2024-12-31-accounts

Discover DeCrypt, Gloucester Annual Report for 2024

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. We aim to share our faith in Jesus Christ, to promote the story of our history and heritage and to enhance the life of our city.

Following our vision of sharing our ‘faith’, ‘story’ and ‘life’, Discover DeCrypt has continued throughout 2024 to welcome people from far and wide in the spirit of Christian hospitality. In addition to groups which use our buildings on a regular basis, we have received 24,500 visitors this year.

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Gloucester Glow
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2024 has been a year in which Discover DeCrypt has developed into an increasingly active community hub, making a valued contribution to the life of the city. Our Christian ethos remains very much at the forefront, but a wide range of different groups make use of our facilities.

We were also fortunate this year to be awarded a grant of £117,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to begin the development phase of a major new conservation project. This initial grant has been used to employ a professional fundraiser and to commission specialist reports on the stained glass, stonework and polychromy of our chancel and sanctuary. If we are successful in attracting further funding to implement the project fully in 2025 and 2026, this will achieve a complete conservation of what is currently a very vulnerable part of the church, including the stabilisation and interpretation of our late medieval wall painting of the Adoration of the Magi.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2024

This report highlights some of the major events we have held in 2024 and the groups we have supported in order to fulfil the three-fold objectives that lie at the heart of Discover DeCrypt’s vision.

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, reflect or simply take in the tranquillity of our building.

• Our regular events include Friday morning Coffee, Cake and Conversation, at which anyone facing challenges or problems in life may seek a sympathetic ear, our weekly lunchtime service of ‘Prayers for the City’ and Zoom services of Morning Prayer and Compline. Parish Eucharists are held at St Mary de Crypt whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month.

• 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. It has become a wonderful celebration of life in our diverse city and the ability of the church to provide bridges within the community.

• A special Choral Evensong service was held at the end of the Gloucester Glow Festival in June, organised by Creative Field and led by the singing ensemble, Gaudeamus.

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Unfurling our Pride banner
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• Services were held during the festivals we hosted for the Steampunks community in June and December. The Rector commented that on these Sundays she may possibly have been the only member of the clergy in the country whose service was accompanied by a saw and six kazoos. Feedback was very favourable, highlighting our willingness to embrace different approaches and to include those who may not normally consider visiting a church. The summer festival saw the Archbishop of Canterbury making a call during his prayer walk in the city!

• Our aim is to be as inclusive as possible and to share God’s love broadly. We continue to engage with the LGBTQI+ community, hosting the Pride of Gloucestershire AGM and a service to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Objective 2 – STORY:

To preserve and enhance our heritage, making heritage and history accessible

• Our team of volunteer guides has been on hand throughout the year to escort visitors around all areas of the church and schoolroom, focusing on the architecture and historical characters who have given interest to this place. The church was particularly showcased with tours during the Gloucester Heritage Open Days in September.

• An exhibition has been mounted in the chancel to raise awareness of its architecture, considered by many to be the finest jewel within the church, and to explain the major conservation project which is proposed of the stained glass, stonework and medieval paintings. This project will complement the restoration of the rest of the building undertaken in 2019.

• The church’s exhibition on the life and work of George Whitefield has been extensively reworked to set his links with slavery into the context of his time. In partnership with the University of Gloucestershire and the City Council, we have been working on ways to address this difficult history in consultation with representatives of Gloucester’s diverse communities.

• Our Friends organisation has sponsored two informative evenings this year, one to mark the 350[th] anniversary of the death of Colonel Edward Massie, who commanded the city’s forces during the Siege of Gloucester, and another to commemorate the life of the poet William Henley, who was educated at the Crypt School and is considered the inspiration for Long John Silver in ‘Treasure Island’.

• Grove Productions attracted large audiences for their performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’, which took place over successive nights in December, celebrating the link St Mary de Crypt has with Jemmy Wood, the Gloucester miser who may have been in Charles Dickens’ mind when he created the character of Scrooge. “I thought the show was great fun”, wrote one reviewer, “and having it at the church was inspired”.

• The churchyard has continued to develop as an intriguing and nature-filled space. A new raised pond and rockery were created during the summer with help from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2024

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Coffee Morning
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Objective 3 – LIFE:

To provide an inspiring community space that is affordable, accessible and welcoming

• The Tudor Tea Room, located in the old schoolroom, has been developed this year and now acts as a vibrant social centre, offering high quality hospitality, attracting its own customers and supporting the events we have with a wide range of refreshments on offer.

• The groups which lease our premises on a regular basis reflect a range of different community interests. Among these are a tai chi health and fitness class, a ‘stay and play’ toddler group, a meditation class specialising in mindfulness, the Heart of Gloucester community choir and the Cuddesdon, Gloucester and Hereford training course for ordinands.

• We have continued to host a regular programme of concerts and drama performances which have been well-received by the community. The Saturday morning Creative Field Coffee Concerts have continued to be popular and have provided a wide range of inspiring music of different genres. Special concerts have included the Carducci Quartet’s Mozart Concert, featuring clarinettist Emma Johnson.

• Our historic church lends itself naturally to both music and drama. Two of the most successful drama productions played out to packed audiences over several nights were the Rococo Players’ ‘A Book of Will’ and Lou Beckett’s ‘A Rose by Any Other Name’, both on Shakespearean themes.

• Among more commercially orientated events, two that stick in the mind are the Pre-Loved Kilo sale that brought more than 700 people into the church early in the year and the Vinyl Daze Record Fair, the first vinyl record fair to be held in Gloucester for over twenty years.

• The most lavish community events have been our two Steampunks Weekends. The summer weekend was a Pirate Festival coinciding with the Tall Ships Festival at the Docks and brought in more than 2,500 visitors. The Yuletide Revels in December brought a further 1,700 people into the church, admiring many of the outlandish frivolities on display. One of those visitors commented: “It’s really impressive that this church is still a consecrated church and holds services, but it is also open to events like this – a fine example to other churches, I think”.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Thank You

We would like to thank all those who have enabled Discover DeCrypt to flourish and move forward this year. A particular debt of thanks is owed to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its support of the preparatory stages of the sanctuary conservation project. We are also grateful to: our devoted volunteers, who welcome visitors week after week; 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.

Charity Details

Registered Charity Number: 1167097

Address: St Mary de Crypt Church and School, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP

The board of trustees has continued unchanged in 2024: Rev Canon Nicola Arthy (Ex-Officio Chair); Mr Peter Gould (Treasurer); Mr David Evans (Secretary); Rev Dr Canon Sandra Millar; Ms Ursula Corcoran; and Mr Richard Ryan.

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. We also rely extensively on our volunteers.

David Evans on behalf of Discover DeCrypt

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2024

SEclloN A Recelpts and payments Unrestrlcted Restrirted Endowment Total funds Al Recelpts Services The Foyle Foundation NHLF Resilience Sanctuary project DCMS Gift Aid Friends Smdc School Personal Other Smdc Fabric Donations Public Tearoom Shop Lettings Events Ins claims Sanctuary Donations Tours 5000 6250 22466 5000 6250 22466 938 397 15500 4000 1765 5610 938 397 15500 4000 1765 5610 3288 18644 6978 20821 7169 3288 18644 6978 20821 7169 1056 1056 ota ross Income or 119882 119882 A2 Investment sales Sub total Total Receipts 119882 119882 A3 Payments Resilience Sanctuary Project Sanctuary Project offset Maintenance. Sces Maintenance: Fabric Maintenance: Quin Gas E/L Insurance Water Website Tel/BB Fees Stat/Print Event costs Goods Management/Cleaning Tearoom Duty Mgr Other Equipment Tearoom supplies Marketing/Publicity 2185 19487 2185 19487 11290 3111 11290 3111 3248 5326 7223 1563 60 1566 360 3248 5326 7223 1563 60 1566 360 5981 3512 40120 11189 6078 3708 1004 3915 115 131043 5981 3512 40120 11189 6078 3708 1004 3915 115 131043 Sub total

A4 Asset & Investment purchases Sub total Total payments 131043 131043 Net OA receipts/(paymentsJ 5 Transfer between funds 6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end -11160 -11160 20715 9555 20715 9555 Bank accounts Y/C balances: Cooperative Natwest Lloyds Total 4961 15100 1414 21474 4961 15100 1414 21474 Bank accounts Y E balances: Cooperative Natwwest Lloyds Total 619 8281 654 9555 619 8281 654 9555

SEcfioN B Statement of assets and Ilabllltles at YIE Detalls Unrestrlcted Restrirted Endowment Bl Cash funds 9555 B2 Other monetary assets 83 Investment assets Assets retained for the charity's own use Liabilities Loan repayments Diocesan loan 30000

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Discover Decrypt On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no (if any) 1167097 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Date: 23 Independent examlnerfs ststement Slgned: Name: Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: tsQ&cS 0￿c6( Q CTLY fSTe) Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018