## **Discover DeCrypt, Gloucester Annual Report for 2023** Discover DeCrypt is a charity based in the Church of St Mary de Crypt and the adjacent Tudor schoolroom in Southgate Street in the centre of Gloucester. Our £2.1 million restoration project, completed in 2019, was made possible through a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and donations from other trusts, organisations and individuals. Our aims are to share our faith in Jesus Christ, to promote the story of our history and heritage and to enhance the community life of our city. Inspired by the vision of sharing our ‘Faith’, our ‘Story’ and our ‘Life’, Discover DeCrypt has continued throughout 2023 to maintain a mission to welcome people in the spirit of Christian hospitality. In addition to groups which use our buildings on a regular basis, we have welcomed 25,800 visitors during the course of the year, an increase of 18% over the previous year. Visitors are greeted by our team of well-briefed volunteers, who are always keen to share their passion for our heritage and their interest in the story of the city of Gloucester. 2023 has been an important year in the development of the Discover DeCrypt charity. In spring, our NLHF funding came to an end, although we were fortunate in receiving an additional resilience and recovery grant to offset some of the impact of the pandemic on our business plan. At the same time a complete review of all aspects of the operation of the charity was undertaken by Cultural Associates Oxford. From this process, trustees have an increasing resolve that Discover DeCrypt should function as an active community hub and should seek deeper partnerships with our local community. As a result, lots of new contacts have been made with various groups and our space has been used almost to maximum capacity during the second part of the year, with bookings which bring real community impact being prioritised. We aim to keep our Christian ethos at the forefront, but we seek to be a church that does things differently and is open to all in our community. A significant part of our appeal is the ambience and hospitality created by an on-site café, which has now been rebranded as a Tudor Tea Room; although still searching for the right complement of staff to run this in 2023 to its full potential, trustees are of no doubt about its overall importance. Also stimulated by the CAO report, 2023 has seen an increased focus on fundraising. This, together with the increasing number of groups using our facilities, has enabled Discover DeCrypt to end the year on a note of cautious optimism. We look to the future with confidence and trust in God’s provision as we seek to build on the real sense of enthusiasm and concern for the community that pervades our life. DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 This report highlights some of the major events we have held in 2023 and the groups we have supported in order to fulfil the three-fold objectives at the heart of Discover DeCrypt’s vision. It also reflects the growing importance of our community role. ## **Objective 1 – FAITH:** ## **To share an inclusive sacred space** - As a consecrated Christian church, we continue to offer space within our busy city for people to pray, contemplate or simply take in the tranquillity of our building. Several exhibitions have enhanced this reflective atmosphere, such as the ‘Stations of the Cross from the Eyes of Jesus’ by Jonathon Brown during Lent. - Each Friday lunchtime we host a weekly service of ‘Prayers for the City’ and commemorate Christian festivals such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Ascension Day with special services. We held a Christian Aid service in May, a service to mark the Coronation of Charles III and a Holy Communion to remember the departed on All Saints’ Day. The U3A Carol Service in early December was another well attended highlight and saw St Mary de Crypt referred to as ‘the best place in Gloucester for singing’. - Discover DeCrypt continues to occupy a special place in the religious and civic life of our city. The annual Gloucester Day service, which takes place in September, is held in the church followed by a parade through the four main gated streets led by the Town Crier. This year’s celebration was very well-attended. - In March, we also had the pleasure of hosting the Back Badge service for members of the Gloucestershire Regiment. The service was led by Rev Canon Arthy, accompanied by ex-members of the Glosters Band, and was followed by a march through the city. - Our aim is to operate in as inclusive a manner as possible and to share God’s love broadly. We continue to engage with the LGBTQI+ community, hosting the Pride AGM, a very wellsupported Transgender Day of Remembrance and a powerful service for International AIDS Day. ## **Objective 2 – STORY:** ## **To preserve and enhance our heritage, making heritage and history accessible** - Our team of volunteer guides has continued to staff the church throughout the year to escort visitors, focusing on the architecture and historical characters who have given interest to this place. - We showcased the church at its best during the Gloucester Heritage Open Days in September with ‘Bones and Bells’ tours, which included areas such as the crypt and the tower which are not DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 normally open. One innovative aspect saw our team of bell-ringers teaching the public the first principles of bell-ringing. - In July Discover DeCrypt joined with the Civic Trust and other heritage organisations to host the Gloucester Festival of Archaeology. Our particular focus was on the Romans and we were able to exhibit the fragments of the cornice and altar stone from the Roman temple discovered in Southgate Street in 2019. - Gloucester Day saw the re-forming of the 'Ancient Society of Crypt Youths', with members wearing new sweaters sporting the logo 'Bells of St Mary de Crypt', and also saw the blessing of a newly designed ASCY banner, which is now on display in the church. - Another special event that brought our story to a wider audience was a sell-out performance of scenes from ‘A Christmas Carol’ expertly performed by drama students from the Crypt School. Sponsored by our Friends organisation, the performance was preceded by a lecture on the life of Jemmy Wood, the 18[th] century Gloucester banker who is buried beneath our chancel and is believed to have been one of the inspirations for Dickens’ character Ebenezer Scrooge. ## **Objective 3 – LIFE:** ## **To provide an inspiring community space that is affordable, accessible and welcoming** - The groups which lease our premises on a regular basis reflect a diverse range of different interests. Among those included are the Heart of Gloucester community choir, a tai chi group, an Inclusion Gloucestershire drama group, AA meetings and the Cuddesdon, Gloucester and Hereford training course for ordinands. - Throughout May the church was brought alive by an exhibition of artwork by the pupils of Beech Green Primary School. - An indoor street party with food and games was held for the local community to mark the coronation of Charles III. Events in London were shown on large screen TV at the same time. **----- Start of picture text -----**
City dignitaries at
Discover DeCrypt
for the Coronation,
May 2023
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DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - We have continued to host a number of concerts and drama performances throughout the year, which have been very well-received by the community. The monthly Coffee Concerts pioneered by local musicians Vicki and Seb Field have provided a wealth of beautiful music in an inspired setting. Evening concerts have included the joyous and uplifting folk concert by the Rodborough Folk Orchestra. One of the most successful drama productions over several nights in February was ‘Great Expectations’ by the Rococo Players. - As in previous years, we have been a venue for a number of well-patronised weekend trading fairs. Foremost among these have been Love Viva Cakes and Crafts and Pre-Loved Kilo, an organisation which offers vintage and retro clothing at affordable prices. - The main community development of the year has been the hosting at Discover DeCrypt of two hugely successful Steampunks Weekends, which have seen the site taken over by madcap shenanigans, with music, markets and monster hunts for all ages. These weekends have brought in many new visitors and raised our profile among those who might not normally visit. **----- Start of picture text -----**
The Community Events: Viva Crafts, Steampunks and ‘Great Expectations’
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## **Charity Details** Registered Charity Number: 1167097 Address: St Mary de Crypt Church and School, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP The following have continued to be trustees throughout 2023: Rev Canon Nicola Arthy (Ex-Officio Chair); Mr Peter Gould (Treasurer & Vice-Chair); Mr David Evans (Secretary); Rev Dr Sandra Millar, Ms Ursula Corcoran and Mr Richard Ryan. Rev Guy Treweek resigned as a trustee in January. Trustees are either nominated by the PCC or appointed by the Chair following consultation with existing trustees. The full Board of Trustees has at least four meetings a year, whilst a smaller group referred to as the Operations Board meets more frequently. The charity employs an Operations Manager and a Community Manager and others in duty manager, café manager and cleaning roles. In addition, we rely extensively on a good group of stalwart volunteers, all of whom work hard to help make Discover Decrypt the lively and vibrant community it is. We are also grateful to our faith community, on whose continued prayer we rely, our regular hirers, who are always so appreciative of our facilities, and all our visitors and supporters, whose continued engagement and interest has made all we seek to do worthwhile. _David Evans on behalf of Discover DeCrypt Trustees_ DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 SEcfioN A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Al Receipts Services donations Grants: 283 283 Corefundraising NHLF Resilience Levelling Up Friends DCMS GiftAid Smdc Ins Smdc Fubric Personal School Other 7500 7500 25150 20000 50 25150 20000 50 728 6500 728 6500 6922 1958 902 2773 6922 1958 902 2773 Public donations Cash Direct 3814 386 16634 8487 20642 4927 3814 386 16634 8487 20642 4927 Tearoom Shop Lettings Events Insurance claims Tour5/other toto 1968 129623 1968 129623 ross Income or A2 Investment sales Sub tot(yl Total Receipts 129623 129623 A3 Payments Resilience: Fees Other 17520 15888 12507 Levelling Up Maintenance: 12507 Services Fabric Quinquennial 10628 549 Energy: Gas E/L 6000 3473 6789 1311 2243 1369 Insurance Water WebsitelDomain name Tel/BB Legal & Accounting Stationery, Printing Event costs Payroll: 5733 Ddc Tearoom Duty managing 34561 14507 2816 4260 4802 2325 14507 2816 4260 4802 2325 Tearoom supplies Goods Equipment Marketing/Publicity Other Adjusted for projects: 4145 4145 Resrlience Levelling Up (in budgets above) Sub total A4 Asset & Investment purchases -11619 ~11619 33745 139808 Sub total Total payments 139808 139808 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfer between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cashfunds this yeur end -10185 -10185 31659 21474 31659 21474 Bank accounts Y/c balances: Cooperative Natwest Lloyds Total 5180 25967 512 31659 5180 25967 512 31659 Bank accounts Y/E balances: Cooperative N(7twWest Lloyds Totol 4961 15100 1414 21474 4961 15100 1414 21474 SECTION B Statement of assets and liabilities at Y/E Details Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Bl Cash funds 21474 B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets Assets retained for the charity's own use Liabilities Loan repayments Diocesan loan 30000 i CHARITY COMMISSION I FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees 5)& CIJN CWY7f On accounts for the year ended charity.no (if any) Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent IThe charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am alified to examiner's statement undertake the exami y being a qualified me of [insert name of applicable liste dy]]. Delete [ ] if not applic I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination di￿1￿ ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or ' the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that_th.e accounts gi.ve a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across. no.other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shoul.4 be drawn tn this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Sig.ned: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body IER Oct 2018 (if any): Address: 70 WY Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018