ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF GODALMING UNITARIANS
For the period 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025
Overview
Godalming Unitarians has continued to flourish under the leadership of our chair, Christine Martin and our minister Revd Martin Whitell.
We put on an active programme of Sunday services with great support from worship leaders from our congregation, as well as visiting preachers and interfaith ministers and our minister. A strong sense of community was maintained through regular events, walks, community art cafe and special services.
About Godalming Unitarians CIO
Godalming Unitarians is a member-led democratic group. Our aims and purposes are to promote in Godalming and surrounding areas a free and inquiring religion in accordance with the principles of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches (“the GA”). We do this through ‘the worship of God and the celebration of life; the service of humanity and respect for all creation; and the upholding of the liberal Christian tradition’.
Achievements and Performance
Worship, meditation, and prayer
Godalming Unitarians offered regular Sunday services that were inspiring, uplifting and also consoling through the good times and the bad. The trustees were pleased to be able to maintain a full programme of services every Sunday each month. We are grateful to our dedicated organist, Larisa, who has greatly enhanced our services with musical interludes and hymn accompaniment.
In November 2024 we had our annual remembrance service led by our part-time minister, Martin Whitell, followed by our “Social Action” Sunday a couple of weeks later. Thanks to generous donations we were able to stock, pack and deliver 75 Christmas Hampers to Godalming & Villages Community Store.
Over Christmas 2024, Martin was able to lead our annual candle-lit carol service. As usual Martin’s services were uplifting, thoughtful and thought-provoking and delivered with great humour and sensitivity. To finish the year we had an informal congregation-led service coordinated by Paul Richards.
In April, Martin led our Easter service and we were pleased to have our former minister, Revd Sheena Gabriel, lead a couple of services throughout the year. In September, Martin led our annual Harvest service followed by a community shared lunch.
As well as our visiting preachers (including Bert Clough, Val Worthington, Mary Jones) special thanks go to interfaith ministers, Edie Campbell, Lindsay Stevens and Anna Lubelska. Also to our lay preachers and service leaders including Steve Williams, Rob Oulton, Paul Richards and Nicola Young
who also worked tirelessly as our preaching coordinator.
We continued to offer “quiet time” sessions in the chapel where anyone is welcome to attend on the last Wednesday of the month and spend 45 minutes in contemplative reflection. Thanks to our chair, Christine Martin for organizing this activity.
We have maintained hybrid services allowing those who are unable to attend in person to be present via Zoom. Thanks go to Adam Baumberg and Paul Richards for continuing to provide the technical support for these services.
Safeguarding
A new safeguarding group was established in the summer, in line with our legal responsibility to review our policy and practice annually. We are taking advantage of ongoing training opportunities and support sessions provided by the charity 31.8, recommended by Unitarian Headquarters, and are working through a schedule of checks, updates to our written policy, and communication
opportunities, including our safeguarding service in November. Our aim is to raise the profile of safeguarding in the Godalming Unitarians community, for both chapel users and hirers of the hall for the benefit of us all.
Religious education
We have not been able to provide a Children’s Programme but have enjoyed contributions from members of our community in services.
Pastoral support and rites of passage
Our community is open to people of all faiths and none and it is worth reiterating that there is no dogma or set of beliefs required for those wishing to join or attend Godalming Unitarians.
We were pleased to welcome several new members this year. We would also like to encourage others who may be interested to join as members. Those who prefer to remain as friends or simply commit to occasional groups or activities are, of course, always welcome.
The congregation’s informal pastoral support network, sensitively led by Dana Daniels and supported by other members of the congregation, continued its valuable work behind the scenes, enabling those unable to attend to keep in touch with chapel life.
Godalming Unitarians also hosted one wedding ceremony at the chapel over the year. Sadly, Martin and Sheena were also required to conduct the funeral for John Lohrenz, a long standing member of our congregation.
Wider Unitarian involvement
Godalming Unitarians maintained a presence at the annual meeting of the General Assembly. We also supported the annual FUSE event (the Festival of Unitarians in the South-East), and will continue to support other events.
We were pleased to hear in April that one of our members, Jeff Teagle, was awarded Honorary Membership of the General Assembly - the UK Unitarians governing body. Congratulations to Jeff on this well deserved recognition.
Outreach
The monthly Community Art Café has been meeting regularly throughout the year. Thanks to Pam Dalton Williams for organising this along with her team.
This year we were pleased to host our ‘Great Community Garden Party’ on one of the hottest days of the year. We had the Godalming Band as usual and there was further entertainment from the “Kissing Frogs”. The event raised an incredible £700 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. Thanks to Pam Dalton Williams for organising and for everyone who contributed their baking and time.
Our premises have historically been a well-used resource within the community for meetings of U3A groups, healers, dowsers, yoga and Tai Chi enthusiasts, ukulele players and neighbourhood groups. Many of these groups meet in the hall and thanks go to Paul Richards for managing all the bookings.
This year we were unable to have a presence at the Guildford Pride but hope to do so again in future years. However we were pleased to participate in Heritage Open Days in September - opening up the chapel and baptistry to the public on the Saturday and with a heritage themed service led by Martin on the Sunday.
Helping others in need is a demonstration of our commitment to look beyond ourselves. We have continued to offer refreshments after the service, and have been collecting coffee-time donations for Skillway, Green Hub, Step by Step (supporting young people) and the Dan Ely Foundation.
Thanks also to Jill Durrant for keeping our social media fresh and updated.
Social activities
Our activities groups help to create community. We successfully relaunched our Sunday walks with the “Sunday Strollers” group - combining a short stroll with refreshments, visiting local locations including Farncombe boat house, Waverley Abbey and the Green Hub in Milford where we were given a private tour of this peaceful garden project space.
Thanks to Rosie Fargus, Christine Hayhurst, Christine Martin and others for leading the walks and hosting the refreshments.
The book group continued to meet regularly and discussed a wide range of novels.
Premises
Our premises team (Christine Hayhurst, Christine Martin and Paul Richards) have been particularly busy after the last year with some major refurbishments over the period (and continuing on).
Our hall is a wonderful space but has suffered from poor acoustics (echo) due to the high vaulted period ceiling. This has now been remedied with new acoustic panels that are a great improvement and the main space has also been repainted. We have also spent considerable efforts to get the cottage ready for new tenants requiring significant investment to get the property to a good standard. Many thanks to the premises team for all their efforts in managing these substantial projects.
Volunteers
We thank all the volunteers who work hard behind the scenes to keep chapel life going – from meeting and greeting, to providing refreshments, flowers, gardening, DIY and many other tasks. Thanks also to the trustees for their dedication and contribution to the smooth running of Godalming Unitarians in all areas of activity.
Governance
During the year, Christine Martin has continued as chair of the trustees and we are very grateful for all her hard work and leadership. We currently have just seven trustees so are keen for new members to join us to help keep everything running smoothly. We are grateful to our treasurer Laurie Kulcher who has agreed to continue on in the role.
FINANCIAL REVIEW 2024-2025
In the year to September 2025 total payments exceeded total receipts resulting in an overall deficit of £12,292.
Income:
Overall income was much higher than in 2023-24, thanks to a £15k grant from New Gravel Pit Unitarian Chapel Fund (for roof repairs), a £10k bequest, a one-off
donation of £3k and double Gift Aid (2022-23 Gift Aid having been claimed late i.e. in financial year 2024-25 rather than 2023-24). Without these additional sources of funds, and taking the 2022-23 Gift Aid into account, adjusted income is about 9% lower than in 2023-24.
The good news is that income from donations and pledges was slightly up on last year; however Hall & Chapel rentals were lower and Cottage rental was substantially lower due to the cottage being vacant for the second half of the financial year.
Expenditure:
Some costs were higher in 2024-25 than in the previous financial year, in particular, building maintenance and repairs.
-
Chapel repair costs were higher due to essential repairs to the roof guttering.
-
Hall repair costs were much higher, the main expenditure being on roof repairs, a new sound reduction system, decorating and floor refurbishment.
-
Chapel Cottage repairs were also much higher due to essential repairs, replacement of appliances and extensive redecoration. There was also the additional expense of utilities that had to be paid by Godalming Unitarians while the cottage was vacant.
Visiting Preachers costs were higher due to a 30% increase in the preaching fee, and higher travel costs. Most other costs were similar to last year.
Although we start financial year 2025-26 with a diminished bank balance, much of
the planned major expenditure (mostly on buildings repairs and maintenance) has been completed, and therefore we do not foresee any major works in this financial year, except, perhaps, replacement of the Chapel roof, for which fundraising has and will be undertaken.
Finally, my thanks go out to David Daniels, Jeff Teagle and the other Trustees for all their help and support throughout the year.
Administrative information
Godalming Unitarians is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered by the Charity Commission with number 1166019.
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fr-rnds | Funds | 70?4-?.5 | 7023-24 | |||
| f | t | f | € | |||
| *ecelpts | ||||||
| Offertory,Pledges,Donations | !9,420 | 19,424 | 15,744 | |||
| 6ifrAid | 8,699 | &6e8 | ||||
| SpecialServices | 668 | 66{t | ||||
| fundftaisingActivitiesandother restricted | 4,694 | 4,ffN | 2,3-15 | |||
| Grants*eceived | 15,274 | ?:99 | L5,559 | 553 | ||
| [-egacies | xo,mo | 1O"{XX} | ||||
| Ftalland Chapett-ettinglmcorne | 9"9*5 | %s!5 | 1X",634 | |||
| CottageGrossRent | 7,495 | 7,495 | 13,056 | |||
| BankInterest | 3,133 | 3,133 | 3,*VV | |||
| Other receipts | 78 | 78 | ||||
| Tcta[BeceiS | 19,964 | 59,678 | 79,642 | 46,445 | ||
| Payruents | ||||||
| Ministry | 27A | 15,475 | L5,745 | L5,967 | ||
| \lisFtEngFreachers | 1,39C | 1,390 | 766 | |||
| Musicas | z,4w | 2,400 | 7",47.5 | |||
| Subscriptions & donations{unrestricted} | 1,501 | t,501 | 1,561 | |||
| Charitable donationsandother restricted | 4,318 | 4,318 | 2,616 | |||
| Conferences&Caurses | 180 | 180 | 530 | |||
| fcs{TeEephcne&Stationery | 31. | 31 | 23 | |||
| Publicity, Publications&Periodicals | 63 | |||||
| lnsurance | 7,W7 | 7,092 | 1,966 | |||
| Grounds Upkeep | 'J_,74'5. | L,741 | 3,748 | |||
| l-ega! Fees/Licemces | ||||||
| Professionalfees | - | |||||
| ChapelUtilities | L89A | r,oso | n* | |||
| ChapelCleaning | 1,L62 | 1,L62 | 1,891 | |||
| Chape! IWaintenance&Repains | 4 | 3,585 | 3,505 | LA?:8 | ||
| Flat$Utiliries | 1,536 | 1,535 | 1,997 | |||
| HallCleaning | 1,500 | 1,500 | L,954 | |||
| HallMaintenance&Repairs | 4/s | 29,532 | 29,532 | 7,927 | ||
| CottageUtilities | L,A3L | 1,031 | ||||
| CotEage!-ettingfuentFees | ||||||
| Cottage Maintenance&Repairs | 4 | 22,348 | 22,348 | 553 | ||
| Bankrtrarges | 74 | 74 | 58 | |||
| Sundry &GeneralAdministration | 758 | 758 | 755 | |||
| Torlh*trFayrnents | 4.588 | 87,346 | gt^,9?4 | 40,890 | ||
| Surplusl{oefirit}tur the year | 15,376 | {?7,568}172,292!.5,555 |
| Cashfunds: | Restricted UnrestrictedTotal | Restricted UnrestrictedTotal | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnds | Furnds?"0tr4,-252&?.3-?4 | ||
| ffff | |||
| Cashin bankLOctober2G24 | 2X9 | 3.L7,599X17,818 | L12,431, |
| Surplus/{Deficit) this year end | 15,376 | {27,6681ltz,292l-5,555 | |
| Cleanedeheques | |||
| Cashin bank3OSepternber 2025 | |||
| Represented by: | ( | ||
| CAFCashaccsunt | 7,752 7,752 |
||
| CAF6oldaccor.rftt | 58,1Si. 58,101 |
||
| CharityBankDeposit Account | 31,369 31,369 |
||
| SOOM! Credit Unicn Corporate Account | 8,872 8,A72 |
||
| 1A5,294L05,294 |
| Asseb reta!fied for theeharitfs fi**ruse: | Fundtowhich assetbefcngs Cost [optional]' |
Current vatue (optional! |
|---|---|---|
| Landand buildings-notvalued | ftestricted | |
| Furnltt"tre,flxtures adfittigs- not valued | Unrestrlcted | |
| labilities: | FundtowhichAmountdue liabilityrelates {opticnal} |
When due {optional} |
Maintenance Summary
| Chapel Maintenance & Repairs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Description | Amount |
| 14-Oct-24 | CF Fire Protection – annual fire equipment maintenance | 300.00 |
| 14-Nov-24 | Phillips Carpentry Service – window repairs | 600.00 |
| 20-Jan-25 | P Richards GU – new toilet seat | 27.00 |
| 22-Sep-25 | M J Coleman And Sons - roof gutter replaced | 2,577.60 |
| TAL | 3,504.60 | |
| Hall Maintenance & Repairs | ||
| Date | Description | Amount |
| 14-Oct-24 | CF Fire Protection – annual fire equipment maintenance | 311.59 |
| 20-Jan-25 | P Richards GU – new toilet seat | 31.50 |
| 29-Jan-25 | P Richards GU – plunger | 14.99 |
| 31-Mar-25 | J T Simmonds Roofing Ltd – roof work | 8,256.00 |
| 02-Apr-25 | J T Simmonds Roofing Ltd Invoice 198 | 3,000.00 |
| 14-Apr-25 | G A Chedd Ltd – gas safety certificate | 157.10 |
| 17-Apr-25 | J T Simmonds Roofing – supply and fit new outside light | 420.00 |
| 06-Aug-25 | Barton Electrical Service - switch repair | 129.29 |
| 12-Aug-25 | P Richards GU expenses - light bulbs | 13.49 |
| 14-Aug-25 | J T Simmonds Roofing Ltd - hall decoration - painting | 6,000.00 |
| 15-Aug-25 | J T Simmonds Roofing Ltd - hall decoration - ceiling repairs & light fixtures | 2,400.00 |
| 02-Sep-25 | Sound Reduction Systems Ltd SRS | 6,710.16 |
| 09-Sep-25 | Surrey Hills Wood Flooring - refurbishment of floor | 2,088.00 |
| TAL | 29,532.12 |
TOTAL
TOTAL
| Cottage Maintenance & Repairs | |
|---|---|
| Date Description |
Amount |
| 15-Oct-24 G A Chedd Ltd – gas safety certificate | 157.10 |
| 09-May-25 Chritine Martin new locks | 134.76 |
| 05-Jun-25 Godalming Carpets kitchen flooring – deposit | 596.64 |
| 05-Jun-25 Tony Wright decorating | 777.48 |
| 05-Jun-25 Godalming Carpets Carpets – deposit | 943.90 |
| 13-Jun-25 Tony Wright decorating | 1,067.35 |
| 19-Jun-25 Chritine Martin keys | 24.00 |
| 20-Jun-25 Godalming Carpets kitchen flooring – final | 596.64 |
| 02-Jul-25 Tony Wright decorating | 760.48 |
| 11-Jul-25 Tony Wright decorating | 1,200.00 |
| 11-Jul-25 J T Simmonds Roofing Ltd outhouse roof | 1,020.00 |
| 24-Jul-25 Tony Wright decorating | 1,071.37 |
| 06-Aug-25 Tony Wright decorating | 468.68 |
| 12-Aug-25 Tony Wright decorating | 648.99 |
| 12-Aug-25 Tony Wright decorating | 833.25 |
| 03-Sep-25 Tony Wright decorating | 1,755.42 |
| 09-Sep-25 Chris Hayhurst - Waverley BC planning advice | 61.10 |
| 15-Sep-25 Tony Wright decorating | 944.49 |
| 15-Sep-25 D R Smith And Partner Ltd - electrical work | 1,203.48 |
| 17-Sep-25 J Weatherbed Ltd - kitchen units and appliances | 5,453.08 |
| 17-Sep-25 J Weatherbed Ltd - kitchen fitting/woodwork | 2,630.00 |
| TOTAL | 22,348.21 |
| OVERALL TOTAL | 55,384.93 |
Page 1