Holy Trinity Church, Hildersham
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024
Administrative information
Holy Trinity Church in Hildersham is part of the Diocese of Ely within the Church of England. The correspondence address for the charity is 12 Beech Row, Hildersham, Cambridge CB21 6BT. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Hildersham, is a Registered Charity, number 1153435.
As a registered charity the PCC has a responsibility to provide a service for the public benefit. Public benefit is about knowing:
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what the charity is set up to achieve – the ‘charity’s purpose’
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how the charity’s purpose is beneficial – the ‘benefit aspect’
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how the charity’s purpose benefits the public or a sufficient section of the public – the ‘public aspect’ of the public benefit
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how the trustees will carry out the charity’s purpose for the public benefit - ‘furthering’ the charity’s purpose for the public benefits
The Trustees consider that, in the conduct of their business, they have complied with the duty set out in Section 4 of the Charities Acct 2006 to have due regard to guidance on public benefit published by the Charities Commission.
Structure, governance and management
The governing documents of the charity are:
The Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 (as amended) The Church Representation Rules 2020
These documents set out the arrangements for the appointment of PCC members (the Trustees) and for operation of the charity.
All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Church Electoral Roll and, if eligible, stand for election as a representative of the laity on the PCC. Holy Trinity, Hildersham PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church building, churchyard and surrounding areas comprising Holy Trinity, Hildersham.
PCC Members during 2024 were:
Rector : Revd. Iain McColl Assistant Curate Revd. Hannah Threlfall (from 30[th] June 2024) Churchwarden : Mr Keith Day (to 31[st] August 24) PCC Secretary Mr Keith Day (from 1[st] September 2024)
Treasurer: Mr Mervyn Wingfield Elected representatives of the laity : Mr Keith Day Mrs Rosalinde Gray Ms Anne-Marie Melloy Mrs Kirsten Newble (to 21[st] April 2024) Mrs Amanda Palmer Mr Mervyn Wingfield
Independent Examiner of the Financial Statement: Mr David Newble
Review of 2024
The Ministry Team
Revd. Iain McColl is the Rector of the Granta Vale Benefice. He was supported during the year by the Ministry Team which included: Revd. Kathy Bishop (Honorary Associate Priest) Revd. Ben Brady (Assistant Curate to 5[th] May 2024) Revd Hannah Threlfall (Assistant Curate from 30[th] June 2024), Mr Alistair Collen and Mr Stephen Wheeler (Licensed Lay Ministers) and Authorised Lay Ministers Mr Keith Day (Music Minister) and Mrs Rosemary Mead (Pastoral Care). Hannah Threlfall served as Community Minister for the benefice until June 2024
Church attendance
There continued to be 39 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll in 2024, 15 of whom did not reside within the parish. During 2024 the attendance at both morning and evening services remained broadly stable. The number of services in Hildersham was usually three each month. The united benefice service continued to be held in Balsham on the first Sunday of the month.
Silent Space followed by Compline continued to be held in church on Tuesday evenings offering a weekly quiet space to those wishing to pause and reflect. This service gained attendees this year and continued to include attendees from Hadstock, Sawston and Linton. Members of the Hildersham congregation also joined the house groups and travelled to united services in Balsham and services in other churches within the Benefice.
Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas continued to be very popular festivals with a large attendance. The candlelit Christmas service of Nine Lessons and Carols filled the church. Parishioners welcomed in the festive season with carols and readings, afterwards enjoying the chance to catch up over refreshments. Christmas Day offered the opportunity to join in Holy Communion.
Serving the community
Two popular teatimes were held in church serving delicious cakes to residents from Hildersham, Linton and the Abingtons. The first was in Spring and the second tea was held to start Advent where the Children’s Church Council (CCC) sold their handmade Christmas decorations and collected gift donations for refugees. The CCC also provided Mothering Sunday Posies and, in the interests of equality, cookies on “Fathers Day”
Given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and following on from the popular slow cooker and stick blender donations in past years, Harvest Festival focused again this year on support to REACH in Haverhill. REACH has continued to offer its services in our Benefice this year. Some nonperishable food items were also given though the year via collection bags at the back of church.
The Gifts for Refugees appeal was again generously supported with two cars full of gifts given to Cambridgeshire Social Services by those from Hildersham.
The Rolling Supper was a great success during the summer helping new Hildersham residents meet more villagers and giving the whole community chance to gather to socialise.
In November a capacity crowd filled the Village Hall for the “Pie and Fizz” Quiz Night with a waiting list for tickets.
Developing a healthy church and leaders
This year the range of Sunday services offered at Holy Trinity included Holy Communion, Café Church, and Evensong. The Tuesday evening Silent Space followed by Compline continued weekly, providing an opportunity to offer prayers for the church, local community, and other matters of concern. It was a delight to see the church so full for the traditional Christmas nine lessons and carols service as the whole community came together in celebration.
The House Group continued to meet for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship throughout the year. This is an ecumenical group engaging with Christians across the community, whether they attend Hildersham Church or worship elsewhere.
The Children’s Church Council (CCC) met monthly and is a thriving group of local children aged between 10 and 15. They produce wonderful updates on the noticeboard to keep the congregation abreast of their activities. Sustainability and nurturing nature continued to be an important part of CCC. The children were delighted that their wildlife homes had welcomed residents during the year, including the hedgehog house. They produced a wonderful map and signs for the churchyard showing how wildlife is supported by the way we care for the churchyard.
The Granta Vale Churches Choir continues to meet to practice on Monday evenings at Holy Trinity and has members representing every parish within our benefice. The choir contribute to the united service on the first Sunday of the month, evensong, and carol services around the benefice.
The library in the church has benefitted from new additions and continues to offer books to be borrowed or browsed freely. The children’s play area welcomes young visitors during church daily opening hours. There is a monthly article in the Abingtons and Hildersham News to keep residents up to date with activities.
Re-imagining the church building
Holy Trinity church is open daily to visitors and hosts events during the year for the whole community, as well as the regular services. Those interested in historical buildings often visit to view the wall paintings and hikers drop in to enjoy the view while resting on the benches in the churchyard and to use the facilities.
During the year a new initiative has been introduced in the formation of “The Friends of Holy Trinity”. The Friends Group, which operates under the guidance of a nominated committee of the PCC and under its umbrella as a registered charity, has been launched with the following aims and purposes:
a) To support in the practical care and maintenance of Holy Trinity Church Hildersham (hereinafter called ‘the Church’).
b) To raise funds for the maintenance and improvement of the fabric and contents of the Church building along with the Churchyard and Old School Wood.
c) To support the development of the Church building for secular events alongside regular worship.
d) To encourage enjoyment and appreciation of the Church and its use by the whole community.
The Friends have already organised two highly successful concerts since their launch and have raised in excess of £2500 for which the PCC is most grateful. A full programme of events is planned for the forthcoming year.
Caring for the church building and churchyard
We are most grateful to all who have contributed to the care of the church building and churchyard especially David Palmer in the church and Liz Brooker in the churchyard. The usual annual checks have been made, these include the checking of fire extinguishers, PAT testing, gutter clearance, alarm service, boiler maintenance and so on.
The heating system has again required a considerable amount of attention this year with numerous visits by engineers Thank you to everyone for their hardiness and patience while this was going on. The PCC have recognised that radical revision of the heating system, consonant with the Church of England Net Zero strategy will be required in the foreseeable future. The church insurance has been reviewed, as have the risk assessments.
The stability of the historic and significant Chancel wall paintings has caused considerable concern during the year as a consequence of the effect of dampness within the walls and in the environment. Emergency conservation work was carried out in the autumn and this will need to be continued in coming years. A significant factor in the deterioration of the paintings is the unstable environment and high humidity within the building and it is hoped this can be mitigated in part by an updated heating system planning for which will take place in the coming year.
Conservation in the Churchyard
Holy Trinity Church Hildersham is committed to Caring for Gods Acre and has therefore registered with the Cambridgeshire Conservation Awards.
With concerted endeavour and a desire to maintain the churchyard for the people and creatures of the future, Kirsten Newble with the help of other PCC members embarked on working with nature using advice from The Wildlife Trust to achieve the Bronze Award.
Areas of grassland are mown at different times of year to create habitats and interest for the changing seasons and for pollinators.
Trees and hedges are pruned for the benefits of the wildlife that inhabit them and their continuing growth.
Habitats are maintained and created for insects, birds and small mammals.
Having secured the bronze award in 2021 with points to spare, three years later We were obviously encouraged to achieve the Silver award.
Again with time and energy from a strong team and assistance from the Children’s Church Council, the Wildlife Trust coordinator awarded us the 25 points from the various scoring requirements necessary for a Silver Award.
Both Awards are displayed on the Church notice board to encourage the community to see that we are helping the threatened natural world by creating valuable sanctuaries for wildlife and promoting biodiversity whilst caring for God’s creation.
Financial review
This year has been normal apart from the fact that the Parish Nurse project was finally wound up and refunds and gift aid returned. In the year we had a deficit of £17,413, which was largely due to refunds on the Parish Nurse fund (-£20,458).
We still have nearly £49,000 in reserves, so it has not been too much of a struggle financially. We do still have about £10.7K in the repair funds, and about £28.7K in the unrestricted fund, if we are faced with a major expense in future.
Of note during the year are the following:
(1) The Parish Nurse fund was depleted when we refunded donations (about £13.5K) to people that requested them, and Gift Aid (about £1.0K). We also supported the Community Minister project in Abington with a donation of about £5.8K from the Parish Nurse fund. We are in the process of agreeing what happens to the remaining money (about £3.2K).
(2) Most other fund reserves (restricted, designated and unrestricted) had small deficits during the year, but about £3.7K was raised for the Friends of Hildersham Church fund.
The PCC has adopted a Reserves Policy of holding sufficient funds to cover running costs and parish share for three months – this requirement has been met during the year The PCC would like to thank everyone involved in supporting the church’s finances during the year, thus ensuring that we remain on a stable financial footing.
Looking Forward
The PCC are committed to making and keeping Holy Trinity at the centre of the community in Hildersham. The PCC will aim not only to keep our wonderful building in good order to the glory of God and welcoming and comfortable to all who come to it but, will also look to work outside the walls to engage with, and bring the love of God to all within our community.
Thank you
The PCC would like to take this opportunity to thank all who gave so generously of their time to church in so many ways this year. Thanks to those who kept the church building both open daily and in a safe and welcoming state through cleaning, tending the churchyard, flower arranging, maintaining both the organ and building. Thank you all so much. The PCC also wishes to thank Tom and Daina the key-holders who open and close the church daily, whatever the weather, it is greatly appreciated. Finally, the PCC thanks all the parishioners for their continued support of the Church this year.
19/04/2025
Hildersham PCC Accounts 2019
| No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
No (if any) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HILDERSHAM 1153435 Receipts andpayments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 Charity Name ~~——~~ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | Designated funds |
Total funds | Last year (2023) | |||||||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||||
| A1 Voluntary Income/ Receipts - TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||||||||
| Tax efficient planned giving | 6,390 | 10,300 | - | 16,690 | 8,340 | ||||||
| Other planned giving | - | 600 | - | 600 | 600 | ||||||
| Collections at services | 2,330 | - | - | 2,330 | 2,342 | ||||||
| All other giving and voluntary receipts, including Special Appeals (recurring and one-off) | 813 | - | 8 | 821 | 2,688 | ||||||
| Gift Aid recovered | 2,330 | - 961 | - | 1,369 | 4,528 | ||||||
| Legacies received (capital value) | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Grants (include recurring and one-off) | - | - 13,517 | - | - 13,517 | - | ||||||
| Gross income from fundraising activities | 1,904 | 3,776 | - | 5,680 | 2,197 | ||||||
| Dividends, interest, income from property etc. | 731 | 2,799 | - | 3,530 | 3,315 | ||||||
| Statutory fees retained by the PCC (weddings, funerals etc) | 1,818 | - | - | 1,818 | 1,404 | ||||||
| Gross income from trading (e.g. hall lettings, magazine, bookstall). NOT fundraising. | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Any other income/ receipts not already listed | - | 1,251 | - | 1,251 | - | ||||||
| 7 Churches Ministry Costs | - | 17,436 | - | 17,436 | 15,860 | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 16,315 | 21,685 | 8 | 38,008 | 41,273 | ||||||
| Total receipts | 16,315 | 21,685 | 8 | 38,008 | 41,273 | ||||||
| A3 Payments -TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | - | ||||||||||
| Fund-raising activites (costs and payments) | 140 | 56 | - | 196 | 89 | ||||||
| Mission giving and donations | 180 | - | - | 180 | 661 | ||||||
| Diocesan parish share contribution | 7,247 | - | - | 7,247 | 8,034 | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and honoraria | - | 128 | - | 128 | 5,158 | ||||||
| Clergy and staff expenses | - | 20,223 | - | 20,223 | 16,396 | ||||||
| Church expenses: Mission and evangelism costs | - | 303 | - | 303 | - | ||||||
| Church running expenses | 588 | 3,255 | 21 | 3,864 | 4,446 | ||||||
| Church utility bills | 3,333 | - | - | 3,333 | 1,386 | ||||||
| Churchyard Maintenance and Gardening | - | 1,404 | - | 1,404 | 2,874 | ||||||
| Cost of trading | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Repairs and enhancements to church buildings | - | 12,367 | - | 12,367 | 1,743 | ||||||
| Church Insurance and Security Systems | 4,303 | - | - | 4,303 | 3,381 | ||||||
| New building work to the church, church hall, clergy housing or other PCC property | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| 7 Churches Ministry Costs | 1,872 | - | - | 1,872 | 1,689 | ||||||
| Other expenditure | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | 17,664 | 37,737 | 21 | 55,421 | 45,857 | ||||||
| Total payments 17,664 37,737 21 55,421 45,857 Net of receipts/(payments) - 1,349 - 16,052 - 13 - 17,413 - 4,584 A5 Transfers between funds - 1,008 - 1,008 - A6 Cash funds last year end (2023) 29,410 36,079 829 66,318 Cash funds this year end (2024) 27,053 20,027 1,824 48,905 Categories Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Designated funds FUNDS AT 31.12.2024 FUNDS AT 31.12.2023 B1 CASH FUNDS to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Petty Cash - - - - Barclays Community ACC 1 27,053 6,041 817 33,910 49,588 Barclays Community ACC 2 - 489 489 517 Barclays Savings ACC 1 - 2,766 2,766 5,015 Country Fayre Account - 1,008 1,008 1,008 CBF Deposit Account - 3,818 3,818 3,625 CBF Repair Fund Account - 6,914 6,914 6,566 Total Funds 27,053 20,028 1,825 48,905 66,319 ~~=:::~~ |
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19/04/2025
Hildersham PCC Accounts 2019
| B2A Other monetary assets Details |
B2A Other monetary assets Details |
Opening Balance 1.1.2024 |
Restricted income |
Restricted expenditure |
Closing Balance 31.12.2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||
| GENERAL REPAIR FUNDS RESTRICTED | |||||
| General Repair Reserve | 9,255 | 12,575 | 12,367 | 9,463 | |
| Sexton's Trust | 138 | 310 | - | 448 | |
| Rector's Trust | 48 | 25 | 20 | 53 | |
| Organ Service | 1,500 | - | 190 | 1,310 | |
| Sub Total: | 10,941 | 12,910 | 12,577 | 11,273 | |
| B2B Other monetary assets Details |
Opening Balance 1.1.2024 |
Restricted income |
Restricted expenditure |
Closing Balance 31.12.2024 |
|
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||
| SKINNER BEQUEST RESTRICTED | 772 | 626 | 1,205 | 193 | |
| GOODWIN TRUST RESTRICTED | 280 | 1,489 | 502 | 1,268 | |
| COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND RESTRICTED | 255 | - | - | 255 | |
| PARISH NURSE RESTRICTED | 23,739 | - 14,553 | 5,905 | 3,282 | |
| 7 CHURCHES MINISTRY COSTS RESTRICTED | 92 | 17,436 | 17,492 | 36 | |
| FRIENDS EVENTS | - | 3,776 | 56 | 3,720 | |
| HOLY TRINITY HILDERSHAM MINISTRY COSTS APPORTIONMENT UNRESTRICTED | £1,872.00 | ||||
| TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS | 36,079 | 21,685 |
37,737 |
20,028 | |
| UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUND AND DESIGNATED FUNDS | 30,239 | ~~21,685~~ 16,323 |
~~37,737~~ 17,685 |
28,878 | |
| GRAND TOTAL OF FUNDS | UN Income | un Exp | 48,905 | ||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Details |
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| Fund Value 1.1.2024 | Current value 31.12.2024 |
Gain/Loss | |||
| HILDERSHAM GOODWIN TRUST | 46,725 | 47,795 | 1,069 | ||
| CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE FUND | 22,554 | 23,071 | 516 | ||
| TOTAL GAIN IN YEAR | 1,586 | ||||
| B5 Liabilities Details |
Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due | Date of approval | ||
| Refund to HMRC for gift aid claimed on donation that was returned, so not applicable for gift aid | Parish Nurse | 500 | |||
| Following discussion with Country Fare Committee it has been decided that this will be used for activities outside the church | Designated | 1,008 | |||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signatures | |||||
| Print Name | |||||
Notes:
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity Hildersham On accounts for the year 31[st] December 2024 Charity no 1153435 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-2
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024 .
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 22/04/2024
Signed: Name: David Newble ~~Ps~~ Relevant professional ICAEW qualification: Address: Little Chilfords, Back Road, Linton, CB21 4LF
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October 2018
IER