Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
The Methodist Church
Radcliffe-on-Trent eee
Trustees’ Annual Report to the Charity Commission, Financial Review, and Other Information for the Year ended 31st August 2025
© 2025. All rights reserved. This is an unpublished work the copyright in which vests in Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Council.
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3 2. AIMS AND PURPOSES .................................................................................................................................... 3 3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................................ 3 4. REVIEW OF THE YEAR .................................................................................................................................... 4 5. PLANS FOR 2024/2025 ................................................................................................................................ 5 6. FINANCIAL REVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 6 6.1 INCOME TRENDS .................................................................................................................................................... 6 6.2 EXPENDITURE TRENDS ............................................................................................................................................ 6 7. RESERVES POLICY ......................................................................................................................................... 6 8. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................... 7 9. RISK MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 7 10. SAFEGUARDING ......................................................................................................................................... 8 11. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION .................................................................................................................... 9 12. DECLARATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 9 13. ACCOUNTS ............................................................................................................................................. 10 APPENDIX A – CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP .............................................................................................................. 15
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Trustees’ Annual Report
1. Introduction
Welcome to the annual report of the managing trustees of Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church. Methodism has been present in Radcliffe since the late 18[th] century when residents were inspired to form a Methodist society after a visit by John Wesley to the local area. Today we are a community of people of all ages who love to follow Jesus and enjoy worshipping and working together. We are active in our village community, sharing good news about Jesus, caring, serving and joining in. We are committed to doing this together with other Christians in Radcliffe wherever possible.
2. Aims and purposes
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We are part of the Methodist Church in Great Britain and as such share the same purposes, i.e. the advancement of:
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The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
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Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
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Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
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Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church
In doing this in Radcliffe-on-Trent we seek to live out our Mission Statement which is :
As God’s Methodist family in Radcliffe-on-Trent we commit as individuals and as a church :
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To follow Jesus and share the good news of God’s love for all, united in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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To grow in faith and care for all.
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To give generously and share our resources wholeheartedly to meet spiritual and social needs in our village and wider community.
3. Objectives and activities
The main activities of the church are:
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The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and nonmembers- alike.
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The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
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The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
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Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
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Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
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Provision of services to local schools, care homes and other institutions as appropriate and when able.
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
4. Review of the year
Radcliffe Methodist Church has had an action-packed year, where worshipping God has been at the core of who we are and the inspiration to serve each other and the wider community.
Worship
Sunday worship is at the heart of all we do at Radcliffe Methodist Church. Twice a month, our services have focused around ‘A Methodist Way of Life’; twelve spiritual practices which can draw us deeper into Christ and send us out to transform our community for good. Every Sunday there are children’s activities, either within the service or the children leave for age-appropriate teaching.
We have held many special services including the chapel anniversary, the harvest festival (with gifts for the food bank), a family hot chocolate and Christingle service, carol services, and Mothering Sunday worship– where flowers were gifted to people in the high street. A particular highlight was out scratch nativity where congregants and guests came dressed as their favourite nativity character (having several Marys was not a problem!) and took part in a lively, chaotic, unrehearsed nativity play. The Easter morning Communion service was especially well attended, and we had to prepare extra bread and wine during the service.
Life is not always full of joy and so we have made space for services which acknowledge our pain and to offer it into God’s hands. In November we held a reflective service for those who had been bereaved. Our Christmas Eve service made space for quietly wondering at Jesus’ birth. We held an ash-ing service at the beginning of lent giving us space to reflect on the things that we have done wrong and God’s amazing forgiveness. Our Tenebrae and Good Friday services made space to reflect on Christ’s agony at the Crucifixion and how God is with us in our pain
We held a pilot Messy Church (craft-based family worship) in the Spring which was attended by church members and people from the community. Following a second Messy Church in the summer holiday, we agreed to hold the event once every half-term.
The church offers various prayer meetings and a Bible study group.
Pastoral Care
Radcliffe Methodist Church has a large team of trained pastoral visitors. Each member of the congregation (with their consent) is allocated a pastoral visitor who may offer encouragement and prayer support when needed. The pastoral visitors inform the minister if a member is especially struggling or would appreciate a home Communion service.
During the Spring, the pastoral visitors took part in a four-session training course ‘Who Cares?’ written by the Methodist Church. Particular highlights included having the space to reflect on what it means to be bereaved, and the space to learn new ways of supporting people spiritually.
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Serving the community
Radcliffe Methodist Church continues to organise many regular community events. Activities provided for adults include Tuesday Lite (a social group for the elderly), a well-attended monthly soup lunch and ever popular coffee mornings and community Café. These are mostly attended by older people.
Children are served well through the provision of a weekly Little Angels toddler group. The minister leads assemblies and occasional lessons at Radcliffe Junior School. South Nottingham Academy’s gardening club sent vegetables to our harvest festival. Many of the children attending our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Youth Group received bronze, silver and gold awards in a special ceremony in December. Unfortunately, due to a change in the personal circumstances of the key leader, this group has become less active as the year progressed.
Radcliffe Methodist Church loves to celebrate life and so we organised a community art project at the village carnival (where we also won second prize for our float), invited the community to our lively advent fayre, and hosted beautiful flower festival. Food always goes down well, and we have feasted our way through cream teas, harvest suppers and an amazing Garden party. We have raised money for several local and international charities, including Christian Aid where we ran a pop-up café and plant stall in the village’s High Street.
More information can be found about the life of the church and its ongoing activities on the church’s website:
(http://www.radcliffemethodist.org.uk)
5. Plans for 2025/2026
During the coming year, we intend to continue these activities, with the exception of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme, which is currently suspended and likely to close due to the withdrawal of support from Nottingham County Council and a change in the key leader’s circumstances. We continue to discern the best way forward for this group, and the church as a whole.
Specific plans include:
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A vision day planned for October 11[th] lead by staff from the Methodist District to review where we are at set priorities for the coming months.
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Completing the Methodist Way of Life service series.
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To further embed a monthly prayer meeting focused on the church and local community needs.
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To increase the regularity of Messy Church to once a half-term
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To strengthen links with the junior school. This includes each year group coming to visit the church in November and the minister leading regular assemblies at the school.
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To build on the new and tentative links forming with the secondary school including visiting the school’s gardening club and communicating with the Head of RE to see if we can help the school in anyway.
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A Christmas tree festival in place of the advent fayre as it has become less well attended over the last few years.
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To build on the tentative links being built with the local bookshop, who has asked for us to be involved in an (as yet unspecified) Christmas project.
Our minister will be taking on extra responsibilities within the Methodist Circuit commencing in the New Year.
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
6. Financial review
6.1 Income trends
Total income has decreased during the year from £98,030 in 2023-2024 to £93,959 this year. Income from standing order donations and the weekly collection have decreased by about £3,900, Income from lettings has increased from £13,470 to £16,367 due to increased demand.
We don’t expect the income from lettings to increase again next year, as we are approaching capacity. As expenses have increased this year our net income reduced by £13,206.
6.2 Expenditure trends
The major cost to the General Fund (Unrestricted) is the assessment paid to the Nottingham South Methodist Circuit. This was Increased to £53,316 for the year, as requested by the Nottingham South Methodist Circuit. A significant amount of the Circuit assessment is used to pay the District assessment, stipends and related costs to Ministers.
We have signed a new contract with EON for Gas and Electricity and expect it will cost slightly more than this year’s amount.
The increase in the cost of living and a forecast rise in the employer’s national insurance is likely to increase our general expenditure in the coming year.
7. Reserves policy
It is the church’s policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted general funds, if possible, that equates to six months’ general expenditure. This year we have reviewed our reserve amount and increased it from £40,000 to £47,000. The demographics of the donors, and the very generous donations of a small number of donors, makes the General Fund susceptible to sudden loss of income. The church also needs to be able to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time.
As of 31[st] August 2025, the church had the following balances.
£61,923 in the CFB account, of which £47,000 is kept as reserves and £14,923 is savings. £21,317 in the NatWest current Account.
£2,502 is with TMCP (Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes).
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
8. Structure, governance and management
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church is part of the Nottingham South Methodist Circuit of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, which is part of the Methodist Nottingham and Derby District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
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The governing document for the church is the Methodist Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976)
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Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual Conference (CPD).
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Day to day management of the church is undertaken by the Church Leadership team along with the Minister.
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The members of the Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Council meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of church office holders, the Minister and representatives appointed by the church at the Annual General Meeting. The Minister is appointed by the Methodist Conference; the Circuit representative is appointed by the Circuit Meeting; the Church representatives are appointed by the Church Annual Meeting; the Treasurer, Secretary and Church Stewards are appointed by the Church Council; the Safeguarding Co-ordinator is appointed by the Church Council and the Lay Worker is appointed by the Circuit Meeting. The full list of Church Council members and key lay employees is shown as Appendix A to this report.
The internal organisations linked to this church are;
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Little Angels (Carer & Toddler Group)
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Radcliffe Community Cafe
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Youth Group
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Food for Thought
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Card Stall
Trustee Training:
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A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the church and the role of Trustees is given to the Church Trustees at various meetings and / or training sessions.
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“The Essential Trustee” produced by the Charity Commission (publication CC3) has formed part of trustee training.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.
9. Risk Management
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Trustees with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
10. Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
The Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
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The care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
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The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
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The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
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We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
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We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
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We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
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We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
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We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
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In all these principles we will follow legislation guidance and recognised good practice.
Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. Radcliffe on Trent Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
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Radcliffe-On-Tnt Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370 I l. Administrative inforn]ation Full Name of Charfty/Churth:_Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Re8lStration Charity Number:_1159370 Date of registratlon:.26 November 2014 Main communication address: Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Shelford Road Radcliffe-on-Trent Nottingham NG12 2AG Treasurer The Finance Team is made up of four people, Stephany Fog& Peter Watson, Rebecca Patterson, and Sally Horn who oversee the day to dayfinancial management and accounting forthe Church. Stephany Fogg is the named contart as Treasurer. Independent examlner Eva Stevens, Chief Executive, Communrty Accounting Plus. Units l and 2. North West, 41 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NGI 5GY. Bankers Natwest Bank, 52 Rectory Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6FF Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. 9 Bonhill St, London EC2A 4PE. Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester. Ml IJQ 12. Declarations The Trustees Annual Report was approved by the Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Council on ...7th December 2025..... and signed on its behalf by: Signature .-5i8nature Name: -Name . Position :_Chair of the meeting Position :_Secretary to the meeting Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025 Page 9 of 15
Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
13. Accounts
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Raddiffe-on-Trent Meth(Klist Church Registered Charity No 1159370 .. 1159370 Declarations and Scrutiny NaTh dthe Chirrfthe R'd Sp¥ry O}.l.Ji/.2az.s Chwitymwnber 1159370 IJ11 (knAd). CA)n1riw wxler seckn 1495Xb>d•* A Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025 Page 13 of 15
Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Annual report for the year ended 31st August 2025
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Radcliffe-on-Trent Methodist Church Registered Charity No 1159370
Appendix A – Church Council membership
The Church Council members during the financial year to 31[st] August 2024, unless otherwise stated, were:
| stated, were: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Name | Dates |
| Minister: | Rev’d Naomi Sparey | |
| Church Stewards: | Chris Boon | From 24-10-24 |
| Anabelle Luce | ||
| Jean Smith | ||
| Ann Mills | ||
| Hilary Greenhalgh | ||
| Jan Sanderson | ||
| Church Representatives and other members of the Church Council: |
||
| Church Council Secretary: | Margery Siggs | |
| Pastoral Secretary: | Christine Anderson | |
| Lead Treasurer: | Stephany Fogg | |
| Property Steward: | Rick Sanderson | |
| Property Secretary: | Peter Watson | |
| Helen Hancock | ||
| Dave Morley | ||
| Stuart Jones | ||
| Roger Allton | ||
| Margaret Ann Dickie | ||
| Jane James | ||
| Elaine Upton | ||
| Neville Bemrose | Until 01-06-25 | |
| Marion Petch | ||
| Gwyn Farmer | ||
| Stuart Mason | Until 11-02-24 | |
| Sue Wakefield | Until 11-02-24 | |
| Alan Wakefield | Until 11-02-24 | |
| Jon Hancock | ||
| Lisa Jones | ||
| Angie Albery | From 01-06-25 | |
| Andy Morley-Tyson | From 01-06-25 | |
| Youth Group Leader | Mark Greenhalgh | |
| Safeguarding Co-ordinator | Christine Morley | Until 11-02-25 |
| Gift Aid Co-ordinator | Peter Watson | |
| Charity Commission Registrar | Peter Watson | |
| Circuit Representative | Steve Nicholson | |
| Children’s Representative | Andy Morley-Tyson |
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