GORING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY CHURCH
GORING ON THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE
st
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
THE CHURCH
OF ENGLAND
Registered Charity Number: 1152514
This parish is a part of the Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke

Overview of Parish activi
St Thomas of Canterbury Church is situated in Goring village near the banks of the river Thames. It has been a place of worship
since before the 11 th Century. It is one of three parishes fomiing the Benefi￿ of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke, the other
parishes being St Mary's, Streatley and St Andrew's, South Stoke, and part ofthe Henley Deanery within the Diocese of Oxford.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission Sin￿ 20th June 2013. Charity number 1152514.
Church members who have served on the PCC in 2024".
2024
Clergy:
ViGar
Curate
Associate Priest
Permission to Officiate
Revd Ben Phillips
Revd Jo Allen (until 14th January when she moved to the Dorchester Ministry Team)
Revd Wendy Middleton
Revd Liz Dowding
Licensed Lay Ministers
Mrs Judith Aguda
Mrs Judith Hogg
Electoral Roll Officer
Deanery Synod rep
Wardens
Brenda Kerr Muir
Rob Howard
Lay Vic&Chainnan, Deanery Synod rep
Elected members
Bridget Braham
Alison Gray
Simon Merritt
Elizabeth Parkinson
Don Shrimpton
Christopher Tassell
Melissa Walker
Matthew Walker
Safeguarding Officer
Honorary Treasurer
Mr Henry Parklnson continued as non-voting Honorary Secretary
The structure, govemance and adivity ofthe PCC is regulated under the Church Repres8ntation Rules 2022. Members ofthe Church
community are encouraged to join the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Responsibility for the compilation of the
Electoral Roll was held by Judith Aguda. The number on the Electoral Roll reported by Judith al the 2024 Annual Parochial Church
Meeting was 116.
The Parish Mission Statement is..
To understand morE fully the Good News of our f8lth and to be n￿}￿ active dls¢iples of Christ in our own community. To make our
chuftvh 8 welcoming and ￿levant place in the life of the vi118ge and to take seriously our responsibilities to the wider wortd.
The nomial pattem of services was: first Sunday - Family Servi￿ and Choral BCP evensong: second and fourth Sundays - Sung
Holy Communion Common Worship., and third Sunday - Good News, Servio of the Word format. The 8am BCP Holy Communion
on Sundays continued weekly, alternating wilh St Mary's. Holy Communion Ihroughout the year was administered with the presiding
priest intincting the wafer before presenting it to the recipient. The monthly Prayer Breakfast continued throughout the year.
The PCC met on 4 occasions during the year under the chaimanship of Revd Ben Phillips. There was ajoint meeting ofthe Benefice
PCCS on Wednesday 9th October when every parish was represented, and it was good to be together. The Vicar and Wardens of
the Benefice also met approximately 8very 8 weeks. In be￿een Ihese meelings the Vicar, Churchwardens. PCC Treasurer and
Simon Merritt corresponded as a Standing Committee, mostly by email, to consider urgent business and formulate the PCC agenda.
The Vicar and Wardens of the Benefice also met approximately every 8 weeks. The APCM on 11am on 28th April was conducted
with church members present.
The life of the parish and group activities run to enhance and further the aims of the Mission Statemenl and Digging Deeper-
Exploring God together Gourse starting in January and Gontinuing in June. Followed by the Story of Scripture on alternate Tuesday
momings starting in September. We begin a course giving an overview of the story of God's loving Purposes revealed in Scripture to
help us see the big arcs of narrative amid the trees.
Page 1

During Christian Aid Week, we planned lo deliver envelopes to people's homes with a note asking them to take their donations to
Jack's Of Inspiration for Goring and Streatley. or the Village Shop in South Stoke. It seemed to work well raising a total of £2.040.
The 4th of July - General Election had a speually prepared booklet following the run-up to the actual day.
Also, in June, we supported the Great Big Green Day held in the Village Hall and Rectory gardens with all sorts of stalls offering
bicycle repairs, Re-wild your garden. Local produce stall, Bird Box making etc.
We were part ofthe Goring Gap Festival with the Papagena concert in the Church. How to make Fabric baskets, Japanese woodblock
Printing, Pen and wash Watercolour painting and Acrylic Landscapes workshop all in the Canterbury Room.
Clare Stephenson joined us for the final year of her training, and she was ordained as deacon in Ely Cathedral on Sunday 30th June.
Ordination marks the end of her 3-year training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. and the beginning of ordained ministry in the Church
of England. She will be moving from Oxfordshire in June to stsrt a new role as curate at the University Church in Cambridge on July
1 st, 2024. She said it was an absolute delight to worship with you in all three of the churches of Goring, Streatley and South Stoke
during the last 9 months of her training for the ministry. Her last servio at the benefice was on Sunday June 2nd. She will always
remember the very warm welcome she had re￿iVed and your encouragement when she took part in services. She will keep the
Benefice in her prayers knowing you will continue to be a greal blessing to each other and the parish communities which you have
been called in Christ to serve.
We held a Churchyard working paty at St Thomas, on Saturday 5th October.
The weekly newsletter ¢onlinued to be a vrtal support and communication channel to church members throughout the year. We are
most grateful to Jill Kirby for putting it togethér and to all those who prepared the intercessions - we now used Roots prayers alternate
weeks. People continued lo be added to the circulation list and a paper copy was delivered to homes for those without intemet.
The PCC is indebted to the small band of people who faithfully unlock and lock the thurch door each day so that the building may be
a place of welcome, solace and refuge for those who are passing and choose to enter.
Statistics in the SeNice Register during 2024 sadly continued to show reduced attendance throughout the year- pr&p8ndemic 8&
90, post-pandemic 45-50. There was success at the services at Easter and Christmas with a lot of people attending. Over the year,
we celebrated 2 Baptisms, Bishop Gavin conducted a Confirmation service in July at which Bill Bird and Enrique Dubovicky were
confirmed, there were 3 Weddings and 14 Funerals or Thanksgiving seprfices, and 4 funerals held at the Crematorium as well as 4
burials of ashes.
Brenda Korr Mulr & Rob Howard
Page 2

FINANCIAL REVIEW for 2024
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds consist of the General Fund and a legacy known as the Vicar and Wardens Fund
Income for the two funds in 2024 was £131,240 which was similar to the previous year (£132,741 in2023).
The PCC is extremely grateful for the on-going support from its regular and occasional donors.
Running costs were lower in 2023 - £134,257 compared to £167,164. This was principally due to a decrease in the cost
of major repairs ft)Ilowing the last quinquennial report (some £24,000 including VAT in 2024 compared to nearly £64,000
in 2023). This decrease was offset by general repairs to the church drive, the lightning conductor and a new consumer
resulting in an overall decrease in costs of some £33,000 (£134,257 compared to £167,164)
As a result, Unrestricted Funds reduced by £3,017 to end the year at £209,334. These results are summarised below.
2024
Net
2023
Net
In
Out
Out
Church Income &
Running Costs
131,240 (134,25n 13,017)
132,741 {167,164) (34,423)
Transfers (to) I from other funds
131,240 (134,257) (3,017)
212,334
209 317
132,741 (167,164) (34,423)
Opening Reserves Jan 1
Closing Reserves Dec 31
Page 3

Restricted and Endowment Funds
Restricted Funds are held for specific purposes and ￿nn0t be used for general running expenses. They increased
slightly during the yearfrom £59,435 at the end of2023 to £66,126 on 31$1 De￿rnber2o24. We now have our first organ
scholar who is supported out of the Organ Scholarship Fund. The Music Outreach Fund is funded by donation and fund-
raising events to promote music outside the church community using the newly furnished organ and the community
piano.
Opening
In
Out Transfers
Closing
General Repair Fund
Church Room Trust
Bell Ringers Fund
Choir Fund
Organ Scholarship Fund
Piano Fund
Music Outreach Fund
Mission Giving
5.782
20,585
5,967
3,282
20,082
1.678
2,059
6,246
25,099
6,387
2,954
21,328
1.678
2,434
4.514
570
423
1,506
{150)
(751)
{260J
1,451
(1,076)
2,219
4,456
59,435
11,147
The General Repair Fund and Church Room Trust can only be used for major repairs and renovations and the Choir
Fund is for choir expenses only.
Mission I Charity Giving raises money for CMS to support the work done by Steve Poulson and other charities including
Sue Ryder, DEC, Royal British Legion and The Children's Society.
Endowment Funds During 2024 endowment funds increased in value from £185,567 to £189,814 reflecting changes
in the stock market generally.
There are three endowments funds..
The Smallbone Bequest and Church Room Trust are endowments which are held in perpetuity.
Goring PCC Income Fund was estsblished from the PCC'S share of the prO￿edS of sale of the curate's house
in WeS￿ay, Goring and the income is paid into the General Fund.
The Audited Accounts are attached on
es5to9
ILOP
Signed: D Shrimpton Treasurer
Date
Page 4

Parochlal Church Councll of St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring on Thames
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ending 31 December 2024
Income & Expenses for the Year
unreStri￿ed
Funds
Restricted
Funds
End¢)wmenl
Funds
Totsl 2024
Total 2023
Notes
Incoming Resourcas
Voluntary Income
Activities for generating funds
Income from investments
Total Incoming Resources
2{al
21bl
2(cl
109,418
15,164
6,658
131,240
3,850
1,948
5,349
11,147
113,268
17.112
12,CK)7
142,387
178,354
13.024
10072
201450
Rosources Expendad
Parish share & Deanery exs
Charitable giving
Church activrties
Church project costs
Governance costs
Total Resources Exponded
31a)
31b)
31c)
31d}
31e)
59,786
59.786
2,219
76.148
59.637
1,930
108.816
33.315
540
204 238
2.219
2,217
73.931
540
134.257
20
4,456
560
138,713
I Incoming resourc05 rJeTore
excèptlonal items, gains and losses on
investmènts and transfers
{3.017}
6.691
3,674
12.7881
Excepli¢nal Items
31gl
{Lossl l Gains on inv8stmenl$ during the year
Transfers be￿en funds
4.247
4,247
15,958
Net Movement In Fund•
13,0171
6,691
4,247
7,921
13.170
8alances brought forward 1 January
212,334
59,435
185,567
457.336
444.166
Balances carrlod forward 31 Decembor
209,317
66,126
189,814
465,257
457 336
Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024 un￿strICted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
End¢)wmonl
Funds
12024
Total 2023
Notes
Flxed Assots
Office Equipment
Investments
189,814
189,814
189,814
189,814
185.567
185.567
Current Assets
Debtors
CAF & CCLA Deposit Fund$
Cash al bank
3.928
118,924
89,345
212 197
3,928
151,666
122,729
278 323
32,742
33,384
165.830
106.741
276.235
Current Llabllltl•s
Creditors
Loan5
91al
91bl
12,8801
12,880)
(4.4661
2.880
2,880
4.466
TOTAL NET ASSETS
209.317
189814
465,257
457.336
Funds of the Chur¢h
Unre$trlctsd Fund
General Fund
Vicar & Warden$ Fund
10lb}
122,988
86,329
122,988
86,329
106.787
105.547
Restrlctgd Funds
Repair Fund
ChU￿h Room Trust
Bell Ringors
Choir Fund
Organ Scholarship {fomerfy Organ Repair) Fund
Piano Fund
Musi¢ Outreach Fund
Mission Giving
Investment Funds
10{al
6,246
25,099
6,387
2,954
21,328
2,434
1,678
6,246
25,099
6,387
2,954
21,328
2,434
1,678
5,782
20,585
5,967
3,282
20,082
2,059
1.678
189,814
189,814
185,567
TOTAL FUNDS OF THE CHURCH
209.317
66,126
189.814
465,257
457 336
The not05 on
es6to8fomi
art of these accounts.
Approved In draft by the Parochlal Church Councll on 8th January 2025 and in final forni by the Standing Committee of the PCC
on 8th February. The accounts are sign9d on bghalf of the PCC by:
Ben Phllllps
Brenda Kgrr Muir
Page 5

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas of Canterbury. Goring on Thames
Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
1.1) Accounting Policios
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, the Charities
Act 1993, applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by
Charities" (revised 2005)
The Financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment
assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilties for
which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of chuch groups that owe their main affiliation to
Snother body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
1.2) Funds
Per
8tual Endowment Funds are funds. the capital of which must be maintained in perpetuity,. only income arising from
the investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending on the purpose
for which the endowment was established
Restricted Funds represent (a) income from trusts of endowments which may be expended only on those resticted
obj6ctives provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for the 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 balan￿ remaining unspent at the end of each year must nomally be carried fO￿ard as a balance on that fund.
The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, the interest is
apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.
Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for the PCC ordinary purposes
In¢omlng Resources
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming
resource to which they relate is received. Granls and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the
amounts due. Dividends are accounted when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is
receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to
pay for goods or services. Grants and charitable giving are accountable for when paid over or when awarded, if the award
creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. All other
expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred 8nd is accounted for gross.
Flxed Assets
Consecrated and benefice propety is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.
No value is placed on movable church fumishings held by the church wardens on special trust for the PCC and which
require a facultyfor disposal since the PCC considers this inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the
year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is
written off as expenditure in the SOFA. Equipment used within church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis
over five years. Individual items with a purchase of £500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
Page 6

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring on Thames
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts continued
Unrestiicted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Totsl 2024
Tota
202
2. INCOMING RESOURCES
21al Voluntary Income
Rgcurrlng Incom8
Grft Aid Giving
Tax recovar8d I reroverable
Collè¢tions lopen platel
Parish GSving
25,871
18,463
3,777
46,950
95,061
25.871
18,463
5,997
46.950
97,2e1
27,751
18,417
4.955
45.416
96.539
2,220
2.220
Nonwrecurrlng Inetsmo
Donations and I￿a￿&S
Loan repayment waived
T8x r8covered
Bell ringers pgal fee8
Grants
Church Flowers
Pick a Flick
Non recurring coll&ctlon8
Oth8r income
VAT recoverfjd
Rld8 & Stride
Seat Sal8s
6.330
1.129
7.459
33,967
24,669
456
153
80
499
500
162
1,815
78,134
241
260
241
260
80
317
400
291
2.429
4,317
193
80
317
400
291
2,429
4,317
193
1,300
B1.815
14.357
1,630
15.987
2{*} Total voluntsry Income
109,418
3,850
113.268
178,354
21bl ActlvltlgJ for gen•ratlng lund$
Fees- weddings, lunerdls elc
Canterbury room feès
Social evènts, Concerts & Singlng Wortshops
Sunday coffee contrfbutlong
6,249
8,556
351
663
6.912
8,556
1.636
5,239
5,901
1,880
1,285
15,164
17,112
13,024
21cl Inv•stmont Incom•
Dividends
08posII fund Inlarest
2,017
4,641
6,658
3,541
1.8Q8
5,349
5,558
6,449
12,007
7,430
2,642
10.072
TOTAL INCOMING REOURCES
131,240
11,147
142 387
201,450
3. RESOURCES ExpeNOED
31al Parlsh Shar•
Deanery expenses
59,277
509
59,277
509
59,189
448
3Ibl Mls$lonary & Charltsbl• Glving
2.219
2,219
1,930
3cl Chur¢h Activltie8
Church njnnlng costs
Maintenance of Church and Churchyard
Service costs Incl orggTrisl and choir
Support, Adminlslratlon & Misc. Costs
Curate s house- councll lax and water
Parish Admini51ralofs salary
Clergy gxpenses
Charilable Donth'on
Music Schol8￿hlp
Social events. Concerts & Singing Workshops
13,770
43.292
6.965
3,714
13,770
43,292
7,446
4,134
17,203
74,121
5,893
4,208
1,551
5,119
221
500
481
420
5.526
289
375
5,526
289
375
260
1,056
76,148
260
1,056
2,217
73,931
108.816
3{dl Church Project Costs
Architect and professional fees
Organ resloralion costs
33.315
33.315
3101 Go￿rManCe Costs
Audit & bank f
540
20
560
540
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENOED
134.257
4,466
138,713
204.238
3191 Excoptlonal It¢m
Rent Creditor no longer rèquirèd
11.408
Page 7

P¥rochlal Church Council of St Thomas of Canterbury. Goring on Thames
Financial Statements for thè year 8ndgd 31 D￿ember 2024
Notes to the Accounts eontinuad
24
5 AUD￿ FEE
Audit fè8 for rewtiry on the
540
540
O. TRUSTEE REMUI4ERATh)N AND EXPENSES
r40 members oflhe PC recewed gny remuneration for th8irwoth un the PCC. The ¢lergywho are ex fflemL*r8do re*lvo a
t￿1 are Th)1 rOr￿ner8tsd forihgirservice5 on the PCC. No m8mbBrs daitn8d expe￿eS
2024
202
7 FiXED ASSETS
Gfrnvral Fund. Office EquSpttwt)t
Cost Jan 1 Flxuie5 & Fitbn95
Disw$als- Photocwer
Cost OeG 31- Fixtures & FlI￿r¥S
Depredabon Jen 1
DI5￿6315- Phot(Kopbr
Dspre￿Il￿￿ D*¢ 31
-5..fj44
Nal BOokVa￿* 31
Small￿￿
BdqLwI
Endo¥Thnl
Churr
Ruom Ttust
Endowmenl
Goring
pcc
EndoYm*nt Fund•- th¥•4trn￿t•
P&￿tU
RoBlrktod
RetsirKtad
Unrostrlcl8d
Opfjninp cardtAI g March 1967
Openin9 f2pital 23 Awl 1965
UrnaBIL%od galn prk)rye4
At I J8ThL48ry2024
2DO
17.885
104 071
121,956
58.W5
185,567
Unre&18•d galnl Ibs8loJrrèntye•r
128
2.791
1,328
4,247
At 31 D•C•m￿r2024
124 747
59.333
189814
The Smalyco￿ B8qu88t and th& ¢hur¢h RtyynTnJs1 E￿Wn$nI8re perK*tual funds, thp c•pital ofwhkh mu81 bè mblntolnod h p•￿IVIty.
Th& Church RoDrnTrus1 k8 a chafity r8u*terpd underlha Ch&rn￿¥ A¢1 and cal￿rt Erdosla51k•l CharttylnL¥nbèr 2508031. Ilwa•
aSt8bli8h￿ rArt tyflhe KYoc8•Js ol $818 kn 1985 buwdlni f¢￿ertY kno¥¥n a6 lh8 Churth Room la￿1 krw as GcdngVIILy Hdll. The
IncoN* la r6$irfthd and can onty t* Used forth6 r8p8lrof Ihè fat￿¢ of the ChuT¢h aThJ thg upk88p&￿l rgpDSr ofany clvjrch hall by ihè parfth.
Tho PCC IKem8 Fund ￿ Ihb PCtrB ofthe rAI)Ce￿ frrth th8 8el8 oflh&eurbtg'8 In W8sNvay.
Aestdeted
Fund8
e. OEBTORS AND PRepAYMÈNT8
T8¥ rafuno due
Grants
suT￿ry Deb￿r
1,840
1.840
. CRED￿oR$ ANO LOM48
911) Prof88sbnd fobs Grgdlk
Eneroy credliof8
ExwD$8 cred￿terS
Audtt fee
1,600
530
550
1,600
530
sso
1.935
1.981
550
g(bl Loon to $upt4)rt Org8n reb￿ld
Opènlng 88l•nr¥
Rèceivad
79,000
154,3311
Rep8yTr*ni
Closing b818rt8
Thp kian h•5 been lulty repo￿ orw•￿8d and the nll
10. FiIND ￿ALYSIs
Fund bakrtes
br(xJghlf(*ward
Inco￿n0
Resourc*5
Re50ufcB
oxp8nd6d
Fund
TrnnBf4rn
FU￿ b&￿n￿o5
¢8nlod fofvAr
Iolal Restilctod Fund6
Rèpair Fund
CMr¢h Room Tru81
Bel Rin￿ts FutKJ
Cholr Fur¥1
Organ S¢h)thhip Iformerfy Oryan Rep&lrl Fund
Piry￿ Fund
Mvsl¢ Othreach Fund
ML4sion Glvi
5,782
20,585
5,967
3,282
20,082
1.678
2.059
6.246
25,099
6.387
2.954
21.328
1.678
2A34
4.514
670
423
1.808
1260)
1,451
2,219
11,0761
59.435
Iolbl Unrestrlclgd Fund$
GerEral Fund
v￿r& W￿￿en9
Fund
Total Unr8Stri¢l8d
Funds
Flxed Assats
Bank BBbrus
Debtors
107,589
3.664
105,547
213.13fj
Unrg$trfctsd Fun¢J88t1 Janu• 2024
InGomiro resources
Resources expendgd
E¥¢¢ptlonal Item
Unres¢rf¢tsd Fund$ at 31 De¢ember2024
106,787
124.319
105,547
6.921
126.1391
212,334
131,240
1134.2571
86,329
209.317
Page 8

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY
GORING-ON-THAMES PCC
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are allached lo Ihis report.
Respective respon$lbllltles of trustees and examiner
As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts," you consider
that an audit is not required under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and
that an Independent Examination is needed
It is my responsibilty lo..
Examine the accounts under s145 of the 2011 Act,
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commisioners (under S14515lb of the 2011 Act), and
To slate whether particular mallers have come lo my attention
Basls of Indopondent exarnlner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC
and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any Lsnusual
items or disclusures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning
any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidenTr that would be reqUI￿d
in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair
view and the report is lirnited lo the matters in the slalement below.
Ind¢pendent exarninerfs statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come lo my allention.,
which gives me rea80nable cause lo believe that in any material respect the ￿quirementS
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act., and
lo p￿pare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply ¥Mth the
requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met., or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached.
A Churchill Stone
Mercer Lewin Ltd
Chartered Accountants
6-7 Citibase, New Barclay House
234 Oxford Road
OXFORD
OX2 OHP
Date '.
2K25
Page g