Hanwell Methodist Church
Reports for General Church Meeting
22[nd] June 2025
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Contents Page No.
| Minister’s Report | 3 |
|---|---|
| Stewards’ Report | 5 |
| Pastoral Committee Report |
6 |
| Lettings Report | 7 |
| Property Report | 8 |
| Finance Report | 9 |
| Safeguarding Report | 10 |
| Junior Church Report | 11 |
| Wednesday Coffee Morning Report | 12 |
| JMA Report | 13 |
| Christian Aid Report | 13 |
| Flower Fund Report | 14 |
| 5thHanwell (Methodist) Scout Group Report 15 |
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Minister’s Report
It’s my privilege and has been a great honour serving Hanwell Methodist Church as part of my ministry at Ealing Trinity Circuit. After spending nearly four years since September 2021, I find all the Churches are very friendly, diverse, welcoming and nicely situated at the hub of the local community.
Church’s Life: Church life is having a bit of a difficult time due to some major building maintenance and complying with the Quinquennial inspection report. But it’s helpful having a team of Stewards who help to make sure things run smoothly. They also help me to prepare the worship service on the pattern based upon – 1[st] Sunday at Acton Hill, 2[nd] Sunday at Hanwell and afternoon service at King’s Hall and the rest of the Sundays according to the needs of the Circuit’s preaching plan. Holy Communion is usually served, almost regularly, on the second Sunday of the month. Having more than one church is good as it provides variety on each Sunday, but I miss out on connecting with Church people on a regular basis which would be beneficial.
It’s time to give thanks and celebrate the generous service offered by you all, as Trustees ( Members of the Church Council ), Secretaries, Treasurer, Stewards, Pastoral Visitors, Property & Finance Stewards, Sunday School Leaders, Organists, and the people who use our premises for various purposes.
I want to thank you all who are volunteering with dedication in different roles and responsibilities in spiritual and social areas.
Church News: Evidently, Church life is running smoothly having all the activities in its own space and times. Life of the Church is thriving, allowing new people to feel welcomed. Also, there is a very successful coffee morning for the local community. Each Sunday, after the church service is over, there is coffee/tea and biscuits giving ample opportunity to engage in fellowship. People do have access without any hesitation. The community runs the Soup kitchen to help the homeless every Thursday morning.
Our worship service runs every Sunday at 11 am and we have Baptism, Wedding and Funeral services on request. Pastorally, there are a few members who are struggling with their ill health, but they do have proper pastoral support and are remembered regularly in our prayers. Members and the community are updated by our weekly HMC newsletter, edited and published by Ray who is a Worship Leader and a very committed member of our church. We have Uniformed groups running regularly in school term time on Mondays and Thursdays in our premises.
There are a few more major issues in the building which are being dealt with very well and are in the safe hands of the Property and Finance committee (PS. See the Property and Finance report). I’d like to apologise on behalf of the Church for any inconvenience you faced due to the failed heating system in the Church. This is working now, thanks to all the efforts of the members of the Property and Finance committee.
The Easter Egg hunt was a great event where we engaged with over 150 young children along with their parents/guardians from our local schools and the community.
Circuit: Looking at the bigger map; Hanwell Methodist Church is very much a part of the Ealing Trinity Circuit, London District. Rev’d Dr Stephen Day ( Presbyter ) is our Superintendent and has pastoral oversight for Greenford Methodist Church and Northolt Methodist Church.
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Rev’d Susan Male ( Presbyter ), has pastoral oversight of Ealing Green ( URC & Methodist LEP ) Church, Kingsdown Methodist Church and Pitshanger Methodist Church. The latter is closed for worship but open for the community to use the space. Two people have been appointed to look after the booking and maintenance of Pitshanger Methodist.
I have pastoral oversight of Acton Hill ( Methodist -URC LEP ) Church, Hanwell Methodist Church, and King’s Hall Methodist Church at Southall which moved to Greenford Methodist Church from October 2023. King’s Hall has an Asian language (Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi) service. To assist the work of the Circuit we have Andrew (p/t Circuit Office Administrator) who was recruited last year to work 30hrs / week, Will (p/t Finance Administrator), and Mercia (p/t Pastoral Worker for Rev Dr Steve’s Section). George from King’s Hall has become a Circuit Steward but the Circuit is still struggling with a small number of Circuit Stewards. So, I urge, if any of you have a quality of leadership and have time and new ideas for active leadership and would be willing to join the Circuit Leadership then please speak to me. Consider its importance in the life of our Circuit.
District News: We have two District Chairs; Rev’d Dr Jongikaya Zihle has a pastoral oversight of the Northern area and Rev’d Dr Jonathan Dean has a pastoral oversight of southern area of the London District. Rev Jongikaya is standing down this year in August. We had Representative and Ministerial Synods for this Connexional year.
Methodist Conference:
Our current President of the Conference is Rev’d Helen Cameron, and Vice President of the conference is Mrs Carolyn Godfrey who commenced their year of office on 27[th] Jun 2024. The President and Vice-President designates Rev’d Richard Andrew and Mr Matthew Forsyth will start their year of office when the Representative session of the Methodist Conference opens in Telford in June 2025.
And last, but not least ‘A Big Thank You’ to all of you who are holding and supporting each other in prayers with Christian love. It is my fourth report in the fourth year of stationing. You all are always in my prayers. May you have blessed times as we all are journeying together in the mission of Christ.
Shalom!
- Rev’d Ajay Singh (Presbyter) Minister Hanwell Methodist Church Ealing Trinity Circuit.
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The Stewarding Year at Hanwell
It is with a sense of satisfaction that I can report the successful induction of two new Stewards this year – Flo and Elisabetta. Both joined in initially as observers/assistants and then quickly were able to act, first as Second Stewards, and then from Christmas onwards, as First Stewards.
I think this approach confirms the view that rather than hit people with a long list of duties when they take up the role, it is better to let new Stewards act and support them rather than issue a long job description and put people off. However, an updated list of duties is very much needed and this is one of a number of documents that require attention.
I note with full appreciation that Chris has often put forward the idea that by giving people a small job to start with, you may then find that they are willing to take on more important roles in the future. I hope that this model may in future bring us more new Stewards. Marion is constructing a new list of Readers and involving people in this way is a very good move towards such ‘involvement’.
I am very grateful to Flo for helping us to view things in a different way. She hinted, via Ajay, that far from being open to new ideas/new people, some might think that the Stewards were in fact a tightly-knit group, all local, and somewhat resistant to new members invading their space. It is always good to see things from another point of view. Difference of a positive nature is surely always to be welcomed.
Though having more Stewards has reduced the number of appointments we all have, some of the Services have required an increased input from us. This was especially true of the projector being out of service, and of (in winter) it being requested that a Steward be stationed at the door to open and close the front door to stop wind entering the church. There were also several instances where a preacher or minister had several specific extra instructions for the Stewards to carry out.
All the Stewards have, as usual, been very willing to step in and deputise for any absences, whether last-minute or longer term, and this has shown how we are a very supportive group, keen to work with each other. Meetings have also been promptly and fully attended, and discussions are always lively and to the point. In particular, Rev. Ajay has always been a constructive and helpful host of our Stewards’ meetings. I must mention how efficient Elisabetta has been, how faithful to financial reckoning Geroge has been, and how cheerful Flo has been in her contributions to meetings.
I am in my third year as Senior Steward and shall, at some stage, be keen to hand over to someone else. In this context I would like to thank both Mary L. and Martin for their support whenever I have requested it. Both, as previous Senior Stewards, have offered excellent guidance.
The ‘open door’ Sundays, when we have maintained a presence in the church instead of closing for Circuit Services, have proved very successful, though we are anxious not to be seen as threatening any Circuit initiatives. I must also mention the great success of our local arrangements, some of which our Stewards have taken. The fact that our congregation is increasing may be taken, I believe, as evidence of a very successful Stewarding Year at Hanwell, and I thank everyone for it.
Michael, June 2025
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Pastoral Committee Report
Our church continues to have an effective pastoral care system, and for that I must once again thank its five dedicated Pastoral Leaders – Cynthia, Marion, Mary L., Rita and Suzanne. Our pastoral groups continue to have an average of ten people, all of whom are Church members or adherents (regular attenders who are not Church members) and all experience the care, friendship and prayer of their Pastoral Leaders. The Pastoral Groups are displayed on the Pastoral Notice board in the Centenary Room (soon to be updated) and if anyone who is worshiping regularly at Hanwell Methodist and would like to be a member of a Pastoral Group, please do see me, Rev Ajay or any of the Pastoral Leaders.
The membership of Hanwell Methodist now stands at 48. In July last year, we welcomed six new members – Olga, Norman, Michelle, Beverley, Keith and Flo. If anyone else in the congregation is interested in becoming a member of the Methodist Church, please do have a word with Rev Ajay – he often runs membership classes and would be happy to give more information.
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Norman in January this year, and of Sylvia in November.
There has been only one baptism in the last year, that of Olga before she was made a church member.
Flowers continue to be distributed to those who are ill or in need of support. Showing people they are being thought of by receiving a bunch of flowers is an important aspect of our pastoral work, and we are once again grateful to Carol for organizing the flower rota, and to everyone who is part of that rota, buying and arranging the flowers weekly. All do an amazing job, both sending our get well wishes to the sick, and making our church a more beautiful and welcoming place.
The Wednesday Coffee Morning continues to run weekly, and all those who volunteer there offer friendship and a listening ear to the people who attend, as well as care and support where it is needed. Again, pastoral work is taking place in Hanwell Methodist, and we give our thanks to everyone who takes the time to bake a cake, serve coffee or simply lend an ear to those who need to talk. This is not an event organized by our Pastoral team, but it is pastoral work nevertheless – a big thank you to everyone who helps make the morning such a success.
The Pastoral Committee continues to meet two to three times a year, chaired by Rev Ajay. Our next meeting is in December. There are additional meetings too, such as at Christmas, when a small group of Pastoral Leaders and our Minister visit housebound or ill members of our Pastoral Groups to share carols and prayer.
The last year has seen two occasions which have brought Pastoral Groups together – firstly, the Pastoral Breakfast in January, when each group ate a superb breakfast and got to know other members of their group better. For this, we give huge thanks to Suzanne and Rita, our cooks of the morning, and of course, all the other pastoral Leaders too. We hope to organize another Pastoral meal together in the coming year. Secondly, but on a much smaller scale, it was good to see five members of my own Pastoral group taking part in the service of March 16[th] , led by Jane W. Many thanks to Jane, Ruby, Simon, Annie and Claudine.
We hope that Hanwell Methodist will continue to embody the pastoral aims of the Methodist Church – that all in its congregation know that they are loved, that its visitors are always welcomed, and that its young, old and all those in between feel safe and valued.
Barbara, Pastoral Committee Secretary.
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Lettings Report for 1 September 2024 to June 2025
The Church continues to receive the bulk of its income from Lettings, which include rent from the Church flat, One-Off bookings and regular bookings. These bookings are managed by myself and Mary B. and as is the case every year, I would like to start this report by thanking Mary for the considerable amount of time and effort she spends preparing the licenses and liaising generally with our hiring groups.
The Church Flat: The family renting the Church flat are nearing the end of their fourth year of tenancy– they signed a new one-year lease last August. We appreciated the patience of the tenants during the dry rot work which took place last year, as it entailed extensive work in their main bedroom and on the wall of the hallway leading up to their flat. Their rent was reduced by half for the four weeks that the work was ongoing. The rent remains at £1500 per month, with utility charges at £100 a month. Bevell’s in Uxbridge Road, Hanwell continue to be our letting agents, and they take a percentage of the monthly rent. In the near future, it will be necessary to replace the front door, but we expect this to be done as part of the programme of works recommended by the quinquennial review. We will also soon have to redecorate the entire flat and replace some carpet, as part of general maintenance.
One-Off Bookings: From the beginning of this financial year (1[st] September 2024) to the present the Church has received £2736 from One-Off bookings, an increase of £300 since last year. However, there has been no income at all from the rental of our church for funerals, enquiries from local funeral directors having come to a standstill. I explained in my report last year the likely reasons for this. The situation may change now that our fees are to be reduced, and I will be contacting the funeral directors to give them our amended prices, once they have been agreed by the Property Committee.
Regular lettings: These provide most of the Church’s income. It’s good to report that bookings have remained stable in the last ten months with all our main hall hirers continuing to book with us. Smaller groups have started but have not been able to run profitably and have therefore had to cancel their bookings. We have a new regular booking starting in September – a yoga class, and a possible children’s cookery school running throughout the summer school holidays.
During the last year, the Church Council voted to allow Bethany Church to worship in our Main Hall on Sunday afternoons, but unfortunately Bethany decided not to go ahead with their booking. They have recently contacted me again, but at the moment there is still no firm booking.
For our premises to be competitive in the rental market, we must ensure that they are kept in good decorative order and are cleaned to a high standard. For the latter, we now have Ana K. as our daily cleaner – she took over from Anna K. in September last year and is providing the same efficient and thorough service as her predecessor. Damian D. continues to cut the grass monthly, and we are also so thankful to have Chris B. to call on for many property problems, especially blocked drains, which he sorts on a regular basis due to the age and width of our pipes. A big thank you to all our maintenance team for keeping our premises in such good order.
Barbara, Bookings Officer, June 2025
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Property Report
It’s been a complicated year for the Church Property Committee since our meeting in July last year.
The quinquennial review took place March 2024. In the preceding month, as mentioned it last year’s meeting, there were significant problems caused by dry rot and in addition the heating system failed.
The review confirmed these two significant items and also it recommended that we had more detailed reports on access, the roof, a fire risk assessment update, and asbestos. These were carried out from July to August and added to the original quinquennial report. The report’s items were ”RAG”(red, amber, green) in an updated report from Wainwrights who carried out the quinquennial review.
The Property Committee identified the red issues that needed to be responded to and the amber and green items would need to be monitored. It was agreed that the red issues would not be addressed until works for the dry rot and heating were completed.
At a committee meeting in December we considered the red issues. We had concerns re the roof report and Wainwrights not obtaining quotes for the works. We were then let down by a roofing contractor, who did works on the dry rot, and had indicated he would resolve the issues from the roofing report.
At our last meeting in May we agreed to contact London Methodist District Property division to advise and support us. This happened and it was agreed that they would –
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source a roofing contractor for estimates for roofing issues identified in the roofing review
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-Identifying a company who would cost and carry out the “red issues”
In addition, we asked advice in identifying a company to evaluate and cost effective security measures for the Church and its premises.
The Church should be very grateful for the work and commitment of the committee who spend many unnoticed hours – on the phone, electronically and at face-to-face meetings ensuring minor, and not so minor issues are responded to.
Paul
Secretary Property and Finance Committee
June 2025
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Finance Report
Introduction
The church appears to be in a comfortable financial position, with balances of more than £250,000 at the end of May 2025, but lots of challenges lie ahead, particularly in maintaining the building.
It is important to note that over the last two years the church has received over £100,000 from legacies. Robert S. and Margaret W. very generously remembered the church in their wills. However, gifts of this nature are very unusual and cannot be relied upon in the future.
Financial Management
In recent months we have introduced card readers which appear to be generating income that we would not otherwise have received. We now manage our bank accounts and make payments online which is quicker and easier than using cheques.
However, several matters remain outstanding:
I have not yet completely caught up with the financial record keeping, but this work is in hand and I am making progress.
Therefore, I cannot yet present detailed financial results for the past year or up to date figures for this financial year.
As a result, it is not yet possible to arrange for the books to be audited.
New signatories have been agreed and I have the details of the people nominated. It remains to complete the necessary forms and submit these to the bank.
Summary Results
FY24 - Income - £106, 349, Expenditure - £133,740. Income includes £13,019 from the estate of Robert S.
FY25 Projection – Income approx. £235,000, Expenditure approx. £205,000. Income includes £87,553 from the estate of Margaret W.
FY26 Budget – Income approx. £150,000, Expenditure approx. £160,000. Expenditure is entirely driven by the need for essential works to the building.
Stephen
June 2025
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Safeguarding Report
Following a previous Safeguarding Review, Rachel Pielow (the Assistant District Safeguarding Officer) visited our Circuit Churches in January, and discussed various matters that will need to be addressed. However, for the time being, the priority continues to be arranging DBS checks and appropriate training for those needing them.
Subject to confirmation in 2 cases at the time of writing, all 17 members requiring DBS checks are now up to date, which is very encouraging.
However, although 3 members have had foundation training since the last GCM, this hasn't kept pace with there being 2 new stewards, so there are at present 7 members who need training at foundation or advanced level, or both !
It has been suggested that a review is needed of some roles in Church which may require those undertaking them to have DBS checks and/or training, and of course there may be a few who would like to attend a training session even if not mandatory - so in the short term it's expected to be quite challenging to keep up.
As was the case last year, 2 incidents have been reported and dealt with, happily again neither is considered to be of ongoing concern.
Martin Safeguarding Officer Hanwell Methodist Church 31 May 2025
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Junior Church report
I would like to start this year’s report by acknowledging, with a massive note of appreciation, Michael, who has supported me so well this year, as our numbers continue to grow.
I would also like to personally thank Carol and Suzanne. who have also stepped up when needed, to help support us both.
There are some weeks, when we have 11 or 12 young people in our care, that I have to pinch myself, as I remember that I started just a few short years ago, with one or two not very regular members every Sunday.
We follow a very tried and tested pattern of activities. Prayer, game, story and then more recently breaking into two smaller groups. The younger children doing more craft type activities which link to the message and the older children involved in more discussion and thought-provoking explorations of the message.
If time allows, we gather together at the end to share.
Highlights have included growing seeds, very messy painting and of course food, with biscuit decorating for Easter and treasure hunts.
Ideally, we need a slightly longer “warning to be ready” from the first steward, as often the activities may not be finished or we may be wet, dirty or sticky!
We also need more help on a regular basis, so that we can create two, quite distinct groups, as our young people continue to grow in their faith.
I would also like to propose, that although our numbers continue to grow, like other youth organisations we break for the summer period, to coincide with school summer holidays. Alternatively, we have a dedicated rota put in place, where one member of our church congregation takes responsibility for organising a session during the summer 6 weeks. However, with stricter rules on safeguarding that may not be a viable option.
Although mine and David’s plan, is to move away from the hills of High Wycombe in the not too distant future, I love this church and my church family here at Hanwell and thank you all for persuading me back into leading junior church, 50 years or so since I first started at Kings Hall.
Jane
A verse from 2 Timothy 3:14-15
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Amen
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Wednesday Coffee Morning Report
The Wednesday Coffee morning is now nearing the end of its fourth year. It has continued to go from strength to strength with numbers of guests in the nineties and at times over a hundred, bringing with them a wide variety of challenges and needs. This coffee morning has become the main focal point of the week for some of our guests, some of whom have very little other contact. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and needs, including food bank recipients, passers-by, a place to relax after medical appointments, church members, language groups, and generally a meeting place for groups of friends.
There have been a couple of additional activities
Singing carols around the Christmas tree was enjoyed by all and well supported, as were the D Day cakes and decorations
A suggestion from the visiting police, who popped in for coffee, has prompted a possible opportunity for guests to chat more informally with them on a more regular basis. This has not yet been implemented and is still in the pipeline.
Our lovely team of very dedicated team of bakers continue to give their weekly support without whom this event would be unable to function. They also turn up every week to serve the refreshments supported by volunteers from the wider community. There is another group of supportive reservists who are on standby to assist when extra help is needed at holiday times. Cakes can be donated by some of our guests on occasion, and we are extremely grateful for all contributions, we just couldn’t manage without them.
Our thanks go to all who support this venture
Thank you everyone
Suzanne
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JMA Report
JMA stands for Junior Mission for All and the JMA promise is to “Learn, pray and serve with the worldwide church of Jesus Christ”. It is part of the Methodist Church worldwide mission programme and funds raised support the Methodist Church World Mission Fund and Mission in Britain Fund. The JMA magazine “Rainbow” is handed out to children in the congregation and displayed on our notice board. I would like to thank all the JMA collectors and members of the church who made online donations. We held our annual JMA service on Sunday 17th November and in the last financial year we raised £427.
At the moment most of our JMA collectors are adult members of the congregation. It should be our aim to encourage some younger people to join JMA. With less cash in circulation the model of collecting spare coins in JMA pots is becoming rather outdated. If anyone has any thoughts as to how we can update our JMA collecting please let me know. Also, if someone with fresh ideas would like to take over JMA I would be only too pleased to hand it over. Many thanks.
Mary
Christian Aid Report
Christian Aid is a charity that works around the world with communities who don’t have the basic things they need to live full lives, free from poverty. For many years Hanwell Methodist has supported Christian Aid week which this year focused on their work in the Central American country of Guatemala. The charity, by working with its partner Congcoop, is training farmers in Guatemala to adapt their farming techniques by growing climate resilient crops and building rainwater collection systems.
This year to mark the start of Christian Aid week a group from church took part in the Christian Aid sponsored Freedom Walk in central London. We started at St Martin-in-the-fields and walked, via a number of churches including St Etheldreda, Charterhouse Chapel and Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, to St Paul’s Cathedral. It was a very enjoyable way to raise money for Christian Aid while at the same time spending time with friends and discovering new churches in London.
Door to door collecting has been the traditional way of raising money during Christian Aid week but now most of our Christian Aid volunteers use deliver only envelopes, relying on residents to return the envelope to a specified address or to donate online. This year we conducted door to door collecting in one road and used deliver only envelopes in a further eight roads. I am always hopeful that next year we will be able to increase the number of roads in which we deliver envelopes. Also, we held a retiring collection at the end of our Sunday service.
At the time of writing the final total raised this year during Christian Aid week has not been finalised but the amount will be announced in HMC News as soon as it is known. I would like to thank everyone who has helped to raise money for Christian Aid this year.
Mary
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Flower report
I would like to thank all those members of the congregation who have contributed throughout the year, by arranging flowers, donating flowers and organising memorials. We have had a great year with many people being involved and hopefully enjoying the displays.
I would like to thank Suzanne, who has designed and produced such wonderful seasonal displays in the centenary room, her creativity is fantastic and the displays bring joy and much discussion throughout the months.
Mary B. has planted a cutting garden to the left side of the church. This is a great addition for the arrangers who can now use these flowers to supplement any from home or shop bought flowers. Thank you so much Mary it’s a wonderful initiative. At the moment we need a key to the side fence (which I have) but it’s rather awkward and I would ask the church if a proper gate can be installed, making access to this area easier and safer. If this were the case junior church could use this for gardening projects if needed?
Our budget remains healthy: Suzanne and I have invested in a few more silk flowers to supplement the fresh flowers.
Many thanks
Carol
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5[th] Hanwell (Methodist) Scout Group
- Report for General Church Meeting 2025
Our group continues to be strong. We are now one of the biggest groups in Ealing & Hanwell, with over 80 young people enjoying regular scouting activities:
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24 Beavers (aged 6 to 8 years)
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30 Cubs (aged 8 to 10.5)
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28 Scouts (aged 10.5 to 14)
All sections have been full all year, with a long waiting list! We have a team of ten fantastic Leaders and have been assisted during the year by a dedicated team of Young Leaders (who chose to stay on and help after they left Scouts, in pursuit of the volunteering credit for their DofE award) – They are: Keira, Astrid, Matthew, Eva, Eliza – and they are all incredible young people who are showing great leadership potential.
We are grateful to our Board of Trustees who provide crucial support and governance – particular thanks to our Chair, Claudia (who still helps out as a Leader when the Cub team need her) - and special thanks to our fantastic long-standing Treasurer, James.
Here is a quick run-down of some of the things we have done over the last year …
Last summer our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts had a fantastic camp at Phasels Wood. Both days were packed with activities including some that were new to many of the young people. Human Hungry Hippos was the most popular activity with the Scouts, with Zorbs getting the Cubs vote and the Beavers really loving Spider Mountain.
During the summer holidays some of our Cubs attended the fun-packed Camporee camp – in sweltering heat, the camp had a Christmas theme!
Our group had the honour of carrying the flags and laying the wreath at the Ealing & Hanwell Remembrance parade in November.
And, in the new year, we took part in a football tournament and a cross country running event where our scouts won the overall trophy:
There was also the annual winter camp known as the ‘February Freezer’!
In the Spring our Beavers did a sleepover and our Cubs and Scouts camped at a local site in Southall – yet again we were blessed with amazing weather.
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Adventurous activities at the April camp included: Climbing, Archery and Kayaking.
Our Scouts took part in the annual ‘Totem’ camping competition again this year – we came an impressive second and fourth - Well done 5[th] Hanwell!
There have been lots of other trips and events across the year to help our young people earn badges … There was even some community gardening and beekeeping:
After our 2025 Summer camp, we have exciting plans for more camps and activities, including an all-sections camp with a Festival theme in September.
We are proud that 17 of our young people achieved Chief Scout awards over the last year (the highest awards for each age-group), which were presented at the St George’s event in Walpole Park (in the presence of the Mayor and the Deputy Lieutenant):
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10 Beavers were awarded Bronze: Sam, Noah, Kayden, Eirik, Zachary, Lehi, Olivia, Jacob, Lincoln, Emmett
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6 Cubs were awarded Silver: Frankie, Ethan, Albie, Linda, Cece, Monty
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3 Scouts were awarded Gold: Keira, Astrid, Tristran
Six of our 5[th] Hanwell young people were also presented with special commendations for outstanding contributions that upheld our scout values. Keira was celebrated for her work at the UK Scout Forum where she represented Ealing & Hanwell - Liam, Mia, Cordelia, Jake and Ruby were recognised for the help they provided to a member of the public who has sustained a significant head injury.
Congratulations to them all.
Overall, it has been another fantastic year for 5[th] Hanwell, thanks to the commitment of our brilliant volunteer Leaders.
As well as managing camps and events, our Leaders continue to work really hard to give our young people a broad and balanced programme week-in, week-out. Some of our Leaders also hold roles in the District team, so have additional responsibilities – Akil helps with the Explorers, Brian regularly helps at our District campsite, and both Stuart and Frances lead their sections at a District level.
They really are an amazing team!
As always, we are grateful for the Church’s ongoing sponsorship and support. We aim to attend at least one parade service each term and enjoyed being part of special services such as Harvest Festival and the Christmas Gift Service.
Thank you very much Hanwell Methodist Church.
Mandy
Group Lead Volunteer
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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Hanwell Methodist
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 Au ust 2025 g
| Circuit Ealing Trinity |
Circuit no. | 35/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity - Charity Registration number | ||
| 1169807 |
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister: Rev. Ajay Singh Church Stewards: Marion Garnett Rita MacMurray Michael Pidoux Chris Rawlings Elisabetta Favaro Flo Todlana
Treasurer: Stephen Sears
1 of 5
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Church
Hanwell Methodist
| SECTION A | Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds |
£ 20 093 4 314 70 434 118 109 Totals this year |
£ 20 093 4 314 70 434 118 109 Totals this year |
Totals last year |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| a1 | RECEIPTS | Note | |||||||
| a2 | Offerings and Tax recovered | 20 093 | 20 093 | 22 758 | |||||
| a3 | Bank and CFB interest and Investment income |
4 314 | 4 314 | 3 177 | |||||
| a4 | Lettings | 70 434 | 70 434 | 64 135 | |||||
| a5 | Other receipts | 117 671 | 438 | 118 109 | 16 279 | ||||
| a6 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 212 512 | 438 | 212 950 | (a7) | 106 349 | |||
| SECTION B | 105 740 87 116 21 333 13 239 |
||||||||
| b1 | PAYMENTS | ||||||||
| b2 | Circuit Assessment or Share | 105 740 | 105 740 | 14 260 | |||||
| b3 | Donations | ||||||||
| b4 | Repairs and Maintenance | 87 116 | 87 116 | 48 297 | |||||
| b5 | Utilities (Insurances, water charges,heating& lighting) |
21 333 | 21 333 | 22 134 | |||||
| b6 | |||||||||
| b7 | Otherpayments | 13 189 | 50 | 13 239 | 3 513 | ||||
| b8 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 227 378 | 50 | 227 428 | (b9) | 88 204 | |||
| (14 478) | |||||||||
| SECTION C | |||||||||
| c1 | NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) |
(14 866) | 388 | (14 478) | 18 145 | ||||
| c2 | Total funds brought forward from last year |
267 698 | 4 423 | 272 121 | (c6) | 253 976 | |||
| 257 643 | |||||||||
| c3 | (c1+c2) Sub total |
252 832 | 4 811 | 257 643 | 272 121 | ||||
| c4 | Transfers and adjustments | (c7) | |||||||
| c5 | TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) |
252 832 | 4 811 | 257 643 | (c8) | 272 121 | (c6) |
| SECTION D | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d | FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures |
£ £ ORGANISATIONS |
|||
| d1 | Balance brought forward from lastyear | 1 313 | 756 | ||
| d2 | Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations | 733 | 557 | ||
| d3 | Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations | ||||
| d4 | BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) | 2 046 | 1 313 |
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Hanwell Methodist
Church
SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
| Receipts | Payments | Net Receipts/ Payments |
Adjustments | Opening balances |
Closingbalances | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (e11) | (e12) | ||||||||||
| **212 950 ** | (a7) | **227 428 ** | (b9) | (14 478) | (c7) | 272 121 | (c6) | 257 643 | (c8) | ||
| 212 950 | 227 428 | (14 478) | 272 121 | (x) | 257 643 | (y) | |||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | TOTAL PAYMENTS |
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2025 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH Central Finance Board Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Other funds Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account SUB TOTAL - Church accounts Cash in hand |
OPENING BALANCES 193 905 58 665 19 551 272 121 (c6) (e11) 272 121 (x) |
CLOSING BALANCES |
||
| f1 | Cash in hand | |||
| f2 | Bank Current Account | 73 570 | ||
| f3 | Bank Deposit Account | 167 125 | ||
| f4 | Central Finance Board | 16 948 | ||
| f5 | Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | |||
| f6 | Other funds | |||
| f7 | SUB TOTAL - Church accounts | 257 643 | (c8) | |
| f8 | Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) |
(e12) | ||
| f9 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH | 257 643 | (y) | |
| SECTION G OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Other Assets Loan(s)- show amount outstandingatyear end Other Liabilities Investments(include Endowments) Land & Buildings(see notes re Insurance value) |
At 1 September 2024 42 774 |
At 31 August 2025 43 133 |
||
| g1 | Investments(include Endowments) | 42 774 | 43 133 | |
| g2 | Land & Buildings(see notes re Insurance value) | |||
| g3 | Other Assets | |||
| g4 | Loan(s)- show amount outstandingatyear end | |||
| g5 | Other Liabilities |
f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5
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Name of Church Hanwell Methodist Church
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.
Signature of treasurer ……………………………………………………… D 17/06/2026
Name and address of treasurer …… Stephen Ashley Sears, 166 Studland Road, Hanwell, London
Post Code………W7 3QZ
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on 18th June 2026
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ………
Name of the Chair of the meeting …Rev Ajay Singh Date ………18/09/2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Hanwell Methodist Church
Charity Number 1169807
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Hanwell Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 2 to 3. As the Church’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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Name of Church Hanwell Methodist Church
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ~~(other than that disclosed below*)~~ which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I have/ ~~have not*~~ obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner
Name of independent examiner Kamal Anthony Griffiths
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner BSc (Hons) Applied Accounting, MBA
Name of firm (where appropriate) N/A
Address 4 Fir Tree Avenue, West Drayton Post Code UB7 9ES Date 17th June 2026
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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Hanwell Methodist
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 Au ust 2025 g
| Circuit Ealing Trinity |
Circuit no. | 35/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity - Charity Registration number | ||
| 1169807 |
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister: Rev. Ajay Singh Church Stewards: Marion Garnett Rita MacMurray Michael Pidoux Chris Rawlings Elisabetta Favaro Flo Todlana
Treasurer: Stephen Sears
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Church
Hanwell Methodist
| SECTION A | Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds |
£ 20 093 4 314 70 434 118 109 Totals this year |
£ 20 093 4 314 70 434 118 109 Totals this year |
Totals last year |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| a1 | RECEIPTS | Note | |||||||
| a2 | Offerings and Tax recovered | 20 093 | 20 093 | 22 758 | |||||
| a3 | Bank and CFB interest and Investment income |
4 314 | 4 314 | 3 177 | |||||
| a4 | Lettings | 70 434 | 70 434 | 64 135 | |||||
| a5 | Other receipts | 117 671 | 438 | 118 109 | 16 279 | ||||
| a6 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 212 512 | 438 | 212 950 | (a7) | 106 349 | |||
| SECTION B | 105 740 87 116 21 333 13 239 |
||||||||
| b1 | PAYMENTS | ||||||||
| b2 | Circuit Assessment or Share | 105 740 | 105 740 | 14 260 | |||||
| b3 | Donations | ||||||||
| b4 | Repairs and Maintenance | 87 116 | 87 116 | 48 297 | |||||
| b5 | Utilities (Insurances, water charges,heating& lighting) |
21 333 | 21 333 | 22 134 | |||||
| b6 | |||||||||
| b7 | Otherpayments | 13 189 | 50 | 13 239 | 3 513 | ||||
| b8 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 227 378 | 50 | 227 428 | (b9) | 88 204 | |||
| (14 478) | |||||||||
| SECTION C | |||||||||
| c1 | NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) |
(14 866) | 388 | (14 478) | 18 145 | ||||
| c2 | Total funds brought forward from last year |
267 698 | 4 423 | 272 121 | (c6) | 253 976 | |||
| 257 643 | |||||||||
| c3 | (c1+c2) Sub total |
252 832 | 4 811 | 257 643 | 272 121 | ||||
| c4 | Transfers and adjustments | (c7) | |||||||
| c5 | TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) |
252 832 | 4 811 | 257 643 | (c8) | 272 121 | (c6) |
| SECTION D | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d | FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures |
£ £ ORGANISATIONS |
|||
| d1 | Balance brought forward from lastyear | 1 313 | 756 | ||
| d2 | Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations | 733 | 557 | ||
| d3 | Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations | ||||
| d4 | BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) | 2 046 | 1 313 |
2 of 5
Hanwell Methodist
Church
SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
| Receipts | Payments | Net Receipts/ Payments |
Adjustments | Opening balances |
Closingbalances | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (e11) | (e12) | ||||||||||
| **212 950 ** | (a7) | **227 428 ** | (b9) | (14 478) | (c7) | 272 121 | (c6) | 257 643 | (c8) | ||
| 212 950 | 227 428 | (14 478) | 272 121 | (x) | 257 643 | (y) | |||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | TOTAL PAYMENTS |
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2025 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH Central Finance Board Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Other funds Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account SUB TOTAL - Church accounts Cash in hand |
OPENING BALANCES 193 905 58 665 19 551 272 121 (c6) (e11) 272 121 (x) |
CLOSING BALANCES |
||
| f1 | Cash in hand | |||
| f2 | Bank Current Account | 73 570 | ||
| f3 | Bank Deposit Account | 167 125 | ||
| f4 | Central Finance Board | 16 948 | ||
| f5 | Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | |||
| f6 | Other funds | |||
| f7 | SUB TOTAL - Church accounts | 257 643 | (c8) | |
| f8 | Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) |
(e12) | ||
| f9 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH | 257 643 | (y) | |
| SECTION G OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Other Assets Loan(s)- show amount outstandingatyear end Other Liabilities Investments(include Endowments) Land & Buildings(see notes re Insurance value) |
At 1 September 2024 42 774 |
At 31 August 2025 43 133 |
||
| g1 | Investments(include Endowments) | 42 774 | 43 133 | |
| g2 | Land & Buildings(see notes re Insurance value) | |||
| g3 | Other Assets | |||
| g4 | Loan(s)- show amount outstandingatyear end | |||
| g5 | Other Liabilities |
f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5
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Name of Church Hanwell Methodist Church
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.
Signature of treasurer ……………………………………………………… D 17/06/2026
Name and address of treasurer …… Stephen Ashley Sears, 166 Studland Road, Hanwell, London
Post Code………W7 3QZ
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on 18th June 2026
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ………
Name of the Chair of the meeting …Rev Ajay Singh Date ………18/09/2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Hanwell Methodist Church
Charity Number 1169807
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Hanwell Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 2 to 3. As the Church’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
4 of 5
Name of Church Hanwell Methodist Church
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ~~(other than that disclosed below*)~~ which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I have/ ~~have not*~~ obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner
Name of independent examiner Kamal Anthony Griffiths
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner BSc (Hons) Applied Accounting, MBA
Name of firm (where appropriate) N/A
Address 4 Fir Tree Avenue, West Drayton Post Code UB7 9ES Date 17th June 2026
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