## **Parish of Bewsborough** ## **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council** For the Year Ended 31st December 2025 1 ## **Reference and Administrative Information** ## **Parish Details** The Parish of Bewsborough is situated in the Diocese of Canterbury within the Church of England, serving six worshipping communities across multiple villages: St Peters, Whitfield St Andrews, Shepherdswell St Peter and St Paul, Eythorne & Elvington with Waldershare St Pancras, Coldred St Nicholas, Barfrestone St Martin of Tours, Guston The correspondence address is 2 New Purchase Cottages, Old Farmhouse Lane, Pike Road, Eythorne, CT15 4DJ. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission ( **no. 1168561** ). ## **PCC Members** PCC Members who have served from 1st January 2025 until the date this report was approved are: Rector and Chairman: The Revd Sean Sheffield Lay Chair: Jonathan Bates Secretary: Mary Fagg Treasurer: John Reynolds Safeguarding Officer: Jenny Groombridge Deanery Synod Reps: Sarah Hindle Marianne Slater (co-opted from 1[st] February 2026) Elected PCC Members: Karen Brown Churchwarden – St. Peter & St. Paul Church Glynis Farthing Churchwarden – St. Martin of Tours Church Jenny Hunt Churchwarden – St. Nicholas Church Kim Butler Churchwarden – St. Peter Church Jane Hartridge Christina Parsons Mike Pascall Julie Ransley-Hawkins Curate: The Revd Sebastian Lundberg **Bankers:** Santander UK plc, Bridle Road, Bootle, Merseyside L30 4GB **Independent Examiner:** R F Bavington-Jones, FCA, FRPSL, 13 Park Avenue, Dover, Kent CT16 1ES 2 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Each of our six churches has a Local Church Council responsible for: - The maintenance and management of their building - Local fundraising and financial management - Developing mission and ministry within their local contexts and communities - Representing their church's needs and vision to the PCC The PCC provides oversight, encouragement and coordination, seeking to balance the distinct identity of each church with our unity as one body in Christ. ## **Ministry Team** For many years the parish has had a ministry team that has worked with the Rector to share oversight of the ministry and mission of Bewsborough parish. This team has helped shape and support the rhythm of worship, consider missional events and work within the parish communities to ensure that the vision of mission ‘with’ was delivered. ## **Parish Vision Loving God, Loving our Communities, Growing Disciples** The Parish of Bewsborough exists to: - Worship God in spirit and truth across our diverse communities - Nurture disciples of all ages in their faith journey - Serve our villages with compassion and practical love - Share the good news of Jesus Christ through word and deed 3 ## **Objectives and Activities** The primary objective of the PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector, The Revd Sean Sheffield, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. When planning our activities, the Rector and PCC consider the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. Our strategic priorities for 2025 included: - **Worship:** Offering vibrant, varied worship that honours tradition while exploring new expressions of faith - **Ministry:** Recognizing and releasing the gifts of all God's people for service - **Mission:** Engaging with our communities through compassion, service and gospel proclamation - **Discipleship:** Creating pathways for spiritual growth at every stage of faith - **Community:** Building authentic Christian fellowship that welcomes all 4 ## **Review of the Year 2025** ## **Introduction from the Rector** As I write this introduction, I find myself giving thanks to God for an extraordinary five years of ministry among the wonderful people of Bewsborough Parish. 2025 marked my final full year as your Rector before moving to St George's Deal in May 2026, and what a year it has been. When I arrived in 2020—in the midst of a global pandemic—none of us could have imagined the journey we would walk together. Yet through every challenge and every blessing, I have witnessed again and again the faithfulness of God and the resilience, creativity, and generous hearts of God's people across our six church communities. In Whitfield, Shepherdswell, Eythorne and Elvington, Coldred, Barfrestone, and Guston, I have seen churches that are truly alive—worshipping God with joy, caring for one another with tenderness, serving their communities with compassion, and sharing the good news of Jesus with courage. Each church has its own distinctive character and gifts, yet together we have discovered what it means to be one body, loving God, loving our communities, and growing as disciples. I believe we have seen a greater sense of unity, of being the Body of Christ, than ever before. My Franciscan formation has deeply shaped how I have sought to serve among you—walking alongside people, being present in the ordinary moments of life, seeking to restore what is broken, and discovering Christ in unexpected places. You have taught me as much as I have taught you, and for that I am profoundly grateful. As you read this report, you will see the fruit of faithful ministry by so many people. Behind every act of worship, every pastoral visit, every child taught, every building maintained, every meeting held, every pound given—there are people who have said 'yes' to God's call on their lives. To each one of you: thank you. It has been a privilege to serve as your Rector. While my time with you draws to a close, God's mission in Bewsborough Parish continues. I know that the same Spirit who has been at work these past five years will continue to lead, guide, strengthen, and inspire you in the years ahead. I commend you to God's grace, and pray that you will know his presence and his power as you continue to love God, love your communities, and grow as disciples. ## **Gathering for Worship** Throughout 2025, worship continued across our six churches, each maintaining their distinctive pattern and tradition: **Whitfield:** During 2025 we continued to explore and expand our intentionally intergenerational worship using Whitfield School Hall. Through the year, the weekly services in Whitfield met at the Village Hall, Whitfield School Hall, and St. Peter’s Church. The café style services in the non-church locations did see variable increases in congregation size, but these were a little volatile, especially during holiday periods when numbers did drop off. 5 **Shepherdswell:** Maintained a more traditional expression of worship, with communion and liturgically led morning worship led by our wonderful lay ministers. **Eythorne & Elvington:** During 2025 it was decided by the PCC that due to resources and a condemned heating system that Sunday worship should pause, and regular worship move to the mid-week, Thursday worship. **Coldred & Barfrestone:** Continued with their twice monthly service of BCP Communion, with congregation members supporting worship in both locations most weeks. **Guston:** Maintains a pattern of 6.00pm worship twice a month on Sunday, which helps support the rhythm of worship across the parish. We give thanks to all who serve week by week in leading worship, reading Scripture, leading intercessions, welcoming people, providing refreshments, arranging flowers, cleaning, and preparing our buildings for worship services and events. Your faithful service enables us to gather as the people of God. ## **The Christian Year** **Lent** During Lent services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were shared across the parish, with traditional observations of services in some areas, and more contemporary expressions of gathered worship in others. The annual walk of witness at Shepherdswell continues to be received well by the worshipping and wider community. ## **Harvest** Harvest services were offered and celebrated across the parish, with each worshipping community offering a warm welcome to their local communities to come along. As always at each service donations of non-perishable goods were collected for the Dover Foodbank. This year we also celebrated with 2 schools in the parish in our church buildings and helped them shape and lead services for children and parents. ## **All Souls** For the second year we hosted an All Souls service at St. Andrew’s, and Rev Sean wrote to (email and letter) all families who have had funerals arranged within the parish in the past 5 years. This service was received with much thanks and appreciation from all who came to remember loved ones who had died. ## **Advent and Christmas** The season of Christmas brought joy across our parish communities and there were particular highlights as we 6 ## **Outreach and Community Engagement** Through 2025 most of our community initiatives continued to flourish as we continued to offer spaces for young and old to come together, and to build and nurture existing and new community partnerships. ## **Let’s Play** Our Let’s Play parent/toddler groups, headed up by Ruth Sheffield and team have continued to offer a wonderful welcome and space for parents and children up to school age. The Whitfield Let’s Play has continued to flourish, with an average of 35 children each week, but some weeks getting over 50 (plus parents or grandparents). This has long been self-funding, even on a pay if you can per child basis. Unfortunately in 2025 we had to make the difficult decision to stop the Elvington group as it simply wasn’t sustainable, both in terms of people and finance. Most weeks there were only 2 or 3 children, and occasionally it didn’t run due to difficulties. However, in October 2025 we launched Let’s Play in Guston Village Hall, which as shown real promise, and has been received well by the community, so we hope that this will be sustainable as it grows. ## **Let’s Eat** Our monthly community lunch at Elvington Community Centre has been called the highlight of the month for some of the local residents who regularly come along. Jenny Groombridge has worked hard to create a welcoming place, with the team that she has formed that do a wonderful job in looking after up to 50 people each month. The relationship that she manages with Woodpecker Court has provided meals for 9 out of the 12 months, and has stabilised through 2025 which has made things less difficult practically. The Christmas lunch in December is one of our community events of the year and had 60+ people registered for the year. There is also wider community support with Juliet, the Community Warden there most months, and other local community organisations coming in to see what support they can offer the older community members. ## **Let’s Chat** Although numbers have dwindled somewhat through 2025, Let’s Chat continues to offer a space for conversation, and meeting for a number of people who would be isolated if not for the weekly group. The Parish Council continue to allow us to use the space free of charge, and a dedicated team make it a warm and welcoming place for those who come along. Through 2025 there were some key celebration events, like birthdays, and the Christmas party which was a real joy to be present at. The team do a wonderful job of offering the space and welcome to those who need it. ## **Whitfield Fete** After the huge success of 2024, the Whitfield Fete promised to be another big community event, with Rev Sean on the organising committee again. Unfortunately, the weather had different ideas and on 7 the day in September extreme wet weather conditions meant the fete had to be cancelled at very short notice. Whilst there was a great deal of disappointment everyone planning to have a stall has booked for 2026, and the local community were very vocal in both supporting the decision and committing to a bigger and better 2026! ## **Woodpecker Court** Rev. Sean continues to sit on the Advisory Board for Woodpecker Court – the specialist post-sixteen educational provider. They are a key community partner in Elvington and Rev. Sean, and others receive regular invitations for visits and to speak with the students. In 2025 Rev. Sean had the opportunity to share the Easter story in creative ways, using X (formerly Twitter) and a host of props to engage the students. We were also asked to be part of their annual Christmas Winter Wonderland and lead the nativity scene and be present to talk with the 800+ community members that visit. ## **Care Homes – Strengthened Relationships – Bramblings and Alandale** After many years of these links being lost (partly due to Covid and changing staff) in 2025 relationships were strengthened. Rev. Seb Lundberg formed a small team and began a regular monthly visit to Bramblings in Shepherdswell, whilst Rev. Sean (with Rev. Seb’s support) began monthly service visits to Alandale in Whitfield. Small beginnings but much appreciated by the residents who had missed out on spiritual input for some years. ## **Christmas with our Communities** The Christmas period has always been an ideal opportunity to meet with our local communities and in 2025 there were many opportunities for us to be out and with our communities: **Festive Warmth** at St. Andrew’s, a coffee and activity morning with cakes, tombola, quiz and refreshments. This year saw a record attendance with many folks coming for the morning to be part of the festivities. **Carols/Christingle and Messy Christmas** in Whitfield. This year we decided to hold all of our Christmas services in Whitfield Village Hall. There were practical reasons behind this (toilets, parking, space, warmth and a central location), but also the Village Hall remains in the ‘heart’ of the village. These services were incredibly well received and attended with over 220 at the carols, 150+ at Christingle and 50 children (plus parents and grandparents) at Messy. This affirmed our decision to take things into our community and also that the relational work we were doing with our Let’s initiatives was making a difference as we created places of belonging, welcome and love. 8 ## **Children, Young People and Families** ## **Messy Church** Messy church in Shepherdswell continues to be received well by the local community with Ann Welti and Ann Reynolds heading up the team who offer a warm welcome and a fun Messy Church community experience to help children engage with the Bible and Jesus. Numbers are a little lower some months, but this is a reflection of the changing demographic of the village, with the average age now being around 65. ## **School Ministry** The Rector, along with others, serves as a governor at four primary schools across the parish: - Federation of Shepherdswell Church of England Primary School and Eythorne Elvington Primary School - Guston Church of England Primary School - Whitfield Aspen Primary School All schools are supported with regular collective worship and assemblies, which is a real joy – 3 school sites have weekly visits, with Whitfield having twice termly visits on both sites. Alongside this, Rev. Sean regularly supports class room and curriculum learning, arranges church visits with the schools across the parish, leads and supports services at key points in the church and school year (Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Year 5 Leavers). Rev. Seb supports this work alongside Rev. Sean. Jenny Groombridge has also built long-term links with Eythorne Elvington School and supports their weekly reading programme with children. ## **Pastoral Care** The ministry of pastoral care continued throughout 2025, adapted to the particular needs and resources of each community. This included home visits, hospital visiting, communion to the housebound, bereavement support, prayer ministry, and regular pastoral contact by telephone and in person. There is a need to formalise and strengthen structures through 2026 as it became clear that there were some people who were ‘falling through the gaps’, and whilst some informal structures were ensuring many people were being visited, there were times were Rev. Sean had been unaware of long term illnesses and absences from worship. 9 ## **Methodist Covenant** The parish has greatly enjoyed a Covenant relationship with The Canterbury & East Kent Methodist Circuit for many years. However through 2025, and with the retirement of the local Methodist Minister Rev Catherine Wagstaff, the Circuit realised that the terms of the Covenant could no longer be met due to the significant pressure on the Methodist Circuit. A number of conversations led to a decision that would retain and maintain the relationship, but allow the Methodist Circuit to be released from a formal covenant. A document outlining an a relationship of an expression of ecumenical welcome was shaped and shared between the Methodist Circuit and the Parish, however, changes with ministers and the Superintendent at the end of 2025 meant that this stalled. ## _**Plans to take this forwards in 2026 must be explored with the Methodist Circuit, through Revd. Harvey Richardson.**_ ## **Wider Church Relationships** ## **Diocesan Synod** Rev Sean was elected to Diocesan Synod in late 2024 and attended 2 meetings of the Synod in 2025. ## **Deanery Synod** All licenced clergy (Rector and Curate) and 2 members from the PCC sit on the Dover Deanery Synod. The Synod met twice in the year, and also had a Deanery Day of Encouragement in which Synod members and wider church members were invited to share what God had been doing locally and how mission and engagement with communities was working. St. Andrew’s was pleased to host the Deanery Synod in July 2025, in which Rev Sean invited his local Area Group of Third Order Franciscans to speak to the Synod and share aspects of Franciscan spirituality. ## **Mission Partners** In 2025 we began exploring more formal links with communities in Madagascar who had been supported informally through friendships, particularly strengthened by Jan Griffin and the St. Andrew’s worshipping community. ## **Church Electoral Roll** At the Annual Meeting there were 87 persons on the Church Electoral Roll. 10 ## **Parochial Church Council** The full PCC met 5 times during 2025. Average attendance was strong, and we were always quorate, enabling us to transact the business of the PCC. ## **Baptisms** Infants and children baptised: 20 Adults baptised: 0 ## **Weddings** We celebrated with 10 couples as they made their marriage vows: ## **Funerals and Thanksgivings** During 2025 we celebrated the lives and commended to God's keeping 23 departed members of our communities. There continues to be an evident shift as direct cremation services seem to be quickly becoming the preferred route for families, and through the year there was a noticeable increase in requests for burial of ashes where no funeral service had been held. 11 ## **Resourcing the Mission and Ministry** ## **Buildings** Our six church buildings continue to serve as houses of prayer and centres for mission and ministry. Each requires ongoing care and maintenance to ensure they remain fit for purpose and safe for all who use them. ## **Major Projects in 2025** The boundary wall of St. Nicholas which was damaged and collapsed in 2024 as a result of a truck collision remained outstanding. However, in late 2025 all permissions had been granted and the loss adjustor had agreed costs would be covered. Rebuilding is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, which we thank God for! ## **Routine Maintenance** During 2025 quinquennial inspections were completed for St. Andrew’s, St. Nicholas’ and St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church buildings. Whilst all others are outstanding due to the the allocated architects being unable to complete them due to workload, they are planned for 2026. ## **Thanksgiving** We are grateful to: - Our churchwardens, deputy churchwardens and all who monitor and maintain our church buildings - Those who care for churchyards and grounds - All who clean, arrange flowers, and prepare our buildings for worship - Jenny Hunt, who almost single handedly dealt with the Barfrestone Wall debacle! ## **Finance** The PCC and LCCs worked hard throughout 2025 to balance faithful stewardship with generous mission. Full financial statements are available separately in this report and have been independently examined. ## **Key financial highlights:** - Parish Share commitment to Diocese: £50,000 - Leavers Books – in 2025 we were able to purchase books for ALL Year 6 leavers in all primary schools in the parish. This was the first year we were able to do this, and donations exceeded £850 in total. 12 - Madagascar partner giving – during 2025 the parish worked towards formalising links with partner parishes that had been developed and nurtured through St. Andrew’s Church over 30 years. A small number of direct campaigns were responded to. - We are grateful to all who give generously to support God's mission through Bewsborough Parish, whether through regular planned giving, one-off donations, or gifts of time and talent. ## **Safeguarding** The PCC takes its safeguarding responsibilities with utmost seriousness. Jenny Groombridge serves as Parish Safeguarding Officer. All those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults undergo appropriate DBS checks and safeguarding training. The PCC has adopted the national Church of England safeguarding policies and procedures, regularly reviewing and updating our practices. A full safeguarding report to be presented at the APCM and is also available from the PCC Secretary. ## **Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond** ## **The Rector's Move to St George's Deal** In May 2026, Rev Sean Sheffield will be inducted and collated as Vicar of St George's Church, Deal, bringing to a close nearly six years of faithful ministry in Bewsborough Parish (2020-2026). The PCC has created a Parish Forum to support ministry and will also work with the Diocese to ensure appropriate pastoral cover during the vacancy and to prepare for the appointment of a new Rector. Rev Sebastian Lundberg continues to serve as Curate, but with his curacy coming to an end in June 2026 he will also be leaving the parish once he secures a new post. The Parish Forum, which has been newly formed and created, will work with the Ministry Team and Area Dean to ensure services, life events and other important ministry areas are covered with locally available priests. ## **Priorities for 2026 – A Year of Opportunities & Challenges?** As we look to the future, we do so with: - **Gratitude** for God's faithfulness through years of fruitful ministry - **Trust** in God's provision and guidance during transition - **Commitment** to loving God, loving our communities, and growing disciples - **Hope** in Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever We commend all our plans to God in prayer, knowing that unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain 13 ## **Approved by Bewsborough PCC on 31[ST] May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:** Jonathan Bates _________________________ Chairman of PCC in Vacancy Mary Fagg _________________________ PCC Secretary _"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."_ **Proverbs 3:5-6** 14 ## **PARISH OF BEWSBOROUGH** ## **Consolidated Receipts and Payments Account General Fund Year ended 31st December 2025** |**Receipts:**
Voluntary Income:
Planned Giving
Collections
Income Tax Received
Donations
**Events and Activities:**
Fundraising
Fees and Grants
Other income
Transfer from fabric Fund
Special Collections
Investment income
**Payments:**
Grants to charity
Direct Ministry Expenditure
Parish share
Clergy Expenses
Church Running Expenses
Heat, Light and Water
Insurance
Upkeep of Services
Church Maintenance
Churchyard Maintenance
Fundraising Costs
**Administration:**
Bank Charges
Postage or Stationary
Telephone
Office Equipment
Misc.
Media
**Professional fees**
Surplus/Deficit for the year
Opening Balance at Bank
Closing Balance at Bank|**2025**
33,715
6,035
3,369
13,729
56,848
1,344
14,564
6,781
22,689
6,000
0
2,547
88,084
474
50,000
2,817
52,817
5,402
10,719
2,576
4,252
2,099
25,048
-
386
549
1,251
342
3,692
3,853
10,073
0
88,412
-328
99,452
99,124|**2025**
33,715
6,035
3,369
13,729
56,848
1,344
14,564
6,781
22,689
6,000
0
2,547
88,084
474
50,000
2,817
52,817
5,402
10,719
2,576
4,252
2,099
25,048
-
386
549
1,251
342
3,692
3,853
10,073
0
88,412
-328
99,452
99,124|**2024**
33,536
9,704
1,827
9,907
54,974
0
10,895
1,368
12,263
0
0
2,619
69,856|**2024**
33,536
9,704
1,827
9,907
54,974
0
10,895
1,368
12,263
0
0
2,619
69,856| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||69,856| |||474
52,817
25,048
-
10,073
0
88,412
-328
99,452
99,124|59,207
3,041
9,204
10,452
6,122
5,493
1,470
497
624
1,203
398
2,453
2,884|200
62,248
32,741
-
8,059
706| |||||103,954| |||||-34,098
133,550
99,452| 15 ## **PARISH OF BEWSBOROUGH** ## **Consolidated Designated / Restricted Funds Year ended 31st December 2025** |**Income:**
Investment Income
Donations/Subscriptions/Grants
Tax Refunds
Other Income
Fund Raising
Funds Introduced
**Payments:**
Funds transferred
Donations
Repairs
Administration
Others
Surplus/deficit for the year
Opening Balance
Closing Balance|**2025**
4,267
1,015
264
239
4,538
10,323
-
10,323
9,247
3,967
690
-
966
14,870
-4,547
89,823
85,276|**2024**
4,763
2,805
117
31
4,855
12,571
3,010
15,581
-
4,251
1,244
102
2,115
7,712
7,869
81,954
89,823|**2024**
4,763
2,805
117
31
4,855
12,571
3,010
15,581
-
4,251
1,244
102
2,115
7,712
7,869
81,954
89,823| |---|---|---|---| ||||15,581
7,712| ||||7,869
81,954
89,823| 16 ## **PARISH OF BEWSBOROUGH** ## **Statement of Assets** |**PARISH OF BEWSBOROUGH**
**Statement of Assets**|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Monetary Asset:**
Bank Accounts
Central Funds
**Investments:**
Canterbury Diocesan
Board of Finance
Value at 1st January 2025
Increase in value
Value at 31st December 2024
**Total Assets:**
At 31st December 2025
At 31st December 2024|**Total**
66,588
117,812
184,400
47,175
-1,891
45,284
229,684
236,450||**General**
**Fund**
45,485
53,639
99,124
99,124
99,452||**Restricted**
15,180
53,665
68,845
47,175
-1,891
45,284
114,129
112,154||**Designated**
5,923
10,508| ||||||||| ||||||||16,431| ||||||||16,431| ||||||||| ||||||||| ||||||||24,844| 17