2021-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Mary The Virgin Puddletown

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St Mary’s Church, Puddletown

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the

Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2021

Vicar: The Revd Sarah Hillman,

The Vicarage, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 8SL

Banks: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ The CBF Church of England Funds, London, EC2V 6DZ

Independent

Examiner: Mr G Taylor, 23 Whitehill, Puddletown, DT2 8SB

St Mary’s Church, Puddletown Annual Report for APCM 2022

Background

St Mary’s Church, Puddletown, is part of a Benefice which also includes Tolpuddle and Milborne St Andrew with Dewlish.

The vicarage for the Benefice is situated in Puddletown, opposite the church.

A monthly magazine is produced which now covers the whole Benefice.

The Benefice has 4 churches, St Mary’s at Puddletown, St John the Evangelist at Tolpuddle, St Andrew’s at Milborne and All Saints’ at Dewlish. The Churchwardens regularly hold joint meetings.

The PCCs of the Benefice agreed that payment of the Benefice expenses would be split in 2021 as follows: Puddletown 46% Milborne 27%, Dewlish 8% and Tolpuddle 19%; this reflects the number of people in the May count for each church. A benefice account has been set up for this and is administered by the Benefice Administrator. Puddletown now pays a regular sum into the Benefice Account for the first 9 months of the year.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting for a three-year term, a proportion being elected each year. During the year the following served as members of the PCC:

Vicar: The Revd Sarah Hillman

Church Wardens: Dawn Loveless Cynthia Metcalfe Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Rod Hughes Vacancy

Representatives on the Deanery Synod:

Elected Members:

1 year, to APCM 2022 Peter Bishop

2 years, to APCM 2023

Margaret Rickard David Jeffreys

3 years, to APCM 2024

Emma Hughes Pat Sparks Jo Crankshaw Andrew Deans Lizzie Peckover Bob Todd

There are 0 vacancies

The Church Electoral Roll Report to Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The certified number on the Roll as at the date of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2021 was 54.

During the past twelve months 1 name has been added.

The total enrolment as at the annual meeting 15[th] May 2022 was 55. This figure will be certified to the diocese and deanery following this meeting. Also revised lists have been put up in the church and church room.

Please will anyone aware of address changes of existing members let me or the churchwardens know as soon as possible?

. Pat Sparks

Church Electoral Roll Officer

Vicar’s Report

The Revd Sarah Hillman will make a verbal report to the meeting.

Churchwardens’ Report

The Archdeacon’s Visitation took place at St.George’s church, Dorchester on the 28th June 2021.

This year our duties have been a little less restricted than in 2021. We have continued to operate within all current Church of England guidelines however and, as always, kept within our Health and Safety Policy Statement and the changing risk assessments. We hope to have our inventory completed and signed by the end of May again. The Fire extinguishers in the church and church room were checked on 8 December and the lightning conductor is due to be checked.

Services started to go back into the Church room rather than the church from November but since Christmas and spacing concerns we have remained in the church building. It is good to be able to sing again despite the need to wear masks. We are happy to have our two new organists and also our new Treasurer. We are also grateful for the continuing effort and support of all those who have been able to attend St Mary’s and have been helping out on a weekly basis through uncertain times.

Sunday afternoon Messy Church re-started in October.

Some parishioners have still not come back to church in person due to their health concerns and shielding. Morning prayers on Zoom are available from Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays.

Both churchwardens have attended Holy Communion services at the middle school and were made most welcome. We would

commend that to any other parishioners as a means of connecting with the young Christians in our community.

When covid restrictions allowed, we were able to meet with Sarah and the other churchwardens in the Benefice.

In July Curate Matt Renyard was seconded to us as part of his work experience which was enlightening. We took our turn to feed him and to get to know him. Matt also spent a morning on the Graveyard Project.

Work on the new graveyard extension has been ongoing throughout the year and is now nearing completion. There has been endless voluntary support from parishioners and local people for which we are extremely grateful. The ground was consecrated by Bishop Karen on the 7th March.

For Remembrance St Mary’s Church tower was cascaded with a dazzling array of poppies made by people both near and far. Dorset Echo took up the story giving public recognition.

The Children’s Society house boxes were collected and counted in May by a team of volunteers. They are due to be counted again in February and the intention is to get back to the regular opening month in November this year.

The weekend of 14th - 15th August we held a most successful and enjoyable Scarecrow Festival with scarecrows being made and displayed around the village. There was also a Caterpillar Cake Competition in the church room.

Thursday coffee mornings are happening again and are well attended

The Monthly Village lunch is as popular as ever and re-commenced in October

December saw a Wreath making afternoon and a Christmas Fair that was well supported. Health and Safety guidelines were adhered to.

All Christmas Services went ahead as scheduled and were well attended.

We would like to record our thanks to all who have helped with the presentation of the church, the church maintenance and all the church events. This includes the team who open and close the church each day to ensure that it remains welcoming and accessible to all visitors and those who clean the church and polish brasses.

Dawn Loveless & Cynthia Metcalfe

Secretary’s Report

There were 5 PCC meetings this year. 1 meeting was included with a joint meeting with the Benefice PCCs, 1 was in person and 3 meetings were on Zoom.

Emma Hughes

Deanery Report

See attached report. Rod Hughes represented the PCC at 0 Deanery meetings during 2021.

Financial Review of the Year

I would like to start my report by first thanking Bob Todd and Lizzie Peckover for their help and assistance, since I took on the role of Treasurer in the middle of 2021. Although expenditure has again exceeded income, the deficit is much smaller than that recorded in 2020. This reflects a return to something approaching ‘normality’ in the second half of the year, the receipt of grants applied for in 2020 and lower expenditure on the upkeep of the church. Regular gifts through the Parish Giving Scheme and by Standing Order provided a useful degree of certainty to our income, against which I could make regular payments.

Your generosity enabled St. Mary’s to make donations to a number of worthy causes in 2021: The Friends of Salisbury Cathedral, The Salvation Army, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Water Aid and The Children’s Society. In addition, grants were given from the Lunch Fund to Puddletown Library and Puddletown Village Hall.

Last year’s report referred to bank charges increasing. These have been reduced following the PCC agreeing to a proposal to reduce the number of bank accounts we operate with CAF Bank from four to two. The PCC also adopted a policy of charging expenditure relating to the care and insurance of the church to the Fabric Fund and agreed to transfer funds from our Emergency Reserve to enable us to pay our Parish Share due to the Diocese in full. These actions have benefitted our General Fund.

I sincerely hope that when I write this report next year, I will be able to describe how all our plans for 2022 were uninterrupted by restrictions.

David Elliott (Treasurer)

Schools’ Reports – see attached

Church Room

During the year bookings for the church room were down due to COVID, but in recent months, bookings have picked up and the room is used most days

David has retired as booking clerk, and you will see in the church magazine that it is now Jane Stanley. Jane’s phone number is in the magazine.

Jean Jeffreys

Health & Safety

We continue to use the PCC-approved Health & Safety Policy.

Safeguarding

No incidents have been reported. Cynthia Metcalfe is now our Safeguarding Officer.

Churchyard

We have at St Mary’s a great team who look after the cutting and trimming of the graveyard: George, Hazel and Andrew. They give their time freely. As far as is possible, they cut around the wild flowers and have recently taken on the new part of the graveyard.

Thank you to all three for taking on this task.

Jean Jeffreys

Fundraising Activities

Once restrictions had been lifted, we quickly resumed our traditional activities. Thursday morning coffee re-started in August, with monthly lunches following on from October. The Scarecrow Festival attracted a good number of entries and was enjoyed by many. Together with the Christmas Fair, these events made a valuable contribution to our funds.

Our Events Committee has been re-formed and is considering its programme for the remainder of the year.

Thank you to all the individuals, charities, organisations and businesses who supported St. Mary’s in 2021.

David Elliott (Treasurer)

Fabric

Following the general repairs carried out in 2020, there have been few problems to deal with this year.

Trees: permission was received to trim 6 trees; 4 of these have been done and we hope the remaining 2 will be dealt with shortly.

Boundary walls: the lime mortar used in the first section of boundary wall repair, carried out in 2020, proved not strong enough, so the builder has done it again at no further charge. The PCC voted in favour of carrying out a further section of repair in accordance with the Architect’s advice that a rolling programme of boundary wall repairs should be established.

After taking advice from the architect and from a structural engineer about the East boundary wall which has a ‘bulge’ about halfway along, it was decided to monitor the angle of outward lean annually with measurements and photographs, to see whether it is moving at all.

The builder, Simon Crumbleholme, cleared the gutters and downpipes at no charge.

We look forward to being able to hold our AGM this year, Covid-permitting.

Ursula Pomeroy

Following the gifting of the land behind the old First School buildings, the PCC agreed to develop this plot of land for use as a new burial ground. However as the main lead in this endeavour was unable to continue with the project, and the architect’s plans and permissions all fell into hibernation until the PCC asked to re-establish the project before the planning permissions ran out, Peter Bishop and I set forth to move once again to re start the project.

Also on board was Jacky Burden to make up the team. We were able to get a builder to take out a section of the old boundary wall enabling our team of volunteers to gain access to the plot, instead of climbing over the wall with our team of helpers to start clearing the overgrown site.

We were advised by our new architect on the provision of ramps to and in the site and the removal of all the old drains and associated underground pipes. This required a specialist drains expert to examine the pipe work and to ascertain that all were unused and blocked off. This proved to be the case and we had to then employ a man and his digger to excavate the site and remove all the drain pipes and soak aways on site along with over ten tons of rubble.

The team, having cleared the site with the help of our onsite builder with his digger, then covered the ground with tarpaulin for the winter, and turned our attention to a plan as to what to do with the far east end of the site which has very deep concrete and brick foundations left over when the site was demolished. A plan was hatched and approved by the Archdeacon and the PCC to turn this area into a garden and area for interment of ashes.

The following year we set forth and cultivated the burials plot and grass seeded the land and crossed our fingers that the weather allowed good germination of the grass seed. Then we tackled the old foundation area and got our local builder in to level the area with extra concrete and to rebuild the wall entrance back. During the autumn winter of 2021/22 the team cultivated the plot and spread slate chippings and pebbles to the hard areas and planted out in between the old foundations with shrubs and topped off with bark mulch to reduce weeds.

After two years of hard graft by all the team involved the project was finished, we were ready for the 7[th] March 2022 deadline and a ceremony of Consecration was performed by our Bishop Karen. We came way under budget of £45k due to the magnificent effort of our team of volunteers at a cost of just under £8k.

Magazine

The Magazine Working Group team remains the same as the previous year and the magazine is managing to break even. The advertising rates and cover price have not risen this year.

Jan O'Mara and Clare Campbell have been managing the subscriptions and the distributors. This year they had a team of 19 Puddletown distributors delivering to 172 subscribers each month. In Tolpuddle a team of 8 deliver to a further 90. A further 10 free copies are taken to Dewlish and Miborne. There are also 6 postal subscribers. We also put 30 for sale in the shop and church. One copy is sent to the History Centre in Dorchester.

We currently have approximately 330 magazines delivered each month, with 885 of the December issue printed.

Burial Ground

The quantity sold in the church and shop varies from month to month.

This December a copy was delivered to every house in Puddletown and Tolpuddle.

Marion Bishop resigned as collator and was replaced by Emma Hughes, taking over at the end of the year. Clare Campbell also resigned in December 2021., and we have 3 new proof readers. Lucy Green, Laura Welch and Mandy Taylor. The PCC acknowledged the work of Marion and Clare with gifts.

April 18[th] - The bells were rung open for evensong for the commemoration of HRH Prince Philip.

July 1[st ] - Return to full time ringing since lock down.

July 16[th] - The bells were rung for the wedding of Hannah Antell and Benjamin Wadey.

August 14[th] - Puddletown ringers and ringers from other towers rang for the Scarecrow Festival

Sept 2[nd] - On our usual practice night, we rang 120 plain bob doubles for Jim & Diana Wilson’s Diamond Wedding.

Oct 30[th] - The bells were rung for COP 26.

Emma Hughes

Flower Team

The Flower team has 15 regular members, and I am very grateful for their support.

We have yet to meet as a group, but it has been so good to get back decorating our church together, ready for Easter, Harvest and Christmas,

Nov 11[th] – On practice night the bells were rung half muffled for Remembrance Day,

Nov 14[th] - The Bells were rung half muffled for Remembrance Sunday.

Due to bellringers visiting their families the bells were not rung at Christmas time, but a visiting band rung a quarter peal to celebrate Christmas and new year on 29[th] Dec.

Robin Mears, Tower Captain

We plan to discuss decorating the Church for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to run alongside the Flower Tower.

I have been trying to encourage team members who do not normally do the Altar Arrangement to put themselves forward and “give it a go”

The Wedding team arranged the Flowers for Hannah Antell and Ben Wadey’s Wedding and also arranged flowers for Tom Ridout’s memorial service just before Harvest.

All Risk assessments have been updated for 2022 and emailed out to the team.

I continue to organise the team rotas, and planning on how to get us all together, at some point!

Heather Mears

Bells

We seem to be going from strength to strength, ringing most Thursday nights 6pm – 7:30pm and have 8 regular Ringers. We have “joined forces” with Hilton tower and this has enabled us to ring more methods and support learners.

Feb 27[th] - Robin Mears tolled the Tenor Bell 100 in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, whose funeral was held that day.

March 23th – Emma Hughes tolled the bell 365 times after the minute’s silence on the National Reflection Day organised by the Marie Curie Foundation.

April 4[th] - The bells were rung for Easter Day.

Friends of Puddletown Church

It is with regret that I confirm the retirement of Ursula Pomeroy as Administrator of the Friends of Puddletown Church (FOPC), a post she has held since 2008. Fortunately, she has agreed to stay on as Treasurer. All associated with St Mary’s, and indeed the whole community, owe her a huge debt of gratitude for shouldering the major responsibility for organizing and leading the group in protecting, maintaining, and improving the fabric and furnishings of this ancient church. Colin Allder remains as Chair, Janet Nassim as Secretary and Jill Temple has joined as Communications Officer. We continue to hope that someone can be found to take on the role of Administrator.

The Friends had their first Annual General Meeting since the start of the Covid pandemic on 2nd September 2021. The Financial Report detailing 2020/21 income and expenditure was approved, with the major grants having gone to the PCC for repairs to the Church bells, and to repairs identified as necessary by the Quinquennial Report on the state of the Church building. These expenditures having left a rather low balance of £2,800.36, and few requests given the uncertainties of the ongoing pandemic, it was agreed to make no grants in 2021/22. There has, however, been a change to FOPC financial reporting. At the request of the PCC’s new treasurer, David Elliott, its financial year will now run by calendar year, rather than from 1[st] July to 30[th] June, bringing it line with the PCC’s reporting year.

Janet Nassim (Secretary, FOPC)

April 10[th ] - Robin Mears rung the tenor half muffled for HRH Prince Philip who had died aged 99.

April 17[th] - Robin Mears rang the tenor half muffled again for 20 minutes with a minute silence on the day of HRH Prince Philip’s funeral.

THANKS

Puddletown Church continues to be supported by a great number of people who give generously of their time and talents, along with those who contribute financially.

We would like to thank David Elliott for all his hard work taking over as Treasurer and to Emma Hughes, our benefice administrator and PCC secretary.

Thanks, too, to Heather Mears and the flower team for all their beautiful displays, the excellent catering team for their delicious meals and cakes, the churchyard maintenance team who keep our grounds looking so good and the church cleaning team ably led by Jan O’Mara.

Particular thanks to Marion Bishop and Clare Campbell for all their work on the Parish Magazine over the years.

Also, an appreciation for the hard work of the Events Committee and to The Friends of Puddletown Church.

2022 Report for APCM from Puddletown First School

Last year proved to be another year of managing Covid restrictions, school closure and multiple changes to Government guidance. It is fair to say that some of the guidance has come at very short notice, as was the notice that schools would be closing in January 2021!

The January to March lockdown was certainly more challenging for everybody, including us in school. We had more children in school under the key worker provision meaning that staff were planning and delivering on line learning and support at the same time as directly teaching 10 -20 children in school.

We had learned a lot from the previous lockdown experience in terms of online learning and were able to provide a lot more structure and content for parents this time round. At the same time we were very aware of the pressure online learning presented for families with children from different school settings. We were very clear with our parents that they should always prioritise the well-being of themselves and their families over anything else. To support this staff maintained at least one weekly phone call with all of our families and were available via email.

We offered practical support for all of our families via government food vouchers. This was supplemented by an offer to all our families to collect food from school, this food was provided by Dorset Food Links (our hot school meal provider). As we were expected to maintain payments with the various contractors we have we asked Food Links to provide us with the equivalent value in produce (tins, fresh vegetables, fruit and packets etc). This we then made available to all families in the community, delivering food packs where necessary. At the end of the week what was left over was donated to the foodbank run by Sarah.

On the return to school in March we set ourselves 2 priorities

To re-engage the children with the school experience focussing on enjoyment and social skills 2. Pupil well- being

We then began to address and manage any gaps in learning and support those who had begun to fall behind perhaps due to limited engagement in home learning.

Whilst there was a lot talked about, particularly in the media, about lost learning and lost generations we were very clear that firstly you can’t lose something you haven’t had and that we would be able to catch children up but to do so effectively it needs to be done carefully and sympathetically, especially when considering the age of the children. Hence we see this as an 18 -24 month process. We are confident the children will be where they need to be in their learning. To support this we have invested heavily in additional adult support across the whole age range. Some of this is funded by additional government grants, much of it isn’t and has put our budget under pressure and is something we can only sustainably do in the short term.

What was clear was how much the children had missed school and how important it is to them. We have learnt many lessons from the whole Covid experience but for me the key is that children must be in school and when in school they must be with their peers in the classroom and that individual or small group work that withdraws them from the social context of the classroom must be used sparingly and carefully.

September began with pretty much a ‘normal’ school with no restrictions or bubbles etc. and was a joy! We were able to have whole school Collective Worship all together in the hall for the first time in many months. It is difficult to really put into words or quantify the important role whole school collective worship has in drawing a school together. In many ways having the opportunity for normality at the start of term made the return to restrictions; bubbles, virtual collective worship etc. even harder and it did hit the staff hard. Sadly, we had another ‘Covid Christmas’ meaning our Nativity was a video production rather than a live show, although this year we were at least able to invite parents a class at a time to at least see the children sing their song in their Nativity costumes. We were also able to have Carols Around the Village, class parties and a Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, although sadly at the last minute we had to cancel parent’s attendance.

To date as a school we have been fortunate to be limited in the number of Covid cases in school. Whilst some small outbreaks have occurred with the children and some staff have had Covid we have so far avoided the mass absences of some schools. Whilst much of this must be due to good fortune, both staff, parents and our community have played their part by always being supportive, vigilant and following the guidance.

School life hasn’t all been about Covid however I am glad to say! Throughout the summer and autumn term we did maintain our school visits with all the children going on at least one outing. Our Y4 children even managed their residential stay at Hooke Court. We also had sports day and many of the rites of passage events for our leavers.

As always we are striving to improve and develop our curriculum provision and are looking at how we can develop a stronger sense of sustainability into our curriculum. We will also be introducing a new phonics teacher scheme to support our teaching of reading.

We continue to work on promoting our vision statement.

We care enough to try our best in all we do because we are wonderfully made: made to love,

made to flourish,

made to be unique

They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.

Psalm 1 verse 3

I have attached our latest Diocese Advisor report which provides more detail on this.

As ever our links with St Mary’s Church and our Church School status are very important to us. ‘Open the Book’ continues to be a huge success we are really grateful to the team for all the work they put into planning and delivering the worships. We are also really thankful to Sarah for her support and drop ins, collective worship, church services and pastoral support.

We value the support of our church and the prayers that you offer. If you have any particular thoughts or observations about the school I can be easily contacted at head@puddletownfirst.dorset.sch.uk

Dan Hunwick

Headteacher Puddletown First School

Jan 2022

Annual Report for the Annual Parochial Church Council for St. Mary’s C.E. Middle School

We are pleased to be able to report this year on a less disrupted school experience for our pupils, with many aspects of school beginning to return to what we remember as normality. As in previous reports, the school continues to move forward and it has been another very successful year.

Whilst there has been some continuing restrictions from the pandemic, in many ways, it has been a return to business as usual. We are back to being able to allow pupils to mix together, between year groups, at times of the day such as break and lunch. Pupils and parents have been largely very supportive of measures such as the wearing of masks and weekly testing and this has managed to control infection numbers and allow us to keep children in school.

We continue to have excellent support from our chaplaincy team who help us deliver the act of worship program. We have been able to return to some live full school worship in the hall, for almost the first time in two years, whilst continuing to deliver some worship via video link. The school was delighted to be able to worship together in St. Mary’s Church as part of our Christmas services: something we have missed greatly over the last two years. Moving forward, we hope to increase the live worship opportunities as we progress through the rest of the year. I am thankful to the chaplaincy team who have been able to maintain the schools offer of monthly optional communion, with a regular attendance of around 50 students (not including Year 5 pupils who have only just completed the lessons in school, with a small number admitted to communion at our annual service).

Pupils have missed out on many of the traditional school experiences such as residential trips and concerts over the last two years. Staff at the school were determined that we would restart these events for our pupils. We completed a residential trip to Osmington Bay for Year 6 pupils, which was one of their first ever school residential experiences. Unfortunately, we had to cut the visit short by one day due to Storm Eunice (what are the chances of ‘the storm of the decade’ occurring during their residential!) although pupils did get a few days of adventure activities on the site. My thanks to all of the staff who gave up time at home to make sure this happened. In a few weeks, we will take our Year 8 pupils to Pencelli in the Brecon Beacons for a week full of adventure and challenge.

We also managed to get a Christmas Concert together, involving over half the school in some capacity. It was such a joy to see the looks on their faces at being in front of a live audience, the initial nerves turning to confidence and such a sense of fun in being able to perform. Oh, how we have all missed this! Again, thanks, particularly to the music department for finding ways to overcome obstacles to make this happen. It was massively appreciated by parents and pupils alike.

Pupil numbers at the school remain very healthy, with the school being almost at full capacity, remaining a popular choice for parents in the local area. Pupils coming into Year 5 were able to have the full transition package and this has meant that they have quickly settled into the middle school way of life. Year 8 pupils also finished in July with a celebration evening (of pizza, bouncy castles and an outdoor cinema), a church reflection service and a final awards ceremony (well 2 actually, we did have to send the year group home on the final day to self-isolate – we almost made it!). These milestones are very important in a child’s life and we were pleased to be able to mark them in the proper way.

Following the successful Ofsted inspection in 2019, we find ourselves as a school with a good time period before we are due to next be inspected. We are using that time to fundamentally look at the way our curriculum is constructed, use the latest research to ensure maximum memory retention of what we have studied and to get pupils to take more ownership of their learning. We are also overdue our 5 yearly SIAMS inspection and anticipate that this will happen before the end of this school year. We feel that we are in strong position as a school moving into this inspection and look forward to welcoming the inspection team to the school in due course.

Indications are that our hard work throughout the various periods of lockdown has minimised any effect on pupils understanding. We have seen pupils maintain the pre-COVID standards in many areas, such as reading. Our main challenge will be to increase the accuracy of pupils writing over the next year as this is the area we have seen some regression in. We are making full use of all the available government funding to target pupils for intervention sessions and one-to-one tutoring and this is already showing results. I want to acknowledge the fantastic staff team here at the school; they have worked so hard over the last few years to ensure that we are in good shape for the future.

The school does now find itself at the start of a new challenge. Our small Multi Academy Trust (MAT), the Greenwood Tree Academy Trust will be merging with the Wessex MAT at the start of next year. This will form a bigger trust of 12 schools (including all three Dorchester-based middle schools) who will work closely together in the years to come. I must acknowledge the work of governors and trustees (all unpaid volunteers) for their time and effort to make sure the school is ready to face the future in the strongest possible way.

Darren Ayling, Headteacher, St. Mary’s C.E. Middle School

DORCHESTER DEANERY SYNOD Deanery Synod Members Report 2021 for Annual Church Meetings 2022

The Synod met on three occasions during 2021. (One face to face and two zoom meetings)

The first of these was on 4[th] May 2021 where The Revd Sarah Hillman as chair welcomed everyone and outlined our roles as Deanery Synod members which included regular feedback to PCC meetings and a Statutory Role to ‘consider and make provision for what comes down from General Synod and Diocesan Synod levels’. Election of 2021 Representatives to the Diocesan Synod were Margaret Morissey, Jill Minchen, David Elliott, Jane Pridmore, the Revd Leila Mather, the Revd Mark Phillips and the Revd Sarah Hillman. These posts are for 3 years ending in 2024. The main focus of this meeting was ‘Shaping the Church for the Future’ where The Revd Roger Butcher gave a presentation of how good it is to not know what the future looks like so that we do not have preconceived ideas. The key questions were ‘What will the future church look like?’ ‘What have I learnt during lockdown?’ ‘What has the wider church learnt during lockdown?’ Hazel Morgan then spoke from a Lay perspective about the opportunities of Zoom, streaming services, and inclusivity with Messy Church, Café Church or Breakfast Church and using the outdoors for services. We then broke into discussion groups and came back with ideas to bring to our own PCC’s including:

Ecology issues especially looking to children who are very clear on this topic
Going out into the community – picnics/open air services
Becoming more open and inclusive – opening for concerts, talks and not just Sundays.
Accessibility by considering the ‘front’ we put out
Leadership showing a willingness to challenge and change ideas or boundaries
Representing all people not just white
Engaging with existing congregations
Not forgetting the Gospel at our core
Communal worship
Technology continue using zoom and on line into the future but also being aware of those not able to use
technology and thinking how we can involve them too

The Revd Sarah Hillman then shared ‘Beyond the Present’ a video prepared by our three Bishops and others. She summarised by saying that the deanery should be a positive way forward and not a burden. It should enhance Mission and Ministry together. She invited members of the Synod to go back and ask their parishes what the Deanery could do to support their church mission and ministry.

The second meeting on 14[th] July had its focus a ‘Climate Change – net zero by 2030’. The Ven Penny Sayer was the guest speaker and this meeting was held outside (Puddletown Junior School). We were advised to look at our own church figures for 2019 to do a survey on our churches, halls, property, vicarages and church schools. Beaminster and Salisbury Cathedral now have Gold Eco Awards. Changes could be as simple as setting up habitats for birds in the churchyard, changing lightbulbs or encouraging people to walk to church. We then broke into groups for discussions and feedback which provided more questions. It was advised that PCC’s could discuss these matters further.

Our third meeting of the year on 4[th] November, a new Lay Chair and Vice Lay Chair were elected (Roger Holehouse and Nigel Pridmore). These posts run until 2023. Our focus was ‘Understanding Diocesan Finance’ where David Pain and Liz Ashmead (Salisbury) came to explain and answer questions. The Mission and Pastoral Plan have three objectives i.e. Clearer paths to mission and ministry, better care for those who serve and stronger roots for the local church. Choices on spending have to be made. Liz Ashmead highlighted specific spending figures. The Salisbury deficit is now £5 million with an additional £2.5 million Coronavirus Bank Loan. As a result the church is selling property and assets but also looking to the Parish Share. Many questions on spending were then asked (details of these on the Deanery Synod Webpage where full minutes are available). PCC Treasurers were asked to feedback to PCC’s regarding changes to the Parish Share. Our Synod Treasurer Michael Clarke explained that this year we have paid 57% of our share compared to 71% at the same time in the previous year and he suspected Parishes would pay what they could afford. Discussion followed on GS-2222 and how this might impact on funding.

Jane Pridmore (Dorchester Deanery Secretary)

St Mary's Church Puddletown

Accounts

31 December 2021

St Mary's Church Puddletown

Independent Examiner's Report to the members/trustees of

St Mary's Church Puddletown

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2021 which are set out on pages 2 to 8

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed

It is my responsibility to

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission.

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Grant Taylor FCA Chartered Accountant

11 April 2022

23 Whitehill

Puddletown Dorset DT2 8SB

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

Statement of Financial Activities Note Incoming resources 7 Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Resources expended 8 Raising funds Charitable Activities NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 16 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 1st January 2021 10 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 31st December 2021 10	Unrestricted Funds £ 26,692 6,022 7,286 13 40,013 503 40,236 40,739 (726) 7,754 7,028 15,597 22,625	Designated Funds £ 6,615 - - - 6,615 - 8,209 8,209 (1,594) (7,754) (9,348) 66,388 57,040	Restricted Funds £ 3,954 - - - 3,954 - 2,105 2,105 1,849 - 1,849 4,523 6,372	2021 Total Funds £ 37,261 6,022 7,286 13 50,582 503 50,550 51,053 (471) - (471) 86,508 86,037	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 44,506 3,998 5,358 114 53,976 43 81,526 81,569 (27,593) - (27,593) 114,101 86,508

St Mary's Church Puddletown Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021

Notes Current assets Debtors and prepayments Bank/building society balances: General account CCLA deposit account Fabric Account 2 Friends account Magazine account Net current assets Loans due after one year Net assets Parish Funds 10 Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds	52,624 25,429 - 4,437 - 82,490	2021 £ 3,547 82,490 - 86,037 22,625 57,040 6,372 86,037	22,479 25,416 15,889 9,390 5,420 78,594	2020 £ 7,914 78,594 - 86,508 15,597 66,388 4,523 86,508

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Notes to the Finncial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP) and applicable accounting standards (FRSSE).The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

2 Descripton of Funds

Restricted funds comprise of two elements :-

a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest

b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object.The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC's general purpose.

3 Incoming Resources

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and Legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

4 Resources Expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

5 Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts by s.10(2)(a)&(C) of the Charities Act 2011.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements

Unrestricted Funds 6 Income and Endowments from: £ a) Donations and legacies Voluntary income and receipts Tax efficient planned giving 11,889 Other planned giving 4,281 Collections at services 2,745 All other giving and voluntary receipts including special appeals 2,516 Gift aid recovered 5,261 Grants - note 12 - 26,692 b) Charitable Activities Church Activities Statutory fees (retained by PCC) 2,635 Fundraising activities 3,387 6,022 c) Other Trading Activities Church hall hire 1,130 Parish magazine 6,156 7,286 d) Investments Bank interest 13 13 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 40,013	Designated Funds £ - - - 200 - 6,415 6,615 - - - - - - - - 6,615	Restricted Funds £ - 3,048 - - 906 - 3,954 - - - - - - - - 3,954	2021 Total Funds £ 11,889 7,329 2,745 2,716 6,167 6,415 37,261 2,635 3,387 6,022 1,130 6,156 7,286 13 13 50,582	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 15,146 6,937 1,429 8,842 2,886 9,266 44,506 2,088 1,910 3,998 1,315 4,043 5,358 114 114 53,976

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

7 Expenditure on: a) Raising funds Fundraising b) Charitable Activities Church Activities Mission giving and donations Diocesan Parish share Church Expenses Church running expenses Church utility bills Benefice expenses Wages and honorarium Administration costs, printing and postage Professional fees Costs of trading Parish magazine costs Church room costs Bank charges Major Capital Expenditure Major repairs to the church Write off of VAT overclaimed TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	Unrestricted Funds £ 503 503 1,515 25,754 27,269 467 1,338 2,136 65 - 200 4,206 8,107 272 382 8,761 - - - 40,236 40,739	Designated Funds £ - - - - - 5,200 - - - 1,796 6,996 - - - - 742 471 1,213 8,209 8,209	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,105 - 2,105 2,105 2,105	2021 Total Funds £ 503 503 1,515 25,754 27,269 - 5,667 1,338 2,136 65 - 1,996 11,202 - 8,107 272 382 8,761 2,847 471 3,318 50,550 51,053	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 43 43 729 25,239 25,968 6,552 938 3,160 225 42 200 11,117 4,352 339 180 4,871 39,570 - 39,570 81,526 81,569

8 PCC Costs

There were no transactions made in respect of PCC members, no PCC member received remuneration, benefit or reimbursement of travelling or other expenses.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

9 Funds Reconciliation

Unrestricted Funds: General fund - see note 15 Designated funds: Church Fabric Fund Emergency reserve Future Ministry fund Restricted funds: Church Fabric Fund Family Ministry TOTAL FUNDS	Reserves as as 1 January 2021 £ 15,597 43,750 14,386 8,252 66,388 3,494 1,029 4,523 86,508	Incoming resources £ 40,013 6,615 - - 6,615 3,954 - 3,954 50,582	Resources Transfers Reserves as expended between funds at 31 December 2021 £ £ £ (40,739) 7,754 22,625 (8,209) - 42,156 - (7,754) 6,632 - - 8,252 (8,209) (7,754) 57,040 (2,105) - 5,343 - - 1,029 (2,105) - 6,372 (51,053) - 86,037

10 SOFA Comparitive - 2020

Statement of Financial Activities Incoming resources Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Resources expended Raising funds Charitable Activities NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 1st January 2020 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 31st December 2020	Unrestricted Funds £ 27,111 3,998 5,358 114 36,581 43 55,223 55,266 (18,685) 34,282 15,597	Designated Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 66,388 66,388	Restricted Funds £ 17,395 - - - 17,395 - 26,303 26,303 (8,908) 13,431 4,523	2020 Total Funds £ 44,506 3,998 5,358 114 53,976 43 81,526 81,569 (27,593) 114,101 86,508

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

11

The year end for the Parish Magazine, which had been to 31 July 2021, was extended to 31 December 2021 to match the Parish year end.

12 Grants and donations received

The major income grants and donations received in the year are as follows:

Designated fund

Erskine Muton Trust - Bell Grant Erskine Muton Trust - Maintenance Grant Puddletown Area Parish Council Llewellyn Edwards Bell Restoration Fund Grassby's - Churchyard Extension Grant	2,000 2,000 665 1,600 150 6,415 £

The grant income for the bell repairs were contributions towards the total costs of £13,327 which was expended in the year ended 31 December 2020.

13 Donations made:

Total donations made in the year to charities and other organisations (all from the General Fund) Included in the above are the following payments in excess of £200 The Childrens Society Puddletown Library Puddletown Village Hall	1,515 £ 289 250 250 789 £

14 Major repairs to the church:

These include the following items:

From Restricted Fabric fund: Graveyard repairs Repairs to Walls Analysis of closing unrestricted fund balances Unrestricted funds General fund Magazine fund Lunch fund Flowers Legacy	2,182 665 2,847 11,277 3,469 1,991 388 5,500 22,625 £

15 Analysis of closing unrestricted fund balances

16 Transfers between funds

At the PCC meeting held on 6th December 2021, it was agreed to transfer £7,754 from the Emergency Reserve Fund to the General Fund.

Without this it would not have been possible to pay the balance of Parish Share due to the Diocese. The PCC was of the view that the pandemic had impacted significantly on the income and therefore it was an appropriate use of these funds.

St Mary's Church Puddletown

Accounts

31 December 2021

St Mary's Church Puddletown

Independent Examiner's Report to the members/trustees of

St Mary's Church Puddletown

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2021 which are set out on pages 2 to 8

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

It is my responsibility to

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Grant Taylor FCA Chartered Accountant

11 April 2022

23 Whitehill

Puddletown Dorset DT2 8SB

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

Statement of Financial Activities Note Incoming resources 7 Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Resources expended 8 Raising funds Charitable Activities NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 16 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 1st January 2021 10 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 31st December 2021 10	Unrestricted Funds £ 26,692 6,022 7,286 13 40,013 503 40,236 40,739 (726) 7,754 7,028 15,597 22,625	Designated Funds £ 6,615 - - - 6,615 - 8,209 8,209 (1,594) (7,754) (9,348) 66,388 57,040	Restricted Funds £ 3,954 - - - 3,954 - 2,105 2,105 1,849 - 1,849 4,523 6,372	2021 Total Funds £ 37,261 6,022 7,286 13 50,582 503 50,550 51,053 (471) - (471) 86,508 86,037	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 44,506 3,998 5,358 114 53,976 43 81,526 81,569 (27,593) - (27,593) 114,101 86,508

St Mary's Church Puddletown Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021

Notes Current assets Debtors and prepayments Bank/building society balances: General account CCLA deposit account Fabric Account 2 Friends account Magazine account Net current assets Loans due after one year Net assets Parish Funds 10 Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds	52,624 25,429 - 4,437 - 82,490	2021 £ 3,547 82,490 - 86,037 22,625 57,040 6,372 86,037	22,479 25,416 15,889 9,390 5,420 78,594	2020 £ 7,914 78,594 - 86,508 15,597 66,388 4,523 86,508

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Notes to the Finncial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

1 Accounting policies

2 Descripton of Funds

Restricted funds comprise of two elements :-

a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest

Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC's general purpose.

3 Incoming Resources

4 Resources Expended

5 Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts by s.10(2)(a)&(C) of the Charities Act 2011.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

Notes to the Financial Statements

Unrestricted Funds 6 Income and Endowments from: £ a) Donations and legacies Voluntary income and receipts Tax efficient planned giving 11,889 Other planned giving 4,281 Collections at services 2,745 All other giving and voluntary receipts including special appeals 2,516 Gift aid recovered 5,261 Grants - note 12 - 26,692 b) Charitable Activities Church Activities Statutory fees (retained by PCC) 2,635 Fundraising activities 3,387 6,022 c) Other Trading Activities Church hall hire 1,130 Parish magazine 6,156 7,286 d) Investments Bank interest 13 13 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 40,013	Designated Funds £ - - - 200 - 6,415 6,615 - - - - - - - - 6,615	Restricted Funds £ - 3,048 - - 906 - 3,954 - - - - - - - - 3,954	2021 Total Funds £ 11,889 7,329 2,745 2,716 6,167 6,415 37,261 2,635 3,387 6,022 1,130 6,156 7,286 13 13 50,582	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 15,146 6,937 1,429 8,842 2,886 9,266 44,506 2,088 1,910 3,998 1,315 4,043 5,358 114 114 53,976

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

7 Expenditure on: a) Raising funds Fundraising b) Charitable Activities Church Activities Mission giving and donations Diocesan Parish share Church Expenses Church running expenses Church utility bills Benefice expenses Wages and honorarium Administration costs, printing and postage Professional fees Costs of trading Parish magazine costs Church room costs Bank charges Major Capital Expenditure Major repairs to the church Write off of VAT overclaimed TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	Unrestricted Funds £ 503 503 1,515 25,754 27,269 467 1,338 2,136 65 - 200 4,206 8,107 272 382 8,761 - - - 40,236 40,739	Designated Funds £ - - - - - 5,200 - - - 1,796 6,996 - - - - 742 471 1,213 8,209 8,209	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,105 - 2,105 2,105 2,105	2021 Total Funds £ 503 503 1,515 25,754 27,269 - 5,667 1,338 2,136 65 - 1,996 11,202 - 8,107 272 382 8,761 2,847 471 3,318 50,550 51,053	*2020* *Total* *Funds* £ 43 43 729 25,239 25,968 6,552 938 3,160 225 42 200 11,117 4,352 339 180 4,871 39,570 - 39,570 81,526 81,569

8 PCC Costs

There were no transactions made in respect of PCC members, no PCC member received remuneration, benefit or reimbursement of travelling or other expenses.

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

9 Funds Reconciliation

Unrestricted Funds: General fund - see note 15 Designated funds: Church Fabric Fund Emergency reserve Future Ministry fund Restricted funds: Church Fabric Fund Family Ministry TOTAL FUNDS	Reserves as as 1 January 2021 £ 15,597 43,750 14,386 8,252 66,388 3,494 1,029 4,523 86,508	Incoming resources £ 40,013 6,615 - - 6,615 3,954 - 3,954 50,582	Resources Transfers Reserves as expended between funds at 31 December 2021 £ £ £ (40,739) 7,754 22,625 (8,209) - 42,156 - (7,754) 6,632 - - 8,252 (8,209) (7,754) 57,040 (2,105) - 5,343 - - 1,029 (2,105) - 6,372 (51,053) - 86,037

10 SOFA Comparitive - 2020

Statement of Financial Activities Incoming resources Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Resources expended Raising funds Charitable Activities NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 1st January 2020 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 31st December 2020	Unrestricted Funds £ 27,111 3,998 5,358 114 36,581 43 55,223 55,266 (18,685) 34,282 15,597	Designated Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 66,388 66,388	Restricted Funds £ 17,395 - - - 17,395 - 26,303 26,303 (8,908) 13,431 4,523	2020 Total Funds £ 44,506 3,998 5,358 114 53,976 43 81,526 81,569 (27,593) 114,101 86,508

St Mary's Church Puddletown Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

11

The year end for the Parish Magazine, which had been to 31 July 2021, was extended to 31 December 2021 to match the Parish year end.

12 Grants and donations received

The major income grants and donations received in the year are as follows:

Designated fund

Erskine Muton Trust - Bell Grant Erskine Muton Trust - Maintenance Grant Puddletown Area Parish Council Llewellyn Edwards Bell Restoration Fund Grassby's - Churchyard Extension Grant	2,000 2,000 665 1,600 150 6,415 £

The grant income for the bell repairs were contributions towards the total costs of £13,327 which was expended in the year ended 31 December 2020.

13 Donations made:

Total donations made in the year to charities and other organisations (all from the General Fund) Included in the above are the following payments in excess of £200 The Childrens Society Puddletown Library Puddletown Village Hall	1,515 £ 289 250 250 789 £

14 Major repairs to the church:

These include the following items:

From Restricted Fabric fund: Graveyard repairs Repairs to Walls Analysis of closing unrestricted fund balances Unrestricted funds General fund Magazine fund Lunch fund Flowers Legacy	2,182 665 2,847 11,277 3,469 1,991 388 5,500 22,625 £

15 Analysis of closing unrestricted fund balances

16 Transfers between funds

At the PCC meeting held on 6th December 2021, it was agreed to transfer £7,754 from the Emergency Reserve Fund to the General Fund.