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2025-12-31-accounts

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND Charity Commission Registered No. 1153258

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2025

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Index

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Annual Report

for the year ended 31 December 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the presentation of financial statements which complies with Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and the charity's constitution.

Administrative Information

The Parish of Crowland is situated in the market town of Crowland, Lincolnshire. It is part of the Deanery of Elloe West within the Church of England's Diocese of Lincoln. Crowland Parochial Church Council is registered as a charity with the Charities Commission.

Correspondence Address: The Treasurer 11 Alderlands Close Crowland PE6 0BS Priest in Charge The Reverend Mark Williams Oversight minister (from 3 April 2025) _Associate Priest (PTO) Revd Michael Ongyerth Churchwardens: Mr. David Searle * Deanery Synod Representatives:_ Mrs Margaret Beardshaw Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Margaret Beardshaw _Elected members of the PCC: Mrs Sian Arulanantham (2024) Mrs. Janet Brown (2019) Mrs. Val Capes (Retired January 2025) Mrs. Linda Fox (2020) Mrs. Jane Kisbee (2021) Mr. Karl Smith (2022) Mrs. Carol Richardson (2023) Officers:_ The Reverend Mark Williams (Chair) Mrs Margaret Beardshaw (Vice-Chair) Mrs Sian Arulanantham (Treasurer) Mrs. Carol Richardson (Secretary) Mrs. Linda Fox (Electoral Roll Officer) _Standing committee:_ The Reverend Mark Williams Mrs Margaret Beardshaw Mr. David Searle Mrs Sian Arulanantham _Church administrator*_ Caz Dennis (Non-trustee role) (Appointed September 2025)

Page 1

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Annual Report (continued)

Structure, Governance, and Management

Crowland Abbey is a member of the Welland Local Mission Partnership (LMP), along with the Parishes of Deeping St James, Deeping St Nicholas, Market Deeping, and the Ness Group (Baston, Langtoft and Thurlby). Ministers meet regularly in chapter, and all the churches actively support one another in practical ways. Throughout the year, the Revd's Carolyn Bailey, Georgina Holding, Sonia Marshall, Michael Ongyerth, and Mark Williams, along with Readers Kate Brown, have taken part in a rota to cover regular services. In addition, the Pastoral Offices (Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals), have been taken by the Revd's Carolyn Bailey, Erica Crust, Georgina Holding, Sonia Marshall and Mark Williams.

On 3 April 2025, the Revd Mark Williams (vicar of Deeping St James) was appointed as Priest-in-Charge of Crowland. He has been well supported by other clergy, especially the Revd Michael Ongyerth (retired priest, with Permission to Officiate – PTO).

The parochial church council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers’ Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the book Church Representation Rules.

Between PCC meetings the Standing Committee of the PCC, which includes the PCC’s chair, vice-chair, treasurer, and the two churchwardens, meets when required to transact PCC business.

Church Life and aims

The PCC seeks to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the ecclesiastical Parish of Crowland. It does so in accordance with the traditions of the universal Church as accepted and practised by the Church of England.

The PCC works with members of other Christian communities represented in Crowland through Christians Together in Crowland and particularly with Crowland Methodist Church in the Methodist Anglican Partnership (MAP).

The PCC has the responsibility of maintaining the parish church, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Bartholomew, and Saint Guthlac, popularly known as Crowland Abbey. This grade-one listed building is adjoined by the ruins of the nave of what was the church of the medieval Crowland Abbey, a Benedictine foundation.

The maintenance of these ruins, which are both a consecrated space and a scheduled ancient monument, is also the responsibility of the PCC. Although the maintenance of the magnificent church building and the strikingly beautiful ruined nave are a great responsibility for the congregation, our parish life centres, not around fundraising for the maintenance of these structures or around the tourism that their architecture attracts, but around the prayer that knits us together as a community of faith.

Services are at 11 a.m. each Sunday. The presiding ministers at these services come from the parishes within the Welland LMP. Since October, a significant number of these services have been taken by the Revd Michael Ongyerth, who lives in the parish. The 11 a.m. service is a Eucharist, apart from the fourth Sunday of the month, when it is an All-Age Service. On the second Sunday of each month the congregation worships with members of Crowland Methodist Church, the service alternating between the two congregations' church buildings. At the Abbey, a mid-week service is also held every Thursday morning at 10am.”

In 2025, the average Sunday attendance was 18 (22 in 2024). In 2025, we had 11 baptisms (12 in 2024), 2 confirmations (none in 2024), 7 weddings (5 in 2024). There were 11 burials at the Abbey (7 in 2024) and 24 interments of ashes (15 in 2024).

On the second Monday of each month, a Julian group meets in the Abbey for silent prayer at 11 a.m. and an additional prayer meeting meets on a Tuesday lunchtime.

In 2025 we had a very full and successful calendar of events.

Page 2

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Annual Report (continued)

Church Life and aims (continued)

Throughout the year, we hosted tours to the public, including a U3A group, as well as pilgrimages from the Orthodox church and the Student Cross. Artistic and cultural events included concerts by Back Two, the Cryers, and Peterborough Community Orchestra. In May, we enjoyed an evening of ‘Pipes, poems and pastries’.

We invited local preschools for craft activities at Easter, and have been involved in Messey Church throughout the year. In addition to this, there have been two2 craft fayres hosted by the Abbey. We also hosted our annual Flower Festival and Art Exhibition in August and September respectively.

Historical events included Celebrate Croyland Abbey Day and Heritage Day, both of which focussed on the history of the Abbey, and its current ministry. We were also involved in the popular Civil War re-enactment, and hosted the Turin Shroud Replica exhibition.

In March, the Abbey hosted Safeguarding Training for all who needed it, including many of the Abbey guides.

Special services included a confirmation with Bishop Nicholas, and in November when we invited all those in the community who had lost loved ones to give thanks for their lives at our All Souls' Service. We also held special Christmas services, including the community carol service and the always popular crib service.

The work to develop a chapel in the Parvise is almost completed. We now have to complete the mounting of the ikons, and complete display cases. We hope that it will be open for visitors and private prayer in 2026.

Financial results and reserves policy

The charity received surplus unrestricted funds during the financial year ended 31 December 2025, amounting to £14,137, which followed last year's surplus of £46,287.

The charity trustees are required to ensure that the charity maintains sufficient reserves to promote the mission of the church in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Crowland. Part of that is the maintenance of the Crowland Abbey, our place of Worship. This assists in the promotion of the church in this parish.

Having originated in the 8[th] century, the Abbey could use any funds that could ever come available. As such the trustees use Restricted Funds to secure funding for specific projects and then they must use Unrestricted Funds to fund any deficit amounts. The policy is to retain sufficient funds to enable services to continue, equal to approximately 3 months of Parish costs, i.e. £16,000, which leaves a surplus of circ. £74,504 which is available to fund these other projects.

Challenges

The Abbey continues to face similar challenges to many other Church of England churches of similar age and in similar contexts – namely the challenge of raising enough funds (both through regular and occasional giving, and though fundraising), to cover the growing upkeep of an historic monument, as well as paying for the ministry and outreach of the church in Crowland.

The other challenge is of an ageing congregation, with few able or available to take on significant roles. The town continues to expand, and there is a ripe mission field, but few are able to take on this burden.

At the annual meeting in April, there was no one able to take on the role of one of the Churchwardens, leaving David Searle to act as the sole Church warden. Mick Leighton has continued as the verger, however it is a burden to be covered just by two people.

Page 3

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Annual Report (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Blessings

Part of the challenge recorded in last year’s report has been alleviated by the appointment of Revd Mark Williams as Priest-in-Charge, and with the regular ministry and support of Revd Michael Ongyerth.

We have also been blessed in the appointment in September, of Caz Dennis as part-time administrator. Caz is a highly experienced Parish Administrator, and has taken a significant amount of administration away from the treasurer and clergy. She also helps in keeping tabs on pastoral offices, and support.

We continue to be blessed with a group of dedicated guides who offer a welcome to visitors in the Abbey. Unfortunately, due to fewer numbers, they are not now available every day of the week. However, they cover most days, and offer tours. They continue to be invaluable in helping to improve our engagement with the local community, enhancing the life of the Abbey.

The continuation of the Methodist-Anglican Partnership with Crowland Methodist Church, better known as MAP, plays the key role in our mission outreach. The Revd Mark Williams, has continued to enjoy working in partnership with Revd Langley Mackrell-Hey, and since September, The Revd Colin Sherwood; Revd Sherwood acts as both the minister-in-charge of Crowland Methodist Church and the superintendent of the Peterborough Methodist Circuit, as well as lay colleagues both Anglican and Methodist to make MAP an effective instrument of Christian mission here in Crowland. Oversight for MAP and its activities lies with a committee composed of three Methodist laypersons and three Anglican laypersons.

MAP runs a Messy Church that meets on the second Saturday of each month in Crowland Methodist Church, and is aimed at parents and their children. MAP also sponsors the Crowland Community Larder, a food bank located at Crowland Methodist Church and Family Eats, which provides a lunch and activities for families during breaks in the school year, is also sponsored by MAP.

As the Abbey lacks a church hall, the facilities at Crowland Methodist Church have made up for this lack by providing both congregations with a space that is well suited for children's activities, socialising and more informal worship, our relationship with our Methodist sisters and brothers is a real source of hope and blessing for us.

MAP also puts up the pilgrims of Student Cross who come to Crowland each year on the Monday of Holy Week, as they walk from Leicester to Walsingham. These pilgrims are provided with and evening meal, a place to sleep, and breakfast, all at Crowland Methodist Church.

There is encouragement to be seen in success of the All-Age and children's ministry of the church, especially with the monthly All-Age service on the 4th Sunday, led by readers from within the LMP. During 2025 special events were held for children including inviting the local pre-schools for craft events and offering a Children’s Easter craft day for the Crowland community. Work continues to advertise and encourage new families and those new to faith or wishing to explore the idea.

We are blessed by a congregation that encompasses people with many gifts. Their prayers and faithful service to God, both within the Abbey community and beyond it, are the heartbeat of our faith community.

On behalf of Crowland PCC,

The Reverend Mark Williams Chair

Date: 18 February 2026

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to

the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Crowland

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

K. J. Maggs F.C.A.,B.A. Chartered Accountants

Dated: 18 March 2026

Page 5

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Receipts and Payments Account

for the year ended 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
RECEIPTS £ £ £ £
Voluntary Income
Gift Aid donations 9,070 - 9,070 6,681
Income tax recovered 3,564 - 3,564 4,166
Open plate collections at all services 3,938 - 3,938 5,482
Donations 6,378 - 6,378 11,885
Legacies 18,359 - 18,359 20,000
Grants - - - 18,500
Collections for other causes - 122 122 4,342
41,309 122 41,431 71,056
Fundraising
Flower Festival 1,747 - 1,747 1,724
Bookstall 5,505 - 5,505 2,081
Other fundraising activities 5,966 5,966 9,679
13,218 - 13,218 13,484
Income from investments
Dividends and interest 2,360 - 2,360 2,532
Income from church activities
Fees 11,410 - 11,410 11,448
Other income 992 - 992 220
12,402 - 12,402 11,668
Other income
VAT recovered 7,031 - 7,031 4,940
TOTAL RECEIPTS 76,320 122 76,442 103,680
PAYMENTS
Church Activities and Governance
Ministry: Diocesan parish share 22,000 - 22,000 15,400
Church running and maintenance 15,974 306 16,280 8,434
Power 6,339 - 6,339 6,736
Insurance 8,032 - 8,032 7,935
Fees for organist, choir, bell ringers, etc 683 - 683 2,315
Major restoration work - 3,961 3,961 7,106
Administration costs 4,248 - 4,248 2,528
Independent examination fees 490 - 490 475
57,766 4,267 62,033 50,929
Fundraising Costs
Fundraising Costs 2,048 - 2,048 1,602
Bookstall Costs 1,091 - 1,091 1,628
3,139 - 3,139 3,230
Other outgoings
Collections for other causes 1,278 122 1,400 4,475
1,278 122 1,400 4,475
TOTAL PAYMENTS 62,183 4,389 66,572 58,634
----- End of picture text -----

Page 6

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Reconciliation of Cash Flows and Statement of Net Assets

At 31 December 2025

RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS

Total receipts
76,320
Total payments
62,183
Net receipts / (payments)
14,137
Transfers between funds
227
Cash funds at 1 January
76,140
Cash funds at 31 December
90,504
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NON-MONETARY ASSETS
Investments held by Diocese
18,242
MONETARY ASSETS
Accrued income
1,147
Prepaid expenses
184
1,331
CASH FUNDS
Barclays Bank Plc
Community account
3,740
Money Held for Agencies
-
Active Saver account
70,747
Cash and cheques not banked
646
Virgin Money Plc
15,371
90,504
MONETARY LIABILITY
Agency collections
-
Accrued expenses
2,496
2,496
Unrestricted
£
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
£		 122
4,389
(4,267)
(227)
74,524
70,030
-
-
-
-
-
165
-
-
69,865
70,030
165
-
165
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Restricted		 2025
2024
£
£
76,442
103,680
66,572
58,634
9,870
45,046
-
-
150,664
105,618
160,534
150,664
2025
2024
£
£
18,242
19,001
1,147
-
184
219
1,331
219
3,740
23,578
165
392
70,747
68,386
646
-
85,236
58,308
160,534
150,664
165
392
2,496
1,265
2,661
1,657
Total Funds
Total Funds

Approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf on 17 March 2026 by:

Mrs Sian Arulanantham (Treasurer)

The Reverend Mark Williams (Chair)

Page 7

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the exemptions applicable under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.

The statements of financial activities has been prepared on a receipts and payments basis which is a consistent basis to previous years.

The Statements of Assets shows the assets of the charity and any amounts due to or owed by the charity. The statement will not include any provisions for liabilities and charges. The trustees are of the opinion that should any significant matters arise prior to the year end, they will disclose them within the notes to the financial statements.

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.

(b) Funds

Restricted funds represent:

The funds may only be expended on the purpose 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 represent:

(c) Resources Used

(d) Investments

Investments are recognised initially within the Receipts and Payments Account at cost. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value within the Statement of Net Assets, if the shares or funds are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably.

(e) Fixed Assets

Page 8

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND Notes to the Accounts (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2025

2 FUND MOVEMENTS

(a)
Unrestricted Funds
(b) Restricted Funds
Agency collections
Music fund
General PCC Fund
General PCC Fund
Window restoration fund
Path restoration fund
Fabric fund
Bell fund
Window restoration fund
Path restoration fund
Fabric fund
Bell fund
Agency collections
Music fund		 Balance
1 Jan
£
76,140
Balance
1 Jan
£
49,654
Balance
1 Jan
£
35,181
4,491
21,642
1,439
392
11,379
74,524
Balance
1 Jan
£
37,170
4,491
1,000
1,289
635
11,379
55,964		 Funds
Added
Funds
Used
£
£
£
76,320
(62,183)
227
Funds
Added
Funds
Used
£
£
£
92,858
(46,571)
(19,801)
Funds
Added
Funds
Used
£
£
£
-
(3,961)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
122
(122)
(227)
-
(306)
-
122
(4,389)
(227)
Funds
Added
Funds
Used
Funds
Transferred
£
£
£
5,206
(7,106)
(89)
-
1,124
(482)
20,000
150
-
-
4,342
(4,475)
(110)
-
10,822
(12,063)
19,801
Funds
Transferred
Funds
Transferred
Year ended 31 December 2025
Year ended 30 December 2024
Funds
Transferred
Year ended 31 December 2025
Year ended 30 December 2024		 Balance 31
Dec
£
90,504
Balance
31 Dec
£
76,140
Balance 31
Dec
£
31,220
4,491
21,642
1,439
165
11,073
70,030
Balance 31
Dec
£
35,181
4,491
21,642
1,439
392
11,379
74,524

Page 9

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CROWLAND

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2025

3 FUND COMPARATIVES

RECEIPTS
Voluntary Income
Gift Aid Donations
Income tax recovered
Open plate collections at all services
Donations
Legacies
Grants
Collections for other causes
Fundraising
Flower Festival
Bookstall
Other fundraising activities
Income from investments
Dividends and interest
Income from church activities
Fees
Other income
Other income
VAT recovered
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Church Activities
Ministry: Diocesan parish share
Church running and maintenance
Power
Insurance
Fees for organist, choir bell ringers, etc
Major restoration work
Administration costs
Independent examiner fees
Fundraising Costs
Fundraising Costs
Bookstall Costs
Other outgoings
Collections for other causes
TOTAL PAYMENTS		 6,531
4,166
3,777
10,808
20,000
15,000
-
60,282
1,724
2,081
9,631
13,436
2,532
11,448
220
11,668
4,940
92,858
15,400
7,952
6,736
7,935
2,315
-
2,528
475
43,341
1,602
1,628
3,230
-
46,571
Unrestricted
Funds
£		 150
-
1,705
1,077
-
3,500
4,342
10,774
-
-
48
48
-
-
-
-
-
10,822
-
482
-
-
-
7,106
-
-
7,588
-
-
-
4,475
12,063
Restricted
Funds
£		 6,681
4,166
5,482
11,885
20,000
18,500
4,342
71,056
1,724
2,081
9,679
13,484
2,532
11,448
220
11,668
4,940
103,680
15,400
8,434
6,736
7,935
2,315
7,106
2,528
475
50,929
1,602
1,628
3,230
4,475
58,634
Total Funds
2024
£

Page 10