Despite the cancellation of the Uffculme lights we went ahead with opening the church for the launch of the **Christmas trees** and lots of people still came out and joined us. It was a wonderful evening of community engagement. I am sad that my time in Uffculme has come to an end (as I write this report in April 2023), and I thank you all for the support you have given in order to grow the more confident minster I am now as I go where God is calling me next. **Rev Gudrun Thomas (Curate)** 7 ## **Community Outreach report** _“Constant through the trial and the change, one thing remains…your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me…”_ (lyrics by Jesus Culture) Looking back through another year of varied ministry, we can see the constant golden thread of God’s abundant love and grace that has woven through all we have done with Community Outreach. This is a precis of this ministry due to limitations of space… 2022 marked our eighth year of offering Bible Storyclub at Kentisbeare Primary school and supporting the team in Uffculme Primary School. It is incredible to look back and to see how God has offered us wonderful opportunities to share the Good News over so many years. I am very grateful to Sue Apps and Helen Steele who run the club in Uffculme Primary School. Rev Michelle created a one-off Starting Rite session in June which ran in St Mary's Uffculme. It was great to be part of this and we welcomed nine families with babies under a year old. In November we celebrated Uffculme Baby and Toddler Group's first birthday with cake, songs and friendship and 60 adults and children. It has been a hugely valued community group, is full of love and hope and life and has shown us what a resource we have in St Mary's Church building and in our wonderful refreshments volunteers. We used a different format for Holiday at Home this year, spreading sessions throughout the month of August. Toddler group ran each week along with an art workshop, family walk, beetle drive, film club, afternoon tea and dance, intergenerational storytelling session and ended with a fantastically attended picnic in the park. A range of window displays in Square Corner were created in partnership with Uffculme Primary School, Memory Café, Uffculme Preschool and Rainbows. On 31st October Square Corner became a 8 beacon of light proclaiming “The Light has come”. Rev Gudrun and I met trick-or-treaters who were out on the streets and offered them hospitality as well as giving away 96 goodie bags! Square Corner provided a warm, dry space with simple crafts and refreshments, we welcomed approximately 35 people into the building. Many thanks to our volunteers and to Rev Gudrun for her energy and enthusiasm for this project. Listening to families at Toddler Group it became clear that there are many who are deeply fearful of the future. As a result of this the PCC agreed to allow CHAT to use Square Corner each Wednesday and to host the Green Team/ Uffculme Community Fridge's first "Uffculme Warm Space" in mid-November - a warm welcome, warm food and warm drinks all free of charge. We welcomed Uffculme Preschool, Kentisbeare Preschool, Kingwood Uffculme and Kingwood Muddiford to share seasonal special preschool services at St Mary's Uffculme and Kentisbeare. Outreach also included weekly Coffee and Chat, monthly Film Club, Bears and Prayers Easter egg hunt in Kentisbeare, Good Friday Explorers, a team providing children’s activities at the Christmas tree festival, Christingle services, and Rachel led the ever popular Scratch Nativity on Christmas Eve. The Wandering Wisemen returned to our social media feeds from Advent Sunday to Epiphany. Sue Leach organised and refreshed the Angel Trail in Willand, Sarah and Gerry Leyman helped with Journey to Bethlehem in Kentisbeare and Lucy Statton used her creative talents to make a new trail - The Animals' Christmas – in Uffculme. All three gave us the opportunity to explore more about the Christmas story, be visible in the community and stretch our legs too. **Claire Nichols (Community Outreach Worker)** 9 ## **St Stephen’s Ashill** This year we have had one baptism and one wedding. Apart from the monthly morning prayer, which with the departure of Michelle and now Gudrun, has now ceased, the following services were held:- 140th Anniversary in July, celebrant the Bishop of Crediton, this was followed by refreshments. Harvest, Carols, and Easter. The monthly coffee morning continues to be well supported. A concert by local singer Alex Hart was held in March this year with support from another local singer. Donation made. ## **Rosalie Fleet** ## **Square Corner** In my final year as Chairman of the Square Corner Management Group I am very pleased to report that Square Corner had a very successful year not only in being able to return a surplus of income over expenditure but also the additional use that has been made of Square Corner by various entities both Community based and corporate. 2022 was the year when we could finally say goodbye to the strictures caused by the pandemic and we saw very encouraging developments for Square Corner in 2022. Conversation Space continued to use the Office room as a branch of their main headquarters. We were pleased that Cambian returned to use Square Corner for training as well as other commercial enterprises occasionally hiring SC. 10 Coffee and Chat on a Monday and Thursday continued to be popular and thanks go to those who volunteer to help ensure its success. In these days of economic hardship we were particularly pleased to be able to offer SC as a place where CHAT could start to operate locally giving financial, housing and other advice. Later in the year, recognising the problems caused by very high energy costs, the Green team approached us with a request to use SC as a ‘Warm Space‘. Working with the Green Team leadership we were pleased to work out how best SC could be used as a place where people could have a warm place to go to as well as have a meal, companionship and things to do. The Green Team, the repair shop and the lights committee have held meeting in SC and SC remains the hub for Spotlight collation. The loft area has occasionally been used as an area for one to one counselling. Rather than have a fixed hiring rate for Community users it was agreed that we would ask Community users for donations to use Square Corner rooms. A donations box was put into the café area. This system seems to be working well. PAT testing, fire alarm testing, boiler servicing and other minor repairs were carried out during the year (thank you Tony Lane). ## **Richard Rutty (Chair, Square Corner Management Group)** 11 ## **Treasurer’s Report** Unrestricted Funds income of £76,848 for 2022 compares favourably to the income for 2021 (£57,102). Planned Giving has increased slightly with a significant increase in collections during the year. However, the income for the year includes a generous donation from Crossways Chapel (£2,500) and a welcome grant from Exeter Diocese towards energy costs for St Mary’s, St Stephen’s and Square Corner (£1,900). Restricted fund income of £17,582 is higher than in 2021 (£21,179) after adjusting for a generous £8,000 included in the 2021 accounts. We applied for, and were successful, in gaining a ‘Listed Places of Worship’ grant of £3,046 for the VAT paid on invoices relating to the significant fabric work carried out in St Mary’s during the year. Expenditure from unrestricted funds was £76,264 for 2022 (2021 £65,353). It is important to note that the 2022 figures include a full year of costs relating to the Community Outreach work (£17,984). Expenditure in 2022 compares favourably with 2021 when both years exclude the Outreach costs (2022 £58,280; 2021 £60,211). Significant work identified through the last quinquennial review was undertaken during the year (£21,612) and funded from the Fabric Fund. We also upgraded the audio-visual equipment in St Mary’s via the Music Fund (£5,000). It is encouraging that Planned Giving has remained stable. This is so important as Planned Giving contributes almost 30% of our unrestricted income. We urge you to consider how you might support our mission through either regular giving or one-off donations. Whenever possible making 12 donations and regular giving Gift Aided means the value of the gift is increased by 25%. Several other key areas of activity are worth commentary.: - Spotlight magazine – the magazine generated a small surplus (£298) despite more challenging expenditure commitments during the year and which are likely to continue into 2023. We are very grateful for the wonderful support of our advertisers, the Parish Council and those who were able to make either a one-off donation or commit to a regular donation. There is no doubt the magazine is welcomed by so many in our community. Square Corner – enjoyed a successful year generating a surplus of £1,733 (£508 of which came from the Exeter Diocese Energy support grant). It was encouraging to note a wide range of community groups making use of the facility which helps to bring together those of all ages from within the community. Overall, there was a small surplus in unrestricted funds (£584) and a net reduction in Restricted funds of £11,299. As in previous years, in our mission giving we have supported CHAT and Karen Action Group. We await further clarity regarding Thika Diocese (linked to the diocese of Exeter). Pending the outcome of discussions the PCC agreed to carry into 2023 the donation earmarked for Thika. ## **Tony Jackson (Treasurer)** 13 ## **Safeguarding Report** Safeguarding has been very quiet this year with routine renewal of disclosures, and two trivial safeguarding queries and not much else. ## **Disclosures** At the time of writing, I have completed 5 disclosures since the last PCC Safeguarding Report in March 2022. Disclosures should be renewed every 3 years. ## **Safeguarding Training** The Diocese recommend that people refresh their safeguarding training every 3 years – covid has meant that refresher course reminders have slipped over the past couple of years. Most of the required safeguarding training is available online including the Basic Awareness and Foundation courses, as well as the Safer Recruitment and People Management course and a new course on Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse: https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/ ## **Parish Safeguarding Dashboard and Safeguarding Hub** New in 2020, the diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard, launched in 2020, is being given additional functionality in 2023 to become a Safeguard Hub. ## **Contacts** Should you need to contact the diocese safeguarding team or DBS coordinators directly, please try the group email address: dsa@exeter.anglican.org. Alternatively, thirtyone:eight are commissioned by the diocese to provide support and their advice line is on 0845 120 4550: mention that we are part of the Exeter diocese. Martin Rock-Evans is the safeguarding officer for the Uffculme Parish - all DBS requests and queries should go to him in the first instance. Safeguarding is on the agenda of each PCC meeting, complying with safeguarding guidance. **Martin Rock-Evans (Safeguarding Officer)** 14 ## **Churchwardens’ Fabric Report** The Quinquennial work identified as being required in the 2018 review continued through much of 2022 with particular attention being given to repairs to the spire and the weather vane. We are grateful to the Uffculme Trust for their contribution to the repair of the weather vane. Repair work was also identified as being necessary to the North Tower window but this will not be carried out until 2023. Whilst the scaffolding was in place for the work on the spire repair work was also undertaken to the lightening conductor. Work finally began on repairs to the clock. The repairs will continue into 2023. In addition to the repairs a self winding mechanism has been commissioned. During the course of the year approval was given to remove the Memorial Book from the North vestry by the organ to the Walrond Chapel. The resultant space in the North vestry is now used by the flower ladies and we are grateful to them for the flowers that adorn the church Sunday by Sunday. During 2022 a meeting was held in St Mary’s with representatives of the DAC to discuss with them our proposals for a new café area. Their advice was helpful and we were given a positive response. Following this, in addition to the plans already received from one builder we commissioned an architect to produce drawings of what is required. The biggest issue is how to deal with foul water from the café area as there are no drains we can easily tap into. Towards the end of the year we had the unfortunate experience of water leaking into the vestry area. On inspection it became apparent that this was caused by a clogged rain drainage hopper overflowing onto the vestry roof. On inspection of the roof it became apparent 15 that repairs to the roof were needed. This work will be carried out in 2023. It was necessary to replace the Church’s projector equipment as the existing equipment was becoming unreliable. With most of our services now using the projector for power point presentation and regular use for the film club a replacement was needed. Various regular services of equipment (boiler, fire extinguishers, PAT testing, NET servicing of the mobile phone equipment, bells) took place and a new timer was installed for the heat blowers at the back of the church. We are very grateful to Theresa Maunder who not only cleans Square Corner but also took on the regular cleaning of St Mary’s. We are grateful to those who helped with work in the churchyard during the year, cleaning ivy off the church walls, pruning back overgrown shrubs and removal of previously accumulated debris. The churchyard now looks much tidier. Also to Tony and Janet Jackson for looking after the Memorial Garden. Finally, work at St Stephen’s originally started in 2021 was completed. **Richard Rutty/Alison Milne (Churchwardens)** 16 ## **Health and Safety Report** Our approach to safety and health continues to embody the Gospel message of ‘Loving your neighbour as yourself’ _Mark 12:31_ . Our health and safety policy was updated in 2022 to include two additional sections covering Non-ionizing radiation and construction health and safety. This arose following works to St Mary’s tower and reflects the increasingly complex, and necessarily so, world of ensuring we keep people safe from harm. We are planning work on in the vestry this year and these sections recognise our responsibility to ensure building works are carried out safely. St Mary’s, St Stephen’s and Square Corner have all maintained the necessary compliance requirements regarding risk assessment and fire protection as well as legionella. I continue to be in Claire Nichol’s and Richard Rutty’s debt for their conscientious maintenance of the fire and general safety checks in Square Corner, St Mary’s and St Stephen’s. The H&S Policy, Risk Assessments and Fire Controls will be reviewed in 2023 and PCC members will be briefed on their collective responsibilities in respect of these as required. We have had four reported accidents or incidents reported to me since the last APCM. All four have been reviewed and where required practical changes made to avoid re-occurrence. None of the accidents were reportable to the HSE. ## **Tony Lane (Health & Safety Officer)** 17 ## **Deanery Synod Report** Deanery Synod met three times in 2022, March, June and September, chaired by Rev Andy Humm as Rural Dean. In March, the Synod revisited the Deanery Action Plan, put on hold during covid, and pondered lessons to be learnt from our covid experiences, as well as reviewing support for Ukrainians in the Deanery. The June meeting considered the financial situation, and shared local Jubilee celebrations. In September, Deanery hosted Andy Flannagan, Executive Director of Christians in Politics, who encouraged us with stories from those involved with politics. Phil Mumby and Tony Kidd continue to be parochial lay representatives on Deanery Synod. ## **Tony Kidd (Deanery Synod Representative)** ## **Facts and figures** During 2022 there were 2 weddings at St Mary’s, plus 1 at St Stephen’s and 1 at Bradfield Chapel. There were 8 funerals in St Mary’s, and 5 funerals at the crematorium only. There were also 8 baptisms and 1 thanksgiving service for children at St Mary’s, and 1 baptism at St Stephen’s and 1 at Bradfield Chapel. ## **Electoral Roll Report for 2022 for Uffculme Parish** 81 _(2021 85)_ , with 18 living outside the parish. 18 andToddleT Group 9.15-tkn loin ug coffee 8nd Chat MAUNDY Service of Thanksgiving Sunday l Oth Juty at I lam Followed by a Free Buffet Lunth OIN US AS WE PRAY FOR CHOOLS. CHILDREN & FAMILIE CELEBRATI NG 19 ## Loving God, discovering Jesus, serving the community The Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Uffculme with St Stephen’s Ashill and All Saints’ Bradfield 20 PARISH OF ST MARYS. UFFCULME Year Ended 31 December 2022 (Register Charity No. 11469401 Funds Funds Total 2021 Re¢elpts Planned Giwng Collections Special Givin8 Donatlons Tèx Recovered Le8acies CREATE Church Fundrai￿n8 Interest & Dimdends spott￿ht Magazine Churchyard Rents Grants Church Fees (net} Square Corner Chur¢h Hire NET Mobile Mast Uffculme Bellringers Mission Outrea¢h Total Recelpts 22853 22853 5861 22587 2561 1188 11720 6197 4412 6727 3(Kl 4712 8727 2198 414 9800 6041 245 L597 421 7816 255 1392 2503 7838 225 67rKI 83 8165 76848 1597 11013 7816 255 4438 2503 7838 225 67 10592 1847 4585 20 67CKI 55 1123 78281 83 816S 17582 Payments Common Fund Clergy Expenses Maintenance Insurance Upkeep of SeNces Heat & L48ht Square Corner Spotllght Magazlne Mtjsic 26543 1218 2532 6345 625 4076 6105 7518 26543 1218 24144 6345 625 4076 6105 7518 24807 801 16996 5892 21612 4216 10302 5824 1025 5806 CREATE Fundraising Costs Church fithe Print. post. stationery UfF¢ulrne Bellringers Independent Examiner Bank Charges Sundrles Mission Outreach Total payments 1882 230 474 261 82 291 17984 76264 3346 230 474 261 82 291 17984 105145 3957 243 25 5142 86093 28881 AuUMulat￿ fvnd blfwd 01.OL22 Transfer between fun