Friends of Thistleton Church
Charity registration number: 1167538
Trustees’ Annual Report
Accounts
Independent Examiner’s Report
for the period April 6[th] 2020 to April 5[th] 2021
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Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the charity are
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1) For the benefit of the public, to maintain, repair, restore, preserve, improve and enhance the fabric of St Nicholas’ Church, Main Street, Thistleton, Rutland; its monuments, fixtures, fittings, furniture, stained glass, ornaments and other chattels and its churchyard.
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2) To advance the education of the public in the heritage of the church and the local area by providing information on its history and architecture.
Main Activities in relation to the objectives
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Raising funds, receiving donations and applying for grants and donations;
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Applying funds to carry out the work of the charity;
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Providing practical support to support the upkeep of the building and its grounds
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Ensuring that all projects meet the requirements of all statutory obligations;
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Co-operating with and supporting other charities with similar purposes.
Trustee’s statement in respect of the Charity Commission’s guidance on
public benefit
In setting its objectives and planning for activities, the charity Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit. In their view the charity meets, in full, the criteria to satisfy the requirement. The Trustees' Annual Report describes the activities undertaken to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit.
Policy on grant making: The charity does not award grants
Contribution of volunteers: The charity does not employ any paid staff. All activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a CIO governed by the conditions set out in its constitution. Trustees are elected by the membership of the Friends of Thistleton Church at the annual general meeting. The constitution allows for between three and eight elected trustees. Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At least 3 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions. During the year, the trustees may appoint up to two additional trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM. The Parochial Church Council of Cottesmore with Burley and Thistleton is responsible in law for the church building and services but day-to-day management is delegated to the charity.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name Friends of Thistleton Church Other name the charity uses FOTC Registered charity number 1167538 Charity’s principal address c/o Old Orchard, Main Street, Thistleton, Rutland LE15 7RE
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Hannah Barclay Chair Beverley Hancock Treasurer Patrick Hughes Trustee Susan Hughes Trustee
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Achievements and Performance
Repairs and building works
We were therefore delighted to receive grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and Rutland Historic Churches Trust to enable planned repairs and improvements to the church building to be carried out. Between April and September 2020 the Collyweston roof of the nave and the vestry was re-slated. When it became evident that Covid 19 would close the church building to the general public for some time, we commissioned the contractors to carry out the internal work too: rotted wooden pew platforms were removed, a stone floor was laid to the exposed areas, energy efficient central heating was installed and plaster damaged by historic water ingress was repaired.
Events
The charity’s finances are dependent on fundraising and donations but Covid 19 meant that fundraising events were virtually impossible last year. None of our usual events were possible. The Saturday Café re-opened as soon as possible in July but closed after ten weeks as infections rapidly rose in the area. “Cakeaway” was launched at the beginning of March when only takeaway hospitality was allowed and was a great success.
Church services
Covid 19 wrecked the pattern of church services. Even after the lifting of the first lockdown, many churches across the county, including the ones in our benefice, did not return to a normal service programme all year. At Thistleton the only services were the Patronal Feast (6[th] December) and Christmas Day. FOTC did what it could to raise spirits at Christmas by organising outdoor carol singing around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree donated by supporters.
Heritage Project
A major condition of the NLHF grant is that the charity carries out a three year project to promote community and public interest in the history and heritage of the church and local area. This is in keeping with our charitable objectives. Although the pandemic delayed events, research work has progressed well.
Thanks
The Friends of Thistleton Church is fortunate to have a number of supporters and hardworking volunteers, and a committed group of trustees who turn their hands to anything that is needed to keep the building open for the benefit of the community. Collectively they help with fundraising, carrying out various tasks and much of their work has also helped to keep up spirits during the pandemic. Thank you to everyone who contributes in some way. Without them there would be no FOTC and the church building would close.
Financial Review
The charity’s only sources of funding are fundraising activities, donations and grants. The Covid 19 pandemic meant that hardly any of the charity’s usual fundraising activities could take place. Fortunately the limited income for general running costs was sufficient to cover costs which were also lower than usual. Grants from the NLHF and RHCPT, in addition to monies raised in previous years, were sufficient to cover all capital costs. Funds remaining in the heritage account are allocated to the remaining two years of the Heritage Project.
It is the charity’s policy to hold in reserve sufficient funds to cover one year’s running costs to ensure that the charity can meet its financial obligations in the face of unexpected events – like a pandemic. Because of Covid 19, the charity ended the year with approximately four months of running costs in the General Fund. The Charity is confident that it will build up funds once normal activities can be resumed as Covid 19 subsides. The heritage project and a planned Music Festival is expected to bring in additional income.
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Financial Summary for Year Ending 05.04.21
| Opening balance 06.04.20 | 28,220.64 | |
|---|---|---|
| Plus Income 06.04.20 - 5.04.2021 | 121,732.96 | |
| Less Expenditure 06.04.20 - 05.04.21 | 122,655.84 | |
| Closing Balance 05.04.21 | 27,297.76 | |
| C/F to 2021-2022 | ||
| General Fund (Unrestricted) | 1,284.86 | |
| Heritage Fund (Restricted) | 13,642.90 | |
| Development Fund: WC and servery extension | (Restricted) | 8,800.00 |
| Music Festival (Restricted) | 3,570.00 | |
| Income | Year ending | Year ending |
| 05.04.21 | 05.04.20 | |
| Donations | 978.90 | 5,821.47 |
| HMRC Gift Aid refunds | 835.43 | 673.23 |
| Grants | 118,175.11 | 3,330.52 |
| Fundraising | 1,743.52 | 5,774.70 |
| Totals | 121,732.96 | 15,599.92 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Church Insurance | 1,208.32 | 1,223.77 |
| FOTC Insurance | 260.38 | 255.12 |
| Electricity | 1,264.41 | 600.71 |
| Consumables | 20.00 | 72.00 |
| Christmas activities | 0 | 178.78 |
| Equipment | 0 | 351.05 |
| Maintenance and minor repairs | 454.00 | 415.80 |
| Development and major repairs | 119,448.73 | 5,292.34 |
| 122,655.84 | 8,389.57 |
Declarations
I declare that the trustees have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Beverley Hancock |
| Position | Trustee and Treasurer |
| Date | February 2nd2022 |
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Rèport to th¢ tru$t¢e rnefflbers of ffYLLfcpJTS a F f1 s fLkr0 ChJ LcJ4 On a¢¢ounts forth¢ y•ar ended Charfty no Ilf any) prtLL aoa I Set Otrt on p4ge¥ I report to the trustees on my ex8minali ofthe accounts ofthe abrive chity1lhe Trust'l forthe year ended R•sFK>n$lbllld•$ and As thtr charity Iru8tees of the Trust, you are responsible for Ihg pparatiOn basls of report of the ac¢ounls in accordanc with the requirements of the Cttartties Act 2011 (Yhe Acr). I report Ki respect of my examsnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 oftho 2011 Act and in out my examinaticfi, I have folloed the applicable Diredions given by the Charity Commissk under sertion 1495llbl c¢ the Art. I have Completed my examination. l that no matertal matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below'l in connection vKth the wynation whi¢h give3 me cause to bdieve that in. any mat¢rial respect.. accounting reeA)rd3 were not kept in accordance wllh section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accc¢d wfth th¥ a¢¢ounlfftg recffll lfidépèndont gxaminerfs statement vAth the examtnation lo vthith attention should be drawn in orderto enable proper understandlng ofthe 8c¢ounts to be rehed. ' Pl&8se dalete the words in the brackets rflhoy do not 8Wy. Slgned: i-aa Namè: Relevant prolesslonal quallficaiionlsl or body {If anyl- Addrtss: QAJT LÉi£ IER October2018