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2021-12-31-accounts

2021

Thatcham Annual Parish Meeting Annual Report APCM 29 May 2022

Parish Office St Mary’s Church Churchgate Thatcham RG19 3PN

Thatcham Team Ministry

Annual Report

APCM 29May 2022

Contents page
Parochial Church Council 2021/22………………………………………………… 2
Team Rector’s Report………………………………………………………………. 2
Personal Testimony…………………………………………………………………. 4
Report of the proceedings of the PCC …………………………………………… 4

Membership…………………………………………………………………………..		 5
Committees…………………………………………………………………………... 5
Finance-Report to the accounts…………………………………………………… 5
Stewardship Secretary’s Report…………………………………………………… 7
Safeguarding Report………………………………………………………………… 7

ABCs…………………………………………………………………………………..		 8
Children and Young People ……………………………………………………….. 9
Music at St Mary’s………………………………………………………………….. 9

St Barnabas Church…………………………………………………………………		 11
Newbury Deanery Synod…………………………………………………………… 12
Bellringers’Report … … ….. ………………………………………………………. 13
Churchwardens ……………………………………………………………………… 15
Fabric………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
Inventory………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Flowers–Sewing Group……………………………………………………………. 17
Little Churches, Home Communions, West Berks Community Hospital ……… 17

C.A.M.E.O …………………………………………………………………………….		 18
Thatcham Parochial Charities………………………………………………………. 18
House Groups ………………………………………………………………………. 18
Prayer Ministry……………………………………………………………………….. 20

Missions – Christian Aid – Children’s Society – USPG -Fairtrade & Traidcraft
West Berks Foodbank ………………………………………………………………		 20
Rainbows and Rangers…………………………………………………………….. 23
Connect ………………………………………………………………………………. 23
Service Teams……………………………………………………………………….. 23
St Mary’s Website…………………………………………………………………… 24
Appendix 1 Minutes of the Annual Meetings 20 October 2020
Appendix 2 Summary of Accounts 2020

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Thatcham Team Ministry

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APCM 29May 2022

Thatcham Parochial Church Council 2021/22

Ex Officio Elected Lay Members Revd. Mark Bennet John Hicks (St Barnabas) Revd Nicola Hulks Bernadette Ellison (St Barnabas) Revd Brenda Harland Leanne Fowler (St Barnabas) Revd Angela Brennan Alison Dean (St Barnabas) Lourdes Cottam (St Barnabas) Churchwardens Paul Bullock (2020) Simon Stagg (2021) Colin Waters (2020) Chris Druce (2021) Christine Rice (2021) Kevin Dunwell (2020) Ann Watts (2020) Deanery Synod Representatives (to 2023) Viv Druce (2020) Mary Stagg Emma Watts (2020) Chris Watts Tony Collie Co-options Catherine Forbes Mark Backhouse (Tower Bells) Mike Stevenson (PCC Secretary) Ann Dibble (Safeguarding) Leanne Cox (Safeguarding) (until July 2021)

Team Rectors Report

So what of 2021? I find myself having to think very hard, because two years seem to have melded into one, and memory seems so unreliable. Consulting my diary, I see that we had our trail of crosses outside the Church during Holy Week: we were continually on the lookout for things we could do.

I remember taking time on Zoom to show the making of the Ash Wednesday ash from palm crosses – and a zoom service for Easter on my own, bringing the Paschal Candle into St Mary’s in the dark and sharing prayers – and how the internet connection didn’t really reach beyond the door of the Church. We did more than the previous year, but were still improvising and trying new things out. And the ChristmasNativity in Thatcham Park school field.

I remember Leonard’s final farewell – what a curious time he had with us … and sending him on his way to serve the people of Finchampstead and California (where I grew up).

I remember Angela’s first celebration of Holy Communion in “the cathedral of the great outdoors” following her ordination as a priest in an almost deserted Reading Minster.

I remember hoping that we would be able to have a positive and confident re-opening and the dent that “the delta variant” put in those plans – and simply the need to have three plans and a backup for every occasion.

I remember a glorious celebration of harvest, and supporting the Food Bank and the increasing patterns of need and a Christmas perhaps tentative, but with people joining our services from around the world.

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I remember my colleagues on social media and in the outdoor spaces. I remember noticing growing and changing patterns of need for young people and families, and how the Baby Café and Muddy Church were starting to meet these needs. And the conversations about whether CAMEO could re-open.

I remember the first opportunity to get together as a team after working alone and in pairs for so much of the time. The support of Nicola and Brenda – and their dedication and skill.

I remember starting to do weddings again, and baptisms, and how different it felt from before as people came with their experiences of COVID times and their own rearranged plans and hopes.

And I remember the practical support given by so many, including the inevitable Marion, with John Coombs and Michael Harley stepping in to support and also add a richness and diversity to our worship.

I remember working with schools and changing arrangements at short notice – and different schools doing different things.

I remember live music back at St Mary’s – one of the joys of life in Thatcham – and having the choir back singing.

I remember some challenging times – both personally and for others in the church, and times when it was not obvious what had to be done for the best.

I remember the support of Churchwardens and others.

I remember funerals and departures, some harder to bear than others. And I notice how – with social distancing and less meeting together – departures have been less noticed. We marked the deaths of regulars such as Flo Rye, Pam Broad. Bill Butler and familiar faces like former mayor Bob Judge – who leave significant gaps in our community. And amongst those who have moved away are former treasurer, Peter Harvey-Di-Gioia, our safeguarding lead Leanne Cox, Clare and Rhelan Clarke and Margaret Barker. And with lockdown and distancing, there have also been fewer new joiners – though encouragingly, some new faces.

And thinking about signs for the future, both Leanne Fowler and Alison Dean have been recommended for ordination and have embarked on ordination training – and rich conversations about healing and new services for new people and how Marcia, in her unusual placement with us, has been gently encouraging and supporting and enabling behind the scenes.

I remember more hard work in the hidden world of safeguarding – both in new administration requirements and in dealing with particular cases of which most people reading this will know nothing. And being thankful for Leanne’s quietly confident and well organised administration and challenge, and for Ann Dibble taking on new central church systems and requirements.

I remember how our finances have held up – even though they feel more stretched than ever, we got through the year: and I notice the daunting challenge of energising ourselves to raise money for the organ, meeting room and roof alongside keeping the show on the road.

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I remember a year as mixed as any other, therefore – but with more intensity and less structure, a hard and tiring year – I spent the Autumn exhausted (was it a mild version of long COVID – I’ll never know). And a year in which our Church pulled together and held together, somehow, and how somehow, by the grace of God we find ourselves in shape to face the future. And I remember that prayer has continued and that God has always been there – and I give thanks for what has been

Mark Bennet

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

From Marcia Wadham

This time last year, I wrote about the experience of joining the community of St Mary’s with various forms of lockdown in place. Remarkably, as I write now, it is in the knowledge that I have only a few weeks left with you before I head off for ordination and the start of my curacy in Oxford.

It has been a joy to actually meet with you all in person over the last year, after so many months of only seeing you from the shoulders upwards online! I am grateful for all the support and encouragement I’ve received, and the opportunities I have had to work and serve alongside you, although lockdowns have made it feel as though my time with you has been ridiculously short.

One of the highlights of the last year has been seeing ‘Come and Be’ develop into something completely different to what we had originally anticipated. Rather than a contemporary service, it has instead become a service focusing on prayer and reflection, and a chance to explore some more creative ways of entering into God’s presence, especially since combining it with the healing service.

Other highlights have included getting to know the Mums, Dads, carers and grandparents who come along to ABC every week, finding signs of spring and new life as early as February at Muddy Church, and seeing the A4 closed off and full of people on Remembrance Sunday.

I am so thankful for all I have been able to learn in my time with you, and for the opportunities to get involved in so many areas of ministry.

Marcia Wadham

Parochial Church Council – Background and Proceedings

Thatcham PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Team Rector and the Team Vicar in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the church – spiritual, pastoral, evangelistic and ecumenical.

The PCC met at St Mary’s Church four times during 2021. The Standing Committee met twice.

Arrangements were made during 2021 for 41 baptisms ( 9 in 2020) and 7 ( 3 ) weddings. In addition there were 55 ( 59) funerals (23 with a service at St Mary’s, 32 with services at a crematorium or cemetery)

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Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex officio, co-opted or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. St Barnabas Church is represented on the PCC by up to 5 members elected by their own church meeting.

Committees

The PCC operates through a Standing Committee and working groups, which meet between full meetings of the Council. The Standing Committee is the only Committee required by law; it has power to transact business of the Council between meetings, subject to any decisions made by the PCC.

FINANCE REPORT

Report to the Accounts December 2021

St Mary’s General Account (day to day running of church activities) shows a surplus of expenditure over income of £8,289. Regular giving through Standing Orders and The Parish Giving Scheme has been most welcome together with a number of significant donations but the need to attract new givers to replace those who have died or moved away is a challenge.

The St Barnabas General Account shows a positive balance of £1,909 at the end of the year.

We again managed to pay the Parish Share (our contribution to the diocese for clergy stipends, housing and pensions) in full (£94,423). However not all parishes were able to pay the full amount and this reduces the level of Diocesan rebate payable to the Newbury Deanery in 2022. The Parish Share was set at £88,869 in 2022 as the number of full time paid clergy has had to be reduced. The monthly payment due from Thatcham Parish is £7,406.

The ongoing pandemic continued to affect our ability to raise funds but income from Services and other activities improved gradually through the autumn. Work has begun on fundraising initiatives for essential building repairs and organ restoration.

Expenditure on utilities fell significantly in 2021 following reduction in the use of St Mary’s because of the pandemic, warmer weather and replacement of lighting with more economic LED lighting. Resumption of pre-pandemic levels of use of St Mary’s and the dramatic increases in costs of gas and electricity will increase pressure on finances in 2022 and 2023.

The need to increase Stewardship giving is critical, especially if we are to meet the running costs of both churches and pay the Parish Share again in full in 2022. If anyone is thinking of increasing their Stewardship payments during 2022 or joining the Scheme, please speak to the Treasurer or any of the Churchwardens.

A particular vote of thanks is due to the small team maintaining the books and banking the cash - Ann Watts at St Mary’s and Bernie Ellison at St Barnabas – and to all who so generously support the work of the Church in this parish.

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Investments and Fund Structure

There were no changes to the structure of the St Mary’s PCC investment funds during 2021.

There follows a brief description of the history, management and restrictions of each of these PCC managed funds.

Curates Housing and Expenses (formerly known as the Hatherley} Fund

The capital arose from the sale of a house given to the Church in 1935 for a succession of curates to live in. The PCC has a 29.4% share of the rent after deduction of expenses on a property in Station Road which continued to be let by the Diocese as it was not required to house a curate. The income is applied for general parish purposes and so is unrestricted . The first call on any surplus income is the payment of curate / clergy expenses.

Thatcham Church of England Charity

The original capital arose from two-thirds of the sale proceeds of the Old Infant School in the Broadway; one-third is administered separately by the Diocesan Board of Education.

This charity is governed by a Charity Commission Scheme sealed on the 21[st] May 1980; the clear income from the permanent endowment is for furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the ecclesiastical parish of St Mary’s Thatcham and is therefore an unrestricted fund. All the income is applied in the parish.

The Church Estate Charity

Charity Commission ref – 00436

This is an ancient charity referred to in the Charity Commissioners Report of 1907; the income is to be applied to the upkeep of the church and the churchyard so this is a restricted fund.

Income is derived partly from investments and partly from 6/16ths of the income from Moor Meadow Charity, administered by Thatcham Parochial Charities.

The Rookery Church Fund

The small amount of income arising from the legacy by Mrs Hall who died in 1916, subject to the income being restricted to the fostering of the Sunday school. The Rookery was the name of the house.

Bankers: St Mary’s PCC - Lloyds Bank plc & St Barnabas - HSBC Independent Examiners: Tax Avenue, Turnfields Court, Thatcham Investment Managers: BlackRock Investment Managers, 12 Throgmorton Avenue London EC2N 2DL CCLA, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET

A summary of the Accounts together with the Independent Examiner’s Report is attached at Appendix 2.

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Stewardship Secretary’s Report – St Mary’s .

A total of £69,553 was given through the Stewardship Scheme in 2021 (£66,606 in 2020). This included £23,455 through the Parish Giving Scheme introduced in September 2018. Giving through weekly envelopes was 6,369 and standing order payments were £24,060. In addition £15,669 was reclaimed from HMRC (£14,661 in 2020).

By the end of 2021 there were 21 donors paying by Direct Debits through the Parish Giving Scheme. 20 donors were supplied with weekly envelopes. However whilst some of the givers using envelopes continued to find ways of using them many found the lack of regular services broke the routine of regular giving. 32 donors gave through Standing Orders (a reduction of 6 since 2020).

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Great thanks are due to the faithful members of the Stewardship Scheme who by regular and sacrificial levels of giving keep St Mary’s and St Barnabas Churches going.

Please continue to review your giving at least annually – index linking is a principle worth considering. Occasional donations are greatly welcomed, but commitment to regular giving is essential if we are to budget for paying for our priests through the Parish Share, maintain the fabric and support sustainable growth of the church in Thatcham.

‘Donate’ facilities have been incorporated into the website for St Mary’s.

I continue to positively recommend the Parish Giving Scheme to all regular givers. Over half the Dioceses in England have joined and together they cover the costs of the small administrative team based at Gloucester Diocese. All the remainder is paid direct to the relevant parishes by the 10[th] of each month and income tax is reclaimed through the GIFT AID scheme from HMRC and distributed to parishes about five days later. This significantly reduces costs and administration at the local level. Other bonuses are

I would again encourage everyone to make a will and to consider making a bequest to St Mary’s. It is not difficult to arrange and can make a significant difference to the future of a growing church in Thatcham.

Chris Watts Stewardship Secretary

Child Protection/Safeguarding report

This has been a short and challenging time for the Parish safeguarding team. There have been many changes within the Diocesan Safeguarding structure including the appointment of a new Head of Safeguarding at the end of January 2022. The ramifications of that are still filtering through.

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At St Mary’s and St Barnabas, we are fortunate in that we have a team of people prepared to take on these challenges:

The team have established a practice of meeting three times a year. At one meeting we welcomed Kathy Winrow, from St George’s Newbury. She is a very experienced Safeguarding officer and was able to offer us some insight. It was interesting that her top tip was to remember that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that we need to spread the tasks.

The Diocese has instigated a system of Parish Dashboards which aims to streamline safeguarding administration and governance. There are three levels of tasks that should be completed, and we can celebrate the fact that we are already on level 2. The foundations have been laid by previous good management of safeguarding within the parish. The dashboard shows us quite clearly the areas where we still need to make improvements. Many of these actions are for the PCC to complete. Despite having safeguarding as an agenda item at every PCC meeting, the safeguarding officer has only been able to attend one meeting during this shortened year.

There have been three safeguarding cases during the year. All have been awarded the appropriate level of confidentiality and we have received support and advice from the Diocese.

It is brilliant that we are an inclusive and welcoming parish so that people can feel comfortable entering our doors. They bring their problems with them, and we need to make sure that they receive the appropriate response while maintaining as safe an environment for everyone as we can. The safeguarding team continue to need your support in making this happen.

Ann Dibble

ABC during a pandemic!

We were delighted to get back to face to face meetings in September of 2021. We started with quite a small number of people but are now really busy. We enjoy a friendly time to chat and play and have refreshments which is followed by a short service that consists of an interactive story, singing and prayers with a blessing at the end. Jason the sheep is a great favourite of the children as he helps to tell the stories and joins in with the action songs.

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Our growing team of helpers enable us to function well and they are always ready with a smile of encouragement and a hot drink. Grateful thanks to everyone who contributes to this vital ministry. Towards the end of the summer term, we hold a leavers ceremony to say goodbye to those who are going off to Primary School. They are presented with a certificate and a Scripture union book entitled ‘It’s your next step’ which is all about going to big school for the first time. Of course, they can come to visit us during the school holidays so we do not lose touch. It was sad not to be able to hold this ceremony over past 2 years.

Here are some comments from people who currently attend the group:

ABC is a very friendly and welcoming group. The church environment allows my children the chance

to explore and have fun in a safe but exciting space. All of the helpers and volunteers are very kind and helpful. I’ll be sad when the boys start school and we can’t come anymore!

We really enjoy coming to ABC, the staff are brilliant!

We like coming to ABC because the Church is such a wonderful place to explore and we are always made to feel so welcome, it’s our favourite group of the week!

The group is held on Wednesday mornings from 10.30am until 12 noon. If you have preschool children, come and pay us a visit.

Brenda and the ABC team

Children and Young People @ St Mary’s 2019

We meet on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of the month, in the meeting room, during the 10.00am service.

We were delighted to welcome young people back to church in May, and although our numbers have not returned to pre Covid, that has not been reflected in the enthusiasm of our children or leaders.

Our aim is to provide an enjoyable atmosphere where young people can discover the teachings of the bible through a mix of craft, prayer, and games. We encourage them to develop their relationship with God at their own pace.

Going forward, we recognise the challenges ahead, and pray that more families will join us, in sharing the amazing love and grace of God.

Helen Holman

Music at St. Mary’s

It’s been a tricky couple of years for choir. When the Churches closed, choir didn’t sing for 6 months, we had a brief hiatus in the Autumn of 2020 when we came back in small groups mainly to record hymns. Then we went into another lockdown culminating in Christmas where we were privileged to be able to sing in Church on Christmas Day.

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The beginning of 2021 was a time of another national lockdown but as we came out of that it begun to look possible that we could begin again.

At this point Viv who had led us faithfully and well for many years, decided it was time to hand over the (metaphorical) baton and Chris Watts and I were told we were now leading choir. Our first service was Pentecost and it felt very good. Since then we have sung at every Sunday service apart from the low Sundays after Christmas and Easter.

At the end of September, we tried a new venture – Hymns and Pimms. This was reasonably well supported both by Church members and the community.

Christmas 2021 was as near normal as anything.

We kicked Advent off with an Advent carol service , which although not well attended, was favourably received by those who came. We sang at several Carol services including the Town Mayor’s Carol Service, and ‘Hymms and Pimms’, a new venture . This community carol service (obviously we couldn’t think of a snappy title for this one!) included the choir of Thatcham Park Primary School and ended in a spirited rendition of the 12 days of Christmas. Popular carols and some favourite Christmas anthems were sung by the choir. It was very special to sing at Midnight Mass again on Christmas Eve.

Easter seemed to come very early and we had a Service of reflection for Passiontide which, again although not well attended, was well received by those who came. This Service and the Advent carol service will stay in the calendar and I urge everyone to put dates in their diary for these.

We remain a small choir. We lost Lesley from the sopranos who decided it was time after many years to leave. She is greatly missed for her musicianship and her sense of humour but we have gained Angela in the soprano line and Mary has rejoined in the alto line. We are blessed to have excellent singers in all parts and particularly strong large bass line. We have, as always, room for more singers. It doesn’t matter if you sang at school and haven’t sung since, if you sung only in the bath or if you are a classically trained opera singer. If you would like to give the choir a go come along. We will welcome you with open arms! There is no requirement to read music.

I have made many mistakes in my first year of leading the choir so my first thanks must go to the choir for being so forgiving and going with the flow. I must also thank Mary Baker who stepped in to play for rehearsals for a while and Iain Davies who is playing for us now on Fridays. Massive thanks go to Tim who played for rehearsals and recordings all the way through closures and when we got back together until the end of the year, and now of course plays most Sundays. He’s very good at putting me right when I have made a mistake. Massive thanks also go to Chris Watts who is always happy to step in when I have to miss a rehearsal and is a fount of wisdom. Biggest thanks must go to my friend and mentor Viv who is never backward in letting me know where I’ve gone wrong but also where it has been right. I have relied on her extensive knowledge of choir procedure.

Choir is in a good place and we are very much looking forward to the next year of being part of your worship.

Mary Stagg

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St Barnabas Church

As we have emerged this year from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a pleasure to return to many of the usual activities that make St B’s what it is as well as launch some new activities our community.

Services

We have continued to meet mainly at 10am at Thatcham Park School and remain hugely grateful for the warm hospitality that the school offers our community. One of our greatest pleasure this year has been the return of the groups from the supported living communities, Kestrels and Chaffinches. We have missed them very much, their energy and joy transform our services. We are so grateful to have them back.

We have also launched a new monthly service down at Thatcham Lakes called Muddy Church. Aimed at families, we share a Bible story together and then explore it’s meaning for us through play and activities in the natural world.

Our aim with Muddy Church is to give children and families some much needed time in nature and through this to draw closer to God and each other. The launch of Muddy Church has been a major highlight and joy of this past year.

Community Activities

In our report last year, we spoke of our intention to launch a Baby Café for new parents. We’re pleased to announce that this group is now well established under Reverend Angela’s excellent leadership. Baby café has been a place where relationships have flourished and people seem to have found genuine support and friendship. When we opened some of the babies had never met with another baby before due to the COVID19 restrictions and parents spoke openly of their feelings of isolation. We have been proud to create a place where parents can encourage each other in all the joys and challenges of parenthood.

ABC has also reopened this year and has been extremely busy! Once more this group has offered an important place of play, meeting and family friendly worship ably led, as ever, by Reverend Brenda.

Small Group

Our online small group that formed during the pandemic has also continued to meet this year. They found that the online format made the group so accessible that they decided to simply stick with it! This year, led by Ben, the group have been studying Mark’s gospel and the group remains a place for those new to faith, as well as those who want to wrestle with what faith means to them, to have fruitful and encouraging conversations.

Supporting the School

Our strong links with Thatcham Park School have also continued this year. As the school begun to open up, I have enjoyed the opportunity to return to ‘in person’ sessions. I have also provided weekly online assemblies for the whole school which we will continue to do until we are able to meet safely as a whole school again.

We also enjoyed our first Easter service at St Marys with the school, which was ably led by year 4 and Zoomed back to the rest of the school. We hope that before long the whole school will be able to gather back at St Marys for worship.

Looking ahead into the coming year, there is much to look forward to! It has always been the vision of St B’s to serve our community and this year has been a fruitful year for us as we have built new relationships in our community.

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In the coming year we will continue to be alert to God’s call to go out and serve our community in Thatcham. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Reverend Nicola

Deanery Synod Report

Thatcham Parish is part of the Newbury Deanery – a group of parishes in West Berkshire running as far as Hungerford and Lambourn and up to Compton and The Ridgeway. In some recent documents the Deanery has described itself briefly as follows:

Newbury Deanery covers some 105 square miles of the western part of West Berkshire. It includes the urban centres of Newbury and Thatcham, the market town of Hungerford and an extensive rural hinterland. The eleven benefices (roughly speaking groups of churches overseen by a single priest) encompass 36 parishes ranging in population from over 25,000 to under 100, together with 42 church buildings, and one church which has no building of its own.

The Deanery is an administrative unit of the Church of England which is part of its structure of “synodical government” – the way the Church makes decisions about its internal workings where they affect more than a single parish. Traditionally the Deanery has had two functions – (the money function) allocating the parish share which pays for the clergy and support costs (just under £1million for Newbury Deanery) and then collecting it; and (the people function) negotiating the deployment of clergy at a time when clergy numbers nationally have been declining. More recently the people function has been developed into a more positive mode of mission planning (The Mission Action Plan) – actively supporting parishes and their people to meet the common challenges we face.

The effects of the pandemic had meant progress on the plan had slowed. Bruce Laurie Lay Chair of Synod having reviewed the plan in 2021 found it was still wholly relevant to today’s needs. It was stressed that this is the Deanery’s plan to support and encourage benefices and parishes rather than to direct or impose requirements from the Diocese. Synod identified four action groups and started to put these into being. These are:

(Consideration on new housing developments and also communities will be incorporated in due course.)

The Newbury Deanery Synod also maintains a link with the South African parish of Batlharos in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman.

Deanery Synod elects representatives to Diocesan Synod – notably in 2021 our own Team Rector.

The Deanery is run by the Deanery Synod. Like the PCC this is a mixture of clergy and elected lay members, but in the Deanery case the members represent the different parishes. The Deanery Synod elects a standing committee and appoints officers to act as an executive, and to progress the various aspects of its work. It may

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also receive requests from the Diocese of Oxford or from the National Church to respond to matters of interest – this happened with the legislation on women becoming bishops. The Deanery Synod can also raise matters of concern and ask for these to be addressed at a Diocesan or national level.

In aggregate the Deanery paid 91.7% of the total ‘Share’requested by the diocese in 2021 - a shortfall of £78,354. This compares to the payment of 93.6% of the total requested by the diocese in 2020 a shortfall of £61,635.

22 parishes paid their share in full, and 12 parishes managed to pay part of their allocation. Unfortunately two parishes made no payments to the diocese during 2021. A consequence is that for the second year in succession, the Deanery did not qualify for the full 3% rebate on meeting its allocation in full. We did however meet 50% of our allocation in aggregate by 31st July 2021 and so qualified for rebate of 1% of payments made during the year.

The treasurer sincerely thanked all parishes that did their best to meet their 2021 share allocation.

Thank you for your support for our clergy members of Synod and our lay members Mary, Tony, Cath and myself.

Chris Watts

St. Mary's Church Bellringers

The year started with the bells not being rung due to the continuing covid restrictions. However there was a relaxation, to allow one bell to be rung half muffled following the death of HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, when the tenor bell was tolled 99 times by Mark Backhouse on Saturday 10 April and again on Saturday 17 April, the day of his funeral, both in accordance with national arrangements.

In May with a slight reduction in the Covid regulations we started ringing with six of our band wearing masks, taking lateral flow tests and ringing socially distanced bells 1,3,5 7 8,10 on Sunday mornings only. As the rules became increasingly relaxed, we eventually returned to ringing eight or ten bells for the Sunday Morning Service and on practice nights. However the number of our ringers decreased. Margaret Robinson has not returned following a fall in the summer. Her husband John has not yet returned. I thank them both for their considerable contribution to the tower over many years. Then in October Bill Butler died.

We held a socially distanced, mask wearing, delayed AGM in the Church on 3 August, chaired by Revd Mark Bennet. Our Secretary/Treasurer, Janet John, did not seek reelection. She was presented with some flowers as a small token of thanks for the efficient way she had conducted her duties for the previous six years. John Kape was elected as the new Secretary/Treasurer. All other positions remain unchanged.

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Presentation to Janet John

The meeting opened with prayers remembering ringer, Di Bridle, who died on 4 August 2020. Mark said it was sad that we had not yet been able to ring the bells in her memory and that we should when restrictions to ringing have been lifted. Encouraged by Mark, we arranged to ring a half muffled quarter peal, prior to the Time to Remember Service on 31 October where all the names of those who died during lockdown would be remembered, and dedicate it to Di's Memory. Soon after arranging it Bill Butler and Eddie Bennet died and we were pleased to include them in the dedication.

We were all saddened to learn of Bill Butler's death on 21 October. Bill had been an active member of the congregation and a tower member here for many years and Tower Captain for most of that time. Past and present members of the Tower met on the following evening, where Revd. Mark led us in prayer prior to us ringing half muffled touches in his memory. Bill's funeral on 11 November was attended by a large number of people including many ringers, some of whom had travelled long distances. The bells were half muffled and rung before and after the Service by our ringers and by Bill's peal ringing friends and Oxford Diocesan Guild Officers . All the ringing was of a very high standard and a fitting tribute to someone who had contributed so much to ringing here and to the Guild.

Ringing in memory of Bill Butler

Left to right : Joanne Waller, Rosemary Evans, Adrian Moon, John Durham, Richard Marshall, John Collins, Tony Smith, Sue Smith, Ben Waller, Ron Christopher, John Kape, Ros Durham

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With the number of Covid 19 infections rising rapidly in December we reverted to ringing with masks, which meant that our numbers available to ring reduced again, as not all our ringers wished to ring with masks. With all restrictions lifted in 2022, we are now very short of ringers and will be seeking new recruits.

Our ringing room, like many other ringing rooms is poorly ventilated. Having followed the articles in our journal, The Ringing World, we purchased an Aranet 4 monitor to check the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels when ringing. By having the ringing room door, tower door and window open with a desk fan in the window, we have mostly achieved levels of CO2 below the recommended level of 800 ppm. This is not a long term solution and the PCC have applied for a Faculty to install permanent mechanical ventilation. The preferred contractor has since dropped out and we will be seeking a new proposal and quotation.

Our longest serving member, Ron Christopher was diagnosed with colon cancer at the beginning of November. He was fast tracked for an operation in early December. He spent a week in hospital and is now back home convalescing after a successful operation. We look forward to welcoming him back to ringing in the Spring this year.

I thank our ringers for their continuing efforts during the last difficult year and Revd Mark for conducting belfry prayers and his support and encouragement, which is appreciated by us all.

Tony Smith (Tower Captain)

Churchwardens

If you are new to the Anglican Church you may not know that the wardens are the eyes and ears of the Bishop in the parish. They have an obligation to ensure that the Rector and Clergy are doing as they ought (and they most certainly are), that the business of the church is running satisfactorily (better than might be expected under the circumstances) and that the fabric is in good order (oh dear !). They are also tasked to keep the congregation in order !

All three of the wardens with Mark are trustees for the Thatcham Almshouse and Thatcham Relief in Need Charities, working with other agencies to help those people in our community who have fallen on hard times or with health and disability issues.

We have a faithful band of people working in the background (and in a few cases obliged to remain in post during the pandemic) as cleaners, servers, gardeners, sidespeople, coffee makers, pew removal and replacement, assisting at services, singers, little church providers, providers of home communions, hospital visitors….and many more jobs. The church would not function without them. If you feel that you would like to contribute to God’s work in any way, all help is welcome regardless of how little you are able to do. Please get in touch with your Churchwardens or Ann the

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Fabric

In summary the log of work by contractors and volunteers to the fabric of St Mary’s includes:

The Revd Angela Brennan has established a small working group – Richard Foster, Christine Rice and Chris Watts and discussion has restarted with Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and contractors for repair of the organ and blower and removal of asbestos. Potential sources of grant have also been contacted.

The PCC’s architect, Christian Randall of Wantage submitted his first five yearly report on the state of the fabric in 2018. He listed the regular concerns of clearing gutters and repairs to rainwater downpipes, repairs to stonework and flint facing and ivy on the tower. In addition he noted:

Attention to these items was recommended within 18 months. In addition improvements are required to the Meeting Room and kitchen. A specification for these works is in preparation and this will lead to applications for permissions (faculties) from the Diocese and to an Appeal for funds to cover the costs.

Thanks are again due to Chris Druce, Paul Bullock and also to Mark Backhouse for help with general repairs and lower level lamp replacements, to Marion and a team of dedicated gardeners for work on the flower borders, to Rita for polishing the brass and to all who regularly clean, arrange the flowers and maintain the equipment.

Chris Watts

Inventory

The four panels depicting the Nativity, prepared by Thatcham Park School and St Barnabas in 2020 were again displayed in a Churchyard Trail over Christmas 2021. The panels are stored on the gallery.

24 of the wooden chairs in the gallery have been sold through ebay raising a total so far of £925. Sales of a further 8 chairs are pending.

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8 metal mobile storage cabinets have been donated, being redundant in their former office location, and are in use in the ‘Tower Room’.

Thanks go to Paul Bullock for organising both sales of chairs and securing and installing the storage cabinets

Chris Watts

Sewing group and Flowers .

The Sewing Group has not met but continues to sew as required. As well as making linen items for use at communion we also repair items and alter the length of choir robes when the user changes or grows. We have been given lots of fabrics, lace, and other sewing items and these we use to create items for the craft sale and raffle usually in November but in 2021 at the Annual Meeting. Please feel free to visit us in the chapel at 2pm when we can get back to normal, and join in if you wish even if all you can do is tacking!

Marion and friends.

There are now a lovely group of flower arrangers with many differing talents all of which are welcomed and encouraged. Displays were created for Christmas and Easter and the rota for Sundays will restart soon.

Marion and team.

Little Churches, Home Communions.

'Little Churches'

These services have now resumed after an absence of more than a year due to Covid-19.

Faithful members of St. Mary's congregation volunteer to bring God's message of love and hope to those who, for one reason or another, do not attend the usual Sunday service.

After the requisite cuppa to get our pipes in tune, we embark on an intimate service of Holy Communion, sing hymns, read scripture, pray and generally enjoy ourselves!

My thanks to Paul Bullock who runs the Nevil Court service and is assisted by Margaret Holmes and who also provides valuable support to me at Ferndale Court in this ministry for those outside the church walls.

The service last for about 45 minutes.

Steve Rice

West Berkshire Community Hospital

This service has also recommenced after a long period of not being able to meet because of the dreaded 'C' and other infections such as Norovirus. This vital outreach means that patients can see a different face and enjoy fellowship as part of a communion service.

I would like to offer my thanks to Margaret Holmes for her previous attendance and

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give thanks and welcome two new helpers – Barbara Carwardine and Margaret Goodhead, both of whom have settled in very quickly as part of the team and bolstered the presence of helpers from St. Marys.

I couldn't finish this piece without direct reference to Joan Collins who has been an amazing stalwart giving up virtually all of her Sundays to bring a smile to patients and helpers alike and who reads the message most beautifully.

This service last for about 30 minutes and is attended by up to a dozen people made up of patients and visitors.

Steve Rice

C.A.M.E.O. Come and Meet Each Other

CAMEO started in January 2014 with the aim of a weekly meeting place to bring together people in Thatcham who live on their own, who feel lonely after bereavement, or are unable to get out, to come together to make friends, and chat over homemade cake and a cuppa.

Since those early days the group grew substantially and was self funded with the introduction of a weekly raffle. Joan, Viv, Ann and myself, along with three drivers volunteered to serve the group and our reward was to see CAMEO flourish. The number of people coming rose to over 40, but they did not come every week. Cakes and tea were served during the afternoon, mostly home baked cakes, although on special occasions we buy doughnuts and they go down very well!

An appeal was launched for more drivers.

CAMEO restarted on 25[th] April 2022 following the lifting of pandemic restrictions

Meanwhile we continue to collect milk bottle tops for The Thames Valley Air Ambulance charity with bags of tops appearing in church from around the parish! Over £110 has been raised from milk bottle tops. Only milk bottle tops please .

pp Theresa Lucas

The Thatcham Parochial Charities

I wrote a report on the Charities last year, to show another way in which the church interacts with the community in Thatcham. The Thatcham Parochial Charities continued to play a significant role, both in the life of our churches and in support of those in need, last year. The rector and our three churchwardens are ex officio members of the Board of Trustees and I (Chris Druce) am currently a representative of Thatcham Town Council and Chairman of Trustees. Other members of the Board are drawn from representatives of other local councils. Covid continued to impinge on everyone’s life last year and we had to tailor our responses especially in that area, in support of our local residents.

There are 2 principal charities – the ‘Thatcham Parochial Almshouse Charity’ and ‘Thatcham Relief in Need Charity’. We cover the area of the ‘Ancient Borough of Thatcham’, encompassing modern Thatcham, together with Cold Ash, Midgham and

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Greenham. The trustees have a wide remit of responsibility, covering various needs of our local community

The Almshouses – The first almshouses in Thatcham were established by Thomas Loundyes, in 1446 AD. Some of the present almshouse flats, in Chapel Street, are named after him. To qualify for accommodation, applicants should be ‘of a certain age’, a resident in the Ancient Borough and can demonstrate a housing need. All flats are currently occupied. This year has continued to call for special attention, to ensure the continuing health and well-being of all our residents. With all residents being fully vaccinated, more regular visits are now possible, but maintenance work continues to be reduced to the more essential work, with contractors continuing to wear the necessary PPE and any non-essential work put on hold. Hand sanitizer stations and additional cleaning in communal areas are still in use. Fortunately, there has been no major outbreak of virus in any of the properties.

Relief in Need Charity –

The object of this charity is to relieve, either generally or individually, persons resident in the Ancient Borough , who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, by making grants of money or providing items or services to reduce that need.

As with the Almshouse Charity, this year had very special needs for our local community and Relief in Need was very much ‘Open for Business’.

During the year, the charity made grants in excess of £10,500. Grants included a donation of £1,000 to the local 'Laptops for Learning' appeal fund which was fund matched and managed by The Good Exchange. Local schools within the charity scheme area were then able to purchase & loan laptops to some of their pupils to enable home study during enforced pandemic lockdowns. Other grants included the purchase of specialist equipment for a hearing-impaired local resident, substantial garden renovations to enable a disabled young person to access the garden & be included in outdoor family times. Working in conjunction with 2 other local charities afforded the purchase of a mobility scooter for a disabled person giving them greater independence. The more standard requests for white goods, flooring and specialist equipment continued to be received and granted.

So, you can see, it has been another eventful year.

If you know of anyone who may need a helping hand, a piece of equipment otherwise unaffordable, do, please, have a word with me, Mark, or one of the churchwardens.

Thankyou – Chris Druce

House Groups

Thursday group has not been meeting over the past year, but I think we all miss our weekly natter and look forward to meeting ‘Face to Face’ when we can. The dynamics of the group will change when we get back together so we will be at a good point to welcome new people who would like to give ‘House Group’ a go.

Julie Dunwell

Wednesday house group has attempted a mixture of approaches, over the last months and we are hoping to return to some kind of structured learning, in May; at home or at St. Mary's.

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During the last lock down we met via Zoom for informal chats and support. We had a new adventure lead by Ben Hulks, who was part of Wednesday house group. It takes place on Tuesdays at 7.30 and has all along been a structured learning/discussion time. A different day and Zoom has worked really well for this group!

Lourdes Cottam

Further details on the website or from the Parish Office

Prayer Ministry at St. Mary’s

This year we have been praying in our homes, on our walks, on the phone and video calls, in fact wherever we have safely been whilst we haven’t been able to pray with people in person.

Sue Stevenson.

MISSIONS

Thatcham Christian Aid Committee

In 2020-21 (our accounting year runs from October to September), despite continued difficulties with the pandemic and limited fund-raising, we managed to raise a magnificent £2487. Although this is still down from the £4000 raised in 2018/19, it does show a start in recovering from the pandemic.

As I write this (in April) we have also raised £910 since September. Much of this was from generous donations from St Mary’s folk, including a very successful Good Friday Lent Lunch, so I would like to thank you all very much.

By the time of the Church Annual Meeting we will also have had this year’s Christian Aid Week (May 15 th to 21 st ), which hopefully will raise even more. This is obviously vitally necessary at the moment. Christian Aid has raised £2 million itself for Ukraine, and will also get about £14 million from the DEC Appeal. It’s been spending this through local church partners, providing immediate food aid and shelter to refugees crossing the border into Hungary and Romania, and giving Trauma First Aid Emergency Kits directly to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.

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In future it plans to work with the Lutheran World Foundation and World Jewish Relief (supporting elderly refugees), and also Habitat for Humanity (rebuilding housing). It is also, most crucially, lobbying the government not to divert money from other humanitarian crises and long-term development funding. There are strong signs that Ukraine is ‘sucking the oxygen out of the room’ for other appeals, although the rest of the world is struggling even more as a result of the war in Ukraine.

The Christian Aid Week campaign this year focussed on Zimbabwean agriculture, to build earth dams to store water and storage barns to store the harvest, plus giving out drought-resistant seeds. Before climate change led to drought and famine, and before Mugabe’s depredations, Zimbabwe was known as the breadbasket of Southern Africa. Now it is struggling to feed its own people.

Given that Ukraine and Russia normally grow 30% of the world’s wheat, and nearly half of Ukraine’s harvest was exported to Africa, it isn’t hard to see what the outcome will be if we do nothing. It is expected that global wheat prices will increase by at least 10% next year, and the poorest in Africa will simply not be able to pay that.

Can I as ever urge you to give what you can, and above all to pray. With many thanks for your generous giving to Christian Aid throughout the year.

Sarah Bennet Chair, Thatcham Christian Aid Committee

Fairtrade and Traidcraft

Activities involving Fairtrade and Traidcraft have remained suspended since the start of the pandemic and following the departure of Clare and Relan Clarke to live in Basingstoke. Efforts are being made to recruit a successor and reinstate the Fairtrade stall after Parish Communion on one Sunday each month. Any volunteers?

The aim of FAIRTRADE is to secure a better deal for farmers and traders in 74 countries around the world. FAIRTRADE was founded by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, The World Development Movement and The National Federation of Women’s Institutes. The Headquarters is in Bonn, Germany.

The key areas of activity are to:

The organisation has 1,5 million farmers/workers and 1210 FAIRTRADE certified producer organisations. 25% of all FAIRTRADE workers are women. Products are sold by all 5 of major UK supermarkets and over £23 FAIRTRADE premium is generated from sales in the UK.

FACTS:

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Typical products include: tea, coffee, sugar, sweets, pasta, biscuits, cleaning products, home products, fashion products, toys and stationery.

Children’s Society

Collecting boxes at St Mary’s and St Barnabas are used to support the Children’s’ Society in this parish. £600.28 was sent to the Society in 2021. Collecting boxes are available for anyone wanting to support the Society in its work with children.

The money goes to help the Society and its network of centres and projects to deliver specialist services for children who face disaster and danger in their daily lives; children who are unable to find the support they need elsewhere.

If anyone would like to take on the organisation of events for the Society, please speak to speak to Ann Watts or any of the Churchwardens

Ann Watts

USPG

USPG is working with the Anglican Church in Zambia to develop healthcare and leadership programmes that will have an impact on the life and outreach of the church and community. Support was given for training of specialists at the Hospital of St Francis at Katete and other health projects in Zambia.

£1066.11 was given to US in 2021 thanks largely to Cream Teas and raffle in St Mary’s.

If you would like to help, please speak to Ann Watts (864567) to arrange for a collecting Globe.

Ann Watts

West Berks Foodbank

The continuing pandemic and then cost of living increases have meant that a significant number of people used West Berks Foodbank (WBFB) during 2021 and 2022. Single adults, couples and families contacted the Crisis FoodLine for help and support.

Members of St Mary’s and St Barnabas churches have continued to donate much needed basic food items to help those in food poverty. Most churches and community organisations, this church included, have seen their donations to the Foodbank reduced as both the pandemic and rising prices have affected their ability to give as they used to. However we responded generously to the Foodbank’s Harvest Appeal and Reverse Advent Calendar scheme. All our efforts have been welcomed and appreciated.

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As Covid restrictions have eased WBFB’s Foodbank Centres have opened in Thatcham, Hungerford and Burghfield and Mortimer although a hybrid operational model is working well with food deliveries being made to clients unable to get to a Foodbank Centre.

Thank you for supporting the Foodbank – please continue to donate when you can.

Sue Stevenson

Rainbows and Rangers (Girlguiding at St. Mary’s)

Both of the Girlguiding groups have begun again to meet each week at the back of St. Mary’s. The Rainbows (5-7 year olds) and Rangers (14-18 year olds) continue to do all sorts of things from game and crafts to pamper evenings and escape rooms. ‘Goody bags’ have been sent out to the girls each term with all the craft and activity materials that they need for the online evenings.

Problems of storage of equipment and materials in the Tower Room have been eased by the installation of mobile cupboard units thanks to Paul Bullock.

If there is anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the Rainbows or Rangers please contact Julie, julie@dunwell.org or if you would like for information www.girlguiding.org.uk/

Connect

Connect, our parish magazine, is published ten times a year, double issues being December/January and July/August. Particular emphasis was made of circulating the magazine on the website and hand delivery on request. The magazine includes news, information and illustrations about services and events in St. Mary’s and St. Barnabas. All of our clergy team provide a regular article but more contributors are always welcome. Any articles or adverts to be published can be sent to Steve Rice, steverice1@virginmedia.com, or Julie Dunwell, julie@dunwell.org.

Julie Dunwell

Service Rota Teams

A scaled down version of the rota has been operating during this year as we continued to negotiate what churches and their congregations were allowed to do.

Thank you to everyone who supported Sunday services, baptisms, weddings and funerals by reading, leading prayers, handing out books, making people welcome, operating IT equipment to enable those at home to participate in worship.

If you would like to join in and help, please contact me.

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Sue Stevenson

St Mary’s Church Website

The interest on the web site peaked over Easter and dropped back to normal levels quite quickly. There was an instance where the web site was off-line for about a week. FastHosts who providethe domain and associated email addresses had sent an email reminding that the renewal subscription was due. Unfortunately, the administration email address that the message was destined for was no longer in use and was not monitored or forwarded. The due date for the renewal passed and the domain name was taken down. This meant that the web site although still accessible by the web master was off-line to the rest of the world. Restoring the domain name took a while as a new account had to be created and the information transferred from the old, closed domain name account to the new one.

To avoid this in the future, it has been suggested that St. Mary’s has a PayPal account to allow FastHosts and similar organisations to collect payments automatically. PayPal is needed because FastHosts and many similar organisations use only debit or credit cards and PayPal. Cards are associated with an individual and these expire. PayPal does not have these restrictions.

A separate document has been produced giving the benefits, security approach and operational considerations to using PayPal.

The following chart shows the number of unique visits and the number of page views. The information that is shown seems to suggest that many visitors know what they need and go straight to the required page.

The diagram below shows the site traffic for the period of February to May 2022.

The web site is wholly reliant on its content from all participants who are directly and indirectly involved with St. Mary’s and who produce information for general consumption and who organise events. The timely provision of such notices is greatly appreciated and helps to promote the church activities and as can be seen from the charts above, keeps a very wide audience well informed.

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If there is an announcement to make, then it should be on the web site. Please keep the information flowing.

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Annual Parish Meeting 2022 Thatcham

Appendix 1

Minutes of the Thatcham Annual Parish Meeting at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 18[th] July 2021 commencing at 4.00 pm

Attendance: Revd Mark Bennet (in Chair), Revd Nicola Hulks, Revd Brenda Harland, Revd Angela Brennan, Revd Marion Fontaine, Marcia Wadham and 30 residents of Thatcham (including 7 on ZOOM)

Apologies received from: John Hicks, John Harland, Ann and Roger Dykes

The Revd Mark Bennet opened the meeting with prayer.

Mark thanked the wardens for their work in the past year and Chris Watts for his service over many years.

The meeting ended at 4.05 pm

…………………………………………………….Chairman

…………………………………………………….date

Annual Parish Meeting 2022 Thatcham

Appendix 1

Minutes of the Thatcham Annual Parochial Church Meeting at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 18[th] July 2021 commencing at 4.05 pm

Attendance: Revd Mark Bennet (in Chair), Revd Nicola Hulks, Revd Brenda Harland, Revd Angela Brennan, Revd Marion Fontaine, Marcia Wadham and 30 residents of Thatcham (including 7 on ZOOM)

Apologies received from: John Hicks, John Harland, Ann and Roger Dykes

Minutes of the APCM on 20th October 2020 were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Matters arising

None

Annual Report

Proceedings of the PCC as summarised in the Report were noted.

Fabric of St Mary’s and the Log Book. It was agreed that the logbook for 2020/1 and the amended Inventory be agreed and placed in the records of St Mary’s.

Inventory . It was noted that 5 ground level floodlights had been replaced with LED floodlights.

The report of the activities of St Mary’s and St Barnabas Churches in the past year was presented to the meeting. Clarification was sought on the term ‘gaslighting’ in the Safeguarding report on page 11. (see footnote 1). Following a proposal from Mark Bennet, seconded by Chris Druce, it was adopted

It was reported that there were currently 189 names on the Electoral Roll as revised 1[st] July 2021.

Mark expressed thanks for the work of all those groups and the individuals responsible for the wide and varied activities recorded in the Annual Report.

In particular, he referred to the work of the Safeguarding team in dealing with the constant stream of requirements, revision to policies and guidance and in keeping up to date the certification people working with children and vulnerable adults. In particular he thanked Leanne Cox and expressed the best wishes of the congregation following her decision to move to Kent in the summer. Mark thanked Ann Dibble for taking on the Safeguarding Officer role for both Children and Young people and Vulnerable Adults.

Presentation of Accounts

Chris Watts presented the accounts as approved by the PCC and as amended following examination by the Independent Examiner, Monika Tabat of Tax Avenue. He expressed thanks for help received over the year from Peter Harvey Di Gioia, Bernadette Ellison and Ann Watts.

The financial report recorded that the Parish Share had again been paid in full and within the required timetable thus qualifying for the maximum available rebate. The General Account for St Mary’s had shown a deficit of £5,800 on the General Fund in 2020 and an overall deficit of £14,140 largely as result of loss of income from collections and impact on the value of investment in what had been an extraordinary year without regular services. Income from Standing Orders and the Parish Giving Scheme had held up well together with some income from donors using envelopes and a significant response to an appeal for donations.

The change in preparation of the accounts to QuickBooks had been a challenge, particularly following the departure of the Hon Treasurer, Peter Harvey Di Gioia, to Newark.

Annual Parish Meeting 2022 Thatcham

Appendix 1

.

Proposed by Mark Bennet, seconded by Mary Baker and agreed unanimously that the Accounts for 2020 be approved. The meeting thanked Bernie, Ann and Chris for their work on the Accounts.

Appointment of Independent Examiners

The Meeting accepted the recommendation that Tax Avenue Accountants of Turnfields Gate, Thatcham be appointed to examine the accounts for 2021

Election of PCC 2021

John Hicks, Leanne Fowler, Bernadette Ellison, Alison Dean and Lourdes Cottam were elected to PCC to represent St Barnabas.

The meeting accepted the nomination of Chris Druce and Simon Stagg to membership of the PCC.

In summary the PCC includes

Ex officio members,

The clergy:

Revd Mark Bennet, Revd Nicola Hulks, Revd Brenda Harland and Revd Angela Brennan

Churchwardens:

Paul Bullock, Colin Waters and Christine Rice.

Deanery Synod Representatives for the period to 2020/4.

Tony Collie, Catherine Forbes, Mary Stagg and Chris Watts Elected Lay Members:

Viv Druce (2020), Kevin Dunwell (2020), Ann Watts (2020) and Emma Watts (2020). Appointed by St Barnabas:

John Hicks, Leanne Fowler, Bernadette Ellison, Alison Dean and Lourdes Cottam Co-opted members to be as agreed by PCC

Mark thanked all those who have agreed to serve on the PCC from 2021 and expressed thanks to all who had served over the last year.

Chairman’s remarks:

Mark expressed his appreciation for the remarkable Ministry of the Revd Leonard Onugha during his all-too-brief period at Thatcham, his pastoral challenges at Emmer Green and his appointment as Rector of St James, Finchampstead commencing the following day 19[th] July 2021. He commended Leonard and his family to our prayers.

The meeting with the Grace at 4.40 pm

…………………………………………………………….

Chairman

…………………………………………………………….

Date

1 Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. ... For example, in the movie Gaslight (1944), a man manipulates his wife to the point where she thinks she is losing her mind.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2022

Appendix 2

Thatcham Team Ministry

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARY'S, THATCHAM, BERKSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2021

Unrestricted
Funds
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from donors
97,742
Other voluntary incoming resources
15,432
Income from investments
2,725
Income from charitable and ancillary trading
20,882
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
136,780
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Grants and Special Collections
2,076
Activities relating to the work of the Church
130,695
Church Management and administration
6,312
Transfers
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
139,083
NET INCOMING RESOURCES
(2,303)
Gains on investment assets:
on disposal
0
on revaluation
(1,216)
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(3,519)
BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY
24,657
BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER
21,138		 Restricted
Funds
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
589
66
655
(655)
0
13,161
12,506
101,595
114,101		 Endowment
Funds
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5,470
5,470
164,065
169,535		 Total 2021
£
97,742
15,432
2,725
20,882		 Total 2020
£
97,391
11,059
2,419
20,957
136,780 131,826
2,076
131,284
6,378
0
139,738
(2,958)
17,415
14,457
290,319		 2,543
136,459
2,155
0
141,157
(9,331)
0
(4,851)
(14,182)
304,501
304,776 290,319

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Thatcham Team Ministry
Balance Sheet
As of 31 December 2021
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
1001 · PCC Thatcham
1002 · General Fund
1003 · Fabric
1004 · Organ (Designated)
1005 · Organ (Restricted)
1006 · Choir
1007 · Youth work
1008 · Curate (Hsg/Expenses)
1009 · Bell Maintenance
1001 · PCC Thatcham - Other
Total 1001 · PCC Thatcham
1050 · St Barnabas
1052 · St Barnabas - Set Up
2101 · Vicar & Churchwardens Treasurer
2102 · Vicar & Churchwardens Instant
Total Cash at bank and in hand
Other Current Assets
2001 · Investment
2005 · 47a Station Road
2010 · CBF Bell Maintenance 3
2020 · CBF Bell Maintenance 2
2030 · BLK C of E Charity COIF Perp
2050 · BLK Organ Fund (Designated)
2060 · BLK Organ Fund (Restricted)
2070 · Rookery Church Fund
2071 · Rookery Fund (Lloyds)
2090 · Thatcham Church Estate
2093 · Thatc02 BR Char UK Bond
2094 · Thatc02 BR Char UK Equity
Total 2001 · Investment
Total Other Current Assets
Total Current Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Capital and Reserves
1010 · Share Capital Account
3200 · Unrestricted Net Assets
Profit for the Year
Shareholder funds
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY		 4:38 PM
12/05/2022
Accrual Basis
31 Dec 21
(8,289)
34,240
513
140
(49)
(495)
3,809
2,259
(281)
31,847
1,909
90
2,598
1,010
37,454
76,339
29,193
231
28,562
3,493
41,908
114
149
3,156
18,085
69,168
270,398
270,398
307,852
307,852
304,730
(13,335)
16,456
307,851
307,851		 31 Dec 20
(2,496)
35,490
(1,206)
140
61
(495)
615
2,848
(281)
34,676
541
90
2,238
867
38,412
76,339
24,836
231
24,990
4,901
36,668
122
149
2,964
19,815
61,968
252,983
252,983
291,395
291,395
304,730
126
(13,461)
291,395
291,395

Page 2 of 7

3:41 PM 16/02/21 Accrual Basis Accrual Basis Jan - Dec 21 Jan - Dec 20

Thatcham Team Ministry Profit & Loss January through December 2021

Ordinary Income/Expense Income

3000 · General Income 3100 · Donor income

Income/Expense
me
3000 · General Income
3100 · Donor income		 Jan - Dec 21 Jan - Dec 20
3110 · Service Collections
3111 · Easyfundraising
3112 · Goodbox
3113 · Petty Cash
3110 · Service Collections - Other
Total 3110 · Service Collections
3120 · Stewardship
3121 · Envelopes
3122 · PGS
3123 · Standing Orders
3124 · Tax reclaimed
3125 · Donations
3127 · Share Rebate
Total 3120 · Stewardship
Total 3100 · Donor income
3210 · Other voluntary Income
3220 · Mission
3221 · Childrens' Society
3222 · Christian Aid
3223 · USPG
Total 3220 · Mission
3230 · St Barnabas - Share
3240
Gifts/Presentations
3250 · Grants Youth Work
3251
Grants general
3260
Curates Hsg Rent
Total 3210 · Other voluntary Income
3310 · Investment Income
3315 · Investment Income
3310 · Investment Income - Other
Total 3310 · Investment Income
3410 · Charity and Trading
3415 · BRF income
3420 · Fees
3422 · Funerals
3423 · Registrar
3425 · Wedding 2020
3426 · Wedding 2021
Total 3420 · Fees
3427 · Advertisements
3440
Functions/Activities
3440 · Mast Rental
3450 · Altar Books
Total 3410 · Charity and Trading
3510 · Building / Equipment Income
3520 · Hall Hire
3530
Other B/E Income
3536
Organ Appeal
Total 3510 · Building / Equipment Income
3610 · Choir Income
3620 · Choir Fees
3610
Choir Income - other
Total 3610 · Choir Income
3710 - St Barnabas income
Total 3000 · General Income
3421 - Memorial
3428 - Printing/Photocopying		 0
518
-26
4,586
5,079
6,369
23,455
24,060
15,669
9,454
642
79,650
84,729
600
0
1,066
1,666
9,600
405
762
501
3,260
16,194
2,725
0
2,725
227
400
12,203
6
0
2,484
15,093
80
82
295
5,105
0
20,882
650
606
5
1,261
80
40
120
10,870		 31
549
-28
1,895
2,447
9,069
21,863
24,380
14,661
11,294
1,917
83,184
85,632
40
0
719
759
10,300
0
556
360
3,781
15,756
484
1,962
2,446
198
0
11,779
16
2,297
1,213
15,305
337
0
0
5,100
18
20,957
970
0
0
970
160
0
160
10,073
136,780 135,993
Total Income 136,780 135,993
Expense
4001 · General Expense
4010 · Grants & Special Collection
4011 · Missions
401 Berkshire Churches Trust
4013 · Childrens' Society
4014 · USPG
4015 · Foodbank
4016 · Christian Aid
4017 · Bathlaros
4019 · Other grants
Total 4011 · Missions
Total 4010 · Grants & Special Collection
4030 · Work of the Church
4031 · Ministry
4032 · Parish Share
4033 · Clergy Expenses
4034 · Youth work
4035 · Function & Activities
4036 · Fees (ODBF)
4037 · Bank Account Charges
4038 · BRF expenses
4041 · Curate Training
4042 · Curate expenses
4043 · Curate Housing
Total 4041 · Curate Training
4031 Ministry other
Total 4031 · Ministry
4051 · Church running costs
4052 · Utilities
4053 · Electricity
4054 · Gas
4055 · Water
4056 · Telephone / Broadband
Total 4052 · Utilities
4057 · Insurance
4058 · Professional Fees
Total 4051 · Church running costs
4061 · Upkeep of Services
4062 · Altar
Total 4061 · Upkeep of Services
6510 · Choir expenses
6524 · RSCM
6526 · CCLA Copyright
Total 6510 · Choir expenses
Total 4030 · Work of the Church
4070 · Administration
4072 · Copier
4073 · Stationery
4074 · Subscriptions
4076 · Audit
4077 · Administrator
4078 · General Admin
Total 4070 · Administration
Total 4001 · General Expense
5001 · Building Expense
5020 · Fixed Equipment
4025 · Organ tuning & minor repair
4026 · Organ Appeal & Major Repair
Total 5020 · Fixed Equipment
4201 - Presentations
6527 - Events
5010 - Repairs		 10
600
1,066
0
0
0
0
1,676
400
2,076
94,423
217
782
40
10,395
330
235
0
66
66
100
106,588
1,338
820
16
720
2,895
4,889
4,400
12,183
359
359
110
220
54
384
119,514
836
61
0
864
3,675
211
5,647
127,237
90
281
0
281		 10
40
719
120
0
100
402
1,391
1,391
95,377
71
727
349
8,426
371
233
1,322
530
1,852
0
107,406
1,530
2,644
109
799
5,083
5,096
3,820
13,999
52
52
107
212
0
319
121,776
702
145
0
231
2,025
67
3,171
126,337
272
312
584
5040 · Equipment repair & replacement
5070 · Projects
5072 · Electrical - Lights
Total 5070 · Projects
Total 5001 · Building Expense
7010 · Bells
7020 · Projects
7021 · Air Conditioning
7022 · Bell repair
Total 7020 · Projects
Total 7010 · Bells
8001 - St Barnabas payments
Total Expense
Net Ordinary Income
Other Income/Expense
Other Income
9000 · Unrealised revaluation
2010 · CBF Bell Maintenance 3
2020 · CBF Bell Maintenance 2
9005 · BLK C of E Charity COIF Perp
9002 · BLK Organ Fund (Designated)
9001 · BLK Organ Fund (Restricted)
9004 · Rookery Church Fund
2080 · Rookery Fund (Lloyds)
9003 · Thatcham Church Estate
9006 · Thatc02 BR Char UK Bond
9007 · Thatc02 BR Char UK Equity
Total 9000 · Unrealised revaluation
8002 - St B account correction
Profit for the year		 835
1,203
1,203
2,409
189
0
400
589
9,503
139,738
-2,958
4,357
0
3,572
-1,408
5,240
-8
0
192
-1,730
7,200
17415
0
14457		 1,409
150
150
2,144
-773
3,943
3,169
3,169
12,125
143,775
-7,782

THATCHAM PCC Year ended 31 December 2021

Unrestricted funds
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from donors
Other voluntary incoming resources
Income from investments
Income from charitable and ancillary trading
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Grants and Special Collections
Activities relating to the work of the Church
Church Management and administration
Transfers
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
NET INCOMING RESOURCES		 Total
£
97,742
15,432
2,725
20,882		 General
Organ
Fabric
Youth
Choir
St B
£
£
£
£
£
£
84,729
1,261
762
120
10,870
15,432
2,725
20,882
136,780 123,767
0
1,261
762
120
10,870
2,076
130,695
6,312
0		 2,076
0
118,282
2,128
782
9,503
5,647
281
384
139,083 126,005
281
2,128
782
384
9,503
(2,303) (2,238)
(281)
(867)
(20)
(264)
1,367
Restricted funds
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from donors
Other voluntary incoming resources
Income from investments
Income from charitable and ancillary trading
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Grants and Special Collections
Activities relating to the work of the Church
Church Management and administration
Transfers
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
NET INCOMING RESOURCES
TOTAL		 Total
0
0
0
0		 Bells
Hatherley
0
0
589
66
0
655
0
(655)
0
0
589
66
0
655
(655)
(2,958)

https://d.docs.live.net/ddc99f3954bbb9a9/St Marys/Finance/2022 AGM/Accounts summary 2021 May 12 a 2022.xlsx Funds

THATCHAM PCC
Year ended 31 December 2021
Assets
2,021
Analysis of current account (Lloyds Bank)
General fund
-8,289
Organ (Designated)
34,240
Organ (Restricted)
513
Fabric
140
Choir
-49
Youth
-495
Bell Maintenance
3,809
Curates Hsg/Expenses (formerly Hatherley)
2,259
other
-281
total
31,847
St Barnabas (HSBC Acc)
1,909
St Barnabas (Set up - HSBC Acc)
90
33,846
Assets of general funds
Current accounts (Lloyds + HSBC)
33,846
Charishare (CBF Organ Funds)
45,401
Charishare (Blk Bell Maintenance)
28,562
CBF (Bell Maintenance 2+ 3)
29,424
Total
137,233
Endowments
Station Road (Curate Hsg)
76,339
Charifund (Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd)
87,253
Rookery
263
Church Estate (Blk Bond + Equity / V&C Lloyds)
6,764
170,619
Total assets
307,852
QB 31/12/2021
less o/s credits
cash credit 520
2,388.00
HMRC tax reclaim
3,383.49
Cellnex
1,275.00
plus o/s debits
ODBF Fees
2,961.00
Children's Society
600.28
USPG
1,066.11
Lloyds Statement 31/12/2021
check
Reconciliation PCC Thatcham Acc at Lloyds		 THATCHAM PCC
Year ended 31 December 2021
Assets
2,021
Analysis of current account (Lloyds Bank)
General fund
-8,289
Organ (Designated)
34,240
Organ (Restricted)
513
Fabric
140
Choir
-49
Youth
-495
Bell Maintenance
3,809
Curates Hsg/Expenses (formerly Hatherley)
2,259
other
-281
total
31,847
St Barnabas (HSBC Acc)
1,909
St Barnabas (Set up - HSBC Acc)
90
33,846
Assets of general funds
Current accounts (Lloyds + HSBC)
33,846
Charishare (CBF Organ Funds)
45,401
Charishare (Blk Bell Maintenance)
28,562
CBF (Bell Maintenance 2+ 3)
29,424
Total
137,233
Endowments
Station Road (Curate Hsg)
76,339
Charifund (Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd)
87,253
Rookery
263
Church Estate (Blk Bond + Equity / V&C Lloyds)
6,764
170,619
Total assets
307,852
QB 31/12/2021
less o/s credits
cash credit 520
2,388.00
HMRC tax reclaim
3,383.49
Cellnex
1,275.00
plus o/s debits
ODBF Fees
2,961.00
Children's Society
600.28
USPG
1,066.11
Lloyds Statement 31/12/2021
check
Reconciliation PCC Thatcham Acc at Lloyds		 2,021
-8,289
34,240
513
140
-49
-495
3,809
2,259
-281		 2020
-2,496
35,490
-1,206
140
61
61
615
2,848
-281
31,847 35,232
1,909
90		 541
90
33,846 35,863
33,846
45,401
28,562
29,424		 35,863
41,568
24,900
25,067
137,233 127,398
76,339
87,253
263
6,764		 76,339
81,783
271
6,070
170,619 164,463
307,852 291,861
QB 31/12/2021
less o/s credits
cash credit 520
2,388.00
HMRC tax reclaim
3,383.49
Cellnex
1,275.00
plus o/s debits
ODBF Fees
2,961.00
Children's Society
600.28
USPG
1,066.11
Lloyds Statement 31/12/2021
Reconciliation PCC Thatcham Acc at Lloyds		 31,847.00
7,046.49
4,627.39
29,427.90
29,429.24
check 1.34

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THATCHAM TEAM MINISTRY CHARITY

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the Independent Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity, and a comparison on 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 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 statement below.

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 41 of the 1993 Act, and to prepare accounts in accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 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.

Mtabat

Mrs Monika Tabatabaian ATT MAAT

Tax Avenue Turnfields Gate, Turnfields Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4PT

Date: 6 May 2022