## **The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich** ## **The Chadbrook Benefice** ## **Annual Report and Financial Statements** **For the year ended 31[st ] December 2025 Parochial Church Council** **Holy Trinity Church with St Catherine’s Long Melford, Suffolk** **APCM meeting will be held at St Catherine’s Church, Long Melford on Monday 18[th] May 2026 7.00pm** 1 ## **Loving God** , once more we thank you for our church and for the fellowship we share with one another. We praise you for all whose contribution to our life together we recognise and acknowledge this day – all who have served the church over the years, who have nurtured and encouraged our faith, who have been part of our continuing life and witness. We pray for those who offer their services this day: those who will take on new positions of responsibility – equip them to fulfil their duties wisely and faithfully; those who will continue in the office they have already been undertaking – give them renewed inspiration and vigour in their work; those who will stand down from office – may they know their labours have been appreciated. Holy Spirit, Lord God, Giver of life, come to us as a refreshing and strengthening power; purge out of our lives all that denies your inspiration; keep us alert to your challenges; let us be open to your new demands, both in the world and in the church; give us humility that we may see your vision and, trusting in your power, commit ourselves to it, In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord ## **AMEN** 2 ## **Annual Vestry Meeting** ## **Agenda** 1. Prayer 2. Apologies 3. Minutes of the last Vestry Meeting held on 12th May 2025 4. Election of Churchwardens for 2026-2027 ## **MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING ARE IN ADDENDUM 1** ## **Annual Parochial Meeting** ## **Agenda** 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 12[th] May 2025 3. Matters arising from the minutes 4. Electoral Roll Report 5. Financial Statement for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 including the Independent Examiners report 6. Report on the Fabric, goods and ornaments of Holy Trinity and St Catherine’s churches 7. Group reports and Deanery Synod report (attached) 8. Elections – current vacancies as listed: - Deanery Synod Elections 2026 - three vacancies for term of three years - Five lay representatives to the Parochial Church Council – 1 vacancy for a term of 1 year, 1 vacancy for a term of 2 years and 3 vacancies for a term of 3 years 9. Election of Deanery Synod Representatives and PCC Members 10. Appointment of Independent Examiner for 2026 11. Results of Elections, if any 12. Any other business 13. Rectors Report ## **MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING ARE IN ADDENDUM 2** 3 **Parochial Church Council 2025** ## **Administrative Information** Holy Trinity Church Long Melford is situated at the northern end of the village green, overlooking the village. St Catherine’s, in St Catherine’s Road is situated in the heart of the residential area of the village further south. They are part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The correspondence address is The Rectory, The Green, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9DT. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity requiring registration to the Charity Commission, as a church with an income greater than £100,000. This report reflects the Church and PCC from 1st Jan to 31st Dec 2025. PCC members during this period: **Chairman:** Rev Matthew Lawson **Church Warden(s)/ vice chair:** Linda Goodban Deborah Blake **Church Treasurer** : Chris Badger **PCC Secretary:** Sheryl Risley **Representative on** John Watts ex-officio (2023-2026) **Deanery Synod** David Walters ex-officio (2023-2026) **Assistant Priest** Judith Offord **Assistant Priest** Henry Heath **Lay Reader** Malcolm Offord **Lay Reader** Kevin Powell **Curate** Charlotte Harkness **Ordinand** Nicola Lawson **PCC Elected Members:** |Alan Douglas|2025-2028| |---|---| |Cheryl Morgan|2025-2028| |Sheryl Risley|2025-2028| |Melonie Clubb|2024-2027| |Sally McDonald|2024-2027| |Graham Wegg|2024-2027| |Chris Badger|2023-2026| |Judi Moss|2023–2026| |Terry Straight|2024–2026| **Co-opted Members** : Katrina Allen - July 2025 – May 2026 (Representative on Deanery Synod) ## **Structure Governance and Management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and for election to the PCC. ## **Objectives and Activities** Holy Trinity and St Catherine’s PCC has responsibility for co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the church buildings of Holy Trinity and St Catherine’s and the Glebe land, Long Melford. 4 ## **Church Services** Throughout 2025 the following services took place at Holy Trinity Church: Christenings 9 Weddings 2 Funerals 17 Interments 3 Average Attendance at combined Sunday services was 85 Adults & 7 Children Livestreaming of Holy Communion and Evensong continued with several people joining the services online in addition. Attendance at special services held at Holy Trinity Church were as listed: Easter Day 350 Clopton Rose 77 Harvest 75 Remembrance 400 Carol Service 480 Crib Service 190 Midnight Mass 230 Christmas Day 128 ## **Licensed Ministers** Pam Tonks License Family and Children’s Worker Nicola Lawson Licensed Pioneer and ‘4 o’clock community’. ## **Elders** There are currently 6 Lay Elders in the Chadbrook Benefice. Charlotte Blyth Richard Blyth Christine Smith Ian McDonald Linda Goodban Karen Straight Elders support the ministry team in Worship, services and in the wider community. The Elders also visit parishioners in their homes, at The Willows Lawshall, Melford Court and Steeds Meadow (both of Long Melford), where they offer a combination of home communion, private prayer, a short private service and companionship. If you would like a home visit for any of this type of support please contact a member of the ministry team. 5 **Wardens’ report for the year 2025** ## **General** Gridley’s completed work on electrics arising from the Quinquennial report (autumn 2004). As we were not satisfied with the work done by Command, a new company, Border Roofing, was approached by Graham Wegg to carry out a deep clean of the gutters, outflows, gulleys, drainpipes etc. This work was done in December during which a large amount of debris was removed. Border Roofing provided a report on the work with photographs which has since been forwarded to the church architect. The usual inspections of the roof alarm and fire extinguishers were carried out during the year. Command continues to supply pest control. ## **Stained Glass** The fourth medieval stained glass window, having been conserved at Canterbury Glass Studios, was reinstalled in February 2025. In late 2025 it was decided to go ahead with the conservation of the fifth window in early 2026 since there was enough in the stained glass fund, with a further contribution from the Friends of Holy Trinity Church, to cover this. It was hoped that we might be able to recover the VAT through the DCMS listed places of worship scheme whose future at the time was unsure. ## **Fall of Cornice from Nave Roof** In July a bit of cornice measuring at least 5ft fell from the east end of the nave roof and was found on the floor in front of the altar. The Rector was alerted to this and immediately closed the church. The wardens ascertained from the insurance company that the church would need to remain closed for a roof inspection. It soon became clear that without our knowledge the church architect, Simon Marks from Purcell’s Colchester office, had retired and another qualified architect would need to be found to carry out this work. After a lot of chasing by Linda Goodban just in advance of her trip to Australia, church architect Janet Jury from Purcell’s Norwich office was identified as able to come to carry out the inspection on 29 and 31 July via cherry picker. All the cornices were touch- tested and at the end of the inspection Janet gave the go-ahead to re-open the church. It had been closed for three weeks, with consequent loss of revenue from donations, the shop, weddings etc. The wardens would like to thank Vicky Moakes for her excellent work rearranging weddings and funerals at this time, which was clearly stressful for everyone involved. While the main church was closed services were moved to the Lady Chapel. Thanks to all involved in making this work: organist, choir, sacristans, sidesmen and vergers, and particularly to Darryl Poynter for wiring the Lady Chapel for sound and livestreaming. The Suffolk Art Society, which was due to have its summer exhibition in the Lady Chapel, had to move at extremely short notice to Lavenham (more loss of revenue). In late August Janet Jury forwarded the wardens a detailed report on her survey of the roof. No absolutely definitive reason for the fall of the cornice was identified but a leak close by from the nave roof onto the altar steps was a possible contributing factor. 6 ## **Appointment of new Church architect** We clearly needed to appoint an architect following the retirement of Simon Marks. Following research and recommendations, plus a meeting with those members of the PCC who cared to attend, Deborah Blake recommended Marta Gazicka from Purcell’s Cambridge office to the PCC, this recommendation being accepted. ## **Tower and Possible Bells Augmentation Project** Suffolk Guild have been left a significant legacy by the late Adrian Knight, to be used to augment bells by 1 or more in existing towers. They approached Holy Trinity suggesting they would like to consider our tower as a Flagship project to augment from 8 to 10 bells. Existing bells would be removed, recast into 10 bells and rehung. Following discussions with PCC an expression of interest was submitted and accepted after eligibility confirmed. Quotes were obtained from 4 bell founders / bell hangers between September and November and the Guild Grant Committee will consider these together with other grant applications and confirm in Jan/Feb 2026 who the recipients of grants will be. ## **St Catherine’s** During the course of the year the buggy shelter in the garden plus fencing and door into the garden at the west side were finalised. In December new infrared heating was installed in the church and kitchen. The original plan for this, which involved putting a 100 Amp supply, had to be abandoned when it became clear from UK Power Networks that this would involve replacing poles in the street and cost up to £20,000. It was ascertained that if slightly lower wattage heaters were used we could make do with an 80 Amp upgrade which cost nothing and was put in by UK Power Networks in October. Following a breakdown in relations between the owners of the old school building to the south of St Catherine’s and various representations from them concerning the outbuildings to the south of the toilet block which are owned by the church but had been being used for storage by at least one of the parties for years, the PCC decided to give 6 months notice that we would be taking these buildings back into our use, this notice to expire end of March 2026. ## **Deborah Blake Linda Goodban** ## **CHURCH REPORTS** ## **Treasurer’s report** The 2025 approved and examined accounts, with front sheet and Independent Examiner's Statement, are displayed at Holy Trinity and can be downloaded from the Church website. I do not propose to go over the accounts in detail here, save as to say that our total incoming resources for 2025 were £370,203 compared to £292,745 in 2024 and our expenditure for 2025 was £355,204 compared to £287,150 in 2024. Please contact me if you have any questions that you would like me to answer. 7 The reintroduction of the Sunday Morning Service collections has contributed to our improved income for 2025, as has an improvement in revenue generated from the church shop. The main reason for the jump in expenditure is the cost incurred with the roof repairs connected with the falling roof beam that occurred last summer. These numbers demonstrate the importance in focusing on increasing our income in the coming year. We need to take steps to increase regular giving and develop further fundraising. I have confidence that with some of the fundraising ideas being discussed at the PCC, together with a drive on achieving improved donations, we can work to improve our financial position, in doing so however we must recognise that the current financial climate for many is difficult with increasing energy and utility costs and as such we must be sensitive in our approach. I am well aware that many Parish Churches throughout the country are facing similar financial situations, and we are in a stronger position than many of those. I would add that fundraising requires significant effort and commitment and the PCC would welcome support from the wider congregation to assist in either the provision of fundraising activity ideas or perhaps more importantly assisting with carrying out those fundraising activities. I am incredibly grateful for the continued and invaluable support that I receive from David Walters who continues to assist me in keeping our finances (and me!) on the right track. I also wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to David Tweed, Ron Davies and Theresa Munford for the work that they do and which is essential to the smooth running of our financial processes and systems. David Tweed has stepped back this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank him for his contribution to the finance team and to wish him well. Loretta Shewring has stepped in to the gap left by David, and I am very grateful to Loretta for agreeing to join the finance team. This year we are fortunate to have a new Independent Examiner in David Richardson, and I am grateful to David for his work at no cost in picking up the task of examining the Church Accounts. ## **Chris Badger, Honorary Treasurer** ## **REVISION OF ELECTORAL ROLL AS AT 29[TH] MARCH 2026** A full revision of the Church electoral roll was required in 2025 and several people did not respond in time to confirm that they wished to remain on the roll, so that at the last APCM on the 12th of May 2025 the number officially on the roll had reduced to 116. Since then, some have confirmed that they wished to rejoin the roll and several names have been added for the first time, so that as of the 29th of March 2026 the number on the roll had risen to 124. It is likely that there will be a further increase in this number in the near future as more people are approached. The current roll, just displaying names and not addresses, is displayed in the Church porch and anyone wishing to be added to it, or indeed to leave, is invited to contact me. Sadly, we have lost Jill Ward and Tony Jones-Lloyd during the last year, may they rest in peace and rise in glory. Of the 124 people on the roll at the end of March 2026, 26 are resident outside the parish but are regarded as regular worshipers at Holy Trinity, and the other 98 are resident within the parish. 8 ## **David Walters, Electoral Roll Officer** ## **Children & Youth** ## **Schools** – Long Melford Primary School (LMPS) and All Saints Lawshall (AS) As usual Matthew and I have continued to visit both schools and affiliated schools for worship, services and celebrations. I in particular, have visited LMPS more frequently, doing a series of weekly assemblies telling the story of Joseph as per their worship plans and a workshop for the year one pupils explaining Christian symbols. My weekly visits to the Nursery and Reception classes have continued where we tell Bible stories through songs and interactive storytelling. Photos are shared with the parents so when I meet them in the street or outside school they know immediately who I am. We also still provide each class with a ‘Real’ advent calendar and a prize Easter egg which contain the true story of Christmas and Easter respectively. These are in addition to special assemblies sharing the good news with all the pupils and staff. In return, LMPS have hosted a couple of Messy Church events for us. **Youth Group** - Fusion and Fusion Plus In January 2025 we split our youth group into 2. This is because we were regularly having 40 youngsters attend despite some of our older youth not attending. We made the decision to continue Fusion for the year 6 - 8 pupils and start Fusion Plus for the Year 9 and above. It was decided to hold this new group for the older youth at the Rectory. Weather permitting we start outside and then retire into the house for the remainder of the session. We have involved the group in decision making and have welcomed this opportunity to strengthen and build on positive relationships between the adults and teens. Our sessions are more diverse and discussion based, but taking place in ML’s home, there is also the chance to cook from time to time. It was due to a love of music by members of Fusion Plus that we decided to have a talent show for Christmas which both groups attended. We were lucky enough to receive a donation from a local charity which allowed us to hold a session for each group at Old Joe’s Adventure Golf at a greatly reduced price. In April 2025 two of our members joined me at The Big Weekend in Sizewell for a Christian Retreat weekend with around 100 other young people. We had an amazing time and I’m happy to say that one of those girls we will be attending again in 2026. ## **Connect Babies and Toddler Group** 9 Sadly we said Goodbye this year to many of our group who were born in Covid and who were now starting school or nursery. One of our mums was in tears as she left as we have been a weekly constant for her, through good times and bad, for eight years. Research shared through a webinar I participate in, _Talking Toddlers,_ has demonstrated how important such groups are for leading adults and young people to faith as well as their impact on mental health. Our older toddlers have been replaced by new babies and it is good to welcome not only first time parents and carers but returning parents with their new offspring. A number of our newer members in 2025 came from us thanks to the warm welcome they had received in Church. ## **Recognise -** Lambeth Palace In July 2025 I was lucky to have been invited to Lambeth Palace along with nearly 50 other people from all over Great Britain. This was a chance to be thanked, on behalf of all the people who work with families, children and youth. It was an honour to have been chosen. We also received a letter of thanks, direct from the King at Buckingham Palace. It all goes to show how important every element of the work we do in the Chadbrook Benefice is to grow faith in new disciples. ## **Pam Tonks, Family and Children Worker** ## **4 o’clock Community** _(Shine Informal Worship, Café Church, Wild Church, Socials, Messy Church … and more!)_ ## **Highlights and Struggles** 4 o’clock literally brought our autumn’s ‘Light’ theme to our community with our well received light gazebo on an estate’s central play area with crafts and refreshments for passing trick or treaters and their families – provoking conversations in the village shop half a mile away - many guests asked us to do it again next year! This was a real delight as it has been a dream for some time to be able to do something with this particular community on the recreation ground. The idea and its implementation was led by some of our new leaders. We hope to develop this emerging prayer and outreach team further next year by participating in Envoy. More highlights have been seeing our ‘Shine’ informal service gradually growing, with encouraging testimonies from participants every time 10 we meet, and a desire from young adults at a successful pub Alpha over autumn to continue and become a monthly pub gathering. Our ‘Wild church’ team are also starting to develop ideas for eco projects. Earlier in the year we had a theme of ‘Hope’ and gave out ‘Hope boxes’ devised by one of our new leaders to wider community members in need. Men’s breakfast has been a source of friendship and encouragement for a diverse bunch of church and non-church participants. We have graduated from Growing New which has particularly helped with team development, safeguarding (helped by our new safeguarding administrator) and are starting to strengthen our governance. Our Lay pioneer has been receiving a GiG grant, and is in ministerial training, for a planned pioneer curacy including 4 o’clock in 2026. Struggles have included major health issues and bereavement in our core team earlier this year, so we are very grateful for wider team members who have stepped in and helped (and hopefully grown in their gifts and confidence as they’ve done so!). Our Café church has now paused while we support a new monthly 4pm family service at Lawshall which is building links with the adjacent school with a children’s choir – but we hope that it will restart in more neutral community spaces such as village halls when appropriate. ## **Church Bells - Bell Ringers’ Annual Report** The past year has been one of both challenge and encouragement for the band of bell ringers at Holy Trinity. We have continued to serve the church faithfully, ringing for regular services as well as weddings and funerals, although it is noted that there were fewer weddings during 2025. Our ringing remains an important part of the life and witness of the church community. During July, ringing was paused due to roof issues affecting the main church building. We were pleased to resume once it was safe to do so. Within the band, we have supported one another through personal circumstances. We particularly remember our young ringer Ewan, who sadly lost his father suddenly in December. He remains very much in our thoughts and prayers. Two of our more senior ringers also experienced health challenges during the year, but we are delighted to see them now recovering and gradually returning to ringing. It has also been a year of welcome and achievement. We were pleased to welcome a new ringer, Jane, into the band. Congratulations are especially due to our young ringer Brooke Wearn on qualifying as a Guild member—an excellent accomplishment and a testament to her dedication. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to our bell maintenance team—David, Craig, Danny and Alan—whose ongoing care ensures the bells remain in good working order. This has included the repair of several broken stays, very much part of the realities of a learning tower, and their time and skill are greatly appreciated. During the year, we have also been approached by the Suffolk Guild to consider the potential augmentation of the bells from eight to ten, with the possibility of grant assistance from the Adrian Knight Legacy held by the Guild. This is at an early stage, quotes have been obtained from 3 bell founders/fitters and discussions continue between Suffolk Guild, Adrian Knight Legacy team and Holy Trinity PCC. 11 Special thanks are extended to Theresa and Craig, who kindly undertook the roles of Tower Captain and Deputy during a three-month period of absence by Linda (Tower Captain), ensuring the continued organisation and operation of the tower. We remain grateful for the commitment of all our ringers, both experienced and new, young and old, who continue to give their time and skill so generously. ## **Linda Goodban Tower Captain, Holy Trinity Church** ## **– Holy Trinity Long Melford Choir Report** The choir continues to be a central part of the worship at Long Melford church and consists of some 25 regular members who commit to rehearsals on a Thursday evening from 7 – 8.30pm, and then on Sundays, rehearsing prior to the service at 10am and in the service itself. This entails leading hymns, the mass setting, and then singing hymns and anthems during the distribution of communion. The choir is made up of adults who sing in four or more parts (SATB) and this is reflected in the anthems chosen. The music is varied, and this selection of church music spans from the 15[th] to the current century. New music is constantly being rehearsed, and the choir repertoire is both large and eclectic. In addition, the choir sings Choral Evensong on the 1[st] Sunday of the month from March through to November – usually at 6.30pm. Again, this choir is augmented by other singers who join Melford choir to sing this lovely service – and the choir will often number 30-35, and the service attracts a good-sized congregation, who enjoy this beautiful service with its familiar and reassuring text and traditional feel. We are lucky to have had the services of several excellent organists from the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds who come and accompany the service. This year, Evensongs will also be sung by a few other choirs as well as the Parish Church choir. An exciting project for the past 18 months has been the addition of a junior choir to the music at Melford – and this is something which is planned to expand. Some 10-12 children from the ages of 9-12 joined the main choir for Christmas, Easter and Remembrance, and the plan is that this will expand to include Harvest, and eventually that the junior choir will be a permanent feature to bolster the soprano (treble) line. We welcome any interest from parents of children that might be encouraged to join and try out. Rehearsals for the children run generally from 6 – 7.15pm on a Thursday evening, overlapping for 15 minutes with the adult choir. Safeguarding is secure and there are always two chaperones, and parents are invited to sit in and watch/listen – or indeed come and sing themselves! Links are being forged with the Primary school in the village, but also at a few other schools locally in order to expand the junior choir. Whilst we have already welcomed several new members recently, other people are always welcomed to come and try out the choir – in all parts – specifically Alto, Tenor and Bass and 2026 will see a recruitment drive to encourage people who might like to try out to come along and have a go at a rehearsal or two. The choir is often augmented for large festivals, by a number of people who come from a number of other places, and who enjoy singing with Melford choir. The choir is also augmented at Christmas when there is an invitational choir from many sources that numbered 42 last year! The choir has been asked to sing at several large funerals and weddings held at the church this past year, and the choir is proud and honoured to be asked to lead the singing at important life events. 12 The choir library has been lucky to acquire quite a wealth of music recently – from other choirs looking to re-house it, and so the range of music that the choir can access has increased hugely, with relatively little cost. We are delighted that people will often comment on how good the choir are, and for a relatively small village (with a huge church!), we are very lucky to have a large, regular and hugely committed choir that can provide such a service. One of the key points is that people enjoy singing – it is good for so many aspects of life – well-being, physical health, concentration, focus, knowledge and sociability. It offers a regular chance to learn new music, to improve one’s own ability and confidence in singing, and then there is the joy of making music with others – all in a worship context. It is also hugely enjoyable, and we have a great deal of fun at rehearsals at the same time. As Director of Music, I am so grateful to those who give up their time, work so hard and are prepared to put in the commitment and effort to be part of the choir. Future plans: - An expansion of the junior section of the choir - Recruitment of new adult singers in all choir parts (SATB) - Collaboration with other local choirs - Learn new music – including settings for evensongs, but also generally, anthems - Learn a different Mass setting or two for Sunday eucharist services. ## _**“Bless O Lord us your servants that minister in your temple, grant that what we sing with our lips may we believe in our hearts and what we believe in our hearts may we show forth in our lives. Amen”**_ This is what is known as The Chorister’s prayer – one that has been used by the Royal School of Church Music since 1934., although its origins are thought to date back further to the 13th Century. It is still prayed regularly at HTLM at the end of each rehearsal, and often in the vestry, before or after services. ## **Nigel Brown Director of Music Holy Trinity Church** ## **Report on JAM and FaithChat** Chaotic and anarchic are not words that normally spring to mind when describing a Bible study group or home group. However, they seem eminently appropriate when describing JAM (Jesus And Me) and FaithChat (no space), the two small groups operating in our parish of Holy Trinity Long Melford. Seemingly chaotic and anarchic – but under the surface the work of the Holy Spirit can be discerned. And it occurred to me (apologies if this sounds patronising) that when God created the world, He created it out of chaos, ‘a formless void’ according to Genesis 1.1. I would like to think that God is creating something beautiful from the ‘formless void’ that many of us feel we are! Many members of the groups testify to the way in which their understanding of Christian things and church procedures has progressed. Their enthusiasm to learn more, their willingness to express where they are in their faith, their honesty and openness to listen to and support each other are real signs of maturity. What is interesting is to realise that there is a considerable overlapping of personnel between the two groups – people are very keen to exploit these opportunities to discuss and deepen their faith. It should be pointed out that the focus of the two groups is quite different. What they have in common is that each meets in the home of a generous church family, who always supplies refreshments, which seem to facilitate discussion! 13 At JAM we concentrate on in-depth Bible study. Indeed, the depth is sometimes so profound that it can take us a very long time to progress much beyond two or three verses of a passage of Scripture in a single session. We spent quite a few weeks on Paul’s fantastic letter to the Philippians, more recently on James’s letter, which is so rich in practical advice to us Christians. At FaithChat we tend to devote each session to a specific topic. One of the most moving was our meeting the day after dear Rev Henry’s funeral when we assessed his legacy to the church and shared testimony as to his contribution to our growth as Christian individuals over his long service at Holy Trinity. Our most recent session saw us battling with the impossible question of free will. At other sessions we have explored the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit, the role of mountains as sites of important teaching, how church leaders prepare their sermons, prayer, forgiveness, personal faith. These are not ‘closed’ groups. We would be very happy to welcome more enquiring Christian minds and their owners to our meetings. ## **Malcolm Offord** ## **DEANERY SYNOD REPORT TO APCM** The Synod meets every three months in various churches in the Deanery. Simon White, who has chaired the meetings in a very efficient manner is still referred to as “acting” Rural Dean. We are updated on financial matters by David Walters (Deanery Organiser). News around the Deanery is announced and discussed and we are also briefed about Diocesan and National Synod decisions, Topics presented this year have included: “Love Rural” a community set up to unite and help people in need and to help those scattered in the countryside. Also the organisation has brought younger people in our villages, The cost-of-living crisis and its effect on the church community and what actions we need to take. It was concluded that any actions that the church could take eg food banks, financial advice etc. would be productive. The March Synod covered the topic “Signs of Growing in God in our Schools” presented by clergy and lay members. After this Bill Box (husband of the Reverend Tricia Box of Little Cornard) on his work in secondary schools, mainly Thomas Gainsborough. Other news includes the merging of All Saints and St Gregory’s Sudbury which is now formally proceeding. A draft Deanery Plan has also been produced. The Lay Chair is shortly to step down and we are short of other Deanery Officers. David and I have noticed that the quality of our Synod meetings has improved significantly and it is vital that this continues to enhance communication and understanding in the Deanery. Hopefully there will be more volunteers to help with this work. Davd W and myself are at present the PCC members and there is one vacancy. It is vital that the organisation continues to make a significant contribution to our Deanery. ## **John Watts (Deanery Synod Member) April 2026** 14 ## **FRIENDS OF LONG MELFORD CHURCH BUILDING TRUST REPORT Registered Charity No. 1069008 December 2025** Another year has nearly passed since we last wrote to you. It has been a quieter year following the busy time we had in 2024 with the Clopton Reunion. We have appointed another trustee, Mrs. Maureen Clayton, which brings the committee up to a full complement. Maureen is Melford born and bred, her family goes back some seven generations, she is also member of the choir in Holy Trinity Church. **Medieval Windows.** As in previous years our main focus has been on the restoration and preservation of the medieval glass in the north aisle widows. As mentioned in our last newsletter the fourth window was completed this year, reaching the half way mark for the project. The Friends donations to date, including the experimental costs required before the work could commence, amounts to £324,326 towards the total cost of circa £404,500, over 84% of the total to date. This has been achieved from earmarked donations, from our general fund and mainly from the William B. Clopton gift which is invested for the restoration of the historical fabric of the Church. The growth and interest has all but been exhausted, meaning that we will no longer be able to make any more large donations to the window project. We are now looking to reinvest the principal with an eye to the future, when all the windows are completed, we can then donate towards ‘other historical” restoration in the Church from the WBC fund, an example of this occurred recently when a piece of carved cornice made of oak fell from the roof in the chancel. This led to the Church being closed until a safety inspection of all the cornices had been checked. Photographs showing on the left the the external glazing, on the right the complete window. **Clopton Rose Ceremony.** This year saw the 41st. Payment of one red rose to the Clopton Family Association by the townsfolk of Hadleigh, Suffolk. In 1438 John Clopton of Toppesfield Manor leased land for the building of a Guildhall in Hadleigh at a peppercorn rent, this rent was later amended to one Red Rose. Mr. Gene Clopton, late of New York, when researching the Clopton Heritage discovered the “payment” was unpaid 500 years! This eventually led to the Clopton 15 Reunions and the Rose Ceremony, the first being in Long Melford in 1984 organised by Gene (in the USA) and in Suffolk a committee headed by Charles Hayle-Brown, John Abbott (LM Parish Council Chairman) and Rev’d Christopher Sansbury (the Rector). In our last newsletter we said that we were planning a tour of the Church in the spring with Simon Edge, we have had to postpone this until next year. We thank you for your continuing support. With best wishes for 2026. John Watts (Hon. Chairman Richard Michette(hon. Secretary) Alan Sawyer(Trustee) _If you wish you can donate, by bank transfer to:- NatWest Bank,_ _Account name:- Friends of Long Melford Church Building Trust Sort code.:- 60-21-03 Account Number:- 52605655_ ## _Or by cheque to_ _Richard Michette, 7, Clopton Drive, Long Melford, Suffolk , CO10 9LJ Cheques made out to “Friends of Long Melford Church Building Trust”_ 16 ## **ADDENDUM 1** ## **Minutes of the Annual Parishioners Vestry Meeting of Holy Trinity Church with St Catherine's held on Monday 12[th] May 2025, 7.30pm at St Catherine's Church, Long Melford** ## **1. Members Present:** Rev Matthew Lawson, Cheryl Morgan, Deborah Blake, Graham Wegg, David Walters, John Watts, Linda Goodban (secretary), Sally McDonald, Melonie Clubb, Sheryl Risley Judith Offord and Malcolm Offord, John Freeborn, Ron Davies, Jan Hewitt, David Hamand, Alan Douglas, Susie Tweed, David Tweed, Patricia Roberts, Loretta Shewring, Paddy Kemp, Kate Allen, Max Holland and Maggie Holland **2. Apologies** : Judi Moss, Harry Mee, Chris Badger, Terry Straight, Nicky Lawson, Pam Tonks, Mary MacDonald, Lynda Badger, Wendy Rothwell ## **3. Minutes of the previous Annual Parishioners Vestry Meeting** - The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29[th] April 2024 were approved and signed by Rev Matthew Lawson ## **4. Election of Church Wardens** : Two nominations received. Deborah Blake - elected (proposed by Sue Plastow, seconded by Susie Tweed) Linda Goodban - elected (proposed by Jan Hewett, seconded by Ron Davies) Graham Wegg - to continue supporting as Assistant Church warden No Objections. No other nominations received. All nominations unanimously approved by all present ## **5. Any other Business** : No other business There being no further business the meeting closed at 19.40 17 **ADDENDUM 2** ## **Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting of Holy Trinity Church with St Catherine's held on Monday 12th May 2025, 7.40pm at St Catherine's Church, Long Melford** The meeting began with all present singing hymn 128, followed by the prayer on page 2 of Annual Report ## **6. Members Present:** Rev Matthew Lawson, Cheryl Morgan, Deborah Blake, Graham Wegg, David Walters, John Watts, Linda Goodban (secretary), Sally McDonald, Melonie Clubb, Sheryl Risley Judith Offord and Malcolm Offord, John Freeborn, Ron Davies, Jan Hewett, David Hamand, Alan Douglas, Susie Tweed, David Tweed, Patricia Roberts, Loretta Shewring, Paddy Kemp, Kate Allen, Max Holland and Maggie Holland **7. Apologies** : Judi Moss, Harry Mee, Chris Badger, Terry Straight, Nicky Lawson, Pam Tonks, Mary MacDonald, Lynda Badger ## **8. Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting** : The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29[th] April 2024 were approved and signed by Rev Matthew Lawson **9. Electoral Roll Report** : ML gave the following report on behalf of Mary MacDonald; In In the past year we have sadly lost Dudley Kemp, Audrey Wreford and Ann Clubb May they Rest in Peace. We also remember before God June Douglas and Hugh Edgecombe). We are happy to have welcomed Jean Johnson and Ingeburg Sabine The Electoral Roll stands at 171 (177 in 2024) ## **10. Finance Report** : David Walters gave the following report on behalf of Chris Badger; Referring to the financial summary statement in the Annual Report, a deficit of £15,936 in the general fund was identified. It is therefore important that we continue to increase our income and do everything we can to improve our revenue in the coming year. The Treasurer has confidence that with some fundraising ideas being discussed at the PCC, together with a drive on achieving improved donations, this can be achieved and that we can deal with the financial challenges ahead. As we know, we are not alone in facing these challenges, with many Parish Churches throughout the country facing similar, and in many instances, far more difficult situations. Chris is now at the end of his first year as treasurer which has gone largely without any problems and he is enjoying the experience of being treasurer which on some occasions has been a real eye opener. Chris also acknowledged with grateful thanks the continued and invaluable support from former treasurer David Walters and also David Tweed, Ron Davies and Theresa Munford who carry out essential work to ensure the smooth running of our financial processes and systems. PCC will need to select and appoint an external auditor for year end accounts 2025 as Neil Pearson has now stepped down from this role (to be discussed at next full PCC meeting). A vote of thanks was also offered by ML to the Friends for their continued financial support on the Stained Glass Windows project. 18 ML stated that the role of Treasurer for HT is very substantial with over 1600 transactions per annum and financial activity multiple times daily. A vote of thanks was given to CB for his conscientious hard work and commitment to supporting the PCC as Treasurer. **11. Fabric Report** : Fabric report and stained glass fund report were received and noted as per Annual Report document. A question was asked about memorial plaques for donations made in memory of someone for a complete window refurbishment. ML advised that church is moving away from this practice, however on the window in question a small inscription has been made on the glass referring to he person in memoriam. There has been extensive additional work for the Wardens following the 2 break-ins resulting in theft of goods and damage to property. A vote of thanks to Cheryl and Deborah for all their hard work on managing this. Stained glass windows project continues however extensive fund raising will be required to complete the project. It was noted that there currently appears to be no specific fund raising projects in hand. SR advised there is a fund raising committee who are exploring several options for fund raising events, the main challenge being finding volunteers to manage or support such events. JH advised she would like to do some specific events to raise funds for the cleaning of the Reredos. Wardens and Elizabeth Rossi have now put together booking forms for events at Church that clearly identify fees/costs rather than ‘negotiating’ donations for each individual event. LS asked if the proposals for upgrading tower end of church had now ceased. Confirmed these were currently paused following the extensive works carried out last year for the clerestory repairs. Phase 1 of works is now complete following electrical improvements. It is also essential that improved heating is put in place at the back end of church before we proceed with any works to the tower. RD commented that Weddings for 2025 are lower in number, could this be in part due to lack of appropriate toilet facilities with only 1 toilet in church. Advised toilet facilities are not a factor in reduced number of weddings. Mostly it is believed this is down to costs/recession impacting on couples choices for weddings. **12. Group Reports and Deanery Synod report:** Reports from Church groups and Deanery Synod received and noted as per Annual Report document. **ML** informed the meeting that Fusion youth club has shown extensive growth with up to 38 young people now split into 2 group sessions, older group meet at the Glebe land at the rectory while the younger group meets at St Catherines. ML was successful in obtaining a substantial grant to fund 4o’c community worship for 2 more years. Consideration will need to be given on how we maintain funding these worship groups once the grant expires. MO commented that as a Reader he had been missed off the report (page 4), LG apologised, this was an error on producing the report. Report amended by ML to include MO as reader at HT. Further asked that several smaller groups should be included in the report, Faith Chat, JAM (Jesus And Me), Prayer groups. These are all new groups, some of which commenced in 2025 and will be included in 2025 report. It was agreed a full review of all groups be taken to ensure they are included in future Annual Reports. 19 Faith group is a small group of people who gather approximately every 4-6 weeks to discuss issues that perplex or confuse people within church. There have been 5 sessions so far, all very well attended. JAM is a group that originally formed during an ALPHA course and who have recently become Christians. This group meets fortnightly. There is also a small prayer group that meets regularly in Church. ML and Wardens to review all small groups for invitation to submit annual reports **13. Elections to PCC** : Three lay representatives to the Parochial Church Council each for three year terms. Nominations received were: Cheryl Morgan; Proposed Deborah Blake, Seconded Ron Davies Sheryl Risley; Proposed Chris Badger, Seconded Lynda Badger Alan Douglas; Proposed David Walters, Seconded David Hamand No further nominations were received. All three nominations unanimously accepted to serve for 3 year period Harry Mee, who has come to the end of his period of service, has now moved with his family to Clare, however he has kindly offered to continue to claim VAT on project costs on behalf of HT if PCC wish him to do so. ML extended a vote of thanks to Harry for his service and wished Harry and his family every happiness in their now home. **14. Election to Deanery Synod** : David Walters and John Watts continue to serve until 2026. One further vacancy remains unfilled, anyone with an interest is invited to speak with John Watts or David Walters for further information. ## **15. Appointment of independent examiner** : Neil Pearson will no longer continue in this role. PCC to consider an elect independent examiner at next full PCC meeting. **16. Any other Business** : The following items raised: - **(a) Replacement Silver** : JH advised she will be meeting tomorrow to receive replacement silver from items stolen during break ins last year. - **(b) Minutes of PCC Meetings** : RD asked why copy of PCC minutes are not on public display. ML confirmed that copy of all PCC minutes are available to anyone who is on the current Electoral Roll upon request but they are not for public display as per CofE guidance. **17. Rectors Report** : Rev Matthew Lawson gave the following report; ## **Looking back on the year;** This year I had a Sabbatical for 12 weeks, although there was a great deal of extra work preparing for this, and an equally great amount playing catch up with everything on my return, this sabbatical provided me with very welcome time with family, time for study and time for spiritual reflection. In particular I looked at the lives of of John and Charles Wesley. I learned from this time that things can change and indeed I see change often in our daily activities; We have more young men making connections, more young people exploring and discovering faith, 4 o’clock community groups helping growth in the church and our church family. It also allowed me time to reflect on my personal relationship with God, hopefully allowing me to become softer, more humble and hopefully trusting less on myself and more on God. Thank you to everyone who enabled my sabbatical, in particular Henry Heath, Judith and Malcolm Offord. 20 ## **New ABC:** There is now a new Pope, this is significant for world-wide Church. We also had the resignation of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, this was an unpleasant business that highlighted a gap between central authority in CofE and local parish Priests. There has been an extensive range of emotions, some good, some bad. Prayer is my strength and my hope for the future. God is bigger than CofE! ## **Safeguarding:** Safeguarding is a priority, it has been clearly identified as a significant reason for not attending Church, where some people “don’t feel safe”. Bureaucracy in safeguarding can be overwhelming and not parish friendly. During this past year I sometimes spend up to a day a week on safeguarding related activities. Thank you to CM and Ros Dickinson for their support in brining our Safeguarding status up to date. Thank you to those of the ministry team, particularly the Elders, who have had to complete extensive safeguard training to continue in these roles. ## **Year Ahead:** Keep on Worshiping! I look forward to worship and through prayer I can get on with being a parish Priest! We continue to nurture opportunities, through music, choir, young choristers, small groups, faith chat, discipleship and wider development of our 4o’clock community. ## **Ministry Team:** - We have welcomed Kevin Powell as a second Lay Reader - We now have 2 Ordinands; Charlotte Harkness (Ordained Deacon) and Nicky Lawson (Pioneer Minister). Nicky currently has the challenge of studying, running the 4 o’clock community and supporting her sister who is very unwell but Nicky continues making good progress - Charlotte will be working part time with St Nicholas Hospice and part time with HT - Whilst we are encouraged in our ministry team, it is sad to hear that the number of theology students in colleges and universities appears in decline. - Nicky and Pam Tonks, ably supported by Lynda Badger and Kate Allen continue with youth work through Messy Church and work within our schools. - Our Elders are to be commissioned / re-commissioned at a service on 22[nd] June 2025, Karen Straight will be joining our team of Elders at this time. ML plans to be more structured in his approach to the ministry team. - Henry, Judith and Malcolm, your continued support and encouragement in worship is invaluable. ## **Illness:** - There have been many challenges with health this year all of which have impacted on my time and work. - Vicky was unwell at the beginning of the year with extended stays in hospital. - Nicky has also been unwell earlier this year, and now she is supporting family and in particular her sister who is terminally ill. - Pam is now recovering from surgery to her leg and will be absent for a period of time as she recovers. - We hold all those who are unwell, and those who support the sick, in our hearts and prayers. 21 ## **Easter:** Easter services were all very well attended and supported. In particular I found the Good Friday walk of the Cross profoundly moving; from those who struggled to walk asking to carry ‘the burden of the cross’ and walk with it, to those who audibly narrated the Lords Prayer as we passed by. It was a profoundly emotional and humbling experience shared by those known to us and with strangers watching as we passed by. Similarly I appreciated having different worship styles together in the main service. **Thanks** : I would like to offer personal thanks to the following - Ministry Team; for your good example of Christian Witness - PCC; for your continued support and commitment to the upkeep of our Church building and our church family. - Chris Badger; for your diligence and commitment in managing our financial matters. - To all the many volunteers in all the groups that keep our church running so well - there are too many to mention individually but sincere thanks to each and everyone of you. - Patricia Roberts; for your time, commitment and energy in running the Church shop for so many years, and in particular these past 2 years as we strived to find a replacement for this role. - Church Wardens; Thanks to Deborah and Cheryl for all your time, effort and support - Secretary: Thank you to Linda for preparing everything for the Annual Meeting and for service as secretary. Thanks also to Sheryl for taking up this role - Darryl: For all he does to ensure smooth running of our IT systems and live streaming of services allowing us to reach those who cannot come to church. Thank you to you ALL who are seeking to service Christ and love God and neighbour. Thank you for your encouragement in faith, I am humbled by your faith, kindness and encouragement. John Watts responded on behalf of everyone with a vote of thanks to Matthew, “you are the inspirational within a special parish, you are the inspiration for the team, you encourage and support us and we are immensely grateful for your leadership”. There being no further business the meeting ended at 21.20 ## **Signed:** ## **Date:** 22 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Parish Name: Long Melford Holy Trinity If the form is NOT completed for the entire parish, Parish Code (6 330296
Return of Parish Finance
w. St. Caths please list below the churches included: digits):
January to December 2025
Deanery: Sudbury
30 Accruals Diocese: St. Eds. & Ips
RECEIPTS/INCOME UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED PAYMENTS/EXPENDITURE UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED
(nearest £) (nearest £) (nearest £) (nearest £)
Voluntary giving Costs of generating funds
1 Regular giving 52,966.00 17 Costs of fundraising activities £ 538
3 Collections at services £ 7,909 Church activities
4 All other giving and voluntary receipts, including 18 Mission giving and donations
special appeals (recurring and one-off) £ 14,726 £ 11,924 £ 2,626
6 Gift Aid recovered (regular giving and one-off 19 Diocesan parish share contribution £ 68,349
donations) £ 16,109 £ 1,435 20 Salaries, wages and honoraria £ 39,437 £ 10,930
7 Legacies received (capital value) 21 Clergy and staff expenses £ 3,604
8 Grants (include recurring and one-off) £ 2,288 £ 147,362 Church expenses
Total voluntary giving £ 93,998 £ 160,721 22 Mission and evangelism costs £ 5,951 £ 633
Activities for generating funds 23 Church running expenses (including governance) £ 22,366 £ 57
9 Fundraising activities (gross proceeds) £ 14,044 £ 8,546 24 Church utility bills £ 14,029
Income from investments 25 Costs of trading £ 13,697
10 Dividends, interest, income from property etc. £ 18,887 £ 4,846 Major capital expenditure
Church activities 27 Major repairs to the church building £ 40,526 £ 107,106
11 Fees retained by PCC (weddings, funerals etc.) 28 Major repairs to church hall/other PCC property
£ 2,892 including redecoration
12 Trading activities (gross proceeds), NOT fundraising 29 New building work to the church, church hall, clergy
£ 14,468 housing or other PCC property. £ 25,355
Other incoming resources Other expenditure
13 Other receipts/income not already listed 99 Other payments/expenditure not already listed
PLEASE NOTE BRIEF DETAILS IN BOX E £ 51,801 PLEASE NOTE BRIEF DETAILS IN BOX E
Totals (from Financial Statements) Unrestricted Restricted Totals (from Financial Statements) Unrestricted Restricted
A RECEIPTS/INCOME £ 196,090 £ 174,113 C PAYMENTS/EXPENDITURE £ 233,852 £ 121,352
B COMBINED TOTAL £ 370,203 D COMBINED TOTAL £ 355,204
PLANNED GIVERS AND LEGACIES CASH AND INVESTMENT BALANCES UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED
14 Number of regular givers 77 31 Cash and deposit balances as at 31/12/25 £ 50,513 £ 176,761
16 Number of new legacies received in year 0 32 Investments as at 31/12/25 £ 8,821
Please refer to the accompanying notes to help clarify what is included in each Name
section. The item numbers refer to RPF notes, consistent with the guidance Position PCC Treasurer
provided in PCC Accountability , 5th edn. . Email or telephone david.walters@rodbridge.com
**----- End of picture text -----**
**Looking back across 2025, were there any exceptional circumstances (other than COVID 19) that may have led to unusual figures? Please provide details in this box.** Holy Trinity with St Catherine's Long Melford Registered Charity Number: 1169680 PCC Annllal Accounts st For the Year l January - 31 December 2025 Frontsheet Independent Examiner Report to the Parochial Church Councll of Holy Trinity Church. with St Catherine's Long Melford I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2025 which are set out ors pages I to 10. Respective responsiblllty of the PCC {the Trustees), and Independent Examlner, . The PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC corTrsider that an audit is r￿t reqUI￿d for thls year under sertion 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination Is needed. It Is my responslblllty to: a) Examlne the accounts under settion 145 of the 2011 Act; b) Follow the procedures laid down In the general direction glven by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and c) State whether particular matters have come to my attention. B3sls of Independent Examlners Report My examinatlon was carried out in accordance with the general dlrections given by the Charity .'a¥-. Commission. An examination includes a revlew of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparlson of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also includes conslderation of -# any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the -.¢ evidence that would be requlred in a full audit and consequently no oplnlon Is given as to whether the accounts present "a true and fair view" and the report is limlted to those matte set out in the statement below. Independent Examlner Statement In connection with my examlnation no matters have come to my attentlon: E- i. whlch give me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect. the. requirements la. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Art or to prepare accounts which accord wlth these accounting ￿ordS and comply with the accounting requlrements of the 2011 Act have not been met, or r..k12. to whlch ir* my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned. Davld Richardson '. Dated.. 0810512026 Address: 9a Woollards Garden5, Long Melford. Sudbury, COIO 9LN '. Parochial Church Councll of Hoty Trinity with St Catherine's, Long Melford, Suffi)Ik Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31st Docomber 2025 INCOIANG RESOURCES Noto Unre$trlct8d R8strlct•d Endowmgnt lund8 funds furKI$ 202S 202S Totsi funds 2025 Tot¥1 fund8 2024 2025 thcoming reSou￿eS from donofS 92,236 139,773 232.009 198,973 Other ¥olun18ry incoming ￿$OurCeS 2b 2,294 2,294 2.023 lo furtherlhe Councils objects 2¢ 4.864 18.654 2S.308 10.059 to ￿nerate fund8 28.512 37.058 58.760 Income from inveslment 3.498 6,22D Olher ordinary incoming re80(wves 67,190 67.190 16.110 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 196.090 174113 370,203 292,745 RESOURCES EXPENDED Note Unr¢$tricted Fund8 2025 Restrt¢i•d Endowmollt Funds Fund8 202$ 2025 Totyi funds 2025 Toial funds 2024 Ac￿vIli8$ direcuy re18kno to Ihe ofthe Church 196.667 118.676 315.343 242.692 Church m8iiagemerAt & adminlstration 22.950 50 23.c￿0 24,864 Costof generatsng funds 14.235 14.235 16.889 Grants lo other ch&rllles 2,82e 2.626 2.705 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 233.862 121.352 3$5.204 287.ISO NEf IOUTGOINGIIINCOMING RESOURCES INestrrEnt gairts IIOs5esl Iruease in capital rtetr Caprtal rtems wrrtten ott DÈpreoation I￿reSSe/l￿ecreas*} in S￿1p st￿k 137,7621 52,781 14.999 123 5.595 422 123 5b Sb 5b sc 17.5921 8.662 8.662 1.670 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 129.1001 52,761 123 23,784 95 BALANCES BROUGHT FORWPAD AT 1st JANUARY 459.809 124.000 8.697 592,506 592.411 BAUVICES CfvRRIED FORWARD AT 31st DECEMBER 430,709 76,761 8.820 616,290 592,506 Page l of 10 Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity with St Catherines Long Melford Suffolk Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024 Note 202S 2024 FIXED ASSETS Tangib￿ fmed assets 5a&b 355,000 355.000 Inveslment assets sd 8,821 8,897 CURRENT ASSETS 363.821 363,697 Shop stock 25,195 16,534 Short term deposits 191,616 183,319 Cash in current account 29,285 22,494 HMRC debtors 12,102 15.267 ot￿r debtors 8,829 2,767 266,827 LIA81LITIES Credito 240.381 (11,958} 19.5311 Pre-paid income 12,4001 {2,0411 14.3581 111,S72 NET CURRENT ASSETS 2S2,469 228,809 NET TOTAL AssErs 616.290 592,606 FUNDS Unrestricted 430,709 459,809 Restricted 176,761 124,000 E￿Jowrnent 8,820 8,697 816,290 592,506 Approved by the Parothial Church Council on 16 103r2026 and signed on Fts behalf by Chairnian The notes lo financial slalerrents on pages 3 to 10 form part of I￿se accounts Pag82of10 Paro¢hial Church Council of Holy Trinity with Sl. Catherine's, Long Melford, Suffolk Notes to tht FinAntial Statements for the yt4r ended 31st December 2025 I ACCOUN'TING POLICIES The fJnan¢ial staternent% have been prepared under the ChaT)lies Act 2011 aDd in accordanG¢ M'ith the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCC5, tosether with applicabl¢ a¢couniJng standards and the Stat¢tnent ofReqllired Ptactice, A¢coLEntin8 and Reponing by Charities IFRSSL SORPI. The financia] statements have been p￿pared under the historteai cost convention except foT the valuation of investment assets, which are Showi ar market value. Fund$ Th¢ unrestncted general fi￿d represents the fu]](Ls of the PCC that aT¢ not subject to any restriction regarding their us and are available for applicatIon on the 8cneral purposes of'lhe PCC. If 501lle ot this fund is d£s￿gnatert for a panicular putpose of ihe PCC le.g. children & youih wtsik). it is also unrestricted. Detsils of this and ofthe restricted funds are given in note 6. Th¢ accounts tnclude all ITansa¢iiiins, assets and liabilitie$ foF which the PCC Is responsible In law."Ihey do noi include the ac¢out]ts of Church groups thai oi*e their main aifiliation to anOth￿r body or those that aTe informal gaihering5 Qt church meEnbers. Incoming Re50ur¢es volu￿(￿, Jncopfte Copithlstwrees Coll¢ctiOn5 and othci donations are rectsgnised when teteived by or on behalf ol'the PCC. Planned giving is ￿¢0￿]Sed only v4hen received. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donatiorLS is re¢ogni5¢d wlrn ihe original donation is receiveil, whi¢h may b¢ some time befoic the mone!, is received fioin HMRC There may be a ditTerence Iktween ihe totals initiallv estimated by the Cashier and finally established by the Planned Givin8 Officer and agFeed by HMRC. and anv such difference after Llosure of the aceounts is t￿n Included in ihe accounts for the following year. Some Gift-Aid income is received dire¢tly froTR IIMRC and 50tne is received via the Parish Giving Scheme IPGSI. which claITns li from HMRC immediately and fomrds it to the PCC within days. The split of this Gift Aid income and its allocaiion between fund5 2nd other chaiitlcs 15 described in note 7 Grants and legacies to ihe PCC are accounted for only when reeeived Income from donaiions via the ChuTch website, QR code, and conts¢(less card donations ts accourtt¢d for net wrythi Incoming resources. DeLails of gross income from. and chgFg¢s for, Ih¢se ore 8iv¢n &n note I l. Funds raised by any ￿￿-TaIsIng activity accounied foF gT055, provided that the Infom)ation is ai'ailable. The 5des from the Church Shop are all accounted for gross. herillcoo Rental income from the letting of church premises OF church property 15 recognised when due and ieceived, an). payments teceived in advance are classified as pre-paid income lueomefrom iiiveshnemts Dividends are accounted for when due and received. Int¢Te5t is atwunted for when it is received. Anv tax recoverable on su¢h income is recognised in the saTne accounting vear. GfiiKs tTndlos5e5 on illw￿￿￿t￿ts R¢a5ised gains or losses are r¢co8nised when invesiments sold. UnFealised 8ains or105scs are acLounted for on revaluation of investments at 31° December Page3of10 Resollr¢ts Expende A¢livid￿ dire¢lly relfthng lo Ihe work offhe Churc The Diocesan Parish Shart is accounted forwhen paid. Bank charges ale accounted foi when debited by the bonk. All kno￿1 IIabilities foi payrnents at 31°DeLember are provided for in these accounts as a# operational liabilitv and are sFM)wn a5 Creditors In the Balantt Sheet. An! significant but unquantifiable liabilEty Is assessed as close as possible to the expe¢ted value and provisioned accordJAgly within accruals. Grftnls Grants and donations made to other charities by the PCC are acLounted for wh¢n paid OV¢T or when awarded. If that 8waFd creates a binding obligation on the PCC Any applicable Gift-Aid is CTedited at time of the 8ront or donation and claimed in due course from HMRC Fixed Assets CoMeerqledpropety andnwveftble churchlurNbhinRs Conseetated and Benefiec Propeny is not inelud¢d in the accounts In a¢¢oTdance with s¢Ltions 1012llal and Icl of the Charitie￿ Act 2011. Heritage as5¢ts are not nsideT¢d appropriate. InVeSth￿Rts IRvestments' ate valued at matket value at 31* December Currewl (Cftsh) Assets Amounts owing io the PCC at 31°December in Fespect of f¢es, rents, Gilt-Aid or any othei income are Shown as Debtor5, less wovision for amounts which may prove un¢ollectrble Short teTtn detK)sirs I￿]ude cash held on deposit with the CBF ICCLAI Church of England Funds. Any outstanding advance pwyments at the end of the year a¥e shown within tkbtors or are deducied from Pre-paid income. which¢vtr is Judg¢d th¢ mott appioprEaie for ihe item in questton. Tr#n$itory Income In accordance with the SORP, transitory income which passes through the PCC account as ageRt 15 not included in the SOFA. Page 4 of10 Parochial Church Councll of Holy Trlnity with St Catherine's, Long Mellord, Suffolk Notes to the financlal statements for tho ygar endod 315t December 2025 2 INCOMNG RESOURCES Vnrèstricted Rgstrlcttrd Endowrnent Fund8 Funds Fund5 Total Fund$ 2025 2024 2(ai IrwmirrJ resouices from donots staThliro orders, BACS and PGS Numbered whrte enwelopes Unrestricted G-aided yellow erwelopes Loose collectiork8 at 10'.30 Hoty Trinty OIIEr Pbly TriThty loose collectiorB Sl. Cat￿rineS loose collectits Ottr￿r nor￿GA donatior6 in Chwch Staired Glass donatiorts & giants Gratrts & Sllr￿ry ottEr dorotior Gfft AKJ recovèred on all (tonati0Th8 Legacies 52.016 950 2.746 52,016 950 2.761 47,873 1,130 2,031 2,825 2,159 20 23,457 43,498 55.573 20,407 15 2,465 tO.218 9,565 125.852 2.9( 1.435 19,783 125,852 5.194 17.544 2.288 16.109 92,236 139.773 232.009 21bl Other voluntaryincoming reSoU￿S DonatiorE for 01f￿r ctorilies etc. 198,973 2.294 2.294 2.294 2.294 2.023 2.023 21cl Income from operntlng 8cliwb'es." to further Ihe Councils objects WedOlrKJs & ftKErals slal fees WeddiThJs & ft￿raIS otlEr C. Y & F. E. Work DonatiorB & Grarts 2,892 1.782 2.892 1.812 18,604 23,308 4.806 3.752 2,101 10,659 50 18,604 18,654 2{dl In¢¢>me fiDm operating ac&"viUes.' To generate funds Commercial ￿ of Cr￿Ch biildirKJs Tower abse111￿ Ilor Presetvationl stair￿ Glass F￿￿raISINj T REde & Stride Open Garder Flower FUKI re￿￿￿ lexd. weddir¥Jsl Bell F(nJ Village Fete Corcert for StaIr￿d Gtass St￿P receipts 11,593 3,476 15,009 17,358 17,121 5,470 203 3.636 325 385 4,463 4,463 125 1,822 452 215 504 125 1,822 452 215 504 2,153 12 14,468 28,512 21el Income fn)m Invesbnent DwideThJs & interest 58,760 13 3.498 6,220 4848 210 Other ordinary irthming resources lrL%ura￿R daims arKI compettsalion Rerrtal Ir￿Me from Corwallaria 51,801 51.801 15.389 4.040 12,070 16.110 67,190 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 196,090 174113 370 203 292 745 Page 5 of 10 Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity with St Catherine's, Long Melford, Suffolk Notes to Ihe financlal statgments for the year endod 31st Decembor 2025 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED iJnr•$triet•d Restrlct•d Endowm•nl Funds Fund$ Funds Total Fu#ds 2025 2024 31al Acb'vities dA￿dIY relating to the wo1* of the Church Parish Share OIPEr nNrislry & mission costs Church r￿r#r￿j expenses utilf(ies Ins￿ar facilrties a￿1 equprrent Gereral repairs & cleariry SlairEd glass resloralion Other Pkjty Trinity festoration Bell eXpe￿S Flowers (excl. weddiryJs & fu￿raISI Otganist fees (excl. IiarBilory) Other ￿1C costs 68,349 9,161 68,349 9.161 66,422 6,51Q 14 14,029 10.902 25.355 22.551 14,029 10.902 25.355 22,551 100.014 25,022 45 640 9,815 2,249 5.250 9,914 9.023 11,962 60.331 39.424 1,519 800 7.915 1,705 100.014 7.047 17,975 640 9.815 2,249 Children's. Youlh & Fresh Expessioyts 10.930 118.676 27,211 315,343 242,692 196,667 31bl Church management & administra&"on Admirislralor direct costs Otf￿r admiimstralion costs Bank charges MaInte￿r￿* & r￿￿1r9 costs of CorNallaria 13,341 8,183 13,341 8.183 780 14,951 6.199 800 13 50 696 50 24.864 31c} Cost of gene￿ting funds ShDp pwchases, charges atyt costs Tower abseiliro expeTh%es OIIEr commercial & fLnJ raisirg costs 12 13,697 13,697 7.650 8,345 894 538 14,235 538 14,235 31dl Grants to other chanties Kagera, Lent Appeal Storehou8e foodbarl(. Lent Appeal Nlrnber 72. Lent Appeal Royal British Legion Barnardiston PC S￿1b￿ District Scouts arKJ t￿lT charities 830 830 905 830 602 254 110 830 602 254 110 490 320 85 2.705 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 233 852 121352 355 204 287 150 Page 6 of 10 Parochial Church CouneÉl of Holy Trinity with St. Catherine's Long Melford Suffolk Notes to th¢ Trinantial Statemellts for year ending 31st Dttemb¢r 2025 4. PAYMEwfs TO INDIVIDUALS FOR SERVICES SUPPLIED The PCC has no employees bul makes payments al agreed rates to self-employed individuals who supply their seivices as required, all of whom also supply their serviccs to other oiganisations. Payments in 2025 and 2024 were.. 2025 13.341 9,815 16,281 5,650 2,040 2024 14,951 7,915 14,506 4,412 2,059 43.842 Be￿ice Adnuruslrator.. Orgarisls.. Clildren & YoLrth Worker Te¢trn"cal support, mairly ￿veStrean*Wj GerEral de3Thro al both buildirvJs Totals.. In ae¢ordance with the SORP, the ai)ove figuTes do not include any transitory iTrcome le.g. payments to organists through the PCC for weddings and funerals). but do include payment of prottrly-approved expenses. No payments were made to PCC members apart from transitory income le.g. verger. bells and chorister tees). and pr0￿rIy-approWtd reimbursement of incurred expenses. 5. FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BV THE PCC 5{al The Howe 'Convallaria' rn Bridge Sireei This was received as part of a legacy in 2015 and its valuc at the end ot 2016. after major refurbishments and improvements. was estimated at £330,OW. Its value at thc end of 2020, allowing for house price changes IIKall}' over the previous 4 years, Wds conservatively re-cstimated at £355,000. It IS Still shoiiln ai that value in tht balance sheeL ihough its current market value Is likely to be higher The piopertv has been occupied under a short-term tenancy since March 2024 and regular rental income is being re¢cived. Use of this rental income is described in not¢ 8. 5{b) Oihey iangiblefLred&55e15 li was our pra¢ti¢c until 2024 to C5timate the value of tangible assets such as church shop fittings, hymn book& chairs, dnd components of the soundllivestreaming equipment. and to include the total v￿ue of those items, along wEth th¢ ¢￿IMated valu¢ of the hous¢ 'Convallaria' In the total tixed assets figure entr¢d In the balawe sheet. That praetice h2s now been discontinued and Convalaria is now regarded as the only fixed asset. 5(c) Shop Siock A full stock-take 15 now eartied out at the end of each year to eslimate th¢ total sale value of the stock held. The increased need for this annual stock-tske is mentioned ii) mentioned in nute 12. which summarises shop activity in 2024 and 2025. The asset valu¢ of ihe shop stock. following a stock take at the end of 2025 has been estimated at £25.195, as showi in the balance sheet. 5(d) Imiesimeni and Endoivmeni Funds The PCC no longer has any investtneni funds apttrt from two perman¢nt endowment funds which are Jnvcsttd with CCLA through the diocese. The valuations of these at end of 2025 are shown in note 6 and in the balance sheeL and the change in value is shown in the SOFA. Page7of10 6. DETAILS OF FUNDS The name of each fund, and its cash value rounded to the £ at the start at)d end of 2L125, are given below. Deleted the summation of restricted and urestricted, otheNise tsnchanged ValLE at 31112124 Value at 1112125 50,513 ithreslricted Ger£ral Re Preservation & Prole¢ti¢M F¥JTrJ Bell FUKI Flower F￿ CNkJren & Yothh Fresh Expressior Organ FUKJ sl8irEd Glass FLnl 1,607 3.602 7,661 3,926 16,730 9.479 92.394 124,000 25,397 13.320 126.457 176,761 EThJowrr￿nI Flnls Charlolle Allen Chjrctyard TrLBI Miss Sopfia Louise Fa￿kr￿r TfU51 518 8.179 525 8.295 The Unreslncled General Fund is the main operating fund of the PCC. All unrestricted transactions described in the SOFA, and in the details given in notes 2 and 3 to these a¢count5, relatc to this fund. The Preservution & Prolectiort Fund is a tund set up to receive donations restricted to the preservation and maintenanee of the general fabric of Holy Trinity Church building. including the major part of the insuranee if required. Any donations, legacEes. or fundraising income specifically for thc church building in general, and not for the widcr ministry and mission ut thc Church. are allocated 10 this fund. rhe Bell Funrf receives contributions from donors and vtsiting bands spe¢ifically for th¢ maintenance of the bells and frame at Holy Trinity. The Flower is used to buy flowers and Telated matcrial for the decoration of the ¢hurch and receives paytnenis or donations specifically for that purpose. This fund was discontinued during 2025 following PCC agreement. The Children, YoAth & Fresh E¥pressions Fund is a fund resthcted to ￿Ying for the work with childr¢n. familie4 young people. and for other new outreach initiatiycs. This includes Mcssy Church. the Fusion youth group. the Connect mother & toddler group. attd the Diocesan 'Lightwave' projects. The Or9(￿ Fumdwas set up during 2018 to receive donations and fundraising Fcvcnue iowards maior refurbishment and cnhancement ot the chuich organ. Routine maintenance of the organ is paid foi out of the Generdl Fund. The Stfjiue￿GI￿$ Fund Wds Sct up during 2019 to handle ihe money received and paid out for the work ork the restoration and protection of the eighi medieval staincd-glass windoiys. All doiiations, fundrdising and orants lor the stain¢d-glass work are received into this fund, and all payments by the PCC for thai restoration and protection work are made from it. The ChftrfotteAllert Churehyrtrd Trust is foi keeping in good order and condition the Churehyard and requesting that the graves and mernorials of William and Charlotte Richold and of Charlotte All¢n and li¢r husband be gtven adequate attention. This is a peimaneni endowm¢llt fund held by the dio¢cse. The Miss Sopliift Loui¥e Fnulkner Trns¢ is an endownent fund for the upkeep of the m¢morial window in memory of Miss Faulkner's father and mother and for general repair of the church. This too Is a tErmaneni endowment fund held bv the diocese. Pa8e Sof10 Separate but Related Cbarity Friends ofLong Mellotd Church Building Tn4St This Is an independently registered eharity {commi$5ion no. 1069008} whose purpose is defined as 'To administer funds and trusts to assist the PCC in the repair of thc fabFiC of Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford,. One of the important elements of the PCC'S reialionship with the Friends is the projeci to preserve the medieval glass. foi which the Friends hold rcstricted tunds donated by m¢mbers of the Clopton family. Duiino 2025 the Friends transferred a total of £99.000 of this money lo the PCC, i¥hich covered most of the spend on Stained Glass resloration during tht Vear. 7. IIYCOME TAX RECOVERED FROM HMRC THROUGH GIF'f AID Some of this income is received by the PCC directly from HMRC through oui Gift-Aid Claims. and some is received via PGS (Parish Giving Scheme} whi¢h claims the money on belialf of the PCC and fonvards it to the PCC accol￿1 Cach month. The split of this income, and its subsequent distribution to the respective funds and charities. is shown in the tables below. 2025 12,102 5.442 17.544 2024 15,267 5.140 20,407 Re￿iVed Directly from HMRC.. Recei￿￿ Ma PGS (Parish Gimro SchenE)'. Total: Dorotions to Charrtles.. cri￿reTh yO￿tt & Family Work.. SlairEd Glasg Fur¥J'. Organ FurKI.' Preserwdtion arKI Bells Unrestricted.. Total-. 332 339 201 550 13 16,109 362 518 4,422 198 25 14.882 20,407 8. FUNDING OF CHILDREN, FAMILY AND YOUTH WORK COSTS A successful application for grant funding was made to the diocese last year, and some of this fi]nding will cover. atnongst other things, some Of the cost of our Children, Families and Youth Worker over the 3 v¢ars 2024 to 2026. The rentsl income from the house mentioned in note 5lal. after an allowance for routine upkeep and maintenance costs. has been designated by the PCC to fund Childr¢n and Youth work. In addition ￿ that. the Childr¢n & Youth fuiid Feceives donations or fundraising rev¢nue specificallv restricted tQT that purpose. In 2025, total donations las di51inct from gTantsl were £1540, with an additional £339 in Gift Aid as des¢ribed in not¢ 7. 9. RESERVES POLICI. The re*rves policy of the PCC. which is r¢viewEd ann￿lly, is based on an estimate of 3 months, parish sharc and 3 months of maintenance. insurance and all other expenses totslling £35.000, to be held as part of th¢ Unrestricted General Fund. It is elcar from the figures in note 6 that althou8h the unrestricted res¢rves have r¢duced, they are sufficicrji io comply ￿q1h this policy. Page 9of10 10. INCO￿lE FROM CONTACTLESS CARD DONATIO.T+lS. QR COD£ AND ONLINE Of4E-OFF DO.NATIONI S The gross Income and charges relating to each of these sources in 2025 and 2024 are tsbLdated below. Card Onli onDo ons Credits arxl Cost Gross Credits Charges 2025 2024 2025 3.410 4,920 10,136 11.408 2,906 2,318 2024 'Box' Contactless Donatior6 'SunUp' Contactless Donaliot or11￿ But10￿QR Ccxje Do￿tIO[ 642 222 33 418 16 Net charges for these f2¢ilities vary 8rcatly, b¢ing 140/0 for the older machine, 3.P/. for the Sumup machines and only 0.7°/o for the QR code facility. It is possible that one reason for the drop in the donations from the Sumup and Box card machine is th¢ ￿introduCtiOnS of the weekly Collection during the Sunda>. Morning gervice. The abov¢ shows an in¢rvase in th¢ Online Button donaiions. 11. CHURCH SHOPACTIVITY Shop revenue increased in 2025 by over £2.300 eompared with the previous year. and that irKrease would have been higher if it had not been ￿ceSSary to close the Tnain church foi the whole of July because of the potential structural problem. There was a large increase in purchased stock in 2025. and this increase to a vear-end e51imated valu¢ of over £25.000 is showm in the Balancc Sheet and SOFA. So while the net profit on sales minus purchases was not particularly high in 2025. it will tx>pefully be much htgher in 2026 and future vears. 12. ALLOCATIONS OF BANK CHARGES AND IF*TEREST Interest carned on th¢ CCLA dcposit a¢¢ount is a]loca￿d to each of the fund5 itemised In note 6 in pro￿rtiOn lo the amount held in each fund at the start of the yeaT. Bank charges on the Naiwest a¢¢ounl lotalled £780 and a roughly estimated £50 from those charge$ was debited against th¢ Stained-Glass fund, with the remainder debited againsl unrestri¢kd. It was ttot ¢onsidered necessary io debit charges against any of the other iestTiCted funds. Pa8e IOof10