2025-12-31-accounts

Discover DeCrypt, Gloucester Annual Report for 2025

Discover DeCrypt is a charity based in the centre of Gloucester in the Church of St Mary de Crypt and the adjacent Tudor schoolroom, both of which benefited from a major restoration project completed in 2019. 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 2025 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 received 22,500 visitors this year alone.

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St Mary de Crypt
by night
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2025 has seen Discover DeCrypt continue to develop as a thriving community hub which makes a significant contribution to the life of the city. Our Christian ethos remains at the forefront, but we have a vision which is inclusive and a wide range of different groups make use of our facilities.

The main challenge facing Discover DeCrypt during 2025 has been the management of the small balance in our operational accounts, with maintenance on the historic building and repairs to the heating system bringing significant demands. The Round One Development Grant we were awarded from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2024 has been used to implement the development phase of a major new conservation project in the chancel and sanctuary. We have had the services of a professional fundraiser and activity planner and we have commissioned specialist reports on the stained glass, stonework and polychromy. £140,000 has been raised or pledged for the project so far. If we succeed in attracting the Round Two NLHF Delivery Grant to implement the project fully from 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 wall painting of the Adoration of the Magi.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2025

This report highlights some of the major events we have held in 2025 and the groups we have supported in order to fulfil the three-fold objectives that lie at the heart of our vision.

Objective 1 – FAITH:

To share an inclusive sacred space

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Prayers
for Pride
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• 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 in life may seek a sympathetic ear, our weekly lunchtime service of ‘Prayers for the City’ and parish Zoom services of Morning Prayer and Compline.

• 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.

• This summer, we welcomed folk musicians, artists and poets from across the county for the Gloucester Folk Trail. In addition to the many performances that took place, our innovative Folk Church service was greatly appreciated.

• We continue to enjoy working with the LGBTQI+ community to share God’s love broadly. This year, we have hosted the Pride of Gloucestershire AGM and begun a new monthly service of allinclusive worship, including a carol service. The annual service to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance was very well attended.

Objective 2 – STORY:

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

• Our team of volunteer guides is on hand throughout the year to escort individual visitors and pre-booked groups around all areas of the church and schoolroom, bringing to life many of the historical characters who have given interest to this place. The church was particularly showcased with tours, including tower tours, during the Gloucester Heritage Open Days.

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Janina Ramirez admiring
our Tudor wall painting
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• The highly regarded Gloucester History Festival included in its programme a sell-out talk by Professor Janina Ramirez on the wall paintings we are planning to have conserved in the sanctuary. Referring to the church as an ‘international masterpiece’, she drew parallels between our ‘Adoration of the Magi’ and similar paintings in Italy and the Netherlands. Many visitors came to the church to view the paintings in person as a result of this talk.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2025

• We continue to host new exhibitions which tell important life stories associated with St Mary de Crypt. This year, students from the University of Gloucestershire have compiled a new display on John Biddle, the so-called ‘Father of English Unitarianism’, who was headmaster at the Crypt during the tumultuous years of the English Civil war. Present-day pupils at the Crypt School have also created an exhibition telling the story of the poem ‘Invictus’ and the way in which its message about resilience has impacted on world history. The author of the poem written 150 years ago, William Henley, was educated in our old schoolroom.

• We also welcomed a local music group, ‘Waytes and Measures’, who gave a lively concert featuring pieces played on instruments from medieval and Tudor times. The instruments depicted being played by angels on the 16[th] century roof bosses of our chancel were explained and provided the concert with a unique historical focus.

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 range of different community interests and continue to give us appreciative feedback. Among these are a tai chi health and fitness class, a ‘stay and play’ toddler group, a meditation class specialising in mindfulness, English classes for refugees, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Cuddesdon, Gloucester and Hereford training course for ordinands.

• Various community organisations have enjoyed using our space for exhibitions. In May we hosted a particularly well attended exhibition of paintings and photography from several Ukrainian artists, many of whom are refugees from the conflict in their homeland. In August Gloucester Camera Club put on their annual exhibition showcasing almost a hundred colour prints, mono prints and digital images, each one featuring a unique style and technique.

• We have continued to hold a regular programme of concerts. The Saturday morning Creative Field Coffee Concerts have remained popular and have drawn on a wide range of inspiring music of different genres. Special concerts have included one inspired by traditional folk tunes and dances from around the world as part of Highnam Carducci Festival. We have also welcomed the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir and the City of Gloucester Community Choir.

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2025

• Our historic church also lends itself naturally as a set for drama. Two of the most successful drama productions played out to packed audiences over several nights were Grove Productions’ adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ and the Rain and Shine Theatre Company’s performance of ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’ by Oscar Wilde.

• Among other community events, during which the church bustled with activity, have been our two Steampunks Weekends, including the Yuletide Revels in December. The Vintage and Craft Market, part of the Gloucester Retro Festival, saw the church packed with stalls offering antique, handmade or collectable items. We have even had our first rare plants and orchid sale!

Thank You

We would like to thank all those who have enabled Discover DeCrypt to flourish this year. A particular debt of thanks is owed to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its support of the Round One Development Phase of the sanctuary conservation project. We are also grateful to: our 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 had the following members in 2025: Rev Canon Nicola Arthy (Ex-Officio Chair); Mr Peter Gould; Mr David Evans (Secretary); Ms Ursula Corcoran; and Mr Richard Ryan. Mr Mat McCall became a trustee in June 2025 and Rev Dr Canon Sandra Millar ceased to be a trustee in September 2025 after completing nine years of service.

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, a communications and events manager, a tea room manager and a cleaner. We benefit also from the expertise and work of the parish treasurer, additional duty managers and our team of dedicated volunteers.

David Evans on behalf of Discover DeCrypt

DISCOVER DECRYPT ANNUAL REPORT 2025

SECTION A Receipts andpayments	SECTION A Receipts andpayments
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	Total funds	2025
A1 Receipts
Operations
Services	0			0
Grants	750			750
DCMS/LPOW	926			926
HMRC Gift Aid	4300			4300
Giving	1140			1140
Marylone	4289			4289
StMDC	12029			12029
School	2238			2238
Other	7038			7038
SanctuaryCost Recovery	11850			11850
Public Donations	4368			4368
Tearoom	15561			15561
Shop	6868			6868
Lettings	18198			18198
Events	4531			4531
Ins. Claims	5417			5417
Tours	128			128
Sanctuary Development Project
NHLF Development Funding		74273		74273
Project Grant Funding		37900		37900
Public donations		335		335
Sub total (Gross incomefor AR)	99629	112508	0	212136	0
A2 Investment sales
	0	0	0	0	0
	0	0	0	0	0
Sub total
Total Receipts	99629	112508	0	212136	0
A3 Payments
Maintenance Services	9590			9590
Maintenance Fabric	0			0
MaintencanceQuin.	0			0
Gas	14135			14135
E/L	8576			8576
Insurance	7973			7973
Water	706			706
Website	854			854
Tel/BB	1746			1746
Fees	406			406
Stat/Print	0			0
Event Costs	600			600
Goods- Shop	3028			3028
Equipment	1561			1561
Tearoom Supplies	4962			4962
Marketing/Publicity	0			0
Other	2923			2923
PAY	48026	0	0	48026
DutyManaging	6871			6871
Sanctuary Development Project
Contractors and Consultants		66538		66538
Cost recoveryto Operations		11850		11850
Sub total	111956	78388	0	190344	0
A4 Asset & Investmentpurchases
	0	0	0	0	0
	0	0	0	0	0
Sub total	0	0	0	0	0
Totalpayments	111956	78388	0	190344	0
Net of receipts/(payments)	-12327	34120	0	21792
A5 Transfer between funds	-69	0	0	-69
A6 Cash funds lastyear end	8900	127	0	9027
Cashfunds thisyear end	-3496	34246	0	30750	0
Bank accounts Y/C balances:
Cooperative	619	0	0	619
NatWest	8281	127	0	8408
Lloyds	0	0	0	0
Total	8900	127	0	9027
Bank accounts Y/E balances:
Cooperative	160	0	0	160
NatWest	-3656	34246	0	30590
Lloyds	0	0	0	0
Total	-3496	34246	0	30750

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts ••• Section A.,. Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of 06CLsf I On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) lILI￿1} Set out on pages .Je i'15 i!I": I report to the trUSt￿S on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (kne Trusf) 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 accofflance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('Yhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying 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 (; ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect" accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the wonys in the brackets if they do not apply. Independent examinerfs statement Signed: Date: Name: Q-H O*u Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): rccA Address: L s44 a E kirmf &Tg) IER October 2018