Parish Church of St Andrew, Kettering
Part of Kettering Deanery in the Diocese of Peterborough
Annual Report
and Financial Statements
of the Parochial Church Council
for the year ended 31[st] December 2024
Vicar from 25[th] January 2021 Rev Thomas Houston St Andrew’s Vicarage Lindsay Street Kettering NN16 8RG
Bank: Nat West 16 Hight Street Kettering NN16 8SZ
Independent Examiner: Paul Adams 19 Wymington Park Rushden Northants NN10 9JP
Index
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PAGE ITEM
NUMBER
3 Vicars Report
7 PCC Members List
8 Minutes of the APCM 19 [th] May 2024
15 Electoral Roll
17 Treasurer’s Report
18 PCC Accounts
33 Independent Examiner’s
34 Churchwarden’s Report
36 Church Attendance figures
37 Kettering Deanery Synod
38 17 [th] Kettering St Andrew’s Scout Group
39 20 [th] Kettering St Andrew’s Guide Group
40 Art Group
41 Café Church
42 Choir Report
43 Church Gardeners
44 Fun on Fridays
45 Kettering Arts Centre
47 Little Ands
48 Make and Natter
49 Mother’s Union
51 Pastoral Committee
52 Running Group
53 Safeguarding
54 Social Committee - Report and Accounts
’
57 St Andrew s Ladies - Report and Accounts
59 Sunday Club
61 Walking Group
62 Welcome Events
63 Worship Band
64 Post Redevelopment Technical Report
67 St Andrew’s Parochial Trust (Church rooms)
68 Annual Report
69 Review of the Year
70 Accounts
71 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
73 Independent Examiners Report
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Vicar’s Report
Reflection on a Year of Faith, Community, and Growth
As we look back upon the year 2024, St Andrew’s Church has experienced remarkable moments of faith, community and growth. It is no small miracle that we are able to celebrate this, when the highlight for many of us this year has been the completion of the redevelopment project. That we have seen the church grow, people come to faith and develop in who they are and their gifts is such a joy to share with you.
The redevelopment project
In January, St Andrew’s held its first service of the year, not in the church, but up the corridor in the main hall. 90 seats were placed out and by the end of the six months, those were not enough, with many having to stand.
Goodfellows builders arrived on site that same week and soon began digging down into the main church area. The first few months we watched with awe as the beauty of the church became more and more like a lunar landscape. By February, the trenches were dug and a time capsule was laid containing many St Andrew’s artifacts for future generations to discover.
Then the first layer of special glass foam was shoveled in and levelled flat. In March more and more layers were added of insulation, thermite sand and of course the underfloor heating. By April the first tiles had been laid and the top tiles were finally fitted. May seemed to drag as we waited in anticipation for the project to be completed, but the stage, electrics and other final details all needed to be done. We did breathe a sigh of relief that we had chosen to move the big celebration weekend to September rather than its original date of June as we only just made it back into church on the second Sunday of that month for our All Together service led by Harriett and Archdeacon Alison.
None of us would have set this date for our first week back, but in hindsight, God’s hand was surely over it. We had set out on this project to make the church fit for the next generation and open it up to the local community. That week we had 300 pieces of art from Tresham’s college students arrive. They appeared at our brand new church and we watched in horror as 20 teenagers and teachers dragged boards and artwork around. However as jarring as that was for many of us, it was also one of the best things that happened as it allowed us to make sure the space was used as it was intended. Not to ask people to take their shoes off so they don’t scratch the floor, but it to be used to its fullness as a blessing to the congregation and the community around us.
The tech team deserve a special mention as they then fitted wires and cables, allowing us to bring back some normality to services and arts centre events. By September we were almost ready for the big celebration weekend. A few days before, our new stackable wooden chairs arrived and on the weekend of the 21st September 2024 we were able to celebrate all that God had done at St Andrew’s and give thanks to God and all the faithful people who had invested in this long anticipated project.
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The big weekend
On the Friday we held an evening for those who had been in the background ensuring the project continued and was successful. This included Clemmie (fundraiser), the grant funders themselves, Adrian (architect), Stuart (head builder) and Reverend Nick and Becky Wills, who arrived just in time for their presentation after getting stuck in traffic coming down from Edinburgh.
On the Saturday we held a family fun day with crafts and a bouncy castle in the church. That evening we saw the return of MC Nick Wills leading the comedy club on our new stage. Then on Sunday morning we welcomed Bishop Debbie who came and blessed the new space and led us in our worship and celebrations. It was a joyful weekend and one that will stay with me for a long time.
I normally try to avoid mentioning those who have passed away in the annual report for fear of upsetting someone who I do not include, but the shock and the proximity to the redevelopment celebrations means I would like to mention John Weaver. John passed away suddenly on the 24th August 2024. He was a churchwarden when I arrived and had held the project through the ups and downs of covid, interregnum and a new vicar arriving. It is no small thing to say, without John we would likely not have seen the project completed to the level we see it today. One comfort I have held on to is that John was able to see the project completed and particularly the organ installed and played before he passed away.
John is greatly missed.
The last few months have been a time of great joy and excitement as like a child on Christmas getting to play with all the gifts, we have been so blessed by this incredible space of a redeveloped church. It has been wonderful to see how God used the time we were in the hall to bring growth and now being back in the church we have only seen that continue to blossom.
The rest of the reports from our many and ever increasing groups will hopefully showcase the great stories of what God is doing in St Andrew’s but for the final section of my report I would like to highlight our three values and where we have seen God moving and the blessings that have come from focusing on developing those areas.
Arts
This value seeks to grow creativity and enabling others to gain confidence in sharing their God - given talents.
In June, I attended a weeklong course on arts and mission and was so encouraged and inspired by how arts can help us connect people with God. Many of the art forms we already utilise to connect people with God such as through worship music, preaching, the liturgy of a service. It also opened up how new ways, such as the visual arts, can help connect people to God and deepen our relationship with him.
We have trialed a few new faith-based arts events, such as the Russian orthodox icon talk and the bible journalling workshop. We are also partnering with and supporting Christian artists in our local area.
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The arts centre had to be closed for the first half of the year and we were all pleased to return to events in May. We also welcomed Mark Ingram to the team as our new verger, in September. Mark has been brilliant in enabling the arts centre to grow and taking on more of the timeconsuming tasks such as the setting up and packing down of the events. Mark has also continued with growing the prayer life of the church and supporting other new groups to develop and thrive, like Fun on Friday. In September, Caty Jepps also started as an intern and has jumped in feet first bringing her enthusiasm and skills to all areas of the church.
Derek and Maggie Price started training as lay ministers in September and David Carter entered his second year of training. All three have richly blessed the church with their ministry and leadership and we have loved watching them grow.
The children and youth teams have also gone from strength to strength, with three healthy groups now running on a Sunday. Sunday Club, Sunday Stars and Youth. Alongside Little Ands and Youth on Thursday for those on the edges of church. At the end of the year, Sue M and her team also began a new drop-in group for families – Fun on Friday and we look forward to seeing how that develops. Our amazing children and youth leaders have certainly been one of the main reasons we have seen the number of families attending double this year.
Belief
This value seeks to offer spaces for people to grow deeper in their relationship with God.
Our lent course focused this year on mental health and the Bible. This was a timely subject and joined in with our first trial of the Kintsugi hope wellbeing course. I loved leading this with Vineyard church and the conversations on faith throughout the time were so encouraging. After Easter we delved into the book of Ruth and as we entered back into church we began a new sermon series on ‘back to basics’ – looking at the core parts of faith through the lens of the creed. We worked with Vineyard church again, leading an Alpha course, which was also a great time of seeing people go deeper in faith.
Alongside this, we also continued to see the many regular spaces that allow people to explore and sustain their faith, From Evensong, Boilerhouse, Café Church, Time to Pray, Wednesday Communion and our 8:15 service.
It was a real joy to lead the long-awaited Coventry prayer day and to see people discovering more about their prayer life. This continued with the lent prayer walks which Mark led around the town.
Community
God tells the Israelites he must lead them into the desert to prepare them for the promised land. Nobody likes to be in the desert, but looking back the time in the rooms during the building work certainly helped to bring the church together and prepare us for what was to come. The smaller space, lower ceiling and need to pack down and set up each Sunday brought the church community closer together. I particularly enjoyed that when we were finally able to return to the building, a few members of the church wanted to stay in the rooms.
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We have continued to build stronger links with the town, particularly through the growing structures of churches together and the arts cultural consortium. Through both, St Andrew’s has helped increase collaboration with other groups and see much stronger friendships in both areas. We continue to build on our relationship with St Andrew’s primary school and Caty has been developing stronger links with Bishop Stopford secondary school working there one morning a week with the chaplain.
Our many groups and fantastic leaders help offer something for everyone, from the running club and walking group to crafts and card making. I hope as you read through the reports you are encouraged as I am by the different spaces which have been created to enable people to build friendships, encourage one another and develop in their faith.
Final thoughts
Our leadership team is such a blessing to me and every member gives so much to enable the church to be a place of blessing in this community. From our churchwardens, to the leadership team and PCC.
A big thank you to Christine, who sadly stood down as churchwarden in May. This was a big loss for the church, but we have been so grateful for her strong and wise leadership throughout these past three years.
Another big thank you to Clare and Kirsty who stepped down as safeguarding officers. They have been instrumental in making sure the church goes above and beyond in our safeguarding of the community.
Thankyou to Peter Bell who did so much to ensure the slides and PowerPoint was ready as we transitioned to using screens, especially the many hours he spent typing up hymn lyrics. We have now moved to ProPresenter and this has helped share the load with songs already preloaded. However, we would not have made it to this point without Peter’s countless hours helping make this possible.
I always marvel at how so many people offer so much and I continually discover the small and hidden ways that people are serving in the church and it is impossible to thank everyone. I do hope though, that this year, having returned to the church, you have been encouraged that God sees what you give and nothing is ever wasted when we give it to God. So often it comes back double, triple and more than what the little we first gave. I pray you have been encouraged by what God is doing this year and is continuing to do in St Andrew’s, Kettering and his global church. We look forward to seeing what comes in 2025.
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St. Andrew’s Kettering PCC 19[th] May 2024 Membership list after APCM
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Vicar Rev Tom Houston CRR 14(1)(a)
-
(ex officio)
Team Ministry Members Rev Brian Withington CRR14 (1)(c)
(ex-officio) Mark Ingram – Urban Monk
Churchwardens Barbara Carter CRR 14(1)(d)
(ex-officio) Sue Merrifield
Readers Margaret Bell CRR 14(1)(e)
-
(ex officio by PCC resolution)
Diocesan Synod Rev Tom Houston CRR 14(1)(f)
-
(2021 2024)
Deanery Synod John Weaver CRR 14(1)(f)
(2023 -2026) Jane Lawrence
Graham Dickenson
Susie Jones
Serving until APCM 2025 Debbie Cox – Secretary CRR 14(1)(g)
David Carter – Deputy Warden
Bethany Roberts
Serving until APCM 2026 Nick Maple CRR 14(1)(g)
Clare Smith
Zoe Tones
Rosemary Harradine - Treasurer
Serving until APCM 2027 Josie Fletcher CRR 14(1)(g)
Dianna Burrows
Hilary Whitwell
Christine Smith – Vice Chair
Co-opted members None CRR 14 (1) (h)
(max of 2) CRR 14 (1) (h)
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The abbreviation CRR… refers to the section of the Church Representation Rules under which the individual is a member of the Parochial Parish Council.
These may be summarised as follows:
(a) Clergy (b) Lay workers (c) Team Ministry members (d) Churchwardens (e) Readers (f) Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod members (g) Elected Lay members (h) Co-opted members.
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Minutes of the
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting Sunday19th May 2024 at 11.15am in St Andrew’s Church Rooms
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1
1. Opening prayers – Rev. Tom Houston opened the
meeting with prayers at 12noon
2. Appointment of clerk to the joint meeting. Proposed: Barbara Carter
Debbie Cox indicated that she was willing to stand Seconded: Rosemary Harradine
In favour: All present
Against: None
Abstentions: None
2 VESTRY MEETING - Meeting opened at 12.03pm
1. Appointment of Churchwardens
Christine Smith has served for 4 years and is to
retire. Rev Tom Houston thanked her for all her
hard work with proper thanks to follow
Barbara Carter is willing to continue in the role of Proposed: Derek Price
Church Warden Seconded: Christine Smith
In favour: All present
Against: None
Abstentions: None
We have the following person willing to stand for Proposed: Margaret Bell
the position of Churchwarden for the coming year: Seconded: Peter Bell
Sue Merrifield In favour: All present
She was invited to introduce herself to the meeting. Against: None
Abstentions: None
There being no other nominations received,
Barbara and Sue were elected as Church Wardens
for the next year.
3 ANNUAL MEETING – The m eeting opened at
12.07pm
1. Present: 47
Apologies for absence:
13 (Gareth and Sue Ogden, Rev Brian Withington,
Zoe Tones, Ruth Connolly, Lucy Westley, Fran
Jepps, Mike and Annie Kane, Margaret Hopkins,
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| Graham Dickenson, Sue Thompson, Bethany Roberts Observers as not on the electoral roll: 1 (Noel Harding) |
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|---|---|---|
| 2. | Minutes from 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting These were taken as read as the reports had been well circulated prior to the meeting |
Proposed: David Carter Seconded: Nick Maple In favour: All present Against: None Abstentions: None |
| 3. | Matters Arising / Amendments There were no amendments and no matters arising. |
|
| The Meeting shall receive the following reports: | ||
| 4. | Electoral Roll In the absence of Electoral Role Officer Graham Dickenson, Debbie Cox gave the following report: At the time of the 2023 APCM the role had 171 names; 7 in the parish and 164 outside In preparation for this year’s APCM the role had 168 names; 8 in the parish and 160 outside Post publication of the list a further 2 names had been added to the list making a total of 170 |
|
| 5. | Annual report for 2023 Rev Tom Houston invited comments or questions regarding the report; there were none forthcoming. |
Proposed: Maggie Price Seconded Ros Goodfellow In favour: 46 present Against: None Abstentions: 1 as not read the report fully (a copy was provided by the Clerk) |
| 6. | Financial Statements for 2023 The Treasurer gave the financial statements of the Parochial Church Council having been independently examined and invited questions, there were none forthcoming. Rosemary then explained that we had paid 83% of parish share for 2023 which was up on the previous year 2024 parish share has gone down and the intention is to pay in full See appendix A attached for the slides Rev Tom expressed thanks on behalf of all in the church for Rosemary’s tireless work especially with getting to grips with the Internet banking and the demands of the redevelopment work |
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7. A report was given on the fabric of the church for
2023 by Barbara Carter, Churchwarden.
In 2024 the focus will need to be on item identified
on the quinquennial report and the state of the
church roof. She thanked Christine and Terry
Smith for all their hard work of the church fabric.
She also thanked Debbie Cox in her role as
Administrator and for the organisation that has
brought to the church, especially the rotas!
8. Accounts and Report of the Trustees of Kettering St Proposed: Clare Smith
Andrew Parochial Trust for 2022 2023 Seconded: Veronica MacAngus
Due to the ill health of our previous Treasurer, In favour: All present
Hugh Marks, and his subsequent passing this Against: None
report combines 2022 and 2023 Abstentions: None
Rev Tom thanks Derek Price for taking on this role
and for his work in bringing the accounts up to date.
4 ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
1. Elect members to the Parochial Church Council.
Rev Houston asked for any nominations from the
meeting not previously notified; there were none.
He then gave the proposed new members of the
PCC the chance to introduce themselves and give
a brief reason for wanting to serve on the PCC.
Names: Having been individually
proposed and seconded the
Debbie Cox – returning member
following vote was taken to elect
Rosemary Harradine – returning member
‘en block’:
David Carter – returning member
In favour: All present
Christine Smith – ex warden, returning member
Against: None
Hillary Whitwell – new member
Abstentions: None
Diana (Didi) Burrows – new member
Josie Fletcher – new member
Rev Houston also acknowledged the remaining
members and thanked them for being willing to
stand for a further year
2. Appointment of Deputy Churchwarden: Proposed: Rosalind Robinson
David Carter Seconded: Josie Fletcher
In favour: All
There being no other nominations received David Against: None
Carter was elected as Deputy Church Warden for Abstentions: None
the next year.
3. Rev Houston thanked the retiring members of the
PCC:
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Lucy Westley and Ruth Connolly for all their fantastic work fundraising Mike Kane for his work with the Arts Centre and especially in managing the bar As they are not able to be here a gift of a planted basket with a card will be delivered over the coming week. A special presentation of a voucher and bottle of champagne was made to Christine Smith on her retirement as Churchwarden after 4 years. Tom paid tribute to her dedication and unwavering support and wished her well as she ‘retires’! Christine was very grateful for the opportunity to serve for a second term of 4 years but said she would not be returning again. Church in the rooms has been a big challenge and the help of Derek, Maggie, Terry, and all the team has made it all possible Rev Tom then gave his reflection on the past year with a few people to single out for thanks: John Weaver for his work with Rosemary on the Stewardship Campaign which has helped greatly in creating a stronger financial future for our church. Rebecca from the Arts Centre for all her dedication and support in creating a diverse programme of events Mark our intern for his prayer support Margaret Bell our Lay Reader who gives freely of her time and is encouraging to David, Derek and Maggie as they continue and embark on their training Rev Brian Withington for his wisdom and support and for choosing to make St Andrew’s his home with Jackie Debbie Cox as the first Administrator for her support and encouragement Barbara and Christine, Churchwardens. Thank you for being there so many times and for working tirelessly to create a church we are all proud of
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| As you can see it is so much more than just me and I could not be Vicar without everyone’s support so thank you to you all. The vision for the year ahead is exciting; we have Caty Jepps coming on board as our Intern in September, David on year 2 of his Lay readership course, Maggie and Derek embarking on the same exciting journey and a new staff member will hopefully join the team in the Autumn Reduction of our parish share is a show of faith from the Diocese that we are getting it right in St Andrews and there are many opportunities that we will be taking in the future. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 4. | Appointment of Independent Examiner of the Accounts to the Council: Held to later in the year |
|
| 5. | Any other business Harriet Carter offered a vote of thanks for Tom, Emma and their family and for all the life and joy they bring to St Andrew’s. She also gave words of thanks from the youth group in appreciation of Tom’s support for them. |
|
| 6. | Closing Prayer There being no further business the meeting closed with prayers at 12:52 |
|
| 5 | PCC MEETING – CLOSED MEETING | |
| 1. | Appointments to the PCC a. Secretary Debbie Cox b. Treasurer Rosemary Harradine c. Vice-Chair Christine Smith d. To appoint two members of the PCC to the standing committee, which already comprises: Priest in Charge; Tom Houston Churchwarden; Barbara Carter Churchwarden; Sue Merrifield Vice Chair; Christine Smith Secretary; Debbie Cox Treasurer; Rosemary Harradine Member 1; Graham Dickenson Member 2; David Carter |
In favour: All present; Against: None; Abstentions: None In favour: All present; Against: None; Abstentions: None In favour: All present; Against: None; Abstentions: None In favour: All present; Against: None; Abstentions: None |
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e. To co-opt members to the PCC as To be on an as and when needed
appropriate basis
2. Any Other business
a. Proposal: to transfer the balance of the Proposed: Rosemary Harradine
Everybody Welcome Fund (£200) to the Seconded: Debbie Cox
Redevelopment Fund in order to contribute In favour: All present;
Against: None;
to the cost of renewal of the hearing loop.
Abstentions: None
b. Common Cup – following an email from Tom
he proposed the following:
We choose to return to
the common cup when we go back into the
church in June without consulting Bishop
Debbie.
i. That would allow us if there was a severe
outbreak of covid etc we could choose to
return to individual cups for a short period of
time in extreme circumstances,
ii. We are an Anglican church and whilst
personally I am happy to administer
communion in individual glasses I do not
believe this is something that means we
should isolate ourselves from the wider
deanery and diocese, especially when we
have worked so hard to build bridges with
other churches.
iii. I think by going back to the common cup we Proposed: John Weaver
give ourselves flexibility to use the glasses if Seconded: Jane Lawrence
such a drastic need came through, whilst In favour: All present;
standing alongside the wider Anglican Against: None;
communion. Abstentions: None
3. Next Meeting Dates: Debbie to send out to all
PCC meet 17 [th] June, 15 [th] July PCC Away day 6 [th]
July
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Appendix A Total Income £ 1V •rJTrrt Fe J4% Total Expenditure £ paSh sh? Uhlrties Ifisuiar nvJ¢& PA># Fees d 1% awsLIM •Cosl Offr¥>rS ftedeveb)pi*rtf 14
Electoral Roll Report
At the time of the last meeting in 2024 the total number of persons on the Register was 168, with 8 residing within the Parish of St Andrews and 160 residing outside the Parish.
Since last year’s meeting the Electoral Roll has been revised and currently stands as follows: Electors on the Roll living within the Parish: 14
Electors on the Roll living outside the Parish 170
TOTAL 184
That completes my report.
Debbie Cox
Electoral Roll Names
Please email ad.standrewskettering@gmail.com or call 07481 156283 to make any changes or additions to this list. Debbie Cox
| Abrams | Heather | Bedford | George | Burrows | Dianna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrams | Malcolm | Bell | Margaret | Burrows | Billy |
| Allen | Tim | Bell | Peter | Burwell | Edward |
| Andrews | Jennifer | Bell | Alex | Burwell | Stephen |
| Andrews | John | Bell | Dawn | Carter | David |
| Avery | Ailish | Bell | Anna | Carter | Barbara |
| Avery | Gavin | Berridge | Gary | Carter | Jeremy |
| Avery | Corine | Berridge | Liz | Carter | Harriet |
| Barber | Claire | Boateng | Isaac | Cherry | Barbara |
| Barker | Angie | Brackwell | Margaret | Cherry | Glen |
| Barnette | Tori | Brant | Christine | Chinokiyerem | Okwara |
| Bathe | Kisty | Brant | Dickon | Cleaver | Valerie |
| Bathe | Daniel | Bubeer | Rachael | Clode | Nicki |
| Bathe | Lucy | Bubeer | Andrew | Connolly | Ruth |
| Bedford | Steve | Bullivant | John | Coombes | Jennifer |
| 15 |
Cox Deborah Houston Emma Plowman Helen Cox David Ingram Mark Plowman Anthony Crawford Susan Ison Marjorie Porter Meriel Cross Barbara Ison Peter Price Derrick Cross David Jenkinson Jane Price Margaret Cullup Noreen Jenkinson Peter Reid Sandra Cullup Robin Jepps Andrew Reid Brian Cullup SUSAN Jepps Frances Roberts Benjamin Cullup Michael Jepps Catherine Roberts Bethany Curchin Angela Jones Ivor Roberts Vivien Curchin Christopher Jones Susie Roberts Helen Davies Lesley Jones Hannah Robinson Malcolm Dickenson Graham Kendrick Julie Robinson Rosalind Dinkpa Moses Kendrick Trevor Robinson Gwen Dinkpa Akudo Landon Ted Russell Lisa Dornan Christine Landon Barbara Russell James Dove Jill Lawrence Jane Samuel Josephine Duncan Ashleigh Lawrence Neil Shakeshaft Roy Dunn Catherine Lee Patricia Smith Christine Earl Kara Litster Patricia Smith Terrence Earl Jon Litster Graham Smith Michael Edmundson John Mark Lloyd Sonia Smith Clair Elmore Patricia Lynch Janice Smith Molly Ford Kathryn Lynch Jim Stanley Patricia Ford Scott Macangus John Stockham Anthea Franklin Michaela Macangus Veronica Sturgess Patricia Fullilove Judith Maple Nicholas Sturgess Brian Fullilove Ray Marlow Lorna Sweeney Paul Goodfellow Rosalyn Marlow Andrew Sweeney Fiona Goodfellow Barry Mayer Douglas Thompson Christopher Goodfellow Judith McCrone Frances Tiney Marjorie Goodliffe Angela McMinn Suzanne Tones Zoe Grantham Mandy McNally Denise Walden Pam Griffin Gina McNally Sean Weaver Brenda Hadaway Eric McPhie Angela Weaver Emma Hancock Robert Merrifield Susan Westley Lucy Hancock Doreen Moore Barbara Whitwell Hilary Harding Noel Morson Dorothy Wilkins Benjamin Harding Liz Newton Dawn Williams Alison Harradine Rosemary Ogden Gareth Wilson Alan Harris Karan Ogden Susan Withington Jacky Hedrick Billy Ogilvie-Johns Gil Withington Brian Hedrick Julie Osborne Karen Woodfield James Heels Martin Panther Linda Wyldes Gemma Heels Monica Payne Penelope Wyldes Alastair Hicks Sharon Payne Roger Hopkins Margaret Pell Jeffrey
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Treasurer’s Report
Registered Charity Number 1163359
The accompanying detailed financial statements have been prepared on accruals basis in accordance with The Charities Acts. They have been independently examined. This report provides the narrative behind those figures.
Total receipts on unrestricted funds, specifically to the PCC Fund including the surpluses on trading from the Arts’ Centre and Bar were £104,519 (2023 - £109,024). Kettering Arts’ Centre was closed for 2024 due to the Church Redevelopment Project, the net loss increasing from £482 in 2023 to £8,756 in 2024. St. Andrew’s Bar despite the hiatus in trading contributed a profit of £7,195 (£2023 - £7,827). Unrestricted voluntary donations increased to £74,739 (2023 - £68,474), a further £17,478 (2023 - £15,925) arising from Gift Aid. Restricted donations of £231,525 (2023 - £103,087) were also received and are detailed in the Note 8 to the Balance Sheet contained within the Financial Statements. The planned giving through envelopes and banker’s orders increased slightly by 9.80% compared with 2023 and the associated Gift Aid increased by 9.75%. Gross unrestricted income, including tax recovered but excluding the legacies, decreased slightly by 3% compared with last year. £63,134 (2023 - £68,352) was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from St. Andrew’s Church, including the contribution to the diocesan parish share, representing 100% (83% in 2023) of the sum requested by the Diocese of Peterborough. The net result for the year was a surplus of £4,322 (2023 – surplus of £4,854) on unrestricted funds. The balances carried forward at 31st December on unrestricted funds totaled £24,799 (2023 - £16,938).
Reserves policy
In 2024 the closing balance on the PCC fund increased to £13,136 (2023 - £8,815), covering working capital requirements whilst allowing us to pay the Parish Share in full, as well as to continue generous support to those causes for which the congregation voted to continue to support.
The notes to the balance sheet show the details of the sums owed by and to the PCC at the year end.
We start 2025 with a deficit of £37,848 (2023 - a surplus of £159,486) towards remaining on the reordering project. This is after almost completing the building work, as well as replacing the Church chairs and additional fixtures and fittings. The deficit is caused by accounting for a very generous loan from a parishioner in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice including FRS 102.
It is our policy to invest at least the value of the Essam and Martin legacies in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund and the remainder in the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund. The PCC decided to hold the balance of the previously received legacies to allocate to the Redevelopment Project, as appropriate.
Rosemary Harradine April 2025
PCC Accounts
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
Unrestricted Funds - PCC Fund
| restricted Funds - PCC Fund | |
|---|---|
| Notes coming resources Stewardship giving 1 Stewardship giving - tax recovered 1 Cash offerings 1 Donations - for specified use 2 Legacies and in memoriam PCC Fees 1 Fundraising Donations - for general use Deposit account interest Hire of church Christmas Fair 3 Magazines Grants received Other 4 Transfer of deficit from Kettering Arts' Centre Transfer of surplus from St. Andrew's Bar |
£ £ 2024 2023 70,871 64,548 17,478 15,925 2,736 3,050 4,400 0 2,449 1,433 1,669 7,343 1,245 2,675 1,132 880 804 604 575 1,756 478 0 475 653 0 755 1,769 2,057 |
| 106,080 101,679 (8,756) (482) 7,195 7,827 |
|
| 104,519 109,024 |
Incoming resources
18
Resources Expended
| Parish share 5 Mission giving 6 Utilities Repairs & maintenance 7 Administrator Insurance Expenditure covered by specific donations 2 Printing, stationery & postage Choir, music & PA expenses 8 Fees due Telephone & WiFi Clergy expenses Training costs Bank & card charges Communications Christmas Fair 3 Inclusivity Fundraising Discipleship Outreach Magazines 9 Other 10 Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December |
54,026 60,000 9,108 8,352 10,327 9,788 6,135 7,281 4,044 1,100 3,997 3,887 3,238 0 1,518 1,288 1,010 2,223 983 4,779 971 918 686 488 673 368 540 654 227 0 166 0 87 0 65 883 38 0 27 0 0 0 2,330 2,160 |
|---|---|
| 100,197 104,169 |
|
| 4,322 4,854 8,815 3,960 13,136 8,815 |
19
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
| 1 Stewardship giving & gift aid These figures include accrued Gift Aid income receivable after the year end. 2 Donations for specific use The donations given for specific purposes are analysed as follows: Donations - for purchase of scaffolding tower Donations - for technical equipment These donations were used as follows: Purchase of scaffolding tower Expenditure on technical equipment |
£ £ 2024 2023 91,085 83,523 2,500 1,900 |
|---|---|
| 4,400 0 |
|
| 1,990 1,248 |
|
| 3,238 0 |
3 Christmas Fair
Monies raised in respect of Christmas Fair 2023 were allocated to the Redevelopment Fund
| 4 Other income Sale of jam & chutney Coffee Peterborough bookstall Book sales Refunded towards maintenance by St. Andrew's Trust Other items |
795 34 537 840 220 268 211 252 0 490 5 174 |
|---|---|
| 1,769 2,057 |
5 Parish share
The figure included in these accounts represents 100 % (2023: 83 %) of the full Parish Share requested by the Diocese of Peterborough.
6 Mission giving
| Stewardship giving Stewardship giving - tax recovered Cash offerings @10% = year end giving budget |
70,871 17,478 2,736 |
|---|---|
| 91,085 9,108 |
20
| To be allocated as follows: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Compassion UK | 688 | ||
| Urban Monk Internship | 875 | ||
| Education and Youth Ministry | 2,000 | ||
| General Ministry | 1,000 | ||
| Kettering Food Bank | 1,675 | ||
| Kettering Street pastors | 100 | ||
| Kitsugi Hope | 120 | ||
| Korea | 883 | ||
| Young Lives vs. Cancer | 883 | ||
| Eve (formerly Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge) | 883 | ||
| 9,108 | |||
| 7 | Repairs and maintenance | ||
| Made up as follows: | |||
| Repairs & maintenance - general | 2,575 | 2,153 | |
| Repairs & maintenance - other non-recurring | 1,560 | 419 | |
| Repairs & maintenance - Quinquennial Review | 2,000 | 4,708 | |
| 6,135 | 7,281 | ||
| 8 | Choir, music & PA expenses | ||
| Choir expenses | 133 | 1,035 | |
| Copyright / Licences | 877 | 1,188 | |
| 1,010 | 2,223 | ||
| 9 | Magazines | ||
| The Kettering St. Andrew Parochial Trust generously waived the costs of parish | |||
| magazine printing in 2023 and 2024. | |||
| 10 | Other expenditure | ||
| Altar requisites including new votive stand in 2024 | 779 | 467 | |
| Peterborough bookstall | 387 | 385 | |
| Coffee | 304 | 420 | |
| Resources | 280 | 322 | |
| Tablecloths | 182 | 0 | |
| Subscriptions | 122 | 120 | |
| Stewardship envelopes | 90 | 162 | |
| Mugs | 76 | 0 | |
| Gifts | 0 | 71 | |
| Other | 109 | 213 | |
| 2,330 | 2,160 |
21
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds - Quinquennial Repairs Fund Notes Incoming resources Accrual for future Quinquennial Review repairs Resources Expended Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December |
£ £ 2024 2023 2,000 2,000 |
|---|---|
| 2,000 2,000 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 2,000 2,000 2,000 0 4,000 2,000 |
22
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
Unrestricted Funds - Vicar's Discretionary Fund
| Unrestricted Funds - Vicar's Discretionary Fund | |
|---|---|
| Notes Incoming resources Transfer from Money Advice Centre Transfer balance on collection for Regent St. fire Resources Expended Disbursements Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024 Unrestricted Funds - General Ministry Fund Notes Incoming resources Ministry giving from PCC Fund Resources Expended Disbursements Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December |
£ £ 2024 2023 0 813 0 311 |
| 0 1,124 |
|
| 114 | |
| 114 0 |
|
| (114) 1,124 1,124 1,010 1,124 £ £ 2024 2023 1,000 0 |
|
| 1,000 0 |
|
| 0 | |
| 0 0 |
|
| 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 |
23
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds - Advent Appeal Notes Incoming resources Donations Gift aid Resources Expended Disbursements Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December |
£ £ 2024 2023 485 0 168 0 |
|---|---|
| 653 0 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 653 0 0 653 0 |
24
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING Kettering Arts' Centre Year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds - Kettering Arts' Centre Notes Incoming resources Ticket sales Fund raising Donations - for general use Grants received Resources Expended Artistes' fees Salaries & wages Booking & promotion Other running costs Hospitality Bank & card charges Purchase of materials & equipment Donations Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Transfer to PCC Closing Balance 31st December |
£ £ 2024 2023 32,045 35,220 623 982 52 32 0 6,676 |
|---|---|
| 32,720 42,910 |
|
| 23,209 27,551 16,768 8,878 1,001 518 239 242 139 366 82 86 37 4,911 0 842 |
|
| 41,476 43,392 |
|
| (8,756) (3,520) 0 0 8,756 3,520 0 0 |
25
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING St. Andrew's Bar
Year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds - St. Andrew's Bar Notes Incoming resources Bar takings Fund raising Donations - for general use Resources Expended Bar stock Equipment & bar sundries Bank & card charges Hospitality Licence renewal Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Transfer to PCC Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income |
£ £ 2024 2023 15,335 13,586 87 0 62 0 |
|---|---|
| 15,484 13,586 |
|
| 7,479 5,486 379 60 254 88 107 55 70 70 |
|
| 8,289 5,759 |
|
| 7,195 4,752 0 0 (7,195) (4,752) 0 0 |
26
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING PCC Fund - Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31st December 2024
Unrestricted Funds - Church equipment fund
| Unrestricted Funds - Church equipment fund | |
|---|---|
| Notes Incoming resources Resources Expended Excess / (deficit) of expenditure over income Opening Balance 1st January Closing Balance 31st December |
£ £ 2024 2023 |
| 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 |
27
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
| Notes Fixed Assets Church Equipment [deemed value] Organ [cost less depreciation] Investments at market value Current Assets Debtors 1 Short term deposits 2 Cash at bank and at hand Current Liabilities Accrued expenditure amounts falling due in one year Loans - amounts falling due in more than one year 3 Charitable giving due 4 Little Ands Café Church Lent Appeal 5 Holiday at Home Fund 6 Net Current Assets Represented by Parish Funds: Unrestricted 7 Restricted 8 |
2024 2023 £ £ 5,000 5,000 0 0 5,294 5,139 |
|---|---|
| 10,294 10,139 |
|
| 4,350 5,554 12,900 12,900 47,703213,337 |
|
| 64,953231,792 | |
| 12,178 3,225 45,833 5,639 3,994 940 540 154 49 337 209 668 565 9,498233,349 |
|
| 24,799 16,939 (15,300) 216,410 9,499233,349 |
28
THE PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, KETTERING Notes to the Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
| 1 Debtors Gift aid receivable relating to prior year Owed by St. Andrew's Parochial Trust Receivables at year end Prepayments Monies received December, banked in January 2 Short term deposits Balance as at 1st January Transferred to current account Balance as at 31st December 3 Loans - amounts falling due in more than one year Balance B/f 1st January Loan capital received Amortisation Balance c/f 31st December 4 Charitable giving due See detailed analysis on separate sheet 5 Lent Appeal Balance as at 1st January "Talents" distributed Returns on investments Gift aid recovered Distributed to support Technology budget Distributed to support Holiday at Home Unused "Talents" returned Balance as at 31st December |
2024 2023 £ £ 3,054 3,794 674 1,070 485 0 137 0 690 |
|---|---|
| 4,350 5,554 |
|
| 12,900 12,900 0 0 |
|
| 12,900 12,900 |
|
| 0 0 50,000 0 (4,167) 0 |
|
| 45,833 0 |
|
| 209 0 (120) 661 128 4 (188) (200) 52 337 209 |
29
6 Holiday at Home
| Balance as at 1st January Donations/contributions/gift aid received Holiday at Home expenses Balance as at 31st December |
564 323 149 1,276 (45) (1,036) |
|---|---|
| 668 564 |
7 Unrestricted funds closing balances
| PCC fund Quinquennial repairs fund Vicar's Discretionary fund Church equipment General ministry fund Advent Appeal Balance as at 31st December |
13,136 8,815 4,000 2,000 1,010 1,124 5,000 5,000 1,000 0 653 0 |
|---|---|
| 24,799 16,938 |
30
Notes to the Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024 Note 4 - Current Liabilities - Mission and Charitable Giving
| Kettering Food Bank Kettering Street Pastors Mission to Korea Young Lives vs. Cancer Eve (formerly Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge) Christian Aid Bungoma Boat Kettering Food Bank Kettering Street Pastors Mission to Korea Young Lives vs. Cancer Eve (formerly Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge) Christian Aid Bungoma Boat |
Balance B/f 1st January 2024 Donations received Gift Aid Transferred from PCC Donations sent Transferred to Redevelopment * Balance c/f £ £ £ £ £ £ £** 797 463 70 1,675 (1,095) 1,910 797 100 (797) 100 797 50 883 1,730 797 883 (797) 883 797 120 883 (797) 1,004 5 3 8 4 4 |
|---|---|
| 3,994 633 73 4,425 (3,486) 0 5,639 |
|
| Balance B/f 1st January 2023 Donations received Gift Aid Transferred from PCC Donations sent Transferred to Redevelopment * Hunger Balance c/f £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £** 898 797 (898) 797 898 797 (898) 797 0 797 797 550 797 (550) 797 898 173 43 797 (1,115) 797 0 30 34 (262) 203 5 4 4 |
|
| 7,481 203 77 3,985 (3,723) 0 203 3,994 |
Notes to the Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
Note 7 - Restricted Funds
----- Start of picture text -----
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Balance as at 1.1.24 200 200 0 813 391 391 159,486 97,676 2,000 0 0 350 0 1,096 2,081 154 0 47,943 47,943 5,139 4,850
Donations 20,281 16,135
Fundraising 2,972 3,482
Legacies/in
memoriam 6,064 6,122
Lent / Autumn / New
Year Lunches 250
Grants received 86,000 31,000 5,000 5,000
Gift aid 3,512 9,730 11
Recovered VAT 88,880
Amortisation of loan 4,167
Pledges received 9,650 36,355
Donations given
Expenditure -
Professional fees (11,593) (4,670)
Expenditure -
Fixtures & fittings (38,531)
Expenditure -
Running costs (1,012) (3,147) 0 (350) 0 (535) (1,185)
Expenditure -
Building work (404,351) (36,595)
Expenditure -
Additional insurance (5,831)
Expenditure - "Light
in the Darkness"
Adjustment to
market value 155 289
Transfer (200) 0 (813) (391) 42,458 2,000 2,000 188 154 (42,258)
Balance as at 31st
December 0 200 0 0 0 391 (37,848) 159,486 5,853 2,000 0 0 5,000 0 561 1,096 154 154 5,685 47,943 5,294 5,139
Everybody Welcome Money Advice Centre Sarah Burwell Memorial Redevelop- ment Mission Grant Growing Faith Foundation Gen 2 Grant July Appeal Choir fund Legacy Essam & Martin
2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
----- End of picture text -----
32
Inde endent Examiners Re Independent Examinerfs Certificatefor the PCC Accounts St AThJrw K Pirochl•l Chureh Coun¢ll 4141ioLC | N(xtrwts p*410
Churchwarden’s Report
The redevelopment project for the new underfloor heating and Dias began in January and we started the year with the church closed and all services in the hall. It was a real shock to see the church floor being dug up and become a building site. We made regular visits into the church to observe progress of the project and meet with the contractors, identifying any issues or concerns. The old flooring was sold, and some crosses were made for the congregation to buy as a keepsake.
During the time the church was closed the work of the churchwarden did not stop. Sunday and midweek services continued in the Church Hall and Rooms and the wardens are thankful to all those that helped with the rearrangement of furniture, each week, to facilitate services. Services were well attended, and 2 services were held on Easter day with 125 Adults and 22 children attending.
The clearing of the church meant items were identified that were surplus to requirements or broken. The Terrier has been updated and permissions and faculties applied for to remove items for which we no longer have any use. As far as possible items are offered to other churches.
Faculty applications are now online, and Barbara & Debbie attended online training to enable this to be carried out by our church.
The quinquennial report from 2021 identified the need for repair to one of the windows on the west wall. Throughout 2024 we have been pursuing this repair and eventually managed completed it, in December 2024, although there are still some snagging issues to be addressed. The work was carried out by Jim Rooney.
The removal of items to storage meant that we were able to get some of them reconditioned. We are grateful to Gary and The Shed in Desborough for their work in restoring, revarnishing and repairing the credence tables, flower stands, font lid, umbrella stand and collection plates.
A faculty for new chairs was applied for while the redevelopment work was being carried out. New chairs had not been agreed in the original faculty. The congregation were surveyed to find out their preference and the faculty was approved in June. We had not planned to have new chairs immediately, but the response of the congregation was overwhelming – funding almost half of the total cost, and we purchased 200 stackable chairs with storage trolleys. A move that we do not regret since it has made the church far more flexible, providing space for alternative service arrangements, art exhibitions, the Christmas fair, council meetings, Arts Centre Events and the Christmas tree festival. The old chairs were sold to a restoration company. The brass memorial plaques on the original chairs have been stored.
Throughout the year the wardens complete various forms for the diocese and deanery; a return of church Sunday attendance and Statistics for Mission statements are required every January and the Archdeacon sends out a questionnaire around the time of the APCM asking about some aspect of the church’s work, which is often completed after the APCM. Every 2 – 3 years there is a visitation from the archdeacon or their representative, checking that forms and records are kept up to date and every 5 years there is a Quinquennial inspection report on the church buildings. The visitation was completed in August 2024 and the next Quinquennial inspection is due November 2026.
34
During 2024 we have had a change of Churchwarden. Christine Smith retired at the APCM and Sue Merrifield was elected to join Barbara Carter. Sue has attended a Churchwarden training day organised by the deanery.
Leak repairs are an inevitable part of our lives as churchwarden. In June the church roof above the Bar Area was repaired and the gutters and downpipes cleaned and fixed. In December a broken and blocked downpipe was identified, the soakaway drain was dug out and the pipe replaced.
Jane Jenkinson has taken over leading the gardeners and much has been done to sort out the Yew trees and borders. In August a large team from the congregation rubbed down and painted the railings around the church, another tick on our quinquennial report.
It is amazing how much “Stuff” a church can collect over time and work has been done sorting and disposing of items that are broken no longer needed or used that are not listed on our Terrier. The Choir vestry has been rearranged to make it more flexible for storage and use. Temporary repairs have been made to the flooring in the loft.
We returned to the main church building in June and a small group of people have been working since then installing the technology for services, including a loop amplifier, cabling for projectors, sound and lighting, and installing new LED lamps in the Nave, North and South Aisles. To facilitate this safely a new scaffolding tower was purchase with a generous donation.
The corridor between the church and rooms has been painted, the roof repaired, and a new carpet laid. Our thanks to The Trust who have rearranged the storage facilities in the rooms and created an office for our employees to use.
The Bar Area at the back of church has been reinstalled with a larger temporary worksurface after the redevelopment, and an industrial dishwasher added. The West Door has a new draft excluder, and the old curtains cleaned and rehung. The archive area is being reinstated.
Christmas services were very well attended, and we are delighted that the new heating system is working well despite the cold weather we have experienced; it will be a while before we can assess the running costs.
Finally we are grateful for all those that help maintain our church and rooms and especially our families and friends for their understanding, help and support. We look forward to working with you, Tom and the PCC in 2025.
Barbara, Sue and Christine
22 January 2025
35
Church attendance Figures
----- Start of picture text -----
Usual Usual Communicants Attendance Communicants Attendance
children adults at Easter at Easter at Christmas at
and including Christmas
young Christmas Eve (including
people Christmas
Eve)
2023 14 86 105 132 113 280
2024 16 90 125 147 120 300
----- End of picture text -----
BAPTISMS 2023
| Under 1 year | 1–4 years | 5–12 years | 13+& adult | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
CONFIRMATIONS 2024
Total : 0
MARRIAGES 2024
Total : 0
FUNERAL SERVICES 2024
Total : 9
36
Kettering Deanery Synod Report
Our mission is to encourage and support the churches of our Deanery to build the Kingdom of God. We do this by: building relationships; sharing resources; and praying for each other.
What is Deanery Synod?
Kettering Deanery is one of 12 geographical areas within the Diocese of Peterborough, containing a number of neighbouring churches.
The Synod comprises the clergy of the Deanery, along with elected lay members from each parish or benefice. The number from each is linked to a church’s electoral roll. Lay members were elected in April/May 2023 for a three-year term of office.
Who leads and manages Deanery Synod?
The current officers are: Rural Dean: Revd Nicki Hobbs (St Andrew Broughton with Cransley with Mawsley) Assistant Rura Dean: Revd Tom Houston (St Andrew’s, Kettering) Lay Chair: Peter Jackson Secretary: Steve Atkins (resigned February 2025) Treasurer: Alan Ridley
These officers are joined by Hazel Goodman and Lyn Ridley to form the Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee. This group met three times during the year.
What happens at Deanery Synod meetings?
Meetings naturally open with Prayer and Worship. They also briefly consider recurring business items such as: reports from Diocesan and General Synod; Finance, including Parish Share; local pastoral matters.
Each meeting also has a primary focus.
Our meetings in 2024:
February – discussion in groups about the role of Deanery synod, why people volunteered to be involved, and hopes for future synod meetings.
June – visit from Bishop Debbie who spoke about her vision for the diocese and answered questions from the floor.
October – discussion on finances and fundraising . Alan Ridley was appointed as Deanery Treasurer. The synod voted to create a Kettering Deanery facebook group for advertising services and events, and sharing good news stories.
We also welcomed Charlie Nobbs, the Diocesan Director of Mission, to the deanery during his prayer walk round the diocesan boundary as part of Thy Kingdom Come.
Am I able to get involved if not an elected member?
Yes!
Speak to one or more of your church’s Deanery Synod representatives about Synod activities. Many meetings are open to all, so why not ask what topics are planned for 2025 and consider coming along.
37
17th Kettering St Andrew’s Scout
2024 has seen the Group grow, all sections are running at capacity.
In the summer all 4 sections attending a District Camp at Bromham in Bedfordshire. We had 55 young people over the weekend, activities included archery, caving, backwoods cooking, go karts, shooting, soft axe throwing and much more. Scouts have also had a couple of other nights away including a hike with sleepover at Pytchley village hall.
We have awarded lots of badges over the year. With lots of young people gaining the top Chief Scouts Awards including our first Acorn awards for the Squirrel Section. It is not only the young people that gained awards at our Christmas concert it was a pleasure to see awards go to some of the Adults in the group, many long service awards, Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service to Rebecca Clark and David Osborne and Bar to the Award of Merit to Angela Curchin.
There have also been lots of different visits and outings this year too, including Wicksteed Park, Gallones Ice Cream Parlour, Isebrook School, All Saints community garden, visits from an author, fire service, Naseby Battlefied Society and many more.
Weekly meetings have included badge work, games, cooking which is always popular and above all Fun and Friendship.
Our Fundraising team have been busy organising all the fundraising events including Bingo, virtual Duck Race, our cartridge and clothes recycling and Scout Post.
Our Leadership Team has expanded this year, not everyone is available every week but we have lots of adults now available to help as and when needed.
We are looking forward to a fun filled 2025
Karen Osborne
Group Lead Volunteer
38
20th Kettering St Andrew’s Girlguides
No report was received
39
Art Group
The Art Group continues to flourish and this year we welcomed 2 new members, both members of St Andrew’s congregation.
Our financial situation is very stable and because of this we plan to donate £125 to the Rooms Trust as a ‘thank you’ for our weekly use of the premises.
We have enjoyed painting and sketching a variety of subjects, including two visits to Grafton Underwood for work outdoors.
We ended the year producing Christmas cards before we exhibited some of our work at the Christmas Fair. We sold a few paintings, but bookmarks at 50 pence went like ‘hotcakes’!
Our final session of 2024 was a Christmas lunch at the Star Inn, Geddington.
Jeff Pell
St Andrew’s Art Group - Balance sheet for 2023
| Opening Balance Income Total Expenses Closing Balance Closing Balance represented by: Cash In Hand Bank Balance Total Main Expenses: S.A.K.P.T. National Garden Scheme Coffee Mugs Flowers x 2 Calligraphy pens Paper Life Model Christmas Lunch deposit Christmas drinks Misc expenses TOTAL |
£ 213.21 495.00 708.21 402.30 |
|---|---|
| 305.91 | |
| 45.04 260.87 |
|
| 305.91 | |
| 100.00 50.00 40.00 35.00 30.00 59.80 40.00 65.00 40.80 25.50 402.30 |
Stephen Burwell (Treasurer)
40
Café Church
Café Church is in its 3rd year and runs on the 3rd Saturday of every month. We have a regular team of around 6-8 volunteers who meet every 2 - 3 months to plan forthcoming events at The Trading Post in Kettering and they also help run the monthly services. It has been wonderful to see many grow in confidence in leading worship and activities and all their creative ideas are considered appreciated.
We would welcome more volunteers to help set up, welcome people, run the café by serving coffee and cake, and to lead all or parts of the 30-minute informal worship.
We open the doors at 10am and spend the first half an hour enjoying refreshments, fellowship and activities on the tables - colouring and puzzles for everyone! Then we have a short time of worship together, exploring a theme with bible readings, activities, singing and prayer.
We continue to have, on average, 25 adults and children attending each Café Church from a wide ranging age group making it truly intergenerational. We have been pleased to welcome both those who already attend St Andrew’s church regularly and those from the local community who have not been to our church before – and see them come back!
The themes for 2024 were:
January - Winter wellbeing February - Love March - Exploring Lent April - Women of Easter May - Pentecost
June - Celebrating June-teenth
July - 2nd Annual pet service (including many dogs, a cat and a rabbit!)
August - Rest and recharge
September - Church re-opening celebration
October - Cafe Church Birthday Party
November - Gratitude
December - Christmas Party
We hope to see you there soon – and do speak to me if you would like to be more involved as a volunteer.
Bethany Roberts - Lay Worship Leader
41
Choir Report
The last year has seen a few more changes for the choir. The first few months since the last AGM was spent with our services taking place in the church rooms while the church renovation was completed. Once the church reopened, we then had a transition period of a couple of months, during which we experimented with different places for the choir to sing, different microphones for some amplification, and so on.
We also had three months which began with a choir vestry full of all kinds of stuff that had been temporarily stored during the renovation, and bit by bit this was moved to its rightful place. We also had quite a clear out of the cupboards (and behind them!), and some interesting items were found while we did this - including what seemed to be an old fashioned hearing amplifier. It reminded me of the days of Bakelite telephones.
One musical highlight of the year was the Celebration Service in September, where the choir and the worship band led the musical aspects of our worship jointly. Several choir members are also part of the worship band, but it was good to be able to have a service that included well loved hymns, similarly well loved songs led by the worship band, and a medley of combined musical styles during the communion. One of the diocesan colleagues who had attended the service commented afterwards that it was rare, and pleasing, to be in a church that could draw on a range of musical traditions.
We were, of course, very saddened by the loss of John Weaver just a few weeks before that service, and he is much missed. In last year’s AGM report I noted that John had spent a lot of time in gaining three choir ribbons over the winter, and as part of that process I had the privilege of spending some time with him and understanding his own extensive musical background and experience.
Another musical highlight was the Carol Service, which was again well attended, and brought together well known congregational carols with some new ones sung by the choir. We did not have quite enough rehearsal time to be able to include one particular carol, but there is every chance that we might do so this year. I won’t say what it is yet - but, as a hint, it might involve a flute…
Since the church reopened, we have now entered back into our monthly routine, hopefully combining many old favourites with a few new songs, and beginning to build back some anthems into our repertoire. We have occasionally had some interesting experiences with the organ. For several weeks one of the speakers that amplifies the organ sound would produce a disconcerting noise if certain combinations of sounds were used (I won’t put in writing how the Intern described that sound…). More recently the organ has either blown a fuse or stopped producing any sound whatsoever. I’m very grateful to Jeremy Carter and Brian Reid for their support in getting these problems fixed, and to Brian for covering me when I have been elsewhere on several occasions during this year.
Andrew Jepps
42
Church Gardeners
In 2024 the team of gardeners have been very busy. We have made a special effort to cut back lots of foliage to make corners of the garden around the church more open in an attempt to stop them becoming places for people to loiter and litter and to ensure the paths were clear.
During the summer we cut back yew trees on the boundary in order that the railings could be painted. These yew trees are now big enough to be shaped. We have a lovely refreshed flower bed next to the West door with plants bought with donations from Hugh Mark's family and new members of the team are encouraging bees and insects into the garden by planting nectar rich flowers after discovering we have a lot of over wintering bees in the lawn.
Lavender has been planted for this purpose but also because it can cope with the hot summers we have had recently. The Guides have been busy tending a new area of the garden next to the church rooms and the vicarage gate.
Following the church festival in September we were able to plant all the leftover daffodil bulbs from our display into the flower beds bordering the path.
We still have one piece of garden that presently does not have a caretaker so we would welcome an extra pair of hands.
Jane Jenkinson
43
Fun on Fridays
A small team of: Myself, Mark, Caty, Brenda, Fran, and a few others, have started a new, after school café at St Andrew’s called Fun on Fridays
We had our first session on Friday 15[th] November and run each week in term time 3.00-430.
There are tabletop activities (jigsaws, colouring, board games etc.) for adults and children as well as drinks and cake. It is free for customers, but we do, of course, accept donations. Some church members now come along to sit at tables and chat with the children and adults and take part in the activities
It got off to a rather slow start with just three or four families attending but the word has spread and lately we have increased to about eight families (20-30 people) so we are really pleased.
We hope this will deepen relationships with families, provide a space for those who are unable to access cafes etc. after school and build better links with the parish. Do come along and see what is happening.
Sue Merrifield
44
Kettering Arts Centre
As we all know, St. Andrews church was closed from December 2023 to renew the flooring, which had become very dangerous and the heating that had been ineffective. The work was completed in June 2024. During that time we had three events in the church rooms, May 2024 , :Rob Halligan,(musician) Pantaloons( drama) and Jo Caufield (comedienne). These all went well but it wasn’t the same as in the Church.
We continued to work with Deep Roots tall trees on a joint project that brought Ukranian refugees together with Kettering residents to learn dance together and this continued for three events before moving to the William Knibb and is now running independently.
June - Richard Coles opens the venue, to sort out teething problems. Followed by an Art Exhibition, by Kettering Tresham College with other 300 pieces of art.
July - Milton Jones came to the Art Centre again to do a show, that as usual he was trying out (work in progress) this was a great night and we tested out our PA system and a few lights.
August - Kettering Board Games was an all-day event very well attended by over 300 people. We had a training session for all our Volunteers, which we are grateful to have almost 20 now, training evacuation, (fire evacuation and Power cuts or other dangers), working behind the bar and stewarding customers. Thank you, David Cox, for taking on the training and becoming the health and safety officer.
September - The Church and the Arts Centre opens officially, by Bishop Debbie. Also, former vicar of St. Andrews, Nick Wills comes back from Edinburgh, (it was Nick Wills who started raising money for the redevelopment,)to star in Rolling in the Aisles as MC,( Rolling in the Aisles was Nick’s idea 10 years ago) and it was a full house. We had “Deep roots and Tall trees” a group of singers perform. The Rubbish Shakespear Company performed Romeo and Juliett. Mark Simmons, comedian. I must mention during August and September, Jeremy Carter, Roger Payne and others including me helped put up more Lights up for the new stage and Pillars of the church. Also putting plugs and sockets into the stage boxes and wiring up the Digital snakes, Thank you Jeremy.
October - Shaparak Khorsandi and Mark Thomas (comedians) & Rob Newman and Empire (local heavy metal band) made a great diversity of entertainment at Kettering Arts Centre
November - Makers Market, a well-attended craft fair, Kettering Flower arrangers met and had a professional demonstration of Christmas decorations. The Noise Next Door, (drama). LWTS perform their Christmas show. ISM a local music school held their annual show for musicians young and old. The Great Big Christmas show, a showcase.
December - We saw a lot of Carol concerts, some of which I have listed here, St. Johns ambulance, Melody Choir, St. Andrews choir, Tara’s winter wonderland and the annual Comedians and Carols. All performed in a nice safe and warm environment.
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In summary
Over the year, Kettering Arts centre have worked closely with the Kettering Cultural Consortium, a group of over 20 arts, artists and art venues in the town seeking to work more collaboratively together and grow the arts in the town. This has enabled us to fully support, champion and encourage the arts in the town.
We also have formed a small team of arts centre leaders to help develop the vision for the arts centre. This is developing well and we have seen many improvements from this group meeting. I am sorry if I have missed any event out.
Special Thanks go to:
All our volunteers who make running the Art Centre go smoothly. Big thankyou to our new chaplains Angie and Karan who lead us in a prayer time before we open each event and Trust meeting and offer pastoral support to the team and visitors. I would like to mention Debbie Cox and Ed and Beckie, for doing a fabulous job of stocking and selling behind the Bar of the Art Centre. Also, Paul Titcombe who has come on board this year to help me with the technical side of the venue. Rebbecca who continues to keep booking new artists, publicity and continues to be our part time administrator. And finally, a special thanks to Reverend Tom Houston, our manager.
Nick Maple
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Little Ands
Little Ands continues to thrive. We have between twenty and thirty families attending each week and we have a wonderful time. Indoors we have lovely activities and toys and outside there are cars and bikes, sand and water, bubbles, cars and gutters and plenty of space for play.
Brilliant Barbara continues to run the catering and admin side of things helped by a rota of ‘washer-uppers’ organised by Maggie Jones.
Maggie Price has joined the team and, this year, Derek and Jeremy regularly help to get the toys out for us and pack away too.
One of the changes that has happened this year is going into church for our time of worship. Now we have a lovely warm versatile space, we all enjoy sharing songs, stories, and prayers. (A sort of ‘Church for beginners’) The children love marching round the church looking for our teddy bear who comes back with us to listen to the story and the parents like it too. Thanks, Mark, for setting up our worship area each week.
In July we said goodbye to 7 children who were starting school or nursery, and we gave them each a leavers certificate and a pot of bubbles. Afterward there was a picnic in the Vicarage Garden (Thanks Emma and Tom). The weather was good, and the children loved playing with Tilda, Clara, and Sophia’s toys and trampoline.
In Advent we began our Travelling Crib that journeyed from house to house. Again, we sent the full set of nativity figures so that the families could play out the whole story. It was very popular, and we realise this is a good opportunity for the little ones to hear the nativity. The families wrote a diary each day and we liked hearing how they were getting on. The nativity set and the diary were on display at the Christmas tree Festival alongside the small trees the children painted and decorated.
We had a lovely Christmas party at the end of the year, we had sausage and chips followed by cakes again (thanks Debbie!) Father Christmas visited us (Thanks Ted!) and gave each child a Nativity Story book, a toy and a chocolate coin. We were pleased to see some of our families at the Crib Service and one or two are coming on Sundays too.
Thank you to everyone who helps and supports us at Little Ands and especially all of you who regularly pray for us; it is much appreciated.
Sue M, Sue C, Janice and Maggie.
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Make and Natter
Make and Natter is a craft group that currently has 10 regular members and an additional 3 or 4 that come when work patterns allow. The members are from both church and the wider community.
It meets for most of the year, taking breaks at Christmas, Easter and August bank holiday. During 2024 while the church was closed for redevelopment we met in the Robinson Room, but were very pleased to return to church in June 2024, where we can open the church to the community offering a large warm (when necessary) place for prayer, a coffee and a chat or just a look around the church.
Various activities are undertaken by those that attend; from knitting, sewing, painting colouring, sticking and chatting. Advice and help is always available from the group.
Sessions run from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesdays and there is always plenty of chat, tea and coffee available for those who come.
We had 8 Year 8 students and staff from Bishop Stopford attend a session in the summer term for their Faith in Action week. It was a successful event and one that is being repeated in 2025.
Fancy a safe place for a chat or having a go at something? We have some “stashes” around for visitors to try out if they are unsure.
Talk to Debbie Cox or Barbara Carter if you want to know more.
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Mother’s Union
Our first meeting of the New Year was our usual Epiphany Party, this year with ‘Bug Bingo’ as the entertainment. We held our AGM in February which included a talk by Rev’d. Tom on his trip to South Korea. In March we held our ‘World Day of Prayer’ in St. Andrew’s Church Rooms, this year it was compiled by the Women of Palestine. At our meeting we looked at the first session of Metamorphosis, a Mothers’ Union resource, this was led by Sue Merrifield this was very interesting and thought provoking. Our April speaker was Andy Chatwin who talked to us about ‘Search and Rescue’. Our Lady Day Service this year was held on 8[th] April at Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell, as 25[th] March fell within Holy Week. It was a lovely Service followed by tea and lots of cake.
In May we had our second session of Metamorphosis again led by Sue Merrifield and in June we visited Barbara and David Cross’s Garden for Devonshire Tea. We were very lucky with the weather and many Church members and Barbara’s friends attended. The money raised was shared between St. Andrew’s Redevelopment Fund and Mothers’ Union ‘Summer of Hope Appeal’ In July Bill Martin came to talk to us about ‘5 years in the Police behind the scenes’, Bill was a excellent speaker and he played the guitar and sang songs to complement his stories.
We do not hold a Mothers’ Union Meeting in August but we did have our Deanery Mary Sumner Day Service at St. Andrew’s Church on 9[th] August during which we enrolled three members from St. Andrew’s Church, one from St. Peter & Paul’s Church and welcomed back one member to Mothers’ Union from Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell, this was followed by afternoon tea.
In September Jill Cannings came to talk to us about ‘Passion for Mothers’ Union Overseas’, she showed pictures of her trips to Antigua and told us all about the things she did while on her trips. Also in September we attended our Diocesan Festival at Peterborough and were delighted to be able to take our banner and banners from Cransley and Broughton Churches whose members now belong to our Mothers’ Union.
In October we welcomed Christopher Thompson to our meeting and he told us all about the choirs he has been involved with and how he got interested in music and singing. We had two meetings in November, at the first, David Lindsey and his dog ‘Monty’ told us about how Monty nearly became a Guide Dog and later in November Penny Payne showed us how to make a Christmas Table Decoration.
In the summer we were delighted to welcome a new branch to our Mothers’ Union, M.U.2, made up of younger members of our Church and their children and over the year we have enrolled 12 new members into our Mothers’ Union Guild. We have also, very sadly, said goodbye to two very longstanding members of our Guild, Kathleen Marlow in June and Pauline Welch in July.
Throughout the year we have continued to send out our Bi-Monthly Newsletter to all our members and honorary members and my thanks go to Pam for putting our Mothers’ Union information into every edition of the Church Magazine. We continue to help out at ‘Little Ands’, and provide cakes for Café Church from time to time. We provide refreshments after
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the Wednesday Morning Services each week and hold our Mothers’ Union stall at the Christmas Fair. Just recently we have become involved with our new ‘Friday Fun’ After School Club. We are pleased to join other Deanery members, before each holiday, making up food parcels for families of children at St. Andrew’s School through Francis Lunch Club.
We are delighted that Our Church and Mothers’ Union have recently qualified for the Bronze Level of the Mothers’ Union Rise Up Against Domestic Abuse Campagne.
Hilary Whitwell – Branch Leader
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Pastoral Committee
Long Term Care
Members of the Pastoral Group visit and take communion to the sick, the housebound and those in care homes. Membership of the group is open to anyone who is willing to make pastoral visits on behalf of St Andrew’s Church.
The general guidance is to visit in pairs, thus protecting the visitors and those visited from those seeking to take advantage of the situation, or being erroneously accused of doing so. There is a dedicated confidential email address for people to make contact about pastoral concerns for themselves or others.
A Pastoral Budget is available to buy small gifts for those visited. Christmas gifts of bowls of hyacinth bulbs and birthday cards have been distributed to our older members, thanks to the Social Committee. The church magazine has been distributed on an individual basis.
Rosalind Robinson keeps a list of drivers that have a DBS check through St Andrew’s safeguarding team and checks their insurance and driving licences. These volunteer drivers bring less able members to Wednesday Lunch, services and other events.
Other support systems
A ‘Prayer Uncles and Aunts’ scheme was set up. Adults support a child from the congregation with prayer, anonymously, using information given by parents. Birthday cards and small gifts can be sent again anonymously. Sue Merrifield co-ordinates this.
Lunches and evening events have been arranged for Newcomers throughout the year.
Tom has conducted 9 funerals.
Immediate Care
During the year it became clear that a number of families were experiencing crises and difficult situations where immediate care was needed and often in terms of practical help. This included meals and accompanying to someone to meetings. The system in place was not able to cope with such situations, some of which had more significant financial implications than the existing budget could bear.
As a result, a small group met to consider how to respond pastorally to such events. The 2024 Advent Appeal was assigned to provide a fund so that these more complex needs could be addressed. This raised £700.
Margaret Bell
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Running Group
2024 was another year of enjoyable, sociable exercise as part of the St Andrew’s Runners group.
We continue to meet on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. April to September we make use of the lighter evenings and meet at Ise Pavilion and follow a route through Wicksteed Park. October to March the park is closed and we need a lit route so we meet at St Botolph’s Green in Barton Seagrave and run along Polwell Lane to the outskirts of Burton Latimer and back.
There is a sub group of those who prefer to walk. They met at the same location and walk a slightly shorter route together.
The group varies in attendance from around 7 to 15 plus. We welcome all abilities, no one gets left behind.
We sometimes lead a beginners group following the NHS Couch To 5K programme. Many of the group began running successfully by doing this and have remained runners for many years. The next Couch to 5K course will be starting on Wednesday 30rd April 2025. The course lasts 9 weeks.
Our most popular events continue to be the Run, Beer and Chip nights which are held a few times a year at The Stirrup Cup Pub in Barton Seagrave. We meet to run a slightly shorter route than normal then gather back at the pub for a drink and chips and enjoy some sociable time together.
The group will be 10 years old in September 2025!
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Safeguarding
St Andrew’s Church is committed to ensuring that Safeguarding is a priority and that the care and nurture of our community is an integral part of our faith. The safe keeping and protection of children, young people and adults who are vulnerable is the responsibility of the whole church, and everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a safer church for all .
2024 started of busy for the Safeguarding team, 3 years on from when Clare and I took over a lot of church volunteers had to renew their safeguarding training and complete new DBS checks, This along with checks and training for new volunteers ensures St Andrews church keeps up with Church of England safeguarding requirements.
There were also several safeguarding referrals that had to be passed on to the diocese and appropriate agencies.
Mark Ingram joined the church as an employee in September and he took on the role of assisting church groups in completing risk assessments as this is a requirement for the safeguarding dashboard.
The diocese safeguarding team changed again in 2024, as did some of their working practices, which impacted the safeguarding teams workload.
In October 2024 I decided to step down as the Parish Safeguarding Officer at the end of 2024. At that time Clare was continuing as deputy safeguarding officer, however Clare’s circumstances changed in January 2025 and for health reasons she stepped down with immediate effect. Tanya Watts and Emma Weaver have now volunteered to take on the safeguarding roles, I wish them every success with this.
Kirsty Bathe
Parish Safeguarding Officer for 2024
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Social Committee - Report and Accounts
The year began with the Church being closed for refurbishment, so with services being held in the hall it was not possible to run a New Year lunch.
We served Lent Lunches each Friday in Lent from 12 noon – 2pm.
On Good Friday we served coffee before the March of Witness and held the usual Hunger Lunch, proceeds of this event going to Christian Aid.
We provided refreshments after the funerals of two long-standing members of St Andrew’s church.
“Holiday at Home” was held on the 5[th] , 6[th] and 7[th] August. The theme was “Bygones” and the social committee provided meals focussed around recipes from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Meals included mock apricot tart, toad in the hole, and corn-beef hash. The catering was appreciated by all and evoked lots of memories.
Also in August the Social Committee supported the North Northants Games Convention selling hot pizza slices, bacon rolls and sausage rolls.
On Sunday 22[nd] September, Bishop Debbie came to preach at our Thanksgiving Service for the successful refurbishment of the church. Refreshments were served in the hall and a cake was made to mark the occasion.
We served Harvest Lunch on the 13[th] October, this as usual, was very popular.
The Christmas Fair was held in Church on the 5[th] and 7[th] December, we served refreshments in the hall on both days with great success.
The Carol Service was held in Church on the 22[nd] December, mulled wine and mince pies were served after the service.
Wednesday Lunch Clubs were held every 2 months throughout the year and were attended by an average of 45 parishioners each time, enjoying good food and fellowship.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported us over the year in so many ways, especially our husbands.
Mrs S J Lawrence
Hon. Secretary
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Closing Balances per Accounts at 31/12/2024
| Cash in Hand per Books of Account 31/12/24 £ 318.39 Cash in Bank per Books of Account 31/12/2024 £ 1,001.40 Final Cash in Hand for 2024 Balance at Bank at y/e 2024 Total Funds C/Fwd to 2025 Net Surplus from 2024 Total Funds B/Fwd from 2023 Represented by Cash in Hand £ 272.25 Cash in Bank £ 204.99 |
|
|---|---|
| £ 318.39 | |
| £ 1,001.40 | |
| £1,319.79 | |
| £ 842.55 | |
| £ 477.24 | |
| £477.24 |
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Summary of Social Committee Accounts Y/E 31/12/2024
| Group Event |
Values Sum of Cash Sum of Bank |
|---|---|
| Bank Charges Bank Charges Board Games Bar takings Coffee Money Food Celebration Cake Expenses Christian Aid Expenses Income Christmas Fair Christmas Fair Donation Sandra Cards Funeral Catering Funeral Catering Harvest Lunch Expenses Income Raffle Holidays at Home Donations Expenses Hunger Lunch Coffee Expenses Lent Lunch Expenses Income Raffle Plants for the Elderly Plants for Elderly Senior Lunch Expenses Income Raffle Net Surplus B'Fwd Cash B/Fwd Bank C/Fwd Cash C/Fwd Bank Total Movement for Year |
£0.08 (£93.00) £79.09 £36.00 (£154.05) (£26.00) (£966.03) £0.00 (£182.00) £182.00 £622.62 £35.00 £54.36 (£150.39) £227.00 £59.00 £157.50 (£372.42) £16.00 (£31.97) (£385.55) (£275.33) £1,181.00 £330.00 (£227.62) (£224.68) (£549.21) £1,108.15 £95.00 £298.00 |
| £3,206.14 (£2,363.59) |
|
| £842.55 £ 272.25 £ 204.99 £ 477.24 £ 318.39 £ 1,001.40 £ 1,319.79 £ 842.55 |
|
| £ 842.55 |
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’ St Andrew s Ladies - Report and Accounts
January was our AGM followed by a bring and buy which raised £60.45 for our charity giving.
February was John Stanyard with a talk entitled ‘Under Two Flags’ about the Salvation Army's role in World War 2.
Our March meeting brought a video of the Kettering last mosaic shown by Monica Ozdemir. It was an amateur production presented by HE Bates’ granddaughter and Ian Addis.
In April we had a talk on home security with Christine Carter and Adam Goodes, police officers from Kettering.
In May we had a visit to Deene Park House followed by a cream tea.
June was an evening visit to a garden in Irchester, followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes.
In July we had afternoon tea in MacQueen House in Twywell. During the meal we had two quizzes followed by a raffle.
August was an open meeting where we played 4 games of bingo with myself and Penny Payne being callers, we finished with a ‘bring and buy’ which raised £40 for our charity giving.
In September, Roger Payne, Penny’s husband, talked and showed a slides of his trip around South America. A trip covering 3 weeks, 10 flights and over 19,000 miles!
October saw a repeat visit from John Stanyard with a talk about 3 Victoria Crosses in two armies, The Salvation Army being 1
John Allison came to our November gathering with two volunteers and three dogs. He spoke and showed slides about hearing dogs.
In December we were quite busy with a stall at the Christmas fair which did well and raised more than last year and Penny Payne helped us to make flower arrangements for Christmas We also delivered gifts to the over 80s in the congregation.
Doreen Hancock
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----- Start of picture text -----
INCOME 2024 2023 EXPENDITURE 2024 2023
Subs-21 members 420.00 440 Donations 1200.00 1100.00
Coffee 212.00 250
Visitor 4.00 6
Fees-Deene Hall 441.00 590 Deene Hall 441.00 422.00
Sundries-jigsaws etc 11.70 do.4 refunds 30.00
Bring & Buy 100.70 96 Kettering Civic Society 50.00
Christmas Fair 298.10 288 Cransley Hospice 100.00
MacQueen House 420.00 MacQueen House 420.00 140.00
Cake stall 112 Flowers 38.00
Northants S&R 50.00
Parkinsons (Davida) 25.00
TOTAL INCOME 1907.50 1782 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2211.00 1805.00
Balance b/fwd 1376.41 1399 Balance c/fwd 1072.91 1376.00
TURNOVER 3283.91 3181 TURNOVER 3283.91 3181.00
----- End of picture text -----*
*Donations:
PCC £150.00
Redevelopment Fund £500.00
Trust £100.00
Postpartum PN Depression £150.00
Kettering Foodbank £150.00Kettering Street Pastors £150.00
We also donated £241.50 to National Garden Scheme in January 2024 - in lieu of our outing to Redhill Lodge, Harringworth in June 2022. This cheque was never presented for payment and after Angela had made numerous attempts to contact the owners, the Committee made the decision to make our donation direct.
M Jones, Treasurer 19[th] December 2024
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Sunday Club
Sunday Club
Sunday Club is a group which meets on Sunday mornings during the 10am service for parents and their young children to learn and play together. We generally begin with a snack and a catch up, then tell a Bible story and finish with a craft. We try to keep the sessions very relaxed and always have toys out for any children who don't want to join in with the led activities.
We follow the same story pattern as Sunday Stars and during 2024 covered the story of Abraham and Joshua from the Old Testament, some of the parables from the New Testament and ended with a term focusing on the women of the Bible.
Sunday Club averages around 3-6 children aged 0-8 and has 4 regular team members who have all been DBS checked and take turns to be responsible for preparing the story and craft.
Sunday Stars
Sunday Stars starts with a catch up on the children's weeks while they eat some lovely biscuits. Then we introduce our theme for the week.
We then move onto the carpet and use our gathering prayer to prepare for our bible story and lesson. Starting in September we have moved to a new way of approaching the bible. From September to Christmas we look at People of the Bible.
This Winter Term we learnt all about the Women of the bible The children enjoyed learning about a range of characters and themes and made some delightful crafts. We even shared some of our crafts with the congregation!
For 2025 we are looking forward to Fruits of the Spirit until Easter. From Easter until the Summer we will be looking at the way people practice being Christians either through following the 10 commandments, or through specific occasions like Baptism and Confirmation.
Sunday Stars averages around 7-10 children aged 4-10 and has regular team members who have all been DBS checked and take turns to be responsible for preparing the craft.
We would love to welcome all children to our group and if you need any further information please come and chat to Sarah Allen or Emma Houston.
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St Andrew’s Youth (STAY)
Thank you to everyone who has supported our Young People and our team over the last year. Whether that has been by volunteering, praying, offering advice and support, being an emergency cover, or cheering us on. What we have done has not been possible without any one of you so thank you! Particularly I’d love to thank the amazing team who volunteer their time to support on Thursdays and Sundays, what we do genuinely wouldn’t be possible without your time and dedication!
2024 built a lot on what we laid a base for in 2023. We continued our Sunday Youth sessions, looking at different “Superheroes of the Bibe” and upon request from our young people starting a deep dive into the theology of the Gospel of John. Witnessing our young people grow not just in knowledge and understanding of the Bible, but in genuine faith has been incredible.
Our once a month Thursday sessions continue to grow, providing a safe space for our young people to be. Often accompanied by FIFA, pool, darts, hot chocolate, crafts and some form of food related activity. To see different ages interacting in positive ways is truly heartwarming.
At the end of 2023 Tom asked if our young people wished to run the All Together Service, which was enthusiastically taken up. We came up with the plan to do “Superheroes of the Bible”. One character from the Bible every month who we explored, using superheroes as a backdrop to help explain some of the stories. We even encouraged dress up. I don’t know of many churches who have been able to convince the Arch-Deacon to dress up as Superhero but that is something we can confidently say!
The All Together Service has been fantastic to be involved with. Our Young People coped phenomenally well of organising a new service, in a new environment (we had just moved into the hall). They have all grown in confidence in their abilities and their dedication to practicing and learning can only be celebrated. The way they have developed as leaders, whatever they do, leading the service, helping plan, running tech, has been astounding!
As we go into 2025 and beyond please do pray for each of the Young People we engage with. Pray for our wonderful team! Pray for wisdom that we see each of our Young People as individuals and help them each to grow in their own unique ways. Pray for the Young People that we will get to know over the next year. Pray for energy and enthusiasm. And Pray that we continue to see God working in the lives of all the young people we engage with and all that we do.
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Walking Group
In 2024 eleven walks took place (one cancelled due to weather). These attracted a total of 101 walkers (and two dogs). During the year, as ever, the countryside, cafes, and pubs were explored and appreciated. Of particular note was the bread pudding at Woodford and the sunny evening at The Red Lion.
The walks were Stanwick Lakes, Brigstock Woods, Lowick, Uppingham, Cranford, Grendon, Ise Valley, Woodford, Warmington, Weekley Hall Woods and Wicksteed Park
Our continuing Honorary Presidents for 2025 are Maggie and Ivor Jones and we thank them for their support.
One change is that the 2025 walking season will now run from May to September (plus the Christmas social walk). This is to take advantage of hopefully better weather.
Thanks go to all who supported the walks. All are welcome for a time of exercise and fellowship. Details of forthcoming walks will be in the Church Magazine and Notices.
Rosalind and Malcolm Robinson
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Welcome Events
We held two welcome events in 2024. The first was a very enjoyable evening at the Vicarage where newcomers met some of the Church Family, learned about the history of St Andrews and were able to find out more about what is going on. Many thanks to Tom and Emma for hosting this event.
The second was a lunchtime family buffet. A fun time with lots of children joining us. It was slightly delayed by the move back into church, resulting in a group who were mainly, already well established in the church family. It was good for them to meet some new members of the congregation and learn about the history of St Andrews.
It is a joy to see how many people who have attended the welcome events are now involved in Church life and themselves welcoming other newcomers. We look forward to welcoming many more newcomers in the coming months.
Many thanks to everyone who has been involved and to everyone who came along and helped eat all the snacks.
Maggie Price
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Worship Band
I’ll start of by thanking all those members of the worship band; not just the musicians and singers, but all those who in various different ways support beyond the music. Your continued support and dedication enables us to support worship at St Andrews.
The first six months or so of 2024 was really quite odd. Services in hall were very different, with Worship Band duties covered by either David Carter or myself.
Even when we initially returned to the church, we were unable to all play immediately because the technical infrastructure had not been installed. Details of the installation of various tech systems is contained in a special tech report.
Once that infrastructure had been installed, we were able to rehearse and return to supporting various services in worship.
Many people helped us with the tech, and that is covered in much more detail in the special tech report you will find elsewhere.
For various reasons our “membership” for want of a better word has been rather in a state of flux. Some of that has come about as a result of the temporary move to the hall, some has come about because of external pressures. Regardless, I am thankful for all the commitment that the various members of the Worship band make, regardless of how big or small that may appear.
I had set myself the goal in writing this report of not mentioning anyone by name (for fear of missing someone out), but in the case of our one new member, I am going to make an exception. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Liz, who has joined us as both viola player and singer.
Jeremy Carter
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Special Tech Report to March 2025
While for some, the hand-back of the main church resplendent with new floor and heating might have been considered the end of the project, so far as the tech was concerned it was just the beginning.
There was no PA, no functioning hearing loop, no special lighting, no stage lighting, no projector, no audio sockets and no wifi!
Two IKEA computer “gaming” desks were purchased to allow the mixing and control computers to be set up. After which began the job of running cables through the underfloor ducts to the stage and beyond.
Although some rope had been left in position between access points, we pulled through new rope that stretched the whole length of the church.
Through that duct has been pulled:-
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Speaker cable x2 (for the left and right loudspeakers)
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Cat5 Ethernet cable x2 to supply the TV screens via HDMI Injectors
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Cat5 Ethernet cable to be the “Digital Snake” connecting the stage box in the chancel and the expander box to the side of the stage (another Cat5 from the chancel) to the mixing desk.
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CAT5 Ethernet for a DMX lighting control output on the stage.
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2x Fibre Optic HDMI cables routed to a break out box on the stage to allow an HDMI input from a device (laptop of iPad) to be sent to the main screen. The return HDMI will allow a “Stage Display”.
Connections to the stage box at the chancel have been made with an analogue snake (the one we had with the original mixing desk some thirty or more years ago), and XLR cables.
Connections to the expander box are made via a custom built patch-bay. That allows up to 16 inputs and eight returns to be sent from what is currently around 24 inputs on stage (to be expanded to 32 over the next few weeks). Each of the stage inputs have been hand made with high quality Neutrik sockets and the cables laid under the stage.
Two cables have also been run from the mixing desk to the access points beside the third row of pillars – to allow a second set of speakers to be installed. Those are currently the powered Roland’s which were kindly donated to us by Roland UK.
The iMac was pressed back into service for running presenter, while a small Celeron based computer runs the lighting control software QLC+.
One of the most challenging aspects of the installation was that all the power supply outlets are at roof level. Meanwhile all the lighting DMX control cables required to be routed that way too., along with another Cat5 cable to carry the HDMI supply to the projector.
Almost all the cable that were run up to roof level re-used redundant conduit that had previously been installed at the time of the first PA being installed.
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A summary of the high level cable installation is as follows:-
For the South Aisle
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Cat5 cable for the HDMI Projector signal
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Cat5 cable from the DMX controller to the stage lights
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Cat5 cable from the DMX controller to the pillar lights
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Thin 2 core screened cable for the DMX lighting control between lights run up and down each pillar.
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AC Mains cable from the power outlets to each pair of pillar lights
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AC mains cable from the power outlet to the stage lights.
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Remote control switches for powering the lights on and off.
For the North Aisle
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Cat5 cable from the DMX controller to the pillar lights
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Thin 2 core screened cable for the DMX lighting control between lights run up and down each pillar.
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AC Mains cable from the power outlets to each pair of pillar lights
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AC mains cable from the power outlet to the stage lights.
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Remote control switches for powering the lights on and off.
The challenges for installing those cables and lights was made so much easier and safer as a result of an anonymous donation to allow us to purchase a scaffold tower. It not only facilitated the installation of those cables, but allowed for the re-installation of the stage lighting and projector.
While the scaffold tower was erected we took the opportunity to replace all the blown lamps with LED ones. We replaced nearly twenty which were defective – and it was really noticeable how much more light was available.
Prior to the top tiles being laid, an inductive loop was installed around the perimeter of the church, the ends of which were left coiled up in one of the access points. After installation of the mixing desk and amplifiers, we set about installing an induction loop driver. It should have been a simple job of terminating the loops ends on the back of the amplifier and setting the an output from the desk. Unfortunately the loop amplifier showed a fault condition. On measuring the loop impedance we found that the loop was open circuit. The concern was that at some point the cable had been accidentally damaged. “Hilltop” the company who installed the loop were due to visit to try to track down the problem – though finding a break in a buried cable is really quite difficult even with specialist equipment. Fortunately the day before the visit we opened one of doors in front of the heating manifold coiled up in the bottom of it were two cables. Both looked uncommonly like the loop cable. Taking the two ends we joined them together and measured the impedance, which was now close to zero. We think that the loop must have been installed while the work on the heating manifold was being undertaken. To facilitate the loop installation it was done in two halves from each side of the manifold, but was never joined together once the heating installation was complete.
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There is still more work to be done. There are some more audio inputs to be installed on the stage and couple more HDMI cable (or Cat5 + HDMI injectors) for TV screens in the choir. The equipment rack is to be rationalised, and be located under the desk. We are to commission a windows computer for use with presenter.
None of the installation work would have been done if it wasn’t for the efforts of a lot of people; people who crawled under the stage, who helped pull cables, who made cups of tea, who helped unload the scaffold tower when it was first delivered and who ensured it was erected safely. In all we have installed over 40 sockets of various types XLR(M), XLR(F), Ethernet and HDMI. We have terminated over 240 separate cable cores; soldered, crimped and push-down. And astonishingly over half a kilometre of cables.
I would like to record a special thanks to Roger Payne, Nick Maple, Derek Price, David Cox & Paul Sweeney, who over a couple of months raised and lowered the scaffold tower as we moved it around the church from the north aisle to the nave, from the nave to the south aisle and from the south aisle to the stage and then all the way back again; not just once but several times as we ran different cables and installed different lights.
Jeremy Carter 25/03/25
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St Andrew’s Kettering Parochial Trust
Registered Charity No: 259712
Annual Report
and
Financial Statements
For The Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Chair of Trustees from 25[th] January 2021 Rev Thomas Houston St Andrew’s Vicarage Lindsay Street Kettering NN16 8RG
Bank:
Nat West 16 Hight Street Kettering NN16 8SZ
Independent Examiner: Mr Gareth Ogden 73 Windermere Road Kettering NN16 8UF
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Trust Annual Report
Trustees active during 2024
Ex-Officio: Revd Tom Houston Chair From January 2021 Mrs Barbara Carter Churchwarden From May 2022 Mrs Christine Smith Churchwarden To May 2024 Mrs Sue Merrifield Churchwarden From May 2024 Mrs Debbie Cox Administrator From May 2024
Appointed:
Mrs Christine Smith Vice Chair Mrs Debbie Cox Secretary Mr Derek Price Treasurer Ms Ailish Avery Trustee Miss Harriet Carter Trustee
From May 2024 to May 2029 From May 2021 to May 2024 From July 2023 to July 2028 From June 2022 to June 2027 From June 2023 to June 2028
Background
The Kettering St Andrew Parochial Trust, established in 1951, is a Registered Charity (No 259712) whose objects include any charitable purpose within the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Andrew, Kettering.
Trustees
The Trust Deed provides for 3 ex-officio Trustees and 4 appointed Trustees. Appointment of new Trustees is by the other Trustees and it is required that they shall be ‘persons who through residence, or occupation or employment, or otherwise have special knowledge of the area of benefit’ namely the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Andrew, Kettering’
Documents governing the operation of the Trust
The Trust was registered as a Charity in 1951 on the basis of its definition in a clause of a Conveyance dated 11[th] May 1951 and a Scheme regarding the Charity was approved by the Charity Commissioners on 31st Oct 1997.
Income Tax
There are no covenants in operation for the benefit of the Trust
Benefit of the Trust
No direct cash or material benefit was distributed by the Trustees
The Trust continues to provide an affordable meeting space and facilities, including some equipment storage space, for a wide variety of groups and organisations.
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Review of the year
The Trustees met formally on 3 occasions in 2024
Maintenance and repair work carried out is as follows:-
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A new gas boiler fitted together with new heater floor boxes.
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Sensor lights fitted to the hallway toilets and storeroom.
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A new photocopier leased.
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Play area cleaned with a pressure washer
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Roofs and gutters cleaned.
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New light weight battery lawn mower purchased.
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Key safe fitted saving Debbie and Christine time letting in people.
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Overhaul of all storage in the church rooms.
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Office has been repurposed to house desks for Administrator, Intern, Lead Verger and Arts Centre Manager. Also crafts etc to be used by anyone stored in separate open boxes.
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Bottom office cleared in preparation for curate joining in summer 2025.
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Garage now used to store the church’s scaffolding tower along with other items
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Pat Testing carried out annually.
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Fire extinguisher and Emergency Lighting checks carried out annually. Internal checks carried out monthly.
Utility prices have increased 3 fold after the end of our 3 year contract consequently hire charges will be increased to address the increased energy costs
We offer free use of the rooms to over 20 church groups.
Thank you to all our Trustees for their work and support during 2024.
Thank you to our amazing Treasurer, Derek who worked hard to get the 2023 accounts ready for the Charity Commission following Hugh’s Marks passing. Derek is continuing to keep the 2024 accounts in good order and gives the Trustees up to date information.
Thank you to Debbie, she is doing a great job dealing with all bookings, preparing weekly sheets and invoices and dealing with the many enquiries we are now regularly receiving for room hire.
Thank you to Sam for cleaning the church rooms diligently and always with a smile.
Thank you for Terry who continually works with our rubbish! He makes sure recycling is done correctly and puts out and brings in bins, among many other tasks.
Thank you to Graham, Malcolm R, Steve and Jeremy for help with maintenance inside and outside.
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Trust Accounts
12 months to December 31[st] 2024
Lettings have improved materially since 2020 as recovery from the Covid shutdowns continues. Occupancy has grown year on year for 2022 and 2023 and further for 2024.
Thanks also go to Christine and Terry Smith for all their work to maintain and present the rooms at their best for all users.
We have no restricted funds at present.
Kettering St Andrew Parochial Trust Accounts 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ Receipts £
38,293 Room lettings 29,262
595 Donations 120
(73) Grants & Key Deposits 100
16,697 Opening balance 10,152
55,512 39,634
Payments
4,237 Insurance 3,768
7,145 Electricity & Gas 4,226
1,088 Printing 927
922 IT & Wi-fi provision 918
- Security -
4,842 Cleaning & Materials 5,130
1,303 Other Expenditure [Keys etc] 483
17,896 Maintenance 3,559
493 Waste Expenses 575
- Contribution to Redevelopment 1,000
1,571 Water 1,280
3,967 Admin Recharges 1,070
43,464 22,937
12,048 Closing balances 16,697
4,649 Net Movement in Year 6,545
----- End of picture text -----
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Trust Statement of Assets and Liabilities
General Fund 2024 General Fund 2023 £ £ Represented by: Current A/C 12,048 16,697
The account is held with the Nat West Bank
Other Assets
Vested in the Trust are land and property adjacent to St. Andrew’s Church, Kettering commonly referred to as the Church rooms and the Curate’s residence, together with various fixtures, furniture and fittings. During 1999, the bungalow was converted into additional meeting rooms and an enclosed link-way built. The property is now considered to be a single building. The refurbishment of the kitchen area was financed by a grant of £27,500 from the National Lottery Charities Board and the refurbishment of the ladies and gents toilets and hallway were financed by grants of £21,165 from Grantscape in 2012/13.
The property has not been professionally valued but is valued for insurance purposes: £
Church Rooms Buildings 1,515,541 Contents 91,765
Commentary on Income and Expenditure
- During the year the Trust undertook to replace the heating system as the existing system was becoming difficult to maintain due to difficulties in obtaining spare parts. It is an essential feature of the service provided to the users of the rooms that they are adequately heated, especially given the vulnerable nature of some of our users. Therefore, a new boiler system was installed and replacement room vent covers fitted at a cost of just over £13k. The installation took place during the summer with minimal impact upon users. The Trustees are grateful for the thoughtful and professional service provided by our supplier. At the end of 2023 the supply of Gas and Electricity to the Trust came to the end of a fixed price contract that had been in place for some time and so the cost of energy rose significantly with the negotiation of a new fixed term supply. It is hoped that the new boiler will be more efficient to run than the previous version but the impact of rising fuel costs over the year is apparent in the accounts. Increased heating costs have also arisen as a
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result of the increased occupancy. In the light of the requirement for building maintenance and higher fuel costs the rate increase implemented in February 2024 now appears to have been a prudent move by the Trust.
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Insurances continues to rise year on year as a cost, rising to £4.2k in 2024 but will rise again in 2025 to £4.4k. This is however an unavoidable cost but at least the increase to 2025 is less than in the previous year.
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The Trust has benefitted from increased occupancy and a small increase in rates which has boosted income to help fund essential maintenance and improvements during the year. The overall fund balance has been reduced year on year due to major expenditure on the Heating system with the boiler replacement and improvements to the emergency lighting system. The program of premises upgrade and maintenance will continue in the coming year.
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Reported funds at the bank are £9,877 with outstanding items amounting to £2,170 which are predominantly outstanding invoices and so represents net debtors.
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Reconciliation of Bank account to Accounts:
£ Balance in Nat west per statement 31/12/2024 9,877 Net outstanding items included in Accounts 2,171 Adjusted balance at bank 12,048
Closing balance per Accounting Records 31/12/24 12,048
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During the year the Trust was supported by members of the congregation of St Andrews who assisted with decorating and ongoing routine maintenance of the buildings. The Trustees are grateful to these people.
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During 2024 the building usage increased significantly and coupled with the required access for maintenance work a degree of flexibility by users has been required. The positive and supportive attitude shown by all who use the Church Rooms has been a great help and the Trust are grateful to all users for their ongoing support and understanding.
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Inde
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report on the accounts
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